My Ultimate OP System: Summoning All Dragons, Gods, Heroes & Villains-Chapter 39: The Library

Her steps slowed for just a fraction of a second so that she could peak in his direction. After then, she quickly turned her face away.

A part of her couldn’t help but feel bad about the other day when he hadn’t shown up at Ernie’s.

It stung more than she wanted to admit, making her wonder if that friendship of theirs had already reached its endpoint. Just like that.

Back at the table, Ethan turned toward Percival, whose face had gone almost furious that his tone let out low growls.

"Who the hell does that elf think he is, taking Isabella away like that?" he muttered, glaring daggers in Cyran’s direction.

"Man, relax," Ethan said, trying to sound cool.

Percival shook his head. "At this rate, I’ll never be able to get a chance with her."

He turned back to his plate with an angry look on his face and started eating in silence.

Ethan turned back to his own food as well, although still barely touching it.

Truthfully, he hadn’t come to the cafeteria today just to eat. He’d been hoping to get a word with Isabella.

And though he tried to deny it, a part of him was genuinely annoyed that Cyran had swooped in and stolen that opportunity right out from under him.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

—-

People began heading out of the cafeteria slowly, one by one or in pairs.

Ethan and Percival walked out together as well, but not long after they left, Percival stopped abruptly.

"Hold on," he said, patting his pockets. "I forgot my ID on the table."

Ethan sighed. "Go get it."

Percival turned and jogged back toward the cafeteria.

Ethan leaned against the wall in the corridor, waiting. A few students passed by, some giving him curious glances, but he paid them no mind.

Then Anna, the final year class rep, walked past. She almost didn’t notice him standing there, but at the last second, she glanced over and stopped.

"Oh, hey Stark," she said casually. "The Princess Isabella Tudor came by the final year wing yesterday asking about you."

Ethan’s eyes widened slightly. "Oh?"

Anna nodded. "Yeah. Just thought you should know."

Then she walked past without another word.

Percival returned almost immediately after, holding his ID card. But the moment he saw Ethan, he narrowed his eyes and made a weird face.

"Why are you smiling?" Percival asked.

Ethan blinked, not even realizing he had been. Then he waved his hand dismissively and said, "It’s nothing. Let’s go, man."

Percival gave him a skeptical look but didn’t press further.

As they reached the classroom, Ethan spotted Lucy sitting at her usual spot, busy sketching something in her notebook. Her goggles were perched on her head, and she was completely absorbed in whatever design she was working on.

Ethan turned to Percival. "I need to speak to her for a second."

Percival nodded. "Alright." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

He walked over to their seat while Ethan approached Lucy.

"Might I borrow you for a moment?" Ethan said.

Lucy looked up from her sketch, then smiled. "Sure."

——

Not long after, Lucy walked into the classroom of the first years, who had just settled in from break time.

As first years, they were always more keen to settle down before the next instructor arrived.

The moment she entered with that usual cheerful smile on her face, most of the students, if not all, went silent.

They knew who she was. Lucy Hargreeves of the final year. She was popular among them for how jovial and helpful she’d been to some of them over the last few days.

Lucy scanned the room briefly, then said, "Isabella Berlene Tudor, is she in class?"

Isabella raised her hand and stood up, looking slightly confused.

Lucy smiled. "Please come with me."

Then she turned and walked out of the door.

There were a few murmurs among the students as Isabella, still looking puzzled, followed the final year without question.

Age-wise, they were around the same, but in Belsorth, your class year was the measure of seniority.

Walking out of the classroom, Isabella asked, "Why was I called?"

Lucy glanced back with a smile. "Oh, someone just wants to see you."

They both walked along a corridor until they reached the library.

Lucy pointed in a certain direction within, and right there, standing near one of the shelves, was Ethan who raised his hand in acknowledgment.

Lucy nodded at Ethan, and Ethan nodded back before Lucy turned and walked away, leaving them alone.

Isabella approached slowly with a curious expression on his face.

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I apologize it had to happen this way. I didn’t know how else to reach you."

This was the only opportunity he could find, the brief window between the end of break and the arrival of the next instructor.

Isabella stopped a few feet away from him, crossing her arms lightly. "Hey."

"Hey" Ethan said back.

Isabella tilted her head slightly, but her expression softened a bit. "So what is this about?"

Ethan took a breath. "I wanted to apologize. For the other day. I know I was supposed to meet you at Ernie’s, and I didn’t show up. I’m sorry."

Isabella’s gaze dropped for a moment. "I tried to reach your cell," she said quietly. "Multiple times."

Ethan grimaced. "Yeah... my cell got spoilt, which is also why I couldn’t reach out either."

"Hm... what happened?" Isabella asked curiously, now looking concerned.

Ethan sighed and shook his head. Then said, "there isn’t so much time left for our conversation, but trust me when I say this, it was a frustrating situation that came up so suddenly"

He chose not to mention the kidnapping. That was a mess he didn’t want to drag her into.

Isabella then said. "It’s fine, Ethan. I understand. Things happen."

It was then Ethan mentioned another intention, "But I want to make it right."

Isabella shook her head. "Really, it’s okay. You don’t have to..."

"I insist," Ethan said firmly.

Isabella sighed as her lips widened slightly into little smile. "Okay, then. How?"

Ethan thought for a moment before asking, "Would it be alright if I had you picked up from the palace at the hour of eight tonight?"

Isabella’s eyes widened in surprise. She let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "Picked up? At the palace? To where?"

Ethan scratched his head sheepishly. "That part I admittedly haven’t figured out yet. But I’d need you to get dressed."

Isabella laughed lightly. "That’s too much, Ethan. I’m okay with just hanging out somewhere casual."

Ethan refused. "If you’re going to let me make it up to you, then let me do it in style."

Isabella stared at him for a moment, then sighed in defeat. "Okay, fine. But there’s one thing, though."

She reached into the pocket of her overcoat and pulled out a pen. Then she gently took his hand and wrote her digits across his palm.

"I can’t have someone pick me up at the palace without incurring scrutiny and a thousand annoying questions," she said as she wrote. "So instead, text me where you finally come up with, and I’ll be there."

She let go of his hand, capped the pen, and tucked it back into her coat.

Then she turned to leave with a smile on her lips as she adjusted a strand of hair behind her ear.

Ethan watched her go, still feeling the faint warmth where her fingers had touched his hand.

He looked down at the numbers written on his palm and grinned.