Chapter 270: 260: An Offer Between Enemies
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"Revenge is better when someone else helps pay for it."
Fartray continued tapping one finger against the arm of his chair while the servant stood before him with his head lowered. The room had become quiet after those words. Only the soft crackle of fire from the wall lamp could be heard.
Fartray’s smile remained on his face, but his eyes were no longer amused. He had spent several days thinking about John, Fizz Holdings, and the humiliation he had suffered. Every new rumor made his anger worse. John had arrived at Heart Magic Academy as a nobody, but now students spoke his name in every hall. He had defeated Ned White in public. He had rare void-like magic. He had a shop that was quickly becoming famous. He had even taken Rhea Flame’s attention away from the man she was promised to marry.
Fartray hated all of it.
Most of all, he hated that John kept rising while he remained known as the person John had embarrassed.
The servant waited until Fartray finally spoke again.
"Where is Ned White now?"
"He returned to the White family residence after visiting the academy healer, Young Master."
Fartray’s smile became wider. "Good. He will be angry."
The servant lifted his eyes slightly. "Do you want me to send him a message?"
"No." Fartray stood and adjusted the front of his coat. "A message can be ignored. I will speak to him personally."
The servant looked worried. "Young Master, the White family may not welcome an unannounced visit."
Fartray turned toward him.
"I am the son of Count Aqua."
The servant lowered his head at once. "Of course."
Fartray walked toward the door, but he stopped before leaving. His expression became thoughtful again.
"Prepare a private carriage. No family marks. I do not want my father hearing about this meeting yet."
The servant hesitated. "Should I bring guards?"
"Two. Keep them outside."
Fartray opened the door.
"And find out which students still follow Ned inside the academy. I want names, habits, and anything they know about John."
The servant bowed deeply. "I will arrange it."
Fartray left the room with the same cold smile on his face. He believed he had finally found the right weapon against John.
He did not yet understand that Ned White was also looking for a weapon.
Several hours later, the unmarked Aqua carriage stopped near a private side entrance of a White family guest residence. The building was smaller than the main White estate, but everything about it still showed wealth. White stone pillars stood on both sides of the gate. Golden light symbols had been carved into the walls. Two guards wearing the White crest watched the carriage with sharp eyes.
Fartray stepped down and handed one guard a sealed card.
"Tell Ned White that Fartray Aqua wishes to speak with him about John."
The guard’s expression changed slightly when he heard the name. He looked at the card, then at Fartray.
"Wait here."
Fartray did not enjoy being told to wait, but he held back his anger. This meeting mattered more than his pride for now.
The guard disappeared inside.
Fartray remained near the carriage while the second guard continued watching him. Fartray looked toward the upper windows and wondered whether Ned was hiding his injuries. The thought pleased him. John had beaten Ned in front of dozens of students. A son of Duke White had been forced to the ground by a discarded bastard.
That shame could be useful.
A servant returned after several minutes and asked Fartray to follow him. He was led through a quiet hallway into a private sitting room.
Ned stood near a table with a glass of medicine in one hand. The swelling around his mouth had mostly disappeared, but a dark mark remained along his jaw. His white academy coat had been replaced with a simple black training robe.
He did not greet Fartray.
He only looked at him with open dislike.
"Why are you here?"
Fartray stepped into the room and waited until the servant closed the door behind him.
"I heard about your fight."
Ned’s fingers tightened around the glass.
"If you came here to laugh, you will leave without your teeth."
Fartray’s smile did not disappear. "I came because we want the same thing."
Ned placed the glass on the table.
"You know nothing about what I want."
"You want John dead."
The room became still.
Ned stared at him for several seconds before speaking.
"Be careful."
Fartray walked closer, but he remained far enough away that Ned could not reach him without taking several steps.
"Why? Because the academy might hear us? Because your father might learn you failed to defeat your own bastard brother?"
White light appeared faintly around Ned’s hand.
Fartray raised both palms.
"I did not come here to insult you. I came because John is becoming a problem for both of us."
Ned’s light did not disappear.
Fartray continued. "He is tied to Fizz Holdings. That shop is spreading through the capital faster than anyone expected. Rich buyers are asking about rare mana tools. Merchants are speaking about their blades. Students are already treating him like a rising genius."
Ned’s expression remained hard.
Fartray watched him carefully.
"And Rhea Flame kissed him in public."
The light around Ned’s hand became brighter.
Fartray knew he had chosen the right wound.
"She also spent the night inside his dorm room," Fartray added.
Ned moved before Fartray finished speaking. He crossed the space between them and grabbed Fartray by the front of his coat.
"Say that again."
Fartray’s guards were outside. No one came to help him. Even so, he did not show fear.
"My people confirmed it. Rhea left John’s dorm corridor early in the morning wearing a long coat. She had been there through the night."
Ned’s face became pale with anger.
Fartray lowered his voice.
"You cannot fight him inside the academy again. The teachers will stop you. Headmaster Snake watches him. Students already saw you lose once. If you attack him publicly and lose again, even the White family name will not protect your pride."
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