Bab 59: The Dangers of the Regime of Sinclair Snow
At the Snow Institute, where lineage and wealth were the currency of acceptance, a new arrival stirred whispers among the old money elite. Ethan, the scion of a family whose fortunes had once been built in the now-destroyed underground, navigated the hallowed halls of the prestigious academy with trepidation.
Clad in the finest tailored clothing and adorned with accessories that spoke of newfound affluence, Ethan stood out among the sea of familiar faces. His gaze darted nervously from one group of old money kids to another, searching for a glimmer of acceptance in their scrutinizing eyes.
As Ethan approached a cluster of aristocratic students lounging in the courtyard, their conversation ceased abruptly, replaced by hushed murmurs and speculative glances. Sensing the weight of their scrutiny, Ethan squared his shoulders and extended a tentative greeting.
"Hello, I'm Ethan," he ventured, forcing a polite smile despite the knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. "I'm new here."
The response was lukewarm at best, as the old money kids exchanged subtle glances and stifled snickers behind manicured hands. To them, Ethan's background marked him as an outsider, a parvenu seeking entry into their exclusive enclave.
Undeterred by their cool reception, Ethan persisted in his efforts to ingratiate himself with the old money elite. He attended their social gatherings, offered compliments on their impeccable taste, and even attempted to mimic their mannerisms and speech patterns.
Yet, despite his best efforts, Ethan remained on the fringes of acceptance, forever relegated to the periphery of the old money clique. His attempts to bridge the gap between their worlds were met with thinly veiled disdain and condescension, leaving him feeling like a mere interloper in their rarefied realm.
But beneath the façade of aloofness and entitlement, Ethan sensed a vulnerability lurking within the old money kids—a fear of losing their privileged status and a desperate desire to cling to the fading vestiges of their aristocratic heritage.
In the face of their disdain, Ethan resolved to prove his worth on his own terms, to carve out a place for himself in the annals of Snow Institute history through hard work, determination, and sheer force of will. And as he embarked on his journey to earn the respect of his peers, Ethan remained undaunted by the challenges that lay ahead, steadfast in his belief that true acceptance could only be won through merit and integrity.
As Ethan navigated the intricacies of Snow Institute's social hierarchy, he found himself ensnared in a delicate dance of diplomacy and deception. In his quest for acceptance, he engaged in countless conversations with the old money elite, each exchange fraught with underlying tension and unspoken expectations.
Approaching a group of well-heeled students gathered in the courtyard, Ethan cleared his throat nervously before launching into a carefully crafted introduction. "Good afternoon," he began, his voice tinged with forced confidence. "I'm Ethan. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
The response was lukewarm, at best, as the old money kids exchanged guarded glances and murmured amongst themselves. Sensing their skepticism, Ethan pressed on, determined to win them over with charm and wit.
"So, what's the latest gossip around here?" he asked, flashing a disarming smile as he attempted to steer the conversation towards safer territory.
A haughty-looking girl with perfectly coiffed hair and a disdainful sneer spoke up, her tone dripping with condescension. "Oh, nothing much," she replied, her words laced with thinly veiled disdain. "Just the usual scandals and intrigues that plague our illustrious institution."
Undeterred by her frosty demeanor, Ethan leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with feigned interest. "Scandals and intrigues, you say? Pray, do tell," he pressed, hoping to glean some valuable insights into the inner workings of Snow Institute's social scene.
The girl smirked, relishing the opportunity to impart her knowledge to the newcomer. "Well, for starters, there's the ongoing feud between the Montague and Capulet factions," she began, her voice dripping with melodrama. "It's positively Shakespearean, I tell you—full of betrayal, revenge, and forbidden love."
Ethan nodded attentively, feigning interest as he mentally cataloged the names and alliances mentioned. "Fascinating," he murmured, his mind racing with thoughts of how he might leverage this newfound information to his advantage.
As the conversation continued, Ethan found himself embroiled in a web of half-truths and hidden agendas, each exchange serving as a reminder of the precarious balance of power that governed life at Snow Institute. And as he navigated the treacherous waters of high society, Ethan resolved to tread carefully, lest he find himself swept away by the tide of deceit and duplicity that lurked beneath the surface.
As Ethan mingled amidst the glittering throng of Snow Institute's elite, his gaze was drawn inexorably towards the figure of Sinclair Snow, the enigmatic Godking whose presence loomed large over the proceedings. Surrounded by a retinue of imposing Inquisitors, Sinclair exuded an air of quiet authority, his stoic demeanor belying the turmoil that raged within.
Ethan observed from afar as anxious parents approached the Godking, their expressions a curious blend of deference and desperation. However, their attempts at conversation were swiftly rebuffed by the vigilant Inquisitors, who stood sentinel around their leader, their steely gazes warning off any potential intruders.
Amidst the murmured conversations and clinking glasses, Ethan overheard snippets of conversation from the heirs, their voices tinged with concern and speculation. "Have you seen the Godking lately?" one whispered, casting a furtive glance towards Sinclair's imposing figure. "They say he's been in a severe depression ever since the sealing of the underground."
Another nodded solemnly, his expression grave. "It's true. My father mentioned it to me just the other day," he replied, his tone hushed with reverence. "It seems the burden of ruling weighs heavily upon him, even as he maintains his facade of strength and authority."
Ethan listened intently, his curiosity piqued by the revelation of Sinclair's inner turmoil. Despite the Godking's reputation for stoicism and control, it seemed that even he was not immune to the emotional toll of recent events.
As the party continued around him, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach. With each passing moment, he found himself drawn deeper into the tangled web of intrigue and uncertainty that surrounded Sinclair Snow and his enigmatic reign. And as he watched the Godking from afar, Ethan couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay hidden behind that inscrutable facade, and what role he might play in the unfolding drama that gripped Snow Institute and the realm beyond.
As Ethan navigated through the bustling halls of Snow Institute the following day, the air crackled with tension and apprehension. Whispers of the previous night's events lingered like a shadow over the prestigious academy, casting a pall of unease over its hallowed halls.
Groups of students clustered together in hushed tones, their expressions drawn and solemn as they exchanged furtive glances and muttered conversations. Ethan paused to listen, catching snippets of their discussions as he made his way through the crowded corridors.
"...did you hear about Marcus?" one student murmured, casting a wary glance over his shoulder as if afraid of being overheard.
His companion nodded gravely, her eyes wide with fear. "They say he was taken by the Inquisitors last night. Dragged right out of his dormitory in the middle of the night."
Ethan's heart sank at the news, his stomach twisting with apprehension. It was a chilling reminder of the dangers that lurked beneath the seemingly idyllic facade of Snow Institute, a reminder that even the most privileged among them were not immune to the whims of Sinclair Snow and his enforcers.
As he continued on his way, Ethan overheard another group of students discussing the rumors that had been circulating about Marcus's disappearance. "They say his parents were speaking out against the Godking," one girl whispered, her voice trembling with fear.
Her companion nodded, her expression grim. "I heard they were spreading rumors about him, questioning his authority. You know what that means..."
Ethan shuddered at the implications of their words, his mind racing with thoughts of the consequences that awaited those who dared to defy Sinclair Snow and his regime. It was a sobering realization, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows of Snow Institute.
As he reached the central courtyard, Ethan's attention was drawn to a commotion nearby, and he turned to see two imposing figures clad in the unmistakable garb of Inquisitors dragging a struggling figure between them. It was another heir, Ethan realized with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched the scene unfold before him.
The gathered students murmured in shock and disbelief as they watched the captive heir being led away, their expressions a mixture of fear and uncertainty. "What did he do?" one student whispered, her voice trembling with apprehension.
"I heard his parents were speaking out against the Godking," another replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "They say he's been taken as a warning to others."
Ethan listened in horrified fascination, his mind reeling at the implications of the unfolding drama. It was a stark reminder of the harsh reality that lurked beneath the veneer of privilege and prestige at Snow Institute, a reminder that even the most privileged among them were not immune to the wrath of Sinclair Snow and his ruthless regime.
As the Inquisitors disappeared from view, dragging their captive heir into the depths of the academy, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled over him like a shroud. With each passing moment, the walls of Snow Institute seemed to close in around him, suffocating him with the weight of its secrets and shadows. And as he looked around at the faces of his fellow students, Ethan couldn't help but wonder who among them would be the next to disappear into the darkness that lurked at the heart of Sinclair Snow's empire.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone