Mutant awakening: My evolution knows no bounds

Chapter 176 Hometown

"Where were you last night, Griswold?" she asked bluntly, her tone leaving no room for evasion.

Silas blinked, momentarily thrown off by her question. "I was here," he replied, though he could feel the weight of her stare challenging his words. "I mean, I came back here after spending some time on the rooftop. I needed to clear my head."

Kara tilted her head slightly, her skeptical expression making it clear she wasn't entirely convinced. "The rooftop?" she repeated, her tone soft but probing. "At what time?"

"Close to midnight," Silas said without hesitation. He kept his expression calm, meeting her gaze. "I stayed there for about an hour. It's quiet up there. Helps me think."

Kara's eyes narrowed, studying him for any sign of dishonesty. The tension in the room was evident, and Silas could feel his heart beating faster under her scrutiny. After a few moments, she gave a small nod, though her expression remained serious.

"Alright," she said finally, though her tone suggested she still had doubts. "But if you're lying to me, Griswold, I'll find out."

"I'm not lying," Silas replied evenly, keeping his tone respectful. "I'd never lie to you."

Kara didn't respond immediately. Instead, she let her gaze wander briefly around the room, taking in the worn desk, the neatly made bed, and the shelf of collectibles. Finally, she let out a small sigh, her stance softening slightly.

"I didn't come here just to interrogate you," she admitted, brushing a strand of her dark hair away from her face. "I received a call last night. From my father."

Silas raised an eyebrow in surprise. From what little he knew about Kara, she rarely mentioned her family, and the idea of her father calling seemed significant. "Your father?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. "Is that unusual?"

Kara nodded, her expression darkening. "It's been years since I last heard from him. I thought… well, I thought I'd never hear from him again."

The weight in her voice caught Silas off guard. He straightened up, giving her his full attention. "What did he say?"

Kara hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. For a moment, she seemed almost vulnerable, a stark contrast to the confident and commanding presence she usually exuded. "There's trouble in my hometown," she said finally. "People are being killed. My father said it's a creature… something strange. Something that doesn't belong."

Silas felt a chill run down his spine. "A creature?" he repeated. "Did he describe it?"

Kara shook her head. "No. Just that it's dangerous and it's killing indiscriminately. He said they need my help."

Silas nodded slowly, his mind already racing through the possibilities. He knew Kara was capable, likely far more powerful than most of the academy's students, but the mention of a creature wreaking havoc was concerning.

"So, what's your plan?" Silas asked, his tone calm but serious.

"I'm going to check it out," Kara said firmly. "See what I'm dealing with. If it's something I can handle on my own, I will. But if it's beyond me…" She paused, her gaze meeting his. "I'll call you. I'll need your help."

Silas felt a flicker of pride at the trust she was placing in him, though he kept his expression neutral. "Of course," he said respectfully. "Just say the word, and I'll be there."

Kara gave a small nod, a hint of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Griswold."

Silas shifted slightly, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. Kara had always been striking, with her sharp features and confident demeanor, but there was something different about her now. The vulnerability she had shown, even for just a moment, made her seem more human. More real.

"Are you leaving now?" Silas asked.

"Yes," Kara said, her tone brisk again. "The sooner I get there, the better."

Silas nodded. "Be careful."

Kara's lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I always am."

With that, she turned and headed for the door. Silas stepped aside to let her pass, watching as she moved with purpose. As she reached the door, she paused and glanced back at him.

"Don't do anything reckless while I'm gone," she said, her tone light but with an edge of seriousness.

Silas smirked. "No promises."

Kara rolled her eyes but didn't press the issue. She opened the door and stepped out, leaving Silas alone in the room once more.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Silas let out a long breath. The room felt quieter now, almost oppressively so. He moved back to his bed and sat down, his mind still processing the conversation.

A strange creature in Kara's hometown. People being killed. The whole situation felt ominous, and he couldn't shake the feeling that it was only the beginning of something much larger.

"She's strong," Silas murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the floor. "If anyone can handle it, it's her. But still…"

He shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside. Kara had made it clear that she would call for him if she needed help. For now, all he could do was wait—and prepare.

Silas stood up and walked over to his desk, pulling out a notebook and pen. He began jotting down ideas, plans for how he could improve his skills and gear in the time he had. The second stage of the evolution quest was looming, and now, with the possibility of helping Kara, he felt an even greater urgency to be ready for anything.

As he wrote, a flicker of determination lit in his eyes. He didn't know what the future held, but he was resolved to face it head-on—whatever it might bring.

"""

Kara strode down the hallway, her boots clicking softly against the polished floor. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, most of them centered on Silas and the Artifact. Sir Dominic already suspected Silas had obtained it, though he hadn't acted yet. That knowledge weighed heavily on Kara.

She clenched her fists, her pace quickening. Silas was reckless, no doubt about that, but she'd seen the determination in his eyes. If he knew Sir Dominic was watching him, he might do something foolish—and foolishness, in their world, often led to death.

"I'll handle it later," she told herself firmly. There was no time to address it now. Her father's call and the mysterious creature killing people in her hometown took precedence. Whatever Sir Dominic planned for Silas could wait.

As she reached the end of the hallway, she paused in front of a large wooden door. The plaque beside it read "Sir Dominic J. Arkwright – Headmaster." Taking a deep breath, Kara knocked twice, her knuckles rapping sharply against the wood.

"Enter," came Sir Dominic's deep voice from the other side.

Kara pushed the door open and stepped inside. The office was as imposing as the man who occupied it. Shelves lined with ancient tomes and artifacts covered the walls, and a large desk sat in the center, papers neatly arranged on its surface. Sir Dominic sat behind it, his piercing blue eyes fixed on her as she approached.

"Kara," he said, setting down the quill he'd been holding. "What brings you here?"

"I need to leave the academy," Kara said without preamble.

Sir Dominic raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? And why would that be?"

Kara straightened her shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. "I received a call from my father last night," she began. "Something is happening in my hometown. People are being killed by a creature—something unnatural. They need my help."

For a moment, Sir Dominic said nothing, his sharp gaze studying her face. Kara held her ground, refusing to waver under his scrutiny.

"Your father," Sir Dominic said at last, his tone neutral. "You've not mentioned him in years. Why reach out to you now?"

Kara's jaw tightened, but she kept her voice steady. "I don't know," she admitted. "But if he's asking for my help, it must be serious."

Sir Dominic leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in front of him. "And you believe this creature is something you can handle alone?"

"I don't know," Kara said honestly. "But I have to try. If it's beyond me, I'll call for backup."

Sir Dominic's gaze remained locked on hers, and Kara forced herself not to look away. Finally, he gave a small nod.

"Very well," he said. "You may go."

Relief washed over Kara, though she didn't let it show. "Thank you, Sir Dominic," she said.

"But," he continued, his tone turning stern, "be careful, Kara. I would hate to lose one of my most promising staff members over a personal matter."

"I will," Kara promised.

Sir Dominic nodded, his expression softening slightly. "And Kara," he added, his voice quieter now, "if you need assistance, don't hesitate to call. You are not alone in this."

Kara gave a small smile, the gesture barely reaching her eyes. "I won't," she said.

With that, she turned and left the office, closing the door softly behind her.

As she made her way down the hallway, her mind shifted back to Silas. Sir Dominic's suspicions about him were growing, and it was only a matter of time before he acted on them.

"I'll handle it when I get back," Kara thought grimly. For now, her focus needed to be on the task ahead.