Eternal Freedom's Ascension-Chapter 150: Witness of the Theft

"Hah? What the heck? That’s impossible!"

Logan’s indignant voice rose, a displeased expression on his face. His classmates also frowned, staring at Instructor Rina in confusion.

Liam spoke hesitantly. "Instructor... are you sure? This..."

Instructor Rina’s face remained cold. "A witness claims he was present at the scene. If you have a witness to aid you, Logan, find them within five days."

After saying that, she left the class with measured steps.

A heavy silence enveloped the class, and everyone turned their attention to Logan. The boy growled in anger, his fists clenched tightly.

"Logan. Are you... are you sure you didn’t do it?" Jose asked softly, his voice filled with doubt.

The boy’s head snapped toward him. "What do you mean? I was only there! I didn’t steal it!"

Jose shrank back, though he didn’t seem intimidated. All around, the other students whispered, casting suspicious stares at Logan.

"Guys!" Liam said, noticing this as he stood. "We shouldn’t jump to conclusions already. Logan is our classmate and we should believe him."

"Believe him? What if he actually stole the relic?" A girl asked, her eyes sharp with defiance.

Liam didn’t agree. "I believe Logan wouldn’t go ahead to steal a relic. He obviously didn’t steal it."

"He better not—lest his act of theft reduce our Class Rank Points." She snorted, turning away from him.

Although everyone always trusted Liam and agreed with him, they didn’t really trust Logan.

"You’re all making a fuss about this." Hazel spoke calmly, her voice commanding silence from the others.

"This is obviously a set-up to frame Logan—and see how we would solve the issue as a class. The only thing we should be doing now is to find a witness or the actual culprit behind the theft."

Her words enlightened most of them, making them realize this matter was actually more complicated than it sounded.

Kaiser rested his head on the table, eyes closed peacefully.

’Hm. This seems like the doings of that girl. Is she trying to toy with Class-E? I wonder how Hazel and Liam would solve this.’

Earlier, just a few minutes after the first lecture of the day was about to end, Instructor Rina rounded up the lecture, informing them about a case of theft in the Academy’s Item Store.

A relic was stolen, and some mysterious witness claimed Logan was the one who stole it. At first, most students were unconcerned. However, after Instructor Rina informed them that it might affect their Class Rank Points, they became furious until Hazel pointed out the hidden scheme behind this matter.

"If there’s anyone willing to help us search for the witness, kindly wait behind after classes today."

Saying that, Hazel went silent again, refocusing on the note she was writing. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Before anyone could continue their speculations and discussions, the next instructor entered the classroom.

.........

The classes ended uneventfully, and a few students waited behind as Hazel had asked. To her surprise, Kaiser also waited behind.

"You... want to help us?"

There was a hint of shock in her voice.

Kaiser waved his hand lazily. "Mehh, I’m merely here to watch."

Hazel was disappointed, but still appreciated his presence. The other students who waited were Kiera, Astron, Ysabella, Hazel, Liam, and the person involved; Logan.

With the class almost empty, they gathered close to each other.

"Hazel, you said this might be a set-up. How did you come to that conclusion?"

Liam asked, his gaze sharp and focused.

Hazel replied with a serious look. "Even though the theft occurred in the Item Store full of cameras, there were no recordings or pictures as evidence."

Ysabella’s eyes went wide. "Someone tampered with the cameras!"

Hazel nodded curtly. "Yes. So it’s obviously a scheme—a well-planned one."

"Wait. Why would someone try to frame me of all people?" Logan scoffed, displeased. He didn’t like that he was being used in whatever plan was unfolding.

Some distance from them, Kaiser’s eyes glinted. ’Is this also a probe toward Logan? She wants to see if she can trigger his complete bloodline awakening.’

Although this plan was somewhat devious, he wasn’t against it at all. His only concern was to suppress Logan in full transformation and prevent him from killing students.

’Sigh. That would be tiring. I better be well-rested.’

Yawning quietly, he continued listening to their conversation.

"I don’t know why, but you were present in the Item Store anyway." Hazel stared at Logan, her brown eyes sharp and piercing.

"What were you doing there, by the way? Be honest."

The boy stiffened at the seriousness in her voice.

He clenched his jaw and answered. "I wanted to go get a restraining relic, but realized they didn’t have one. That’s all that happened."

Astron stared at him with suspicion. "A restraining relic? What do you need that for?"

Logan glared at him defensively. "That’s personal! Don’t ask too many questions."

"Logan, please answer his question. We’re trying to prove you innocent here. We need your full co-operation."

Ysabella added in a soft voice full of persuasion.

Kiera looked on silently, her lips pressed together. She wondered if he would actually reveal what was happening to him.

Logan frowned tightly, feeling pressured. He really didn’t want to share what was happening to him with the others.

’This would bring up a different matter entirely. I absolutely can’t share it.’

At that moment, Hazel shook her head. "That’s enough. We only need to know what he was doing at the moment of the theft."

Logan relaxed instinctively, feeling grateful towards the girl.

Ysabella smiled stiffly and apologized, though she was displeased inwardly.

’Damn you, Hazel! I’m sure he was about to share some important secrets.’

Unaware of the thoughts brewing in her mind, Liam continued. "That said... did you see anyone you recognize at the Item Store? They could act as your witness."

Logan’s brows furrowed, trying to remember any familiar faces he might have seen. Eventually, he shook his head with a defeated sigh.

"I only met some upperclassmen there. And I can’t even remember their faces. Damn it!"

Liam held his forehead in frustration. "That doesn’t help at all. But still, we only have one option at the moment."

Hazel turned to him and nodded. "Let’s try finding any witnesses."