Wizard World Irregular

Ethan had always thought that Nicole was the most dazzling, confident young lady that he had seen in his life.

She had a certain charm and confidence oozing out of her body, which had made Ethan feel intimidated when he saw her for the first time.

During the Initiation Ceremony, when he experienced his first Dungeon Run, Nicole cleared it without even breaking a sweat.

Back then, Lily told him that if she wished for it, she could have done the same. But since she wanted to keep a low profile, she chose to be eliminated early in the competition.

Ethan had no doubt that his wife was telling the truth. But that didn't change the fact that, among the Pillars of the First Years, Nicole stood out.

She was even hailed as the Strongest Pillar of the First Years back then.

Little had he known that, behind closed doors, the dazzling and confident young lady whom he had feared and admired the most was suffering because of the Legacy that she had acquired when she was young.

At least twice a month, Nicole would have to endure great pain that would last for two to four days at a time.

But she never let it show on her face.

She had been enduring this pain for years, and during those days, she would act aloof and project an icy expression that made people refer to her as the cold beauty of Eques Manor.

But she was not the only one who gained this nickname, because she shared it with another Ice Princess, who was none other than Alice.

As Nicole's memories flashed in front of him, Ethan saw her struggle living in the Asta Family.

Her only supporter, who was her mother, had fallen ill, leaving her daughter to fend for herself.

Faced with discrimination from her family and neglect of the Patriarch, Nicole did her best to stay out of everyone's sight.

That was when she discovered the Legacy that was hiding within the Main Residence of the Asta Family.

A power that not even the current Patriarch, Oscar Asta, knew existed.

Nicole had accidentally stumbled upon Baradiel's Legacy, which was called "Absolute Zero."

If Celestia's Ability was to drown the entire world in a flood, Baradiel's power had the power to cover it in ice.

Both powers could end all life if it remained unchallenged.

If not for the Archangel, who had become Celestia's husband, Arariel, the Shire Continent would have already been sunk under the sea.

As for Baradiel?

She had once blanketed the entire world in ice, exterminating the previous inhabitants of the world by ushering in an Ice Age that had split the continents of the world.

And for this, she had been banished from the heavens and became a fallen angel.

Ethan watched as the young Nicole merged with her Legacy, granting her strength beyond her years.

Her magical prowess started to improve, and it soon caught the attention of Oscar Asta, giving her a chance to become a true member of the Asta Family.

He had even included her in the Heir Wars, just to make everyone think that he was impartial, when in fact, he was only choosing between two candidates whom he believed would be perfect for the role.

Unfortunately, Ethan had killed one of them, and Queen Celestia had killed the other.

This brought great grief to Oscar, making him issue a decree that whoever killed the young man would become the Patriarch or Matriarch of the Asta Family.

However, Nicole had enough and broke her ties with the Asta Family. She would never kill Ethan just to become the next head of the Family.

Since then, Nicole had been using the funds that she had saved up to pay for her tuition at Brynhildr Academy.

Being part of the Peacekeepers also had its perks. She received a monthly stipend for working for the academy.

Although it wasn't as grand as being a Pillar of the First Years, it was still enough for Nicole to survive.

Because surviving was the only thing she could do.

Every day was a fight for survival.

That was how desperate she was to break free from her Fate.

Despite the shackles that bound her, Nicole remained strong and faced the challenges that life threw at her with her head held high.

Ethan also felt what Nicole felt for him.

She truly wasn't in love with him in a romantic way.

But she cared for him in her own way.

Ethan felt it more than ever because there was no one that Nicole trusted more in the world

than him.

That was what Nicole felt for him.

Absolute trust.

A trust that now weighed so heavily in Ethan's heart as he looked at his best friend, whose breathing had become faint after he had taken her Origin Magic from her.

Although he knew that she would wake up after a day or two, he couldn't help but worry if she would be like Samantha, who entered a comatose state that lasted for more than a week.

When the young man saw the last of Nicole's memories, he felt her anxiety.

He also felt her determination, which he admired very much.

"Baradiel, I know you can hear me," Ethan said icily as he caressed his best friend's right cheek. "If you hurt her, I'll make you pay for it."

The corner of Nicole's lips rose slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes to look at Ethan. "Can you?" Baradiel, who was using Nicole's voice, asked in a challenging tone.

Her blood-red eyes looked at Ethan in amusement as if she were talking to a baby who had

just learned how to talk.

"I can," Ethan replied.

"I highly doubt that you can," Baradiel sneered. "A child who is afraid of Progenitors thinks that he can stop a Fallen Angel? I know you're naive, but can you stop being delusional?"

Ethan smiled faintly before covering Nicole's lips with his hand.

"I already gave you a warning." Ethan's eyes turned golden as he stared at the Fallen Angel with a calm expression on his face. "I don't care who you are, what you are, or who you are working with. If you hurt Nicole, I'll rip you out of her body, and make you understand who

you are dealing with."

Baradiell raised her hand and placed it behind Ethan's head, pulling him close to her.

She then used her other hand to remove the young man's hand from her lips and whispered

something in his ear.

"F*ck you," Baradiel whispered.

"That's what I'll do to you if you mess with Nicole," Ethan whispered back. "Believe me. I'll

make you regret it."

Baradiel smirked before lightly tapping Ethan's cheek.

"You can talk big if you can beat someone like Hecate," Baradiel said. "Ah, before I forget, let

me give you some advice. That girl is very petty. Although she is quiet now, I'm sure that she's doing something behind your back.

"Once you realize that something is wrong, it'll already be too late. So, before you worry about your best friend... worry about your lovers first. Who knows? One of these days, you

might just get a surprise that you never saw coming."

Baradiel giggled before once again tapping Ethan's cheek. She then closed her eyes and returned the control of Nicole's body back to its owner.

Ethan frowned because he could tell that Baradiel seemed to know something that he didn't.

Her voice had been filled with confidence and ridicule, and it made him feel that Hecate had already done something behind his back just to get back at him for the things he had done to her at World's End.