Starting With SSS-rank: I Get A New Skill Every Livestream-Chapter 80: Investigate

What was Layena’s impression of Ethan?

Until now, she had interacted with him several times, both during her academy days when he was a cadet and later when she became part of his team.

He had been appointed as the leader despite the difference in their ranks, and Layena had no problem with that. She knew she lacked the qualities that fundamentally define a leader, the foremost being the ability to communicate effectively with others.

She wasn’t good at that. So Ethan, as captain, was readily accepted by her and the rest.

During their missions, she observed how he fought, how he spoke, and how he carried himself in different situations. From those observations, she concluded that Ethan was rather emotional, someone who acted on instinct instead of relying on rational thought.

Her deduction was proven right once again when she read the Commander’s message today.

The message came with a detailed report that had previously been sent by Amanda.

The report clearly described what Ethan had done back then, when the entire commotion had erupted.

Layena knew something was going on between Amanda, Ethan, and Kyle. But she hadn’t expected things to escalate to the point where Ethan would be willing to break rules.

The Commander had added a message, and that was exactly why she was standing here now, near the reception area, after asking Ethan to come meet her.

Thankfully, he didn’t make her wait long. She had expected him to take more time, considering the boys had been assigned rooms a fair distance from the reception. Yet here he was.

"You called me?" he asked with a smile, trying to steady his breathing.

"You didn’t have to rush," she said, her eyes drifting to his slightly disheveled hair.

"It’s nothing. Well, shall we move somewhere to chat?" Ethan gestured toward the lounge area.

Layena accepted the invitation. This was a conversation better held away from the passing crowd.

Once they reached the resting area, Ethan pulled out a chair for her.

He then asked, "Want me to bring something for you?"

"Ethan... I believe you know why I called you here," Layena said, her arms crossed.

Ethan was already aware. Their relationship wasn’t close enough for her to call him out in private and agree to be alone with him without a reason.

"Is it about what happened on the bus?" he asked calmly, taking the seat across from her.

"Tell me, Ethan," she met his gaze directly and got to the point, "Did you use Genesis to lock Kyle in back then?"

The report clearly stated that since there was no lock to confine someone inside the cubicle, Ethan had used his magic to melt the knob so Kyle couldn’t get out.

Layena found herself split, though her judgment leaned slightly toward it being a misunderstanding. Ethan might be emotional, but breaking rules over a minor conflict didn’t sound like him.

Or was she not being critical enough?

"Yes, I used Genesis to lock him in there."

So the forty percent had been right.

Layena leaned back in her seat. "I hope you’re prepared to face the consequences. This matter will be raised the moment we return."

Ethan nodded silently, offering no explanation.

Layena frowned. "You don’t look very regretful about what you did. Is this really you?"

A faint smile touched Ethan’s lips. His head remained lowered as he muttered, "Do you think I do things without a reason?"

Layena hummed in confusion, prompting him to continue.

Ethan glanced to his left, his hands resting against the seat. "Layena... I won’t deny that I was displeased with him. Kyle has a way of talking that can easily provoke anyone."

Then he looked up at her. "But there was something I wanted to confirm. And for that, I was prepared to take the risk."

Layena crossed her legs. "Explain."

Ethan did exactly that.

"I’ve had a suspicion for some time now, Layena. Do you remember the flash I reported on the third floor? The one that was overflowing with Genesis? I feel..." He paused, exhaled softly, then added in a quieter voice, "...that the chanter was Kyle."

"...!" Layena’s eyes widened. The atmosphere stilled, her gaze darkening.

Slowly, that surprise twisted into frustration. Her fist clenched, trembling slightly as she spoke. "You do realize what you’re saying, right?" Leaning forward, her voice dropped into a low growl. "You’re suggesting that Kyle is that rogue Nightwalker?"

Ethan didn’t falter despite the shift in her tone. "If we don’t know who the chanter was, and they weren’t on the log, then the only logical assumption is that the person who created that blinding light is the same one who caused trouble for you."

Layena narrowed her eyes. Yes, she was frustrated, but losing her temper would only mean she had allowed someone else to influence her actions.

She couldn’t afford that.

In a low voice, she asked, "What proof do you have?"

Ethan shrugged. "I don’t, actually. But think about it. Both times, the only person who had a chance to see the rogue Nightwalker was Amanda, and she said she didn’t see anyone at all. As far as I know, Amanda isn’t incompetent enough to miss even a presence."

Layena frowned. What he said was true. Amanda and she herself were the only two who had been close to that criminal.

While Layena had reported every detail she came across, Amanda’s account had been vague.

Not to mention, a CPV officer had recently reported a massive surge of Genesis from Kyle’s house, if she remembered correctly.

So yes, a part of her couldn’t dismiss his claim outright.

She paused for a moment before speaking. "So... you suspected Kyle to be the rogue one, and that’s why you locked him in the cubicle?"

Ethan nodded. "Yes. And I completely melted the knob. So unless someone has inhuman strength, not even several men could have pulled him out of that place. And yet, it only took a few minutes for Kyle to return to the bus after me."

Layena crossed her arms again, but this time she wasn’t glaring at Ethan. Her gaze had dropped, her brows drawn together in thought.

Ethan continued, "And those attacks he threw at me? I won’t claim I got hit on purpose, but Layena... you know how tough I am. We’ve sparred before. Do you really think a normal human could make me bleed with a single strike?"

Layena faltered.

She would have said no.

From her own experience, Ethan was one of the few cadets who could match her physically back in the academy.

And today... Kyle had seemed angry enough to nearly break Ethan’s arms with sheer force.

She was forced to consider something she hadn’t even thought of until a few moments ago. She chewed on her lower lip before looking up at him. "What are you going to do about this? Report it to the base and let them investigate?"

It sounded more like a suggestion. What Ethan had presented to her was serious enough that, if reported to the Commander, she wouldn’t stay silent. She would use every resource available to keep a closer watch on Kyle.

However, Ethan had something else in mind.

"Layena... let’s investigate this ourselves."

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A/N:- Views on Layena until now?