Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Before anyone could speak, she stumbled forward, falling to her knees at Mrs. Rena's feet. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched at Mrs. Rena's legs, her voice desperate and pleading.

"Please, Mrs. Rena! Forgive me! They forced me to do it—I never wanted to harm the sanctuary! They threatened my family! You know how much I care for this place, please, believe me!" Her sobs echoed in the sanctuary, her cries filled with genuine fear and remorse.

The crowd murmured, unsure of how to react. Some looked at Miss Jenny with pity, while others regarded her with suspicion. Mrs. Rena, visibly shaken, placed a comforting hand on Miss Jenny's head, trying to calm her down.

But Adrian remained unmoved by her display. He turned back to the inspector and the TWAO agent, a knowing smile playing at his lips. "It's not over yet," he said calmly, holding the orb up again. "There's more."

He resumed the recording, and the crowd turned their attention back to the screen. The footage continued from where it left off. This time, it showed Miss Jenny stepping back from the diffuser, her face no longer filled with fear or anxiety. Instead, there was a look of satisfaction—a pleased, almost smug smile—as she watched the chaos unfold.

The sanctuary was deathly silent as the final moments of the recording played. Miss Jenny's smile faded from the screen, and Adrian paused the recording once more, ending the projection. He turned to face the crowd, his expression serious.

"Miss Jenny wasn't coerced or threatened," he said, his voice carrying across the room. "She was a willing participant, fully aware of her actions and their consequences. You can see it from the record." Explore stories at m,v l'e-m|p| y r

The inspector stepped forward, his face stern as he addressed Miss Jenny. "Is this true, Miss Jenny? Were you acting on your own?"

Miss Jenny's face drained of what little color remained.

"I... I..." She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. The realization of her betrayal, now undeniable and laid bare before everyone, was too much for her to process. She lowered her head, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Haha, I knew it!" Suddenly someone laughed out loud. "I knew your sanctuary was rotten to the core. Even your workers you were so proud of are nothing but traitors,"

Mr. Hawke sneered, his voice filled with triumphant glee. "This is exactly why the sanctuary needs to be shut down. It's a den of corruption and incompetence."

His words sparked a fresh wave of murmurs among the crowd. Some nodded in agreement, swayed by the apparent evidence of betrayal within the sanctuary's ranks. Others remained silent, their expressions conflicted.

Mrs. Rena's face was slightly ashen, her eyes fixed on Miss Jenny, who continued to sob at her feet. The betrayal of one of her own weighed heavily on her, and she struggled to find the words to respond. It would have been slightly better if Adrian told her beforehand, but...

Adrian, however, was unfazed by Mr. Hawke's attempt to seize the moment. "You're right about one thing, Mr. Hawke," he said, his voice calm but firm. "The sanctuary does have a problem, but it's not with the beasts or the staff who genuinely care for them. The real problem is with those who would sabotage it for their own gain."

Mr. Hawke's grin faltered slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "What are you implying, boy?" he demanded, his tone sharp.

"I'm implying," Adrian continued, his eyes locking onto Mr. Hawke's, "that you're not as innocent as you claim to be. In fact, I believe you're the mastermind behind all this chaos. You've been orchestrating events from the shadows, manipulating people like Miss Jenny to do your dirty work."

A collective gasp rippled through the sanctuary. The workers, the officials, even the beasts seemed to sense the tension in the air.

Mr. Hawke's face darkened, but he quickly regained his composure. His eyes narrowed as he regarded Adrian with a cold, calculating gaze. "I see," he said slowly, his voice steady despite the underlying tension. "You're quite the storyteller, young man. But throwing around accusations without solid proof is dangerous.

It can lead to misunderstandings and, worse, to unjust consequences."

He turned to the crowd, his expression one of righteous indignation. "We all know how much I've invested in this sanctuary," he continued, addressing them with a calm authority. "I've always been a staunch supporter of its mission, despite any disagreements we might have had. It was me who gave you financial support when you had no money too, right, Mrs. Rena?

To accuse me of such despicable acts without evidence is not just reckless—it's slanderous."

Adrian smiled inwardly.

'Haha, he isn't your average villain after all.'

He admired Mr. Hawke's ability to maintain his composure and twist the narrative to his advantage. This man wasn't an idiot who would crumble under pressure. No, Mr. Hawke was smart, and he knew how to play his cards well.

'Hehe, but I'm not your average extra as well.'

'I am an extra who knows a lot of things, a lot...'

Adrian took a deep breath, his expression unchanging. "You're right, Mr. Hawke," he said, nodding slightly. "It would be reckless to make such accusations without proof. But that's the thing—I do have proof."

He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small vial filled with a glowing, swirling liquid. "This," Adrian announced, holding up the vial for everyone to see, "is a truth serum. It compels honesty from anyone who ingests it. I propose that both you and Miss Jenny take it, here and now, in front of everyone. If you're as innocent as you claim, then you have nothing to fear, right?"

A murmur spread through the crowd, and all eyes turned to Mr. Hawke. He remained calm, but there was a flicker of something—annoyance?—in his eyes. "I don't need to prove my innocence with such tricks," he said smoothly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Anyone with a modicum of intelligence knows these so-called 'truth serums' are unreliable at best.

But I understand your desire for transparency, so I'm willing to cooperate... to a point."

He paused, giving the crowd a reassuring nod before looking back at Adrian. "I propose a different method. Let's have a neutral party, someone we all trust, conduct an investigation. If you truly have proof, present it to them, and let them examine the facts. I'm sure we all want the truth to come out in a fair and just manner."

Adrian felt a spark of irritation at how deftly Mr. Hawke deflected the challenge. He could see the cunning behind those eyes—a man who was always one step ahead, always prepared for every outcome. But Adrian was prepared as well.

"Well then, who do you suggest?" Adrian asked 'cautiously'.

"Hm... If there is such a person among us, it would be undoubtedly Mr. Klein who works for TWAO." Mr. Hawke pretended to think and then spoke. "He is undoubtedly the most suitable person for this job."

"Hmm... Alright." Adrian nodded, since he had no better option.

'Haha, boy, you don't know that he is already on my side... You already lost!'