Last Wizard King's SSS-Level Magic system in Modern World
Chapter 130: Caught in a trap- Part 3

Chapter 130: 130: Caught in a trap- Part 3

The classroom was already filling up when Liam arrived. His gaze immediately found Zane, who was seated near the middle, chatting with a few classmates.

Zane’s expression was relaxed—too relaxed. He had a smile plastered on his face, but Liam could tell it was fake.

Liam walked over and slid into the seat beside him.

For a brief second, he felt Zane tense before the other boy turned to him, his lips curling into a mock pout.

"Liam! Where were you? You just disappeared."

Zane drawled dramatically.

Liam leaned back in his seat, tilting his head slightly.

"I was around. You know, the meeting place you gave me was empty. No one was there"

He said lazily.

Zane’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes sharpened slightly.

"Huh. That’s weird. Maybe someone was out to get you."

He hummed, feigning surprise.

Liam let out a chuckle, playing along.

"Yeah, maybe."

Zane grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Liam simply returned the look with an easy smile of his own.

The game was set.

______

The school day dragged on, but Liam remained patient. If Zane thought he had shaken him off with his little trick earlier, he was wrong.

Once the final bell rang, students started packing up, eager to leave. But Zane didn’t make any move to approach Liam this time.

Liam watched as Zane gathered his things and walked off, clearly heading somewhere alone.

Not bringing me along this time, huh?

Liam waited a beat before slipping out of his seat and following at a distance.

______

Zane walked with purpose, moving swiftly through the hallways until he reached a secluded part of the school. After making sure he wasn’t being watched, he entered a side door.

Liam followed silently, staying out of sight.

He pressed himself against the wall, listening carefully as Zane stepped further inside.

The sound of another voice reached his ears—Ethan.

Liam risked a peek and saw Zane standing before Ethan, who had his arms crossed, watching him with an unreadable expression.

"So?"

Ethan asked.

Zane let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Nico’s out."

Ethan’s brows lifted slightly.

"He said that?"

"He didn’t have to. The guy’s been avoiding you all day. If he wanted to say yes, he’d have come to you himself."

Zane scoffed.

Ethan exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable.

"I see."

Zane, however, was not done.

"But I want to do this. Forget Nico. I can take his place. You know I’ll do anything for this."

He pressed.

Ethan didn’t respond immediately. He simply looked at Zane, as if weighing his words.

Then, finally, he sighed.

"You’ll regret it."

Ethan said.

Zane stiffened, frowning.

"No, I won’t. I’m ready."

Ethan sighed again, but this time, his movements were swift.

Before Zane could react, Ethan struck.

A sharp blow landed on the side of Zane’s neck, and his body crumpled.

Liam’s eyes narrowed as he watched Ethan catch Zane before he hit the floor.

Without missing a beat, Ethan hoisted Zane over his shoulder and began walking away.

Liam slipped further into the shadows, following silently.

Well, well, he thought, watching the scene unfold.

This just got interesting.

Ethan moved with calculated ease, dragging Zane’s unconscious body through a hidden passage.

Liam trailed behind, keeping his presence concealed. The further they went, the darker the surroundings became.

Finally, Ethan reached a locked door. He muttered something under his breath, and the lock clicked open.

Liam narrowed his eyes.

The moment Ethan stepped inside, Liam moved.

Silent as a shadow, he slipped into the room just before the door shut behind them.

The room was dimly lit, filled with old bookshelves and strange symbols carved into the walls.

Ethan dropped Zane onto the floor unceremoniously before pulling out a small vial filled with a dark liquid.

Liam remained hidden, watching as Ethan uncorked the vial and poured a few drops onto Zane’s forehead. The liquid sizzled, and a faint pulse of magic spread through the air.

Liam tensed.

What the hell is he doing?

A moment later, Zane groaned, his body twitching as if fighting against something.

Ethan simply watched, his expression cold.

Liam had seen enough.

He stepped forward.

"I hate to interrupt. but I have to say, your initiation methods are a little creepy."

Liam drawled,.

Ethan froze.

Slowly, he turned his gaze toward Liam, his expression unreadable.

"Nico. I wasn’t expecting you."

He said evenly.

Liam grinned, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Yeah, well, you know me. I love crashing parties."

Ethan’s eyes flickered with something unreadable before he let out a small sigh.

"You shouldn’t be here. Didn’t you say that you were out?"

Liam tilted his head.

"When did I say that? There must be a communication error."

Ethan hummed.

"Well, since you’re already here... you might as well stay and watch."

Liam’s smirk didn’t waver, but his mind was already calculating.

Liam’s eyes flickered between Zane’s twitching body and the dark liquid Ethan had poured onto his forehead. A subtle, unnatural energy pulsed through the air, making his skin prickle.

"Stay and watch? That’s a pretty bold assumption. What if I don’t want to?"

Liam repeated, raising an eyebrow.

Ethan chuckled, crossing his arms.

"Then you’re free to leave. No one’s forcing you to stay."

Liam didn’t move.

Both of them knew that leaving wasn’t really an option. Not now.

Asger shifted on Liam’s shoulder, his tail flicking in agitation.

"This smells like trouble."

Liam barely nodded in response. He wasn’t stupid—he knew Ethan was testing him, trying to gauge how much he was willing to play along.

"You sure you know what you’re doing to him? He looks like he’s dying"

Liam asked casually, jerking his chin toward Zane.

Ethan’s smirk didn’t waver.

"He’ll live. That is... if he’s strong enough."

Liam’s jaw tightened.

He didn’t like this.

Did he interfere? Or did he keep playing along?

He had seconds to decide.

One wrong move, and he’d be the one on the floor next.