Chapter 14 - Boiling Point

The whispers clawed at Gareth's pride. They weren't direct insults, but the hushed tones and sideways glances were worse. They slithered into his consciousness, poisoning his thoughts. "Have you seen Zane lately?" "His fire control is incredible." "He's a completely different person." Each word was a tiny ember, fueling the inferno of resentment within him. It wasn't just about being the best; it was about maintaining his position, his status. The Voss name carried weight on Meron, and Gareth was expected to uphold that legacy. His father, a prominent figure in the Meron City Council and a major shareholder in several powerful corporations, had instilled in him from a young age the importance of success, of dominance. Mediocrity was not an option.Gareth stormed through the sleek corridors of his family's estate, the polished metal surfaces reflecting his distorted expression. The estate, a sprawling complex of chrome and glass, a testament to the Voss family's wealth and influence on Meron, usually brought him a sense of satisfaction, a tangible reminder of his privileged place in society. Today, it felt like a cage, confining his restless energy, amplifying his frustration. He had poured vast sums of his family's wealth into enhancing his abilities, purchasing rare elixirs and undergoing expensive spirit enhancement treatments. He had dedicated himself to becoming the best, and the thought of someone, especially someone like Zane, even approaching his level was an unbearable insult.He slammed his fist against a nearby wall, the reinforced metal groaning under the impact, leaving a small but noticeable dent. The force of the blow sent a jolt of pain through his hand, but he barely registered it. The physical pain was nothing compared to the burning frustration that consumed him. How dare Zane Valor even think he could compete? Gareth had spent years cultivating his image as the top student at Meron Preparatory. His family's connections and his natural talent with fire had made him a star. He had even taken several potent, if somewhat dangerous, fire enhancement elixirs, pushing his body and spirit to their limits. And now, this… this nobody was drawing attention away from him."It's infuriating," he growled, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He paced back and forth, his heavy boots echoing on the polished metal floor, each step a percussive expression of his inner turmoil. He wasn't a strategist; he was a force of nature, a whirlwind of raw power. Complex plans and intricate schemes weren't his style. He preferred direct confrontation, a display of dominance. He wasn't afraid of Zane; he knew he was still stronger. The ranking system at Meron Preparatory was clear: a higher-ranked student couldn't formally challenge a lower-ranked student unless the lower-ranked student initiated the challenge. It was designed to prevent bullying and maintain order. But the whispers, the comparisons, were a different kind of challenge, one he couldn't simply brute-force his way out of.Marcus and Theron, his usual companions, hovered nearby, their faces etched with a mixture of concern and apprehension. Marcus, always the more cautious and calculating of the two, spoke hesitantly, choosing his words carefully. "Gareth, maybe you're overreacting. Zane's just… showing some improvement. It's not like he's surpassed you or anything."Theron, ever eager to please and rarely given to independent thought, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're still way ahead of him on the rankings."Gareth rounded on them, his eyes blazing with barely contained fury. "It's not about the rankings yet," he snarled, his voice laced with venom. "It's about the attention. Everyone's talking about him now. They're forgetting who's at the top. They're forgetting who I am." He wasn't worried about some ancient artifact or some mystical intervention; this was something else, something more personal. It was as if Zane was intentionally trying to steal his spotlight."We need to know what's going on," Gareth said, his voice low and dangerous, the words hanging in the air like a threat. He wasn't thinking of intricate plots; he was thinking of simple, direct action. Information. That's what he needed. Knowledge was power, and in this era of interconnected data networks, information was readily available, if you knew where to look."How?" Marcus asked, wringing his hands nervously. He knew Gareth's temper, and he knew that crossing him could have unpleasant consequences, especially given the Voss family's influence. His father was a powerful man, and that power extended to Gareth within the school as well.Gareth's lips curled into a cruel smile. "We use what we have." He gestured towards the ubiquitous datapads that everyone on Meron carried, devices that recorded everything from training logs and class notes to personal journals and communication logs. "Everyone records everything. There has to be something somewhere. A training regimen, a new technique, something."He outlined his plan. Marcus and Theron would use their access to the school's network to search for any records related to Zane's recent activities. They would discreetly access his digital files, looking for any clues about his sudden improvement. They would also use their social connections to gather information, asking around subtly about Zane's training habits, his routines, anything that might shed light on his transformation.Marcus still looked uneasy. "What if we get caught?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper."Then we'll deal with it," Gareth said dismissively, waving his hand as if the possibility was of no consequence. "My family has enough influence to smooth things over. A little unauthorized data access is nothing. Besides," he added, his gaze hardening, "if you fail me… you'll face the consequences."Theron grinned, cracking his knuckles with a loud pop. "Don't worry, Gareth. We won't let you down." He was eager to prove his loyalty, to bask in the reflected glory of Gareth's power and wealth.Gareth turned to the large window again, gazing out at the cityscape. He spotted the school in the distance, a small cluster of buildings against the horizon. His eyes narrowed as he focused on the image of Zane, walking alongside Mike. He felt a surge of anger, a burning desire to reclaim the attention that he felt was rightfully his. He wouldn't let Zane steal his spotlight. He would find out his secret, and he would make him pay. The whispers would stop. He would make absolutely sure of it. The seed of discord had taken root, and it was rapidly blossoming into a poisonous obsession.