Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 298: Sanctuary Will Be Closed

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The air was thick with the scent of the calming aroma and another faint scent, but now it was being rapidly dispersed by the wind. Leaves and feathers swirled in the air, caught up in the sudden tempest as the system Adrian activated kicked into gear.

Adrian had triggered the aviary's air circulation system, but not just at its normal setting. He had nearly maxed out the airflow, hoping the sudden change would disrupt the aggressive energy that had taken over the beasts. While his main intention was to disperse the scent.

The wind howled through the aviary, causing the smaller bird-type creatures to struggle to stay aloft, while the larger beasts were forced to retreat to higher perches or brace themselves against the strong currents.

The chaotic screeches and cries began to fade as the wind overpowered their frenzied movements, pushing the creatures back and breaking the momentum of their attacks.

Mrs. Rena, Irithel, and the other workers clung to whatever they could to avoid being swept off their feet.

The inspectors and Mr. Hawke staggered under the force of the wind, their earlier confidence shaken as they realized they had underestimated Adrian's resourcefulness.

The intense wind continued to blast through the aviary for several long seconds before Adrian dialed it back, gradually reducing the force until the air was once again calm. The beasts, now subdued and disoriented, returned to their perches, their aggression seemingly dissipated by the unexpected storm. There were still some that seemed a bit aggressive, but the immediate problem was solved.

"...."

Silence fell over the aviary, the only sound being the soft rustle of leaves and the heavy breathing of the workers and inspectors as they recovered from the ordeal. Adrian wiped sweat from his brow, his heart still racing from the adrenaline. He glanced around, assessing the situation.

Mrs. Rena looked at him, a mix of relief and gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Adrian," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You managed to stop them."

Adrian nodded, but his mind was still racing. "We need to figure out what caused this in the first place," he said, his tone serious. "Something triggered them, and it wasn't just the calming scent."

The inspector, recovering from his earlier shock, glared at Mrs. Rena. "This place is a mess," he snapped. "You're lucky that boy was quick on his feet, or we'd have a disaster on our hands."

Mr. Hawke, who had regained his composure, smirked at Mrs. Rena. "This incident only proves that this sanctuary is out of control," he said, his voice cold and cutting. "You've lost your touch, Mrs. Rena."

"H-Huh? What are-!" Adrian watched as Mrs. Rena struggled to find her words, her face pale and her hands trembling. "No, please, you have to understand," she began, desperation lacing her voice slightly. "This has never happened before. There must be some explanation—"

But the inspector cut her off with a harsh gesture, his face twisted with anger. "Enough, Mrs. Rena. We've seen all we need to see. This sanctuary is a danger to everyone involved. You've clearly lost control of the beasts under your care."

Mr. Hawke stepped forward, his cold expression deepening. "Indeed," he added, his tone dripping with false concern. "The safety of the workers, visitors, and even the creatures themselves is at risk. It's obvious that something is very wrong here, and it can't be ignored any longer."

The TWAO agent, who had been standing silently on the sidelines, stepped forward as well. His gaze was sharp and unforgiving.

"You saw everything that happened, didn't you?" Mr. Hawke asked, his voice smooth and calculated. "Surely, as a representative of the TWAO, you can confirm that the sanctuary is no longer safe."

The agent nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Mrs. Rena. "I did see it all. The situation was highly dangerous, and if it weren't for Mr. Adrian's quick thinking, the outcome could have been much worse. This level of instability is unacceptable."

Mrs. Rena's face crumpled, her hope slipping away with every word. She looked at the inspector, her eyes pleading. "Please, give us a chance to fix this. I don't know what went wrong, but I'll find out. Just give us some time—"

But the inspector shook his head, his expression set in stone. "I'm afraid time is something you don't have. Based on what we've witnessed today, the sanctuary will be closed immediately. The creatures will be taken into custody, where they can be properly managed."

The words hit like a physical blow, and the room seemed to darken around Mrs. Rena. The other workers stared at the ground, their faces etched with despair. Irithel looked as if she might burst into tears, her earlier confidence shattered.

Adrian remained silent, observing the scene with a keen eye. He could see the satisfaction in Mr. Hawke's expression and eyes, the way his lips curled into a subtle smile as Mrs. Rena's world crumbled around her. It was clear that this was exactly what he had wanted—a reason to take down the sanctuary and maybe humiliate Mrs. Rena in the process.

The inspector turned to the TWAO agent, nodding curtly. "The order will be executed next week. Until then, this sanctuary is under strict observation, and no further activities will be allowed. Prepare for the removal of the beasts."

Mrs. Rena let out a strangled sob, her shoulders slumping as the weight of the decision bore down on her. The workers exchanged looks of disbelief, their faces ashen with despair. This sanctuary had been their life's work, their passion—and now it was being taken away from them.

Adrian, however, kept his emotions in check. He knew that this wasn't the end—far from it. The delay in execution was all the time he needed to prepare. He'd already begun to piece together the puzzle, and he just needed to continue with his plan.

Mr. Hawke turned to leave, his expression one of smug triumph.

As he passed Adrian, he gave him a look of satisfaction, a silent acknowledgment of his victory. Look dumb kid, I won at the end, was what his gaze seemed to have said.

But Adrian simply returned the gaze, his face calm and unreadable. He watched as Mr. Hawke exited the aviary, leading the way with the inspectors and the TWAO agent following closely behind.