Only a few days remain until the academy year is over. With the third year students already having graduated and moved on, it left the academy halls much quieter than normal. Classes were just about over for the rest of the students, and final exams were already out of the way.
However, once the year finally comes to a close, what will Allen do? Go back home until year two begins?
That wouldn't be a bad idea, Allen pondered the thought. To see my adoptive parents and siblings again, just imagine the looks on their face when they find out I won the tournament!
With nothing else required to teach in her class, Ms. Florence has gone back to the old "self study" sessions she holds, letting her sit at her desk and read while the other students choose what to do.
Thomas personally has chosen to continue with his focus on training, whether that be during the training club sessions, or on his own time. On the contrary, Cecily has chosen to continue her studies, so she is prepared for the first days of her second year.
This leaves Allen to choose his own way for how he spends his remaining time. Allen does a mix of both, training with his friends, as well as trying to keep up with studies as it could be good for him. Regardless, Allen gets this strange feeling, like something is missing. Just what else can Allen do before his academy year ends?
Allen still feels shaken up from what happened during the afterparty. A sudden appearance from a member of the Triumvirate swooping in, easily taking his sword almost unnoticed, and only simply getting a glace on it. Was that all he wanted? Or was there more to it?
Best not to worry about that right now, Allen decided. Let's focus on enjoying the rest of my first year, and prepare for my second!
After today's class, Stephen had mentioned to Allen he had something rather important to discuss with him. Allen informed him that he actually needed to speak with William regarding an important matter, and promised to meet up with him afterwards. Stephen understood, and decided he would wait for him, and told him where to meet him afterwards.
Allen made his way towards William's office, in hopes to discuss matters regarding his last round of the tournament against Simon Windblade, as well as his unusual encounter with the Triumvirate member during the afterparty.
Once he reached William's office, he was about to knock on the door to announce his arrival, just before he heard something from inside.
"You may enter"
"Pardon the intrusion," Allen said as he entered the room and closed the door behind him.
"Please, take your seat," William encouraged him, as he motioned towards an empty seat in front of his desk.
Taking his seat, Allen noticed how empty William's office was for once. Barely any papers were stacked upon his desk, meaning he had finally managed to do his end of the year paperwork, surprisingly enough. Most of the chairs that normally were in front of his desk were stacked to the side, indicating any major meetings were done for the year. No one else was within his room, just William and Allen alone.
"I take it you're doing well?," William asked, starting the conversation, taking a sip of his tea he had sitting at his desk. "Want some tea?"
"I'll pass," Allen shook his head. "And I suppose I'm doing okay. The year is almost over, and there's not much left to do"
"It's the same for me too," William agreed. "As you can see, I don't have much left to do!"
"I noticed, and I am almost left speechless," Allen chuckled. "Normally, you're behind"
"Well, normally I am," William admitted. "But I wasn't really left a choice when both Martha and Walter were on my back this entire time"
The two of them chucked for a moment, as William finished his cup.
"So, I suppose you were sad to see Rose go, huh?," he asked, a small smirk forming at the corner of his lips.
"Yes, I was," Allen admitted. "With her gone, the training club won't be the same. But, with new members, and a new year approaching, I'm sure we'll have fun regardless"
"That's good," William smiled. "I'm glad you brought some new friends in, and you're getting along with Charles now. That kid has certainly improved a lot since the beginning of the year. Used to cause all sorts of trouble for the Student Council…"
"I think I heard about that," Allen said, as he recalled various memories of Rose's run-ins with Charles. "But, I'm proud to say he's been a great help recently, and now he works to improve his magic alongside us"
"I'm glad to hear," William smiled. "I take it you'll be going home for a bit before the next year begins?"
"I believe that's the plan," Allen nodded. "I've been missing my folks, even if they bicker here and there. And I'll definitely want to see my younger siblings for sure"
"Well, be sure to tell them hello for me," William said, before he leaned forward and had a more serious look on his face. "Now, unless there's anything else to catch up on, what brings you here? I know you wanted to discuss your last round of the tournament I wasn't able to make it for. And something else?"
"That's right," Allen confirmed. "I wanted to talk to you about-"
But before Allen could begin to explain what he wanted to discuss about, the door to the room suddenly opened. Five figures walked in quickly, surrounding the only exit to the room. Both William and Allen turned to look, and were both surprised to see one person they recognized.
"Ah Edmund, welcome in," William leaned forward, resting his head on his hands. "I see you have brought guests this time? Just what can I do for you?"
"I see you're the same as ever," Edmund sighed. "We're here on official business, so I suggest you listen to what I have to say"
No, it can't be, Allen thought, as his eyes widened. Why are they here again?
Edmund, a member of the Triumvirate who Allen had originally first met when he had been on orders to take William away, had suddenly returned, surrounded by four magical knights. The magical knights must be some higher rank, based on their appearance and confident looks. They reminded Allen of the rank IV magical knights he had seen during the magical knight training program.
Have they come back for William once again?, Allen looked between William and Edmund, as his thoughts began to race. Did Ellen manage to pull something off yet again? I won't stand for this, not again!
"Oh really, official business? I never would have guessed," William smirked, as he looked between Edmund and the four magical knights blocking the exit.
"You can quit it with your witty jokes, they're getting old," Edmund sighed. "I've dealt with you more than enough by now"
"Well, we certainly got to know each other well, after I was taken into custody, after all," William shrugged. "I thought we would've been fast friends by now"
Edmund didn't respond to him, and instead took in a deep breath.
They're going to take William away again!, Allen thought, as he got up from his seat. I need to do something about this, anything!
"I won't-"
"So Edmund, what official business brings you back here?," William cut in, not allowing Allen to speak.
Edmund took out a rolled piece of paper, no doubt some sort of official document. He opened it up, and began to read. "By high order of the Triumvirate Leader Solomon Windblade, Allen Fleming shall be hereby taken into custody!"
Wait… what?, Allen thought, as his eyes slowly widened. They're… here for me?
"What's going on?," Allen asked, demanding for answers. "Why am I the one being taken in?"
Edmund closed his eyes for a moment before he continued. "Allen Fleming is suspected of high treason, stealing the Windblade family sword, Windrus. Therefore, he shall be taken into custody, and an official investigation and trial shall be held"
Wait, stealing a sword? A Windblade Family sword? This isn't making sense!, Allen thought, as he started to become frantic. I haven't stolen anything!
"Wait, but hold on!," Allen began to protest. "I haven't-"
"Allen, I strongly urge you to comply with the Triumvirate official," William cut him off. "Do not cause any unneeded problems, and all will be figured out"
"Hmph, seems you learned well from your trial," Edmund remarked with a grunt. "But Fleming, you have two choices: the easy way or the hard way. Either way, you're coming with us, so let's make this easy for everyone?"
But stolen a sword?, Allen thought, trying to draw a conclusion. The only sword I have is my own! William had given me this sword after my training, and it was once held by my mother, no one else, right? This has to be some form of misunderstanding!
"So which will it be, Fleming?," Edmund asked, getting impatient. "Are you going to make this easy for us, or not? There's four high ranking magical knights behind me, so I suggest you don't try anything foolish"
He's- he's right, Allen sighed. Even if I try anything, there's no way I'm going to make it out. I may have won the tournament, but I doubt I could take on four, or even one, magical knight of their stature.
"I'll comply," Allen decided, pushing in his chair. "Do what you need to do, I won't fight back"
"Good," Edmund nodded, finally putting away his document. "One of you take the sword from him, will you?"
"Understood," one of the magical knights behind him answered, approaching Allen.
He reached out his hand, and Allen grudgingly gave up his sheathed sword. The magical knight was just about to walk back to his former position, when his face suddenly went pale with fear. He stopped immediately what he was doing, and proceeded to drop the sword on the floor.
"What are you doing?," Edmund roared, getting annoyed. "Can't hold a simple weapon?"
"Sir, it's not that I don't want to, I can't!," he protested. "There's… there's something very wrong about that sword!"
"Ugh, what?," Edmund rolled his eyes. "Can one of you just hold it for Triumvirates sake?"
The other three magical knights walked over to the sword on the floor as Edmund kept an eye on both William and Allen. All three of them attempted to pick the sword up, to no avail. When any one of them held the sword for no longer than a few seconds, they had the same reaction as the first magical knight. They all backed away from the sword once again on the floor, keeping their distance away from it.
"Seriously, not one of you can?," Edmund sighed, looking at all four of them. "I don't understand the issue here. Aren't you four high ranked magical knights of the esteemed Triumvirate, or what?"
"Sir, we would but we can't!," one protested. "There's something very wrong about that sword!"
"That sword, it's evil!," another one shouted.
"I dare not go anywhere near it!," a third one protested.
"Ugh fine, I have to do everything myself, I see," Edmund grunted as he reached down to pick up the sword himself.
Edmund held the sword for a moment, before going pale with fear just like the other four. He quickly dropped it on the floor, the only sound in the room was the clanking of the sword hitting the floor once more.
The four magical knights all avoided eye contact with Edmund, as he began to grasp what they were talking about earlier. Edmund clenched his teeth, then looked over at Allen.
"You!," he pointed at him. "Pick up your damned sword!"
"Um, right!," Allen exclaimed, his body shaking with surprise. He began to walk over to his sword lay resting on the floor.
"Keep that sword sheathed away, you understand?," he commanded. "If you try any funny business, I swear-"
"I promise! I'll comply!," he exclaimed, putting his sword away at his waist. "You can keep your eye on me or whatever! I won't do anything!"
"Hmph, good enough," Edmund sighed once more. "One of you! Restrain his hands, will you?"
"Yes sir!"
"I swear, no one is competent around here," Edmund mumbled, as he turned around to look at William. William remained quiet, only keeping curious eyes on both Edmund and Allen.
"Further notice will be sent to you regarding Fleming's situation, since he's a student," Edmund explained. "Keep an eye out, will you?"
"Of course," William nodded his head, expressing no emotion. "Just… don't go too hard on the kid, will you?"
"That's not for you or me to decide," Edmund remarked. "His fate shall lie with the Triumvirate"
"Of course sir," William nodded once more. "Is there anything else you require from me at this time?"
"I'll let you know," Edmund grunted, before turning around towards the exit. "Escort the boy out! And keep your eyes on him, will you?"
"Sir!," the four of them shouted at once, as they formed a box shape around Allen, covering each side of him.
As they began to escort Allen out of the room, followed by Edmund behind them, Allen turned one last time to look at William, who remained seated at his desk. Allen almost wanted to say something, but instead noticed both the distraught and regretful look on William's face. William completely avoided eye contact, instead keeping his gaze on his desk in front of him.
This can't be real!, Allen thought, as the magical knights started to shove him forward for moving too slow. William… William will fix all of this, right? He always does, right? I can count on him, like always, right?
"Get moving!," one of the magical knights shouted, getting fed up.
"Yes sir!," Allen exclaimed, finally turning his head forward as he heard the door to William's office being shut behind him.
"No stops whatsoever!," Edmund commanded. "You will be leading him to the Triumvirate building, unless otherwise noted!"
Allen kept his head down, left to his own inner thoughts. He felt only confusion and fear for what was happening. This had to be a dream, right?
"Allen?," A familiar voice came from the side of the hallway, as Allen was being escorted.
"Stephen?," Allen responded, as he recognized the voice.
He looked up to see Stephen, filled with both surprise and shock on his face, for good reason. They had only maintained eye contact for only a moment, before Allen was forced forward once more.
What is Stephen doing here?!, Allen thought, unable to look back at him. Wasn't he supposed to be waiting for me? Did he get worried I was taking too long?
Before Allen could think about it further, he kept getting led further and further away, until he could only hear the door to William's office being forced open, and a voice shouting from within. Was Stephen trying to talk to his father about this? Were they going to try to do something about it?
I can only hope that things won't get worse from here, Allen thought, as he started to breathe heavily. They'll help get me out, right? I haven't done anything wrong! This is my sword that I-
But suddenly, an eerie thought occurred to him, as the puzzle pieces began to piece together. Everything had been fine, up until that strange Triumvirate official, named Julian, had appeared. He called himself Solomon's secretary, and claimed he wanted to see Allen's sword for himself. Could that be connected? It had to be, right?
A sword gifted to me by William Windblade, Allen thought, trying to concentrate. A sword only I can presumably wield. A sword that used to be my mother's. A Triumvirate official under Solomon Windblade, taking notice of my sword. Being taken into custody, under pretense of stealing the Windblade family sword. No… it couldn't be, could it?
As Allen began to try to piece things together and reality hitting him in the face, he also began to wonder just what was going to happen to him now, and what kind of future was now awaiting him.