As Evreux walked away, Severus leaned against the wall, watching him disappear down the corridor. His smile lingered, feeling a rare sense of contentment.
He stretched his arms and muttered to himself, "It's nice to see Evreux loosen up, even just a little."
Just then, Sixten appeared from the corner of the hallway, arms crossed, eyeing Severus with a smirk. "What's with the dreamy look? You two having fun?" he teased.
Severus shrugged, playfully ignoring his brother's tone. "You could say that. Just cracking some jokes to lighten the mood. Evreux could use a laugh every now and then."
Sixten chuckled, shaking his head. "If you can get him to laugh, I'll start thinking you have real magic."
Severus smirked, raising his hand mockingly as if to summon some dark power. "Who knows, maybe I already do."
Sixten's face turned serious for a moment, his mind flashing back to the incident in the forest. "Speaking of magic... you should really be careful, Severus. We still don't understand what happened back there."
Severus dropped his hand and the playful mood evaporated. "I know, Sixten. I've been thinking about it too. I don't want to end up… like that."
Sixten sighed, his eyes softening. "We'll figure it out, okay? Just… don't push your luck. It's dangerous territory."
Severus nodded, knowing his brother was right. "Yeah. I promise, no more dark arts for now. I'll stick to bad jokes instead."
Sixten smirked, giving him a gentle shove. "Let's hope you don't kill anyone with those either."
Severus laughed " HAHAHAHA"
Severus's laughter echoed down the hall as Sixten gave a small smile. The brothers walked side by side, the tension easing with each step.
"You know," Severus said, glancing at Sixten with a sly grin, "for someone who lectures me about magic, you don't seem to mind throwing yourself into danger."
Sixten raised an eyebrow. "I only step in when someone—meaning you—is being reckless."
Severus feigned offense, putting a hand to his chest. "Reckless? Me? I'm nothing if not a picture of grace and caution."
Sixten rolled his eyes. "Right. Because jumping from trees and throwing yourself into the path of zombies is exactly what comes to mind when I think of 'grace.'"
Severus chuckled, but his smile faded slightly as they neared the main hall. He could see some of the Eleonorin disciples gathered, whispering among themselves. He caught a few curious glances thrown his way, and a knot formed in his stomach.
"People are talking, aren't they?" Severus asked quietly, his gaze fixed ahead.
Sixten nodded, his voice low. "They're suspicious, but no one knows anything for sure. We've kept things under control for now."
Severus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen, Sixten. I just wanted to protect myself."
"I know," Sixten replied, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "But that's why we have to be careful. One wrong move, and people will start asking the wrong questions."
Severus frowned, his mind racing back to the moment in the forest—the surge of dark energy, the corpses stopping in their tracks, and the black smoke from his hand. He hadn't even understood what had happened, let alone how to control it.
They passed the group of disciples, and Severus kept his head down, avoiding their stares. Sixten's hand remained on his shoulder, a silent reminder that he wasn't facing this alone.
As they entered a quieter hallway, Severus finally spoke again. "I've been thinking… maybe I should learn more about it. About dark magic."
Sixten stopped walking and turned to him, his expression stern. "No. Absolutely not. You don't know what you're messing with, Severus. It's too dangerous."
"But what if it's the only way to control it?" Severus insisted. "If I can understand it, I can stop it from happening again."
Sixten's jaw clenched, his eyes filled with worry. "There's no guarantee it'll work that way. Dark magic isn't something you can just control. It consumes people, Severus. It's not worth the risk."
Severus sighed in frustration, looking away. "I just don't want to be afraid of it anymore."
Sixten softened, stepping closer. "I get it. I do. But you don't have to face this alone. We'll find a way—without dark magic."
Severus met his brother's gaze, the weight of Sixten's words sinking in. He gave a small nod. "Alright. No more dark magic."
Sixten smiled faintly, relieved. "Good. Now, how about we head back and grab something to eat? You look like you could use it."
Severus grinned, the tension lifting once more. "I thought you'd never ask."
The classroom was filled with the soft rustle of papers and the scratch of pens as students took notes. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting patterns on the stone floor. At the front, Professor Alaric spoke monotonously about magical creatures' history.
Severus, sitting near the back, leaned over to his friend Priamos. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he nudged Priamos with his elbow.
"Hey, Pri," Severus whispered, glancing to make sure the professor wasn't watching. "How about we go hunting in Eleonorin Forest after class? I hear the pheasants are plentiful this time of year."
Priamos, who was focused on taking notes, looked up with surprise and hesitation. His innocent blue eyes blinked behind his round glasses. "Hunt? In the forest? Isn't that against the academy rules?"
Severus grinned and waved a dismissive hand. "Rules are just guidelines, Priamos. Besides, it'll be fun! You'll finally see me in action with my bow. And it's not every day we get to escape these walls."
Priamos bit his lip, his pen hovering over the paper. "But what if we get caught? I've never hunted anything before. What if I mess up?"
"Don't worry about it," Severus assured him confidently. "I'll teach you everything you need to know. We'll be back before anyone notices we're gone. Trust me."
Priamos hesitated, glancing back at the professor who was still absorbed in his lecture. The idea of breaking rules made him nervous, but the thought of an adventure was tempting. Finally, he nodded, a small smile appearing. "Alright, Severus. I'll come with you. But you better not get us into trouble."
Severus chuckled softly, clapping Priamos on the shoulder. "Trouble? With me? Never. Meet me at the old oak tree after class, and bring your cloak. It'll be an adventure to remember!"
Severus leaned back in his chair, looking satisfied with Priamos's agreement. He doodled a pheasant with arrows in the margin of his notebook. Priamos watched him with a mix of apprehension and excitement, the latter gradually winning over.
"You know," Priamos said quietly, "I've heard stories about Eleonorin Forest. They say it's enchanted."
Severus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Enchanted, huh? That sounds like even more reason to go. Imagine if we come across something magical!"
Priamos shook his head, smiling slightly. "You're always looking for adventure, Severus. But what if we run into trouble? The forest isn't exactly tame, you know."
"That's the best part," Severus replied, his eyes sparkling. "Besides, we'll be careful. I've been to the edge of the forest before, and as long as we stick to the trails, we'll be fine. Just think of the stories we could tell."
Priamos chuckled softly, his earlier nervousness fading. "I suppose it would be nice to do something different for a change. The library can only offer so much excitement."
"Exactly!" Severus exclaimed, catching himself before he got too loud. "You'll love it. We can make a whole afternoon of it. And who knows? Maybe you'll find you have a knack for hunting."
Priamos sighed, nodding. "Alright, I'll give it a try. But remember, this is your idea, so you're responsible if anything goes wrong."
Severus winked, a playful grin on his face. "You have my word. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? A couple of pheasants chasing us around?"
Both of them stifled laughter, drawing a cold glance from Evreux, who was sitting in front of them. His eyes narrowed, his gaze icy and judgmental.
Severus smiled and waved at him.
As Severus and Priamos stifled their laughter, Professor Alaric's gaze shifted sharply toward them. His eyes narrowed, and he cleared his throat loudly to regain the students' attention.
"Mr. Severus," Professor Alaric called out, his voice cutting through the classroom noise. "Since you seem so eager to discuss matters unrelated to the lesson, perhaps you can enlighten us on a different topic."
Severus straightened in his seat, meeting the professor's stern gaze with a playful smirk. "Of course, Professor."
"Good," Professor Alaric said coldly. "Let's see how you handle this. What is the difference between evil and a monster? Can you define them and explain their distinctions?"
Severus's eyes twinkled as he leaned back in his chair, considering the question. Priamos watched nervously, biting his pen.
"Evil and monsters are indeed different concepts," Severus began seriously. "Evil is usually a moral judgment. It refers to actions or intentions that are morally wrong, often driven by cruelty. It exists within individuals and their choices. For instance, someone who betrays their own kin for personal gain can be considered evil."
He paused, checking the professor's reaction before continuing. "On the other hand, a monster is more often a creature or entity that embodies fear or danger. Monsters may act out of instinct or survival rather than malice. They are defined by their appearance or nature, not by moral choices. For example, a beast with terrifying features might be called a monster, even if it acts solely out of hunger or self-defense."
Professor Alaric listened intently, his expression stern. After a moment, he continued with a more probing question.
"Interesting point, Mr. Severus. Let's dig deeper. How do you reconcile morality with creatures that don't fit our usual understanding? For instance, if a creature looks like a 'monster' but follows a moral code, can it still be considered evil despite its nature?"
Severus thought for a moment before replying. "That's a tough question, Professor. Morality depends on context. A creature might look monstrous but act according to a code that is morally good or neutral. For example, a dragon that hoards gold and terrorizes villages might be seen as a monster due to its fearsome traits, but if it follows a strict honor code, its actions could be viewed as consistent within its own framework."
Professor Alaric nodded "Alright, let's consider this, if a creature acts out of survival and harms others in the process, is it right to call it evil? Or does not having bad intentions or awareness of the harm it causes mean it shouldn't be judged morally?"
Severus frowned as he considered the question. "It's complicated at some point. If the harm is due to instinct rather than intent, it might not be right to call the entity evil. But the impact of its actions still matters, so there should be some understanding of the consequences."
Professor Alaric's eyes narrowed. "How do you handle the issue of righteousness? If someone believes they are acting righteously but their actions cause harm, does that make their actions justifiable or condemnable?"
Severus leaned forward, clearly engaged. "Righteousness, like morality, is often subjective. What one person sees as righteous might be seen as misguided by another. If someone thinks their actions are righteous but they cause harm, it depends on perspective whether those actions are justifiable. It's important to consider both intent and outcomes."
The room was silent after Severus's thoughtful answers. The professor turned to Evreux, who sat at the front with a calm demeanor.
"Mr. Evreux," Professor Alaric said, " I'd like your view on something different."
Evreux's steady gaze met the professor. "Yes"
Professor Alaric's tone was sharp. "If a person is connected to those who are seen as evil, does that make them evil too? Can someone be tainted by association, or does their morality stay independent of their affiliations?"
The class was tense, all eyes on Evreux. His expression remained unchanged as he thought about the question. After a moment, he spoke calmly.
"The association alone doesn't define one's morality," Evreux said. "Being linked with people or groups considered evil doesn't automatically make someone evil. It's their actions and choices that determine their moral standing."
He paused, his gaze steady. "If a person keeps their own moral values and doesn't support or engage in evil actions, their association doesn't make them inherently evil. But if they support or participate in evil actions, their morality can be questioned."
Severus watched with interest, knowing Evreux's calm demeanor often masked sharp intellect. Priamos shifted nervously, clearly intrigued by the discussion.
Professor Alaric nodded slowly, satisfied with Evreux's answers. "Interesting. So, you believe that actions are more important in defining morality than associations?"
"Yes," Evreux replied. "It's through one's actions and choices that their true character is shown, not just through their associations."
The room fell silent as Professor Alaric posed a new question. He looked at Severus and Evreux with a challenging gaze.
"Consider this dilemma," he said. "Who is more righteous: the one who follows their values strictly, even if it harms innocent people, or the one who acts badly but ultimately saves many others? Who would you choose and why?"
Severus and Evreux exchanged glances.
Evreux, with his calm demeanor, was the first to speak. "I would choose the first person," he said firmly. "The one who follows their values strictly, even if it harms some. Righteousness, to me, means sticking to your principles and integrity, even when it's tough. If someone stays true to their values, they're upholding a moral standard, even if it causes collateral damage. This view supports the idea that real righteousness comes from sticking to one's ethical beliefs."
Professor Alaric nodded slightly, acknowledging Evreux's viewpoint. "Interesting. Severus, what's your stance?"
Severus leaned back, his eyes showing a mix of determination and empathy. "I would choose the second person," he said. "The one who might act badly but ultimately saves many others. To me, righteousness isn't just about following a set of values but also about the results of one's actions. If someone makes tough choices that save lives and prevent more harm, their actions, even if imperfect, are closer to the greater good. True righteousness involves making choices that help the most people, even if it means bending your own ideals."
A murmur of surprise went through the classroom at Severus's answer. Professor Alaric's eyes narrowed, clearly intrigued by the differing views.
"Severus, you're suggesting that the end justifies the means. Are you saying the moral integrity of an action matters less than its results?" Professor Alaric asked.
Severus nodded. "In a way, yes. I think the impact of our actions is important. If the result benefits the greater good and the harm is justifiable, it aligns with a higher moral goal. Sometimes, we have to make tough choices to benefit the majority, even if it means adjusting our ideals."
The professor smirked, clearly pleased. "Well done."
Professor Alaric's smirk widened slightly as he surveyed the classroom. "It's good to hear such a thoughtful debate," he said. "Different perspectives help us understand the complexity of moral issues."
The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Students began to pack up their things, chatting softly among themselves. Severus and Priamos gathered their belongings.
"Ready for our adventure, Priamos?" Severus asked, a grin on his face.
Priamos, now looking more enthusiastic, nodded. "Yes, I'm actually looking forward to it. Let's just hope we don't get lost or run into any trouble."
Severus patted him on the back. "Don't worry. We'll stick together, and I'll make sure we get back safely."