The faint pulsing of the gate echoed softly, casting an eerie atmosphere as the three instructors stood off to the side, their gazes fixed on Elder Lysandra.
The elder stood motionless before the gate, her gaze as unyielding as the stone barrier itself. An air of quiet authority surrounded her, amplifying the weight of her reputation.
Instructor Park leaned close to one of the others, who was partially concealed by the thick trunk of a nearby tree, the tension clear in his voice.
"So, she's Elder Lysandra…?" murmured the second instructor, his tone tinged with awe as he observed the elder at work.
Instructor Park nodded, keeping his voice low. "Yes, that's Lysandra Valefor, a high-ranking Barrier Master and the elder in charge of the Arcane Barrier Division. She's one of the kingdom's best in both barrier and array mastery. It's rare to see her here in person."
The second instructor gave a thoughtful nod, his gaze shifting to the two guards who stood flanking Elder Lysandra.
"And those two with her… Barrier Wardens, right?"
"Correct," Instructor Park replied, a note of respect in his tone.
"All Barrier Wardens in the Arcane Barrier Division are at the initial stage of the Master Tier. They're the highest-ranking members under her, each one marked by that deep gold sash—a symbol of their authority and skill."
The metallic gray of the Wardens' armor glinted faintly, their deep gold sashes a stark contrast to the subdued tones of the forest.
Instructor Park continued in a low voice, casting a quick, discreet glance at Elder Lysandra and the two Barrier Wardens beside her.
"Below the Barrier Wardens, we have the Elemental Sentinels and Forest Observers. And at the lowest rank are the Sentinel Apprentices," he explained.
Glancing toward the young disciple who had arrived to inform Elder Garrick. The light gray sash across the disciple's waist marked his rank clearly.
"That disciple who brought Elder Garrick—he's a Sentinel Apprentice. The Sentinel Apprentices are at the base of the hierarchy in the Arcane Barrier Division, just starting their journey in barrier mastery."
Park's gaze lingered on the Barrier Wardens, noting the unwavering focus in their stances, and then shifted to Elder Lysandra herself.
"Even the Barrier Wardens, and, on top of that… Elder Lysandra herself has come out here. It only confirms what I suspected."
He let out a slow breath, watching as Elder Lysandra maintained her stoic posture before the imposing gate.
"This is definitely connected to the sealed entity in the forest… if not, Elder Lysandra, who usually keeps to herself and avoids getting involved in academy matters, wouldn't have come here personally."
Known for her reclusive nature, Elder Lysandra rarely appeared beyond the boundaries of the Elemental Sanctum. She was often found studying ancient texts or immersing herself in complex research on barriers and arrays, always seeking to deepen her knowledge.
Her quiet detachment from academy life often made her seem unapproachable; she rarely involved herself in academy affairs, preferring solitude over company. To those within the Arcane Barrier Division, she was an enigmatic figure—someone who valued knowledge above all else, especially when it came to the mysteries of barriers and protective arrays. Only a matter of utmost significance could compel her to leave her studies and appear so publicly.
The first instructor leaned in, smirking as he whispered, "I've heard some rumors about Elder Lysandra, too."
Park shifted under the weight of the two instructors, "Dammit, you're heavy…"
He readjusted himself before glancing over his shoulder, his voice low.
"They say she sacrificed her entire family just to master forbidden arts—killed every last member of her own bloodline. When the royal family found out, they sent out orders to capture her immediately."
The instructor lowered his voice even further as they all stilled, wary of being overheard.
"The Valefor family wasn't large, nowhere near the size of the Seven Great Families. They had only around sixty members, but each one was a master of barrier arts. It was said no barrier could stand against them. They had unique techniques, able to dismantle or reinforce any barrier. That's what made them renowned."
The first instructor continued, his tone carrying a hint of intrigue. "After the royal family finally neutralized Elder Lysandra and captured her for those crimes… they eventually assigned her as the elder in charge of the Arcane Barrier Division. Why they did it, though… no one really knows."
He shrugged, glancing back toward Elder Lysandra. "But I think it's because she's just that proficient in barrier arts. Maybe that's why they kept her on."
The second instructor frowned, looking conflicted. "I don't think that's all there is to it," he said, shaking his head.
"Elder Lysandra's dedication to her research in barrier and array arts is unparalleled. I can't imagine her doing something so… inhuman just to learn a forbidden art. There must be more to the story—"
Before he could finish, Park's balance finally gave way. With a sudden crash, all three of them tumbled into the open, failing to mask their presence any longer.
Elder Garrick's sharp gaze immediately caught sight of them, his brow furrowing in recognition.
'Those three… aren't they Instructor Park and the other two I sent back? What are they doing here instead of following my orders…?'
The instructors quickly scrambled to their feet, they tried to hide themselves again, but Garrick's voice thundered through the clearing, anger lacing every word.
"Don't even try to hide! I know exactly where you are! Come out from behind that tree, all three of you—now!!"