The council chamber loomed over the group like a storm. Naryn, Liana, Gerrick, and Osrik entered cautiously, their steps echoing in the silent, cavernous space. Despite their exhaustion, they held themselves upright, bracing for the judgment that awaited them.
The council members sat in a semi-circle, their displeasure palpable beside they were only the last three of there. At the center sat Master Sorvin, his stern visage betraying both disapproval and weariness.
"You disobeyed direct orders," He began, his voice sharp as a blade. "You left the academy without permission, ventured into unknown dangers, and risked not only your lives but the reputation of this institution."
Lady Adrienne, leaned forward. "Had you failed, the consequences could have been catastrophic. The corruption you faced is not something to approach lightly, and your actions demonstrate a dangerous recklessness."
Naryn stepped forward, his posture resolute. "We did what we had to do. If we hadn't acted, the village would have been lost completely. We stopped the corruption and saved a survivor."
Lord Halric speak, "They may desobeys but they at least preve-".
Suddenly interrompt "It was not there place to decide," Master Sorvin snapped, silencing the room. "We are the ones who govern the academy and didtacte his rule, not impetuous students and on top of that commoners and a slave."
"We may be a group of commoners and me a slave." as naryn he clenched his fist and remember about the corps who were laying in the village. "That's why we value the lives of others more than anyone else, as a member of the council you must be of noble lineage you've never had to worry about what to eat or how to dress, you look down on us today when we are also students of this academy." As he raising his voice. "How can a school that claims to have trained some of the greatest mages who are the pride of our conti-."
Cutting naryn in his sentence, "You dare to question the words of the council and raise your voice, you who are a mere slave..." As he raises his hand. '"Such an affront cannot go unpunished."
He cast a spell that put Naryn on his knee. "Ugh.." Naryn gasped now on his knees could not get up, the other two members of the council did not react while the others were shocked to see Naryn so powerless Naryn body feel heavy and everyone could feel the mana emitted by Master Sorvin and a common thought crossed their minds, is this the difference between a noble and us ?
Suddenly an oppressive feelings appeared in the council chamber it was a feeling that no one had ever experienced they could feel the mana evaporating in the chamber it became difficult to breathe, the pressure on Naryn felt lighter.
The atmosphere in the council chamber shifted abruptly, the oppressive weight of Master Sorvin's mana suddenly receding, replaced by an even more overwhelming force. A wave of pure, unbridled power radiated through the room, silencing everyone.
Master Sorvin faltered for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he turned toward the chamber doors. "Who dares...?"
The doors swung open, and in strode and a man in a silver armor gleaming with an ethereal light. His presence was commanding, every step resonating with authority that seemed to silence even the mana-heavy air.
"That's enough," He said, his voice calm yet an edge that cut through the tension like a blade. His sharp, steely gaze fixed on Master Sorvin. "Is this how the academy treats its students ? By belittling and breaking them ? Even after they've proven their worth on the field ?"
Master Sorvin's expression darkened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "This is a matter of discipline. These students disobeyed orders and—"
"And saved lives," He interrupted, his tone unyielding. "You speak of discipline, Sorvin, but what about justice ? These students acted because the council failed to. Their defiance was born of necessity, not insubordination."
Lady Adrienne and Lord Halric exchanged uneasy glances, their postures stiff as they struggled to find their voices. The man words carried weight, more so than Sorvin's oppressive display.
His gaze flicked down to Naryn, who was still on his knees, his body trembling from the residual effects of Sorvin's spell. With a wave of his hand, a soft, silver light enveloped Naryn, dissipating the oppressive magic. The young man gasped, regaining his strength as he shakily rose to his feet.
"Stand tall," he said, his voice steady. "You've done nothing to be ashamed of."
Master Sorvin's face twisted in anger, but before he could speak, he turned back to the council. "These students are the future protectors of this continent. You speak of rules and hierarchy, yet you forget the very purpose of this academy: to forge mages, who protect the weak. These students have already done so, at great personal cost."
The room was silent. The council members avoided meeting his piercing gaze, their authority shaken.
Who was that man who put the council member in his place with authority ? Naryn stared at him for a long time and suddenly remembered that he had seen this man before, when he was in the Rosvella family. This man was Marcus Løven, second-in-command of the Sølvløven company, one of the largest mage companies on the continent, but what could he possibly be doing there, Naryn asked himself ?
Finally, Lady Adrienne cleared her throat, her voice hesitant but measured. "Vice Captein Løven raises valid points. While the students' actions were… unauthorized, their success cannot be overlooked. Perhaps their punishment should reflect both their defiance and their achievement."
Marcus inclined his head slightly, a hint of approval in his expression. "A wise compromise."
Lord Halric nodded, his voice low but steady. "Agreed. The students should be reprimanded, but not like that."
Master Sorvin's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his clenched fists betraying his frustration.
The head councilor finally spoke, his tone heavy with resignation. "Very well. The students will face sanctions. They will be barred from external missions and lessons for the remainder of the term. However, their actions in saving the village and stopping the corruption will be noted in the academy's records."
Naryn, Liana, Gerrick, and Osrik exchanged glances, relief mingling with the weight of their punishment. It was harsh, but they would remain in the academy, their path forward intact.
Marcus stepped back, his presence still commanding but now less confrontational. "Remember this day, councilors. These students, these mages are the future generation. Treat them as such."
With that, he turned and walked toward the exit. Before leaving, he glanced back at Naryn and his group, a faint smile on his lips. "You've done well."
As the chamber doors closed behind him, the council adjourned, and the group was left to process what had just happened. Though their punishment weighed heavy, so too did Marcus's words, a beacon of hope and validation amidst the storm of judgment.
For Naryn, one thought lingered in his mind : Its was so impressive so its the power of a vice captain i still got a long way to go if i want to the best. This is just the beginning.
The group trudged back to their dormitory, their bodies heavy not just with exhaustion but with the effects the overwhelming mana of Marcus Løven's. The silence stretched between them as they sank into their chairs or collapsed onto their beds, the weight of the day pressing down on their shoulders.
Osrik, ever the optimist, broke the tension with a lopsided grin. "Not bad, huh ? At least we're not expelled."
Gerrick, rubbing his temples, shot him a glare. "You still find a way to be annoying, don't you? Didn't you feel that mana ? I thought I was going to die."
Liana nodded solemnly, her face pale at the memory. "Me too. When we fought these corrupted beast and shadows, I was scared, sure, but I never thought my life was truly in danger. But earlier… I honestly thought that would be my last day."
Osrik tried to wave it off, though his smile faltered. "Yeah, it was intense, but come on. We're alive, right? Anyway, did you hear his name ? If i remember they said it was Marcus Løven."
Naryn, who had been staring out the window, finally spoke, his voice quiet. "He's the Vice-Captain of the Sølvløven company. I didn't recognize him at first, but—"
Osrik interrupted, eyes wide. "Wait, the Vice-Captain of Sølvløven ? Are you serious ? You're not lying, are you ?"
"It's not a lie," Naryn said, shaking his head. "But I'm surprised he was here. Even Master Sorvin didn't expect to see him."
Osrik huffed, throwing his arms behind his head as he leaned back. "Who cares about that ? We've seen the Vice-Captain of Sølvløven ! I never thought I'd meet someone like that in my entire life."
Gerrick groaned, muttering under his breath about Osrik's misplaced priorities, but even he couldn't deny the awe that lingered in the room.
Liana pulled her knees to her chest, glancing at Naryn. "Still… why do you think he came ? People like him don't just show up at the academy without a reason."
Naryn frowned, his mind racing. "I don't know. But it felt like he wasn't just here to intervene. There's something more to this."
The room fell into thoughtful silence. Each of them, despite their exhaustion, found their minds unable to settle, turning over the events of the day and the powerful presence that had so abruptly shaken their world.
A week had passed since the events of the council chamber, but the weight of that day lingered heavily over Naryn and his group. Despite being barred from missions and lessons, the academy continued its routines, leaving them isolated from their usual pursuits. The punishment stung, but they tried to endure it, hoping their achievements in the village weren't entirely overshadowed by their defiance.
The academy's holiday week finally arrived a time when students were permitted to leave the campus and return to their homes to rest and reconnect with their families.
Liana, Gerrick, and Osrik packed their belongings with anticipation, preparing to head back to their respective villages. Naryn, however, sat silently in their shared dorm room, staring at the meager belongings he had unpacked when he first arrived at the academy.
"Are you not packing ?" Osrik asked, slinging a bag over his shoulder. His tone was lighthearted, but there was concern behind it.
Naryn shook his head. "There's no point."
Liana frowned as she adjusted the strap of her satchel. "What do you mean ?"
Naryn hesitated, his gaze fixed on the floor. "In case you forgot im still an slave...and if i return to the Rosvella mansion, i don't know what will happen since the fight with Anden too much thing happens and i barely see him."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Gerrick crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. "So what will you do…?"
Naryn. "I don't know since im not with the collar in the academy i will be obligated to put it back outside of it." His voice was steady, but there was a faint edge of bitterness.
Osrik shifted awkwardly, his usual energy subdued. "That's… unfair. Can't you just stay here for the holidays ?"
"A part of me want to stay but i don't want to hide," Naryn replied. "I thinks its the better choice and their also things i must need to do."
Liana's eyes softened with sympathy. "After everything you've done, you deserve more than this."
Naryn offered a faint smile. "It's fine. I'm used to it."
His friends exchanged uneasy glances, their excitement for the holidays dampened by the realization of Naryn's situation. They didn't know what to say or how to fix the injustice of it all.
"Well," Osrik began hesitantly, "if it makes you feel any better, its's only a week."
"Yeah," Gerrick added. "Try not to get into too much trouble during this time."
Liana smiled gently. "We'll see you soon, Naryn. Stay safe, okay ?"
Naryn nodded, as walk out to the carriages of the Rosvella Family.
As the academy's gates, Naryn walked with measured steps toward the awaiting carriage of the Rosvella family. Its polished surface gleamed under the midday sun, a stark reminder of the wealth and authority it represented. A footman stood by the door, his posture rigid, and a silent gesture of acknowledgment as Naryn approached.
Behind him, Liana, Gerrick, and Osrik lingered, their gazes heavy with unspoken words. They had said their farewells, yet it was clear they were uneasy about Naryn returning to a place that had been more of a prison than a home.
"Are you really sure about this ?" Liana called out, taking a step forward.
Naryn glanced over his shoulder, offering a faint smile. "It's not about being sure. It's about facing what i am." His voice carried a quiet resolve, one that gave no room for further protest.
Osrik scratched the back of his head, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. "Just don't let them push you around, alright ? You're stronger than they think."
Naryn chuckled softly. "I'll try."
The footman opened the carriage door, and Naryn climbed inside without hesitation. The interior was luxurious, the seats upholstered in fine leather. Yet the grandeur only made Naryn feel more out of place.
As the door closed behind him, the carriage began to move, the soft clatter of wheels on cobblestones filling the silence. Naryn stared out the window, watching the academy fade into the distance. He felt the weight of the collar in his neck. Outside the academy's protective grounds, it would be required again a reminder of the life he had never truly escaped.
The journey to the Rosvella mansion was long and uneventful, the scenery shifting from bustling towns to sprawling countryside. Naryn's thoughts wandered to Anden, his master. He hadn't seen him since the confrontation that had led to his departure for the academy. What awaited him now ? Retribution ? Indifference ? He clenched his fists, unsure which possibility he dreaded more.