A Meeting in the Headmaster's Office
The candlelight flickered softly, casting elongated shadows across the dimly lit office of Headmaster Aldred. Stacks of parchment, worn books, and magical artifacts cluttered the wooden desk, a testament to the weight of responsibility he carried as the head of Alamcaran High.
Across from him, a man lounged casually in a chair, legs crossed and arms folded.
Coal Sutherland—private detective, rogue mage, and, above all, a man who had never been fond of formalities. His dark coat draped over the chair's back, and a well-worn hat rested beside him. He wasn't the type to be easily summoned, but the headmaster's urgent message had piqued his interest.
Sutherland adjusted the gloves on his hands, his sharp blue eyes scanning Aldred's tense expression.
"So," he said, breaking the silence. "You called me here in the middle of the night. Had to cancel a job, by the way. I was tailing a nobleman's mistress—real scandalous stuff. You owe me for that."
Aldred sighed, rubbing his temples. "This isn't a trivial matter, Coal."
Sutherland smirked. "You say that every time."
"This time, it's true."
Aldred leaned forward, his expression dark. "I assume you've already heard about what happened during the practical exam?"
Sutherland raised an eyebrow. "I caught some whispers, but I was hoping you'd fill in the gaps."
Aldred folded his hands on the desk. "The final test should have been a controlled battle—an appropriate challenge for students. But something changed. A lion beast appeared instead."
Sutherland's smirk faded. "A lion beast? In an academy exam?"
Aldred nodded grimly. "It wasn't just any lion beast. It was far stronger than anything that should have been there. If the students hadn't been exceptional—if circumstances had been even slightly different—we could have had casualties."
Sutherland exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against the wooden armrest of his chair. "Alright. That's serious. But why am I here? Why not call in your fellow teachers, or better yet, the Magic Council?"
Aldred's gaze hardened. "Because I suspect the Magic Council is involved."
Sutherland blinked. Then he let out a low chuckle. "Oh, that's rich. You do realize what you're saying, right? The same council that oversees every major magical institution in Hexagon City? The same people who basically control magic regulation?"
"I know how it sounds," Aldred admitted. "But I personally selected the final challenge for the exam. The council was supposed to do nothing more than approve it, ensuring the test's integrity."
"And?"
"They didn't just approve it." Aldred's voice dropped. "They overrode my selection. When I questioned them, they assured me it was for the integrity of the exam—to prevent information leaks. I found it strange, but I let it go."
Sutherland's eyes narrowed. "And then this lion beast appears."
Aldred nodded. "Exactly."
Sutherland leaned back, rubbing his chin. "That's a hell of a theory, Aldred. But if you're this confident about corruption in the Magic Council, why not go straight to the Imperial Court? That's their job, isn't it?"
Aldred shook his head. "I don't have enough evidence. Accusing a high-ranking institution of something this severe without proof would be political suicide. Not to mention, if they truly are responsible, they'll cover their tracks before any formal investigation begins."
Sutherland exhaled sharply, his fingers drumming against the chair's armrest. "So you need me to dig."
"I need you to find the truth," Aldred corrected.
---
A Dangerous Proposition
Sutherland laced his fingers behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. "You do realize that if I do this, I'll be making enemies of some of the most powerful mages in Hexagon City."
"I wouldn't ask if it weren't important."
"You mean dangerous."
Aldred's gaze was steady. "Playing with the lives of students—risking their futures for some hidden agenda—that's a crime. Even if it's the Magic Council."
Sutherland studied the headmaster carefully. This was different.
Aldred had always been strict but fair. Never reckless. Never one to make accusations lightly.
If he was this serious, then the matter was bigger than it seemed.
And that intrigued him.
After a long silence, Sutherland let out a breath. "Fine. I'll take the job."
Aldred's shoulders eased slightly. "Thank you, Coal."
Sutherland smirked. "Don't thank me yet. If this goes south, you'll owe me more than just a favor."
Aldred allowed himself the faintest smile. "I'll owe you many."
Sutherland stood, reaching for his coat. "First things first—I need to know everything about that lion beast. Every little detail."
Aldred handed him a sealed document. "I prepared this for you. It includes everything we know."
Sutherland took it, tucking it into his coat. "Alright, Headmaster. Time to see just how deep this rabbit hole goes."
And with that, he disappeared into the night.
The hunt had begun.