Vermon stared down at Elder Kilth, who was lying in a bed in front of him with a pale expression. Behind were all the Elders of the Council, and a solemn silence filled the room.

  “Elder Kilth…” Vermon muttered, “I knew you were ambitious, meddling in things outside the Academy. But I always assumed you knew where to draw the line.”

  “Headmaster, I…” Elder Kilth’s voice was shaky as he spoke, and he looked completely lost, “I never could have imagined. I know I crossed a line to accept the request of an outside power, but I followed the regulations. I always do. I know I like to play around the rules, and that is something I shouldn’t have done. But never in my life have I even considered betraying the Academy.”

  “I believe you. Otherwise, the Oath would have killed you,” Vermon said calmly.

  Elder Kilth breathed out slightly in relief, but he was still tense.

  “That’s why the kind of Oaths we have to swear are so effective,” Vermon continued, “Intent matters, but so does effect. It truly is a marvelous form of magic. I can tell just by the state of you that you had no intention of betraying the Academy, because you would be dead. But there is no arguing that you have betrayed us nonetheless.

  “Headmaster,” Elder Kilth’s voice turned shakier, “I know there are no excuses. The result of my carelessness this time is truly unforgivable. I swear to change my ways. I will exert every effort of my being to repent to the Academy for the rest of my life. I will let my family clan, the Shields, and every other power I have a relation to know that there will be no more favors. Only the benefit of the Academy will sway my mind.”

  The atmosphere in the room turned extremely gloomy. Everyone in there could tell that Elder Kilth was now begging for his life.

  Vermon could tell that the people behind him were slightly surprised. After all, Elder Kilth was an Elder like them and, until recently, was a Hard Soul mage. He had never been one to grovel. Many would even describe him as haughty. Even when facing Vermon, he wouldn’t be excessively polite.

  But soon, everyone behind Vermon came back to reality and understood the gravity of the situation. No matter the circumstances, Elder Kilth had betrayed the Academy.

  Vermon wasn’t surprised by Elder Kilth’s pleading tone or attempts at reconciliation. Because even if Vermon was calm on the outside, he knew that Elder Kilth could feel the danger emanated from Vermon’s eyes.

  “Life…” Vermon said, almost in a whisper. No one was sure if he talked to himself or addressed them all. “We all make choices, and those choices have consequences. If the very same actions you took when you helped the Amyss family at the Hesfym family’s behest didn’t result in any consequences, I would say nothing. But that’s not the case.

  “You have, as you said, liked to play with the rules. It has benefited you to be careless when everything went according to your plan. You have reaped those rewards for many years. This time…you went too far. Or perhaps you were unlucky. Either way, you have reaped the rewards, and now you must suffer the punishment.”

  “Headmaster, I…I am truly sorry,” Elder Kilth said, his voice matching the low volume of the Headmaster. It was almost as if the two ignored the other Elders in the room. “I will accept my punishment. I will accept being locked up for the rest of my life. Never to see the light of day. I only ask that you let me contribute to the Academy, continuing my research. I can only redeem myself by doing so.”

  Those words…really make it difficult for me to keep my resolve.

  He knew that if he took it to a vote, he would have the support of the other Elders to punish Elder Kilth just as he had suggested. But even if Elder Kilth had no ill intent, the consequences were too severe this time. At least to Vermon himself.

  “You have already done enough for the Academy,” Vermon said, shaking his head. “I won’t forget your meticulous deeds over the years. I can promise you that. But no matter how I feel about it. You have betrayed the Academy, Elder Kilth. That’s irrefutable. And you will pay for it with your life.”

  The room turned silent. Even these powerful mages couldn’t help but tremble slightly at those words.

  “I will make sure your work is published under your name,” Vermon continued, “And you will be recorded as having perished while fighting for the Academy. If you have any last words, please speak them now.”

  Elder Kilth stopped trembling, and slowly, as Vermon spoke, he laid his head down on the pillow, and a calm smile appeared on his face.

  “That’s just as well. I’ve lived so long now. It’s time to move on. I truly am sorry, Headmaster Vermon. I hope you know that. Thank you for everything over the years. You have done so much for me over the years and now…I won’t ask for forgiveness. I don’t deserve it.”

  No one spoke, and Vermon could see Elder Kilth’s eyes tear up. But the smile was still there.

  “I have lived a good life. I made a lot of mistakes. Now, the reasons I made those decisions truly seem ridiculous. What a strange clarity I can see everything with.”

  Elder Kilth turned to look at the Vermon, and he met his eyes.

  “Even with the mistakes. I feel proud of the life I’ve lived. I did well. I did the best with what I had.”

  He turned to the Elders behind Vermon and continued, “Thank you all. If there is a place beyond, I’ll set things up for you in advance, so we can enjoy a drink together when the time comes. I’d like to hear all about how you crushed Heavenly Light and brought glory to the Academy. If we don’t beat those Academies on Quemer by then, I will truly laugh at you, and the drinks will be on you, so work hard.”

  No one spoke in response, but every single one of the Elders behind Vermon bowed in respect. For most of them, it was probably over a century since they last bowed so low to anyone. But even Elders who were past enemies had no hesitation in them to send Elder Kilth off with honor.

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  “I thought it would be a shameful death, considering the circumstances. Only you could go out with such dignity. You have truly surprised me til the end,” Vermon said heartfully.

  Elder Kilth smiled, “If someone from my family clan enters the Academy, please make sure to educate them so they can turn into better people than me. Even if they are unruly, give them a chance. They are kids, after all.”

  “I will,” Vermon nodded.

  “Thank you,” Elder Kilth said and closed his eyes, “I’m ready to go now.”

  Vermon approached his side and put his hand on the side of Elder Kilth’s head.

  I came here in a fury. I wanted nothing more than to kill you…

  Who would have thought that I could change so quickly.

  Perhaps I needed to hear it. It doesn’t feel so heavy anymore.

  “Thank you for your service. Cyalis Academy won’t forget you,” Vermon said. Then, he immediately conjured an arrow of water filled with powerful concepts and sent it into Elder Kilth’s head. He didn’t resist, and he died on the spot.

  Vermon looked down on the face below as it slowly drained of colors. He watched him with a complicated expression on his face.

  After a few moments of silence, Vermon took a step backward and bowed deeply as well.

  No matter what, you did a lot for the Academy. And, in a way, you were loyal until the end.

  I will find the true culprits and take my rage out on them.

  After a minute of silence, Vermon turned around to look at the Elders. They watched him with a solemn expression. They knew that the future wouldn’t be peaceful.

  “Prepare the funeral,” Vermon ordered, “Elder Kilth died while fighting against Heavenly Light in Cyalis for the sake of the Academy. If anyone here refutes it in public or reveals the truth, they will be looked upon as a traitor to the Academy.”

  “Yes, Headmaster,” The Elders all voiced out and bowed.

  I’ve been keeping to myself for too long. A scene like this would never have occurred before Heavenly Light acted.

  It’s not a bad feeling.

  “Will we be announcing our stance on the matter?” Elder Herten asked.

  “I know I was a little…rash and angry when I returned. I’m sorry about that. I’m more clearheaded now.” Vermon said, deciding to clear up a few things.

  Vermon had really been furious when he heard that Adion was taken by Heavenly Light, a scheme pulled off by spies from the Academy and powerful mages from Quemer. He had not even given the matter of the Elixir of Life being stolen much thought, even if that would have definitely shaken the Academy to the core at any other time. Someone actually dares come in to kill and steal in his Academy. How could he not feel humiliated?

  But nothing could anger him more than returning to find out Adion was missing.

  Vermon had seen the situation in the Valis Kingdom, and it exceeded all his expectations. Heavenly Light really came prepared. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to get Adion’s great-aunt out of there. She didn’t want to leave the Kingdom in its moment of crisis. Vermon had no choice but to respect her decision. But she asked him to take her grandchildren with him. They were too weak to contribute either way. Seeing as they were related to Adion, Vermon didn’t refuse. He was sure Adion would be furious if he had.

  But little did he expect to receive a voice transmission with news of a large battle in Cyalis. Heavenly Light had attacked and kidnapped his disciple.

  As soon as he had returned, he had yelled out in fury that the dogs of Heavenly Light better hide because he would hang them all from the city walls. The entire city shivered in fear that day.

  I really should have been a little more composed.

  “I will hold a speech when we bury Elder Kilth, I will announce our intentions to the Academy at that point. We can spread word of the Council’s decision after that,” Vermon instructed, “We will tell the powers of Shiora that they can choose to stand on Cyalis or Heavenly Light’s side. This is no time for neutrality. If they are not with us, they are against us.”

  “Isn’t that a little too harsh? I’m not sure it will land well. The Noble families are incredibly proud, not to mention the Royal families. It’s hard to believe they want to get involved in a war that doesn’t concern them,” Elder Fesora said.

  “Thankfully, they have the Valis Kingdom as an example. If they can fall, so can everyone else. They can refuse, of course, but don’t think about stepping foot on Cyalis or sending their children to our Academy. Not even the Alago Empire would dare say they can take on the rest of the continent. They need allies,” Vermon said.

  “That’s true,” Elder Fesora nodded, “How was Heavenly Light's strength? Did you get a good look?”

  “I didn’t see any Pure Soul mages and only the auras of two Hard Soul mages. But their truly terrifying might is in their huge number of Silver, Gold, and Diamond mages. And I refuse to believe I saw all of their forces,” Vermon answered.

  “Are they from Quemer?” Elder Fesora asked.

  “These new Hard mages should be. But I believe most of their other forces have been recruited from Shiora over the years. Perhaps I should have kept a closer look on them than I have.”

  Vermon sighed and shook his head, but he didn’t despair. He looked up to the 14 Hard Soul mages in front of him and smiled.

  “Either way, I believe they have looked down on Cyalis. It’s true we spend most of our time behind these walls reading and researching. But we have always pointed out the importance of strength. It is time to show the world that now,” Vermon said.

  He could see most of the Elders smiling at those words. Even if Heavenly Light was surprisingly strong and shouldn’t be underestimated. Cyalis had more Soul mages than anyone could possibly imagine. Several thousand Silver mages graduated from their Academy every year. That’s not something Heavenly Light can compare to.

  “Once the funeral is completed and we have declared our intention to the world, we will hold a public execution of the spies in the city that we have found. Don’t stop searching for more. We will convene again after that to plan our actions against Heavenly Light.”

  “Yes,” The Elders responded.

  I’m finally beginning to see some fighting spirit in these guys. They seemed so hesitant at first. It seems I’m not the only one who is looking forward to some battle again.

  “Good. I’m heading back to my office. Report to me immediately if we receive information on Adion’s whereabouts. I won’t share too much, but you are not stupid people. There was a reason that I accepted him as my disciple, and there is a reason Heavenly Light kidnapped him. In the future, our Academy can soar to unimaginable heights with him on our side.”

  “It’s more than his strength?” Elder Fesora asked hesitantly.

  “Much more,” Vermon answered and walked away.

  I know they have figured out his space core. But there is no way they could have ever guessed he has Authority over space as a Silver mage. And it’s a more powerful Authority than that of those Immortals.

  Hold on, Adion. I’ll find you and bring you home.