As the blizzard's veil dissipated, the aftermath of the battle was laid bare.

‘Well, I'll be damned,’ Urael muttered, a mix of awe and disappointment lacing his tone.

The sight of the academy acolytes, broken and defeated, sent a wave of alarm through the onlookers. Gasps and murmurs rippled across the crowd, their shock palpable.

Riniock barely had time to catch his breath before his gaze landed on the academy master. The man’s face was a mask of fury, and before anyone could react, he hurled a fireball with terrifying speed and precision.

Riniock instinctively raised his hands to shield himself, but a protective ward flared to life in front of him. Professor Rhetrick had stepped in, intercepting the attack with a calm yet firm resolve.

Almost simultaneously, Professors Evondiel and Idrass materialised near the academy master. Evondiel restrained the man’s arm, whilst Idrass held a lethal spell poised mere inches from his face.

‘You’d do best to stand down,’ Idrass warned, his voice cold and unyielding. The glow of his prepared spell promised devastation, and the academy master hesitated, realising the precariousness of his position.

Still seething, he lowered his arm, dispelling the remnants of his fiery assault. ‘That acolyte has mutilated my disciples, severing their limbs. How am I expected to remain silent?’

‘Injuries are a natural risk in battles,’ Evondiel countered, his tone measured but firm. ‘Had your disciples inflicted similar harm, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. The college will address this matter as its laws dictate.’

The academy master scoffed, his eyes narrowing on Riniock with undisguised malice. ‘I trust your college’s laws will satisfy me, or I may reconsider including that one in the upcoming expedition.’

‘Is that a threat against the college's authority?’ Idrass snapped, his spell glowing brighter as tension thickened.

The academy master flinched, stepping back as the alchemy professor's spell remained trained on him. ‘Summon the arch-maegi,’ he demanded, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. ‘I won’t rest until I’ve spoken with him.’

‘Mr. Tolgir,’ Professor Rhetrick addressed him firmly, ensuring the academy master’s aggression had been fully subdued. ‘Follow me. You have some explaining to do.’

Without hesitation, Riniock fell in step behind Rhetrick, his movements steady despite the weight of the situation.

As they moved away, Riniock caught sight of medicars rushing to tend to Rodgut and Frisian. His gaze briefly shifted to the audience, landing on Linry.

Her expression was a mixture of relief and exhaustion, her trembling hands clasped near her chest. When their eyes met and Riniock offered her a small, knowing smile, she exhaled with a soft, almost disbelieving chuckle.

‘I'm sorry,’ he mouthed silently. She understood, shaking her head with a wry, incredulous look.

Before he exited the arena, Riniock’s attention flicked to one last individual – Irgod. The man’s glare was sharp, brimming with silent disdain. Riniock, however, kept his expression calm and unreadable, a subtle neutrality that only seemed to agitate Irgod further.

Riniock was escorted into a room where the arch-maegi waited, seated with an air of quiet authority.

‘We meet again,’ the arch-maegi said, his hands clasped together. His expression betrayed neither displeasure nor anger.

‘Professor, I –’ Riniock began, but the man swiftly interrupted.

‘Before you speak, let me make something clear. My willingness to vouch for you will depend entirely on the truthfulness of your answers. If I detect even a hint of deceit, I will leave your fate in the hands of the academy master.’

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Riniock paused, carefully weighing his options before giving a small nod.

‘Are you ready to answer my questions?’ the arch-maegi asked, his tone stern and unreadable.

‘I am,’ Riniock replied firmly.

‘From what your professor tells me,’ the arch-maegi said, glancing briefly at Rhetrick, ‘you severed the limbs of those academy acolytes. Why?’

‘Revenge,’ Riniock stated plainly.

‘What did they do to warrant such a response?’

‘They attacked me two nights ago, after Professor Reginalia’s late-night lesson,’ he said.

The arch-maegi turned towards a pair of investigators standing quietly in the back.

‘You reported you couldn’t identify your attackers,’ one of them said nervously, avoiding the arch-maegi’s cold glare. ‘You claimed it was too dark to see them.’

‘I didn’t lie,’ Riniock replied, his words carefully chosen. ‘At the time, I truly didn’t know their exact identities. But I knew they were from the academy.’

The investigators exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsettled by his logic.

‘Why did the two academy acolytes attack you?’ the arch-maegi continued.

‘I insulted their peer, Irgod,’ Riniock admitted. His statement was truthful, though not entirely comprehensive.

‘I see,’ the arch-maegi murmured, his gaze thoughtful as he turned away for a moment.

‘Does this mean you will vouch for me?’ Riniock asked, his voice steady but probing. He knew this would be the case, and he expected it.

The head of the college left the room without a word, his destination set on the academy delegation.

Crossing the grounds in mere seconds, he flew with a few professors in tow. The towering spires of the college blurred beneath him, reduced to fleeting images against his speed. As he neared the pier, where the academy's ship was docked, the arch-maegi slowed his flight and landed gracefully.

‘Karthen!’ the academy master, stormed towards him, each stomp driving divots into the soil. His voice boomed with rage. ‘You’d better have an explanation – and a damn good one. Or, with the gods as my witnesses, I’ll kill that boy myself!’

‘Hold your tongue!’ hissed Idrass, raising a hand as if to cast a spell. The arch-maegi stopped him with a calm gesture.

‘Mind your decorum, Fladd,’ Karthen said evenly. ‘I did not invite you to my college to endure baseless threats.’

‘Spare me the lecture! My disciples are ruined – crippled beyond saving – all because of your acolyte!’

‘Hardly,’ Karthen replied, his tone cool. ‘There are talented artificers capable of crafting mechanical prosthetics. Even if that weren’t the case, only their future in martial magicks is truly affected.’

‘And that’s acceptable to you?’ Fladd’s voice rose, his anger spilling over. ‘I’ve invested countless resources and months of training into those two!’

‘And yet,’ Karthen interrupted, ‘they were defeated by two newly fledged acolytes who receive no special treatment at my college.’

Fladd’s face darkened further. ‘If you won’t deliver justice, I’ll remove that boy from the expedition list!’

‘I’m afraid that’s not within your authority,’ Karthen said firmly. ‘While your academy headmaster granted you discretion in evaluating the candidates, only he or I hold the power to remove names from the list.’

Fladd roared, his temper breaking. ‘He destroyed their futures!’

‘And they were the ones who attacked him first,’ Karthen shot back.

‘Lies and excuses!’ Fladd accused.

‘Is it?’ Karthen’s voice grew sharper. ‘While Mr. Tolgir’s actions were severe, they occurred during an official challenge. Your disciples, on the other hand, dared to ambush one of my acolytes on college grounds.’

‘Baseless accusations! You’re just protecting him!’

‘If you doubt me, we can conduct a memory search,’ Karthen proposed, his gaze steady. The words silenced everyone, tension crackling in the air. ‘My acolyte would endure the procedure without issue given his healthy status. Your disciples, however, may not fare as well. I fear this would have irreversible effects on them.’

‘That’s coercion! Blackmail!’ Fladd protested.

‘Then why not ask your other disciple?’ the arch-maegi said, turning towards Irgod. ‘Mr. Tolkies?’

Fladd’s fiery gaze turned to Irgod, his voice a growl. ‘What have you done?’

‘M-Master…’ Irgod stammered, visibly flustered.

Fladd’s patience snapped. ‘Speak!’

Irgod faltered under the pressure. ‘Master, I…I did send Rodgut and Frisian, but I never told them to attack him –’

His excuse was cut short by a slap that echoed across the pier. Fladd’s hand left Irgod reeling.

‘Disgraceful,’ Fladd spat, his fury subsiding into bitter defeat. He turned to Karthen. ‘Arch-maegi, I offer my apologies on behalf of my disciples. If you wish to impose punishment, I will not object.’

Karthen’s eyes lingered on Irgod, cold and judgmental, but he made no move. ‘I do not want to see those three set foot on my college grounds again. When the other two are in a stable condition, you will collect yourself.’

‘Understood,’ Fladd conceded. ‘None of them will leave the ship.’

The arch-maegi withdrew, his composure unshaken and his triumph in the exchange undeniable. His deft handling of the situation left the academy delegation simmering with resentment.

As Karthen and the accompanying professors departed, the academy master turned on Irgod, his fury erupting in full force.