Master and apprentice entered the tower in silence. Zures was carefully cleaning one of the bookshelves that were overflowing with books. Reedal addressed him.
"You can leave for today."
"Sir, I haven't finished yet..."
"Leave," Reedal said in a tone that brooked no argument.
When Zures left the tower, the wizard moved his hand and used his power to push one of the chairs against the wall behind Vaenal. Then he slightly pulled his hand back, closed it into a fist, and after half a second, opened it forcefully as he pushed his arm forward. Vaenal was propelled backward, feeling a powerful force that cut off his breath. With a cry of surprise, he collided with the wall and collapsed into the chair that Reedal had conveniently placed for him.
"Well, now tell me why a man had to die."
"He tried to kill me to get revenge against my brother... that guy was a criminal. A despicable guy," Vaenal said, terrified.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
"I'll tell you a secret, Vaenal. You are a despicable guy. Should I kill you too? I have the power to do it. Just a second and your life would be over," Reedal snapped his fingers. "Just one gesture."
"My father... would have you hanged," Vaenal said, horrified.
"That, foolish apprentice, is the only reason you're still alive. Your life was no more valuable than his, I had no right to make that judgment. I saved my own skin, that's all."
"Would you... have let them kill me?" Vaenal asked, still catching his breath.
"We've been watching you in the village. You've ignored every one of my warnings. You're not innocent. Maybe you didn't deserve to die for it, but this is a death you caused. If they had given you a beating instead of pulling a knife, I wouldn't have intervened."
"Maybe... I made some mistakes. But that's not a reason to..."
"Does anyone deserve to lose their life for touching a poisonous plant unknowingly? Punishment isn't always proportional, but all of our actions have consequences. He was a poor man blinded by rage, a rage he directed at you when you became the representation of everything he despised."
Reedal put a hand to his head, which had begun to ache. He closed his eyes.
"The mere fact of having power doesn't justify ending a life. We all have the ability to redeem ourselves, to be better. And that includes you," he paused, and in the silence from Vaenal, he considered the conversation over. "This will be today's lesson. Leave my sight."