Cyrus Solaris
I sat in my dorm room, staring at the run-down walls.
There was to be a trial to determine my status at the school. I was innocent in the matter, but many people didn't seem to care about what I had to say.
I wished Mira would wake up soon to clear my name, but the doctor at the Medbay said they didn't know when she would.
A faint ding from my communicator rang in my dorm. I received a message telling me to head over to the faculty building on the central isle.
My chest pounded with every step I took as I headed to the cosmic bridge.
It was early in the morning, and yet everyone in my house was up, as if they had all received a notification that I had stepped out of my room. The looks were smug. It was hard not to pay attention to the chatter, because they all said what I thought.
I was going to be expelled.
Calm down, Cyrus. You are going to find a way out of this.
In a few short moments, I made it to the faculty building. Professor Rhondall stood at the entrance, his arms crossed and foot tapping.
"Are you ready?" he said, his voice full of concern.
A deep exhale left my body.
"You don't believe I did that, do you?"
"Cyrus, I want to believe you, but it doesn't look good," he said, opening the door to the faculty building. I followed him up the stairs to the boardroom.
The boardroom door creaked open, and the room was coated in charcoal grey, illuminated by fluorescent central fixtures. Every teacher sat at the large horseshoe-shaped table, their piercing gaze unrelenting.
"Welcome, Cyrus," Head master Naga said, gesturing for me to sit in the chair at the end of the large table.
I gave him a curt nod and sat in the chair.
"Let's get started; you have the floor, Professor Thorne."
She stood up, her posture strong, and her expression commanding the room.
"Cyrus Bennu, you are charged with aggravated assault of a student outside of sanctioned academy events, along with trespassing and illegal use of the teleportation terminal, and suspicion of vandalizing House Obalex. What do you have to say for yourself?"
So Sora didn't tell on me?
I looked to Professor Rhondall. He gave a slight nod and interrupted.
"Cyrus never left House Mulanu that night."
The tension in my shoulders eased up.
I met Professor Thorne's gaze and adjusted my position in my seat.
"As for everything else, I am not guilty."
A slight frown formed on her face, "On what grounds? "
"Because I had no motive for attacking them. I was actually trying to save the dude from an astral behemoth's attack. Mira tried to help me."
"There hasn't been an astral behemoth attack on campus in four decades, long before most of us started working here. Besides, witnesses at the dance say they saw you arguing with Mira. Care to explain what that was about?"
I gritted my teeth.
"Just expressing how we felt regarding a situation."
Professor Thorne's eyebrows raised.
"And so that situation led to the altercation outside?"
My fist clenched.
"No."
"There has to have been some sort of surveillance on the central isle. Are you saying nothing was recorded?" I asked the group, my gaze scanning the whole lot.
The room was silent.
"Do you not have an answer?"
"The surveillance tapes were corrupted, and we were unable to retrieve the data from them." Head Master Naga said, his voice smooth and warm.
This must be how Dad felt. Left with no one to believe him, while the world turned against him.
"Expulsion with no proof- does that align with what you teach? Professor Thorne."
The room was silent again.
Then Professor Thorne broke the silence.
"But we have proof of your character and previous actions. You broke a student's foot in the rec area. You attacked all the students during your match against Bogdan.
The guards say there was no trace of an astral behemoth on the central isle last night, and you were caught standing over the bodies of two incapacitated students. One of those students is from a noble family, and they want answers.
Do you see how that paints a picture that you committed this act?
You are guilty in my eyes, unless you can provide proof of your innocence."
"How do you want me to provide proof that I didn't do something?"
The room was silent again. I looked towards Professor Rhondall, and he looked troubled. I can tell he didn't agree with what was taking place here.
But he was outnumbered.
They didn't want me here at all. It was clear as day now.
"I have a question. Did anyone find out why Mira and the other student still haven't woken up yet?" Head Master Naga asked.
"Cosmic energy backlash," one of the teachers said promptly.
"So you believe two students went into cosmic energy backlash trying to fight me last night? You are supposed to be smart. That creature did the same to me. I was just lucky enough to get away."
"Sounds like a great piece of fiction," another Professor said, making my blood boil.
How am I going to prove my innocence? Who knows when Mira and the other kid will wake up?
I need to get my provisional license.
Then an idea sparked in my head.
"I think more time is required before we make a decision on the matter." Head master Naga said.
Professor Thorne's head snapped toward him.
"But it's clear."
"Not clear enough for my liking.'
"How about a vote then?"
"Professor Thorne, do you forget your place? You are not only speaking to the headmaster but also to the president of this academy.
We will take more time to look around the academy grounds during their break, because we are not the Storm Lord. It will take much longer than a few short hours to present a proper sentencing.
The term will end a few weeks after this break. I think that is the perfect time to have a verdict."
A small sigh left my body.
I was grateful that someone like Head Master Naga was looking out for me.
But I still had to take matters into my own hands. I had to find that creature.
"Thank you, Head Master. But to the rest of you, just know I won't forget what you tried here today, and I can't wait to prove you all wrong when I bring that creature back here and prove my innocence."
"Have fun chasing some folk tale. You are not the first to use it as cover, and you won't be the last." Professor Thorne said.
Many of the teachers scoffed in approval of her statement. I didn't care what they thought now. I was given a shot to prove myself, much more than what my father was given, and I was going to make the most of it.
"Are we done here? I have some hunting to do."
The Head Master smirked.
"You are excused, Cyrus."
I gave the Head Master a bow and left the boardroom.
But Professor Thorne said one more thing before I left.
"Cyrus Bennu, when we find you guilty and expel you, no other school will take you. You can consider your career as a rift runner over, and there will be no organization that will protect you from the enemies you have made here."