Back at the ancient halls of Grimswald Academy, the great gates creaked open as Headmaster Aurelius Dreymark returned from the Ministry. Waiting beneath the torchlit archway stood Professor Duskbane, her dark eyes fixed on him, and Professor Maeron, his expression impatient and eager.
"You are back, Headmaster," Duskbane said in her steady, sharp tone. "Tell us… what transpired?"
Maeron answered before Aurelius could speak, his voice filled with misplaced certainty."What else could it be, Duskbane? Minister Crassus has always been our ally, our old friend. He would never dare refuse the Headmaster. Mark my words—by tomorrow, that wretch Theron will be shackled and thrown into a lifetime of prison. Crassus will see to it."
Duskbane's gaze snapped to him, hard as steel. Her silence alone was enough to wither Maeron's confidence, and he faltered, lowering his eyes. Both professors then turned their attention back to Aurelius.
The Headmaster's voice, when he spoke, was calm but carried the weight of thunder."First things first. Are the students within their dormitories? None wandering the halls?"
"Yes, Headmaster," Maeron replied quickly. "Each house is under watch. The Head Boy and Head Girl are on duty. You need not worry."
But Aurelius's eyes narrowed."I must worry, Maeron. Especially for the new boy—Aeron—and for Eirene. The horrors of yesterday's murders weigh heavily on that child's spirit. I need not explain to you what scars such shadows can carve."
Shame flickered across Maeron's face. "Forgive me, Headmaster."
"No more of this here," Aurelius said firmly. "The rest will be spoken in my chambers."
Without another word, the professors fell into step behind him, following through the winding corridors until they entered the sanctum of his study. There, Aurelius moved at once to the great oak shelf. From beneath his cloak, he drew forth the Codex of Ancient Magic. Its aura pulsed faintly, dark light whispering like embers beneath its cover. He set it carefully into place, then pressed his palm against it, murmuring an incantation until a shimmer of wards sealed it from unworthy touch.
Maeron could not contain his question. "Headmaster… that is the Codex. Why bring it here? Should it not remain in the Ministry vaults?"
Aurelius turned, his gaze cold."Because, Maeron, Crassus is no longer the man you once called friend."
Maeron blinked. "What do you mean?"
Duskbane folded her arms, her sharp voice answering before Aurelius could."He means what I warned you, Maeron. Crassus will not risk his position. He bends with the wind of power, and right now, the Ministry trembles with voices loyal to Theron."
Aurelius's tone grew grim, edged with contempt."I suspected as much before I went. And tonight, my suspicions are confirmed. Crassus refuses to act against Theron. He claims the Ministry cannot punish him, that it was Theron who was wronged first."
Maeron's face went pale. "Wronged? What madness is this?"
Duskbane's eyes burned with disdain. "They speak of the false marriage. That the Ministry bound Theron to Elysia instead of Lysira. They call it betrayal, and they defend his vengeance. They argue he shed no innocent blood, no civilian lives. That he has not sought dominion over Calestra, only justice for himself. And so, they claim, if the Valestra family went unpunished… then so too must Theron."
"And Crassus agrees with them?" Maeron asked, horrified.
Aurelius's reply was cold as stone."If he does not, he risks removal from his seat. And power is his true master. He will not part with it."
The fire crackled in silence, shadows stretching long across the chamber. The sealed Codex pulsed faintly on the shelf, as though listening to their words.
"What do we do now, Headmaster?" Maeron finally asked. "If the Ministry itself is supporting Theron, then who will keep him in check?"
"For now, he does not need to be controlled, Maeron," Aurelius replied calmly, his voice steady as stone. "At this moment, Theron does not possess enough strength to challenge Grimswald. It will take him time to regain his power. By then, perhaps the true heir destined to open the Codex of Ancient Magic will have come of age."
He leaned back, eyes narrowing with resolve."Our priority is clear: tighten the security of Grimswald and keep watch on every movement in both Calestra and Drakoria."
At this, Serelina's eyes sharpened with suspicion."Calestra as well, Headmaster?"
"Yes, Serelina. Calestra too." Aurelius's tone carried the weight of hidden knowledge. "The Calestra Clan no longer bends to the rule of the Valestra family. I suspect someone close to the Valestras betrayed them—someone who gave Theron the means to slaughter their house. Tomorrow, we will see who dares to seize the Calestra throne."
Serelina's brows furrowed. "But if I am not mistaken, only the true heir of Calestra can claim the throne, yes? None else can wield its full power."
"You are correct," Aurelius said gravely. "But with the Valestra family presumed wiped from existence, there will be many who will stake false claims. Betrayers who covet the throne may not channel its full power, but even fragments of its strength will be enough to let them rule Calestra… and eventually muster defiance against us."
He let the firelight flicker across his face as his voice dropped into quiet certainty."Until the rightful bearer of the Codex is ready, we must keep vigilant eyes on our enemies. Watch them grow, stumble, and plot. And when the time comes—we will be ready."
"In the meantime, teach our students well. Forge them into warriors of wisdom and courage, for a new battle between darkness and light approaches. And this time, light shall not merely prevail—it shall burn so bright that shadows will never rise again."