Finally, a voice broke the suffocating silence.
It was Dean Seravane.
"Theo Nightfall, you have struck a fellow student on academy grounds. Have you anything to say in your defense?"
Theo stepped forward—one step, then another—his entire body trembling. His voice refused to emerge. His breathing was shallow, his eyes wide with the terror of someone who had stared death directly in the face and accepted the outcome.
"Do you not wish to speak, Theo Nightfall?" a professor asked sharply.
Still, no answer came.
Recognizing the signs, Dean Seravane raised a hand and cast a minor calming spell over Theo—a soft ripple of magic intended to suppress his panic. Only then did Theo manage to steady himself enough to speak.
"I… struck her because she insulted me—me and my family," he stammered, voice still unsteady.
A chilling, razor-sharp gaze fell upon him from behind.
"Asher," Seravane warned in a stern tone, "you are in the Council's presence."
The dean turned his attention fully to him.
"Does Asher von Valcren wish to offer a defense for endangering students by releasing magic in such a manner?"
"No."
Just a single, flat word.
The hall grew colder.
"Then the Council's judgment stands," Dean Seravane declared.
"Theo Nightfall is hereby suspended for one month and will be placed in the lower class."
His voice did not waver.
"Asher will be transferred to Class A."
"Seraphina Raymond will receive no punishment, as she is the victim."
With those words, the meeting was adjourned.
As students filed out, Theo hurried toward Asher and Seraphina, desperation etched on his face.
"Lord Asher, I beg your forgiveness. I have gone against the House of Valcren…" His hands trembled violently.
"As Theo Nightfall of House Nightfall, you know well," Asher replied coldly, "how Valcren deals with those who stand against them."
Theo collapsed to his knees. The House of Nightfall was powerful—feared, even—but the Valcrens were something else entirely. A force no one dared provoke.
"My house… will answer for this," Asher murmured, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
Seraphina looked between them—Theo kneeling, terrified; Asher towering above him, almost amused.
"Asher… can you forgive him? For my sake?"
She gently held his hand, her voice soft but firm.
Asher met her eyes—and something in him faltered. Warmth spread through his chest; a faint blush rose to his cheeks. He quickly brought a hand to his mouth to hide it.
"…Since Seraphina has asked," he finally said, "I will forgive you. But from this day forward, you will serve as Seraphina's personal butler."
Theo's eyes brightened instantly—relief flooding him.
"I accept this duty. I will serve Lady Seraphina with all my loyalty."
He stood, placed a hand over his chest, and bowed deeply.