At this very moment, turmoil raged within Rhys's heart.
Regret.
Deep, bitter, choking regret.
If only he had not fallen out with Aurek, the Hyrule War Academy would still have stood as one of the most exalted institutions in the entire empire.
The academy's students filled countless official posts across the imperial government, their influence unshakable.
And as the principal himself, he would have continued to reap endless benefits, wealth, and prestige.
But because he had clashed with Aurek, because he had chosen to oppose him openly, everything had changed.
Now the academy and the emperor stood as sworn enemies.
And worse—he himself had become a pawn, exploited by others in this struggle.
The realization gnawed at him, filling his chest with a poisonous ache.
He regretted it so much his guts twisted as though they were turning green with decay.
And yet—even so, Rhys refused to bow.
He had served as principal of the Hyrule War Academy for over two hundred years.
