It had been two days since Kael and Julian attended the council meeting. In that short span of time, their names had spread across the academy like wildfire. Ever since their official admission into the council, they had become the hottest topic in the school's magazine and among the student body.
Rumors multiplied faster than either of them anticipated. As it turned out, Lance and Darius had held the eighth and ninth seats within the council. Which meant that by defeating them, Kael and Julian were now officially ranked eighth and ninth.
Tho Kael had already suspected a ranking hierarchy's existence as during the meeting, he had observed the subtle differences in elevation between seats, the distance from the four central pillars, the orientation toward the head chair, and even the spacing between members. The structure had not been random. So the announcement did not surprise him much. Nor did it move him.
Julian, however in the other hand, reacted quite differently.
He was ecstatic. Being one of the top ten rankers had inflated his excitement beyond control. Every chance he got, he would take out his badge and polish it with exaggerated care, a massive grin stretched across his face as he admired the ruby inscriptions embedded into its surface like a treasured heirloom.
Kael merely observed him with faint amusement. But beneath that calm exterior, his thoughts were far from light. Ragnar had told him to wait before revealing the culprit behind the poisoning incident. The investigation was nearly complete, he had said. They only needed absolute confirmation.
But Ragnar's warning still echoed in his mind:
"Tho the investigation has not yet been completed I am certain you were poisoned out of jealousy. They may strike again. Be careful."
Thinking of the warning Kael rested his head against his right hand, gazing out the classroom window.
'What a pity...', he thought, 'Judging from the reputation that boy had amassed, he could have become a capable knight.'
His eyes sharpened slightly.
'To poison another out of jealousy… without challenge, without honor.'
His fingers curled subtly against the desk.
'Such disgrace.'
As a knight, he could not allow such dishonor to go unanswered.
His reflection stared back at him through the faint glare of the window.
"I shall bring you justice," he murmured quietly.
"Mr. Kael, may I have a moment with you?"
The sudden voice cut through his thoughts, Kael turned. Standing at the classroom door was Cole Bueford, wearing the same unreadable smile and relaxed yet formal posture as always. Kael studied him for a brief moment. Sensing the tension, Cole added smoothly, "It is from the council. Mr. Ragnar, to be specific."
At the mention of Ragnar's name, Kael rose from his seat and walked toward the door.
"Lead the way."
Julian immediately began to stand as well, but Kael halted him with a raised hand.
"Julian, don't worry. Stay here."
Julian blinked, then gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
"Got it. Good luck!"
He shrugged and returned to polishing his badge as if nothing in the world could possibly disturb his joy.
Kael nodded faintly and followed Cole. They arrived at the academy cafeteria. The moment Kael stepped inside, he saw it.
A mountain,
A literal mountain of food stacked so high that only a pair of broad shoulders were visible behind it.
It was Ragnar,
He was devouring the food at an astonishing pace.
Kael exhaled softly and gestured for Cole to leave before taking a seat opposite the massive figure.
Ragnar noticed him.
"Oh! Kael!" he said through a mouthful of food. "Don't mind me, I'm having lunch."
Kael stared at the absurd quantity before him "Lunch? You are consuming enough to sustain two families."
Ragnar burst into laughter.
"Don't be surprised! This is the minimum required to maintain this beauty."
He flexed his bicep proudly. Kael remained unimpressed.
"Let us get to the point," he said calmly. "Who is responsible for my poisoning?"
The humor disappeared instantly. Ragnar swallowed what remained in his mouth. When he looked up again, his smile had changed.
It was sharper,
More aggressive,
He locked eyes with Kael.
"It is the Dephlien family's star."
A brief pause.
"Lucian Dephlien."
The name settled between them like a blade laid flat on a table. Kael did not visibly react.
But his eyes darkened.
"Are you certain?" he asked evenly.
Ragnar nodded.
"Viktor traced the alchemical signature. The ingredients used were among the rarest and most expensive available. Only a handful of noble families can legally obtain such reagents."
"And the Dephlien family is one of them."
"Yes."
Ragnar leaned forward slightly.
"The day before your poisoning, Lucian held a private meeting with Jack and several students responsible for delivering your meal."
Silence lingered....
"Before you collapsed," Ragnar continued, "you were being evaluated for early council consideration. Your performance metrics were among the highest in your year."
Kael's gaze sharpened.
"And Lucian?"
"Ranked fifth."
Another pause.
"And ambitious."
Kael leaned back.
"Jealousy," he muttered quietly.
Ragnar gave a single nod.
"We believe so."
Kael's voice grew colder.
"A knight draws his blade openly."
Ragnar studied him carefully.
"What do you intend to do?"
Kael rose from his seat.
"I will not act recklessly."
He looked down at Ragnar.
"If he has struck once, he may strike again. I will not provide him that opportunity."
Ragnar's grin returned faintly.
"Good."
Then he added, more seriously:
"Be cautious. Lucian is not weak. He is a magical swordsman. He specializes in advanced mana manipulation and spatial compression magic. His control is extremely refined."
Kael's lips curved faintly.
"Is he stronger than Lance?"
Ragnar hesitated.
"…Yes."
Kael's smile deepened slightly.
"Good."
Ragnar blinked.
"Good?"
Kael turned away.
"If I am to restore honor, it should not be easy."
And with that, he left the cafeteria. Ragnar watched his departing figure carefully. There was something different about Kael.
Something steady,
Something inevitable,
Ragnar resumed eating, though a faintly crazed smile crept onto his face.
Lucian Dephlien…
You may have just created yourself a formidable enemy.