Chương 111: CHAPTER 109: THE SHADOW OVER THE COURTYARD

The morning sun rose over the white spires of the Royal Magic and Research Academy, casting long golden shadows across the central courtyard. Rumors had spread like wildfire through the academy corridors since dawn. Word that twenty students—including the arrogant noble heirs of high ducal houses—had spent the entire night locked inside the basement laboratory practicing delicate, micro-thread control had shocked the senior faculty. What startled them even more was the sudden shift in behavior.

The noble students were no longer loafing near the fountains or boasting about duel rankings; they were moving with disciplined focus, their mana control sharper and more refined than even fourth-year combat mages. By mid-morning, a delegation of senior academy elders gathered at the top of the spiral staircase leading to the basement. Leading the group was Elder Vane, a senior administrator in heavy purple silk robes lined with silver fur, his chest covered in ornate academic medals.

Flanking him were three senior department heads, carrying thick ledgers and glowing inspection staves.

"Unsanctioned private practices, forbidden dissection materials, and rumors of student insubordination," Elder Vane scoffed, tapping his oak staff against the white marble floor.

"This guest instructor, Shin, has overstepped his authority. We are shutting down this basement immediately." The senior faculty marched down the spiral staircase, their heavy footsteps echoing through the narrow stone stairwell. They reached the landing outside the subterranean laboratory. Before Elder Vane could touch the iron door handle, five figures stepped forward from the shadows of the arched doorway, completely blocking the entrance.

Valerius stood at the front, his arms crossed over his chest, his golden-embroidered coat gleaming under the wall sconces. Flanking him were four other noble heirs, their expressions cold, haughty, and unyielding. Elder Vane frowned, adjusting his spectacles.

"Young Lord Valerius? Step aside. The Academic Council has ordered an immediate administrative inspection of this facility. Your presence here is inappropriate." The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Valerius did not budge an inch.

"This laboratory is currently engaged in advanced, closed-door research under our explicit family sponsorship," Valerius said, his voice dripping with aristocratic disdain.

"You do not have clearance to enter."

"Insolence!" one of the senior department heads snapped, stepping forward.

"We are the Senior Council of this Academy! No guest lecturer has the authority to deny us entry, and no first-year student gives orders to faculty elders!" Valerius took a slow, calculated step forward, narrowing his crimson eyes.

"Try stepping past this threshold, Elder," Valerius whispered, his tone chillingly smooth.

"My father is the High Marshal of the Southern Armies. Cassian's father controls the grain logistics for the entire capital. Lady Lyra's house oversees the Imperial Treasury audits." He tapped the crest pinned to his lapel.

"If a single one of you touches this door, our families will pull every copper of research funding from your departments by sunset. We will initiate full financial and political audits on every elder standing on this staircase. Do you think your council seats will survive until next week?" The three senior department heads froze, the color rapidly draining from their faces. They exchanged terrified glances.

They were powerful mages inside the academy walls, but against the combined political and financial might of the high nobility standing in front of them, they were completely powerless. Inside the quiet laboratory, Rudra watched the entire confrontation through his system interface while leaning against the granite dissection slab. Abe yaar, when rich kids use their family power for good, it really is something else.

Elder Vane trembled with suppressed rage, his grip on his oak staff tightening until his knuckles turned white.

"You... you are shielding a dangerous rogue! The Imperial Inquisition is already circling the campus perimeter!"

"Then let the Inquisition come," Valerius answered coldly.

"Until they present a warrant signed by the Emperor himself, you are trespassing. Turn around and walk back up the stairs." Elder Vane opened his mouth to shout a furious retort, but before he could utter a single syllable, the air outside shifted violently. DONG. A massive, deafening chime rang out across the campus, shaking the stone foundations of the subterranean hall. DONG. The sound was not the regular class bell.

It was the deep, resonant iron chime of the Great Academy Bell Tower —a sound that had not been struck in over fifty years. Valerius and the noble heirs turned toward the staircase, their eyes wide with shock. DONG. Three heavy, slow emergency strokes echoed consecutively through the sky, signaling a total military breach of the academy's outer gates.