Scene 1: The Message Sent
As soon as Alen's fist landed on Prince Dazek and sent him crashing into the hall wall, enchanted alarms hummed quietly through the Academy. A nearby shadowed figure, cloaked in midnight blue, watched with steady eyes.
Ryen Drevaris, the secret guardian of Lyra and elder son of the Northern Dragon Clan, narrowed his eyes.
"So... it's begun."
He touched the silver crest pinned inside his robes, whispering into it.
"Alert the clan. The scenario is live. I'm going in."
The guard who had been stationed to alert Ryen upon any conflict involving Lyra pressed the rune immediately after the punch, per prior instruction.
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Scene 2: Royal Trial Council Begins
Within the marble Council Tower, the Royal Disciplinary Council convened rapidly after Prince Dazek was injured.
Alen stood alone, surrounded by guards and nobles.
Lyra had tried to speak in his defense—but was now being pressured into kneeling before the prince, who sat smugly on a floating dais, bandaged and bruised.
"Kneel and beg for forgiveness on his behalf," he said. "Or I'll make sure your 'lover' is executed in public."
Lyra clenched her fists, tears at the edge of her voice. "You... you're despicable!"
"Then kneel."
The nobles whispered—some for the prince's honor, others simply watching the drama unfold.
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Scene 3: Doren Explodes
Far away, Doren Hellhart had just exited class when he heard the whisper of his informants.
"Alen's at trial. Royal Council. Immediate judgment."
Doren's body vanished in a flash of blood-red afterimage as he bolted to the Headmaster's chamber.
BAM!
The doors flung open.
"You FOOL!" Doren roared. "Do you have ANY idea what you've just triggered?!"
The Headmaster, an aged man with golden eyes named Bandmaster Rial, looked up from his chair, frowning.
"Doren Hellhart, mind your tongue. A royal prince was attacked. We must maintain order—"
Doren slammed his hand on the desk, cracking it.
"You senile sack of arrogance. That 'student' you just offered to the royals? He's the only son of the CRIMSON LION. If he gets hurt—no, if he's even bruised—this entire Academy will be wiped off the map by dawn."
Bandmaster Rial froze.
"You're bluffing."
"I'd stake my name on it. The Crimson Lion does not forgive. You knew we took in elite scions from the Great Clans. You approved their enrollment! And now you're treating him like a commoner?"
Bandmaster Rial tried to speak, but Doren wasn't done.
"And guess who else is about to arrive? Her brother. The Sword of the Northern Dragon himself."
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Scene 4: The Arrival of Ryen Drevaris
As the trial intensified, and Lyra was just about to drop to her knees, a sudden shockwave of freezing wind blasted the chamber.
The grand doors burst open, and Ryen Drevaris stepped in.
He was tall, regal, with storm-silver eyes and a dragon-marked broadsword across his back. The room fell silent.
He walked calmly toward the council floor, his presence so suffocating that even the Prince's aides moved back instinctively.
"Forgive me for interrupting," Ryen said, his voice like thunder veiled in silk. "But if my sister kneels, I'll make every noble present crawl."
Gasps echoed.
The prince stood up shakily. "Who do you think you are?"
Ryen took off his outer cloak, revealing the Northern Dragon crest—one of the Five Ancient Clans.
"I am Ryen Drevaris, son of the Frost Lord, sworn sword of the Northern Dragon. And I will not allow this farce to continue."
The nobles went pale.
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Scene 5: A Narrow Escape
Ryen stepped forward and stood beside Lyra, pulling her to her feet.
"I received full visual footage of what happened," he said. "The prince insulted and attempted to coerce my sister. Alen responded to protect her. I find no fault in that."
"Your clan is threatening a prince?!" shouted a noble.
"I'm correcting your stupidity," Ryen replied coolly.
Before things could escalate further, Doren arrived, stomping through the shattered council doors.
"This trial is OVER!" he bellowed. "Unless you want to see the Crimson Lion himself tear through this Academy like paper."
Bandmaster Rial finally raised his hand.
"Enough. The trial is dismissed. All charges against Alen are dropped. The matter is closed."
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Scene 6: Quiet After the Storm
Outside the chamber, Ryen and Doren stood quietly, watching Lyra and Alen walk off together.
Ryen turned to Doren. "He's the Lion's son, isn't he?"
Doren nodded. "And she's your clan's treasure. What a pairing."
"They'll have a hard path ahead."
"Good," Doren said. "Hard paths build strong warriors."
In the distance, the golden sun rose over the Academy—its towers quiet once more… but beneath the calm, power stirred.
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End of Chapter 11