After three days of the secret duel. Aeternum Academy's morning was not comfortable today. Students were whispering rumours about a capital convey arriving in academy to investigate the dungeon collapse and how the Ogre king appeared on the 10th floor and about a crack that appeared in the sky.
Contractors reinforced security. They lined armored guards in every corridor. To secure any unusual activity.
Principal Gragar, Professor Lily, and Seraphina were waiting at the academy gate. Here air seems heavier than normal. Even the mana around the academy seems restless.
Suddenly a portal appeared in front of them. And a black carriage came out from the portal and stopped before the gate. That carriage was sleek, adorned with the golden sigil of the Imperial Audit Division (an elite investigation branch that only answers to the Emperor). From it steps Lady Silvane, draped in a silvery-gray cloak, wearing a black lace glove and an obsidian pendant shaped like a dragon scale. Her eyes are cold silver and reflective, like a mirror.
"Lady Silvane, Imperial Inspector under the Emperor's Seal. You may call me The Eye of the Throne." She said.
Professor Lily, Gargar and Seraphina bowed in front of her to show respect.
"You may come, Lady Silvane." Gragar showed her way to the centre hall.
When she stepped inside the academy her locket was glowing. Seraphina noticed that but she remained silent.
Contractors and students were already there sitting around like stadium seating arrangements. There was a table in the middle of the hall consisting two chairs opposite of eachother for investigation.
Contractors already sat on the thrones set up in above.
Silvane entered the hall, she bowed in front of contractors and they nodded. After that she sat up on one of the chairs placed in the middle. She put some papers on the table then stood up. And started roaming and observing every student.
"This is the first time that a dungeon has collapsed. Of Course we have limited dungeon to train our future. This is why this Crimson disaster is a national level threat. And I hope you will understand the depth of this matter." After that she pulled her chair back a little and sat on it.
Silvane asked Gargar to show her official record and every participant's names that was involved in this raid. Gragar left the hall to take an official record placed in the academy's treasury.
She told Professor Lily to sit on the chair. Silavne asked Lily many questions about the raid. Silvane saw Lily was trembling in fear.
"Don't worry professor Lily. I am not here to give you capital punishment. I am just asking simple questions." Sivlane said her face was calm and composed. "Now tell me you have teleportation magic but why didn't you use that to escape."
"I…I tried. But the ogre king..made..made a barrier around the room. That's why I was not…" Professor Lily was trembling but before she could finish her conversation Silvane interrupted her.
"And how you used that." Silvane said.
"I grabbed hands of Lara, Sam, Veleria, Eryndor and A…"
Dhaad
Gragar slammed documents against the table. "These are the official records of dungeon raid Lady silvane."
"I think you interrupted my interrogation, principal Gragar." Silvane became angry. "And I don't like interruptions during my work."
"I don't think I interrupted you, lady Silvane. Professor already told you everything. And I think she is not capable of answering you about anything." He said calmly.
Silvane checked every documents. "Hmm interesting… every report avoids a single name but all points to one."
After that she called Sam Vitern for interrogation. He was bound in bandages because of a secret battle.
"Why are you in that state?" She said.
"Nothing, these are just small scratches. You can proceed." His attitude was still on high.
After that Slivane asked him many questions. About dungeons and secret duel. It broke his attitude and put him under pressure.
"It.. it was a red mist. I saw it in the arena." Sam finally babbled.
But Dravos stood up from the students. " Don't make another rumour Sam. Our academy is already filled with them."
Silvane saw this intervene but her expression didn't change, but she marked both their names on a parchment.
After that she dismissed the interrogation. Later that day, when Arin was walking in the corridor with Naira. They were returning from the library. Suddenly Silvane appeared in front of them with two imperial knights. Her eyes scanned Arin with her unnerving calm.
"So, you're the servant who survived the dungeon collapse. Step closer now."
When Arin moved within ten feet, her pendant began to glow faint crimson, it was vibrating faintly and reacting to the dragon energy inside him. Everyone saw that and froze for a moment.
Silvane touched the pendant. She hid her shock behind a calm smile.
"My Apologies. It reacts to residual dragon mana. It's just a mere artifact of the old wars."
Arin replied coldly "Strange, aren't dragons supposed to be extinct, aren't they?"
"Indeed… they are." Her tone sharpened ever so slightly. "I think you know quite about them."
"If you read books maybe you can also get some knowledge." Arin mocked her.
After that brief silence fell between them. It felt like two predators measuring each other. But when she left Naira whispered.
"Master Arin, that woman… she looked at you like she already knew you."
"Because she does." Arin simply said.
Naira looked towards her and said. "Is she related to you?"
"She isn't. But I think Seraphina is more important. She is waiting for us. So we should start walking."
"Yes, you are master Aren." She replied.
Late at night, Silvane was sitting in her temporary quarters, sealing letters with wax bearing the Varrow crest, not the Imperial one. She sent a messenger bird flying into the darkness with that message.
"Subject 'Crimson Disaster' confirmed. The boy Aren Vale already possesses draconic essence. He is compatible with the Crimson Lineage. For now Current host is unaware of his true potential. But The Collector's followers are watching him closely. As ordered, I shall observe and weaken the academy from within.
—Glory to House Varrow."
To be continued…