That Evening at Adrian's Quarters.
Adrian sat alone in his room, staring at nothing.
The hearing had been a disaster and not because he'd lost, it was suspended, not dismissed, but mostly because of how it had gone.
Seraphina's testimony and the student reactions. The committee's doubt.
People were questioning him.
Him. The hero.
It shouldn't be possible. Heroes didn't get questioned. They got believed. Supported. Followed. That's how stories worked.
But somehow, Hadeon Ravana had changed the story.
A knock at his door. Adrian almost ignored it. But then...
"It's me," Cedric's voice. "We need to talk."
Adrian opened the door. Cedric entered, looking uncomfortable. He sighed and went to the point immediately.
"The faction is... concerned," Cedric said carefully.
"About?" His eyes flashed as he asked.
"Your methods. The hearing and the economic warfare. Some are questioning if...."
"If what?"
"If we're still the good guys."
