Legion Academy — The Great Elder's Office
A gentle breeze swept through the open windows of the Great Elder's office.
The curtains swayed quietly as the afternoon wind entered the room, brushing against the papers scattered across the enormous desk. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the bookshelves and the golden insignia engraved on the wall.
Behind the desk sat Neil, the Great Elder of Legion Academy.
His eyes remained fixed on the documents before him, but his attention was elsewhere.
The wind passed through his hair, lifting a few strands away from his forehead.
He barely noticed.
Instead, his gaze slowly drifted toward the open window.
Three days.
Those words had been haunting him since his conversation with the academy's head doctor.
Three days.
That was all the time Chad Grace might have left.
Neil leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
For a moment, the office became silent.
Then, as though his memories had pulled him into another time, his thoughts returned to a conversation that had taken place several days earlier.
A conversation he wished he could forget.
Flashback — The Great Elder's Office
The office looked almost identical to how it did now.
The same desk. The same books occupied the shelves, and the same golden insignia adorned the wall.
However, Neil had not been sitting alone that day.
A man stood on the opposite side of his desk.
He was a middle-aged doctor with dark hair streaked with white. His pale, almost colourless eyes carried an unusual sharpness, while the faint lines on his face suggested years of experience.
He wore a long white coat bearing the insignia of Legion Academy.
Unlike the ordinary medical staff, his coat carried an additional silver emblem near the collar, marking him as the head of the academy's medical department.
His name was Dr. Elias Vane.
And he had brought news that neither man wanted to hear.
"Great Elder," Elias began, his voice unusually quiet. "I've completed my examination of Chad Grace."
Neil looked up from the documents on his desk.
"And?"
The doctor hesitated.
That brief hesitation was enough to make Neil's expression change.
"Tell me."
Elias drew a slow breath.
"Chad's condition is worse than I initially anticipated. His magic isn't merely exhausting his body anymore. It's consuming him from within."
Neil's fingers stopped moving.
"What do you mean?"
"The magic circulating through his body has become increasingly unstable. His body can no longer withstand the strain. Every time he draws upon his power, the damage becomes more severe."
The doctor lowered his gaze toward the medical report in his hand.
"I've examined him thoroughly. I've checked every possibility available to me, but I haven't found a way to reverse the process."
Neil stared at him.
"You're telling me that Chad Grace, one of my strongest Lords, is dying?"
"I'm afraid so."
For several seconds, neither man spoke.
Neil slowly placed the report on the desk.
"How long?"
Elias looked at him.
"Great Elder…"
"How long does he have?"
The doctor's expression tightened.
"Approximately three days."
Neil's eyes widened slightly.
Three days.
The man who had survived countless battles, fought powerful demons, and risen through the academy's ranks through sheer determination might not live long enough to see his own son enter Legion Academy.
Neil lowered his head.
"Does Chad know?"
Elias shook his head.
"No. He asked me about his condition during the examination. He wanted to know how much time he had left."
"And what did you tell him?"
The doctor closed his eyes briefly.
"I told him he might have another two years."
Neil looked up sharply.
"You lied to him?"
"I did."
Elias's voice remained steady, but the guilt in his eyes was unmistakable.
"I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth. He was asking me a question that could change the way he spent every remaining moment of his life. I knew what the answer would do to him."
He tightened his grip on the medical report.
"So I gave him hope. Even if that hope was built on a lie."
Neil remained silent.
"I know I shouldn't have done it," Elias continued. "I'm the head doctor of this academy. My duty is to tell my patients the truth, regardless of how painful it might be. But when I looked into Chad's eyes, I couldn't do it."
He looked directly at Neil.
"That's why I came here. I needed to tell you before it was too late."
Neil slowly leaned back in his chair.
For once, the Great Elder had no immediate answer.
He had faced powerful enemies, made difficult decisions, and carried responsibilities that could affect entire kingdoms.
Yet this was different.
Chad wasn't merely one of his Lords.
He was a man Neil had personally recruited, a warrior whose determination had earned his respect, and someone who had become a trusted friend.
"What are you going to do about it, Great Elder?" Elias asked.
Neil stared at the ceiling.
"I'm afraid I'm not going to tell him."
The doctor studied him carefully.
"You're going to keep the truth from him?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Neil lowered his gaze.
"Because I don't know what would happen if he discovered that he has only days left to live."
He paused.
"Chad has spent his entire life fighting. He's endured losses that would have broken most people, yet he continued moving forward. Now, for the first time in years, he has something to look forward to."
"His son," Elias murmured.
Neil nodded.
"Mason."
The name left his lips quietly.
"Chad wants to see his boy enter the academy. He wants to watch him grow, discover his potential, and become someone capable of protecting himself. That is what he's living for right now."
Neil's expression darkened.
"If I tell him that he might die before Mason even begins his journey here, what do you think will happen?"
Elias said nothing.
"Perhaps he'll fight harder to survive. Perhaps he'll become desperate to find a cure. Or perhaps the knowledge that his time is running out will consume him until he can no longer think about anything else."
Neil pressed his fingers against his forehead.
"And if I keep the truth from him, he'll continue believing he has years ahead of him. He'll make plans. He'll look forward to tomorrow."
He paused.
"But when the truth finally catches up with him, if it does, he'll have every reason to hate me for keeping it from him."
The doctor lowered his eyes.
"Either decision carries consequences."
"Exactly."
Neil exhaled slowly.
"I don't know which choice is right. I only know that I can't bring myself to take away the hope he has left."
Elias remained quiet for a moment before nodding.
"I understand."
He folded his arms.
"I won't pretend that your decision is necessarily right or wrong. That's not my place to decide. But I understand why you've made it, and I won't interfere."
Neil looked at him.
"Thank you, Elias. I appreciate that."
The doctor's expression softened.
"There's something else I'd like to discuss."
"What is it?"
"Your family. How are they doing?"
For the first time since the conversation began, Elias expression relaxed.
"They're doing well, actually. My wife gave birth recently."
Neil's eyes widened.
"She did? Congratulations!"
Elias laughed quietly.
"Thank you. Though, between you and me, she's already making me run around the house like a personal servant."
The doctor chuckled.
"That's what happens when you become a husband and a father."
"Apparently. I thought being the head doctor would earn me a little respect at home."
"Not a chance."
Both men laughed, and for a brief moment, the heaviness in the room lifted.
Then Neil asked, "A boy or a girl?"
"A boy."
"Wonderful!"
Elias scratched the back of his head.
"Although I must admit, I was hoping for a girl."
Neil raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Yes. But at least now there's someone who can take over my research when I'm gone."
The Neil's smile faded slightly.
"Don't talk like that. You're not going anywhere anytime soon."
Elias shrugged.
"Life is short, Neil. None of us knows what tomorrow holds."
"True. But that doesn't mean you should start planning your funeral."
Elias laughed.
"Fair enough."
The laughter faded, and his expression returned to seriousness.
"Elias, I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Is there any way to extend Chad's life?"
The doctor considered the question.
"Perhaps."
Neil immediately straightened.
"Explain."
"There's a possibility of creating an antidote that could stabilise his condition. However, I cannot promise that it would work without serious consequences."
"What kind of consequences?"
Elias took a moment to organise his thoughts.
"Chad's magic is the source of the problem. His body can no longer withstand the strain it places on him. If I develop an antidote that suppresses that reaction, it might give his body the time it needs to recover."
Neil leaned forward.
"But?"
"The antidote would also suppress his ability to use magic."
The room fell silent.
"Completely?" Neil asked.
"Possibly. If the treatment works as intended, Chad might survive, but he could lose access to his magic permanently."
Neil stared at him.
"You mean he could live, but never fight the way he does now?"
"That's correct."
"I cannot guarantee that the treatment will restore his health. It might only slow the process. And if I get the formula wrong, it could make his condition worse."
Neil considered the possibilities.
"How long would it take you to develop it?"
"About a day and a half, assuming my initial calculations are correct. I'd have to test several formulations before settling on the most suitable one."
"And you would test it yourself?"
"Of course."
The doctor answered without hesitation.
"If there's a chance the antidote could cause harm, I'm not going to give it to Chad without first determining what it does. I'll test the final formulation on myself."
Neil frowned.
"You're willing to risk losing your magic?"
Elias smiled faintly.
"I became a doctor because I wanted to save lives, Great Elder. If losing my magic is the price of finding a treatment that could save Chad, then so be it."
For a moment, Neil simply looked at him.
Then he smiled.
"You're a remarkable man, Elias."
The doctor adjusted his coat.
"I'm just doing my job."
"No. You're doing much more than that."
Neil stood up and extended his hand.
"Go ahead with the antidote. I'll take responsibility for the decision."
Elias shook his hand.
"Understood."
"And Elias?"
The doctor paused at the door.
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
Elias smiled.
"You're welcome, Great Elder."
He left the office, leaving Neil alone with a decision that would haunt him for days to come.
Present — The Great Elder's Office
Neil opened his eyes.
The memory faded, leaving him alone with the sound of the wind.
He looked down at his hands.
Did I make the right decision, Chad?
He had chosen to protect Chad's hope, even if it meant carrying the burden of the truth himself.
But the question remained.
How much longer could he keep that promise?
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
Before he could respond, the office door opened.
A tall young man stepped inside.
He had dark hair, neatly arranged, and striking silver eyes. His academy uniform resembled the standard uniform worn by the Lords, but its distinctive silver detailing and higher insignia marked him as a member of the academy's upper command.
This was Bruno, the Great Elder's trusted right-hand man.
He closed the door behind him and approached the desk.
Neil looked up.
"Bruno! How have you been?"
Bruno placed his right hand over his chest and bowed respectfully.
"I'm doing well, Great Elder."
"Good to hear. I thought you were on your break. What brings you here?"
Bruno straightened.
"The Council of Elders has been trying to reach you."
Neil blinked.
"They have?"
"Yes, sir. They couldn't get through to you, so they contacted me instead."
"When did this happen?"
"Earlier today."
Neil stared at him for a moment before letting out an irritated sigh.
"Damn it. I didn't even realise they'd been calling."
He rubbed his forehead.
"That's bad."
"They're waiting for you in the Grand Chamber."
Neil pushed his chair back.
"All right. Let's not keep them waiting any longer."
"I'll escort you there."
"Good."
Neil rose from his chair, straightened his uniform, and followed Bruno out of the office.
The Academy Hallways
The corridors of Legion Academy were busy with scouts carrying out their duties.
Some were discussing the upcoming entrance tournament, while others were directing recruits toward the training grounds.
As Neil and Bruno passed, several scouts immediately straightened.
"Great Elder!"
They saluted.
Neil acknowledged them with a slight nod.
"At ease."
The scouts relaxed.
Neil stopped beside them.
"Are you assigned to guard this section of the hall?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Good, continue your patrol and check whether anyone outside needs assistance. I want every section of the academy properly monitored before the entrance tournament begins."
"Understood, sir!"
The scouts saluted again before Carrying out their orders.
Neil continued down the corridor.
Bruno walked beside him until they reached an enormous pair of doors bearing the emblem of Legion Academy.
The Grand Chamber.
Bruno stepped forward and opened the doors.
"After you, Great Elder."
Neil entered.
Bruno followed him inside and closed the doors behind them.
The chamber was enormous, its circular walls covered in intricate carvings depicting the academy's history. At the centre stood a long table surrounded by imposing chairs.
Neil approached the chair reserved for the Great Elder and sat down.
He exhaled.
"Finally."
Bruno moved to the entrance and stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then the atmosphere changed.
The air above the table began to shimmer.
One by one, figures materialised in the empty chairs.
They resembled people, yet something about their appearance made it clear that they were not ordinary living beings. Their bodies possessed a faint, ethereal quality, as though they had been formed from souls rather than flesh.
They were not completely transparent, but their outlines carried an unnatural stillness.
These were the Council of Elders.
Their members had the appearance of distinguished men and women, each carrying the weight of years of knowledge and authority.
Every chair was occupied except one.
Neil noticed the empty seat but said nothing.
He rested his elbows on the arms of his chair and looked around the table.
"Good day, Council of Elders. I apologise for keeping you waiting. I've been occupied with several matters and didn't realise you were trying to reach me."
One of the elder men leaned back in his chair.
"Yes, yes. We know you're busy."
His tone suggested that he wasn't particularly interested in Neil's explanation.
Another elder immediately turned toward him.
"Mind how you speak to the Great Elder."
The first man scoffed.
"Oh, spare me. I can speak to him however I please. I'm his superior in this council, and I'm considerably stronger than he is."
Neil's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Come on, gentlemen. Let's take a breath."
Both men looked at him.
"There's no need to turn a meeting into an argument before we've even started."
The first elder narrowed his eyes.
"You're rather relaxed today, Great Elder."
"Should I be worried?"
A woman seated farther down the table laughed.
"You two are entertaining, I'll give you that."
She rested her chin against one hand.
"But perhaps we should get to the reason we've gathered. We have quite a lot to discuss."
The others gradually settled down.
Neil nodded.
"Agreed. So, what would you like to know?"
The woman looked directly at him.
"Tell us about the preparations for the upcoming entrance tournament. How is everything progressing? And what developments have occurred within the academy recently?"
Neil straightened in his chair.
"Very well. I'll give you a brief rundown of the current situation."
He paused before continuing.
"The academy is making its final preparations for the entrance tournament. The recruits are being organised, the training grounds are being inspected, and the scouts are ensuring that the necessary arrangements are completed before the event begins."
He glanced around the table.
"Several promising candidates have already drawn attention, and the competition is expected to be considerably more interesting than in previous years."
One of the elders leaned forward.
"Promising candidates?"
"Yes."
Neil's expression became thoughtful.
"There are several individuals worth watching. Some possess impressive physical abilities, while others demonstrate unusual potential that may become significant as their training progresses."
He paused.
"However, potential alone doesn't determine whether someone is worthy of becoming a scout. The entrance tournament will give us a clearer understanding of their abilities, their judgement, and their conduct under pressure."
The woman nodded.
"And the Lords?"
"They are continuing their duties while preparing to observe the tournament. I've also instructed the scouts to maintain order throughout the academy. With so many recruits arriving, I won't tolerate unnecessary disturbances."
The elder who had spoken dismissively earlier tapped his fingers against the table.
"That's all well and good, but I hope you're not overlooking the more important developments."
Neil turned toward him.
"And what would those be?"
The man smiled faintly.
"That's what we're here to discuss, Great Elder."
For a moment, their eyes met.
Neil's expression remained calm, but he could sense that the meeting was about to become considerably more complicated.
"All right," he said. "I'm listening."
The council settled into silence.
And the discussion continued.
Meanwhile, deep within the forest, the battle against Varek Dorne The head bandit continued…