Chapter 15: The Immediate Reckoning

The walk back to the Argent Spire felt longer than it was. The cold from the tavern yard seemed to have seeped into his bones, and Vesper’s final smile kept replaying in his mind. That placid, almost serene acceptance. It was wrong. The man had been a knot of bitter desperation just two days ago. Now he looked like someone who had already won a game nobody else knew they were playing.

Killian kept his pace steady, forcing himself not to look over his shoulder. He checked the fountain at the artisans’ square from a distance, noting the loose cobble at the northeast corner. The dead-drop. The arrangement was efficient, professional. That was another unsettling detail. How had a former alchemy student learned tradecraft so quickly?

The silver veil of the academy gates shimmered under the moon. He passed through it, the usual cold spiderweb sensation a minor annoyance tonight. The proctor on duty was different, a woman with sharp eyes who watched him cross the threshold. He gave her a nod, trying to look like a student returning from a late library session in the city archives, which required special permission he definitely didn’t have. Her gaze lingered a moment too long before she went back to her ledger.

The halls were quiet, just the sound of his boots on stone. He climbed the stairs to the third floor, his thoughts already turning to Elian. He needed to lay out exactly what had happened, to parse through Vesper’s calm demeanor and see if Elian could find a logical crack in it that he’d missed.

Their door was closed. He knocked twice, their agreed signal, before entering.

Elian was at his desk, but he wasn’t studying. He was just sitting there, staring at the closed cover of a book on elemental theory. He swiveled in his chair as Killian shut the door.

“Well?” Elian’s voice was tight.

“Deal’s set.” Killian pulled off his cloak, tossing it onto his bed. He sat down heavily. “He took the information about the report. He accepted the insurance story about Garreth Vance. He’s filing the complaint tomorrow morning.”

Elian let out a slow breath, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “That’s good. That’s what we wanted.”

“Maybe.” Killian rubbed a hand over his face. “He didn’t wait for my two days. He acted immediately. Filed the complaint tonight, right after I left him.”

Elian blinked. “What? How do you know?”

“He told me not to come back. Established a dead-drop for messages. Said he’d file in the morning.” Killian leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “But the way he said it… it was too clean. He had it all planned out before I even got there. I think he drafted the complaint the moment I left him after our first meeting. He was just waiting for the details to fill in the blanks.”

“That’s… efficient,” Elian said, though he didn’t sound convinced it was a good thing.

“It’s more than that.” Killian looked at his roommate. “The man I met two nights ago was angry and desperate. Tonight, he was calm. Calculated. It was like talking to a different person. Or like the anger had been refined down into something pure and cold.”

Elian frowned, thinking it over. “You think he’s dangerous.”

“I think we just gave a blueprint for revenge to someone who might be smarter and more motivated than we accounted for.” Killian shook his head. “But the wheel’s turning now. We can’t stop it. He’ll file the complaint. The investigation starts. That’s what we needed.”

“And our part?” Elian asked.

“We stay far away. He made that clear too. No direct contact. Messages through the drop if absolutely necessary.” Killian stood up and walked to the small window, looking out at the darkened grounds. “We wait.”

Elian was silent for a long moment. “Do you think he’ll use the insurance? The thing about Garreth?”

“I don’t know.” Killian turned from the window. “He said he wouldn’t unless things went bad. Mutual destruction. But I don’t know what he considers ‘bad.’ If the investigation stalls, if Lysander wiggles out of it… would Vesper release that rumor just to create more chaos? To pressure the academy?”

“Possibly.” Elian chewed on his lower lip, a nervous habit. “Garreth would be furious if he found out someone was spreading lies about him.”

“We’ll deal with that if it happens.” Killian sat back on his bed, pulling off his boots. The fatigue of the day was settling in now that the immediate tension of the meeting was over. “For now, we hope Vesper’s complaint is compelling enough that they have to take it seriously.”

They didn’t talk much after that. Elian eventually lit a magelight and pretended to read, but his eyes kept drifting to the same paragraph. Killian lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, tracing the cracks in the plaster and imagining possible outcomes. Lysander confronted by a proctor. Lysander forced to produce the report. The report becoming public record, its dangerous contents about a first-year student with a nullity field suddenly exposed for faculty review, which would be catastrophic… but at least Lysander would be destroyed in the process. It was a messy, dangerous calculus.

He fell into a fitful sleep filled with dreams of placid smiles and missing documents.

Morning arrived with the usual clamor of bells signaling first lecture. Killian dressed in his student robes, the fabric already feeling less foreign than it had weeks ago. He met Elian for a quick breakfast in the refectory, both of them picking at bowls of oatmeal and avoiding conversation about anything important.

“Remedial session with Morvath this morning,” Killian said finally, just to say something.

Elian nodded. “I have Advanced Sigil Drafting until noon.”

They split up at the doors to the Sunken Garden, Elian heading east toward the Scriptorium Wing, Killian heading west toward Instructor Morvath’s private tutorial chamber.

The walk felt normal. The anxiety from last night had receded into a low background hum, overshadowed by the mundane reality of another academy day. Students hurried past him, clutching books or chatting about assignments. A second-year girl was trying to levitate three pieces of chalk at once, her brow furrowed in concentration. One of them dropped and skittered across the flagstones near Killian’s foot. He stepped over it without breaking stride.

Morvath’s chamber was a small, windowless room in a lower level of the Argent Spire, lined with shelves containing an array of simple enchanted objects: crystals that hummed, feathers that drifted in perpetual slow circles, small metal discs etched with glowing runes.

Instructor Morvath was already there, standing behind a plain wooden table. He was a tall man with a face that seemed carved from weathered stone, perpetually expressionless. His eyes tracked Killian as he entered.

“Thorne.” Morvath’s voice was flat.

“Instructor.” Killian took his usual seat on the stool opposite the table.

“Today we will continue with aura resonance identification.” Morvath didn’t move to pick up any of the objects. He just looked at Killian.

Killian prepared himself for the usual routine. Morvath would activate an enchantment, and Killian would have to describe sensations he didn’t feel, pulling descriptors from things Elian had told him or from observing other students’ reactions.

Morvath didn’t reach for an object. Instead, he said, “Describe the magical signature of the ward on this door.”

Killian blinked. The door had a standard locking ward, a basic shimmer of energy he knew was there only because Elian had pointed it out once. He couldn’t sense it at all.

“It’s… a containment ward,” Killian began, buying time. “Keyed to your authority and probably a master passphrase held by the proctors. It feels like… a pressure against the air when you get close.” He was parroting Elian again.

“What color is its resonance?” Morvath asked, his gaze unwavering.

Color? Elian had mentioned that some mages saw low-level magical energy as faint colors or textures. He hadn’t gone into detail because it was irrelevant to their deception.

“A dull silver,” Killian guessed, picking the color of the Spire itself.

Morvath said nothing for a long moment. The silence stretched, becoming uncomfortable.

“You are improving,” Morvath said finally, though his tone suggested he meant something else entirely. “Your descriptions are becoming more consistent.”

Before Killian could formulate a response, a sharp knock sounded at the door.

Morvath didn’t look away from Killian. “Enter.”

The door opened. Proctor Len stood there, his face its usual mask of bureaucratic detachment. His eyes swept past Morvath and landed on Killian.

“Student Thorne,” Proctor Len said. “You are to come with me immediately.”

A cold jolt went through Killian’s stomach. This was it. Vesper’s complaint had already triggered something. But this was too fast. The academy moved with glacial slowness on disciplinary matters.

Morvath finally turned his head toward the proctor. “This is a scheduled tutorial session.”

“The summons is from Head Archmage Valerius,” Proctor Len replied, his voice leaving no room for argument. “It supersedes all other schedules.”

Morvath looked back at Killian. That stone-carved face gave nothing away, but Killian had the distinct impression the man wasn’t surprised. “You may go.”

Killian stood up slowly, his mind racing. He followed Proctor Len out of the chamber into the corridor.

“What’s this about?” Killian asked as they walked, trying to keep his voice level.

Proctor Len didn’t look at him. “You will be informed by the Head Archmage.”

They didn’t head toward Valerius’s main audience chamber in the central tower. Instead, they took a series of lesser-used corridors that led to the Head Archmage’s private office suite, located in a quieter wing of the Argent Spire reserved for senior faculty.

The office door was heavy oak banded with iron and etched with complex geometric wards that pulsed with a soft blue light. Proctor Len knocked once.

“Enter.” Head Archmage Valerius’s voice came through the wood, crisp and authoritative.

Proctor Len opened the door and gestured for Killian to go in.

The office was large but austere. Bookshelves lined two walls, filled with identical leather-bound volumes. A wide desk of dark wood stood before a tall window that looked out over the Sunken Garden below. Head Archmage Valerius sat behind the desk, his hands steepled before him.

Lysander Thorne-Kaelin stood before the desk, rigid with tension.

Killian’s pulse kicked up another notch seeing him there.

Lysander looked furious in a way that was different from their previous encounters in secluded gardens or courtyards where anger could be explosive and personal.

Here in Valerius's office Lysander's fury had been compressed into something cold and brittle like glass ready to shatter into lethal shards under pressure from formal authority which now surrounded them both within these walls decorated only by books and severity

Valerius watched Killian approach without speaking until Proctor Len closed the door leaving them alone in silence broken only by faint hum emanating from wards etched around window frame likely meant prevent eavesdropping or magical scrying attempts from outside

"Student Thorne," Valerius began his voice deceptively mild "Thank you for joining us."

Killian stopped a few paces away from Lysander not looking at him keeping his focus on Valerius "You summoned me Head Archmage?"

"I did." Valerius leaned back slightly in his high-backed chair "An interesting matter has come to my attention this morning requiring clarification." His gaze shifted between them "A formal complaint has been filed through official grievance channels."

Lysander's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly

"The complaint" Valerius continued "alleges serious misconduct by Student Thorne-Kaelin here." He picked up a single sheet of parchment from his desk holding it up briefly before setting it down again "It accuses him of knowingly withholding critical security information specifically an investigative report compiled by Prefect Althea Vayne detailing localized enchantment failures across campus." Valerius's eyes fixed on Lysander "The complainant asserts you possess this report that you received it for discreet review and that you have deliberately failed to submit it for proper action choosing instead to use its contents for private leverage." He paused letting each accusation hang in air "These are grave charges Student Thorne-Kaelin"

Lysander drew himself up "Head Archmage these allegations are baseless slander likely fabricated by someone with personal grudge against me or my family"

"The complaint is detailed" Valerius said "It names Prefect Vayne as author of report It describes nature of disruptions minor enchantment failures in Herbalia Annex Sunken Garden workshops It states report links these failures temporally movements of specific first-year student" His gaze drifted toward Killian for fraction of second then back Lysander "These are not vague accusations They are specific claims"

"I deny them completely" Lysander said voice tight

"Denial is insufficient" Valerius said "Given severity security implications involved I require proof" He leaned forward placing both palms flat desk "Do you have possession Prefect Vayne's report Student Thorne-Kaelin?"

Silence stretched Lysander seemed weighing options rapidly behind furious mask

Killian watched feeling strange sense detachment as if observing play unfold exactly according script Vesper had written with brutal efficiency

"No" Lysander said finally "I do not have such report"

Valerius's eyebrows rose slightly "The complainant states you received copy from Prefect Vayne herself approximately week ago seeking your counsel as student council member before she submitted officially"

"That is lie" Lysander insisted though strain showing around edges words "Althea never gave me any report"

"Then we shall ask her" Valerius said reaching for small crystal sphere resting on desk corner likely communication focus

"Wait" Lysander's voice sharpened

Valerius's hand paused above crystal

Lysander took breath visibly forcing himself regain composure under pressure "I misspoke Head Archmage I do recall Prefect Vayne mentioning preliminary findings but she never provided formal written report There were notes perhaps but nothing official certainly nothing warranting formal security alert"

Valerius's hand withdrew from crystal settling back desk "Notes"

"Disorganized observations" Lysander waved hand dismissively "She shared concerns about some minor glitches asked my opinion whether worth escalating I advised her further observation needed before raising alarm unnecessarily causing panic over what likely simple maintenance issues with older campus wards" He spoke quickly words tumbling out now "She agreed We concluded matter required no immediate action"

"And where are these notes now?" Valerius asked

Lysander hesitated again This time pause was fraction too long "In my dormitory study carrel I believe I filed them away after our discussion"

"You believe?" Valerius's tone remained neutral but carried weight skepticism

"I am certain they are there" Lysander corrected himself

"Then you will retrieve them" Valerius said "Immediately"

"I can fetch them after this meeting concludes" Lysander offered

"No" Valerius said "Now Proctor Len awaits outside He will accompany you to your carrel You will produce these notes for my review"

Lysander's face paled beneath aristocratic composure The plan had clearly been stall produce something later perhaps forge suitable document under less direct supervision Being escorted by proctor eliminated that possibility

"I..." Lysander started

"Is there problem?" Valerius asked

"No Head Archmage No problem" Lysander turned stiffly toward door

Valerius nodded "Proctor Len will see you there and back Please be swift"

Lysander left office without looking at Killian The door closed behind him leaving Killian alone with Head Archmage

Valerius did not speak immediately Instead he studied Killian with that same piercing scrutiny from their first meeting after vault incident

"You are quiet Student Thorne" Valerius observed

"I'm not sure what say Head Archmage" Killian answered honestly "This seems matter between Student Thorne-Kaelin and complainant"

"Indeed" Valerius agreed though didn't seem convinced "Yet here you are"

"You summoned me sir"

"I did" Valerius acknowledged "Because complaint while focused on Student Thorne-Kaelin's alleged misconduct also references specific first-year student whose activities reportedly caused enchantment failures described Prefect Vayne's notes" He paused letting implication sink in "As student currently enrolled mandatory remedial sessions due your own... atypical magical profile you can understand why I might wish speak with you regarding such matters"

Killian kept his expression carefully blank "I don't know anything about any report Head Archmage"

Valerius watched him for another long moment then gave slight nod "Very well You may wait here until Student Thorne-Kaelin returns with notes We shall see what light they shed on situation"

There were no other chairs So Killian stood shifting his weight slightly trying ignore growing tension knotting muscles between shoulder blades He looked out window watching tiny figures students moving through Sunken Garden far below living their normal magical lives unaware drama unfolding high above them in austere office where everything balanced on edge missing notebook or fabricated one

Time passed slowly measured only by steady tick clock mounted on wall between bookshelves Its sound seemed grow louder with each passing minute marking absence where Lysander should have returned already if story about notes carrel had been true

Valerius did not speak He opened ledger began making notations with precise strokes quill ignoring Killian completely This somehow felt more intimidating than direct interrogation

After what felt like half hour but probably less door finally opened again

Proctor Len entered first followed by Lysander

Lysander looked different now Fury gone replaced by something else pale shock barely controlled panic simmering just beneath surface His hands were empty

Valerius set down quill looking up "Well?"

Proctor Len spoke before Lysander could "Head Archmage We proceeded directly Student Thorne-Kaelin's assigned study carrel third floor Scriptorium Wing Upon arrival found carrel door unwarded standard issue lock appeared tampered with"

"Tampered?" Valerius repeated

"Forced open sir" Proctor Len confirmed "Scratches around latch mechanism interior showed signs disturbance Papers scattered floor shelves ransacked"

Lysander found his voice cutting across proctor's report "It was sabotaged Head Archmage Someone broke into my carrel stole notes"

Valerius's expression did not change "And Prefect Vayne's notes?"

"Gone" Lysander said spreading hands helplessly "Everything gone Only my legitimate coursework remained scattered about Clearly targeted theft"

"I see" Valerius said leaning back chair again steepling fingers once more "How convenient"

"It's not convenient!" Lysander's control cracked voice rising "It's deliberate Someone doesn't want those notes seen! The anonymous complainant perhaps seeking discredit me by ensuring I cannot produce evidence refute their claims!"

"That is one interpretation" Valerius allowed

"It is only logical interpretation!" Lysander insisted shooting quick venomous glance toward Killian "Someone with grievance against me who knew about notes who has access campus facilities after hours..."

His eyes locked onto Killian holding there accusation hanging unspoken but unmistakably clear in air thick with tension and unsaid words