Through the corridors of the Valden Mansion, Ronan and Cassian walked toward the carriage. Cassian carried a set of official documents in his hands.
As they approached the carriage, a loud shout caught Ronan's attention.He turned toward the training grounds. Aarav was running around the field.
Ronan watched him for a moment, his expression unreadable.Then he quietly turned away and entered the carriage.
The carriage moved smoothly across the stone-paved roads leading toward the academy. Inside, Ronan calmly reviewed several documents.
Meanwhile, Cassian carefully checked the folder resting on his lap. "My lord, we have all the required forms."
Ronan gave a small nod "Good."
Silence filled the carriage briefly. Then Cassian spoke again "My lord… Young Master Aarav was training today. Maybe he regrets what he did and wants to change."
Ronan slowly looked up. "...Aarav?" Then he gave a faint scoff "Cassian, this is only the first day he has started running. Do not get your hopes too high" Ronan looks outside the window into the space ." Let us see whether he continues without giving up halfway."
Cassian opened his mouth, wanting to defend Aarav. But he stopped when he noticed the small smile forming at the corner of Ronan's lips.
Cassian wisely chose not to mention it.
Outside, the massive gates of the Royal Magic Academy slowly came into view.
The carriage eventually stopped near the academy entrance. Waiting there was Aarav's homeroom teacher, Alice Walker.
She immediately bowed respectfully.
"Welcome, Duke Valden.Please follow me. I will guide you to the Principal's office."
Cassian stepped out first and opened the carriage door.Ronan calmly exited afterward. "Thank you for setting aside your work to help me, Miss Walker."
The teacher politely shook her head "It is my pleasure, my lord."
The three quietly walked through the academy grounds together. The atmosphere felt noticeably heavier than usual.
Students spoke more quietly.
Even the academy staff looked tense.
Vyom Dravik's assassination had clearly shaken the academy deeply.
As they walked, Ronan suddenly noticed two familiar figures in the distance ,Selena and Lucian.The two were sitting in the cafeteria.
Lucian was scribbling something in his notes while Selena watched him with a soft expression.
For a brief moment, Ronan frowned slightly.
But ultimately, he chose to ignore it for now.
Eventually, they arrived outside the Principal's office.
"My lord, please wait a moment while I inform Principal Aldron of your arrival."
"Please do." Saying that Ronan quietly sat nearby while Cassian stood beside him in silence.
Inside the office, a man in his early forties calmly signed several documents spread across his desk.
Among them was a missing-person poster of a student.
The teacher respectfully bowed. "Sir, Duke Valden has arrived."
Aldron adjusted his glasses slightly before nodding.
"Send him in."
Before Alice could leave the room, Aldron stopped her."Miss Walker ,Did you find any information about Gary?"
"His mother called the academy yesterday as well."
Alice shook her head "No, sir ,After the trip he went missing. We are still searching for him. I have sent two academy junior teachers to investigate."
She hesitated before adding, "Sir, I believe we should question Hugh Rockwell. There are allegations that he bullied Gary."
Aldron slowly shook his head "No. His father is a marquess. We cannot interrogate him without proper evidence."
He paused briefly before speaking again.
"Send Duke Valden in." Alice bowed before leaving the office. "The Principal is ready to meet you, my lord."
Ronan stood up before entering the office alongside Cassian.
The room looked exactly as Ronan remembered it .Towering bookshelves ,Ancient magical scripts ,Stacks of academy records and the faint scent of old paper lingering in the air.
Ronan sat across from Aldron's desk while Cassian remained standing nearby. Aldron smiled faintly. "Seeing you again reminds me of the old academy days .When you and Ray used to come to me whenever you could not understand magic class."
A faint nostalgic smile appeared on Ronan's face."...Those were simpler times, Senior."
Ronan glanced around the office briefly.
"The academy feels quieter today."
Aldron's expression became heavier.
"Vyom's assassination affected both the students and teachers deeply."
Ronan slowly nodded "No one expected something like this to happen." Then his tone became more serious"How is the investigation progressing?"
Aldron's eyes briefly shifted toward Cassian.
Ronan immediately understood"Cassian Wait outside for a moment."
Cassian silently bowed before leaving the office. Once the door closed, Aldron quietly sighed "The investigation is not progressing well. The assassin's corpse was recovered…but the face had been intentionally destroyed using some form of corrosive substance."
Ronan frowned immediately. "Corrosive acid?"Aldron nodded."Yes" Aldron pushes a document to Ronan " ...And according to the medical report...the damage was done long before his death.It was deliberate.So the body could not be identified later. If in case he died "
Ronan's expression darkened. "What about the DNA records?"
Aldron leaned back slightly "No match .Whoever organized this operation prepared extremely carefully.The assassins they sent were disposable.For now, the investigation has reached a complete stalemate."
Aldron paused before adding "There is one more matter that is concerning." Ronan looked up "Several bootprints were found near the crime scene and the pattern resembles the standard academy issued boots."
Ronan's expression tightened slightly."Have thry identified the owner?"
" No. Not yet .Aldron shaking his head adds "The forest path is used by guards, hunters, academy staff and especially students for their mock hunt practice against goblins"
Aldron gathers all the papers"There were too many overlapping tracks to determine which ones were made during the assassination."
"It may be a lead or it may be someone trying to point suspicion toward the academy."
Ronan stayed silent. Aldron continued,
"Until we find stronger evidence, I will not allow the royal investigators to question every student in the academy. But if the main investigation reaches another dead end… I dont think I can stop them this time"
Ronan internally relaxed a little before giving a small nod. Silence briefly filled the room. Then Ronan finally spoke again."Senior ,the main reason for today's visit is about Aarav."
He handed over several official documents.
"I am requesting a three-month leave from the academy for him.He is mentally exhausted right now."
Aldron quietly reviewed the papers.Then he softly sighed."I understand.The students have been indirectly isolating him after the Lucian incident and honestly…I cannot openly defend him either."
Ronan calmly nodded. "That is fine. He needs time to reflect on his mistakes."
Then Ronan placed a heavy pouch of gold coins onto Aldron's desk "Please hand this to Lucian."
Aldron raised an eyebrow slightly "Compensation?"
"Yes." Ronan's voice remained calm. "Aarav caused him harm.So responsibility should be taken."
Aldron quietly nodded "Understood I will hand it over to him ."
Ronan slowly stood up."Then I will take my leave now, Senior."
Aldron gave a small nod.
"Take care, Ronan."
________________________________________
Inside the classroom
"In the Battle of Midfort, we faced one of the most crucial battles in Elarion's history."
"The Empire marched forward with an army of one hundred thousand soldiers.The man leading them was Noctis Kain."
The professor continued reading from his book while most of the students looked half-asleep.
"Midfort was an important location. If the Empire captured it and stabilized their forces there, they would have a base from which they could reach the capital within three days."
The professor turned another page.
"However, that entire army was defeated in a single afternoon by only one thousand soldiers.The captain of that army was none other than Ray Valden.He used his cour—"
The bell suddenly rang, interrupting him.
The students sighed in relief. "I will continue this in the next class." The professor closed his book before leaving the classroom.
The students quickly began heading toward lunch break.
Selena, exhausted from the history class, walked outside. The academy lawn had just been watered. The wet mud scent was soothing As she walked through the garden, she noticed two figures she desperately wanted to avoid.
Ronan and Cassian were walking back toward their carriage. The young woman gracefully bowed."Good afternoon, Duke Valden."
Ronan calmly greeted her back "Good afternoon, Selena. Are your classes finished for the day?"
"No, my lord.It is only our lunch break." Selena answered lifting her head
For a brief moment, silence passed between them. Then, Ronan broke the silence ."Visit the estate sometime.Aarav would probably be happy to see you."
Selena's expression subtly shifted.Very slightly, but enough to show her disdain
Still, she forced a small polite smile."Of course, my lord."
Ronan entered the carriage while Cassian followed shortly afterward.The carriage slowly began moving away from the academy.
Meanwhile, Selena remained standing silently beneath the bright afternoon sky. She eventually turned toward the cafeteria to have lunch.
As she walked through the freshly watered garden, she bumped into someone she did not recognize well. "Senior, I am really sorry!"
Kael muttered anxiously while trying to pick up several papers from the ground. "I should have been more careful.I am really sorry."
The papers had fallen into the wet grass and mud. Kael suddenly realized something.
"Senior, I am sorry! Your dress is soiled."
Selena looked down before getting back up.
"It is fine.I fell on a dry spot.But I cannot say the same about your papers."
Kael looked down in horror."Oh no…My notes." He quickly tried to pick them up, but they were already soaked.The ink had smudged across the pages.
Selena crouched down and helped him gather the papers."I am sorry. I should have been more careful too.What exam is this for?"
Kael anxiously replied,"Basics of Magic and Mana."
Selena gave a small sigh"I know that topic by heart.Let me teach you, Kane."
Kael blinked"Senior…My name is Kael."
Selena grabbed his hand and pulled him up.
"Oh sorry , Kael . Let us go to the cafeteria."
Kael hesitated."But, Senior, I cannot trouble you.I will try to read from these."
Selena picked up one of the muddy papers.
"Kael , Are you really planning to study from this? Stop arguing and follow me to the cafeteria. We can finish everything in one hour."
"Are you going to refuse my offer?" Selena asks with a serious expression
Kael finally gave up." ...Sure, Senior." He clutched his bag and followed her toward the cafeteria.
While walking there, Selena suddenly asked again, " Your name us carol right ?"
Kael sighed "My name is Kael.K-A-E-L."
Selena nodded casually.Okay, okay.Kael, right? I will try to remember."
Kael knows that isn't true .