Cordelia sat stiffly in the wooden chair, hands folded in her lap, eyes forward.
The faculty chamber was larger than she expected—walls lined with shelves of old books and scrolls, and tall arched windows that filtered in pale afternoon light. At the long stone table ahead of her sat five professors: three noble-born men she didn’t recognize, and two she did—Professor Trinity, known for her sharp instincts and calm eyes, and Professor Al, whose immaculate white mustache made him instantly recognizable.
Professor Halvern stood beside her.
"As I was saying," he began, before she could even open her mouth, "the student Cordelia Ross accepted a duel voluntarily. However, during said duel, I detected magical irregularities indicating that she used an illegal amplifier."
Trinity raised an eyebrow.
"And that’s justification to drag the girl here by the arm, like a criminal?"
Halvern didn’t flinch. "No. But the use of an amplifier certainly is."
Cordelia said nothing.
Professor Trinity and Professor Al exchanged a glance—brief but weighted.
Al adjusted his glasses, leaning forward slightly.
"You’re absolutely certain of this accusation, Professor Halvern?"
Halvern’s voice didn’t waver, but the stiffness in his shoulders betrayed something else.
"I am. I saw it myself during the engagement. The output of her fire enchantment was beyond natural parameters. The student Serina Thornevale was the victim. Her family has already been notified."
Trinity’s eyes narrowed. "You involved her family?"
Halvern nodded. "Yes. They are not the type to overlook such things."
Al crossed his arms. "You understand the consequences of this, don’t you? If she’s guilty, yes—expulsion is immediate. But if this turns out to be false... it will reflect directly on your record."
Halvern hesitated for just a second.
"...I stand by what I witnessed."
He looked to the panel. "The director has been informed. The Thornevale family will be arriving tomorrow to ensure justice is served. Until then, we will take the student’s official testimony and prepare for the hearing."
Cordelia frowned. "So we’re having what amounts to a trial over something I didn’t do?"
Halvern didn’t meet her eyes.
"Prepare yourself, Miss Ross. The evidence says otherwise."
Halvern closed the file on his desk with a satisfied motion.
"The student has given her statement. She may leave."
Cordelia stood slowly, maintaining her composure despite the heat rising in her chest. She offered a sharp nod, then exited the chamber without another word.
The door clicked shut behind her.
For a moment, silence.
Then Trinity exhaled—long and audible.
"You should be more careful, Professor Halvern."
Halvern scoffed. "Careful? About what? She’s from a low-class background. Her name doesn’t carry any weight."
Professor Al arched a brow. "Do you even know who she is?"
Halvern blinked. "Why should I?"
Trinity leaned forward, her tone sharper now. "Her name is Cordelia Ross. The top-ranked first-year. She reached wave twenty-six in the Trial Atrium."
Halvern froze. "...What?"
Trinity nodded once, slowly. "Ten professors were present. Ask Al—he nearly lost his mustache."
Al huffed. "Oi, I’ll have you know my glorious white mustache isn’t going anywhere. That thing’s older than half the staff."
He leaned in slightly, voice dropping.
"But yes, she’s the strongest among the new students. And more importantly... she’s been confirmed as a Quad Enchanter."
Halvern blinked. "I’m sorry—can you repeat that?"
"Quad Enchanter," Al said, enunciating clearly.
The color drained from Halvern’s face. He stumbled back into his chair, slowly sinking into it like a man just told his house had burned down.
Inside, his thoughts spiraled in panic.
’I fucked up. I really fucked up. Quad Enchanter? Just like last year’s prodigy. I need to fix this. Somehow. Shit. Fuck the Thornevale house—my reputation is on the line.’
The hallway outside the faculty chamber was quiet.
Cordelia stepped out into the light-filled corridor, the door clicking shut behind her. She let out a long breath, the tension in her shoulders finally loosening. Her boots echoed softly on the polished stone floor as she walked forward...
...until she spotted someone sitting on a bench against the far wall.
He was leaned back slightly, one leg crossed over the other, his arms resting casually as if he had all the time in the world.
Cordelia blinked, surprised.
"You were waiting for me?"
Noah glanced up at her, expression unreadable.
"Yeah. I saw you getting dragged off by that professor. Figured I’d stick around. Had to see with my own eyes that you were alright."
Cordelia’s eyes widened slightly.
She looked away quickly.
’You can’t say things like that... not with that expression. It’s not fair.’
She cleared her throat, straightening.
Noah stood, brushing imaginary dust from his coat.
"So," he said, meeting her gaze, "what happened?"
Cordelia looked at him for a moment. There was a pause—like she was weighing how much to say.
Then she exhaled and crossed her arms, her voice dry.
They walked side by side along one of the quieter stone paths that curved behind the western wing of the academy. The sun was already lowering behind the rooftops, casting long amber shadows across the gardens.
Cordelia spoke for several minutes straight—explaining the duel, the accusation, the so-called magical residue, the fabricated testimony, the smugness of Serina, and worst of all, Halvern’s certainty that she would be made an example.
Noah didn’t interrupt. Not once. He listened, hands in his pockets, gaze fixed ahead as if replaying it all in his mind.
Eventually, the path led them into the academy’s older courtyard—half-forgotten, quieter than most, where a lone Cercis tree stood, its branches bare now in the colder season, but still holding its elegant silhouette.
They stopped beneath it, the same spot where they had spoken once before.
Cordelia crossed her arms again, exhaling through her nose. "So? That’s everything. What do you think?"
Noah leaned against the trunk lazily, one foot up against the bark.
"I see," he said casually. "Yeah... Professor Halvern’s a real bastard."
Cordelia blinked, incredulous. "Seriously? That’s your takeaway? After the detailed explanation I just gave you?"
Noah smirked. "No... I mean, yeah, he’s a bastard, but also... this situation might actually work in our favor."
She frowned. "How exactly does this work in our favor? I’m being accused of cheating in a public duel. I could get expelled, depending on how influential that noble family is. This is not a win, Noah."
He waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, don’t worry about the Thornevales. You’ll see. You said the hearing’s tomorrow, right?"
Cordelia nodded slowly. "Yes..."
Noah grinned—sharp, amused, dangerous.
"Then just stay calm," he said, voice low. "Hehehehe."
Cordelia narrowed her eyes. "I really don’t like that laugh."