Supreme Magus novel Chapter 199

"Lord Deirus, do you suspect anyone of being behind this attack?" Linjos asked.

"Suspects, no. More like certainty. Lukart." Yurial’s tone was filled with spite.

"This is a very serious accusation. Also, I don’t think Archmage Lukart would kill you just because I have expelled his son. Anyway, do you have any proof backing your theory?"

"You expelled Lyam?" Yurial was so surprised to not notice Lith mourning the fate of their schoolmate with high fives and down lows with the rest of the team members.

"Too slow." Lith dodged Friya’s hand, giving her a feeble slap on the nape.

"Yes, I did." A cold shiver ran down Linjos’ spine. He could almost see Manohar’s shadow behind Lith’s complete lack of respect towards a fellow student. No matter how toxic Lukart had been, in Linjos’ mind his expulsion was a loss for all the magical community. It wasn’t something to celebrate.

"I have a file as long as my arm about him and his gang, but I lacked solid evidence. A class full of witnesses and an angry Professor were simply overkill. I’ll ask you again, do you have proof?"

"Yes and no." Looking at the confused expressions of those present, Yurial explained.

"This has nothing to do with Lyam’s expulsion, nor with the rivalry between our families. The problem is that I can’t talk about this matter without my father’s approval. So yes, I do have proof, but no I can’t show it to you."

"Should I speak with Archmage Deirus, then?" Linjos drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair with a pensive look on his face. He had heard many dark whispers about Lukart recently, but he had always refused to believe them.

After all, only those who greatly contributed to the Kingdom would be bestowed the title of Archmage.

"Yes. I can’t betray my father’s trust."

"If there’s nothing you have to add, then you are free to go. I would love to give you the rest of the day off, but alas the academy must go on. You’ll complete today’s round tomorrow, first thing in the morning.

Professor Trasque will bring you to your destination."

"Actually, there is one more thing." Lith raised his hand.

"Speak freely." Linjos sighed. He couldn’t wait to get rid of them to talk with Deirus first and the Queen later. She had to know he had found another candidate for the special list. First Lith, then Phloria and now Friya.

For someone with anti social behavior, Lith seemed to be a magnet for talented individuals.

- "Maybe it’s because of the age, but I’m starting to sound more like Vastor every day."–

"Two of us are still without a Ballot. When can we expect the new ones to arrive?"

"Never." The question hit a sore spot, making the Headmaster’s long face even longer.

"After the accident in the dimensional magic training hall, I started to suspect there was a traitor among our ranks. After the events occurred during the past months, I’m sure of it. No one outside the healing department could know your destination.

"I can’t let anyone I don’t trust blindly near the academy’s power core, especially Forgemasters. It would be too dangerous. A slight alteration of the power core and the whole castle would become a deadly puppet in the traitor’s hand."

Linjos hid his face behind his hands in shame. He knew that despite the best efforts of the academy’s staff, many students were going through a rough spot. After the forced break during the plague outbreak, several of them had seen their grades drop.

The second exam had only made things worse. Despite the number of students promoted from the second to the third trimester was at an all time high, the grades’ average was at an all time low.

Linjos had listened to their stories and they were all dreadful. Some had failed on purpose, to go unnoticed and have at least a semblance of a peaceful life. Others were being harassed just enough to make their life miserable and were on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Linjos had been forced to choose between their peace of mind and their physical safety, prioritizing the latter. He knew he had failed them, but there was nothing he could do.

Hearing those words, Lith could do nothing but sigh. His last excuse had just crumbled.

***

Lith regretted having lost his first occasion to eat in a restaurant without having to worry about the bill. During lunch Yurial told to Phloria the official version of their adventure, before whispering to her the truth.

"Thank the gods you are all right. I wish I was there to help you. Did it hurt much?" Phloria touched Lith’s arm, noticing the small cuts the uniform was still repairing.

Lith nodded in reply.

- "It’s so odd that both Quylla and Phloria almost used the same words." Lith thought. "Guess it means they both care for me. I remember that when I was her age and I still lived with my parents, I often suffered from unrequited love. I wish there was something I could do to help her move on."–

Phloria caressed his hand, giving him a warm and fuzzy feeling that Lith hadn’t experienced since he was still a newborn in Elina’s embrace. It was soothing and pleasant, almost making him lower his guard.

Lith hated that moment of vulnerability, so he took back his hand after pretending to have dropped his napkin.

During the afternoon, Lith went to the first Forgemastering lesson of the third trimester. He had long waited for that moment to come. Lith had several things he wanted to ask Professor Wanemyre.

"Good evening, dear students. It’s good to see so many of you back after the second trimester. Usually this time of the year is a bit lonely for me." She gave them a radiant smile that gave Lith the chills.

- "What the heck? First Nalear and now Wanemyre too? She also seems prettier than before. This makes no sense. Also, I have never seen her smile so much. Not even when someone performed a perfect enchanted item.

I’m telling you Solus, something is off."