The classroom fell into absolute silence after the Disciplinary Committee left. No one moved for a few minutes; even William just observed the situation, deciding what to do.
After waiting another 5 minutes while observing the entire room, he signaled Lía to follow him as he calmly stood up.
"There’s no reason to keep wasting ti; there’s just a bunch of useless cowards in this room," William said with a calm voice that concealed all the contempt he felt for them.
They both left the room as the faint background murmur just began to grow. They walked silently through the corridors towards the cafeteria. As they walked, William couldn’t help but notice Lía lowering her gaze, embarrassed. He waited until she decided to say sothing without forcing her.
After a few uncomfortable minutes, Lía finally spoke.
"I’m sorry," she whispered. "I’m so bad... I shouldn’t be here."
William frowned.
"That’s not why I’m upset," William replied with a serious look. "I’m upset because you never told anything; I could have helped you."
"I didn’t want to bother you... you’re busy too. You’re always training, studying... and besides, you’re so powerful that..."
"That doesn’t matter!" he interrupted. "If we’re a team, the least I expect is for you to trust ."
Before he could continue their conversation, two figures appeared right in front of them. Both wore the symbol of the Disciplinary Committee, and their robes floated slightly.
William stopped and stared at them. As soone who was no longer a novice in the ranks of mages, he knew that the two mages in front of him were ready to end his life at any mont.
"Do your best, Lía," he said with a slight smile as he gently ruffled her hair. "I’ll see you later."
The mages observed him, surprised by his willingness to cooperate. The energy accumulated in them dissipated without a trace. Without further words, one of them touched William’s shoulder, and the surroundings warped in a blink.
William appeared in a dark, damp place. The walls were covered with ancient magical symbols, and the air slled of old stone and mold. The room looked like a dungeon from the movies in his past life.
"It seems you’re used to crossing the void, young man," a male voice said from the darkness. "It’s rare to see soone like you who doesn’t vomit after a trip like that."
William frowned. There was no one in sight. He slowly turned on his heels, trying to locate the source of the voice, but he felt no presence.
"He’s behind you," Angel whispered in his mind. "He’s hidden with an illusion spell, but I can see his soul directly. He can’t hide from ."
"Where exactly?"
"Seven steps behind, slightly to the left."
William took a deep breath. He firmly turned around and fixed his gaze directly in the indicated direction. Although he saw nothing, he activated the Eyes of Agines. His eyes shone with a hypnotic blue light, adding an intimidating aura to his figure.
"A simple illusion isn’t capable of stopping ," he declared, his voice firm and unperturbed. "Why don’t you co here and talk to face to face?"
Without waiting for a response, he activated Instant Steps.
He vanished and reappeared right in front of the mage, re inches from his face. He still couldn’t see him, but from this distance, he could clearly hear the sound of his heart, making him sure that soone was right in front of him. For his part, the mysterious person still didn’t show himself, but his presence was enough to make William feel insecure.
The mage, surprised and clearly nervous, imdiately dispelled his illusion. An older man, with a sharp gaze and a robe decorated with silver threads, appeared before him.
"Interesting..." he said, composing himself. "I didn’t think you’d be able to see . My na is Algheron Valhem, vice-director of the Disciplinary Hall."
William felt extrely threatened, as he knew he still had unfinished business with this family. Monts ago, even the professor had confessed to receiving money from this family to attack him. Instead of adopting an aggressive attitude or panicking, William took a breath and relaxed before responding.
"Why am I here?"
"We are investigating the situation with Professor Dreya," Algheron said. "Although you didn’t attack, disrespecting an academy mage is enough to apply sanctions. You can’t go through life without any kind of education, you know?"
William narrowed his eyes. He didn’t hesitate for a second.
"According to Black Rock’s internal regulations, Article 12, paragraph 33," he recited precisely, "any faculty mber who abuses their position to harm or humiliate a student will be subjected to trial regardless of their magical status, and any act of student self-defense will be considered valid if not executed with lethal intent."
Algheron raised an eyebrow before saying, "You’ve morized the regulations..."
"It’s the least one should do if they don’t want to be crushed by those who use them for their convenience," William replied coldly. "So if there’s going to be a trial, I want to be present. Furthermore, according to Article 54, no mber with personal grudges against the accused can be their judge or executioner, so I request that soone else from the Disciplinary Committee be present."
The vice-director observed him for a long ti. Then he smiled slightly.
"Quite astute, but it won’t work. You’re locked in here and you can’t call for help; even your collar won’t send ssages, in case you haven’t realized yet, so right now I decide if you’re guilty or innocent, brat."
Algheron’s words surprised William, who didn’t expect to be in such a dangerous situation. Without hesitation, he took his collar and checked the ssage system, but he couldn’t find a way to send it. It was as if the collar was frozen and wouldn’t react no matter how he tried.
"I told you, kid. Now you’d better tell what I want to hear, or else I swear I’ll make your life a living hell."
The pressure unleashed by Algheron was only slightly inferior to Agis’s power, so it wasn’t enough to subdue him. With a mocking smile, William stood face to face before saying:
"My Master is much stronger; your pathetic attempt to intimidate only makes laugh."
Algheron’s face changed, rapidly turning furious like a volcano about to erupt.
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