Crux

Elia made a motion toward Lance, which was promptly detected by Lance, who almost responded in disbelief until Elia stopped him.

It would have been risky for them to act rashly and aggravate the situation, so they waited for a chance.

Screams could be heard outside the dorm building. It was clear from the smoke rising from the windows that the academy had been besieged. Elia, as a student at the institution, felt obligated to do something about it.

While Lance felt ashamed by the fact that the academy had been so readily breached.

But, after some more thought on the timing of the attack and its efficiency, both of them came to a realization.

'The attack was intended to cause strife among the Empires.'

There will be no conflict if an official of one empire is slain while visiting another empire. However, a smidgeon of suspicion and bad blood would be brewed. If such things continued, that sliver of distrust would grow into hatred.