The Council’s Discussion:Perceiving the Prodigy

That cold evening, Miss Dalia stood in the grand meeting hall, clutching a glowing magic stone in her hand as it relayed her urgent summons to the school's council and principal. The air was tense as the hall prepared for an unprecedented announcement.

The chamber was nothing short of majestic, with towering, tiered seats arranged in a circular formation. The elders sat at the top, their positions symbolizing their authority over the school. The walls were adorned with flags representing the four elemental houses—Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth—each marked with intricate runes that shimmered faintly under the enchanted lights. At the center of the room, a single spotlight illuminated Miss Dalia as she stood beneath the watchful gaze of the council and the gathered professors.

The council consisted of:

• The First Elder, Tara: A striking woman in her forties, known for her sharp tongue and mastery of wind magic. She radiated an aura of authority, her green robes flowing as if caught in an eternal breeze.

• The Second Elder, West: A quiet man in his thirties with jet-black hair and dark glasses. His composed demeanor belied the ferocity of the fire magic he commanded.

• The Third Elder, Miss Neal: An elderly woman with pale, unseeing eyes. Though blind, her connection to water magic was said to be unparalleled, her calm presence like a still lake masking hidden depths.

• The Fourth Elder, Mr. White: A grumpy, cantankerous old man with a booming voice. Despite his abrasive personality, his mastery of earth magic made him a formidable force.

• The Principal, Mr. Roman: The centerpiece of the council and the only archmage in the kingdom. Having reached the eighth circle of magic, Roman's presence was intimidating yet calm, his golden robes glowing faintly with magic. Rumors claimed he was over 500 years old, his strength unmatched.

The professors stood along the edges of the hall, murmuring among themselves. Their whispers died down as Miss Dalia began to speak, her tone measured and serious.

"A ten-year-old student has successfully mastered both mana and aura," she said, her voice echoing in the grand chamber. "He has already reached the fourth mana circle."

The room fell silent. For a moment, even the most skeptical among them were too stunned to speak.

The Principal's calm voice broke the silence. "Oh… interesting," Roman muttered, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

But the calm didn't last long.

Mr. White slammed his hand on the table, the sound reverberating through the hall. "Impossible!" he barked, his gravelly voice cutting through the room. "No child can reach the fourth circle at that age. It's nonsense! The youth of this generation are nothing but tricksters. Do not be deceived, woman!"

Tara rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair with a sigh. "Here we go again," she muttered.

"Must you always shout, White?" West added dryly, adjusting his glasses.

Tara leaned forward, glaring at Mr. White. "And stop calling her 'woman,' you sexist old fool! How many times must we tell you to show some respect?"

"Sexist? Fool?" Mr. White's face turned crimson as he slammed the table again. "Watch your mouth, Tara! I won't stand for this disrespect."

Tara smirked, her eyes narrowing. "And what will you do? Throw another tantrum, old man?"

As tensions rose, the air around Tara began to swirl. A faint gust of wind circled her, growing stronger by the second. "Maybe I should blow you back to your house. I'm sure your wife would love to hear your whining in person."

Mr. White growled, summoning a chunk of stone from the floor. The boulder floated above his hand, its size intimidating. "You want to test me, Tara? Let's see if you can handle this!"

Before the conflict could escalate further, Principal Roman struck his staff against the floor. The sharp sound reverberated through the hall, and a wave of mana silenced the brewing spells instantly.

"SILENCE!" Roman commanded, his voice carrying the weight of authority.

The mana in the air dissipated, and both Tara and Mr. White froze, their spells vanishing as they reluctantly returned to their seats.

Roman's eyes scanned the room, his calm demeanor replaced by visible disappointment. "Are you not ashamed?" he said coldly, his tone cutting through the tension. "In front of the professors, you bicker like children. Do not disgrace the council further."

Tara and Mr. White lowered their heads, their voices subdued as they spoke in unison. "We apologize, Principal Roman."

With a calm smile, Roman turned his gaze to Miss Dalia. "If your claim is true, then this is indeed extraordinary. Tell me, who is this prodigy in your class? Is it Noah Morris from Class B? Perhaps Elisa Lorenz or her twin brother? Or… is it Caden Dominick? Surely, it must be one of them. They are all highly regarded students."

Miss Dalia took a steady breath and bowed slightly. "To be honest, you won't believe this." Her words made the room lean in with anticipation. "The boy's name is Theodore."

The murmurs in the chamber erupted like a wave.

"Did she say Theodore?"

"The cursed prince? That's absurd!"

"He's a failure to the kingdom, a boy cursed to be weak."

"Is this some kind of joke?"

Even Roman, known for his unshakable composure, paused mid-thought, stroking his long, silver beard. "Theodore… the shy prince?" he mused aloud. "I've known that boy since his birth. He wouldn't so much as swat a fly. How could he achieve something so remarkable?"

Miss Dalia remained firm, her eyes steady. "Principal, Theodore has changed. He is no longer the timid boy we once knew." She let her words hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "This morning, he defeated the Second Prince, Caden Dominick, and three of his lackeys—all at once. And he didn't merely humiliate them; he overpowered them with precision and control."

Gasps echoed throughout the room.

"This is preposterous!" Mr. White exclaimed, nearly toppling from his seat. "That cursed boy? Defeating Caden?"

Tara leaned forward, her sharp eyes narrowing. "How is this even possible?"

Miss Neal, the Third Elder, smiled faintly, her sightless gaze directed toward Miss Dalia. "Remarkable," she murmured. "A boy with no reputation rising above those who scorned him. It's… poetic, don't you think?"

Tara folded her arms, skeptical. "If this is true, what do you propose we do?"

Miss Dalia straightened her back, her voice unwavering. "I believe Theodore should be given the opportunity to advance. His abilities far exceed the first-grade curriculum. If nurtured properly, he could become one of the greatest mages of our time."

The chamber fell silent, all eyes shifting to Principal Roman. He closed his eyes, leaning on his staff in deep thought. The weight of his authority pressed down on the room like a storm about to break.

Finally, he spoke, his tone calm yet resolute. "I will investigate this boy myself. If his abilities are as extraordinary as you claim, I may take him as my disciple."

The room exploded into an uproar.

"You? The greatest magician in the kingdom?" Mr. White slammed his fist on the table. "You cannot favor him so openly! This will only make him arrogant and dangerous!"

"He's right," Tara chimed in. "If we give him too much power too soon, he might become uncontrollable. We should train him as a group—under strict supervision."

Miss Neal tilted her head, her soft smile remaining. "The boy's progress cannot be denied. Perhaps Roman is right. A prodigy like him requires exceptional guidance."

"ENOUGH!" Roman's staff struck the floor, a pulse of mana rippling through the hall and silencing the voices instantly. The air grew still as his powerful presence settled over the council.

"This matter is not up for debate," Roman said firmly. "I will assess the boy personally. Whether he becomes my disciple or not will depend on his true potential and character."

Tara and Neal nodded, albeit reluctantly. "As you wish, Principal Roman," Tara said.

But Mr. White, still fuming, stood abruptly. "You'll regret this," he spat, his voice dripping with anger. "Mark my words, you're setting this boy up to become a disaster!"

With that, he stormed out of the chamber, slamming the heavy doors behind him.

The other council members exchanged tired glances but said nothing. Mr. White's outbursts were nothing new, and his jealousy of rising talent was well-known.

As the room settled, Roman turned his gaze back to Miss Dalia. "Keep an eye on the boy. If he is as gifted as you claim, his path will not be an easy one. We must prepare for whatever challenges lie ahead."

—————

Meanwhile, in the dormitory, Theodore reclined on his bed, snacking on treats Belial had brought him. His soft chuckles echoed in the quiet room.

Belial, standing by the window, tilted his head curiously. "May I ask, my lord, what has brought you such joy?"

Theodore smirked, popping a sweet into his mouth. "Miss Dalia informed the principal about my abilities. Right now, I'm sure the council is in complete disarray, trying to decide what to do with me. They're probably arguing over whether I'm a genius or a disaster."

Belial chuckled deeply, a mischievous glint in his crimson eyes. "And will you allow them to teach you, my lord?"

"Teach me?" Theodore laughed. "Hardly. Elemental magic? It's useful, but it's not my focus. I'm a dark mage, Belial—mastering forbidden arts while keeping them hidden. Besides, thanks to the book, I can learn every element they teach in a fraction of the time. Let them waste their energy while I surpass them all."

Belial's laughter grew louder, his voice echoing through the room. "As expected of my lord," he said, bowing deeply.

Knock, Knock.

Theodore and Belial's conversation was abruptly interrupted by a firm knock at the door. Belial, his face darkening slightly, opened it to reveal Principal Roman. The man's very presence radiated an overwhelming aura of mana, the air seeming to thrum with his power.

Standing tall, Roman's long white beard, dark blue robes, and piercing eyes gave him an aura of both wisdom and authority. Despite his warm smile, his immense power loomed like a storm cloud in the room.

Belial's red eyes narrowed briefly, but he composed himself and stepped aside. Roman chuckled, stroking his beard. "Ho ho ho! What a remarkable young man we have here."

Theodore, sitting upright, instinctively felt his guard rise. Roman's mana felt like a crushing wave, flowing through the room with effortless power. He stood, his posture respectful but cautious.

"Greetings, Principal," Theodore said politely, though inwardly, he was wary of the man before him.

Roman smiled wider. "Ah, Theodore. You don't remember me, do you? I used to carry you when you were just a baby," he said fondly, his eyes gleaming.

(Great. Is he really going to talk about this?) Theodore thought, keeping his expression neutral.

"I'm Roman, your principal—and perhaps more. You'll find out soon enough." Roman stepped closer, his gaze sharp as he studied Theodore intently. "But for now, let's see just how remarkable you are."

Without warning, Roman placed a hand on Theodore's shoulder and sent a wave of powerful mana into him.

Theodore's body tensed as the mana surged through him, like a raging river threatening to overwhelm his veins. His own mana instinctively reacted, flowing through his system like a coiled snake, weaving around Roman's intrusion. But underneath his blue mana, Theodore carefully suppressed the dark energy lying dormant, desperate to keep it hidden.

(Stay calm. Don't panic. If I let this slip, everything falls apart,) Theodore thought, concentrating fiercely. His mana pushed back against Roman's, blocking it like a dam holding back a flood. His hands trembled slightly, his focus razor-sharp.

After a tense moment, Roman finally withdrew, a gleam of curiosity in his eyes.

"I see…" Roman murmured, clearly impressed.

Theodore took a step back, yanking Roman's hand off his shoulder with an icy glare. "I've lost respect for you, Principal," he said sharply. "If I didn't know how to control mana, that stunt could have crippled—or even killed—me."

Roman chuckled, entirely unbothered. "You are extraordinary, Theodore. Become my disciple."

Theodore's expression darkened, his voice cold and cutting. "No. And don't ever touch me again, old man." Without waiting for a response, he turned and slammed the door in Roman's face.

Belial, who had been watching silently, finally spoke. "Are you alright, my prince?"

Theodore sighed, his irritation evident. "No. And don't ever let that bastard in my room again."

"As you wish, my lord," Belial replied, his smirk returning.

——

The next few weeks were nothing short of hell.

Everywhere Theodore went, Roman seemed to follow like a shadow. When Theodore strolled through the gardens, Roman could be seen peering from behind the trees. When he studied in the library, Roman would appear at the window, "accidentally" running into him. Sometimes, he didn't even bother hiding, blatantly following Theodore to the dormitory.

(I swear, if he doesn't stop this, I'll kill him one day, Theodore thought bitterly.)

Meanwhile, in the boys' dormitory, three students—Kai, Lain, and Marcus—were plotting revenge for their humiliation. But Caden, the ringleader, had been isolating himself, consumed by thoughts of Theodore.

Sitting in his room, he muttered to himself, his hands gripping his head. "Why did he look at me like that? Like I'm nothing… like I'm already dead."

Unable to shake the memory, Caden decided to clear his mind. Stepping out of the dormitory, he strolled aimlessly through the campus until he spotted Theodore walking nearby.

Theodore was deep in conversation with Belial, but Caden's heart raced. (This is my chance to confront him.)

Swallowing his nerves, Caden approached. "Theodore," he called, his voice hesitant.

Theodore ignored him, continuing to talk with Belial as if Caden didn't exist.

Caden clenched his fists. "Brother," he called again, louder this time. "Can you tell me why you've changed so much? Why now? Are you even my brother anymore?"

Theodore stopped in his tracks, finally turning to face him. His cold, unreadable gaze made Caden shiver.

"So," Theodore said slowly, "you want me to sit still and let you bully me? How greedy, Caden. You're nothing but a greedy little boy."

Caden's face flushed with anger. "Don't talk to me like that! I deserve an explanation. Or… is it because you've suddenly decided you want to be king?" He laughed bitterly. "Let me remind you, no one supports you. It's futile, brother."

Theodore smirked, turning to face him fully. "King? You think I care about that?" His tone was icy, cutting through the air like a blade. "Your ambitions are nothing compared to mine. We are not the same, Caden. What I want to rule is far beyond a throne."

Caden's confidence wavered for a moment, but he scoffed. "Big words for someone who's always been weak. Don't forget, Father and the nobles despise you. You're alone."

Belial let out a dark chuckle beside Theodore.

Theodore stepped closer to Caden, his piercing gaze sending a chill down his spine. "You're right. They don't like me now. But they will. And when that day comes, you'll regret standing in my way."

As Theodore turned to leave, he paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, and one more thing," he added with a smirk. "You're not my rival, Caden. You're just an insect I'll crush if you get in my way."

Caden froze, his breath hitching as Theodore and Belial walked away.

Despite the fear swirling in his chest, a strange spark of determination lit within him. For the first time, Caden saw his brother as more than a victim. He was a rival—a dangerous one.

"I'll prove myself, brother," Caden whispered to himself, his fists tightening. "I'll make you acknowledge me. You'll see. One day… you'll serve me."