Choice

Principal Arnold's Office

Principal Arnold's calm yet grave expression deepened the knot in Ariana's chest. Her heart tightened, and her jaw clenched as she tried to steady herself.

"Okay," she said softly, lowering herself onto the chair in front of his imposing desk.

Principal Arnold's sharp gaze locked onto her as he spoke with quiet authority, his tone calm but commanding. "Tell me everything your student has told you. And do not, under any circumstances, hide anything."

Ariana leaned forward slightly, her hands resting tensely on her lap. Is this a test? she wondered. Is he gauging my loyalty? Seeing if I'll try to protect Elvin at the expense of the truth?

She knew better than to think the principal was unaware of Elvin's recount. At this academy, nothing escaped his notice—especially not when he had set his sights on it. If Principal Arnold wanted to know something, he would.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Ariana began. "Of course, Sir..."

She detailed everything Elvin had told her, recounting Asher's provocation, his knowledge of Elvin's mother—a fact the Emberfell family had worked tirelessly to conceal—and how Asher had insisted on a fight despite Elvin's refusal. Ariana emphasized these points, hoping they might paint Elvin in a more sympathetic light.

When she finished, Principal Arnold's calm façade cracked slightly as his brow furrowed in thought. Stroking his chin with his right hand, he leaned back in his chair.

"You're correct," he began after a long pause, his voice measured. "There is something suspicious about this incident. Too many coincidences and irregularities."

Relief flickered across Ariana's face. "Yes, exactly!" she said quickly, leaning forward with renewed confidence.

But her relief was short-lived. Principal Arnold's expression hardened as he continued. "However, none of that changes the fact that Elvin stabbed and nearly killed Asher, the son of an Archduke, in the dungeon. You understand the gravity of this, don't you?"

Ariana's face fell, her earlier confidence replaced with dawning realization. Her thoughts raced as Arnold pressed on.

"If the Crimson family wishes, they can take this to court and accuse the Emberfell family of orchestrating the entire incident," he said gravely. "And if they choose to escalate further…" He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "You know what attacking a royal means."

Ariana's eyes widened as the implications struck her like a thunderbolt. Her lips parted as she whispered in horror, "Treason..."

Arnold nodded, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "Exactly. Now you understand the seriousness of this matter."

Ariana sat in silence, her expression dark with turmoil. She felt the weight of the Emberfell family's name pressing down on her shoulders.

Principal Arnold leaned forward slightly, his piercing eyes locking onto hers. His voice shifted to one laced with temptation. "There is, however, a way out for the Emberfell family."

Ariana's head snapped up, her eyes filled with hope and desperation. She silently pleaded with him to continue.

"If the Emberfell family willingly hands Elvin over and disassociates from him entirely, they could claim they had no involvement in the matter," Arnold said smoothly. "If they do that, I might even personally vouch for the Emberfell family. After all, you are one of this academy's most talented and hardworking professors."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. She stared at him, her mind racing. Principal Arnold… personally vouching for the Emberfell family? That alone would be enough to quell any backlash. Arnold wasn't from a noble house, but his influence rivaled—if not surpassed—that of most high-ranking families in the empire. Even the Emberfell family couldn't match his sway.

But the price… the cost of such an offer weighed heavily on her.

Elvin.

She looked down, her hands trembling slightly in her lap. It was her responsibility as a teacher to protect her student. Yet on the other side was her family—her heritage, her home, everything she had. How could she betray them?

Her lips trembled as she struggled to form words. "I... I..."

Arnold raised a hand, silencing her. His calm, commanding presence made her stop immediately.

"You don't have to answer," he said evenly. "Because I don't think it'll come to that."

Ariana stared at him in confusion, her brow furrowing.

"From what I know of the Crimson family," Arnold continued, "they won't bother waiting for a court ruling. They'll act. Likely, they'll accuse the Emberfell family directly and attack them outright. But before that happens, they'll demand an investigation report from the academy, which we are obligated to provide."

Arnold's voice was steady, but Ariana's mind raced. Why did he make me weigh such a decision if he thought it wouldn't come to that? Was it a test?

Suppressing her doubts, she nodded and focused on the present. "Asher was the one who suggested Elvin walk alone," she said carefully. "Then, despite his group, he chose to follow Elvin into the dungeon."

Arnold leaned back, stroking his long white beard. "Yes. And then, after they met… Elvin stabbed him."

Ariana's eyes widened suddenly, a thought striking her. "His mother..."

Arnold's gaze sharpened, urging her to continue.

"Asher mentioned Elvin's mother," Ariana said quickly. "That's when Elvin lost control and attacked him."

Arnold hummed thoughtfully. "So… it's as if the word 'mother' triggered him somehow."

"Maybe a hypnosis spell?" Ariana guessed, her brows furrowing.

Arnold shook his head. "No. A spell of that caliber would leave a magic fluctuation, something David and the others would have sensed."

Ariana bit her lip, her mind spinning. Not a magic spell, but something capable of manipulating Elvin's mind… What kind of ability could do that?

Suddenly, the realization struck her like lightning. Her eyes widened as she muttered, "An Awakened..."

Arnold's thoughts mirrored her realization, though he remained silent. His gaze grew distant, his inner monologue echoing a familiar philosophy: Only under enough pressure does coal become a diamond.

For him, this incident wasn't just a mystery to solve—it was an opportunity..

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