Chapter 10 - The Interrogation of the Officials

The next day, after waking up with excruciating pain, Lucius found himself face to face with two officials, mages sent to investigate the incident at the elven village. Although still exhausted, the weight of what he had done hung heavily on his shoulders. He couldn't believe what had happened, but he had no choice but to answer their questions.

The two officials, although both mages, were very different. One was tall and imposing, with messy black hair and a stern, piercing gaze. He seemed to be constantly assessing Lucius, scrutinizing every movement, every breath. The other, younger and more laid-back, had brown hair with a small scar on his chin. He smiled sarcastically, as though everything happening around them was a joke.

The two officials sat facing Lucius, and the older one began the interrogation in a deep voice.

— "Lucius, we need to understand what happened at the elven village. You did go there, didn't you? And you were involved in the attack on those… creatures."

Lucius swallowed hard. The tension was palpable, but he knew he had to respond calmly.

— "Yes, I went there to see a friend. She… her name is Elenya."

The younger mage suddenly interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

— "A friend? So why did you use magic that powerful, more than most adults can? And why did these monsters, these… ghoul-demons, attack the village? What is your connection to them?"

Lucius stiffened. He wasn't going to tell them that he didn't even know how he had used such magic. The intensity of the force he had unleashed still terrified him. He searched for his words.

— "I don't know… The magic, it was like it controlled me. I didn't do anything to make it happen, I… I didn't want it to happen like that."

The two officials exchanged a look. The older one took a deep breath.

— "A child, unable to be responsible for such power… What did you do at the village? Why didn't you just run when you saw those creatures attacking?"

Lucius lowered his head, ashamed. He didn't know how to answer; he felt like he was being overwhelmed by an energy that he couldn't stop. But he wasn't going to tell them that he had killed innocents by using his magic.

— "I… I wanted to help. That was my intention, but it went wrong. I couldn't control the magic."

The younger mage, clearly irritated, leaned forward, his mocking gaze never leaving Lucius.

— "Hmmm, and after that, the elves played the victim? Doesn't surprise me. It's deserved, right? They must have been looking for an excuse to move, to live somewhere more comfortable."

The official's words hit Lucius like a slap in the face. He clenched his fists, but he knew he had to stay calm. These men were the authorities. He forced himself to remain composed.

— "They left?" he asked, his eyes wide. He hadn't fully understood the weight of what had just been said.

The older mage nodded.

— "Yes, they left. It's for the best. They didn't want to stay in a village that was the site of such an incident."

Lucius felt his heart tighten. The elves, those who had welcomed him and understood him, had left because of him. It was his fault. They had treated him with such kindness, and he had betrayed them. Guilt flooded over him.

The officials continued to ask him questions, but everything they said seemed to blur together. Then, one of them announced something that stirred a wave of anxiety in Lucius.

— "A judge has reviewed your case. He concluded that everything that happened was made up by the elves, and that a child couldn't have such powers. As a result, he has ordered that you be enrolled in magic classes, starting next month, at the Magic Academy."

Lucius looked up, surprised.

— "Magic classes? Why?"

The younger mage shrugged, almost carelessly.

— "To make sure you can control your powers." He let out a small laugh. "But mostly, it's for show. This is just a way to avoid situations like this from happening again and to stop the elves from using it as an excuse to revolt. The Magic Academy is one of the largest schools in the kingdom, with famous mages. There, you'll have a better chance of controlling your magic. Maybe you'll even feel better there, far away from those elves…"

Lucius clenched his fists but said nothing. The thought of joining such a prestigious academy, with powerful and respected mages, brought a small glimmer of hope. Maybe there, he could learn to control his powers and finally find a purpose. But the idea of leaving his village and everything he had known troubled him deeply.

The officials left after that, leaving Lucius alone in the room, with his swirling thoughts and the heavy burden of guilt weighing on his soul.