"HEY!! What do you think you're doing in the Mist Forest!?" Edward's voice roared like thunder, shattering the forest silence.
Shaun froze stiff like a statue, cold sweat trickled down his back. Nina trembled beside him. Noa's eyes narrowed, steeling silently — but even she couldn't mask the dread. They weren't facing a masked assassin now… They were facing something far worse: Their teachers.
Within moments, they were escorted into the one place every disciple feared: The Grandmaster's Chamber.
The atmosphere inside was suffocating. Lady Grandmaster Maya Flamefox sat high like a queen of judgment. Her aura coiled around the room… suffocating. To her left stood Instructor Lily, Instructor Sakura, Instructor Edward, and Professor Kunochi — all watching with disappointment etched into their eyes.
On one side of the room sat the core members of the Disciplinary Knights: Akshay Himaira, Kevin Fairywind, Kurumi Elliebrock, and Kiara Elliebrock — silent observers to their judgment.
Shaun, Nina, and Noa stood centre stage — under the world's harshest spotlight, awaiting their verdict. Lady Maya's dark eyes narrowed — not with anger alone, but with deep disappointment, stabbed into their souls.
"Shaun Thunderhawk. Nina Heavenstar. Noa Kazami." Her voice dropped to a chilling calm.
"Do you three not know the rules of this academy? The deep Mist Forest is strictly off-limits. Entering it alone is dangerous. You have violated a sacred rule of this academy"
Her gaze sharpened even more as it shifted to Noa.
"And YOU," Maya emphasized. "Noa Kazami… a Disciplinary Knight sworn to uphold the laws. Yet you chose to break them yourself. I expected better from you."
Noa's fists clenched — her shame hidden beneath that cold exterior.
"All three of you… will be punished severely," Maya declared.
A tremor ran through Nina's body. She lifted her eyes slightly — panic in them. Her family name… her dignity… her flawless reputation — all at stake. Shaun noticed the fear written all over her face. He clenched his hands, then suddenly stepped forward.
"Lady Maya," he said firmly. Every eye in the room turned toward him.
"None of this was Noa's or Princess Nina's fault," he declared. "I insisted we go to the Mist Forest. Princess Nina refused at first — I pressured her." "And Noa… she probably followed us because she feared we might get into danger."
He took a breath — steady, unwavering.
"I am the only one responsible. So if anyone must be punished… let it be me." "Please… spare the other two."
Nina's eyes widened in shock. Noa remained still — but for the faintest flicker of surprise.
**********
The chamber doors slammed open with a deafening clang. Two figures stormed inside — Vince Dragonblade and his aunt, Instructor Katherine Dragonblade. Vince's face twisted into fury the moment he spotted Shaun.
"You WRETCHED commoner!!" he roared, pointing a trembling finger.
"I warned you to stay away from my Nina! But you—" His voice cracked with rage. "You dare force my fiancée into danger!? You must be yearning for death!"
He stomped forward, mana flaring, fist pulled back for a killing blow—But Edward moved faster. His hand seized Vince's wrist mid-strike.
"Have you lost your senses!?" Edward shouted.
"This is not your private arena. You are in the presence of the Grandmaster — and harming a fellow disciple here is a criminal offense. Every disciple in this academy, noble or commoner, is under our protection."
Katherine stepped up beside her nephew, arms crossed, chin raised arrogantly.
"Oh please," she scoffed.
"Why defend this ignorant commoner? He should learn his place. This academy wastes its resources letting lowborn insects crawl beside nobles."
Her eyes narrowed hatefully at Shaun.
"They have no right to learn magic that belongs to the elite."
Katherine's sneer lingered in the air like a curse. Katherine's lip curled with disgust as if Shaun's very presence polluted the room.
"You should be grateful we nobles even allow commoners to step foot inside this academy," she scoffed.
"Without powerful bloodlines paving the way, you'd all still be plowing dirt," Her voice dripped arrogance.
"These lowborn strays must learn to bow when nobility speaks."
But she wasn't the only one with a temper. Sakura — normally the embodiment of calm sunshine — slammed a hand against the table and stood. Her voice cracked like thunder:
"We don't need someone like you deciding who is worthy of knowledge!"
Everyone stiffened.
"Magic isn't the privilege of nobles — it's a right of every disciple in this academy," she continued, eyes blazing.
"And speaking of manners… perhaps you should teach your nephew some before preaching to us."
Her glare pierced Vince like a spear.
"We've received numerous complaints — how he harasses teachers, bullies classmates, and belittles those beneath his status. If you must lecture someone… start with yourselves."
A faint smirk curled Akshay's lips — but Kurumi Elliebrock rose before anyone else could speak.
"The Disciplinary Knights have already submitted a full misconduct report," she stated firmly. Her sharp eyes cut toward Vince.
"Vince Dragonblade — do not presume your status shields you. Justice is equal for all within Silver Heaven Academy."
The chamber grew colder — not due to frost magic this time, but from Vince's rising fury. His pride twisted into a grotesque snarl.
"You dare lecture me?" he spat, pointing a finger at Kurumi.
"Who do you think I am? Do you know who my father is?" His voice grew louder and more venomous, "The Dragonblade family funds half this academy! We can BUY this entire place — including all of you insects!"
Gasps filled the room — even for Vince, this was a dangerous line to cross.
Katherine's expression tightened… but she didn't stop him. Instead Instructor Katherine stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder — but her glare was directed at the others.
"Remember this well," she hissed, "Without Dragonblade gold, this academy would crumble. So choose your words carefully… while you still have a place to stand."
The brazenness stunned even some nobles in the chamber. The air grew thick tension stretched to its breaking point.
**********
The room shook. Lady Maya slammed her palm against the table — the force snapping through the chamber like thunder. Her black eyes flared crimson — glowing like burning rubies.
"ENOUGH!!" Her voice cracked like lightning across a clear sky.
Every teacher, every knight, even the walls seemed to tremble. Vince and Katherine froze — their arrogance crumbling beneath the pressure of her immense aura. Lady Maya stepped forward — each stride a storm.
"Vince Dragonblade. Instructor Katherine Dragonblade. Mind your tone in my presence."
Her gaze was a blade — sharp enough to cut ego into dust.
"You boast about your wealth and status… as if gold can buy dignity. You are proud to be born into royalty—yet understand nothing of what royalty means."
She pointed toward Nina — her voice firm and resounding.
"You speak of being the future ruler of this region? You are mistaken."
On her words, Vince's eyes widened. Maya continued.
"Your father is merely a temporary Emperor. The rightful heir of Silver Heaven's throne is Princess Nina Heavenstar—daughter of the late True Emperor Lord David Heavenstar."
A quiet gasp spread through the chamber. Nina stiffened — astonished and conflicted. Lady Maya continued — merciless.
"So do NOT flaunt a crown that does not belong to you."
She turned her glare to Katherine,
"And you. You dare imply this academy requires the Dragonblade family's charity?"
She swept her arm across the room.
"This academy is built by the sweat and devotion of ALL Silver Heaven. The Heavenstars, The Flamesabers, The Snowinds, The Wyverns, And every citizen — noble or commoner."
Her crimson gaze pierced straight through their souls.
"Silver Heaven Academy does not belong to the Dragonblade family. It belongs to the people. All of them."
Silence. Vince and Katherine — both trembling — stepped back like scolded children. Their mountain of pride collapsed... crushed beneath one woman's authority. Maya inhaled slowly — eyes returning to black — her voice lowering like a cold verdict.
"Now sit. Quietly. Your shame has already filled this chamber enough."
They obeyed. For the first time… without a single word of protest. Lady Maya inhaled slowly, her earlier rage settled into cold authority. Her crimson eyes faded back to black as she turned toward Shaun.
"Now then… back to you."
Shaun straightened, though his heart felt like lead.
"Shaun Thunderhawk, Your reckless curiosity not only violated the academy's laws—but endangered Princess Nina and Disciplinary Knight Noa. Lives were nearly lost today… because of your decisions."
She glanced briefly at Nina — still trembling — then back to Shaun.
"As punishment, you will bring your parents to this chamber tomorrow morning. Only after we discuss your misconduct in front of them will I decide whether you may continue your studies here."
Her final words fell like a guillotine blade: "Prepare yourself. Your future will be judged at dawn."
The room drowned in silence. Some teachers stared at their feet — regret flickering in their expressions. Even the Disciplinary Knights shifted uncomfortably.
Vince and Katherine? Both stood smirking in the corner — satisfied like vultures who tasted a victory that wasn't even theirs.
But Shaun… he felt nothing but dread. His dream… his family's hopes… Natasha's smile… his promise to protect… All that flashed painfully through his mind.
If I lose this chance… everything ends.
He looked at Nina and Noa — concern etched in their faces. Nina shook her head, silently begging him not to do this. Shaun gave her a gentle smile — one that tried to hide his own despair. He bowed deeply.
"Yes, Lady Maya. Everything was my fault. I deserve whatever punishment you give. I will bring my parents to receive my Unworthy Magus—"
"STOP!!!" Nina's sudden scream shattered the chamber.
Every eye turned toward her. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her chest.
"He's lying! It wasn't his fault… it was mine…"
**********