CHAPTER 27: JUDGMENT OF THE FOUNDERS

[//WORLD-CLASS EXISTENCE RECOGNIZED.//]

["Boros"] [Class: Arbiter of Magic] [Designated Lv: 100]

The light-engulfed figure towered with a staff made of perfect, snow-white wood in his hand, though it more so resembled a tree turned into such a tool. It was difficult to see the stranger’s face past their obscuring, heavenly robes, only the pale beard that descended.

"I’m Leon Schoeller," he announced, looking up at the towering presence. "What’s up?"

The immense figure peered down at him with no discernible eyes past his hood, "Leon Schoeller, you have committed the act of manifesting the forbidden element."

"Forbidden? Hey, nobody told me it was against the law–" Leon protested.

"Do not speak."

The words that boomed from the towering figure’s mouth were not a suggestion, as Leon found himself completely incapable of uttering the most meager of sounds. He grabbed at his throat, capturing a sensation as though his own thoughts were seized in his neck.

"I am only here to inform you of this act. Your judgment will be made four seasons from now at the World’s Precipice. Until then, you are restricted from using any magic

."

Any chance of protesting the punishment was silenced as the colossal stave was raised before being brought back down. It released a tremor through the dirt road, encapsulating the young man in an enigmatic air.

"Hold on–what?!" Leon shouted, looking at his arms.

Ethereal chains slithered over his body before dispersing, though he felt their presence all the same as he attempted to conjure fire into his hands. Nothing came but emissions of raw mana, no more than a whisper to the wind.

The absence of his magic felt akin to losing a limb, leaving him utterly perplexed as he looked up at the colossal humanoid.

Boros addressed him, apathetic to his situation, "You have proven yourself too dangerous to be permitted in the art of magic for the time being. Until the Arbiters of Magic have judged you, magecraft is no longer yours to wield."

"But...I need it–!" Leon protested, clutching his own shirt.

Astral winds came off of the Arbiter’s body as the mighty figure stood tall, unamused with any arguments, "Reconsider your reckless usage of magic during these seven days, Leon Schoeller. Else, your judgment may be one of eternity."

"Wait–"

As he reached out, the massive figure merged into the pillar of light that reached past the clouds, witnessing the Arbiter ascend without any further discussion. With the fading of the radiance, the forest road was left quiet again as he stood there, processing what had just happened.

Behind him, quick footsteps came from Phoenix, who seemed ready for a fight, though a bit late on the pickup, "Boss! What was that all about?--"

"My magic...It’s gone," Leon quietly uttered, emitting meager particles of mana from his palms.

"Seriously...? Can that even happen?" Phoenix wondered in disbelief.

He remained quiet, considering what had just transpired, being forced only to swallow the truth of it and move onward. As he headed back towards the carriage, Frederick looked a single scare away from a heart attack, sitting there in disbelief with much the same shock as his own steed.

"The Arbiters...I thought they were only tales told to children to keep them from misbehaving," Frederick gasped out, catching his breath as he held the reins.

"Well, I wish I read that bedtime story," Leon said, climbing the foothold leading into the carriage.

What felt like a victory lap now was curtained by a sense of defeat as he sat there, feeling the carriage wheels roll over the uneven road. Across from him, the fire-wielding adventurer sat with a furrowed look, holding a degree of guilt for his employer’s situation.

"I heard something about four seasons...Was that right?" Phoenix asked.

Leon stared at his hands, attempting again to conjure even a fleeting strand of electricity, only mustering particles of mana, "Yeah. A whole year. I don’t get it...If I broke some unwritten rule, why do I have to wait that long just for the verdict?"

"Well, from what I’ve read about the Arbiters, those guys are thousands of years old," Phoenix recalled, leaning forward in his seat, sticking a piece of wheat between his lips. "Like, I’m talking as old as dirt here. So, a year for them is probably a day, maybe even a couple hours."

"Great, so I’m dealing with inhuman immortals...This situation just gets worse by the moment," Leon sighed, leaning his head against the wall, tapping it against the wooden material in frustration.

"Maybe I’ve got some wax in my ears, but it sounds to me like you’re considering fighting against them?" Phoenix asked with a raised eyebrow. "Gotta say, I’m with ya’ for anything, but that...I don’t know."

"Obviously I’m not thinking about that. I could tell just from the mana pressure that guy gave off–I felt like a plankton in the sea," Leon admitted, recalling that feeling.

It was a frustrating situation to accept, though there was nothing to do but continue homeward bound. Despite his racing thoughts, the fatigue of the long night caught up to him, finding his eyelids becoming too heavy even as the carriage rolled over the bumpy road.

"--"

He opened his eyes at a light shake of his shoulder, finding Phoenix responsible as the adventurer looked at him.

"We’re back," Phoenix told him, stepping back.

Leon rubbed his eyes for a moment before standing himself up, grabbing the copper handle of the carriage’s side door before opening it. The journey went through the night, as the first thing that greeted him was the morning sun.

As he stepped out into the cobblestone courtyard that housed perfectly-trimmed hedges and fruit-bearing trees, he was met openly–

"Welcome back, Master."

In unison, he was greeted by all of the servants of the Schoeller mansion, as he counted–four maids and three butlers.

It was a sight of relief, drawing a smile across his lips as he returned their greeting, "Morning."

The first place he went upon returning to the estate was the bathing chamber, once more opting to share it with Phoenix as they both earned the same reward.

Of course, it came with the usual treatment of the silver-haired maid washing him, while Phoenix displayed his quiet envy.

"Master, your hand..." Iris noticed, looking over his shoulder.

He raised his glass fingers from the warm water as they were left sparkling and slick, "Oh, this...I’ll be fine."

"Are you sure?" The silver maid asked.

"Well, I’ll talk to Beatrice about it," Leon decided, sinking his hand back into the bath. "For now, I just need to relax."

"I agree," Iris said with a small smile as she ran her soapy fingers through his hair. "Knowing when to rest is important."

Across from him, the adventurer let out a relaxed sigh, making sure to enjoy the hot water. "That’s right! We put our lives on the line today, so we oughta reward ourselves."

"When I found you, you were laid out on the ground." Leon recalled, staring at the bodyguard.

"I-err, listen—! That guy totally caught me off-guard!" Phoenix reasoned hastily.

The pure nature of the adventurer always managed to reel in a laugh from himself, alleviating some of the stress he carried.

As the night came, he slept off the thoughts lingering on his mind like cunning parasites. It wasn’t difficult for his mind to wander, especially within the quiet confines of his bed.