CHAPTER 180: DISMISSAL OF MEETING!

Her gaze moved deliberately across the professors, silencing those who still looked ready to laugh again.

"If what Kael says is true, then the Shadow Disciples are not fairy tales, and ignoring them would be folly."

Orwen spoke. "Perhaps we should investigate the borders of Arcadia and Elaris. If there is even the slightest chance demons are involved, we cannot afford complacency."

Professors who had laughed earlier now looked thoughtful, some uneasy, others troubled.

Erainlia, however, scowled. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, his jaw hard as stone.

To him, Kael was nothing but a liar.

Kael lowered his gaze.

Sylvia’s belief gave him a sliver of protection, but Erainlia’s hatred burned hotter than ever.

As the meeting drew toward its close, Kael realized one thing with chilling clarity: whether the professors believed him or not, the shadow creeping into Arcadia was real.

Professor Sylvia spoke.

"Erainlia," she said.

"You have changed nothing since your days here as a student. Still hot-tempered. Still quick to judge."

She let her words sink in before continuing. "Tell me—did you join the Celestial Guard after graduating from this academy?"

For a brief moment, Erainlia’s jaw tightened, lowering her head, and he shifted his weight slightly.

His pride did not allow him to falter, but the professors caught the small flicker of unease in his expression.

"No, Professor Sylvia," Erainlia replied with respect.

"I did not join the Celestial Guard. My responsibilities have been elsewhere. I am busy working for my family and serving the Council of Clans. That is where my duty lies."

Sylvia nodded slowly.

"I see. Busy, then. Busy with power and politics." she told as though testing him. Then, without giving him a chance to respond, she leaned back slightly in her chair.

"Is it?" she said at last, a faint sigh escaping her lips.

"So be it. But here, within these walls, such matters mean little. This is still an academy, Erainlia, and I will remind you of one thing—".

"As a professor and their class mentor, I will not let my students be bullied. Not by others. And certainly not by someone who should know better."

Kael, standing quietly in the corner, felt a strange mix of relief and unease at her words.

Relief that she was standing for him, but unease because he could see the storm brewing in Erainlia’s expression.

Erainlia’s lips pressed into a thin line. His hands curled at his sides.

He had not expected Sylvia to shield Kael so openly. To him, Kael was still the prime suspect, the thief who had stolen something irreplaceable.

And yet, at this moment, he was being told to stand down.

Sylvia did not waver.

"About this case," she continued firmly, "let us handle it. This academy has its own ways, its own methods. We will investigate, and we will reach a conclusion. You may bring your claims, Erainlia, but justice here belongs to the professors, not to vengeance."

A murmur moved through the other professors, some nodding in agreement, others remaining silent, wary of Erainlia’s reaction.

For a moment, it seemed as if Erainlia would erupt again. His chest rose and fell sharply, and his eyes blazed as they darted toward Kael, then back to Sylvia.

But years of upbringing and the weight of his family name pressed on him. He could not afford to openly defy her.

Slowly, almost reluctantly, Erainlia drew in a deep breath and exhaled. His voice, when it came, was controlled but tight with suppressed frustration.

"Very well, Professor Sylvia," he said.

"If you say you will handle this... I will step aside. For now."

His eyes flickered toward Kael once more, burning with an unspoken promise.

"But do not mistake my silence for acceptance. I will not forget this matter."

"And you Kael, stay away from my sister", he siad.

Kael stood in dilemma.

"You need not forget. But you must trust that truth reveals itself in time. Do not allow anger to blind you, Erainlia.", said Slyvia.

There was no answer from him. Instead, he straightened his posture and folded his arms across his chest, standing silently by the wall.

The matter had been let go—outwardly, at least—but everyone in the room could feel the unease.

Kael swallowed hard, the tension tightening in his throat.

He understood perfectly what that look from Erainlia meant. The professors might have closed the discussion, but Erainlia had not forgiven him.

He had only chosen to wait.

The tension in the staff room slowly ebbed as the meeting drew to a close. Professors gathered their papers, whispering among themselves, while Erainlia stood silent, his gaze never straying far from Kael.

Finally, with a sharp turn of his cloak, he strode toward the door, Cecelia following reluctantly behind him.

When the heavy doors closed Kael stood quietly in the corner, waiting for the professors to dismiss him.

But instead, Professor Sylvia remained seated on her own chair. She tapped her fingers lightly against the papers before her, then slowly rose to her feet.

"Kael," she said.

"Stay a moment."

The other professors exchanged glances, but none objected. One by one, they left, until the room was quiet again.

Kael swallowed hard, stepping forward uncertainly.

"Professor?"

Sylvia studied him for a long moment, as though she were searching for something beneath his skin.

"You spoke of Shadow Disciples and demon hierarchies," she said softly.

"Most here will dismiss your words as fanciful. Erainlia certainly did. But you... you spoke with conviction, not like a boy telling stories."

Kael clenched his hands at his side. "Because it’s true. I wouldn’t make up something like that."

Her expression didn’t waver. Instead, she folded her arms and leaned slightly closer, lowering her tone so that only he could hear.

"Listen carefully, Kael. Truth can be dangerous if spoken in the wrong places. The others laugh because they don’t understand—but Erainlia’s anger, his suspicion... that is more dangerous than ignorance. Do you understand me?"

Kael’s brows drew together. He hesitated, then nodded slowly.

"Yes. You mean... I should be careful what I say."

"Exactly." Sylvia’s eyes softened slightly, though her tone stayed firm.

"You may hold truths that others cannot yet grasp. That is not a weakness, Kael. But until the time comes when proof stands with you, those truths must be guarded. Choose your words wisely."