The various groups of recent awakeners under Merlin had already proceeded to act.

Those besides Modred and Finna were mind-wiped.

They were no longer mages. They knew nothing of what had happened prior to their awakening.

Modred and Finna were assigned their first couple of missions.

All in succession. No breaks in between.

Their first day, for that matter.

They had no complaints.

This was no game after all.

---

"So, shall we start?" Valentine said.

His audience was limited. Just three.

He would be addressing Elsa, Morgana, and Arthur.

"Why do you guys really want to change things?"

He started with a question.

"Excuse me? I don’t quite get what you mean," Elsa asked.

Valentine didn’t turn to respond.

He was facing Morgana directly.

He responded, but it seemed all of his attention was on her.

"Well, I’m asking why you guys don’t just settle like the other factions. They barely seem to care. Why do you guys have a problem with Merlin’s reign, especially when it’s all you’ve ever known?" Valentine added.

"Well, that’s because..."

Arthur immediately paused after starting.

"It’s simple. There’s too much unchecked power," Morgana said.

"You know this, Vee."

"Oh, Vee?" Elsa thought.

"If I represent you, then you could probably win. But what are you going to do with the kid?"

"I think the agreement was that I would train him. He could be really useful around here. I mean, the extra muscle wouldn’t hurt," Arthur said.

"Right," Morgana responded with little confidence.

"So, when do you guys want this meeting?" Valentine asked.

"That’s enough of this," Elsa said.

"I mean, why are we entertaining this jerk? He has all the answers. Why is he leading us on?"

"Calm down. You’ve got to be patient when dealing with Vee."

"Can we do it tomorrow?" Morgana asked.

"Sure. Why not?"

"Have you guys invited the parties involved? You know, those from Merlin’s Circle."

She pinged a line. It was Jafar’s, her deputy’s.

She informed him to do just that.

"What else?"

"Are you guys really sure? Like, I know, but are you guys sure?"

"Doing this is more than a diplomatic move. It’s very well militaristic. Do you really want to risk the possible outcome?"

"I don’t know why you’re always saying this. You know Merlin is old. We’ve depended too much on the fellow," Morgana said.

"How does the world go on when he passes?"

"Forget everything else that matters. Think about the optics. A pillar like him just disappears. The world would need someone to turn to," Morgana said.

"Well, isn’t that what they’re readying those two kids for? I’m sure Merlin plans to put them on. For free, I might add."

"Just do what you need to do."

"I’m sure we’re clear," Morgana ended.

"Haha. I love that."

"Okay."

"Commit the world to war just to play ruler. Kind of reminds me of the old man."

Valentine exited the room with those very words.

---

After the C-rank rift was closed, Lot gave Roe a fair talking-to.

Roe didn’t think this was fair.

He had done the right thing in his eyes.

He was being wrongfully scolded.

Lot didn’t seem to care, and none of the others cared enough to speak up.

"Get in the van," Lot said. "We’re heading back."

"From tomorrow, you’ll take on rifts more suited for your speed."

They all got in.

The van drove back to the Temple.

They got off, and the driver went on to park the vehicle.

One of the Temple keepers immediately ran up to Lot.

"Master Lot! Master Lot! Oh, good thing you’re back."

"This came in."

He handed over a letter.

It was from the Wise Men.

They were being summoned to present themselves before the court the next day.

Lot hissed.

’The old man?’

The Wise Men, as per tradition, didn’t disclose the case details or even who was prosecuting.

"We’ll need a scholar."

’That one’s already probably not available.’

Solomon usually handled these kinds of things.

Lot grabbed his phone.

It was his call. He was the highest-ranking student of Merlin available.

He did a couple of searches before he landed on one.

The scholar who was going to represent them.

He informed Roe and Zach that they would have a big day tomorrow.

He cautioned them against speaking and told them to simply follow his lead.

They came back well before six, but since they hadn’t had lunch, they had dinner early instead.

Lot didn’t eat with them.

His food was brought to him in his quarters.

The table was pretty quiet.

No one wanted to speak on the matter or address the situation.

"Okay. I’m going to say it," Gwen said.

"Well, you don’t have to," John remarked.

"That out there? That was bullshit."

"I can’t believe you’d take that, Roe," she said.

"Excuse me," Edward followed. "That’s leadership. There’s a protocol. Follow it."

Things were about to get heated.

Gwen, Verdona, John, and, for better or worse, Ursula knew Roe better than the others.

They had been in the same set together.

They were more compatible. More inclined to support each other.

Zach, Sigman, and Edward, on the other hand, were more likely to support Lot.

He had been their master for a while.

Randolph remained neutral.

He couldn’t care less.

He just dug into his food.

He who was supposed to be neutral, maybe even a mediator, didn’t care.

Randolph didn’t.

Zach was pretty split.

Lot wasn’t all that kind to him.

Roe, on the other hand, well...

"Guys, can you just shut up and stop fighting?"

-

"Damn Solomon, he’s barely around whenever you need him. I’m betting it’s some special assignment.

I didn’t speak of this, but why do they even need Ursula present. I doubt Vlad would be interested in an S rank chump. "

"There’s something here I’m not seeing. I bet the bastard could piece it together though. Too bad he’s too busy doing ....."

....

Lot sighed.

A knock was heard at he’s door.

It was one of the temple keepers.