The heavy silence in Headmaster Andrade’s office was absolute. The glowing projection from the ‘Tactical Projection Table’ had vanished, but the phantom image of the many secret resources and arsenal stash and the siege ring of Blackwood Manor seemed to burn into the air between them.

Andrade looked at Ray, her expression pale but forged with a sudden, hardened resolve. The shadow war was no longer a mystery; it was a ticking time bomb pointed directly at the throne.

"This information is cataclysmically dangerous, Novice Croft."

Andrade said, her voice dropping to a harsh, commanding register.

"If you are right and If Prince Luca even suspects that his plot has been unravelled, he will accelerate his timeline and plunge Eldoria into a civil war before the Crown can mount a defense. I am placing all of you under an absolute Oath of Silence."

She didn't wait for their verbal agreement. A Master Mage did not rely on mere promises when the fate of the Kingdom was at stake.

Andrade stepped forward, raising her hand. Her eyes bled into a stark, luminous silver, and the ambient sounds of the room, the distant hum of the academy, the shifting of papers on her desk, abruptly vanished into a suffocating, absolute quiet.

"Seal the thought. Lock the throat, the secret dies in your minds, buried beneath my will. Speak of the Patron with other people than the once in this room, and let your own minds shatter."

Andrade chanted, her voice echoing as if speaking directly inside their skulls as she cast the 5th-Circle spell: Geas.

Heavy, ethereal tendrils of deep violet light spilled from the Headmaster’s fingertips. They drifted through the air like smoke under water, branching out to wrap tightly around Ray, Kaelen, and Svane’s necks. Svane tensed, his massive muscles locking, but he didn't resist. Kaelen let out a soft gasp as the magic pulled taut.

Andrade pressed a single, glowing thumb into the air. The violet tendrils flared with blinding heat, snapping tight like physical runic collars before sinking completely beneath their skin. A faint, burning sensation lingered in Ray's throat, a heavy, psychological weight settling over his vocal cords.

The ambient noise of the room rushed back in.

“I am sorry I did that but it is too risky. The Geas spell would normally take effect for thirty days but in this instance I casted it in 6th-Circle, the binding contract now would last for an entire year.”

Andrade said her voice low.

She locked eyes with Ray, Svane, and Kaelen in turn.

"I will take this intelligence directly to my mentor, Sidran, in the Capital. We will formulate a localized counter-strike against the supply caches. But as for the Patron, you are to stand down. Do not investigate Blackwood Manor. Do not provoke the Argent Hand. Let the Royal Court handle Prince Luca. Do you understand?"

Ray met her intense gaze with a perfectly flat expression. In his mind in the Ambient Presence, his committee instantly convened to process the magical restriction and the tactical retreat.

Commander: "She's right to lock us down. We've mapped the enemy's supply lines and identified their general, but we don't have the troops or the firepower to wage this war yet. Take the stand-down order. We need time to build our own strength before stepping onto that battlefield."

The Grizzled Commander rumbled, analyzing the situation.

Courtier: "And do not resent the Geas. A magical binding of this caliber proves she finally understands the apocalyptic scale of this threat. Let Andrade and Lockyer navigate the political minefield of accusing a Royal Prince. We play the obedient, silent students while we continue to operate from the shadows."

The Scheming Courtier murmured smoothly, adjusting his phantom lace cuffs.

"Understood, Headmaster,"

Ray said smoothly, accepting the stand-down order without a hint of resistance.

Beside him, Svane crossed his massive arms in salute. The Gold Aegis offered a heavy, deferential nod, recognizing the strict chain of command.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"I understand, Headmaster. You have my word."

Kaelen swallowed hard, her hand instinctively rising to brush against her throat where the invisible runic collar had burned into her skin. But looking at the lingering dread in the Headmaster's eyes, Kaelen knew she was completely out of her depth.

"I understand, Headmaster. I will stay out of it."

Kaelen whispered, her voice tight but resolute.

With their compliance secured, Ray took control of the conversation's flow.

"On the matter of preparation, when will the Azure Cup actually take place?""

He then calmly pivoted the subject away from treason and back to logistics.

Andrade blinked, slightly thrown by the sudden shift to the tournament, but she appreciated his pragmatism.

"The Arcane Council has not set the exact date yet. However, tradition dictates it will be held near the end of the Academy Year. You have roughly four, perhaps five months to prepare."

"Thank you, Headmaster."

Ray said, giving a polite nod.

A few moments later, Ray, Kaelen, and Svane exited the administrative building, stepping out into the crisp, cool morning air of the Solhaven Academy demi-plane.

Svane stretched his massive arms, rolling his shoulders as if trying to physically throw off the heavy political tension of the meeting. Ray, however, turned his attention to Kaelen.

She stood frozen on the marble steps. She had just learned of the possibility that her father might be alive and that one of the people that is supporting the Argent Hand was an exiled Royal Prince.

In Ray’s mind the Ambient Presence, his committee instantly evaluated her state.

Detective: "Look at the posture, kid. Shoulders slightly hunched, eyes unfocused, breathing shallow. She's trying to hold it together, but the sheer, terrifying scale of this war is threatening to crush her. The foundation just dropped out from under her."

The Gritty Detective rasped, exhaling a cloud of phantom smoke.

Conman: "Which is exactly why you don't press her right now. When an ally is retreating behind their walls, digging only makes them defensive. Let her process. Give her the space she desperately wants, and let the silence show her you respect her boundaries. It buys a lot more trust than prying ever could."

The Charismatic Conman chimed in smoothly, tapping his temple.

Kaelen suddenly blinked, snapping out of her trance when she noticed Ray watching her. She quickly smoothed her uniform, attempting to rebuild her composure, but the cracks were deeply visible.

She offered him a tired, incredibly sincere smile.

"Thank you, Ray. For bringing me in today. For... everything."

Ray could see the heavy thoughts swirling behind her eyes. Something specific was bothering her, eating away at her resolve. But Ray understood the value of boundaries. He gave a single, respectful nod.

"You are welcome and get some rest, Kaelen."

One week later, the quiet sanctuary of Ray's suite in the Spire of Sages was disrupted by a flurry of unwanted activity.

Ray stood rigidly in the center of his personal room, his face pinched in extreme annoyance while Rina expertly adjusted the collar of his formal, midnight-blue silk suit. The coat was tailored perfectly, embroidered with subtle silver runic threading along the hem.

"I still don't see why I must attend this."

Ray grumbled, tugging uncomfortably at his cuffs.

"Because you are a Vanguard now, young master. You look incredibly handsome. Just endure it for a few hours."

Rina gently said, brushing a speck of dust from his lapel.

Ray sighed. A few days prior, a heavy, gold-leafed invitation had arrived from House Starr. It was an exclusive gala celebrating the Starr siblings return to Solhaven Academy, the end of the successful kingdom tour and officially honoring the Champions of the Main Qualifiers for the Azure Cup. Ray’s initial plan had been to comfortably throw the invitation into the fireplace.

However, a coded missive had arrived shortly after from Headmaster Andrade, requesting he meet her at the party.

"I'm ready when you are, my lord."

Svane rumbled from the doorway. The Gold Aegis was dressed in a surprisingly well-tailored, dark crimson formal tunic that accommodated his massive frame, though he still looked like a mountain stuffed into silk.

"Let's get this over with."

Ray muttered.

At his feet, Nox let out a low, vibrating purr. The void-malkin melted out of the physical world, its dark, inky form sliding seamlessly into Ray's shadow, disappearing completely from sight.

When they arrived at a certain location of the Solhaven Academy demi-plane, Ray was genuinely taken aback.

House Starr did not simply have a large dormitory; they possessed a sprawling, beautifully illuminated manor. The architecture was a marvel of curved glass and domed ceilings, specifically designed for perfect acoustics.

Near the grand entrance, they were greeted by a familiar face. Eliza Vance stood elegantly beside a regal woman who shared her sharp, intelligent features.

"Ray!"

Eliza beamed as she approached, dressed in a stunning emerald gown, accompanied by her mother, Lady Esha Vance. Esha’s face lit up with absolute thrill upon seeing Ray again.

"Lord Croft. You look absolutely dashing! We were hoping to run into you!"

Lady Esha said warmly, greeting him as a respected peer.

Her eyes then shifted, her gracious smile extending to his companions.

"And Miss Rina, you look simply lovely this evening. And Captain Svane... I must say, it is quite rare to see an Aegis look so exceptionally well-tailored."

Svane offered a respectful, albeit stiff, nod, while Rina executed a flawless, polite curtsy.

"Thank you, Lady Vance. You are too kind."

Rina replied.

"Lady Vance, Eliza. Both of you ladies look very lovely."

Ray replied as he executed a perfect, courtly bow.

"I must admit, I didn't realize the academy allowed private estates of this magnitude within the demi-plane."

"House Starr has been one of the academy's biggest benefactors for generations,"

Eliza whispered as they walked into the gala together.

"Their donations practically built the southern wing of the College of Arcanum. Giving them a private compound inside the demi-plane is considered a very small price to pay for the prestige the Starr siblings bring to Solhaven Academy."