Verlin Merlin
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Chapter 28- To talk with a money-grubbing Dean.
🕑 Added 2022-06-06 15:04:48 +0000 UTCRay had to admit, he was shocked. Aunty Anita was more powerful than the duke? The information seemed to come out of nowhere, not just for him, but for everyone in the courtroom.
“Now, does student Rosenmund have anything to add to disciple Fartallis’ explanation?” the Dean asked.
Ray jumped up at the call, clearing his throat nervously. “Yes, Dean, Corriss has given you a completely inaccurate account of events. Corriss was the one who opened fire, not me, there are several witnesses that can corroborate this. Not to mention that he was wearing some form of Dwarven defense that he got from his brother. Why would he be wearing that if he did not intend to attack us?”
“I did it because I knew that commoners like you are prone to irrational actions!” Corriss protested.
“I see, so you destroying the library in your temper tantrum was a rational decision?” Ray countered.
“The fact that you were the one that actually destroyed the library is apparent. I had enough control to direct my attacks directly at you, and so did my friends. The ones fighting in a haphazard manner were your people.” Corriss said, pulling false facts from thin air.
“Oh? And would that have happened if you hadn’t attacked us? Do you wish to insult everyone’s intelligence? I cannot think of any reason why you would act this way otherwise.” Ray said, feeling proud. The answer was a fluke, but it seemed appropriate.
“I do find my intelligence insulted, but I don’t know if that's the kid in the front or his idiotic supporters in the back.” Aunty Ariana quipped in, making the audience emerge in sporadic laughter.
Ray could practically hear Mage-Warrior Eklard gritting his teeth, someone was not used to getting insulted to his face.
“The fact that you lied about your element to the Academy, and then used some form of weird magic to attack me using fire, is known to everyone in this room.” Corriss countered.
“I would like it noted that I did not, in fact, know about this. The chain of events has not been established yet.” Aunty Ariana said, her voice merging within seconds of Corriss’ statement. Ray giggled, she was playing with them.
“Corriss, have you stepped outside of the Noble’s district lately?” Ray asked, going off track.
“What does that have to do with anything? I have no wish to talk with some idiotic commoners.” Corriss replied, but he was constantly glancing at Aunty Ariana by now, clearly irritated at her presence. The Mage-Warrior’s Order seemed more afraid,, however. Aunty Ariana was far more powerful, after all.
“Commoners don’t try to fail the Academy test, Corriss, no one does. The Academy test has far too much importance. I think we’ve seen enough, Dean.” Ray said.
“Yes, we have, at least from you two. The chain of events cannot be established by either of you. “ The Dean said. “Now, if Professor Tari would come to the stand.”
Corriss' face brightened up as a professor rose from the judge panel and sat down on the stand.
“Were you there during the event of the attack?” the Dean asked.
“Yes, Dean.” the professor answered, the picture of an obedient follower. A brown-noser.
“Now can you tell me, truthfully, what happened during those hours?” the Dean asked.
“Ooh, this will be interesting.” Aunty Ariana quipped in, confusing Ray. “I am interested to hear what actually happened.”
“Yes, uhm, Corriss, uh, heard that Marcus was telling people about a lab that they had built and how they were going to use it to get more mana. Corris knew that the lab would be direct competition for the College, and thus went to the library with the intention to confront him. I suppose he might have gotten a bit overzealous.” the professor testified, his bias clear.
“Oh, do tell me how.’ Aunty Ariana added. The professor just looked at her, his puzzlement clear.
“Corris, how was he overzealous? Did he attack Marcus unprovoked?” Aunty Ariana asked.
“I did not get a good look, but that may be what occurred.” the professor answered, clearly avoiding the topic. Ray was very glad that Aunty Ariana was around to help them, otherwise he would not get even this trial. Corris had clearly stacked it against them. The chances that the professor would back Corriss’ lies without her there was very high.
“Oh, you’re not sure?” Aunty Ariana asked.
“I am.” the Dean said. “I think this is a simple case of young Fartallis getting overzealous in his administration of his newfound duties. The Mage-Warrior Order will pay the appropriate fine of a hundred million mana coins to the College, since they seem to be so interested in him.”
“And what of justice for Ray?” Aunty Ariana asked.
“I was getting to that, as Corriss has shown such an inclination for combat, I fear that he may find himself more comfortable at the Mage-warrior Order. Is that satisfactory, Marchioness?” the Dean said.
“And are we not to be consulted at all?” Mage-Warrior Eklard whined.
“No, the decision has been made.” the Dean said. “And need I remind you that while I am not as powerful as the Marchioness, I will destroy your Order if it comes to it? After all, I hear that your previous head was rude to my disciple the last time they met. I have yet to account for that.”
The surroundings changed, clearly the Dean had teleported everyone away. Ray found himself along with Aunty Ariana in what seemed to be a posh office. The Dean’s office per the marker on the desk.
“I take it you still have business with us since you called us here?” Aunty Ariana asked.
“Yes, I do.” the Dean said. “I am sure you know of the Mage Academy’s latest hunt, Marchioness.”
“Yes, Anita is participating in it, in fact I think she invited Ray too.” Aunty Ariana said.
“Yes, the same one. Now, Corriss was to represent the College in the Tier 5 and below hunt. Now that he is not around, I feel it is only right that Ray take his place.” the Dean said.
“Now, now, that's just asking for Ray to kill himself. Or do you think that Corriss’ friends will help him? Not to mention, the Mage-Warrior Order is out to kill him now.” Aunty Ariana said.
“I have already taken sides, Marchioness, no need to press the issue. Ray can take his friends, I am sure they’ll appreciate the mana.” the Dean said.
“But can I presume that you will continue the deal with Count Friendez?” the Dean said, confusing Ray further.
“Yes, sure. I have no need to stifle the College after all. Though I do hope that this entire unpleasant affair is over.” Aunty Ariana said.
The Dean just sighed, “I will have Krrishank reduce the prices back to normal, though the College is still in need of another source of money. The Mage-Warrior Order’s pay day will help. But it won’t last for long.”
“On that note, I do suggest that you claim that little island named Hurrentè as your compensation. I suspect that it would float if I put it in the air.” Aunty Ariana said, making Ray sit up in surprise. What? A floating island? Ray had heard of natural ones, but there were none on the Elven continent.
The Dean was also shocked, showing emotion for the first time. A stack of papers levitated to the table along with some ink that slammed into the paper. A bunch of words appeared on it, clearly a contract.
“Are you really sure? The island itself is worth only ten million mana coins, I would be losing ninety million if I made this deal.” the Dean said.
“Would I lie to you?” Aunty Ariana asked, her voice so sweet that even Ray didn’t trust her words.
“Yes, you would do it without hesitation if it suited you. So would I, but that’s besides the point.” the Dean said, looking at her with his voice narrowed.
“In this case I am not lying, I have a vested interest in making the Mage-Warriors guild suffer.” Aunty Ariana said.
The papers disappeared as the Dean put his hands on his desk. “The embarrassment from the arrests along with the loss here will make the Order regret even thinking about the bakery. A rather large overreaction, don’t you think? The matter has escalated rather fast.”
“On the contrary, the events are far from over. The treasury and armory of the Order was raided a few hours ago by the rebellion. The Scholar sold their defense’s weaknesses for cheap.
The embarrassment of having their recruits standing in their underwear where the castle used to stand is what will really kill them. Not to mention going into debt to pay off all those bribes.” Aunty Ariana said, making Ray choke.
What? Ma had sold the Order’s defenses? And the rebellion had stolen the castle? Just how did you steal a castle? And why would they take the recruits' clothes too?
“Wha-What. Wait a second.” the Dean said, closing his eyes as Ray felt a rather shift in mana. The College shook a few minutes later as Ray looked out the window. A large rundown building appeared behind the College.
“I see that I am not the only one that has been hiding my power.” Aunty Ariana said, smiling widely.
“Well, I decided that since it was an open and close deal, it would be best if I took the island already. After all, I am doing the Order a favor.” the Dean said, telling one of the most plain lies Ray had heard in his life.
“The Duke must be furious.” the Dean stated.
“Yes, he is quite furious. I think he broke a few plates in his tantrum.” Aunty Ariana quipped back.
“I get looking down on him, but it is foolish to ignore him. After all he is still the main government here.”
“Yes, I know. And he’s called the Xnarthan for help with the rebels. In fact, one of the Emperor’s outer disciples will be coming.” Aunty Ariana replied.
“Oh, just great. So we get to deal with another brat that probably won’t get to Tier 20 but thinks he’s the next Tier 30. ” the Dean said, his irritation palpable for once.
“Tell me, do you know this Scholar person? I wonder if they know anything about Alchemy. I have a lot of money.” the Dean said, turning towards Aunty Ariana began laughing for some reason as Ray felt profoundly nervous under the Dean’s gaze.
