Phantom Hunters | Saphir Casters Academy

51 | Redemption

LI | REDEMPTION

    "How long was I out?" Kael asked, coming into consciousness only to have a wave of exhaustion paralysing his body. He cracked open his eyelids and rubbed his head when white light shot needles into his eyes.

    "A few minutes," Kly replied. "What were you thinking, you idiot? You could've been..." Kael could hear the unspoken words loud and clear as if Kly had shouted them at the top of his lungs. "Come on, little buddy. Let's get you up."

    Kael groaned, massaging his forehead as Kly helped him sit up. He blinked several times to steady his vision before he saw constables sweeping the area to investigate how a phantom had gotten into the premises. Cudóna was speaking with Maya and Nox, jotting down notes.

    "Do you know what I did?" was the first thing out of Kael's mouth. He felt sick as the memories of Cerrix flooded back to him. He still didn't know how he was supposed to kill a phantom when they were so clearly still human to him. He never anticipated that he'd struggle with eradicating a phantom.

    Kly chuckled humourlessly. "Nox told me all about it. You defeated a phagocytic blighter, and you landed an attack on a phantom. You accomplished something that even fourth years struggle with. But I still think you made a stupid, reckless decision."

    Kly grabbed his brother's arm and pulled him to his feet. Kael had to lean in for support when the world spun around him. It was then that he noticed a crowd of people approaching him. The boy who took off from the dorm smiled at him and nodded as if to say that Kael did the right thing.

    The schoolmaster took long strides towards the brothers, his long robe sweeping against the dirt. Kael caught glimpses of the old man's sandals beneath the extravagant garments.

    Reverdan gazed down at Kael with eyes softened by crow feet. He put a firm hand on Kael's shoulder, and the boy wagered that he would be able to stand still with that alone as his support.

    "My boy," the schoolmaster said, leaning over slightly so he wasn't completely towering over Kael. "In all my years, I have never seen a more reckless student than your. Though you did dispose of the threat, you would be punished for taking matters into your own hands."

    Kael opened his mouth to protest. It was bad enough that he was expelled, and he wasn't keen on staying longer just so he could do more community service. Reverdan held up his palm to stop the words from leaving Kael's mouth.

    "However," the old man continued, squeezing Kael's shoulder with reassurance. "Because you thought quick on your feet, sending someone to fetch a trained caster and buying time before the phantom could do any more damage and single handedly taking a blighter out, I don't believe a punishment is in order. You have proven to be a capable caster who can specialise in fire and not a sword, but a scythe. From here on out, I revoke your expulsion and will decree that you have passed the exam."

    A glimmer of hope blossomed in Kael's chest, and he beamed at his brother at the possibility of continuing his stay at Saphir Casters Academy.

    "But, sir." One of the advisors, Caster Libina Arendeim, stepped forward, displaying her palm in protest. "He failed the initial exam. If he gets another chance, shouldn't all the students who failed also be able to have another chance?"

    "It may be true that he failed his exam, but even then, he has proven to be quite skilled enough to pass. He may even have enough potential to be put in the special class."

    The crowd gathered around visibly bristled at the possibility. Reverdan chuckled. "I will make this the only exception. He has killed a blighter at a far higher level than the ones in the exam. Do you truly think he should be expelled despite this fact?"