Edward leaned back slightly, his lips twitching—not quite a smile, but close. He clapped his hands together, the sharp crack echoing like thunder.
"Well then," he said, his gaze locking onto Garrick. "It seems this matter isn't as clear as you claimed. Care to revisit your judgment, Master Garrick? Or…"
Edward's tone sharpened into a smirk, "…shall I do as you yourself suggested and take this straight to Lady Grandmaster Maya? If you insist, we can start by submitting your four disciples to questioning. After all, you did say her wisdom was required."
Nobles froze, their faces draining of triumph. Garrick's composure wavered—his authority twisted against him, his own words turned into a noose. He clenched his jaw, muttering curses beneath his breath, but for the first time, he had no retort.
"Or," Edward said, his smirk never wavering, "if you want, I have another solution. Call it… less humiliating."
His gaze swept first to Shaun and Natasha, then to Rufus and his friends. "We can end this matter here and now—like gentlemen. With a mutual apology."
"But why should we apologise?" Natasha's black eyes flared like storm clouds. She stepped forward, her yellow hanfu swaying sharply with her movement. "We didn't start this."
"Master Edward is right. Even though we didn't start this…"
A softer voice cut through her storm. Shaun's hand gently caught her wrist, his touch steady, reassuring. He swallowed, then lifted his chin, meeting Garrick's glare with quiet defiance.
"…we should be the first to end it," His voice was calm, resolute.
"We're sorry—for our part. For the disturbance we caused."
Natasha's lips parted, her pride bristling. She turned her face away, pout tugging at her mouth as sparks flickered faintly at her fingertips. For a long moment, she resisted. But then, catching Shaun's calm, steady expression, her resolve faltered.
"Tch…" She exhaled sharply, shoulders slumping with reluctant surrender.
"Fine. Like I said—we didn't start this. But… I'm sorry too. For my part in the ruckus."
Shaun's lips curved into a small, proud smile. Across the room, Edward's mouth twitched with approval, and Lily's eyes softened with quiet relief. Then Edward's gaze shifted, sharp as steel, to Garrick and his disciples.
"Now… it's your turn, boys."
Garrick's lip curled. The nobles shifted; polished boots scraped the floor like distant thunder. Darius's hand twitched toward the hilt of his decorative dagger but froze under Garrick's cold look.
A humourless laugh escaped Garrick. He swept his gaze over Shaun and Natasha as if cataloguing their insolence, then crossed his arms and lifted his chin.
"Apologies? From nobles to commoners?" His voice was a cold blade. "You put them on equal footing and ask for contrition? Preposterous. We owe them nothing. No apology from us."
He turned on his heel, cloak flaring in a deliberate, disdainful motion.
"Let's go, boys. This isn't worth our time."
Boots echoed on floor—an orchestrated retreat of wounded pride. At the doorway Garrick paused. He did not turn all the way back, but his voice carried clear as a bell.
"Mark my words, Hamilton." The words were slow, deliberate. "You can shield them now. But when they fall, their ruin will be your making."
Edward's jaw tightened; the muscles at his throat worked like ropes. For a heartbeat the two men stared—steel against calm—before Garrick's contempt snapped outward again, this time aimed directly at Shaun and Natasha.
"This isn't over. You two will get what's coming. You'll pay."
Then the room emptied. The nobles filed past in a tight line, boots clicking in a cold, measured rhythm. As Rufus reached the threshold he paused, turned, and lifted his chin in one last sneer—half defiance, half promise. The door slammed behind them; the sound struck the chamber and lingered like an omen. Silence settled in the wake of their exit, heavy and watchful.
Edward exhaled slowly, the tension draining from his shoulders. He shook his head, a weary sigh escaping his lips.
"Some people never change… do they?"
His gaze shifted to Shaun and Natasha—firm, but not without warmth. "Listen well. You're free to go, for now. But next time… if anything like this happens, you come to me before your fists start flying. Do you understand?"
"Y-Yes, Master Edward! We're sorry. We didn't mean to cause trouble," Shaun stammered, fingers fidgeting with the hem of his black vest. He shot a sheepish glance at Natasha.
Natasha huffed but softened, her storm-black eyes steady.
"Alright. No more brawls." She gave Shaun a small nudge at his side, her lips tugging upward despite herself.
Edward's stern expression eased, if only slightly. He leaned back, arms folding. "Good. See that you mean it."
With a respectful bow, the two disciples turned and left. Their footsteps echoed against the stone floor, fading as the oak door groaned shut behind them.
The chamber grew quiet once more. Edward leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming the desk. Beside him, Lily let out the breath she'd been holding, her eyes lingering on the door with quiet worry.
**********
The chamber felt heavier now, the air thick with unspoken doubts about the academy's fragile peace.
"Master Edward," Lily said softly, her pink hanfu rustling as she shifted uneasily, "are you certain you won't tell Lady Maya about this?"
Edward tapped his chin, his gaze distant. He leaned against the oak table, its scarred surface catching the lantern light.
"No, Lily. This stays with us. It's our duty as teachers to handle matters like these. Lady Maya carries enough on her shoulders as Grandmaster. Minor squabbles shouldn't reach her ears."
Lily's brow furrowed, worry etching her delicate features. Then, as though recalling something, her eyes sharpened. She lowered herself into a chair opposite Edward.
"Master Edward, that's exactly why I came. For three months now, the number of Commoner disciples has been steadily dropping. And after what happened today… I can't help but wonder—what if these incidents are connected?"
Edward straightened, his tone cautious. "What are you suggesting, Lily?"
She drew in a breath, steadying herself. "I fear it's more than petty clashes. It feels orchestrated, as if someone is trying to drive Commoners out of Silver Heaven Academy altogether. And I'm afraid it may not just be disciples involved…" Her voice wavered, but her eyes held firm. "Some teachers could be part of it too. This isn't just about bruised pride anymore—it's tearing the academy apart."
Edward's silence lingered, heavy. At last, he sighed, shoulders sinking.
"Now that you say it… even I've noticed the pattern. At first, I thought they were leaving because the pressure was too much. But after today, yes—there could be something deliberate at work."
He leaned back in his chair, eyes tracing the ceiling as his words grew more sombre.
"But without proof, we're chasing shadows. Noble-Commoner rivalry is older than the academy itself. One incident isn't enough to expose a larger scheme."
The chamber seemed to shrink, the walls pressing closer with the weight of their unspoken fears.
Lily pressed her lips together, as though to argue, but chose silence. Instead, Edward's gaze steadied, his tone firm with resolve.
"Don't worry, Lily. I'll look into this—quietly. But don't tell Lady Maya yet. Not until we have evidence. If Katherine learns we're stirring this pot, it could spark an open war between her and Maya. And in the end… the disciples will suffer most."
Lily smoothed her sleeves, rising to her feet. Her voice softened, but the tremor of concern lingered.
"I trust you, Master Edward. For the disciples' sake, I'll keep this between us. But promise me… be careful. I don't want to lose anyone else."
Edward allowed himself a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Lily."
She returned it faintly, then turned, her footsteps light as she slipped toward the door. When the chamber fell silent again, Edward remained at his desk, fingers drumming against the oak in a restless rhythm. His jaw tightened, eyes narrowing on the empty doorway.
"If teachers like Garrick are truly involved… this academy may already be poisoned. Garrick… what are you plotting?"
**********