"No way, that doesn't make any sense!" Draco protested instantly.
It was true that the Headmaster of Luminaris Academy was among the most capable men alive. Power-wise, he might not be able to overwhelm Draco in a direct fight, but when it came to knowledge of magic, there was probably no one else in the entire kingdom who could compare.
And yet… to accuse him of such a crime?
The very thought was outrageous!
Because Draco knew Elmandir, not as some distant ally, but as a brother closer than even blood. They had grown up together, trained together, bled together, even crawled through the valley of death together in endless battles with the demonic forces. He was the last person Draco could ever imagine betraying him.
And when it comes to Emilia… Elmandir had always been there for her since the day she was born. He had always treated her like family, like his own niece. There was no way he would ever raise a hand against her.
Not to mention… during the summoning itself, Elmandir had been the one who helped Emilia, even warning Draco about Mimi's special skill. If not for his intervention, Emilia would have been in grave danger back then.
If Elmandir had truly wished her harm, he would not have needed to lift a finger. He could have simply stood by and watched, and Emilia would already be gone.
"Do you… perhaps… have any other evidence?" Draco muttered. "You can't possibly lay such a crime on Elmandir without solid proof… right?"
"Please, Lord Siamelumis…" Ariana spoke up. "I don't think Elmandir was the one either. I know him very well. He's not the kind of person to do something like this…"
"Well, I am not saying with absolute certainty that Elmandir did it," Siamelumis replied calmly. "I am only saying… it is a possibility."
"O-okay…" Draco exhaled, forcing himself to settle down a little.
"However…" Siamelumis's voice grew sharper. "since you demand evidence… let me remind you of something. Think back, Draco. Remember what Elmandir did when you leapt into the summoning circle in your rage… after you noticed the spot that had been tampered with Albinite Shard Dust."
"Huh?" Draco blinked, his brow furrowing. "What he did… when I teleported into the circle?"
"Yes," Siamelumis pressed. "He tried to stop you, didn't he?"
"Hm… yes. He did try to stop me…" Draco's voice slowed as he recalled. "But I pushed him away… and even injured his hand…"
A silence fell over the barrier.
Then, almost at the same time, both Draco and Ariana's eyes widened. They turned toward each other, gasping as the realization struck.
"Oh no…" Draco muttered under his breath.
"Come to think of it… that is suspicious…" Ariana whispered, her face pale.
Because in normal circumstances, even in the heat of his rage, Draco knew it was nearly impossible that a simple shove would have created such a violent blast, one strong enough to wound Elmandir.
But such a thing was possible under one condition: the presence of Albinite Shard Dust.
With its mana-disruptive nature, even the faintest trace of the dust could cause violent reactions when touched by magic. If Elmandir had indeed tampered with the summoning circle using those shards, then the dust might have clung to his hand. And when Draco's flames struck him, the particles could have ignited, unleashing that explosion.
"Of course, It could also have been nothing more than your own fury making you struck harder than you realized in the heat of the moment." Siamelumis added.
"Yes…" Draco admitted with a long sigh. "That moment happened so fast, I can barely remember it clearly… But…" He clenched his fists. "You're right, Lord Siamelumis. Elmandir does seem suspicious after all."
***
"But… if it's Elmandir… then what's his motive?" Ariana muttered, her brows knitting in doubt.
"Hmmm…" Draco fell silent, thinking long and hard. But in the end, he could only shake his head. "I don't know, Ariana."
It didn't make sense. Elmandir had helped Emilia, even gone so far as to heal her. If his true goal had been to kill her, he had already missed the perfect chance. No—if anything, it seemed more likely that he had only wanted to disrupt her summoning. But for what purpose? What could he possibly gain?
"Again, let's not assume Elmandir is the one behind this," Lord Siamelumis said firmly. "I was only voicing my suspicion, so that you two will not let your guard down, especially against the Headmaster of Luminaris"
"Yes… thank you, my Lord." Draco bowed his head in gratitude.
"And no matter the motive," Siamelumis continued, "the most important thing is to protect Emilia."
"You're right," Draco said with a nod.
Then, after a pause, he raised his head, "Lord Siamelumis… what should we do now?"
At that moment, there's an undeniable truth: Emilia was vulnerable, far too vulnerable! If the true culprit intended to harm her, there was every chance they would strike again in the future.
What could he do? What could Ariana do?
If they truly wanted Emilia's life… how could they protect her now?
After all, they had already failed once. During the summoning ritual, they had been utterly powerless, defeated without even knowing how.
"I hate to admit it," Draco sighed, "but right now, the Clan is the least safe place for Emilia."
Ariana's lips quivered. She bit down hard, trying to steady herself, but her hands still trembled at her sides. Because deep down, she thought the same.
And the situation was only about to get worse. Soon, Draco would have to march to the border to face the forces of darkness. Ariana herself might be summoned there as well, depending on the orders she received from Fauveline. Emilia's grandfather was still far away on his mission, unable to return. And as for Lord Siamelumis, though her divine gaze could cover the entire Clan, the fact that the saboteur had already slipped past it once meant they could do so again.
Which meant that, before long, Emilia might be left to fend for herself.
Like a lamb trapped in a den of wolves.
Who knew what could happen?
"Then… allow me to propose something," Lord Siamelumis said at last.
The two of them turned to her instantly, listening with all their focus.
And though their first instinct was to resist, to reject the idea outright, in the end they could not.
Because deep down, they knew, this was the only option left to protect Emilia.