The next morning, Eldara Academy didn't feel like the same place.The once-bustling courtyards were quiet, the usual laughter and chatter replaced by a thick tension. Whispers followed Lyn Ashveil wherever he walked — half awe, half suspicion.
"That's him… the Class E Tamer.""They say he triggered something beneath the vaults.""Impossible. Tamers can't even access those wards—unless…"
Lyn sighed, adjusting the strap of his cloak. Umbra padded beside him, its smoky form condensed into a wolf the size of a large hound — compact enough to avoid alarming everyone.
"They stare like you've grown two heads," Umbra murmured."Feels like it," Lyn said quietly. "Yesterday I was invisible. Now I'm a walking mystery."
As they made their way toward the training grounds, a messenger from the faculty intercepted him — a tall, stern man in formal robes, bearing the academy's silver insignia.
"Lyn Ashveil," he said curtly. "You are summoned by the Council. Effective immediately."
Lyn blinked. "The Council? As in the Council?"
"You are to report to the Grand Hall at the twelfth bell. Do not be late."
Before Lyn could ask why, the man vanished into the crowd, leaving behind only the faint shimmer of teleportation magic.
Umbra tilted its head. "This can't be good."
"No," Lyn said, "but we don't really get to say no, do we?"
The Grand Hall
The Council Chamber was massive — a circular room of marble and rune-etched glass. Five seats lined the dais, occupied by the academy's highest authorities: the Archmagister, the Head Knight Commander, the Beastlord Representative, and two neutral adjudicators.
Lyn stepped into the center, feeling suddenly small. His footsteps echoed off the polished floor.
The Archmagister, a woman with silver hair and eyes like crystal, spoke first.
"Lyn Ashveil," she began, voice calm but commanding, "you are aware of why you stand here?"
Lyn swallowed. "The incident in the lower vaults."
"Incident?" The Head Knight Commander barked a laugh. "You breached a restricted barrier, unleashed unregistered mana entities, and caused a tremor that reached half the campus."
"I didn't mean—""Intent does not absolve consequence," another council member interrupted.
The Archmagister raised her hand, silencing the debate. "And yet," she said, eyes narrowing, "our records show that the mana signatures in the vault were not destructive. They were… harmonic."
The council murmured among themselves.
"Explain what happened," the Archmagister commanded.
Lyn hesitated. How much could he say? If he told them about the Ancient Shadow, they might brand him dangerous. But lying would be worse.
"A presence," Lyn said finally. "Old… older than anything I've felt. It spoke. It warned me that the seals below are weakening."
A heavy silence fell. The Archmagister leaned forward.
"You mean the Seals of Eldara," she whispered. "Those are myths.""Then the myth spoke to me," Lyn replied softly.
From the corner of the chamber, a voice scoffed.
"Or he's making it up for attention."
Lyn turned.Standing there was Arden Veyne, a prodigy from Class A — silver hair, immaculate uniform, and a smirk that radiated arrogance.
"Tamers always exaggerate," Arden continued. "Next he'll say his beast can talk."
Umbra's golden eyes flashed. "Say that again, boy," it growled.
The chamber froze. The council members stared in disbelief.Umbra had spoken aloud.
"Impossible…" whispered the Beastlord Representative. "A Tamer-class beast… with verbal resonance?"
The Archmagister rose slowly. "Perhaps," she said, voice calm but trembling with intrigue, "this is no ordinary bond."
Lyn placed a hand on Umbra's head. "We didn't choose this. But I'll learn to control it."
"See that you do," the Archmagister said. "Until then, you are under watch. You will remain enrolled but monitored."
Arden smirked as Lyn turned to leave.
"Enjoy your leash, Class E."
Lyn didn't reply. But the faint shimmer of golden mana around his crest said enough — a promise, not of submission, but of rebellion quietly brewing beneath the surface.