Remiel stared at the defiant young men, processing Nephtali's demands.
"Are you truly mocking me, Sariel?" Remiel challenged, his voice strained. "Why would you train the blood of those who betrayed you? What is your actual objective?"
"My objective is to lead this Division and resurrect the Ministry Sector," Nephtali replied, his gaze intense. "The Ministry Sector was superior to all other Guardian Sectors, comprised of ancient warriors possessing diverse combat specializations. They can teach the new generation their distinct fighting styles, strengthening the Guardians of this era."
Natalie watched her brother, silently nodding. Remiel remained quiet, absorbing the information.
"If I simply destroy the Council, I only waste time," Nephtali continued. "I cannot undo the past, but I will not allow your actions against me to go without consequence."
"Everything you demand will be honored," Remiel capitulated. "Only promise me you will not harm any Guardian, especially our kin."
"If my demands are met, we have nothing more to discuss," Nephtali concluded. "Operations in this Division will continue as normal. If any of your personnel interfere, you know what my response will be."
Nephtali turned and walked away. Ram looked at Remiel, then followed Nephtali, quickly joined by Henrik and Venice. Natalie let out a long, weary sigh.
Later that evening, in her private room, Natalie sat on her containment Oration, contemplating Ram's strange lineage. Nephtali knocked and entered, sitting down on a nearby stool.
"Your request to Remiel—it sounded like you wish to lead the Council," Natalie observed. "Your words certainly pointed that way."
"I am merely taking back what you started," Nephtali said simply.
"Position means little to me," Natalie shook her head. "What matters are the Codes that every being on Earth must follow."
"How can they follow your Codes if the leadership is ignorant and self-serving?" Nephtali countered. "Remiel cares only for his kin, and Hector only for his position and wealth. I will slowly reclaim the Council and reform the Guardians myself."
Natalie stood and approached her brother. "Your strategy is correct. But promise me you won't forget why you are doing this. You may wake up one day to realize you've hurt people in the pursuit of power."
"I know you worry," he said, his eyes softening, "but I know you are here to guide me."
The Oration under Natalie suddenly pulsed, emitting a faint light.
"What are you doing?" Nephtali asked.
"I'm asking the Chains if Ram possesses the blood of an ancient warrior," Natalie explained, focused. "The Chains confirm it. He is of our blood, from one of our brothers, but I can't yet tell which one."
"I trusted Ram immediately when I met him. Can you find out who his father is?"
"It will take a few more days."
"While you wait for the Chains' answer, I have a task for you concerning Ram and his former best friend, Shin. They must resolve their differences before your test. They have a major conflict and are still at odds. Find out the nature of their problem, and they must reconcile quickly. They possess unusual abilities that qualify them for the Ministry Sector."
"Brother, isn't it wrong to interfere in the problems of other beings?"
"If you don't do this, you will struggle here in the Division. You are the sole Minister, and you yourself will administer the examinations for the trainees next year. These two will be invaluable assistants to you."
Natalie's interest was piqued. "So, they will be working with me?"
"If they pass your examination, and if they reconcile during one of your tests."
"Wait, I am not a Goddess! They can't just reconcile during a single test! I don't work miracles, Brother."
"I know you can do it. I have great faith in you."
Nephtali smiled, and Natalie scowled, annoyed by his certainty.
In a distant training ground, Ram sat alone, lost in thought. Luna hurried in, retrieving her weapon, then stopped short when she saw him.
"Forgive me, Headmaster, I didn't see you. I'll leave."
"I didn't tell you to leave. Do what you need to do."
Luna resumed her practice. Ram remained preoccupied, staring into the distance, until he noticed Luna's faulty technique. He approached her, taking hold of her weapon.
"Your grip is wrong. Your hands are too soft, and your arms lack power. You'll drop it easily, just as you did when you struck me," Ram instructed, his tone firm yet helpful. "Tighten your grip, but channel strength into your hands and arms."
"I will remember your instruction, Headmaster Ram."
Ram then noticed a tall, handsome young man—Shin—approaching Superior Nephtali's office. Luna also saw the newcomer, who was Ram's equal in stature and good looks. Ram glared at the man.
"Headmaster Ram, is there another new trainee?" Luna asked.
"Just continue your practice, and do not approach that man." Ram left abruptly. Luna watched him go, wondering about the new arrival.
Shin had just left Superior Nephtali's office. He was immediately spotted by Henrik and Dmitry.
"Shin?! What are you doing here?" Henrik asked, shocked.
"I don't think this month is going to be good for this Division," Dmitry muttered to Henrik. "Is there still a chance to transfer?"
"Henrik? Dmitry? It's been a while since we finished our Junior Master training," Shin greeted them cheerfully.
Henrik and Dmitry exchanged a glance.
"Do you know who else is here right now?" Henrik asked cautiously.
Shin paused. "I know he's here. Why? Is this place too small for the two of us? I understand anyone can train under Superior Nephtali, so here I am."
"I would rather see Natalie cause trouble than watch those two fight in front of us," Dmitry groaned.
"I can't wait to meet Minister Natalie and become her Junior," Shin continued, undeterred. "I'll get to work with the best Minister of this generation."
"Don't tell me you're also under Superior Nephtali's care?" Henrik demanded. "How did that happen? And do you even know who Superior Nephtali truly is?"
"I used my skill as a Guardian, and the Grandminister accepted me," Shin replied smoothly. "He saw that I fulfilled my duty and was diligent as a Headmaster. I am not like others who rely on their father's influence just to be accepted."
Henrik glared at Shin, stung by the thinly veiled jab.
In the Master's Hall, Natalie was happily devouring delicious food in the middle of her friends. The men, however, were silent, exchanging nervous looks.
"What is your problem?" Fairah demanded. "You've been staring at each other without speaking. Did you get into a fight?"
"No," Fedor mumbled. "They just saw someone we used to train with back when we were Junior Masters."
"Just a former colleague? Why the dramatic looks? You must have fought him back then, right?" Adira pressed.
"A colleague and friend—one who was almost a brother to the finest among us—who betrayed him," Dmitry clarified, his voice low.
Adira went silent, her gaze darting between the men. Fairah, confused, looked at Adira.
"Adira? You too? Who are you talking about?"
Venice punched the table, anger flooding her face. Natalie looked up, surprised by the sudden seriousness of her friends.
"I don't want to see that traitor!" Venice seethed. "He is utterly ungrateful! If it weren't for him, Ram wouldn't have been imprisoned for so long!"
"Venice, don't speak ill of others, especially when you are sitting in front of food," Ram warned. "Finish your meal, and stop talking." Ram sat down beside Natalie.
"What is going on?" Natalie asked, bewildered.
The group went silent, avoiding her gaze.
"Because of Venice's senseless anger, I spilled my drink," Natalie complained, tapping her cup.
"I'll get you another one." Ram stood up.
As Ram walked out, Shin entered. Their eyes locked across the room. Everyone in the hall watched them.
"Ram, don't start a fight here," Henrik warned.
"Serious question," Natalie interjected. "What exactly happened?"
"Ram and Shin were close friends, and something happened that made them enemies," Adira explained.
"And worse, Superior Nephtali took Shin under his protection too," Dmitry added. "They clearly haven't resolved their issues, so they're bound to fight here."
"What is so bad about them being together now?" Natalie smiled, looking at her friends. "They won't have trouble getting along since they know each other so well, right?"
Her friends simply ignored her, refusing to engage with her logic.
"I also heard about them, but I never knew why they became enemies," Fairah said, quietly. "They are both excellent fighters."
"Let's not dwell on the past," Ram said, returning with Natalie's drink.
As Ram crossed the room, he and Shin passed each other, ignoring the other's presence. Everyone stared. Natalie, struck by an idea, looked at the two young men. With a quick flick of her finger, she directed a small pulse of energy at both Ram and Shin. They both flinched, turning to glare at each other.
"If you have something to say, approach me and I'll answer you properly," Shin challenged.
"I won't waste a second on the likes of you," Ram spat back.
The tension was palpable. Suddenly, Kalmin rushed in carrying a pie. Natalie, unnoticed, materialized one of her special, invisible ropes and tripped him. Kalmin fell, the pie flying from his hands straight toward Ram and Shin. Both men dodged instantly, using their footwork to float into the air. They managed to avoid the pie, but ended up gripping each other's hands for balance as they hovered.
"What is going on here?" Master Red demanded, entering the Hall.
Natalie quickly hid under the table.
"Master Red, I am to blame," Kalmin stammered. "I wasn't looking where I was going, and I dropped the pie. Forgive me!"
Red looked at Shin and Ram, who immediately let go of each other and separated.
"I think we know who is responsible for this chaos," Fairah said, pointing a finger at Natalie, who was hiding beneath the table.
Natalie immediately emerged. "I caused the chaos? I was just sitting here, doing nothing! I wouldn't do any of those things you're accusing me of!"
"Natalie!" Red's voice was stern.
"I'm in trouble again," she muttered.
Natalie walked up to Red, looking like a guilty child.
"How many times have I told you not to cause trouble? What did you do this time?"
"I was only eating, sir. I didn't do anything. You can ask them."
Red wrote something in the air, and Natalie's invisible ropes materialized, floating around the room. Natalie merely smiled at him.
"Follow me to the Cursed Chamber, all three of you: you, Shin, and Ram!"
Ram and Shin exchanged glares, then followed Red.
In the Cursed Chamber, the Orations of Containment instantly weakened the two young men. Natalie stood tall, the magic completely ineffective against her. Superior Nephtali arrived and approached her.
"I told you not to cause trouble, and you did it again!" Nephtali scolded. "If you cause trouble again tomorrow, I will extend your stay here to three days."
"I didn't think those two would take the small amount of energy I threw at them so seriously," Natalie explained, looking at Ram and Shin. "I just wanted to see if they would really explode if they faced each other, like ice and fire meeting."
The two young men stared at Natalie in disbelief.
"Didn't I tell you not to use your power?" Nephtali demanded.
"Superior, forgive us," Ram managed to say.
Nephtali flicked his finger, casting a counter-Oraton on the area where the two men sat, shielding them from the magic. Ram and Shin sighed in relief, slumping down, exhausted by the surrounding weight. Nephtali took Natalie's wounded hand, inspecting the swollen cut.
"The poison is spreading in your hand. If it doesn't heal soon, I'll have to cut your hand off."
"Don't joke about that, Brother!" Natalie snatched her hand back, hiding it. Shin watched them, confused.
"And you two," Nephtali addressed Ram and Shin. "If you don't stop fighting, you won't complete Natalie's training. She will be your first instructor, and if you pass her test, I will give you your assignments. You must pass her."
"Are you really going to make me a referee for those two?" Natalie complained. "They don't get along! They'll just spend the whole day fighting in front of me instead of training."
"You are accustomed to chaos, so this suits you."
"Just lock me in here for three months, Brother!"
"You will begin training them tomorrow. Be early at the office; I will be waiting. Give me your hand."
Nephtali gently tied his kerchief around Natalie's wound and then left. The protective Oraton around Ram and Shin vanished, but Natalie quickly cast a new one for them. They looked at her, stunned.
"Thank you, Minister Natalie," Shin said.
"Why did you do that earlier, Natalie?" Ram asked.
"Nothing. I just wanted to cause chaos. If I hadn't, you wouldn't be locked up together."
"What?! You did that just to get us locked in here?" Shin exclaimed.
"I don't want to talk to him, no matter what you do." Ram was defiant.
Natalie's Oraton vanished. The two men struggled, noses bleeding from the magical pressure, but neither spoke.
"E-enough!" Shin finally choked out. "I'll talk!"
"I won't listen to you!" Ram struggled.
Natalie restored the Oraton, then sat down, facing them.
"It's hard to trust someone again, especially a former betrayer," Natalie began, her eyes piercing. "But did Shin truly betray you, Ram? Or was it all a pretense to prevent Shin from being exiled from the Guardians?"
The two men froze, stunned by her insight.