The guards sealed off the area with a large stone structure so that the students in the area startled awake would not be exploded to the horrifying scene.
Markus meanwhile was shaken to his very core and turned non-verbal. He was escorted to the infirmary and isolated away from anyone else.
The headmistress co-ordinated everyone and ensured nobody knew what truly happened within. Rodrigo was only knocked out however he was let go due to incompetence.
By the middle of the day, most people were confused however it was clear that something happened to Markus Windwave who's room was blown open and nowhere to be found in his lessons.
By the afternoon, lessons reached an end and the headmistress finally made her way to the infirmary with a golden crystal in hand.
Markus was sat up in a bed but he curled up and his eyes were fixated in front of him. He had developed some dark circles under his eyes, from terror and insomnia.
"Markus… I think we should talk." Charlotte said, sitting down and channelling essence into the crystal.
It lit up but no sound came from it.
Markus looked away from her and said nothing.
"I shouldn't have killed them before you. I admit, it was a step too far. But do not think it is my fault they died. Their death is on you." She said with a calm but cold tone.
Markus eyes widened and tears began to form in his eyes.
"You knew it deep down. But in the moment the only thing you cared about was survival. It was a clever move but it would have cost you dearly." She said, looking at him and waiting to hear a response.
"It seems you have no interest to engage. That is fine. You can just listen." She said, sighing and then taking a deep breath.
"I know you are an imperial vessel. I know that you awakened during experiments on you to ascertain your powers. And I know that Bailey was on the verge of figuring you out- and you knew that too. Otherwise you would not have fought back so hard- as if your life depended on it. You thought that it did, so you used every trick you could think of to survive." She said, a hint of pride in there.
"I also know who is pulling your strings. 'She' has very high hopes for you, which is why the entire Juren family has been killed for 'treason'. You are very precious for her majesty so this is a reasonable sacrifice." She said with a cold tone.
Markus turned to face her, tears now streaming down his face as he realised that his ploy led to the deaths of an entire noble family.
'One phrase led to so many deaths… ' he thought in horror.
"W-what about Jack..?" He asks with a quivering voice
"He will live. A mere child cannot be involved in treason. However, he has lost his family and will not be attending the academy until next year." She said with a shrug
"I didn't mean for this to happen!" He said with anger in his tone
"I have a question. Why didn't you run?" She asked with intrigue
"… I don't know- I thought I could take them on until the guards arrived. But I was wrong…" he said, looking down at the ground, his voice nothing higher than a whisper
"So they died because of your ego. You wouldn't run- too proud to. It's a shame. Miss Fallie praised your composure in light of your evolution." She said, seemingly disappointed he let a mere evolution to learner inflate his ego this much
Markus did not care to reply.
"Then one more question. How did you know they were outside?" She asked with a casual tone
"I-I felt it—" he stammered
"No. You didn't. They were concealed at the expert level. Meaning unless they were in the same room, a mere learner could not normally sense them." She said, matter of fact.
"Well Bailey reported I'm not normal! I got shell on my second try!" He tried to cover up but sweat beads began to form already
"That was my second point- no apprentice in history has been able to form a shell so quickly. A miracle or two may happen within a person's lifetime. But two within a month? No. There is more to it. Isn't that right?"
"I- I—" he tried to think of something but there was nothing he could say.
"So there is something. Very well. It is only a matter of time before we find out what that is. It was a good talk. I expect you to be back to your lessons tomorrow."
"… fine…" he said, waiting for her to leave.
The headmistress turned the crystal off and left, closing the door behind her.
Markus sat in the silence left by her departure.
"It seems more people are aware of you than you thought. But it would also seem they are interested in something else besides killing you. That guy- Micheal- seemed to be aware that they intend to… huh… the puppet master really is insane." The voice spoke as it realised something.
"What is it?" Markus asked aloud
"It is better if you do not know. Right now, compliance is your best policy. But I will tell you when the time is right." The voice said, refusing to elaborate.
"It seems everyone has their own plans with me! A whole family was killed because of this title and power! So what if I can connect to spirit power! Why the hell does it even matter! I know that past emperors were horrible but I'm not like them— I just want a nice life and enough power to protect it!" He shouted in anger and frustration
'A child knows nothing of the world… but you will learn that only as emperor do you possess the strength to live as you please. And even then, just barely.' The voice thought to itself, thinking as if recalling a bitter memory
It seemed as if Markus and the voice were overdue a conversation too.
"I think we should talk too, Markus." The voice said with a coaxing tone
"What do you want now?" Markus asked
"I will answer some of your questions. But in exchange, you must swear me an oath that in two critical moments, you will listen to my advice and follow it, rather than act on your own impulse." The voice offered.
"… fine. Why are imperial vessels hated? We've done nothing wrong." Markus contested
"But you will. There are two things that make you dangerous. As you mature, you will be able to command unnatural power which defies the very rules of the world. That's the first thing. The second is that, by amassing enough power and having a completely matured body, you can become the host of one of the primordial spirits. By becoming the host, you will gain the power to make the world fall to its knees." The voice talked in a reminiscing tone.
"So I will gain abnormal powers and when I grow up enough I can host primordial power that makes me the strongest?" Markus asked, trying to wrap his mind around it.
"Yes. As you can imagine, the strong within the world do not wish to be your lessers, so they will try to stop you." The voice talked with conviction.
"Okay… then who is doing all of this to me?" Markus asked
"My best guess? The current monarch of your continent. That accursed Windbourne referred to the puppet master as her majesty and talked about fabricating treason. It is most likely the Queen then, Elizabeth Crystallia. Another accursed person- you seem to be surrounded by them." The voice said with a dry humour in its voice.
"So… if the more powerful one is… the higher their rank in power and title… then that means…" Markus began to connect the dots
"The strongest person within the kingdom is pulling your strings and controlling your life, yes. How does it feel to know that a mere learner has the attention of a monarch, someone who is the strongest master within the continent. Actually- you were an apprentice when this all began. Good for you." The voice praised sarcastically.
"You're not funny! So what do I do!" Markus asked
"Nothing. You do what you are told and do not complain too much along the way. I'm growing tired so I will tell you this last bit. You are probably not the only imperial vessel under her control. So unless you wish to be disposed of, I suggest you comply and prove your worth." The voice said, before fading out.
"But I had one more question! Who are you!" Markus asked
But no response came out. Either on purpose or the time to chat simply ran out. Regardless, who the mysterious voice was, remained a secret… for now.
Meanwhile in the headmistress' office.
"I hope the transmission was clear, your majesty." Charlotte Windbourne said, kneeling before the crystal which seemed to project the image of a mature woman in her mid 30s.
She was stunning with long golden locks of hair which curled downward and fell down her shoulders and back with regal poise.
Her facial features were sharp. Her eyes were golden like the ichor of gods. Although her height could not be determined, it was clear she was tall, at least 180cm.
Not a single mark or blemish on her face- she was the image of a goddess.
"It was. I am satisfied with the message given to him. But I would have appreciated to find the truth behind his extra-ordinary achievements. Although it is already quite rare to be able to use an element, there are other elements about him which I wish to uncover. He is my most promising candidate therefore I need all the information available. Alas, through the passage a time more information will be uncovered." She spoke with a calmness and strength which made her words seem like prophecies.
"Is it your will to increase protection around him?" Charlotte asked
"Indeed. For now, I want him to ascend to be an expert. His birthday is nearly upon us. Therefore, within two years, by his fifteenth birthday, I want him to be an expert. Bailey Nuune may be used to accelerate his progress should there be a need. I have received your report on her suspicion, therefore, if she is to be contracted she must take an oath of secrecy and obedience, ensuring she must never maliciously harm him." She said with surgical precision
"By your command, I shall complete this task to your satisfaction." She said, bowing her head with her right palm placed over her heart.
"Very good. I expect positive reports moving forward. Dismissed." She said before cutting off the connection.
Charlotte's heart was racing. Advancing someone two ranks within two years was an almost insurmountable task… but she did not have a choice.
The will of the monarch was final. Therefore Markus had to advance. For his sake and hers.