"You want Elena under Elven protection because you fear for her safety here. I want her to stay because I believe she needs to grow strong among her peers," Hamdal began, his voice steady.
"The students are heading to Grimhold. It is a dangerous path, yes, but it leads toward the neutral territories—and eventually, it borders the Elven fringes."
Hamdal folded his hands over his desk. "Let Elena Moonshadow join them. She will travel with Grey and the others. This journey will be her 'forge.' If she makes it to the border of your lands through her own strength and the help of her comrades, you may take her for your 'specialized training' then. But until that moment, she remains a student of this academy, moving under her own will."
Armin whistled. "Sending the girl into the wild with a bunch of first-years while the Eclipse Beasts are hunting her? You're a cold one, Hamdal."
