The academy was in an uproar. By morning, the story had spread: a catastrophic magical accident had destroyed the Restricted Section. The official notice, posted in every hall, cited a "structural instability in the foundational Laws" and assured students that Proctor Valerius had heroically contained the damage.
Alex and Lyra moved through the crowded halls, listening to the whispers.
"They're saying it was a Law of Entropy that got loose," Finn told them at breakfast, his eyes wide. "That the old books up there were so powerful they started decaying the magic around them."
Maya nodded, ever the pragmatist. "It makes sense. Those texts contain theoretical Laws that were never meant to be implemented. Their very existence creates instability."
Alex met Lyra's eyes across the table. The cover story was perfect—it explained the destruction while hiding the truth of their confrontation.
Their relief was short-lived. During their morning Law Theory class, Proctor Valerius entered. The room fell silent. He looked exactly as he always did—composed, severe, and utterly in control. There was no sign of the man who had tried to bring a library down on them just hours before.
"Due to the unfortunate incident in the library," he began, his voice calm and measured, "the curriculum will be adjusted. All students will now participate in practical demonstrations of Law stability and containment. We must ensure such an accident never happens again."
His eyes swept the room, lingering on Alex for a heartbeat too long.
"Additionally," Valerius continued, "the Head Proctor has approved my request for a new initiative. Student mentorships. The most promising students will be paired with Proctors for advanced, one-on-one instruction."
He unrolled a scroll. "The first pairing: Kaelen Silverwood will be my personal mentee."
Alex's blood ran cold. This wasn't a punishment; it was a cage. Under the guise of special training, Valerius would have him under constant observation.
"Congratulations, Kaelen," Finn whispered, oblivious. "No first-year has ever been chosen for a Proctor mentorship!"
Lyra's face had gone pale. She understood exactly what this meant.
After class, Valerius gestured for Alex to remain. When the room had emptied, he approached.
"An interesting night, wouldn't you say, Kaelen?" The Lexicon's voice was deceptively mild. "So much... energy in the air. So many possibilities."
"I'm sorry about the library, Proctor," Alex said, keeping his eyes downcast.
"Are you?" Valerius smiled thinly. "Accidents happen. But they also provide opportunities. As my mentee, you will help me with a special project: restoring what was lost. We will be spending much time together in the coming weeks."
The threat was clear: I will be watching your every move.
Their first mentorship session was that afternoon in Valerius's private study. The room was lined with bookshelves and strange magical instruments. In the center stood a complex apparatus of crystal and silver that hummed with power.
"This is an Aetheric Resonator," Valerius explained. "It allows me to analyze the fundamental structure of magical energy. Place your hands on the crystal plates."
Alex hesitated. This was a trap. He could feel it.
"Something wrong, Kaelen?" Valerius asked, his tone light but his eyes sharp.
"No, Proctor." Alex placed his hands on the cold crystal. Immediately, he felt the device trying to probe his magic, to map the unique signature of his power.
He focused, trying to project the image of a normal, if talented, student. He visualized the standard patterns of Law-weaving, the common flows of Aether. But he could feel the resonator pushing deeper, searching for the nullification ability that Valerius suspected.
Sweat beaded on his forehead. The pressure was immense. He felt his control slipping, his true power threatening to surface and shatter the delicate instrument.
Suddenly, the door to the study burst open.
"Proctor Valerius! A moment of your time!"
It was Lyra, looking flustered and holding a stack of papers. "The Head Proctor needs these stability reports immediately, and he said only you can verify them."
Valerius's attention shifted, the pressure on Alex easing. "Can't this wait, Cadet?"
"I'm afraid not, Proctor. He was quite insistent."
With a frustrated sigh, Valerius turned away from the resonator. "Very well. Kaelen, we will continue this tomorrow. Do not be late."
As Alex left the study, his hands still trembling, Lyra fell into step beside him.
"That was too close," she whispered once they were out of earshot. "I could feel the resonance from the hallway. He was trying to unmask you."
"How did you know to interrupt?" Alex asked.
"I didn't. I really did have papers from the Head Proctor." She smiled grimly. "But I may have exaggerated the urgency. We need to be more careful. He's not just watching you anymore—he's actively hunting."
That evening, they met in their usual spot in the garden. The moon was full, casting silver light on the manicured plants.
"We can't keep reacting," Alex said, pacing. "We need to take the fight to him. We need to find that book."
"The rubble is being cleared by Quillords under Valerius's direct supervision," Lyra reminded him. "There's no way to get to it."
"Then we find another way to learn what it contained." Alex stopped pacing. "Your sister—she was researching this too. Did she leave any notes? Anything that might help?"
Lyra's expression darkened. "They took everything when she disappeared. But... there is one place they might not have checked. Our family has a country estate. Elara used to spend summers there studying. She might have hidden something."
"Can we get there?"
"It's a day's journey. And we'd need permission to leave the academy." Lyra's eyes met his. "But I think I know how we can get it."
The next day, Lyra went to Proctor Valerius with a request.
"Proctor, for my advanced research project, I wish to study the effects of regional Aetheric variations on Law stability. I need to take measurements at my family's estate in the countryside."
Valerius studied her, his expression unreadable. "An interesting proposal. And you wish to take Kaelen with you? As your assistant?"
"Yes, Proctor. His unique perspective would be invaluable."
Valerius steepled his fingers. "Very well. But you will take a Regulator escort. For your... safety."
It was a setback, but not unexpected. They would be watched, but they would be out of the academy. It was their best chance.
As they prepared to leave the next morning, Alex packed a small bag, his mind racing. He was walking into another trap, but this time, he knew it was there. Valerius was giving them just enough rope to hang themselves.
The Regulator assigned to them was a stern-faced woman who introduced herself as Sergeant Kira. She didn't speak, only watched.
As their carriage rolled through the academy gates, Alex looked back at the towering spires. He was leaving the lion's den, but the lion was sending him on a leash. Somewhere in the countryside was a clue that might change everything—if they could find it before their leash snapped tight.