Alexander shook his head as the two youths in front of him. "Life isn't fair. The only person that can change Elero's mind is herself. If I were to let you two interfere, she would resist and dive deeper in her path."

Thomas let his body relax and slid down the cavern wall. "Then it's too late. There's nothing we can do?"

The general gave a weary smile as he took out a water sac and downed the contents: "It's not too late. I already told you two about what happened to Jameson. In the end it was his decision whether to get stronger in vain or be loyal to his allies. So, what do you think will happen now? This sparring session was just to stall while Elero made her decision." He glanced over to the front of the cave, where a winged figure had just stepped in: Elero.

"By the goddess, you guys look like shit," she said just before she crumpled to the ground. Her wings and cracked halo vanished.

"Elero," Thomas took a step but Alexander put a hand in front of him.

"Why is it so hard for people to listen to a General?" Alexander asked as a blue robed middle-aged man walked into the chamber. "I told you to not come here."

The man immediately recoiled from the smell and held his nose: "I am Trenton, head instructor of the first-year students," the mage said. "Who says I have to listen to a mere general?" He chuckled. "In all seriousness, I did not come here to annoy you. I wouldn't come here at all if I had the choice to."

"Well here you are." Alexander said, looking down at Elero. "And I see that you have one of the students. Are you going to abduct her as well? At this rate the Kingdom will find itself short of an army when the demon threat arrives."

Trenton gave an annoyed grunt. "I'm not usually one for rules but you shouldn't be talking about that around students."

Alexander crossed his arms and stared at him.

Several silent moments passed with Trenton getting increasingly nervous. "W-well moving on," he hesitated. "I came to return this intruder to you. This cursed girl tried to enter the Magic Academy. Luckily, I was there but the next time something like this happens there won't even be a corpse to return. She may have mana but that does not make her a mage, nor does it give her an excuse to trespass."

"If that is all, you may leave." Alexander said.

"One more thing," Trenton said, then under his breath. "You prick." He pulled a letter from his spatial ring and handed it over. "Part of your orders. The other instructors are working on the blackpowder. Some progress has been made and we may be able to recreate it quite soon."

Alexander glanced over his shoulder at Thomas and let go of his sword's handle. "I have some ideas for candidates. I'll need a surplus of the stuff as soon as you can manage it. Five barrels worth should be a good start."

Trenton nodded. "I'll see what I can do but…I thought the blacksmiths were having trouble recreating guns."

Alexander shrugged: "I know a dwarf who has been quite helpful in the past. He's even working on other designs for these guns. Now if you would excuse me, I need to discipline my student."

Trenton looked down at the unconscious Elero at his feet and clicked his tongue. "Troublemakers always become headaches for instructors. If this keeps up, I suggest ridding yourself of her." He vanished before Alexander could reply. There was no puff of life essence, no flash, only the slight movement of mana around his blue robes.

Alexander stuffed the note into his pocket and threw water into Elero's face. Elero opened her eyes and coughed.

"Wasting your own time is one thing," General Alexander said. "But wasting my time…well the last person to do that I chucked of the side of this very mountain." He pointed to the exit. "Walk your sorry ass back home. You are hereby expelled from the Knights' Academy." He turned towards back towards the other two.

"B-but general!" Thomas squeaked.

"Don't start with me son." Alexander warned. "I am officially out of patience." He looked back to Elero, who hadn't moved. "Why aren't you leaving?"

"I can't move my legs," She said, staring up at the ceiling. She hadn't even bothered to sit up.

Alexander shifted and a cold wind drifted into the chamber. "Then grow back those wings of yours and fly out of my sight." He picked her up and reeled his arm back like with the man from earlier.

"I can't pull my wings out, nor can I move them." Elero insisted.

Alexander sighed. Frey could almost see the gears turning in his mind before he settled on tossing her to the grass just outside of the cavern. "Then crawl." Tears came out of Elero's tired eyes. Her body slightly shook as she suppressed sobs. "You won't buy my pity. Get going." He turned and started for the cavern.

"I can't," she cried.

"Why the hell not?" Alexander picked up the two pieces of his training sword and threw them into the corner, not even looking at her anymore. Frey and Thomas looked at each other, afraid of further annoying Alexander if they interfered or tried to help her.

"I-I can't move my arms. They won't listen to me anymore. I can't walk. I can't fly. I can't swing a sword. I can't do anything because I'm so weak."

Alexander let out a long sigh as he turned to gaze once again at this crying mess of a student. "Then die. You had a choice: your selfish training or following your friends. You chose neither and threw yourself at death's door. You must be magic because you somehow managed to disappoint me when I had literally no hope in you. What were you even doing there?" He kicked her in the side, rolling her towards the lake.

"I was just…looking for Doevm." Elero coughed. Alexander reeled back to kick her again but hesitated at the name.

Frey nodded to Thomas and stepped forward but the noble grabbed his sleeve: "What are you doing?" he whispered.

"Something I should have done in the first place." Frey whispered back as he retrieved the broken skull mask from his spatial ring.