The disciplinary office was not far as it was in the same building as the dorms they had just been returning to so it did not take long to arrive. Once there, a young knight who was working as an Academy enforcer took their statements after separating the two. After being put in a small holding room with a bed that was not any worse than the one in his own room Morgan soon fell asleep in his sweaty undershirt and far too warm pants.

Morgan was awoken by the gentle knocking on the door.

“Come in?” He said uncertainty as he sat up.

He was unsure why someone would knock on the door of a holding room but was glad since he had been asleep. Opening the door and stepping into the room was a blue robed woman with silver streaked hair. Smiling Vivian spoke.

“Sounds like you have had it a bit rough.” The headmistress chuckled and offered the speechless Morgan a plate of food. Morgan opened and closed his mouth, but in his amazement he was unable form any words and only just managed to accept the plate. Vivian laughed at this.

“Come, you can eat in the breakroom with your friend.” She said and gestured for Morgan to follow in a way that was almost seductive.

Entering the break room after Vivian he found Marith staring at Vivian frozen in the process of devouring a second plate of sausage and porridge, apparently he had not been fetched by the Headmistress.

As Morgan took a seat Vivian waved over at the same young enforcer that had questioned them earlier. The enforcer stiffly walked over to Vivian clearly nervous and after Vivian whispered a few words in her ear she glanced over at the two and followed Vivian as she left the room.

“What’s going on?” Marith said, still looking at the door mouth agape.

“Not sure.” Morgan shrugged as he started eating .

Morgan was rather famished and simply chose to not even think about what was going on and why the headmistress had showed up. Marith looked like he had something to say and glared at Morgan looking displeased. But as Morgan was focusing on his food he didn’t notice so Marith went back to eating while grumbling. The two finished eating and time passed they sat in silence making the two grow rather restless and anxious. Morgan was going more and more concerned as time passed and he had begun fidgeting when the door was opened and a pale face the enforcer returned.

“Students come with me.” She was clearly shaken.

“Is everything alright?” Morgan said standing.

“No clue.” Her tone made it clearly she didn’t even want to know. “Please come with me now.”

The two nervously did as she said and followed her. After a short walk they arrived at a set of decorated double doors. Outside stood two other enforcers, one of which pulled one of the doors open and the other waved for Morgan and Marith to follow and entered. Inside was a raised platform with a desk and five seats, three of which were occupied by three grandmasters and in the middle sat Vivian. She was holding several parchments in her hands looking very stern as her eyes scanned the papers.

The two boys were by this point extremely nervous and it did not help that standing off to one side by a raised desk was a smug looking Gias and a balding thin Master that the two did not recognize. The enforcer gestured to a raised desk opposite of the one Gias was standing by and took a position on the inside of the double door together with a fourth enforcer.

The number of grandmasters and enforcers was rather terrifying and Morgan was starting to imagine that he would be expelled from the Academy. After the few moments where the smug Gias kept glancing at the two in satisfaction Vivian put down the parchment and spoke in a very authoritative voice.

“So, I have read the reports. But I believe that hearing information first hand is always for the best.” He turned to look at Gias. “Gias Wellmond.”

At this Gias began weaving his tale, speaking indignantly about how Morgan and Marith had repeatedly insulted his honour and how when his honourable friends had demanded an apology the two had attacked them. He even managed to drop the rather high titles of his hurt friends. When he was about to surge into another tirade when Vivian cut him off.

“I see.” She turned to Morgan and Marith. “What is your side of the story?” She spoke dirmly as she eyed the two.

“I believe that you have already heard enough Headmistress.” Said the balding master from his position next to Gias. “I do…” He did not get to say anything else.

“Master Harron.” Vivian said sharply. “I believe that I asked student Morgan Kiath and student Marith Sian.” Vivian words cut off the blading Master and she gave him a hard stare. “Not, you.” She turned back to Morgan and Marith ignoring the stunned Master Harron.

“Headmistress.” Gias said indignantly and was about to continue when Vivian clicked her tongue and gave him an annoyed glare.

“Student Gias.” Her voice was cold. “As I said to Master Harron, I did not ask you. So please.” She gave him a smile that would have been pleasant had her eyes not been furious. “Be quite.”

Gias sputtered and angrily looked at the grandmasters, two of which did not meet his gaze and Hypocra who simply looked annoyed. Not getting the response he had expected he glanced over at the balding Harron but held his tongue as the Master shook his head at him. He showed his displeasure by alternating between glaring at Morgan and Vivian as Marith explained things from his perspective.

Morgan groaned silently as Marith recounted what had happened with surprising detail and without holding anything back. Morgan felt rather embarrassed as he heard a rather pompous taunt from another person. When he finished Gias was glaring daggers at Marith.

“And the time before that Student Morgan?” Vivian said looking at Morgan.

Morgan blinked and it took a moment before he understood what Vivian referred to. And Morgan spoke slowly having mostly forgotten the incident. As he said that Gias had spat at him Gias had enough.

“That is a blatant lie! It was…”

“Silence.” Vivian said eyes flaring with power and Gias words were cut short causing an almost uncanny silence to descend on the room. “I have read both yours and Emissary Elionora’s accounts on the incident.” She fixed the silent Gias with an angry look. “Unsurprisingly and unfortunately for you her statement more or less match Morgan’s account.”

Sensing the change in the conversation Master Harron spoke up with sweat beading on his forehead.

“Headmistress.” His voice was as smooth as silk. “That is slander. The emissary from the broken continent...” He paused after stressing Elionora’s homeland and gave the grandmasters an incredulous look before continuing. “She not only attacked a noble of our glorious empire but the son of a duke!” He became louder and more fervent as he spoke. “You could not possibly…”

“What about the Master of literature? Can we not trust his judgment either?” Vivian said scornfully interrupting the Master. “Or the several adepts and apprentices that work tirelessly to teach the youths of the empire.” Her words did not grow fiercer or louder as she spoke yet somehow she completely dominated the room. “In fact.” She picked the stack of parchment she had put down. “All I read about recently is related to student Gias, and regrettably it all leaves a rather foul taste in my mouth.”

At this Gias had enough and slammed the table with his fists, his face turning a furious red as he screamed. Yet not a word could be heard from him. Vivian ignored him.

“First.” She turned to Marith. “Marith Sian, you will be fined one gold Imperial for the medical costs incurred by your actions.” She paused glancing over at Grandmaster Hypocra who nodded. “Secondly you will be helping out in the kitchen every morning for one month to help you reflect on your actions.”

Marith opened his mouth to argue but he snapped it shut as Vivian raised an eyebrow. Waiting until Marith nodded she turned to Morgan.

“Morgan Kiath, your punishment will be decided by your Master.” She said simply and turned to Gias. “Gias Wellmond.” There was a pause where the red-faced Gias glared at Vivian. “By my authority as headmistress and with three grandmasters as my witnesses I hereby expel you.”

All eyes in the room widened and stared in utter disbelief at Vivian, only Hypocra looked undisturbed as he simply raised an eyebrow.

“What did you say?” Gias snarled, apparently having got back the ability to speak.

“I said you’re expelled. Your father has already been informed.” She said as if it was of no importance and stood collecting the many parchments.

“You can’t do that!” Gias said, recovering from his shock.

“I can.” Vivian said in a flat voice. “And I just did.” She corrected her posture and stared down at Gias. “You are not only disruptive to the Academy but you have even attacked your fellow students.” She shook her head in disinterest. “You were even warned that you should leave your titles and connections behind when you come to the Academy, yet.” She gave him a cold look. “You kept clinging onto your father’s title acting as you pleased without dignity, besmirching the honour of the Empire not only around your peers but before invited guests of the Empire.” She snorted disdainfully.

Gias glared furiously at Vivian and was about to shout something when Master Harron leaned in close and urgently whispered into his ear. Gias face twitched and spoke in low growl his eyes filled with hatred as he glared at Vivian.

“You will regret this.” He said turning and before leaving he locked eyes with Morgan and Morgan recoiled at the raw hatred in those dark eyes.

As the door shut behind Gias Vivian snorted and stepped down from the platform. She was smiling as she walked towards the stunned boys when Hypocra spoke.

“His father might appeal directly to the emperor.” He sounded stern, as opposed to the worried expressions of the two other grandmasters.

“He might.” She conceded. “However I am sure that the emperor will take my line.”

“How can you be sure of that?” Asked a nervous looking and overweight Grandmaster. “That Gias is likely to be the heir of the Wellmond family, why would he take the side of a third son of a baron and a foreigner over him… even if they are in the right?” He added as he dabbed his sweaty chins with a now damp handkerchief.

“He would not.” She said simply with a shrug making the overweight Grandmaster sputter. “But I can tell you without a doubt that the Emperor would always side with the Imperial greats, even over a sitting duke.” She smiled at the confused Grandmaster. “But you are probably thinking, ‘we are not talking about a sitting duke or an Imperial great’.” Her smile deepened. “And you are somewhat right, as what we are talking about is a ducal heir apparent and…” She paused gesturing at Morgan. “The first ever apprentice of Archmage Aspartos Mudreth.” She chuckled. “I doubt the significance of this would be lost on any here?” She said, almost daring the others to object. After making sure that the overweight Grandmaster did not object any further Vivian turned and smiled at the boys.

“You two may leave now.” Having said this she walked off at a brisk pace.

Seeing the Headmistress walk of the two just stood there rooted in place, unable to comprehend what had just happened. It was so outside of their expectations that even seeing it happen before them they still did not quite believe them.

“Rather shocking no?” The two turned around to see Grandmaster Hypocra looking at the door with an amused expression.

“The Headmistress has wanted to get rid of Gias Wellmond since she got back from the senate.” He sighed. “I did not think she would be so decisive due to the risks involved… but I suppose that is just like her.” He chuckled.

“The risks?” Morgan found himself asking.

“Ay, expelling any noble comes with risks, not to mention a ducal heir apparent.” He looked at the door frowning.

“Would a duke really choose an heir that was expelled from the Academy, in the first year no less?” Morgan said somewhat hopefully.

“Who knows?” Hypocra suddenly looked displeased. “If even our emperor names his heir based solely on time of birth why wouldn’t a duke?” His voice sounded both tired and a bit sour.

Morgan really had nothing to say to that. He had heard rumours that the first prince would be named heir despite there being some protests. Still as he was from the highlands he was still rather far removed from the politics of the capital even when studying at the Academy. At this point the speechless Marith recovered.

“Who are the Imperial greats?” His question was maybe unsurprisingly not about what had transpired.

“Ah, you are not from the empire so it makes sense that you have never heard of them.” Hypocra nodded and looked over at Morgan.

“Um, I have not heard of them either.” Morgan said blushing from embarrassment.

“I see, well…” At this point Hypocra paused and looking around he noticed that it was only the three of them left in the room. “Seems like I have lingered a bit longer than intended.” Hypocra frowned. “I can explain on the way back to my office, you should have one of my healers take a look at that hand of ours anyway.” He glanced at Marith’s slightly swollen left hand and gestured for the pair to follow.

As they exited the room they found out that there was a single enforcer clad in plate armour waiting outside the room. The enforcer held his helm under one arm and man bowed to Hypocra who gave him an apologetic wave. As they left the man locked the door and strode of.

“Ehem.” Hypocra cleared his throat and started walking. “So the Imperial Greats are the men and women of the empire whose power reaches towards the very gods.”

“So they are ascendants? Like Kazik Zuhl the giant slayer?” Morgan said thinking that he might not have wasted all the time he had spent looking up what ascendancy was.

“Haha” Hypocra laughed. “To think that you have learned about ascendants but not the Greats.” He kept chuckling for a good while startling the students they passed in the hallways. “To answer your question however, no.” He took a deep breath. “Ascendants are those that have clearly stepped beyond the capabilities of the mortal flesh and entered a new realm altogether.” He glanced back at the two boys that were both paying close attention to his every word and smiled as he continued. “It is true that many of the Greats are ascendants but you can become one of the Greats even without being an ascendant. It is also possible that even if you are an ascendant you might not be considered one of the Greats.” He grunted clearly amused by the confused looks the pair was giving him. “The greats you see are simply the nine or I suppose eight strongest fighters in the empire. They are individuals that can single-handedly change the tide in not only battles but in entire wars.”

They had arrived at the healer’s wing next to the central Academy building and Hypocra stopped. He looked over at one of the infirmary rooms and gesturing for the two to follow he entered the room without knocking.

This caused the dark haired woman in her twenties to bolt upright from where she had been sleeping on the desk. As she red-faced wiped the drool off her chin the room's other occupant closed his small book and stood to bowed to Hypocra. The bespectacled man with greying hair glanced over meaningfully at the woman who hurriedly curtsied to Hypocra.

“You two really have to stop pulling all-nighters.” Hypocra said with a wary shake of the head. “Eva, Igor I would like for you to do a full examination of these students.” He gestured at Morgan and Marith which caused Igor to raise an eyebrow.

“Anything in particular we are looking for?” Igor asked, giving Hypocra a meaningful look.

“Not really, they were in a fight so it is just a standard check-up.” His tone did not change but he nodded in response to the look Igor gave him.

The pair directed the boys to a set of chairs so they could examine them. As they sat down Hypocra continued his explanation.

“Where was I? Right, so among the Greats there are currently six ascendants and two who have a little ways to go still.”

“But in that case, uhha…” Marith grunted as Eva put pressure on his swollen hand and only once she let go of his hand did he continue. “In that case why would the emperor side with a Great over a duke? Aren’t he dukes closely related to the Imperial family by blood?”

“That is because Ascendants aren’t replaceable. Dukes are.” It was Eva that answered with a snort casuing the tow to gasp.

“Eva is right.” Hypocra said with a smile stunning the two boys. “There are plenty of candidates to replace a duke or duchess even within their own family. But there are only about two dozen ascendants on the entire continent and most belong to the churches.” He paused before continuing gravely. “Ascendants as I mentioned before can change the outcome of wars single-handedly. It is only natural that any nation would go to great lengths to accommodate them.”

The silence that followed was almost oppressive and Morgan who had read what he figured was greatly exaggerated stories about ascendants suddenly felt a chill down his spine. “Can humans truly become so powerful?” He licked his lips and swallowed.

“So the Archmage is one of the Imperial Greats then?” Marith asked curiously.

“Um, well…” Hypocra frowned. “Not, quite…” He took some time to formulate his thoughts. “To compare the rest of the ascendant to the Archmage is not a fair comparison.” He rubbed his chin. “It is like comparing a cat to a blue eagle. Both might hunt mice and rabbits, but the way they do it is entirely different.”

“And Master would be the eagle then?” Morgan said with confidence.

“You are missing my point…” Hypocra sighed. “But I supposed that would be the analogy yes.” He stood. “Well I have been avoiding my work for too long.” He walked to the door. “Now try and stay out of trouble.” He smiled back at Marith and Morgan and with a wave he left.

As soon as Eva had cast a minor healing cantrip to reduce the swelling on Marith’s hand and tied it in a bitter smelling bandage around it they were sent on their way. As the two left, Igor stood and garbed his small notebook quickly jolting something down before making for the door of the treatment room.

“Are you going to see the Grandmaster?” Eva was looking at Igor with great interest.

“Yes, I believe he wanted me to give him an update on Morgan.” He said as he left.

“How did he figure that out?” Eva said to the empty room.

Entering the office of the Grand Master Igor bowed and waited for Hypocra to grant him permission to speak.

“So, will he live?” Looking up from a pile of notes Hypocra spoke after the rather lengthy wait.

“I have no idea. I think can see what the Archmage is trying to do…” He hesitated for a moment. “And although he is getting better I can also sense that disease is growing in strength.” Igor paused unsure for a moment. “It is like all that he is doing is delaying the inevitable, as if he is trying to make Morgan stronger instead of curing the disease…”

“I see, so he chose the risky option.” Hypocra murmured after a moment to think. “Then there is not much we can do but pray and put our faith in the Archmage.” Hypocra smiled. “Not that we had much choice to begin with.”

Leaving the healer’s wing Morgan and Marith walked in silence for a bit trying to come to terms with all that had happened. Somehow they had not only managed to avoid expulsion but the punishment they did get was rather light. “Depending on what Master chooses my punishment to be…” Morgan thought somewhat wistfully. He was drawn from his own thoughts by Marith.

“I thought for sure that I’d be expelled and maybe exiled.” He gave Morgan a blank look. “I have never seen anyone from a ducal house be treated in such a way…” He trailed off looking down at his bandaged hand.

“Haha.” Morgan laughed at that confusing Marith. “I had never met anyone above a count before I entered the Academy.” Morgan rubbed his face. “Maybe Lady Chance is smiling down on us?” Saying this Morgan offered a short prayer of gratitude to the fickle goddess.

“What a horrible thought.” Marith said with a shudder causing Morgan to look at him dubiously. “To have your faith in the hands of another is…”

Marith struggled to find the word he was looking for reminding Morgan that the Imperial tongue was not Marith’s native language. But after some time of deliberation he spoke.

“Dishonourable?” He said questioningly as if tasking the word. “I don’t know if you have a better word to describe it.” He shrugged. “It is very honourable to be the Master of once own destiny.” He spoke with conviction.

The two of them suddenly stopped and turned as they heard shouting. Running towards them was Louie followed by Ross and behind them at a more leisurely pace walked Rina and Mary-Ann.

“Are… you alright…” Asked a wheezing Louie when he reached them.

“Yepp.” Marith said sounding a bit confused.

“We heard there was an incident with Gias, what happened?” Ross, who was not at all out of breath asked.

“Um…” Morgan looked at Marith who looked about as unsure as Morgan felt. “We were called to a hearing with the headmistress and three of the grandmasters…” Morgan was trying to figure out how to explain when Rina spoke.

“Were you expelled?” Her voice was almost icy as she pushed away her brother and stepped up close to Morgan.

Rina’s eyes locked with Morgan’s demanding his full attention. Her pale grey blue eyes hid an almost frightening will beneath the calm surface and Morgan found it difficult to keep his wits about him. However he somehow managed and was surprised to find that they were now eye level with one another. He had been so sure that she was still taller than him and this somehow calmed him and he looked into her eye for a handful of heartbeats before speaking.

“No we… Ouch!” Morgan jumped on one foot grabbing his hurting shin. “What was…?” Before he could finish Rina who had just kicked him hard in the shin barked.

“Don’t worry me like that!” She turned away from Morgan. “If all is well don’t give me that look and just say so!” She snorted.

Morgan blinked tears from his eyes and rubbed his shin looking at Ross who seemed to be struggling between disbelief, relief and wanting to laugh uproariously. Turning to Louie and Mary-Ann the first shrugged signalling that he understood no of it and Mary-Ann smiled delightedly confusing Morgan further.

“You did just gaze into her eyes for a rather long moment.” Mary-Ann said somewhat tauntingly before looking over at Rina and smirking mischievously. “You can’t blame a girl for thinking that there is a profound meaning behind such a look.” She glanced at Rina who flinched almost imperceptibly.

“Um, no… Um, sorry.” Morgan apologized to the half turned away Rina while still awkwardly rubbing his shin.

“Ehhm, no… I’m sorry I kicked you.” Rina said only glancing at Morgan before turning away once more with a very slight blush.

Unnoticed by everyone but Mary-Ann Ross's jaw dropped at this.

“Sis apologized for her senseless violence?” Ross said in a stunned murmur that only a smiling Mary-Ann caught.

“So what did happen” Louie asked, now very curious as he had finally caught his breath.

“How about we get something to eat first?” Mary-Ann cut in before the conversation could continue in the hallway.

“That sounds great!” Marith said with a wide grin. “I’m starving!”

“But we just ate…” Morgan said, surprised at his friend’s appetite.

“That was at most a late lunch! My stomach tells me it is already dinnertime!” Marith said with such conviction that Morgan found it hard to argue with him.

“Is it really that late?” Morgan asked and to his surprise the group nodded.

Morgan was rather startled by this, he had barely seen outside after the events of the morning and since he had not been paying any attention to the tolling of the bell he really had no idea what time it was. That he had fallen asleep almost as soon as he was taken to the holding-room probably had not helped.