[My summoner, a moment of your attention.]

I look up from watching Alana squirm over her dinner, annoyed. It must be serious if you haven’t simply dealt with it. At least, it better be. What is it?

[A mob has gathered before the estate. They are armed and agitated. There seems to be a split in the group. Some are arguing for a surprise assault. Others are attempting to send a representative to the door.]

What in the saints? Who are these jesters?”

[It appears to be a mix of older acolytes. Forty-three in total. The conservatives outnumber those arguing for violence.]

Anyone we know?

[None.]

That’s a relief. I suppose this is more fallout from our shenanigans in the city. Vengeful relatives? Heroes? They better not be a force assembled by the Hall. I’d be very offended if they think they can detain us forcefully without the presence of several instructors, at the very least.

Geneva laughs in my mind. [If I sensed hostile intentions from powerful foes, I would inform you well before they arrived, my summoner. They are a combination of the first two. Those with vendettas who are not content to wait for the judgement of the city lord and are upset with the Hall’s lack of action.

[Ah. It would seem the conservatives have managed to talk down the more aggressive members from immediately executing you. They are now arguing which group they should hand you over to, the hunters or the Hall.]

Sloppy. Couldn’t they have worked out the details before they got here?

[Apparently, they had but the ones causing trouble changed their minds with you in their grasp, so to speak.]

A hand idly rubs my brow as I think on the developing situation. Never when I imagined the consequences of rescuing Howie did I envision this. Sure, I expected people to be angry, especially after the unexpected number of casualties, but I didn’t think it’d drive them to suicide.

They should know we’re responsible for killing a guildmaster. A man who neutralized Kierra’s strongest blows with ease and casually threw around flames hot enough to melt stone. What can a bunch of acolytes do against that kind of power?

If I was the homicidal maniac they probably think I am, wouldn’t they just be throwing their lives away?

[They are moving, my summoner. An advocate is headed for the front door while the others…prepare an ambush. At least they’ve prepared to some extent. Archers have taken positions in the garden and are coating their arrows. Two others are preparing to pour combustible potions on and around the house.]

Hey, don’t sound so casual about that! Do you know how troublesome it would be if the house burned down? Get Gajin to clean up the garden and tell Bell to help him. You handle the others. Non-lethal. I don’t want to force Dunwayne to knock on my door.

[As you wish, my summoner.]

With Geneva’s forewarning, I’m not surprised when Earl appears in the doorway, frowning. “My lady, a young man is demanding a meeting. He is rather rude and refuses to give his name.”

“Bring him in.”

“We are so popular lately,” Kierra purrs before taking another drink of wine, no doubt fully aware of what’s happening.

Alana also raises her head, brows furrowed. She doesn’t have our senses but it doesn’t require a strong leap in logic to assume trouble. With our household, it usually is.

[How interesting.]

Hm? What’s happening?

Before Geneva can answer, I hear it for myself. A powerful, howling wind that shakes the windows. It’s so loud even those without my enhanced senses can hear it, the nondescript young man who enters my dining room almost jumping out of his shoes and Alana standing up.

[It would seem the Hall doesn’t take kindly to acolytes taking justice into their own hands.]

Outside, the wind continues to howl. I can vaguely hear shouting, voices going back and forth. After several minutes, they stop, and the wind dies. Soon after, my front door is thrown open but there are no footsteps to herald the brazen intruder.

Aurelius enters my dining room, his bald head reflecting the candlelight, wearing his usual silver robe. He scans the room with a stern frown before his gaze lands on my most recent guest. “Mr. Donovan. What brings you to a lady’s house this late at night?”

The acolyte stiffens, looking incredibly nervous as he meets the instructor’s eyes. “Master Aurelius. I came to have a discussion with Miss Tome—”

“I see. Did the forty others lingering outside also plan to participate in this discussion?”

“We—”

“Don’t waste my time, Mr. Donovan. The rules of the Hall are clear. There is to be no unsanctioned violence.”

“I understand that, sir, but—”

“I don’t know what justification makes you think you can disregard this rule but I assure you, it is inadequate. If you shut up and return to your room obediently to await judgment, this can end without any more injury.”

Ouch. I’m a little embarrassed on his behalf. Aurelius just scolded him like he’s the poor man’s daddy and there’s nothing the acolyte can do about it. He’s clearly upset but rather than lash out, he bows his head and slips from the room, metaphorical tail tucked between his legs.

“Really, people are so rude. Didn’t even bother to say hello,” I say flippantly. Alana retakes her seat, seeing the situation has deescalated, but she watches Aurelius carefully.

“Good evening, Lady Tome. I hope you don’t mind me barging in.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t like it but you did clean up the pests infesting my garden so I can overlook it this time.” There was a time I felt immense dread when I saw him, as I wondered how I could possibly handle the master caster with an obsessive desire for my wife.

Now? I feel powerful. Powerful enough that the disdain overwhelms the dread. If I weren’t trying to make any more waves, I’d take the opportunity to crack his skull open right now. He’s nothing more than an annoyance. Oh, how far I’ve come.

“What’s going to happen to them? I imagine trying to burn me alive warrants more than a slap on the wrist.”

“Then you were aware of them. Here I thought I’d done the work of a hero.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. You certainly saved those idiots from themselves. I think I have a reputation for ruthlessness.”

“I’m aware.” The wind caster sighs, smoothing his features. “Allow me to make the Hall’s stance clear, Lady Tome. We will not tolerate any violation of the school’s rules but that is not to be mistaken as approval. Our protection does not extend beyond the boundaries of the Hall.

“You will have to shoulder the consequences of your actions and they are far-reaching. The Hall will not speak up on your behalf or interfere with the process of the law. If the city guard should come to detain you, we will not intervene.”

I scoff. “Never expected you to.”

“…you’re arrogant, Lourianne. Perhaps you have good reasons to be but it’s still dangerous. Before the Great War, human kingdoms spanned the world. We were at the peak of our power. Yet, we were still routed and forced to hide away. No matter how great the caster, there is always a dragon above you.”

I eye him with disdain. “I don’t remember giving you permission to address me so casually, Master Aurelius. Thanks for your concern but I don’t need it and I never asked for it.” Don’t assume I’m the same as you. You’d be wrong.

“My concern is more for the people you may drag down with you. Speaking of, Lady James.” He turns to Alana. “Sir Polluck is worried by your sudden lack of contact. He asks that you visit him—”

“Oi!” I slap the table, bringing his attention back to me. “I didn’t take you for a messenger boy but since you’ve taken it up, here’s one for the good knight. Unless his legs aren’t working, he can bring his self-important ass here if he wants to talk to her.”

Who do these bastards think they are? Sending a master with a demand to see her? At best, he takes advantage of Aurelius’ power and position to help coerce her. At worse, it’s subtle intimidation. Either way, he can fuck right off to the Abyss.

The bald bastard has been trying to keep a neutral face and tone but his brows twitch at my harsh words. “You shouldn’t involve yourself in family matters.”

“Are you finished?” I tense, ready to toss him out if he refuses his cue to leave. Please give me a reason. “As you can see, we’re in the middle of dinner.”

A definite twitch of his brows there. “Of course. Then I bid you a good night, Lady Tome, Lady James. Kierra, you should speak with the instructors before your journey. Many of the crafters give discounts to fellow members of staff.”

She doesn’t respond, watching him with a cold gaze until he leaves the room. I let out an explosive sigh after I hear the strong burst of wind that speaks to his departure. “Seems the Hall is staying out of this.” Which is great because that is the one group I don’t think I could handle without fleeing the kingdom.

“In the future,” Alana says, a touch crossly, “I can speak for myself.”

“Mm, sorry. He irks me.”

“…they won’t touch you.” Didn’t expect her to come down on my side so decisively. She’s so cute when she’s determined. “They may have retreated before a master but they’ll undoubtedly try again. Likely when we leave the city. We’ll be ready.”

“Hm~” I lean forward, putting my chin in a palm. “What if it’s the city guard who comes after me? They can still declare I’ve broken the law and attempt to detain me under the authority of the crown. Will you still fight for me then? Because criminal or no, I won’t surrender.”

I watch Alana intensely as her lips press together in a severe frown. This has to be a tough question. I know how much she values law and justice. Her views can be a bit brutal but she respects the “good guys”. She wants to be the knight that puts down villains like me.

But there’s another part of her. A greedy, prideful part that is attracted to me and doesn’t want to follow the rules. It wants to break them and make her own, I think.

“Yes.” That part of her seems to grow stronger every day. I can’t imagine her saying the same the first day we met. “I’d…I’d fight for you.”

“Sweetie—”

“But.” Her tone is hard as her eyes narrow. “I won’t let you become like those useless bastards who think their power means they can do whatever they want. If you ever step out of line, I’ll bring you to justice myself.”