Heaven's Greatest Professor

June was aware that the power to tamper with someone's emotions is possible. There was probably no better than her to know it. She was a mind mage. Emotion manipulations, compulsion, mind reading all these were her powers, not that she had used any of them in the last twenty years on anyone else but herself.

Yet, when Warden told her that someone was tampering with his emotions, she could only blurt out, "What?"

Warden did not reply, as even standing straight became a challenge under the pressure. While June's eyes moved towards the unfamiliar people in the room, she could not help but turn to the demure, frail figure behind Torin Walt.

Is he the culprit? She questioned and let her mental awareness flow in the room.

Immediately, she caught on to something a wisp of mental energy, the primal kind that used to riot: rage, fury, and all raw emotions. It was so thin that it disappeared into that demure figure before she could even latch on to it.

June proceeded to think quickly about what to do about this Ranker. She considered jamming his mind with a sharp mental attack, giving him an experience of the same medicine. He was a silver ranker too, so she wouldn't have to worry about impairing his mental faculties all too much.

However, before she could even master her attack, she found Warden's figure flying out to crash into the walls. The defensive formations of the wall, lit in golden shimmer immediately, protecting the wall from its destruction. But it provided no protection to the guy who crashed into it.

"I have allowed you to explain yourself," Elder Pavlov said. "However, I failed to assume people like you'd appreciate such favour. You might have the gift, potential to become something great, but you are nothing but a rabid beast imprisoned by its own hunger for violence. Do you think every problem needs to be solved with violence? No. I won't give you another chance to explain yourself."

Warden looked like he wanted to say something, gritting his jaws with everything as his eyes fired purple shimmering light. However, under the full pressure of a peak gold ranker, he was unable to move away even an inch, much less talk.

"Elder," June said urgently. "This is not right. There is tampering with—"

"Silence!" Elder Pavlov spat at her, freezing her in her spot. "We have been kind to you for our noble background, but you cannot force our hand after this. I have given you a fair chance. You can't ask for anything more after the sheer disrespect to the authority."

June bit her lips. She looked around the office, trying to make a connection with the only person who might be able to save them from this disastrous staged court. To her surprise, Elder Vess let her make the telepathic link while showing no surprise on her face.

"Elder Vess," she said through the telepathic link. "That short guy behind Torin Walt incited Warden's emotions for him to be disrespectful. In all fairness, we cannot—"

Elder Vess sighed. "Are you sure of that?" Saying that, her eyes wandered up to the demure figure, studying him perceptibly. "Oh, yes," June said.

"Unfortunately, you can do nothing to prove that," Elder Vess said. "The House Walt is vicious against any kind of foe. Idiots, they have come prepared, I assumed. Coupled with the fact that they have some standing with our academy, I fear I cannot help much with this open court, but—"

"If Warden kept his mouth shut, I would be able to make sure Elder Pavlov did not become strict with his punishment. But now, poor Warden has to face the self-centred, righteous vindication of the authority."

"As the head disciplinary of the academy," Elder Pablo judged, staring daggers at Warden. "I deem you guilty of all the charges. I judge you with 6 months of indentured work in the war efforts in the frontlines. You will have to pay 10,000 arcane credits to Torin Walt as an act of apology. But most of all, you will receive 20 lashes for all the disrespect you showed to the authority.

"The Academy Committee will also judge your term as an instructor, as we cannot let someone of your behaviour influence the young prospects of our academy."

"Elder Pavlov," Elder Vess cut in. "I believe your punishment is harsh, considering Instructor Warden is clearly not in his right mind. You can also see the shift in his aura. I believe he went through a physical transformation recently and fought tirelessly to have the right faculty of his mind to act straight. Perhaps you might want to—"

"That does not disapprove my point, Elder Vess," Elder Pavlov said, cutting her off. "He's an animal if he cannot even control his urges. Talent, potential, and power don't mean anything; all he can do is bite like a rabid beast. I hope the punishment will put some sense into him, if not, I have no hopes for his future."

Elder Vess narrowed her eyes. "As I feared, Elder Pavlov won't budge from it," she expressed to June. "I hope he survives the war on the frontline and proves everyone wrong. Even though Elder Pavlov said all that, all that matters in the world is power. Make sure he understands that."

June bit her lips hard enough that blood began to come out. She looked at Warden, who still sat with clenched teeth, defiance in his eyes. Looking at those eyes, June could not help but think that she had failed him. If only I wasn't broken...

"Elder Vess, can you at least make Elder Pavlov exempt from the lashing?" June begged telepathically. Knowing Warden, she was sure he would want to fight double the amount of time on the frontline than endure the lashing. "He'll have no respect, nothing in the academy if they lash him in front of everyone… please, I beg you."

Elder Vess only gave a pitying gaze towards Warden. "I'll see what I can do, no promises."

"You'll receive the punishment of lashing tomorrow at sunrise," Elder Pavlov continued. "But you're allowed a year to pay the ten thousand credits to Professor Walt. Lastly, you'll be on the frontline in a week. You're not allowed to take any classes during that time, as the Academy Committee decides on your term as Combat Instructor. You're all dismissed."

The elders stayed in the office to discuss more, while June took Warden to leave. The whole party of Torin Walt followed, sniggering in.

"I truly pity a lowborn cur like you," Torin Walt said, looking at the disgruntled look of Warden after they moved up some distance. "Did you think you'll get away with all the humiliation you caused me, do—"

Torin Walt flinched as Warden glared at him, his aura infused with his gaze, enough to cause the newly advanced silver ranker to shiver.

The frail figure of the man touched Torin on the back, helping him from the aura attack. "Poor young master," he said. "Why do you have to run your mouth always and humiliate the name of your house?"

"YOU!" Torin Walt threw off the arm, looking completely unaware of who saved him from Warden's baleful aura.

"June," Warden opened his mouth for the first time. "Can you lend me some credits?"

"Yes," she said immediately. She brought out her badge, knowing Warden wanted to pay the ten thousand credits to Torin Walt.

"Take your credits," Warden said, as June went on to ask for Torin Walt's badge to transfer the credit.

"I'll take that," the frail man said, bringing out an arcane society badge. "I promise I'll keep the young master on his best behaviour from now on. You don't have to worry about anything."

Warden narrowed his eyes at the frail-looking man. "What is your name?"

The frail man tossed the badge after taking the ten thousand credits. "Name? I don't have one," he said with a sadistic laugh. "Though they tend to call me Ghost."

Warden nodded slowly. "I'll take your word for it, Ghost," he said. "Because I'll kill you and your noble ass young master, consequences be damned. I promise you that"

"Scary," Ghost said, visibly shuddering and swallowing his breath. He seemed to be taking pleasure in the blatant threat for a moment, not even thinking about his young master. But then, in the next moment, his posture became all serious as he turned to Torin Walt. "Come on, Young Master. I cannot let you die of your foolishness now."

"Shut up, what do you think you are? I'll—" Torin Walt burst into an uproar, but Ghost put only a hand on his shoulder to silence him. He literally pulled Torin Walt with him, who did his best to struggle but to no avail.

Warden watched them go, the rage still present in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," June said, biting her lips.

"It's not your fault," Warden's face softened somewhat as his gaze lingered on the blood on her lips.

"Still, I'm a mind mage, if I could have just—"

Warden shook his head. "You're fair, June. Just. Too pure to understand what kind of schemes people come up with in their darkened heart."

June closed her eyes, wondering why she had to be consoled by the fellow who had been wronged. It should have been her to give him that. But she failed. She just—

"Hey, June, can you help me with something?"

She opened her eyes and nodded.

"I'll need some more credits and your help to prepare tomorrow."

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