Tale of a Hedonistic wizard

"Proceed with the hearing and see that all evidence is presented before the jury. We must follow protocol to the letter in this matter."

Ewen nodded crisply. "Understood, Minister. I'll oversee the preparations personally." With that, he turned and left the office, the door closing softly behind him.

No sooner had Ewen departed than another figure entered the minister's sanctum. Veronica, a young woman with an air of determination about her, strode into the room. Her robes, adorned with the insignia of a high-ranking ministry official, rustled as she approached the desk.

"Minister Sherrington," she began, her voice steady despite the tension evident in her posture, "can I talk to you for a minute?"

The minister, still engrossed in his paperwork, barely glanced up at her. His voice was distracted, almost dismissive. "If it's about that boy, then no."

Veronica's lips tightened, a mix of frustration and concern flashing across her face. "But he—" she started, only to be cut off by Arthur's sharp interjection.

"You have seen the evidence," he said sternly, finally looking up at her over the rims of his glasses. "There is no denying it now. If you have anything to say, you can present it at the time of the hearing. Now, please leave."

The finality in his tone was unmistakable. Veronica's expression hardened, a myriad of emotions playing across her features: disappointment and a hint of defiance. With a resigned sigh, she turned and left the office, the door closing behind her with a soft click that seemed to echo the finality of the minister's words.

As she stood in the corridor outside, Veronica's mind raced. She had known Jaegar back at the academy; she had been his senior. The accusations against him seemed so at odds with the young man she had known – brilliant, curious, and, above all, principled. It had been years since she had last seen him, but the news of his alleged crimes had shaken her to her core.

And the way, they were proceeding with the case made them seem suspicious. Ewen and a few others in the ministry were hell-bent on making Jaegar suffer the punishment of the law.

Veronica couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong with this whole situation.

The speed at which the procedures were moving, the apparent eagerness to bring Jaegar to trial – it all felt rushed as if someone was pushing for a quick resolution without considering all the facts.

She made her way down the corridor, her steps echoing in the empty space. She had her own reasons to look into Jaegar's case.

As she reached the elevator, Veronica cast one last glance back towards the minister's office.

Veronica made her way down to the secure wing of the Ministry, her footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridors. As she approached the lockup area, her heart raced with anticipation. When she finally laid eyes on Jaegar through the magical barrier of his cell, she couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

The man before her was a far cry from the polished, ambitious student she had known at the academy. Jaegar's once neatly trimmed hair now fell in unkempt waves past his shoulders, and a scraggly beard obscured much of his face. His clothes were tattered and worn, bearing the marks of long travels and hard times.

"Wow!" Veronica exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Where were you? Locked in a cave or something?"

Jaegar looked up at the sound of her voice, his own surprise evident in his weary features. A spark of his old wit flashed in his eyes as he replied, "Yeah, wanted to try being a caveman once. Turns out it's not all it's cracked up to be."

Veronica couldn't help but chuckle at his response, relieved to see that his spirit hadn't been entirely broken by his ordeal. "You look like a complete wreck," she said, her tone a mix of amusement.

Jaegar sighed, running a hand through his tangled hair. "I've been told," he said ruefully. Then, seeming to shake off some of his fatigue, he looked at her more closely, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "But, are all the students from the academy working for the Ministry now? You're the second person I've seen today from our old school."

Veronica leaned against the wall opposite his cell, crossing her arms. "Not all of us, no. But quite a few. The Ministry's been recruiting heavily from Cledwarys in recent years. They say they want the best and brightest." She paused, studying him intently. "Though I have to say, I never expected to see you here like this, Jaegar.

What happened to you?"

Jaegar's expression grew sombre, the weight of his experiences evident in the set of his shoulders. "It's a long story, Veronica. One I'm not entirely sure I understand myself." He glanced around the cell as if suddenly remembering where he was. "I don't suppose you're here to spring me loose?"

Veronica shook her head, her expression regretful. "I'm afraid not. I don't have that kind of authority. But I am here to help if I can." She lowered her voice, glancing quickly down the corridor to ensure they were alone. "Jaegar, the charges against you... they're serious.

Breach of the barrier between worlds, unauthorized use of forbidden magic... What really happened?"

Jaegar leaned forward, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't exactly know myself. I just got to the sphepet circle, and then they came and arrested me. But as far as I can tell, there sure is something wrong here."

Veronica's brow furrowed in concern. "What do you mean?"

Before Jaegar could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Veronica straightened up quickly, trying to appear casual.

"I have to go," she said hurriedly. "But listen, Jaegar, your hearing is coming up soon. They're pushing for a quick resolution. Whatever happened or whatever you discovered, you need to be prepared to defend yourself. I'll do what I can from my end, but..."

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