The Extra Wants Control

Lara, her hands fumbled slightly as she looked for the activation point, activated the recording artifact. A holographic image flickered to life above her palm, displaying the scene from Neveah's perspective. The air crackled with a tense silence as everyone leaned in, eager to see the truth for themselves.

The recording began with a jarring boom, the sound echoing through the chamber. Neveah, 'caught off guard', whirled around, searching for the source of the sudden noise. His gaze landed on the doorway as it burst open, revealing a furious Axl.

From then on, the scene unfolded at a breakneck pace. Axl, his face contorted with rage, unleashed a torrent of spells, summoning the group of ferocious dragons that filled the chamber. They now by a feral madness, tore through the room, their roars shaking the very foundations.

Neveah, reacted with lightning speed. Employing his vampiric agility and ice magic, he weaved between the dragons, deflecting their attacks and desperately trying to calm them. But the students were far gone, their minds clouded by Axl's artefact.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as the recording captured Neveah's 'struggle'. The students, normally the picture of composure and control, were now reduced to frantic chaos, scrambling to avoid the rampaging dragons. Neveah, with grace, neutralized them one by one, using only the minimal force required to subdue them.

His actions, while brutal at times, were undeniably efficient, prioritizing the ultimate safety of dragons.

A gaze of respect arose from Clara, Kali, and Valeriana. Even amidst the chaos, they recognized Neveah's skill and restraint. He wasn't a mindless brute, as some had portrayed him to be, but a tactician, working under impossible circumstances. He could've chosen the easy path and simply killed them but he didn't.

The scene shifted, the focus shifting to the arrival of the other blesseds. Their initial expressions of concern were quickly replaced by suspicion as they turned their accusing eyes on Neveah. The recording captured the escalating tension, the escalating threats, and ultimately, the inevitable confrontation.

Neveah, outnumbered and cornered, fought ferociously. The image flickered as spells collided, the air thick with magical energy. But despite his disadvantage, Neveah held his own, his movements fluid and precise. This while it impressed the Race leaders one didn't like it at all, like Aethelred. The vampire was a growing threat and the worst thing was that he couldn't do anything about it.

The climax arrived in a flash of blinding light. Axl, eyes gleaming with malice, activated a hidden artifact, unleashing a powerful attack targeted directly at Neveah. Azrael, caught in the crossfire, who was in the path of the blast. In a selfless act of heroism, Neveah lunged forward, saving Azrael.

The silence in the clearing was deafening. The students, their faces flushed with shame, exchanged hesitant glances. The truth, laid bare before them, shattered their preconceived notions.

Lara then deactivated the artifact. The holographic image dissolved, leaving behind the raw emotions of the onlookers. Shame, regret, and a flicker of admiration for Neveah's might now filled the area. The once accusatory stares had melted into a somber understanding.

The video evidence had spoken for itself, revealing a story far more complex than anyone had initially imagined. And as the weight of the truth settled around them.

They also saw and heard the threat of Axl, how he was gonna 'play' with Neveah's female relatives. The race leaders especially the females were disgusted that applied to other female students.

" Disgusting." Ilyana mummered, she also thought if the son was like this the father might be the same.

But right now they were glad tge Vampire Queen didn't hear this cause they didn't know what would have happened.

The recording artifact cast an accusatory light across the clearing. The holographic image had vanished, leaving behind a scene thick with unspoken truths. Axl, his face ashen, dared a glance towards his father, only to be met with a chilling silence.

"Dad... I can explain," Axl stammered, his voice a mere tremor in the tense atmosphere.

Aethelred, his face an unreadable mask, didn't even turn. "Quiet," he finally rumbled, his voice devoid of its usual booming authority. "We'll deal with this at home." The weight of his words hung heavy, carrying a promise of punishment far harsher than any public reprimand. Shame washed over Axl, a bitter aftertaste to his initial self-righteousness and arrogance.

Across the clearing, Azrael, Astrid, and Kim fidgeted under the weight of their own scrutiny. The video replayed in their minds, a constant reminder of their own misjudgment. They had allowed their biases to cloud their vision, leading them to attack the very person who was a victim in this. Shame burned in Azrael's eyes, a silent apology directed towards Neveah.

Astrid, who had prided herself on her logic, felt a pang of self-loathing. Kim, ever the outspoken one, now sat with her head bowed, the echo of her accusations ringing painfully in her ears.

"What a mess," Ilyana muttered, shaking her head as she surveyed the students. The elf had seen her fair share of conflicts, but this one, fueled by misunderstandings and inflated egos, left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Kali, ever the pragmatic leader, stepped forward. "Indeed," she agreed, her eyes hardening. "We should prepare to erase their memories."

Understanding dawned on the faces of the race leaders. The raw footage held the potential to destabilize the future of Elnova. Axl, the future Dragon King, exposed as an impulsive, arrogant and spoiled child. The other "blessed" revealed as impulsive and easily manipulated. This information, left unchecked, could erode public trust and weaken their leadership positions before they even began.

Kali's analogy with the chess player resonated with the other leaders. A single public defeat, however devastating, could forever overshadow future victories. They needed to control the narrative, to ensure this event remained a buried secret, a footnote in the history of Elnova. It was a necessary manipulation, a calculated erasure of truth to preserve a fragile peace.

With a heavy heart, Bjorn nodded his agreement. The others followed suit, nodding in agreement.

Valeriana, her face etched with great disinterest still helped, pointed her hilt skyward. In a silent command, a wave of magical energy pulsed outwards. Students, instructors, and even academy personnel slumped to the ground, their consciousness fading into a peaceful slumber.

Only the blessed – Axl, Azrael, Astrid, Lara and Kim – remained awake, a quartet of pale faces staring at the aftermath of their actions.

Ilyana sighed deeply. With a practiced hand, she began to play a mournful melody on her harp. The melancholic notes swirled through the air, weaving a spell of forgetfulness. This wasn't a complete erasure, but a rewind, pushing the memories of the past few hours back into the recesses of their minds, erasing them completely and the last note faded.

Aethelred, his voice heavy with disappointment, addressed the remaining group. "Remember what happened here is your fault. Not only Axl, but all of you who jumped to conclusions without evidence. Your classmates and colleagues won't remember anything from today. But you will."

Ilyana couldn't help but harbor a silent question. "Hypocrite," she thought, a flicker of disapproval crossing her features. After all, hadn't Aethelred himself judged Neveah without full knowledge?

Kali stepped forward, her gaze cold and unforgiving. "Consider this a harsh lesson. A day when all of you were overpowered by someone 'weaker', all the while entangled in your comrade's petty schemes. How you were manipulated and used."

Axl, his shoulders slumped, met her gaze with a flicker of defiance quickly extinguished by shame. He didn't regret his actions he just regretted he was caught.

Aethelred focused on his son, his voice hardening. "Axl, your impulsive actions have caused significant trouble and damages to your peers. And you also wasted our time. You will be punished, severely."

Below, amidst the fallen students, a soft moan escaped someone's lips. Slowly, eyes blinked open, a wave of confusion washing over their faces.

Valeriana, with a natuy smile, addressed the bewildered students. "Welcome back from the tomb excursion! Here's a little surprise for you all. To ease the transition back into academy life, we're giving you a two-week break. No classes, just relaxation. Consider it a short holiday."

A murmur of surprised delight rippled through the crowd. Free time? Who could argue with that?

"As for the staff and instructors," Bjorn's voice boomed, "please gather for a meeting in three days. We have some important matters to discuss."

The air crackled with a sense of unease veiled by the students' elation. . The truth had been buried, but its ramifications wouldn't be easily forgotten. The weight of the day settled upon the shoulders of the "blessed," a constant reminder of their mistakes and the consequences they would now face.

The memory manipulation might have shielded the students, but it wouldn't shield Axl from the possible wrath of Azrael, Astrid, and Kim. For them, the true cost of his actions was far from over.

Bjorn's voice echoed through the clearing, a single word heavy with finality. "Depart."

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