Terra Lazuli Wick
Aftermath
Chapter 16
Aftermath
The room was silent as each of the young trainees sat in their seats, each one of them preoccupied with their attempt to process what they had gone through. The entire group had bandages wrapped around and covering their wounds. Small runic markings were etched into a few of the bandages covering the more severe wounds like Rock’s, enhanced with magic to help their wounds heal faster. Among the group of students, Rock’s shoulder was the most heavily bandaged due to the deep wound he sustained while fighting the aquatic beast. The large, muscular boy sat furthest in the back, still silent. He hadn’t said a word since the group had boarded the airship for their return trip to the school.
Ressio now wore a bandage over his left cheek, hiding the nasty cut he had earned
while facing off against the bandits along with the Gremrick sisters. The others had come out of their battles in better shape, only needing a few small bandages here and there for their more superficial wounds.
Solias cleared his throat, interrupting the unending quiet in the room. Just as he was about to speak, the door to the room opened and their teacher stepped inside.
Accompanying her was an older man, who stood almost as tall as Rock or Grant with the aid of an intricately carved cane. His gray hair was cut very short and he kept a constant serious look on his aged, clean shaven face; a powerful fierceness still showing behind the calmness in his eyes. A long diagonal scar ran horizontally along his strong chin, and he struck an intimidating pose in his heavy black jacket with white fur lining.
The entire class looked at him with surprise. Each one of them knew exactly who he was. It was Frank Asthyn, the dean of the school and a powerful ally to the Infurnal race. He was well known the world over. For his deeds in aiding the progress being made towards accepting Infurnals. For his accomplishments as one of the few S-Class Casters. And for the impressive Casters he had a hand in raising within the halls of the academy.
Allison gave a soft smile, trying to ease the tension in the room after the children’s first taste of what it truly meant to be a Caster. “First let me say how happy I am that you all made it back safely. I know you are all tired. You were just treated for your wounds by the medical staff while also giving your reports on your missions, and to follow that you were asked to come here immediately without a moment to rest. Still, this was a request made by Dean Asthyn himself, as he felt the need to speak to all of you.”
Stepping back she made room for the older man to step in front of the class. His cane tapped against the floor as he took his place in front of the group of trainees all sitting together. He took a moment to get a good look at the newest group of Casters-in-training to have accomplished their first missions.
“Let me thank each of you for your efforts in your tasks and for your commitment to becoming Casters.” His eyes fell on Solias. “Mr. Engel, I’ve already heard what happened during your fight. We have sent a group to investigate the lake. They should be reaching their destination shortly and they will report any findings. The town has also sent their gratitude to each of you for what you have done for them.”
Solias could only nod his head along with a quick and rigid yes sir. The other boys who had accompanied him on the mission could see he was still feeling uneasy after their battle.
Asthyn wasted little time as he moved on to the taller of the two twins, the other group’s leader.
“Ms Gremrick, the Infurnal encampment has sent their thanks to your group as well. Your group saved them from the harassment of the bandits and you were able to capture a few of them for further interrogation. I have sent a small group to assist them in retrieving what was stolen from them. The settlement will be looked after starting from this point by another Infurnal Caster I personally chose, so you won’t need to worry about anything like this happening to them again.”
There was a small pause and he could see that even these words of praise and reassurance from someone of his stature were not enough to break them free of their concerns.
“Even elite Casters make mistakes. No one Caster can change the entire world on their own. Take pride in the fact that you each survived your missions and accomplished your tasks.”
There was a loud bang as Rock jumped up, his chair slamming against the floor of the room as he pointed to Solias. “Take pride? Look at my shoulder! This is what happened because you put him in charge instead of me! I’m lucky to still have my arm after that damned IMP!”
“Rock, I know you got hurt, but-” Solias tried to calm his angry classmate but was quickly cut off by the continuation of Rock’s rage.
“You were supposed to lead us and keep us from injury! That damned B-Class Caster said he’d step in too, but he didn’t do shit! You were ready to sacrifice me, weren’t you? All of you were! Anything for your own glory!” Rock’s good arm stretched forward and his large hand grabbed at the collar of Solias’s Caster jacket, shaking him in anger as the others watched.
“Mr. Warren, that is quite enough.” Dean Asthyn spoke in a calm, authoritative voice in the midst of the large student’s outburst. “If you have complaints about the events within your mission, you may make a formal complaint. Until then, I expect you all to act professionally and with respect. Is that clear?”
Rock held the older man’s stare for as long as he could, his anger never leaving his eyes as he shoved his classmate away and back, crashing into the nearby desk. Reaching back, he grabbed his own chair and slumped back into it with a huff. The rest of the students looked between each other, Grant and Vyrion both helping Solias back to his feet. Everyone else stayed silent, the one boy’s outburst leaving a questionable air between the students.
“I believe that will be all for now. You all are dismissed and you may use the remainder of this week to rest and recover and think about the results of your first missions. Each one of you needs to make proper use of this time you’re being given.”
As the students filed out of the room, Xana’s ears perked as she heard the dean and their teacher speaking in a hushed tone. She could only make out a few words, something about “missing crystals” and “IMPs”, before Rock pushed past her in anger, distracting her from the dean’s mention of a strong interest in investigating the lake.
“Xana? Hey, there’s no need to worry so much. We did a good job! Now, we finally get a chance to rest for a couple of days!” Tasha gave a cheerful grin as she wrapped her arm around the small Infurnal girl’s shoulder.
The wolf girl found the energy to smile back at her some as she decided to ignore the human boy’s rough actions and. She could feel her curiosity wanting her to turn back and ask the dean and her teacher what they were discussing, but she pushed the urge away. She and her team had succeeded in completing their mission.
“You’re right. I guess we earned a chance to relax.” She smiled up at Tasha and leaned into her, enjoying the closeness. The dark skinned girl really had a talent for easing the smaller girl’s tension.
“Listen Sol, you shouldn’t beat yourself up over the mission so much. Rock’s just pissed, but he’s fine. The medics said he’ll only have a scar.” Vyrion tried to reassure his friend, knowing the events that unfolded during the mission combined with the outburst just moments ago were weighing heavily on their temporary leader and his friend.
“I know he’ll be fine, but if Drumm hadn’t been there, or if we had been any slower, he could be dead right now. He was willing to risk himself for the mission. I should have planned better; I shouldn’t have used him that way. I was in too much of a rush to prove myself.”
“You saw how confident he was. He didn’t even give it a second thought!” Grant laughed a little as he pushed his way into the conversation the other two were having. Using his fingers he slipped a loose strand of black hair back into place behind his ear. “He was just as eager as the rest of us to make a name for himself. Remember his little outburst when Drumm was talking to us? Besides, if he was as good with his magic as he always boasts, the IMP never should have broken through the effects of his bullet and his Caster jacket.”
Solias continued down the hall of the Academy with Vyrion and Grant, his mind still working through what he could have done differently as the leader to his teammates and friends.