Students eyed their nervously pacing dean as they passed by the Gate to join their classrooms, wondering what or who he was waiting for. Yet, despite their curiosity, they knew better than to annoy the mysterious arcanist.
Ignoring them, Shepard muttered, a worried frown covering his features, "Where are they?"
He had given them the benefit of the doubt, assuming they were busy and lost track of time for a day. However, they didn't return yesterday either, increasing his uneasiness.
"I hope nothing happened to them," he said, walking towards the Gate's control. He couldn't let misfortune befall his two latest disciples doing nothing.
Determined to investigate, he entered the Belloria's kingdom coordinates and swiftly stepped through the towering construct.
Following the rules imposed on any mages and above, he teleported to the capital to signal his presence. He also planned to ask Thorian if he knew where his adoptive daughter went, aiming to save time if he knew the answer.
Ten minutes later, he entered the palace's meeting room, his eyes landing on the blonde king. "Greetings, King of Belloria. I came today to inquire about two students who went missing nine days ago," he said, his voice solemn and his body language following decorum despite his dislike for it.
Alerted by his guards the instant Shepard exited the Gate, Thorian hurriedly consulted his aids, preparing to answer the arcanist's questions. Thus, his blue eyes sparkled as he said without hesitation, "I'm aware of their disappearance. Alas, despite knowing their rough location, my hands are tied."
With a frown, Shepard's voice became graver as he asked, "How are your hands tied in your own kingdom? Where are they?"
"They explored a canyon close to Highvale before fleeing from the Aurora kingdom's army and disappearing in Elderglade Peaks. I combed my part of the area but found no trace of them, meaning they were on their side. Worse, they stationed soldiers everywhere, giving them the order to kill on sight," responded Thorian, an innocent smile plastered on his face while he blatantly lied.
His plan was simple: rally the arcanist to obliterate the arrogant queen's troops stationed on the borders. After all, he learned she invested quite a lot of them, sending nobles into their midst. If Shepard could kill them all, he would weaken her kingdom's military, chain of command and territory administration at the same time!
As for Morgane's capture? He knew he could only reluctantly give up. Yet, salvaging his loss was possible as long as he took advantage of the situation. Anyway, if Shepard truly found her, he would commission students to assassinate her in the college, resolving the problem once and for all. If he couldn't have her, no one could.
"Thank you. I won't abuse your time, as I believe we both have tight schedules," said Shepard, grey wisps of mana emanating from his eyes. Anger burning in his chest, he took determined steps, leaving the palace before teleporting to Highvale.
He trusted Thorian to some extent, yet the canyon area was over two hundred kilometers away from Elderglade peaks. How did they cover this distance with an army chasing them? 'Something doesn't add up,' he thought as the mage stationed walked to him with a sly grin.
"Hello, good sir. Might I ask for your identification documents?" Asked the mage, his eyes shining with greed.
Handing his arcanist brooch, Shepard snorted, "Where did the two kids who came here go, and why are they missing?"
Upon seeing it, the mage paled. His eyes trembling in fear, he stuttered, "I-I don't know. I can't remember any kids crossing the Gate."
Cold perspiration rapidly matted his forehead as Shepard's fierce eyes locked on him, mana dancing in them. He wouldn't ask the same question twice, and the mage intuitively understood it.
"They travelled to the canyon nine days ago after renting two horses! I've never seen them after, I swear!" He hurriedly said, almost biting his tongue under the pressure.
"I see," Shepard replied, a calculative light flashing through his eyes before he added. "Now, explain why you refused to speak about them."
As his words lingered, a brief silence ensuing, a mana pressure suddenly assaulted the mage, menacing to crush him if he kept wasting time.
His legs buckling and his face colliding with the ground, the mage screamed, "Royal orders! The king in person told me to snuff the matter eight days ago after losing his royal army in the canyon!"
"Humph, count yourself lucky and hide well behind the rules," Shepard said, gazing towards the capital, his jaw muscles clenched under his anger. 'You aren't nicknamed the foolish king by your neighbors without reason. Did you really believe I would take your words at face value without investigating?' He thought, infuriated to be taken for an idiot.
Truthfully, if not for the archmages forbidding any arcanist or themselves to kill without reason, he would have blown this city to smithereens.
Clicking his tongue in dissatisfaction, he set the Gate's coordinates to the Aurora kingdom to ask permission to search their part of the mountain before leaving.
However, contrary to Thorian, Cordelia took her sweet time to receive him, showing no respect for his rank. After two long hours, a maid finally guided him to the noble-filled conference room.
"Can't we speak in private?" He asked, his displeasure reflecting in his voice and features as he addressed her directly, omitting any title or civility.
"Arcanist Shepard," Cordelia responded, smiling brightly before adding. "We kept your students safe from the tyrant's army for you. Every person in the room has followed this case since its beginning. Don't you think that asking them to leave is unfair?"
"My patience is running thin, Cordelia. After the stunt the fool tried to pull on me, you'd better not abuse my willingness to follow the rules," Shepard said, mana dancing around his body, signalling he was truly reaching his limits.
"Or what?" She smirked provokingly. "The moment you act, archmage Vivian's thunderbolt will smite you from the sky. Do not think my kingdom is afraid of you!"
With a deep breath, Shepard asked through gritted teeth, "Authorise me to search for my students. I'll leave after finding them."
However, Cordelia's smile widened as she declared, "I hereby refuse your request and revoke your right to stay in Aurora for a year. You may leave."