It started, as many of Kael's problems did, with breakfast.
He hadn't even finished his first bite of toast when a glowing letter zipped through the air and smacked him directly in the forehead.
Kael blinked. Then read it.
To: Kael Vaelthorn
From: The Esteemed Student Council of Arcanis Academy
You are hereby summoned to the High Dome at noon for questioning regarding…
Unauthorized dueling, intentional fear-inducing behavior, suspicious rooftop loitering,
and the mysterious disappearance of a Class A magical poultry specimen from the Beast Division.
Sincerely,
Vice President Merielle Duskwhisper
Kael squinted.
"...I didn't even know we had a poultry division."
Lyra, sipping her juice beside him, nearly choked. "Y-you're in trouble again?!"
"I didn't do anything," Kael said calmly.
"That's the problem," Lyra muttered. "Y-you keep doing nothing and everyone thinks it's... a threat."
---
The Chicken Incident (According to Rumors)
By midmorning, rumors were everywhere.
Some said Kael had stolen the magical chicken—an ancient beast named Golden Flarebeak—to perform a forbidden ritual.
Others claimed the chicken had wronged him in a past life.
A few believed he was the chicken in disguise and the real Kael was sleeping in the infirmary.
Kael didn't care. He was more upset he'd missed seconds at breakfast.
---
The High Dome – Student Council HQ
The High Dome was a huge glass structure atop the western tower, floating gently above the rest of the academy. Inside, sunlight danced through enchanted lenses, illuminating massive desks, glowing reports, and very serious-looking student officers.
Kael stood in the center like a lone mushroom in a field of roses.
Council Vice President Merielle Duskwhisper stepped forward. She was tall, had silver hair, and spoke like every word was part of a grand strategy.
"Kael Drayke. You are summoned to answer for several troubling matters."
Kael yawned.
Merielle twitched. "Did you… just yawn at a summons?"
"It's too early for dramatic speeches."
"It's noon!"
Kael shrugged.
---
The Accusations
They threw the charges one by one:
Unauthorized rooftop presence.
Students fainting after his cryptic whispering.
Reports that he summoned a dark storm during training (he sneezed and accidentally triggered a weather glyph).
And the big one: The disappearance of Golden Flarebeak.
Kael listened, arms crossed. Then he said:
"I don't even like chicken."
Gasps echoed.
"I eat toast every morning. And I'm allergic to feathers. Ask Lyra."
Lyra, who had followed him nervously, nodded from behind a plant. "H-he really is."
Merielle narrowed her eyes. "So where were you during the time of the poultry disappearance?"
Kael blinked. "Sleeping."
"In the library?"
"In the cleaning closet. It's quieter."
More gasps.
One council member whispered, "He's using forbidden hiding spots... how cunning…"
Kael blinked slowly. "I think I need a nap."
---
Enter: The Real Culprit
Suddenly, the chamber doors burst open.
In waddled… a chicken.
Flarebeak.
Glowing. Proud. Wearing a small cape.
Behind him was Professor Halberd from the Beast Division, red in the face.
"I told you Flarebeak was testing the portal gates again! He keeps slipping out to admire himself in the Hall of Mirrors!"
The chicken clucked.
Merielle sighed.
Kael turned to leave. "Told you I didn't like chicken."
---
On the Way Out
As Kael left the dome, Lyra rushed beside him.
"T-that was close!"
"I was innocent."
"You almost got expelled… for poultry theft."
Kael nodded solemnly. "A dark fate avoided."
From behind, Merielle Duskwhisper watched him go, scribbling a new note in her journal:
Subject: Kael Vaelthorn.
Status: Enigmatic. Possibly a genius. Definitely terrifying.
Also possibly allergic to poultry.
---
End of Chapter 25