Julianne's sudden appearance and unexpecting
declaration immediately shifted the atmosphere in the Proctor's chamber. All eyes, including Eryndor's, turned to her. The Proctors exchanged questioning glances, their expressions unreadable. Her father one of the high authorities was present, his face squeezed and his left brow slightly race, For someone like Julianne's standing to intervene was unusual, and it carried significant weight.
"Julianne," Mr Percival Willow said, his voice authoritative and commanding. "You were present?" He wanted to use the opportunity to punish Eryndor to leave the school but with his daughter here he might not be able to execute his plan, he hated the Thorne's.
"I was present." Julianne confirmed, stepping fully into the room. Her gaze swept over the Proctors and her father, then briefly met Eryndor's, offering a fleeting, almost imperceptible nod of reassurance. "I observed the entire scene between Darius and Eryndor from the moment Darius approached them."
The burly man, Percival, still skeptical, interjected, "And what exactly did you witness, Julianne? Did you see Eryndor employ any forbidden arts?"
Julianne's eyes hardened slightly. "I saw Darius intentionally provoke Eryndor. I saw him, snatch the dagger from Eryndor's. And I saw the dagger, the moment it was unsheathed, react with a will of its own, lunging at Darius. It was not wielded by Eryndor. It moved independently." Her voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt. "It was a reflexive act by the blade, not a directed spell from the Eryndor, he can't even use a spell he is an ordinary. The nature of its magic, while ancient and volatile is not 'dark' like they thought it to be, but rather primal and reactive."
"So you are ordinary, no wonder everyone was looking at you strangely," Gloop remarked.
A ripple of murmurs went through the Proctors. Julianne's testimony was crucial. She was known for her sharp observations and unwavering integrity. Her word carried immense credibility.
"You claim the dagger acted autonomously?" Her father, Percival Willow questioned, his brow furrowing in thought. "Such artifacts are rare, but not unheard of. However, the resulting injury on Darius is severe and consistent with magical poisoning. How do you explain that, Julianne?"
Julianne's gaze sharpened, her eyes holding a deeper knowing. "Proctors, I believe the poisoning was self-inflicted by Darius himself, likely unknowingly. The dagger, as I observed, is imbued with ancient, reactive magic. When Darius snatched it and aggressively unsheathed it, the blade responded. The 'poison' isn't a intentional dark curse from Eryndor." She gulped and then continued, "it appears to be a defensive counter-effect of the dagger's own archaic magic, triggered by hostile intent from anyone other than Darius , not Eryndor. He was the aggressor, and the dagger reacted to his aggression. He essentially poisoned himself by provoking the blade."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in, then delivered the final, damning blow. "Furthermore, Proctors, Darius's immediate and fervent accusation of 'dark magic' and his insistence on Eryndor's expulsion felt... orchestrated. He knew how severe such an accusation is, especially for someone like Eryndor, who lacks the political backing of a powerful family. It suggests he saw an opportunity in this incident to rid himself of a precipitable rival, or simply someone he regards 'ordinary' and beneath him."
"Got lucky someone helped you Eryndor," Gloop commented still invisible.
Eryndor listened, a wave of immense relief washing over him. Julianne's words were clear, precise, and entirely correct. For the first time since the incident, he felt a flicker of hope. He looked at her, a silent thank you in his eyes.
The Proctors leaned back in their chairs, considering Julianne's detailed testimony. The burly man still looked unconvinced staring at his daughter and Eryndor, but the lead Proctor's expression had softened, shifting from suspicion to deep contemplation.
"Julianne, your testimony provides a crucial counterpoint to Darius's claims, offering a plausible explanation for both the dagger's behavior and the nature of the injury," Mr Willow finally stated, looking from Julianne to Kaiden, then at Eryndor. "While the severity of Darius's injury is undeniable, the intent and direct application of dark magic by Eryndor are now thoroughly questionable."
He then turned her gaze back to Eryndor. " Eryndor, your account of the dagger's autonomous movement, previously unsupported, now gains significant credence through Julianne's eyewitness report. However, possessing such an artifact, especially one with volatile effects, without proper understanding or control, is a serious matter in itself."
Eryndor nodded grimly. He understood. Even if he wasn't accused of dark magic, simply owning such a reactive item was problematic.
"We will review Darius's condition and the nature of the poison in light of Julianne's new insights," he continued. "I'll tell someone to call Darius. We will hear his account, and then we will confront him with Julianne's observations." Then Eryndor and Julianne left.
Eryndor felt a heavy weight lift from his shoulders. He wasn't expelled. He wasn't suspended. He still had a chance, Eryndor turned to Julianne, his face alight with genuine gratitude.
"Julianne, thank you," he said, his voice earnest. "You saved me. How... how did you know all that? About the dagger acting on its own, and the 'poison' being a reaction?"
Julianne gave him a slight, knowing smile. "Let's just say I know many things about magic. More than most. Some people, in fact, have even called me mad for it." A flicker of something ancient and weary passed through her eyes, quickly masked. "The arcane arts are vast, Eryndor, and not always what they seem on the surface. Understanding requires looking beyond the obvious, goodbye I have work to do I'll see you tomorrow."
With that, Julianne gave a curt nod to the Proctors and a final, lingering look at Eryndor just stood still watching her leave.
"She is cool, she really knows many things about magic, I didn't even realize what Darius did and I was with you," Gloop said. "I haven't unlocked your skill yet maybe that the reason," Eryndor replied.
Just as he was about to follow her out, Kaiden came out from the hall, his face a grim mask. He closed the heavy oak door behind him, turning to face Eryndor. His eyes, usually calm, now held a sharp, calculating glint that sent a shiver down Eryndor's spine. Darius was not with him.
"Eryndor," Kaiden began, his voice low, devoid of its usual casual warmth. "Before you leave I need to know something. Earlier, when I casted a spell on you, you somehow managed to reverse the flow of my basic Arcane Binding spell. No ordinary, especially one with your lack of formal training, should be capable of such a feat. How did you do it, Eryndor? You're supposed to be ordinary."
"Not now I thought we passed this," Eryndor complained in his thought.
"I told you he won't buy that lie," Gloop said.
"Shut up slime!"