Imperial War Council Chamber
Located at the heart of the palace complex, the Imperial War Council Chamber was sealed tightly under layers of protective magic and elite guards.
Its vaulted ceiling bore ancient carvings of war and conquest. The walls stood silent, yet echoed with the weight of decisions that had shaped the continent's history.
On that day, the room was filled with the most powerful faces in the Empire.
At one side of the grand table sat Emperor Gaius Octavianus Magnus, his gaze unreadable, heavy with calculation.
Beside him, Empress Aurelia remained quiet, her eyes sharp as a judge's, observing every nuance with composed clarity.
Across the table: General Cassian Dreilhart, Lord Severan Malrec, Grand Rector Caerwyn Haldeir, and the highest-ranking nobles Duke Armand Vaelric, Marchioness Selene Arceval, Count Riven Destrois, and Baroness Elira Vaunt.
Soren Voltaire Duval sat slightly apart.not at the Emperor's side, but never out of reach.
The discussion began with a written report on the incident following the final duel at the Imperial Academy.
"He appeared in the sky, but not from within the Academy," Malrec began. "Entered through the commoners' tribune. Not a noble. Not a student. Not registered among visitors."
Duke Armand tapped his cane.
"An illusion that strong, piercing through our security perimeter if true, this is no mere dissident."
"No," Soren replied in a low voice. "He came to deliver a message. Not an empty threat a demonstration of power."
Marchioness Selene narrowed her eyes.
"Drawing attention. Spreading unease. Like some petty revolutionary who believes a single sentence can set fire to foundations."
Count Riven gave a slight smile.
"Or… like the first arrow loosed before a war."
"Too early to call it war," General Cassian interrupted. "But too foolish to dismiss it as passing wind."
Rector Caerwyn folded his arms.
"What's alarming isn't just the appearance, but the students' reaction. They all felt Archon Duval's pressure. And they... responded. Some of them activated their magic, as if preparing for battle."
Baroness Elira murmured coldly:
"Are we raising monsters or protectors?"
The Emperor turned to Soren.
"Your assessment?"
Soren stared at the table for a moment before answering:
"He is powerful. But it's not just the power that makes him dangerous. He knew when to appear. He knew the arena, knew who would be present. He wanted us to see him and respond.
That wasn't an attack. It was an ideological statement."
Duke Armand clicked his tongue.
"And what will Lord Duval do? Swing his sword at every shadow?"
Soren looked up.
"If the shadow reaches the palace, then yes."
Selene gave a sharp smile.
"Then what if the Empire falls not by war, but by overreaction from within?"
"If the Empire falls from a single stroke of my sword," Soren replied coldly,
"then it deserved to fall."
Silence descended for a moment.
The Emperor slowly rose, and his voice carried like thunder in a stone hall.
"We do not know who he is. We are not even sure where he came from. But one thing is clear we have been shown a weakness."
"The Empire was not built by strength alone, but by the awareness that every threat is a test. Not just against our walls but against our foundation."
He looked each of them in the eye.
"Lord Duval will draft a re-evaluation protocol for the security of all vital zones, including the Academy and other strategic locations."
Soren nodded without comment.
"General Dreilhart, deploy reserve forces to neutral zones. Do not let this appear as fear. But leave no opening."
"It shall be done," Cassian replied firmly.
"Lord Malrec," the Emperor turned, "activate cross-regional intelligence networks. Filter every report. Search for patterns."
"Already underway, Your Majesty. But I will resend direct instructions today."
The Emperor surveyed them all. His voice sharpened.
"And all of you if you believe a single voice from the sky can shake the throne, then you've learned nothing from history.
We endure not because of one man's might, but because our system leaves no wound unattended."
"Resume your duties. Do not seek heroes. Build walls. Build systems.
Defense is not a shout it is structure."
The council ended.
There was no applause. No triumph.
Only the quiet steps of those leaving the chamber
and whispered speculations on who it was that had just touched the Empire's sky with words.