As Gabriel and Caen left, another discussion started between the youngsters who believed that the two were called by the Head Council because they were thought to be the killers. Otherwise, why would the High Council call them? The High Council wasn't that free.
"Enough talking. We'll be moving on to the next artifact here. We don't have all day. Come." Noel moved over to the next Artefact, trying to stop the youngsters from talking.
Noel also felt like slapping his forehead in frustration. Even now, Lelin didn't appear to be focusing on him. For some reason, he was looking at his own hand.
'Sigh, this kid. Why do I even look at him? Every time I do, he looks more bored than the last time. These spoiled brats with recommendations! If they didn't want to learn, why did they even bother coming here!'
In recent days, no student had irritated him as much as he was now. And that too when Lelin wasn't even speaking anything. He was just immersed in his own thoughts.
'A Mirage... I was right.' Lelin closed his fist again.
****
Gabriel and Caen followed the middle-aged man out of the Museum. Throughout the journey, the old man didn't say anything.
Caen also didn't speak. He looked really grim, having a general idea at this point why he was being called, mostly because he was called together with Gabriel.
The only thing he had in common with Gabriel was that the two of them stood against Yann and his friends. Moreover, one of those guys was the same one that was killed today.
Since it was only the two of them that were being called, he was sure that it was going to be about that. The High Council was most probably suspecting them since they had some conflict initially.
He wondered if he could actually prove his innocence though. He didn't want to have to go through the test of the Crown only to get his talent weakened. He was sure Yann was going to try to have that happen!
"You seem worried." Surprisingly, it was Gabriel who started the conversation.
"The question isn't why I'm worried. It's why you aren't? I haven't killed that guy. And I'm sure you won't kill him for a small conflict on the street either," Caen stated. "We're both innocent."
Gabriel didn't react much, but he did find that statement quite ironic. Caen actually had the killer right before his eyes, but he didn't believe it. Then again, he was right as well. Gabriel didn't kill him over a minor conflict on the street either.
"At this point, we are under suspicion. And I have a feeling that just our words won't be enough to prove our innocence. If they aren't, we would have to go through the test of the Crown, and that will be bad."
Caen had arrived back in the city to study at the Academy and begin the rise of the Ashton Family once again. And he also had the talent for that. He was a prodigy! But the Crown... That was what scared him, especially since he was innocent.
"Is the test of the Crown so bad?" Gabriel inquired. He had heard only a few things about the Crown of Elisus about it affecting the talent of a person, but was it really to an extent where it was scaring the scion of the Ashton Family?
"Yes, it is," Caen answered. "The Crown of Elisus is the worst thing for the future of a young mage. It checks your soul and your mind to see if you're lying about something. And it's never wrong. However, in the process of testing your soul, it also carries the potential to damage your soul, reducing your Soul Strength."
Ever since the moment Caen arrived at the Academy, he hadn't talked as much as he was talking now, and that too because he was really concerned. Even someone like him was worried.
"Is that so... Something that can see if someone is lying..." Gabriel scratched his temple, trying to see if he had any use for an item like that.
The item was good for interrogation, especially on his enemies. He was also sure that the Crown they were talking about was the Crown he had seen in the museum before leaving. They hadn't reached the part where that Crown was introduced before they had to be called away.
'Each of the Numen in the Academy is precious on its own. Since I'm already stealing three of them, what if... I steal all of them?'
It was unclear if it was greed or preparation for the future, but the more Gabriel thought about it, the more he realized the importance of Numens. If he had them, they could certainly be useful for him in the future.
*****
The two of them were brought to the Central Castle, where the High Council consisting of the Head of each Elemental House, was waiting for them.
All the Head Teachers were sitting on a chair around the table. There were also two more men standing in the distance, one being Yann and the other being Garrick.
Both stood with their hands behind their back.
After bringing the two youngsters inside the room, the red-haired man left, not forgetting to close the door behind them.
For a moment, there was complete silence in the entire hall. In fact, it was so silent that even the sound of breathing could be heard.
All the Head Council Members observed the two new students who had entered the hall.
The silence was broken by the door opening once again as another person made an entry.
Another teacher arrived with a third youngster who was recognized by Gabriel as well. It was the youngster that he and Caen had helped. He was partially the reason they had the conflict with Yann's group in the first place. He was Zale, the young Mage who carried the Element of Earth and was being bullied by Yann.
Surprisingly, the youngster had also managed to clear the test of the Academy, and now he was donning the Attire of a first-year student from the House of Earth.
Gabriel, Caen, and Zale stood right beside each other. The other teacher also left, sending the room back to silence.
Even though Caen was also worried about having to be called here, Zale was the only one who was sweating. He was already very nervous about standing before the Head Council, which was composed of Mages that were said to be strong enough to compete with the Head Priests of the Holy Churches.
"Are they the ones?"
The Head of House of Fire Yoan was the first person to speak as he directed a question to Yann.
"They are," Yann affirmed.
