Chương 18: Chapter 5-6: The Moon Sigil

Ren woke up shortly before midnight. Aiden was sitting at the young man's desk, reading through some class material. When he heard Ren move, he quickly sprung to his feet. He had many questions and he was going to get those answers tonight. No matter what.

Ren blinked a few times as he stared at the familiar ceiling. The moonlight was shining through the windows, dyeing the room in a silver light. He sensed Aiden's cool mana almost immediately. It was slowly, gently whirling around the room. He sensed the spell the young noble had cast on the door; it wouldn't let anyone else barge in.

He lifted himself to a sitting position and glanced at the young noble. He remembered everything.

"I'm sorry." His weak voice trembled. He felt weak, his body hadn't recovered yet and neither had his mind. His chest hurt. "I couldn't tell you before." He avoided looking at the young noble.

"I don't understand." Aiden said with a heavy voice. "What does the council have to do with you?" He clenched his fists. "Why did my uncle get so furious at you?"

Ren flinched. "My life is not my own." He quietly explained. "As is my power." He placed his hand on his chest. "There is a mark on my body. We don't know what it is. We don't know how it got to be here. It was there when the council found me."

Aiden pulled his chair closer. "What do you mean by 'found you'?"

Ren sighed as unpleasant memories surfaced. "I was told I was found abandoned near the inner keep. I don't remember that, though. My earliest memory is being in a dark room. Cloaked people were standing far away, trying to suppress my mana. I later learned that they were the council. They'd saved my life and one of their own had lost his life in the process."

Aiden flinched. "The death of Prince Cedric?" He shouted. The only council members known to the public were the imperial family members – The current emperor's older brother, Prince Cedric was no exception to that.

Ren nodded. "I was later given to my master's care. The Council deemed me a worthy research subject and decided to keep me alive. I was given permission to come here because they hoped I'd be able to finally find a way to control my mana." He looked at his hands. At first, it was difficult to speak – he'd never told this to anyone. But now, the more he spoke, the more he felt like the lump in his throat dissolved.

"Lord Condor was angry because I put you in danger." He didn't blame the enforcer. He was angry at himself as well.

"I told you to not worry about that incident. I'm fine, aren't I?" Aiden said with a faint smile.

"No!" Ren shook his head. His chest ached. "That's not what I'm talking about. The council didn't care about you before. Now they know about you. They've given you clearance. That is not a good thing, Aiden." He clenched his fists.

The young noble seemed stunned. "I don't… what?"

What he knew and believed in so far was being challenged. Ren didn't blame him for not wanting to accept what he said. The council was held in higher regard than even the Imperial family. They were the core of Arkon's military. They directly controlled all magic users.

"I'll talk to them." Ren said as he glanced out the window. It was late. Midnight was almost upon them. "I'll see if they'll accept my request." As he spoke, the thought of what that request would cost him made him shiver. "I don't have much time left," He said, tilting his head towards the window. "I'll probably be back at dawn." He stood up and fixed his ceremonial robes. His hands started to shake halfway through, so he quickly turned his back to the young noble.

"Wait, how are you even going to leave the academy grounds?" Aiden asked with a confused tone. "And why did you say it's not a good thing? The council looks out for the safety of everyone here in Arkon."

Ren sighed. "No," He said with a frown. "Their mission is to ensure Arkon's survival through the ages." He clenched his fists. "They don't care about any one person or group." He felt mana spread around him. It was white, cool, and reminded him of moonlight. "It's time." He turned to face Aiden. "I'll see you soon. I hope."

"Wait, Ren!" Aiden shouted and reached out to him. White mana, spreading from the Moon Sigil enveloped Ren as the spell was completed. Aiden tried to grab Ren's arm, but all his fingers caught was a silver mist left behind. With a flash of mana, Ren was gone. "Damn it!" Aiden shouted as he punched the wall.

Ren opened his eyes to see twelve cloaked figures standing before him. He was standing in a large, dark room. The ground was made of black marble. He could see a single, marble block at the centre of the room. It was where the 'examinations' always took place. The resurfacing memories caused him to shiver.

He only knew the face of one of the thirteen council members. That of Prince Aon. Even though he was also cloaked now, Ren knew his mana all too well. The white, cool mana that had cast the spell to transport Ren here belonged to the prince. He could even tell which one of the cloaked figures he was.

Hiding his shaking hands beneath the cloth of his ceremonial robes, he fell on one knee and whispered. "Glory to Arkon."

"Glory to Arkon, indeed." A woman's voice sounded. "We are delighted to see you well, Ren."

"Thank you," Ren carefully answered her. It took every bit of his willpower to keep his voice steady. These people were so immensely powerful that despite masking their mana, their sheer presence was enough to strain Ren's mind.

"Before we begin," A man's voice sounded this time. "You've cast the sealing spell." Ren noticed a string of pink mana extend towards him. It smelled of strawberries. "We've been informed that Aiden Condor, nephew of enforcer Nathan Condor, has witnessed your power. We've deemed him worthy and given him clearance."

Ren clenched his fists. They had their eyes on Aiden. They probably wanted him to become one of their enforcers, or perhaps even a member of the council down the line. He took a shallow breath and gathered his courage.

"I would like to make a request, if I am so allowed."

Someone took a sharp breath. The pink mana extended towards Ren stopped in its tracks and retreated. Ren gulped – this was it. He'd get one chance. He had to convince them.

"Very well," Prince Aon's voice sounded. He stepped forward and everyone else nodded after a moment's hesitation. "Let us hear it."

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