Aethernea : Soulbound [Book 1]

Episode 52 - Herb Garden Fire

Through the entire explanation, Eruan Arite showed no change in expression. He patiently listened with his fingers crossed, resting on the table in front of him.

"So, sir, I believe we should ban Elaru Wayvin from participating in the exams." Deora concluded in, what seemed to be, a righteous tone.

Eruan stood silent for several moments, observing Deora and Zerel with his vivid purple eyes. "In your opinion, do you believe the incident to be an intentional breaking of Muni property?"

"Yes!" "No."

Both Deora and Zerel chose to answer at the same time.

The two looked at each other. Deora glaring daggers at Zerel, while Zerel still smiled innocently.

"Deora, I've already heard your side of the story. Zerel? What are your thoughts on the matter?" As Eruan's voice fell, Zerel didn't waste time and explained.

"The speed of the weaving went over the theoretical limit which is why the speedometer broke. It wasn't that the girl wanted to break it - she just wanted to showcase her fastest casting speed. No one could have predicted that the glass couldn't take the heat."

Deora's face looked exceedingly ugly as he listened to Zerel's words. He wanted to speak up, but a single calm yet piercing look from Eruan shut him up.

"The second incident...we aren't sure of the cause. Whether the cause had something to do with Elaru Wayvin has yet to be confirmed. And even if that was the case, I don't believe it to be intentional." Zerel paused briefly, his mouth twitching into a sly smirk. "And, if I might add, the cube broke in Deora's hands."

To reinforce his point, Zerel pointed towards Deora. Deora's face was completely red at this point, ready to explode. He couldn't contain it in any longer, and he roared out:

"Frakk! Don't you dare pin this on me!! I am innocent!!!"

Eruan's eyebrows furrowed just a little bit, but it was enough to silence Deora. His big yellow eyes looked almost ready to cry. His lip was entirely red from how much he was chewing on it.

After silencing Deora, Eruan's purple gaze landed on Zerel. "Are you really clueless to the reason or are you pretending to be clueless?"

Eruan Arite was many things, but he wasn't an idiot. He was very familiar with Zerel's personality. He was also familiar with his worth. If Zerel said he doesn't know something, then it was more probable that he was lying.

Eruan stared closely at Zerel's face. However, he didn't find any signs of deceit. Zerel's annoying smile never wavered.

"Would I ever lie to you Eri?"

Yes. Definitely. - was what crossed through both Deora's and Eruan's mind.

"Neither one of us was able to find any clues on the matter. Eri, we really don't know how it happened!"

As Eruan heard the name "Eri", his eyebrow briefly twitched. However, he chose to ignore it. "If it isn't intentional, we have nothing more to talk about."

Deora couldn't help but exclaim: "Does that mean that Elaru Wayvin won't be banned from the exams?!"

"Naturally. Since it isn't intentional, we have no basis on which to disqualify her." Eruan sighed softly, for the first time showing signs of tiredness. The night had already fallen and yet he was still in his office, swamped with work. He didn't have the time or patience to deal with Deora.

Hearing Eruan's soft sigh, Deora figured that he wasn't too angry, so he couldn't help but show his displeasure. Like an angry toddler, he stomped his feet and grumbled: "Why are you taking his word over mine?! It is intentional! It is definitely intentional!"