Shattered Sanity

(Meanwhile, House Argent Castle, Circuit’s POV)

Circuit sat beside the window of his dormitory, resting his chin upon his palm as he stared aimlessly towards the distant towers of the Imperial Academy.

With the curfew still in effect following the Northwatch Grounds massacre, students had been instructed to remain within their respective House Castles, leaving him with little to do besides contemplate the events of the previous day.

And unfortunately for Circuit, those events had made his life considerably more unpleasant than he could have anticipated.

Ever since Riven’s arrest, several students had approached him demanding to know whether his friend was truly responsible for the massacre, while others had gone as far as questioning whether Circuit himself had been involved.

After all, he had been one of the last people seen accompanying Riven before the incident, and although he had remained at House Argent Castle during the massacre, that had done little to discourage the rumors.

Some students had even begun avoiding him altogether, apparently concerned that associating with someone so closely connected to a suspected murderer might damage their own reputations.

’What a mess. I wonder how Riven is holding up in detention.’

Circuit wondered, as he released another long sigh and leaned his forehead against the cool glass of the window.

Although he had assured Riven that he would contact Duke Drew Dawnriver, he had received no response to the letter he had dispatched, leaving him uncertain whether his message had even reached White Castle.

And with the Academy authorities refusing to disclose anything beyond the fact that Imperial investigators had been summoned, there was very little he could do to help his friend.

However, just as Circuit was preparing to turn away from the window, something unusual caught his attention in the distant sky.

At first, it appeared to be an unusually large bird flying towards the Academy, its dark silhouette barely distinguishable against the clouds.

Yet as the creature drew closer, Circuit noticed that its wings were moving in a manner unlike those of any bird he had encountered before, while its body appeared considerably broader than he had initially assumed.

’Wait a minute. Is that a horse?’

Circuit wondered, as he straightened in his seat and pressed closer to the window, attempting to obtain a clearer view of the approaching creature.

Within moments, several more winged horses emerged from the clouds, flying in a disciplined military formation, with each rider maintaining an almost identical distance from those surrounding him.

”Those are... War Pegasi?”

Circuit muttered, as his eyes widened upon noticing the dark metallic armor protecting their bodies, while the sheer number of riders approaching the Academy made him increasingly uneasy.

However, as the leading cavalrymen drew closer, Circuit finally managed to distinguish the silver crests engraved upon their armor, immediately recognizing the heraldic insignia of House Dawnriver.

”Th... That’s the Dawnriver Legion!”

Circuit exclaimed, as he abruptly rose from his chair, nearly knocking it backwards in his excitement.

These were Duke Drew’s personal guards, an elite cavalry force whose extraordinary discipline was evident from the precision with which their squadrons maintained formation, with the leading riders flying ahead while others protected the flanks.

However, what truly caught Circuit’s attention was the magnificent flying chariot traveling at the center of the legion, drawn by four enormous white Pegasi whose wings dwarfed those of the surrounding mounts.

Fashioned from dark wood reinforced with silver metalwork, the carriage bore the Dawnriver family crest upon its doors, making it instantly recognizable to Circuit.

After all, it was the very same chariot that had transported Riven to the Imperial Academy, a vehicle reserved exclusively for members of the Dawnriver household.

’Duke Drew... He’s actually here?’

Circuit thought, as his heart began pounding with excitement.

Without wasting another moment, he rushed out of his dormitory and hurried towards the common compound of House Argent Castle, hoping to obtain a better view of the extraordinary spectacle unfolding overhead.

However, by the time he reached the compound, he discovered that several dozen other students had already gathered there, their attention directed towards the sky as the enormous formation passed above the castle.

”Look at them! There must be hundreds of soldiers up there!”

One student exclaimed, as he pointed towards the approaching cavalry.

”Those are Dawnriver War Pegasi! My father showed me paintings of them once. They’re supposed to be among the finest aerial cavalry units in the entire Empire!”

Another student replied, as several others began exchanging increasingly anxious glances.

”Why would a Great Duke bring his personal army to the Academy? Is this because of Riven Dawnriver’s arrest?”

A third student wondered aloud, as the realization gradually spread throughout the gathered crowd.

Circuit paid little attention to their speculation, however, as his gaze remained fixed upon the familiar chariot traveling at the center of the formation.

’He received my letter. He actually came.’

Circuit realized, as a faint smile appeared upon his face.

Yet before he could properly appreciate what the Duke’s arrival might mean for his friend, a sudden humming sound began reverberating throughout House Argent Castle.

The sound appeared to originate from somewhere beneath the castle foundations, gradually increasing in intensity until the stone walls themselves seemed to vibrate.

”What... What’s happening now?”

A nearby student asked, as several others instinctively retreated from the open compound.

Circuit looked around in confusion before noticing a series of glowing runes appearing along the castle’s outer walls, their pale golden light spreading rapidly across the ancient stonework.

Within moments, a translucent barrier began forming overhead, extending from one side of the castle to the other until the entire structure had been enclosed beneath a magnificent protective dome.

And House Argent was hardly the only castle experiencing this phenomenon.

Across the Imperial Academy, similar barriers were beginning to materialize around the other House Castles, while enormous defensive formations appeared above the administrative buildings and several important training facilities.

Even from his position within the Argent compound, Circuit could see towering columns of light rising from distant sections of the Academy, connecting with the protective formations spreading across the surrounding grounds.

”The Academy’s defensive wards have activated!”

A senior student shouted, as he recognized the elaborate formations appearing overhead.

”Those are the emergency protection formations! They only activate when the Academy detects a serious external threat!”

His announcement immediately caused another wave of anxiety to spread throughout the compound, as the gathered students realized that the arrival of the Dawnriver Legion had apparently triggered the Academy’s defensive mechanisms.

However, the aerial cavalry showed no indication of being intimidated by the sudden appearance of the barriers.

Instead, the formation continued moving towards the central grounds, where the leading squadrons began circling above the enormous open courtyard situated near the Academy’s administrative district.

Circuit watched as the first group of War Pegasi descended beneath the surrounding towers, disappearing from view behind the distant buildings.

Another formation followed shortly afterwards, while the magnificent Dawnriver chariot remained suspended overhead, surrounded by its escort.

”They’re landing...”

Circuit whispered, as the remaining cavalry began descending towards the same location.

Although he could no longer see what was happening within the central grounds, he understood that the Academy authorities would have little choice but to respond to such an extraordinary arrival.

And judging by the number of guards he could see rushing through the distant passageways, that response was already underway.

’Riven... I think your father has finally come for you.’

Circuit thought, as he continued staring towards the administrative district, desperately wishing that the curfew had not prevented him from witnessing what was about to happen.

—------------

(Meanwhile, Imperial Academy Central Grounds)

The first forty Dawnriver cavalrymen descended into the Academy’s central grounds in a remarkably coordinated maneuver, their armored War Pegasi extending their enormous wings as they approached the stone courtyard.

THRUMMM!

The impact of their landing sent a tremendous reverberation through the surrounding grounds, while the powerful downward strokes of their wings scattered dust across the open space.

However, before the dust could properly settle, another forty riders began descending, followed by additional squadrons that landed at carefully designated positions around the courtyard.

Within minutes, more than two hundred armored cavalrymen had occupied the central grounds, their War Pegasi standing in disciplined rows while the riders dismounted and immediately began organizing themselves into a defensive perimeter.

The soldiers moved with an efficiency that suggested years of rigorous military training, as each squadron assumed its assigned position without requiring repeated instructions from its commanding officers.

Several dozen soldiers positioned themselves along the outer edges of the courtyard, facing the approaching Academy buildings, while the remaining cavalrymen maintained a protected landing area at the center.

Their weapons remained sheathed, although the heavy swords hanging from their waists and the long spears secured to their saddles made it abundantly clear that these were soldiers prepared for battle.

And while the Dawnriver Legion was establishing its formation, the Imperial Academy’s security forces also seemed to respond to the threat, as dozens of Academy guards rushed through the adjoining passageways, their captains shouting instructions as they attempted to organize a defensive line between the armed visitors and the administrative buildings.

Several senior guards had already drawn their weapons, while others maintained their hands upon their sword hilts, visibly uncertain whether the arriving soldiers intended to launch an attack.

”Hold your positions! Nobody advances without orders!”

One of the security captains shouted, as he raised his arm to prevent several younger guards from moving towards the Dawnriver soldiers.

The situation was unlike anything most of them had experienced during their service at the Imperial Academy.

Although the institution regularly hosted noble visitors and occasionally received military escorts accompanying important dignitaries, the arrival of more than two hundred heavily armed cavalrymen without prior authorization was an entirely different matter.

And the fact that these soldiers belonged to one of the Empire’s most powerful Great Ducal households made the situation considerably more dangerous.

”Who authorized this landing? Why wasn’t the Academy informed beforehand?”

Another captain demanded, as he looked towards the officers standing at the front of the Dawnriver formation.

However, none of the soldiers offered an explanation, remaining perfectly still as though the increasingly agitated Academy guards were of no particular concern to them.

Meanwhile, the Duke’s flying chariot continued circling above the central grounds, accompanied by a small escort of elite cavalrymen.

Unlike the soldiers who had already landed, the chariot’s occupants appeared to be waiting for the entire landing area to be secured before making their descent.

And as the final squadron completed its formation, the commanding officer of the Dawnriver Legion raised his arm towards the sky.

Almost immediately, the four enormous white Pegasi drawing the chariot began descending, their magnificent wings extending outwards as they carried the enclosed carriage towards the protected center of the courtyard.

The surrounding soldiers straightened upon witnessing its approach, while the Academy guards instinctively tightened their formation as the realization of who might be traveling inside began spreading among them.

”That chariot... Isn’t that the personal carriage of House Dawnriver?”

One guard whispered, as he stared at the silver insignia engraved upon its doors.

”Then that means...”

His companion began, although he never managed to finish his sentence.

For at that very moment, Principal Boseman emerged from the administrative building, accompanied by Vice Principal Chadwick and several senior professors who had hurriedly abandoned their duties upon learning of the unauthorized military arrival.

Unlike the visibly alarmed guards, Boseman maintained his usual composure as he approached the courtyard, although his expression became noticeably more serious upon observing the scale of the military formation assembled before him.

”This is outrageous! How dare they bring an entire military contingent into the Imperial Academy without authorization?”

Chadwick exclaimed, as he stared at the assembled cavalrymen with an expression of barely concealed disbelief.

”Principal, we cannot possibly allow this! The Duke has crossed a line by bringing his private army onto Imperial grounds, and we should demand that his soldiers withdraw immediately!”

He continued, as several nearby guards looked towards Boseman, apparently awaiting permission to confront the intruders.

However, Boseman did not respond immediately, as his attention remained fixed upon the magnificent chariot standing at the center of the Dawnriver formation.

He understood perfectly well that the arrival of a Great Duke with hundreds of armed soldiers represented a serious violation of the Academy’s established protocols.

Nevertheless, he also understood that ordering his guards to confront the Dawnriver Legion could transform an already delicate political situation into something considerably more dangerous.

”All weapons are to remain sheathed unless directly threatened. Those of you who have already drawn yours, put them away. I will speak with the Duke myself.”

Boseman instructed, as his calm but authoritative voice immediately silenced the surrounding guards.

Chadwick appeared prepared to protest, although he ultimately restrained himself upon noticing the seriousness of the Principal’s expression.

And just as Boseman began approaching the Dawnriver formation, a sudden metallic sound echoed across the courtyard.

The door of the magnificent chariot had begun to open.

Almost immediately, every soldier belonging to the Dawnriver Legion turned towards the carriage, their earlier stillness giving way to a coordinated movement as they lowered themselves onto one knee.

Even the officers standing nearest to the Academy guards bowed their heads, leaving the assembled professors staring in astonishment at the extraordinary display of discipline.

A heavy armored boot appeared upon the carriage steps.

Then, emerging from the darkness within, a tall, broad-shouldered man descended from the chariot, his imposing figure covered in a magnificent suit of black battle armor decorated with intricate silver engravings.

A long military cloak hung from his shoulders, bearing the unmistakable crest of House Dawnriver, while his neatly combed black hair and piercing light-blue eyes gave him an unmistakably aristocratic appearance.

It was Duke Drew Dawnriver.

The Great Duke of the East.

And judging by the expression upon his face, he was in anything but a pleasant mood.

As his armored boots touched the courtyard, Drew slowly raised his gaze towards the assembled Academy authorities, his eyes passing over the defensive formation of guards before settling upon Principal Boseman and Vice Principal Chadwick.

For a brief moment, an uncomfortable silence descended upon the central grounds, as neither the Academy authorities nor the kneeling Dawnriver soldiers dared to interrupt the Duke.

Then, without offering even the slightest greeting, Drew opened his mouth.

”WHO THE HELL DO YOU PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE TO TAKE MY SON INTO DETENTION?”

Drew roared, as his thunderous voice reverberated throughout the central grounds, carrying an overwhelming authority that caused the hairs upon the arms of the surrounding guards and professors to stand on end.

And as they stared at the imposing figure of the Great Duke standing before his kneeling legion, even the most experienced among them began to understand that the arrest of Riven Dawnriver had become a matter far more serious than an ordinary criminal investigation.