The city had changed since Victor’s departure three months ago. Despite the academy being fully repaired, a shadow from the attack lingered in every brick, every window, every table and every book. Ambassadors from the capital of Farwest reported poorly on Mr. Silver’s ability to protect the world from monsters anymore, referring specifically to the unfortunate incident at West Harbour; they also urged the government to consider the impact of the academy’s more scientific expeditions, and poisoned their thoughts on everything Mr. Silver had achieved. Rodrick had made it clear to Victor that there were secrets he was not yet ready to be told, but that the path to enlightenment would be the key to obtaining The Truth. Strangely enough, Victor also suspected that there was more to this Truth business than he first thought as well.
On their return to the city, Victor and the others recounted to Rodrick the details of their time in the wild, as well as how they went about solving his riddle. They made it home and were granted some well-deserved time off, while Silver (over the following days) called each of them to his office to question them on their experience.
Victor was summoned, and Mr. Silver waited patiently at his desk, with Rodrick standing beside him. “Young Samantha tells me it was your idea to spare the Rukh,” Silver mentioned.
“It was more of a suggestion, sir,” replied Victor. “I had a hard time understanding why I should murder a creature that posed no threat to us or anyone else. The others readily agreed with me.”
“Including Gretel?”
“Gretel was the last among us to stand down, that is true, but only because of the loyalty she bears for this academy. It was hard for her to disobey a direct order. In the end, she chose to spare the Rukh of her own free will, just like the rest of us.”
Silver smiled and his grey eyes flashed. “I must say, I was wrong about you, Victor. You have shown your strength, and are now ready to continue on to the next stage.”
“The next stage, sir?”
Silver leaned forward. “I can see in your eyes that you yearn for knowledge, just as I do, and what pains you more than ever are the secrets that Rodrick and I are sworn to keep. The Truth is calling to you. Do you want to know what it is?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then do what it required to earn that knowledge. Report to Caesar in the training grounds tomorrow morning. He will guide you through the next stage of your journey.”
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and then Add to home screen.