Chapter 225: Leave peacefully
The discussions went on for hours, and eventually, Vivianne showed up to the meetings. Seeing her presence in the academy, everyone was shocked. And it also showed how much importance she had given to the matter.
The matter had actually reached the imperial house, so much so that she had to visit the academy.
As the demands for compensation echoed through the academy halls, Vivianne, with her shrewd understanding of both magical and political matters, intervened. She recognized the potential harm this situation could cause not only to Jaegar but also to the delicate balance of power within the magical community.
Summoning all her diplomatic finesse, Vivianne negotiated with the concerned parties. She presented them with a substantial settlement, a generous offer that would compensate for the damages incurred. The terms were carefully crafted to not only appease the offended parties but also to ensure their continued silence about the details of the incident.
With Vivianne's intervention, the schools and the Ministry were persuaded to accept the compensation graciously.
The news of the settlement spread throughout the magical community, and the demand for retribution began to subside. Vivianne's strategic manoeuvring had averted a potential crisis, allowing Jaegar a momentary reprieve from the consequences of the maze's destruction.
However, in the shadows, unseen forces continued to stir, and the mystery surrounding Jaegar's connection to the chaotic events deepened.
*
The atmosphere at the academy was still charged with discussions about the recent events.
Jaegar, having taken two days to rest and process the profound visit to his former world, felt a sense of relief being back in the magical realm. The weight of the experiences going back to his world lingered in his mind, making him appreciate the second chance at life that death had granted him.
The farmhouse, a sanctuary of peace, allowed Jaegar to reflect on the complexities of his existence and the mysteries surrounding his connection to the primordial chaos.
Despite the changes in the lives of his family and the dangers he faced, the memory of the innocent face of the boy named Jagnar brought a genuine smile to Jaegar's face. The connection he felt with that child was a little satisfying, to say the least. Maybe his sister still remembered him.
Now, ready to face the academy once again, Jaegar called for his usual carriage. As he approached the academy grounds, he observed the lingering tension in the air. Students whispered among themselves, and the faculty engaged in discussions about the aftermath of the maze incident.
Jaegar's return stirred curiosity and speculation, but he remained composed, determined to navigate the complex web of emotions and expectations.
The academy, once a bastion of magical education and camaraderie, now bore the scars of recent events.
As Jaegar made his way through the academy, he encountered both sympathetic glances and sceptical gazes. The students, having heard various accounts of the maze incident, were eager to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic figure at the center of the storm.
Jaegar, maintaining his composure, strode purposefully through the academy halls. Absurd rumours buzzed around him, creating an air of uncertainty.
Unfazed, he headed straight for the headmaster's office.
Ashfield, seated at his desk, looked up as Jaegar entered. "You're finally here," he remarked, acknowledging Jaegar's presence.
The news of Jaegar being found near Angelina's farmhouse had reached Ashfield, thanks to Angelina herself. The headmaster, well aware of the rumours and accusations circulating in the academy, was doing his best to manage the situation. Angelina informed him that Jaegar had managed to escape the maze when attacked by unknown assailants.
The lack of concrete evidence regarding the infiltrators complicated Ashfield's efforts to shift the blame away from Jaegar.
As he stood before the desk, his eyes were drawn to his image on a newspaper with a bold headline that read, 'The cuplrit or a victim?'
Jaegar's brows twitched in disbelief as he observed the headline. "What is this?" he demanded, his voice carrying confusion.
Ashfield took a moment to explain the situation, emphasizing that it was all a mistake given Jaegar's absence from the maze during the incident.
Jaegar, however, pressed further, challenging the notion of preferential treatment. "If it were just a regular nobody, would you still say the same?" he questioned, a note of scepticism in his voice.
The question left Ashfield with a furrowed brow. After a brief pause, he replied, "Jaegar, I believe it's in your best interest to put this behind you. Focus on finishing your schooling; the end of the year is approaching, and you'll be graduating soon. Don't cause any more trouble, and leave peacefully while you can."
Jaegar stayed silent as he stared at Ashfield for a moment. His thoughts shrouded in the quite silence of the officeroom.
After a moment of contemplation, Jaegar sighed, acknowledging the pragmatic advice despite the lingering dissatisfaction. There was nothing he could do but escalate the situation. And the way things were handled, he disliked how the imperial house was involved and how they took care of the situation.
After hearing about his mother, he didn't really like associating with any of them, and even though he appreciated how Jacqueline showed concern for him, he had still come to terms with his other family, and he doesn't think he will. According to the said truth, that Vivianne told him, he could tell that they had a lot of gaps, which he found way too suspicious.
And for now, he had to just stay as it is and deal with things at his own pace.
He sighed, feeling exhausted. He was doing nothing but pushing things, one after the other. And there was the thing with his old family, why did he end up back in his world? Watching them all smiling and having a happy family, as they seemed, irked him in the wrong way, but there was no use thinking about them.
Jaegar always liked to keep things simple and plain. For him, pleasure and magic were the only things on his mind, and for the rest of the stuff, he felt it was a complete drag.
He had learned to let go of his old family and accept his new reality. The memories of their smiles and happiness no longer bothered him as he focused on the present. His aunt and Angelina provided the love and support he needed, creating a sense of belonging that surpassed any longing for his past.
Jaegar embraced simplicity, finding joy in the pleasures of life and the enchantment that surrounded him. He refused to let anything else weigh him down, knowing that it would only dampen his spirits.
As he left Ashfield's office, he made his way back to the dormitory to find Pierre. His friend, still deeply concerned, approached with a serious expression.
Without a word, Pierre raised his fist and delivered a punch straight to Jaegar's face.
Jaegar, taking the hit, staggered back, a mix of surprise and amusement on his face. "Dang, man!" he exclaimed, rubbing his jaw. The unexpected punch seemed to carry a weight of unspoken frustration and worry that had been building up in Pierre.
Jaegar, recovering from the surprise punch, rubbed his jaw and chuckled, "Well, that's one way to say hello, Pierre. What was that for?"
Pierre scowled, his worry transforming into a mixture of frustration and relief. "That's for making us worry, disappearing like that, and showing up in the headlines as the troublemaker."
Jaegar sighed, understanding Pierre's perspective. "Look, it's not as simple as it seems. I didn't choose to be in the centre of all this chaos. There were some guys in the maze, and they messed everything up. I had nothing to do with it."
Pierre's expression softened as he absorbed the explanation. "So, what now? Are you okay?"
Jaegar nodded. "Yeah, physically, I'm fine. But there's something bigger going on. Those guys were from a group called Bande de Serpente. Ever heard of them?"
Pierre furrowed his brow, thinking. "Bande de Serpente? That sounds ominous. I can't say I've heard of them, but if they're involved, it can't be anything good."
"That's what I'm worried about," Jaegar admitted. "They seem to have some interest in me, and that can't be good news. Angelina is trying to figure out more about them, but until then, I need to watch my back."
Pierre nodded in understanding. "Just be careful, man. We've got your back, too. If you need anything, we're here."
"Now tell me, where did you go?"
"I tried to escape from their grasp and ended up near Angelina's farmhouse."
Pierre squinted his eyes and his voice as he said, "Jaegar, I don't know how close you are to Lady Angelina, but you need to address her with the least bit of respect. If anyone hears, you could be in serious trouble. It's important to be cautious and mindful of how you speak about her, especially because she helped you clear your name."
Jaegar absorbed his words, and he was becoming more and more dependent on Angelina. She had been different with him, unlike she was with others, and her serious personality and stoic appearance were never shown to him throughout all his time with her. That was why he was so comfortable calling her by name, and he could speak his mind. But at times, he was still afraid of her.
The two friends shared a moment of silent understanding, acknowledging the challenges ahead. The air in the dormitory remained heavy with the recent events.