Paladin's Academy

Act III, Chapter 7: Back to Normal, I guess

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A golden light faintly glows through a dimly lit room. Small crackles of fire echo throughout. The malevolent abode is adorned with luscious ornaments. A knight's armor. A wizard's staff. A Paladin's shield. In the middle of it all, a glass case housing a battered and bloody costume. A white and yellow suit with a sun on its chest. Complete with all its rays. Only now, it isn't shining.

Across the case was a chair. Leather, classy. Decorated in royal purple. A chair fit for a king. Someone was sitting there. A big guy. His arm rests on his side, holding a golden chalice covered in amethyst. The glass reflected his soft yellow eyes. His lips curved to a smile as he drank blood-red wine.

The door creaks open as a man in a black and white suit enters—he who controls the flow of time itself, the villainous Clockwork. He gets on one knee and bows his head.

"My Lord,"

The man places down the chalice to his side.

"Speak."

"Wager has failed us,"

"Failed you," The man corrects.

"She has failed me, my Lord. I have failed. The team I put together to steal the reactor was thwarted by Streetwi-"

Clockwork catches his mouth, but it is too late. The room begins to shake. Bits and pieces of the display come crashing down. The chalice spills wine all over the floor, staining a carpet of skin.

"Forgive my ignorance, my Lord, I m-mispoke. I swear!"

The shaking stops. Clockwork quickly fixes his blonde hair into a slick back before picking up his umbrella.

"Continue, with caution, David."

"The plan was thwarted by him, my Lord. Everyone but Wager and Revenant-"

"Revenant?"

"William's codename, my Lord."

"Who gave him that name?"

Clockwork looks around confused.

"Wager and her team, my Lord."

"I see. Revenant," the man quietly chuckles. He picks up the chalice and sips some more wine. "It suits him."

"It does, my Lord. But the rest of her team has been sent to the Catacombs, and I plan to retrieve them before they say anything."

"As you should. If they reveal that I was even involved in this operation. It will be your head, David."

Clockwork gulps and nods.

"Before you depart, be a good disciple and clean this mess you made."

"Of course my Lord, I will call the maids right aw-"

"Did I misspeak, David? I did not tell you to call for service. I told you to clean. It. Up."

With a wave of his hand, the umbrella in David's hands turns into a mop. He takes a deep breath and begins fixing the ornaments back to their rightful place. The man finishes his wine as he stares yet again at the costume.

"Fear not, Bright Boy. Your costume will not rot alone. I promise to add his costume next to yours."

1st Year's Dorm. The morning before classes. Paladin's Academy.

All good things must come to an end. And with two weeks having passed, the freshmen Paladins must return to their classes once again. But with one more morning of freedom, a certain Technophage pulls off one last rebellious act before the death of their democracy.