"Blam!"  a clean, sharp blow against a desk made of white august wood echoed through the large, luxurious room. Ithil stood at attention, listening to the scolding of Instructor Levanon. Young and red-haired, the man wore a ring that marked him as a "Great Zelator"; this beautiful gold and platinum ring featured a crest combined with a lens in relief. 

"You were given resources, time, and people! Your little operation arrived far too late! We lost two promising squads from the academy!" — Ithil, biting his lower lip, exercised masterful restraint to keep from exploding at Zelator Levanon. 

"Your game of cat and mouse cost the academy not only assets, but credibility!" — Levanon, clearly enraged, scribbled in his notebook, which featured covers made of platinum and gold with reliefs matching his ring. Using his dragon-bone pen, he marked the names of the two teams in bright, beautiful red ink with notes reading "disabled and unusable," before slamming the book shut. 

"You’re lucky the Director protects you. Your minor triumph in Brodovya, in some lost village, means nothing; you’ll have to prove you’re worth more than that. To me, you are nothing more than empty medals won through questionable favors and flattery. Now leave, Mr. Ithil; you must report to escort the newcomers." 

Ithil gave a sharp nod. 

"Yes, sir. As ordered."
A deep urge to punch the young man, who was barely his own age, churned violently in his stomach. Taking a step back, he turned on his heel and exited the room exactly like a good soldier. 

"What the hell was that?" — Inola was waiting outside, more than indignant. His gaze met Ithil’s; Ithil looked him straight in the eye and adjusted his peaked cap to hide his expression. He took a step and said, "It wasn't worth it, not yet. It wasn't the time, and we don't need that trouble yet. The Zelators have gained a lot of ground in the academy since the Nivoria incident. Let’s find Mina and Jacob; I want to see how the rookies are doing." 

Inola, not quite convinced, grabbed his jacket and ran after Ithil: "Hey!... Wait, Ithil, don’t just walk away, I’m not done yet!" 

The corridors of the Thar-Abbys tower are famous for being a hub of rumors, furtive conversations, and conspiracies among students and mid-tier staff. Enormous single-piece rutilated quartz plates serve as windows, creating extraordinary patterns illuminated by Geotechnic chandeliers of small "Iluminas". These are quartz formations ranging from warm yellow to pure white that emit light without a power source. Bronze and silver chains adorn the sides of the hallway instead of cloth curtains. The pitter-patter of Ithil’s formal boots matched the softer, more rhythmic steps of Inola’s leather sandals. 

"Hanging out with Zelators? I’ve never even heard of them," Inola said, catching up to Ithil, slightly out of breath. 

"Meh, leeches and vermin. Master Uras and Samael should kick them out. Oh, look, Jacob! Over here!" — Both walked toward the central elevator. 

"Ithil! Inola! Guys, I’ve finished repairing the Guisarme; fortunately, only a few systems were damaged and... Are you okay? You look angry," Jacob held a wooden toolbox in front of him with both hands; a bit of oil smudged his nose. Lizva followed behind him carrying a folder, quietly trying to reach him to clean his face. When Jacob stopped, Lizva reached out to wipe the smudge away. 

"Eh? Hehe, thanks." — Finally, Lizva could hold solid things, at least light ones, and she never missed a chance to help Jacob. 

"Yeah, yeah, you have a pact spirit, I get it," Inola muttered under his breath, unimpressed. 

"Haha. Oh, right—Mina said she’d be with Leonidas in the infirmary. Emelia is in surgery. Along with them, it seems there’s good and bad news." — Jacob and the others entered the elevator. Walls of brown marble with veins of gold and silver adorned the cabin. With a smooth, pleasant slide, the elevator accelerated through the shaft; small Geotechnic repulsors moved the heavy cabin with ease. 

"So, how did it go with the Zelators, Ithil?" Jacob asked, sensing the anger stemmed from that meeting. 

"Mmph, chewed up by cats and spat out, that’s how it went. And he didn’t even lift a finger—that’s what grinds my gears the most! You saved those kids; you should at least make that clear!" Inola looked at Ithil with anger and a hint of disappointment. 

"Oh, I see..." Jacob set aside his tools. "I understand... Ithil, I know you’re trying your best, and your actions matter. Me and the others, we know—you’re a great leader." Ithil’s fist gave a small twitch; the image of Rax and Lucernia flashed through his mind. "If you have trouble with the Zelators, we could call Nana and she could talk to them. The Mahogany family has your back!" Jacob snorted, confident in his family’s influence. 

"Haha, yeah, I can imagine... But are you sure you want to get Nana involved in this?" Ithil, cheered up and slightly calmer, replied to Jacob. He imagined a hellish scene with Nana at the center of the academy. 

"Haha, maybe not. We probably shouldn't get her involved," Jacob reconsidered, imagining the same thing. 

"Thanks, guys. I know the results have been poor, but there’s a lot at stake. Even Master Samael and Uras have disappeared. Sub-director Cassandra is doing what she can, but... external powers are hitting her hard," Ithil removed his cap in a gesture of relief. 

"Finally, you took that horrible thing off," Inola said, laughing heartily. 

"Heh. Yeah, I heard they’re both on a mission. Uras even took his legendary Klauvra, the Tooth of the Sun God," Jacob and Inola watched the floors pass through the elevator's visor. Offices and dark hallways flickered past until they finally reached the 15th floor. 

"Nana told me, a bit more than the official version, that several wealthy families and corporations are trying to decentralize Thar-Abbys. They argue that the Theosis Tharmullis and the Nivoria incident were just the beginning. The complaints about the fees to pass the adventurer exam, which were removed last year, hurt them badly; many countries and kingdoms use that rank as political currency, and that ruined many people's plans," Jacob, as always, had the precise intel. 

“Sanatio corporis et animae”—these words rested on a slab of limestone with plant and fish fossils on the bronze plate in front of them. Emilia's medical and care floors were vital and heavily used lately. The floor was overwhelmed in some areas and neglected in others. 

"Heavens, I didn’t think the damage would be this severe," Ithil and the others made their way through the well-lit corridors. The limestone arches with fossils of various shapes and sizes were almost part of Emilia's medical staff. An enormous ammonite with chambers like amethyst and citrine geodes rested at the end of the main hallway; its profile saturated with hematite, as if outlined, made it a peculiar landmark where people left paper ribbons wishing for their patients' recovery. 

"This way! To the right, room 105," Inola took a few quick, playful steps, getting ahead of Jacob and Ithil, impatient but optimistic for news on the rookies. 

"So, what did your family say, Jacob?" Ithil, keeping his eyes forward, continued walking slowly. Jacob, matching his pace, reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter. 

"Well, at first, just like many other rich kids, I also had a Bronze-level title purchase letter. In fact, Nana delayed my enrollment for a year to train me." Jacob handed him a metallic scroll with the Mahogany emblem engraved on it. Inside was a parchment letter addressed to Director Uras Granada detailing the reasons why Jacob was a candidate for the Bronze Medal title in support of the Thar-Abbys cause as a "Bronze Bearer of Mercy". 

"Haha, the Mahoganys, of course. Well? What happened?" Ithil rolled the parchment back into the metallic scroll, giving Jacob a light tap on the head. Lizva didn't seem to like the gesture and silently scolded Ithil with a wagging finger and a pout. 

"The Klein triplets... that’s what happened. Many families sent their children because the academy handled common creatures; Theosis Tharmullis were rare, even few and far between. Usually, the kids were accompanied by bodyguards and private mercenaries. That changed with the Klein triplets: Theosis Tharmullis became increasingly varied and common. That loss of control discouraged Thar-Abbys from granting 'Bearer of Mercy' titles," Jacob stopped in front of room 105, and Ithil followed suit. 

"Alright... let’s go!" Ithil stepped forward. Inola was already inside. Leonidas was resting in an armchair, half-asleep and nodding off, losing a fight against exhaustion, while Magaska slept soundly on a sofa. The fatigue of the extended hunt had left them drained. 

"Look, Nesta seems to be doing better," Inola pointed to the young archer, who lay in a specialized recovery bed. Several machines hummed an electric lullaby beside her; her heartbeat danced to the rhythm of the machine blowing life into her heart and lungs. 

"Ouch... will she be...?" Ithil was barely asking when a firm, experienced voice answered from behind him: 

"Okay? Yes, she will be," Emilia, still in her surgical gown, emerged from the hallway at the back of the room. 

"And I’ve actually finished attending to Miss Rhea," Mina came out behind Emilia, also in a surgical gown. Removing her disposable cap, both sat in the waiting room armchairs. 

"Very well, Miss Mina, you may give the general report." Mina nodded and sighed; she stood up again and began: 

"Nesta, the young archer, didn’t just lose a limb to Luan's ability; one of her own arrows also pierced her right lung upon impact. She’s stable for now; rest and some help with cellular regeneration stimulators here at the academy will have her on her feet in less than a month. The important part was the arm: thanks to Thar-Abbys' specialized microsuture equipment, we were able to reconnect veins, arteries, and tendons. The skin will have to grow back on its own, and the stimulators will help with that too. She may experience nerve pain in the future and it will take at least half a year to recover if she stays positive." Mina sighed as she finished reading the diagnosis. Leonidas, now awake, clapped in amazement. 

"Amazing, Sister Mina. I thought her archery days were over." The diagnosis was positive and promising for Nesta. 

"That’s only if she doesn't develop future infections. I take pride in my work, and Miss Mina has proven very capable, but there could be issues if she becomes careless or depressed," Emilia added, closing Nesta's file. Ithil felt a bit of relief, but the others were still missing. 

"And the other girl? The pregnant one?" Emilia sighed and prepared the file. 

"Very well. First, young Rhea does show signs of early pregnancy. Mina noticed, while assisting her, that Rhea used her Protection ability to create multiple defensive barriers around her womb and chest." Emilia read Mina's report aloud. 

"I see, so that’s how you noticed. You’re incredible, Mina, I never would have known!" Jacob, amazed by Mina's perception, couldn't help but marvel. 

"But she completely neglected her head and neck, leading to the situation we have now. Miss Mina, while it’s true Rhea is in her first month of pregnancy, it’s still too early for it to be a high-risk situation. What Rhea is carrying is not yet a baby, Miss Mina." 

"Yes, I got carried away by the positive result; I made a mistake in diagnosing her," Mina slumped into an armchair. 

"Don’t be discouraged, young Mina; you did the right thing. In the field, there’s little time to verify such things. Young Rhea was treated for a large wound in her neck; the cut missed the artery, and despite losing a lot of blood, she is in the process of recovery—her life is not in danger." Emilia closed the file. Rhea lay bandaged in her bed, her face showing a comforting relief.