Chapter 238: A Light Step
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Chapter 238: A Light Step
A Light StepN0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.
After he had undressed, Martel hurried to step into the warm basin. Tonight was the solstice celebration at Maximilian's home, so Martel made use of the Lyceum's baths to get a good scrub in before he changed clothes.
But first he leaned back to enjoy the warm water. A few other boys made use of the pool as well, but they did not disturb him. It gave Martel the opportunity to consider tonight. During the summer celebrations, he had performed magic not once, but twice in a hall full of people. Given that Maximilian and Jasper had managed to guess his secret, he obviously had to be more careful. If Maximilian wanted him to participate again, he would just have to lie and claim he had exhausted himself practising spells. No matter what, he would avoid attention.
As the hot water helped him relax, this line of thought gave him an idea. If he was serious about trying to find the contract for Shadi and her father, or just anything that might help them avoid eviction, it would help him to prepare. However, he obviously could not practice sneaking around the duke of Cheval's palace.
But he could do so tonight at Maximilian's home. While not the same place, Martel assumed both had guards and areas restricted for guests. He could use tonight as an opportunity to practice getting about unseen. And should he be discovered, Maximilian could vouch for him, letting him avoid trouble. Closing his eyes, Martel allowed himself to sink underneath the water before he emerged again.
***
At fifth bell, the carriage arrived to take Maximilian and Martel to the feast. As they travelled, Martel had to resist the urge to constantly fiddle with the tight collar of his shirt or other parts of his outfit; he would never get used to this kind of clothing. "Max, you don't expect me to perform magic like I did last time, right? Because I'm really tired from practising."
"Of course not, a repeat would be plebeian. No, I will fight a duel with Eleanor. It allows us both to show our skill, and it seeds the ground for our union."
Another thing Martel still felt weird about. He stayed quiet as the drive continued, eventually reaching the stately home belonging to the count of Marche.
***
As he approached the next large hallway, he recognised it. Being more careful than last, he extended his magic to search for any large sources of heat, such as human bodies. Nothing came back to him; the hallway was empty. Moving forward, he swiftly approached the door into the chamber decorated from the Western Isles. It was locked. A quick touch and a spell on the keyhole, same as he had done in the house of Oswald, gave Martel entrance. His little training run had been a success.
***
"It is I."
Hearing Juliana's voice on the other side of his chamber door, Alastair crossed the room to open up. "Come inside."
The overseer did so, joining the Master of Elements in his private quarters. "The headmaster moved faster than I did." She held up a letter in her hand.
Alastair took it and glanced over the list of names. "The tribunal?"
She nodded. "At least half are guaranteed to be swayed by him. I might have stood a chance to convince the rest to support me, but the meeting is held in a few days. If I could not influence who sits upon the tribunal, I doubt that I can persuade any of them before we meet, or during, for that matter."
He gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry. For all your work for this school, you deserve better treatment."
"I will not argue that."
"Martel deserves to know. This leaves him in a most precarious situation."
Juliana exhaled slowly. "I know. He must expect to be expelled. I will tell him on Pelday when the solstice celebrations are over. Let him enjoy those until then."
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Chapter 238: A Light Step
A Light StepN0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.
After he had undressed, Martel hurried to step into the warm basin. Tonight was the solstice celebration at Maximilian's home, so Martel made use of the Lyceum's baths to get a good scrub in before he changed clothes.
But first he leaned back to enjoy the warm water. A few other boys made use of the pool as well, but they did not disturb him. It gave Martel the opportunity to consider tonight. During the summer celebrations, he had performed magic not once, but twice in a hall full of people. Given that Maximilian and Jasper had managed to guess his secret, he obviously had to be more careful. If Maximilian wanted him to participate again, he would just have to lie and claim he had exhausted himself practising spells. No matter what, he would avoid attention.
As the hot water helped him relax, this line of thought gave him an idea. If he was serious about trying to find the contract for Shadi and her father, or just anything that might help them avoid eviction, it would help him to prepare. However, he obviously could not practice sneaking around the duke of Cheval's palace.
But he could do so tonight at Maximilian's home. While not the same place, Martel assumed both had guards and areas restricted for guests. He could use tonight as an opportunity to practice getting about unseen. And should he be discovered, Maximilian could vouch for him, letting him avoid trouble. Closing his eyes, Martel allowed himself to sink underneath the water before he emerged again.
***
At fifth bell, the carriage arrived to take Maximilian and Martel to the feast. As they travelled, Martel had to resist the urge to constantly fiddle with the tight collar of his shirt or other parts of his outfit; he would never get used to this kind of clothing. "Max, you don't expect me to perform magic like I did last time, right? Because I'm really tired from practising."
"Of course not, a repeat would be plebeian. No, I will fight a duel with Eleanor. It allows us both to show our skill, and it seeds the ground for our union."
Another thing Martel still felt weird about. He stayed quiet as the drive continued, eventually reaching the stately home belonging to the count of Marche.
***
As he approached the next large hallway, he recognised it. Being more careful than last, he extended his magic to search for any large sources of heat, such as human bodies. Nothing came back to him; the hallway was empty. Moving forward, he swiftly approached the door into the chamber decorated from the Western Isles. It was locked. A quick touch and a spell on the keyhole, same as he had done in the house of Oswald, gave Martel entrance. His little training run had been a success.
***
"It is I."
Hearing Juliana's voice on the other side of his chamber door, Alastair crossed the room to open up. "Come inside."
The overseer did so, joining the Master of Elements in his private quarters. "The headmaster moved faster than I did." She held up a letter in her hand.
Alastair took it and glanced over the list of names. "The tribunal?"
She nodded. "At least half are guaranteed to be swayed by him. I might have stood a chance to convince the rest to support me, but the meeting is held in a few days. If I could not influence who sits upon the tribunal, I doubt that I can persuade any of them before we meet, or during, for that matter."
He gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry. For all your work for this school, you deserve better treatment."
"I will not argue that."
"Martel deserves to know. This leaves him in a most precarious situation."
Juliana exhaled slowly. "I know. He must expect to be expelled. I will tell him on Pelday when the solstice celebrations are over. Let him enjoy those until then."
Chapter 238: A Light StepA Light StepN0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.After he had undressed, Martel hurried to step into the warm basin. Tonight was the solstice celebration at Maximilian's home, so Martel made use of the Lyceum's baths to get a good scrub in before he changed clothes.But first he leaned back to enjoy the warm water. A few other boys made use of the pool as well, but they did not disturb him. It gave Martel the opportunity to consider tonight. During the summer celebrations, he had performed magic not once, but twice in a hall full of people. Given that Maximilian and Jasper had managed to guess his secret, he obviously had to be more careful. If Maximilian wanted him to participate again, he would just have to lie and claim he had exhausted himself practising spells. No matter what, he would avoid attention.As the hot water helped him relax, this line of thought gave him an idea. If he was serious about trying to find the contract for Shadi and her father, or just anything that might help them avoid eviction, it would help him to prepare. However, he obviously could not practice sneaking around the duke of Cheval's palace.But he could do so tonight at Maximilian's home. While not the same place, Martel assumed both had guards and areas restricted for guests. He could use tonight as an opportunity to practice getting about unseen. And should he be discovered, Maximilian could vouch for him, letting him avoid trouble. Closing his eyes, Martel allowed himself to sink underneath the water before he emerged again.***At fifth bell, the carriage arrived to take Maximilian and Martel to the feast. As they travelled, Martel had to resist the urge to constantly fiddle with the tight collar of his shirt or other parts of his outfit; he would never get used to this kind of clothing. "Max, you don't expect me to perform magic like I did last time, right? Because I'm really tired from practising.""Of course not, a repeat would be plebeian. No, I will fight a duel with Eleanor. It allows us both to show our skill, and it seeds the ground for our union."Another thing Martel still felt weird about. He stayed quiet as the drive continued, eventually reaching the stately home belonging to the count of Marche.***As he approached the next large hallway, he recognised it. Being more careful than last, he extended his magic to search for any large sources of heat, such as human bodies. Nothing came back to him; the hallway was empty. Moving forward, he swiftly approached the door into the chamber decorated from the Western Isles. It was locked. A quick touch and a spell on the keyhole, same as he had done in the house of Oswald, gave Martel entrance. His little training run had been a success.***"It is I."Hearing Juliana's voice on the other side of his chamber door, Alastair crossed the room to open up. "Come inside."The overseer did so, joining the Master of Elements in his private quarters. "The headmaster moved faster than I did." She held up a letter in her hand.Alastair took it and glanced over the list of names. "The tribunal?"She nodded. "At least half are guaranteed to be swayed by him. I might have stood a chance to convince the rest to support me, but the meeting is held in a few days. If I could not influence who sits upon the tribunal, I doubt that I can persuade any of them before we meet, or during, for that matter."He gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry. For all your work for this school, you deserve better treatment.""I will not argue that.""Martel deserves to know. This leaves him in a most precarious situation."Juliana exhaled slowly. "I know. He must expect to be expelled. I will tell him on Pelday when the solstice celebrations are over. Let him enjoy those until then."
