Before he even finished telling his recollection, Nagan knew he was in a really, really bad situation. Not even Meixong could hide their grimace as their left hand curled into a quasi-fist, their nails digging into the top of their thumb. If Meixong's apprehension was clear enough to show, either something they couldn't predict or something out of their control was about to happen.

Once his recollection was complete, Meixong leaned forward, propping their elbow on their crossed knee as they rubbed their temple. They muttered some of their favorite Laurovian curses.

"You two are the experts, but for legal reasons, I have to ask Icarion, and I need you to stay quiet." Meixong motioned vaguely to the side where Az stood. "In any of your investigations, have there been any instances of magic being restored within hypomagicka fields?"

"No, General."

"Have there been any occurrences of an area being momentarily void?"

"...No, General."

Meixong shifted just enough to look at Az from the corner of their eye. "So in the last two years from when the phenomenon was officially acknowledged to now, there have been no signs or indications of hypomagicka fields regaining magic at any rate or capacity? Even the potentially natural occurrences?"

"We have not been able to study an area long term due to our other duties, but while in those areas, we were not able to sense any restoration in magic." Az paused. "But we weren't looking to detect any restoration either."

Nagan already knew what they were all thinking. A natural magic affinity and an Infiniti wouldn't miss it, either. And above that, that still doesn't prove rapid restoration—such as was seen with Nagan's attack—was possible. None of them said as much, though.

"Well this is productive," Meixong muttered sarcastically. "This only proves how little we know about the magic the Kinsmen wield."

Without warning, Meixong stood and walked back behind their desk. A quill previously lying motionless began writing furiously on a blank piece of paper.

Meixong, "Rin, draft up a proposal for creating a group of scholars assigned to further study hypomagicka fields and other magic related to the Kinsmen. Send it past Fenvar Byteron first, though. He can yell at me later."

Rin didn't question it, turning to his own smaller desk to the side. "Would you like him to send it to the Council from there or to return it for review?"

"Return it. I don't think that highly of him."

"General Meixong," Darro cut in, even daring to take a step forward as Meixong looked at him, unimpressed. "With all due respect, that's not why we're here. What is to be done with—"

"I'm getting there." Meixong plucked the paper from the pile once the pen stopped writing—it momentarily shimmered as a drying spell washed over it—and held it out wordlessly. "These are your orders. You know what to do from here."

Darro hesitated before stepping forward, taking the sheet of paper and reviewing it. Nagan had remained seated and couldn't see what it said, but he knew something was up when Darro's shoulders tensed. The other lieutenant read it again before looking back to Meixong.

"He will still need an assigned guard."

"Does he? His left arm is in a sling, and he doesn't have his sword. If anything, he needs an assigned medic." Meixong looked to their left at Az with mock surprise. "Oh, would you look at that? What's better than one if there are both? Or three, technically, since in this situation with Lieutenant Elvar a minor, he would have one of his caretakers with him. Don't you love the simple conveniences? Specialist Arcloven, your new orders are to not leave Lieutenant Elvar's side and guard him. While here, he will not be allowed to use any weapons, real or improvised, and you are to alert me if he attempts to cast any offensive or destructive incantations. Aside from that, you are to perform your usual duties—I don't know, sit him in the corner while you perform your shifts—and make sure he is well enough for transfer when the time comes. Am I clear?"

"Yes, General."

"Perfect. Do you need anything else, Lieutenant Faen?"

"...No, General."

With a sharp nod, Meixong picked up the pen themself and began writing something down. None of them moved besides Meixong and Rin, both looking to be engrossed in their work and paying them no mind. To Nagan, this was an obvious dismissal, and they all knew it was, but to who? Luckily, or unluckily, none of them had to voice this, as their stillness alerted Meixong, and Meixong kept their gaze above Nagan's head when they spoke again.

"The rest of you can return to your original duties as well."

Nagan heard the other two behind him salute and leave, but it took Darro a moment longer. At first, it looked as if he had something else to say—his jaw twitching multiple times—but deciding against it, he saluted jerkily before stalking away. Before he passed him, however, he sent a pointed look in Nagan's direction, one that could easily be mistaken as a glare, but Nagan knew it most likely meant a silent order for him to behave. Nagan, decidedly, ignored him. He was no longer Darro's responsibility.

Their portion of the room remained quiet—only the faint sounds of pens scribbling and the echoes of distant voices could be heard—until Rin spoke up candidly, not even bothering to look up.

"That was petty, Yenhei."

"Jackass was asking for it, trying to preach to me about the laws and regulations. If he wants to be a stickler about it, he should've chosen a law career as well."

Rin hummed a noncommittal note, but Nagan couldn't help but hear the flat tone of disapproval.

"General Meixong, do you think this could've been an assassination attempt?" Az asked.

"It crossed my mind, but it doesn't truly match the patterns displayed otherwise. The lowest confirmed target was a Second Colonel, and Lieutenant is more than a few ranks below that. Could Nagan be targeted because of his moniker though? Perhaps. Either way, that isn't the question being asked, it's if what Nagan said happened is possible at all."

"I'm not lying about this," Nagan said quietly, almost slumping in defeat. He knew what the consequences would be if they decided he acted out of malice instead of self-defense. None of them ended well.

Meixong stopped writing and looked up at Nagan. Nagan froze at their understanding and compassionate expression. He'd seen it more than a few times, all during his lowest moments, but he still didn't know how to accept it. He couldn't deny the feeling of security, however, and he felt himself relax. Az did the same. Safe wasn't the word either of them could use in this situation—Nagan especially was far from it—but it was something close to it.

"I know. I believe you." Meixong sighed and set down their pen. "It's the fact we need to convince everyone else that. I'm writing a request for some specific law books to be sent here, but until then, all I can tell you is to hope the Council decides to keep treating you as a child, and thus, trying you as one. I can't guarantee that, however. As Faen said, you know the consequences of this. You've been a soldier for too long to not know, and you've proven yourself too intelligent to cite ignorance.

"This is where you're at right now, pardon if I repeat myself too often. No one can say without a reasonable doubt you're lying. There's too much evidence pointing to your claim that you were attacked. The knife wounds, the abrasions around your wrists, ankles, and face that match the marks left behind by Kinsmen mages, but it's why you didn't use magic that makes you look less like a victim and more like a victor of a clash that ended fatally. You don't have many friends on the Council, Nagan, especially with the removal of the Arclovens. I'd have to make a number of logical leaps to come up with the rest of the arguments, but that would be the gist of it. On top of that, you are already being investigated due to association with the enemy—which is ridiculous, but I can't say isn't completely unwarranted, it's more like a waste of time considering—never mind. But that's also happening during this time, chalking up your investigation from a simple removal to accusations of treason. Your only saving grace is your age, but because of your history as a soldier and a prodigy...there have been decisions made in the past choosing to bypass your protection as a minor and try you as an adult. Considering you turn seventeen in only five months..."

The rest remained unspoken as Meixong retreated into their thoughts, trusting the rest could connect the dots. Nagan and Az stole a glance, Az trying to remain hopeful while Nagan chose to be less so. The pen began to write again, this time without Meixong physically touching it, but it was clear they were the one controlling it as they continued to stare idly at the edge of their desk. Even Rin had stopped writing, waving the ink to dry as he watched Meixong carefully. By the time the pen signed with a flourish, all of them were waiting to see what Meixong would say with rapt attention.

As silently as before, Meixong walked around their desk to Nagan, paper in hand, and they held it out to him. He took it. But before he could read it, Meixong began talking once again.

"I'm sending you to Carvolier for training early. You were due for it anyway. While there, you will not be allowed to touch any weapons and will be restricted from the main training arena along with access to the armory. You'll be focusing on defensive tactics and flight training due to your restrictions, both because of your situation and physical state. At least this way, I can keep you out of sight until I can smooth things over." Meixong sat back down in the chair still in front of Nagan, and Az had long since moved to stand behind him. "The Council of Thirds are a fickle bunch, but if I can bring a few select people back into the picture, things will turn out alright. But what I need from you is to lay low. I need you to avoid any Council member who shows up, and if you get caught by them, you start kissing up to their every whim whether you like it or not. It's a despicable game we have to play, but your life may depend on it. Can you do that?"

"Yes," Nagan replied immediately, not only because Az's hand now gripped his shoulder—whether as a silent plea or from fear—but because he feared what would happen to himself. "I can do that."

"Good. Until I get confirmation on preparations from Carvolier, you will remain here. Expect to be transferred in a couple of days."