CHAPTER 152: COUNCILMAN DIO AND SHANE

The palace loomed higher than Jae had expected, its spires piercing the midday sky like sharpened spears. The carriage wheels rattled over polished stone as they passed through gates plated with iron and gold.

Guards lined the path, their spears glinting in the sun, faces expressionless as statues. Jae leaned slightly toward the window, red eyes tracing the sheer scale of the architecture, the sweeping arches, the banners hanging heavy with the king’s crest, the way every corner seemed crafted not merely for function but for dominance.

The carriage came to a smooth halt in the central courtyard. Before Jae could even step down, the door was pulled open by a servant in crisp uniform.

Standing just beyond him was a man whose presence demanded attention, not through force but by the effortless weight of authority.

His robes were a dark emerald embroidered with golden thread, the hem whispering across the stone as he stepped forward.

"Jae," the man greeted warmly, voice deep and polished. "I am Councilman Dio. I have been expecting you."

Jae rose to his feet, steadying himself as he climbed down from the carriage. His instincts urged him to bow, though Dio quickly raised a hand, dismissing the formality with a faint smile.

"I have heard much about your progress at the academy," Dio continued, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly in amusement. "Few rise at such speed. Even fewer without a noble house pushing them forward. That alone makes you worth watching."

Jae felt a flicker of discomfort at the words but also a strange swell of pride. He didn’t answer immediately, unsure how to respond.

Dio seemed unconcerned. He reached into his sleeve and withdrew a small vial filled with a luminous liquid that shifted in color, pale silver one moment and faintly crimson the next. "To celebrate your achievements, I have something for you. An elixir, not ordinary, mind you. For one hour, it enhances physical strength to an extraordinary degree. After that, it fades. Dangerous in reckless hands, but in yours... it might prove useful."

He pressed the vial into Jae’s hand, the glass warm as though alive. "Experiment responsibly. Test your limits, but don’t let the power fool you into thinking it is permanent. The greatest strength is not borrowed but earned."

Jae studied the vial, his reflection warped across the liquid’s surface. "Why give this to me?" he asked finally

Dio’s grin deepened. "Because recognition is due where it is earned. You are no ordinary student, Jae. The palace sees that. The kingdom sees that. Remember it."

With that, the councilman turned, already half distracted by a steward approaching with parchment in hand. Dio waved absently at Jae. "We will speak again. For now, rest. The palace can overwhelm new arrivals."

Before Jae could reply, Dio was gone, swallowed by the rhythm of palace affairs. Servants hurried in his wake, and the sound of his voice soon faded down another hall.

Jae remained still for a moment, the vial heavy in his palm. Recognition. That was what Dio had said. Yet the word sat oddly on his tongue, as though he weren’t sure whether to accept it as honor or warning.

A maid approached and gave a gentle bow. "If you would follow me, sir, I will take you to your quarters."

The room assigned to him was spacious compared to the academy dorms, its stone walls draped with velvet curtains, the bed layered in fabrics finer than anything he had slept on before.

A carved desk rested near the window, parchment and quills neatly arranged as though awaiting his use. Jae placed the vial carefully on the desk, then sat at the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair.

The weight of the day pressed into him. Dio’s words echoed: the palace sees that. The kingdom sees that. Jae wasn’t sure he wanted to be seen.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock. The maid from earlier slipped in, bowing once again. "Lord Shane requests your presence in his study."

Jae stood, adjusting his jacket. "Lead the way."

The study was buried deep within the palace, tucked behind corridors lined with towering bookshelves. When the maid pushed open the door, Jae was greeted by the sight of a man surrounded by a fortress of parchment.

Scrolls, ledgers, and maps sprawled across the desk, spilling onto side tables and shelves. At the center sat Lord Shane, the royal advisor, his quill moving rapidly even as he acknowledged Jae’s entrance with a flick of his gaze.

"Ah, Jae." Shane’s voice was quick, clipped by the pace of his thoughts. "Yes, yes, come in. Sit. I’ve been waiting to meet you."

Jae lowered himself into a chair opposite the desk, studying the older man. Shane’s hair was streaked with gray, his robes less ornate than Dio’s yet marked with the insignia of his station.

"You’ve been growing rapidly," Shane said without pause, shifting one document aside to unroll another. "Too rapidly, some might say. Tell me, how do you find life at the academy? Strenuous? Or manageable?"

Jae hesitated, uncertain how much of the truth to reveal. "Challenging. But manageable."

"Good. You should be challenged." Shane’s quill scratched furiously across parchment. "Don’t grow complacent. Growth is not a reason to relax but a reason to push harder. Talent breeds enemies, Jae. Remember that."

The conversation shifted before Jae could reply. Shane’s tone lowered, more deliberate. "Now, about the recent attacks. You’ve been at the center of them, have you not? Why do you think that is?"

Jae’s jaw tightened. "I don’t know. I wish I did. I’m tired of being targeted without understanding why."

Shane’s eyes flicked up, sharp and calculating. For the first time, he set his quill down. "Frustration is natural. But sometimes the reason lies not in what you have done, but in what you represent. Power draws attention. Rival factions, old enemies of the crown, perhaps even foreign hands, there are many possibilities."

Jae leaned back slightly. "So you think this is political?"

"Everything in this palace is political," Shane answered simply. "Even your presence here."

He shuffled through another pile of papers, pulling free a folded note. "Principal Kine informed me of something peculiar. A royal seal was found on one of the artifacts tied to these attacks, was it not?"

Jae’s eyes narrowed. "Yes. I saw it myself."

"Then you understand the gravity. We are investigating its origin. If it truly bore the king’s mark, it was either stolen or forged. Both are dangerous in their own ways. Until we know which, we must assume the enemy is closer than we think."

The room felt colder at those words. Jae sat in silence, his thoughts churning.

Shane leaned forward, his gaze steady. "Do not let fear guide you. Continue to strengthen yourself. The stronger you become, the less sway these shadows will hold over you. And when the truth emerges, you will be ready to face it."