41 At the door.

.

.

.

Every student present in the abyss was surprised as they heard Edward's sudden announcement. But this time it was more surprising because Edward never went back on his words.

"We will continue this sparring class tomorrow. You all can go to your dorms." Edward announced in a loud voice.

Gage, who was standing with the royals, dashed toward Edward in haste after hearing his announcement.

The royals he left behind had a heated atmosphere because of the glaring spar between Ayrton and Ophni, who stood while holding onto Lydan's hand.

But as Edward announced, the hot air between the royals suddenly froze.

…

A short while back,

Lydan saw Ayrton standing behind him, while intensely looking at him. Feron also came behind Ayrton, and looked nervously at Lydan and then Gage.

"Lydan, are you ready for our spar?" Ayrton asked.

Lydan was about to gesture, but Ophni came in between, which made him halt. "Let the lady rest first." Ophni seethed while glaring at Ayrton.

"I will ask him myself, so step away," Ayrton said, glaring back as he grabbed Lydan's arm from the side.

Ophni grabbed the same hand that Ayrton was holding, and glared at him again as his eyes started to flare with red smoke.

"What are these two doing?" "Everyone is watching." Lydan's thoughts mumbled as he was confused, standing in between.

"Stop it both of you, royal highnesses it's against your morals," Gage said in a loud voice as he tried to stop them.

Some other students, who could see the heated atmosphere between them, started muttering with each other again.

Arlo and Lynorr came toward where the royals were and stood at one side to see the show as an audience.

Ayrton's other hand started to flare a flicker of fire as Feron noticed him.

"He always stays calm so why is he doing this now?" Feron said in his mind as he took a step toward them to stop the fight between them which was about to start.

Before Feron could take more steps, Edward's announcement stopped them all.

…

"What are you doing?" Gage asked.

"I'm not doing anything, Richard is," Edward responded, his expression rageful.

"Did he send a message to you?" Gage again asked.

"He's playing with me, I'm sure of it." Edward seethed as he stepped down the stairs.

Gage was looking at Edward going down the stairs as he thought, "I don't know what is on Richard's mind."

…

Lydan glared at them, yanked his hand back quickly, and strode out of the abyss, the flickering fire and flaring smoke of both Ophni and Ayrton disappearing with his glare.

As all the professors performed another spell to wear off the magic to demolish the abyss, every student was making their way to their dorm.

Lydan was followed to the dorm by Arlo and Lynorr, but Feron remained next to Ayrton and Ophni and regarded them with a bewildered and shocked face before eventually leaving for the dorm.

"This all happened because of you." Ophni snarled and glared at Ayrton before following Feron into the dorm.

Everyone walked away from the area in front of the academy while Ayrton remained still until he abruptly began to breathe heavily.

He appeared as though he was straining for air and was unable to breathe. His entire body was shaking. Because his legs were no longer strong, he knelt down while clutching his neck with both hands.

After some time, Ayrton's struggle ended when he coughed up some blood. He was shocked to realise where he was when his vision improved and his breathing became more relaxed.

"Why am I here?" Ayrton murmured while scanning the area.

…

"Your highness, you are back?" Edmund said as he stopped cleaning the room as saw Lydan, who had just entered the room.

After hearing what Edmund said, Lydan gave a longing gaze at him for a split second before stepping further into the room.

Edmund came forward as he made a bow, "Shall I prepare a bath for you?" He asked.

Lydan placed his hand on Edmund's shoulder, and as Edmund looked up, he nodded in affirmation.

"He sometimes acts like Ellen," Lydan said in his mind as he saw Edmund going outside the room after making another bow.

…

"What was he even doing in his room?" Ophni asked.

"If I knew, I would have told you that too," Feron answered.

"And I thought he was back to normal," Ophni said as he took off his cloak and plopped on the sofa in the main hall.

"What exactly has happened to him?" Arlo asked as he too sat down.

"Feron, did you use your power on him after last night?" Lynorr asked as she was also seated on the Chesterfield.

They were all in the main hall, with Feron standing beside the window and the others there seated on divans. Their assigned servants served them and left.

"I tried, but he ran toward Lydan, who just won after the spar." "That's why I couldn't complete my circle," Feron explained.

"You still must have found something," Arlo asked.

"I would have done that, but he felt as if he was protected by some aegis." Feron again explained

Ophni, who was seated with a rageful expression, had blazing red eyes that had a fire in them that indicated his rage. He abruptly stood up and dashed toward Feron.

"You felt an aegis around him?" In a loud voice, Ophni said

"I did, a strong one." Puzzled, Feron replied.

"I felt an aegis in Lydan's tiny locket too, what if they are the same type of?" Ophni hastily said. 

"What are you saying?" Lynor asked.

"I'll explain later," Ophni said as he dashed toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Arlo asked.

"To Lydan's room," Ophni answered

"You think he wants to meet anyone right now?" Lynorr said as she glanced at Ophni, who was standing with a half-opened door while looking at her.

Ophni closed the door and sat back again as they all started to discuss.

…

Lydan was leisurely lying on the Chesterfield. He seemed happy and frustrated at the same time.

"What has gotten into him again?" "Maybe I'm thinking too much," Lydan thought to himself as he sighed.

After a knock, Edmund came back into the room and made a bow. Lydan sat straight as he smiled while looking at him.

"Are you done preparing?" Lydan gestured.

Edmund hesitated as he was confused, and fiddled with his fingers.

"Are you okay?" Lydan gestured as he noticed Edmund's hesitation.

"Your highness, there is someone at the door, looking for you," Edmund said.

"But I don't know anyone other than the royals here," Lydan said in his mind as he stood up.

To be continued…