The Nightmare Wizard
Chapter 123: The Director of the Disciplinary Committee

Chapter 123: Chapter 123: The Director of the Disciplinary Committee

Algheron gritted his teeth. His fingers trembled, and his mana began to emanate with palpable violence; the runes engraved on the walls vibrated slightly, as if the very enclosure reacted to his fury. Bolts of lightning formed in his hand; unlike any William had seen, these were dark blue. The murderous intent was incredibly dense, making him feel almost suffocated.

"You insolent brat...!" he growled as he raised his hand, ready to unleash all the lightning he had conjured.

William didn’t move. He observed Algheron in complete silence, with an expression so calm it bordered on indifference. Not even Angel said anything. They just waited.

"Algheron!" an imposing voice roared from the other end of the room.

A tall figure, dressed in a crimson robe embroidered with ancient symbols, walked with a firm stride towards the center of the interrogation room. His golden eyes shone with authority, and the mere presence of his mana immediately dispelled the hostile aura of the place. Algheron stopped his spell instantly.

"Director Drael," Algheron said, turning slowly. "I didn’t expect to see you here..."

"And you clearly didn’t expect someone to be watching you while you abused your position," the director retorted coldly. "You were about to attack a student in an investigation that hasn’t even been approved by the council."

"The evidence is clear; he offended a mage in front of everyone. There’s enough evidence to condemn him."

"You talk about evidence, but you wipe your ass with the laws! Article..."

"Don’t you dare recite laws to me! I’ve served over 500 years on this Committee, not like you, a bunch of rookies...! I should be the director of the Committee!" Algheron spat, losing control. "I’ve served over 500 years, guided every trial, cleaned this school of scum... And then Agis comes with his orders, his reforms, and his damned arrogance, and he puts you in charge!"

Drael didn’t blink.

"And yet, he is the one who leads the academy now. His decisions are the law, don’t forget that, and remember your place."

"He’s nothing but a kid playing at being wise! A useless one who should never have come here! I don’t understand what the former director saw in him to name him his successor!"

"Enough!" Drael thundered. His voice resonated in the room with terrifying power, causing Algheron to freeze.

The silence grew thick, and even the air seemed to stand still.

"This discussion is not to be had in front of him," he added, pointing to William without even looking at him.

Drael walked up to William and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don’t worry, kid. Everything’s fine," he said with a softer tone. "You can leave. You’re free of all charges."

William nodded with his usual serene expression. He turned and walked out through the black steel doors. Once outside the Disciplinary Committee, he realized he didn’t know exactly where he was, as this place looked completely unfamiliar.

The streets of Black Rock were a labyrinth. Ancient towers connected by twisted corridors, floating stairs, and enchanted doors that changed location depending on the time of day. William walked unhurriedly, observing the walls covered with symbols he still didn’t fully understand.

"What a strange place. It’s nothing like what Neri showed us. What the hell is this place?" he murmured to himself.

Angel responded with a laugh, "It seems the streets change position. Looking at the sky, we should be at the cafeteria already, but something seems to be moving; I hadn’t felt it before, but this place has a life of its own."

William sighed and took a random turn, descending a spiral staircase lit by floating torches. Upon reaching the end of the corridor, he heard a metallic creak. Two figures blocked his path.

"Stop," said one of the guards, a woman in black armor with the academy’s emblem on her chest. "This area is restricted access. Only members of the Disciplinary Committee or authorized personnel may pass."

The other guard, younger but with an arrogant look, scanned him from head to toe.

"What’s an apprentice doing here? Trying to spy on some private room? Or do you think you can wander wherever you please just because you look like a noble? You should know that the minimum rank to be here is official mage. What in the hell are the guards at the gate doing letting just anyone through anyway?" he said in an accusatory tone.

William raised an eyebrow, surprised by the tone. Before he could respond, the guard continued to press.

"I’m going to take you to the Committee so you can explain what you’re doing in a forbidden place; maybe that will teach you to respect the rules."

William slowly cracked a smile. Not a friendly smile. It was the kind of mocking smile you see on someone who already knows hell... and isn’t afraid to go back.

"The Committee...?" he repeated, feigning surprise. "How convenient. I’m just coming from there; Director Drael let me out of that place. If you want, I can take you there myself."

The two guards looked at each other. A moment of confusion. William took a step forward, fixing his gaze on the more arrogant one.

"And no, I wasn’t summoned. They dragged me out of my class, forcibly transported me to a dungeon, interrogated me under illusion spells, and one of the vice-directors almost cursed me in the face, but I came out in one piece," William said with an ironic smile, making both guards fall silent.

The woman frowned, crossing her arms. The young man slightly lowered his gaze.

"You’re saying... you were in the Committee’s Black Hall... today?" she asked with less arrogance.

William nodded.

"And I still have the smell of stale magic on my clothes," he added, sniffing his shoulder with feigned distaste.

The two guards straightened their posture. The young man discreetly swallowed, and the woman cleared her throat.

"Excuse the inconvenience," she said in a more professional tone. "We didn’t know you were coming from the Committee. It’s not common for... someone to leave that place so soon."

William didn’t respond immediately. He just looked at them in silence for a few more seconds, letting the nervousness consume them.

"Can you tell me how to get out of here? I don’t want to waste another minute with enchanted corridors."

"Of course," she said, with a kind gesture this time. "Take that hallway to the right, then go up the spiral stairs with blue railings. You’ll reach the central wing, near the main cafeteria."

"Thank you," William said, turning without hurry.

As he walked away, the two guards watched him leave, still tense.

"Who the hell is that kid?" the young man whispered.

"Someone who was called to the Committee... and came back without a scratch. Better not find out."

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