Aethelos: The Bastard of Light

Layonel stood up from the chair and nodded. · “It’s fair. I accept the suspension.” · Joseph simply watched him. Then he turned his gaze to Eli. · “Do you have any questions about your punishment?” · Eli swallowed hard. · “What exactly do I have to do in the forest?” · Joseph kept a serious expression. · “Survive this night. At midnight you enter the training forest. The mission is simple: survive everything that appears.” · Eli felt his stomach tighten. · “But… what if terrorists show up? That isn’t part of the mission. It’s too dangerous.” · “Everything that is there is part of the mission,” Joseph replied, his voice firm. “Your behavior inside the academy was also dangerous. Learn the difference.” · Eli lowered his head, resigned. Still, he asked one last question: · “Are there any restrictions? Any rules for surviving?” · “Do whatever you have to do to stay alive. Just survive.” · When Eli left the office, Brock was waiting in the corridor. · “Eli. Are you all right?” · Eli forced a weak smile. · “I’m going on a solo mission in the forest. As punishment for the fight with Layonel.” · Brock’s eyes widened. · “Wait here.” · Without hesitation he entered the director’s office and closed the door. · “Joseph, I think you’re pushing Eli too hard. He still doesn’t control his powers well. From the little time I’ve spent with the group, he’s the most insecure and the weakest right now.” · Joseph didn’t move. · “I know you’re on your students’ side, Brock. But he can’t be protected forever. This way he’ll never mature. He is who he is. You know the potential he carries. He could become indispensable to the academy… but for that he has to reveal himself.” · “Alone in the forest? At this stage? He won’t survive.” · Joseph raised his eyes, cold. · “This conversation is over. I’m not going to change my mind just because you insisted. He has to show whose son he is. Either he does it well… or he does it poorly.” · Brock fell silent. He realized there was no room for negotiation. · Later, Eli met with Yana and Lygar in a corner of the courtyard. · Yana looked visibly worried when she heard the punishment. · “Eli… do you want me to go in secret and help you with the mission?” · Lygar crossed his arms and let out a short laugh. · “Missions like this… only happen to some people.” · Eli raised his head, irritated. · “What do you mean by that? It’s a dangerous mission. My life could be at risk.” · Lygar looked him up and down, his expression more restrained than usual, but still sharp. · “Or it’s an excellent opportunity to show what you’re really worth. So that people actually respect you. · Think about it… Mix.” · Eli clenched his fists, but didn’t answer. The silence between the three of them grew heavy. · Midnight was approaching. · And for the first time since he had entered Solaris, Eli was going to face the forest… completely alone.