"The S Rank general assembly will now review the events surrounding the deaths of Theodore Bianco and Thomas Sorin," Donald Harris said, slamming his gavel down, calling to order the most powerful humans on Nerotath. "Mage Teft, do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"I need not defend my actions. Both mages in question were warned after their first attempts on Damion Wells' life. None of you would give a second warning if someone tried to kill your disciples, I see no reason why I should be held to a different standard."

"I demand…" Tristan Sorin started but was cut off by the pounding of Mage Harris' gavel. "I propose Mage Teft be given to the Crimson Order as punishment for her actions."

"I second the motion," Eddard Bianco announced.

"I have a counter proposal. That the Headmasters of the three magic academies be investigated for intentionally testing younger commoner children and also for the acts of blackmail, extortion, and general sleaziness," Ingrid Fletcher, the S Rank Spatial mage said.

"Such rudeness," Ermir Colon, Headmaster of the Beryl School of the Mystic Arts, scoffed. "I will have you know; I hold myself to the highest standards and would never stoop to…"

"Enough," Mage Harris cut in with another slam of his gavel.

The Time mage was the oldest and most powerful member of the human race and while he often looked at the rest of humanity like they were children, he really wished these S Rank mages did not behave like children.

"The matter at hand is if Mage Teft was justified in her actions."

"Of course she wasn't. An S Rank killing two S Rank talents is an atrocity. And demands punishment," Mage Sorin said.

"The actions of your heirs were documented, and evidence of their actions presented to this assembly previously. It was agreed on their first offense, they would escape any punishment, so long as they did not make further attempts on Mage Wells' life, an S+ Rank talent," Mage Teft told them.

"I agree, you failing to keep your heirs in line is not a matter for this council," said the Lightning mage Phillip Spurlock.

"While the public execution of Thomas Sorin was a bit over the top," Dominic Strand, the Wood mage added. "It is justified. And given how this body failed to immediately take action when presented with proof of a second offense by Theodore Bianco, I believe Mage Teft acted correctly."

"Correctly!" Yusef Thorn shouted.

"You heard me," Mage Strand replied calmly. "This assembly failed in its duty. Forcing Mage Teft to take matters into her own hands. Not only did she rightly execute those who would have otherwise avoided punishment, by doing so publicly, she has reinforced the faith in commoner families that the noble families are not above the law."

"Such actions only serve to reinforce the idea of rebellion against the noble houses. The commoner mages could rally behind her and…"

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"And what, Mage Thorn?" Mage Strand said, sounding disinterested. "The noble families do not rule anyone. How many ages ago was that silliness put behind us? Each Zone is governed by their individual councils and humanity has not had a war with itself since the nobles were removed from governance. Just because your families hold a great deal of power, does not give you the right to ignore the law. And I am glad that Mage Teft has decided to remind you all of that."

"Does anyone else have arguments against Mage Teft's evidence?" Mage Harris asked, looking from face to face of the S Rank mages gathered. "Finding none, I hereby rule in Mage Teft's favor. All warrants and actions against here in all Zones must immediately cease. If I find anyone not in compliance, I will take personal action."

The entirety of the S Rank assembly looked worried at that prospect. Mage Harris seldom took action himself. Aside from venturing alone into the Black Zones to combat the greatest threats to humanity, none knew what the ancient S Rank was actually capable of. Legend had it though, that the Time mage was able to cast a spell that could manipulate the age of a target, turning a person to dust by aging them thousands of years in just a second. A power that none of the other S Rank mages had any chance of countering.

"Now that her innocence is established, Mage Teft should be reinstated as Dean of Silver Spire Magic Academy," Mage Strand said.

"Who my school employs, is up to me, not this assembly," Headmaster Sorin grumbled.

"That is fine. I have no desire to return to Silver Spire. I feel my days of helping the young people of the White Zones is at an end," Mage Teft said.

"Is that so?" Mage Harris questioned. "Without the backing of the school, I am afraid you may find it very difficult to procure entry into any of the labyrinths and I don't believe Headmaster Sorin is going to let you back into his S Rank dungeon. What do you intend to do?"

"I believe humanity has been stuck where we are for too long. How long has it been since a new Yellow Zone has been established, or even upgraded to a Green Zone. Let alone how many ages it has been since a White Zone was founded."

"You wish to establish a new Zone?" Mage Harris asked in disbelief. He knew how long it had been since humanity expanded, but expansion required power. Humanity had already pushed its borders as far as they could maintain. To go further, they would need something new or need for the nobles to stop crowding in the White Zones.

"I wish to establish a new magic academy."

"To keep potential mages safe during their schooling, magic academies can only exist in White Zones," Mage Thorn said. "It is the law."

"Then I guess I will just have to found a White Zone, won't I," Mage Teft responded.

"To do that you need a labyrinth, and no one has found a labyrinth in how long?" Headmaster Sorin sneered.

"Then I guess I have my work cut out for me," Mage Teft told them.

"Mage Teft, even if you do find a labyrinth, there is no guarantee it will be in a suitable location to found a White Zone around, or even a labyrinth that is clearable," Mage Harris said, sounding worried for her. "The few labyrinths I have found, I have destroyed their cores because even the basic floors were much too strong. The labyrinths in the White Zones seem to be aberrations, no other labyrinth I have encountered has floors that are actually completable at their Rank."

"Couldn't that simply be due to them not having been cleared for who knows how long?" Mage Teft questioned. "It has never fully been tested what happens when a Growth Breach goes too long between floor clears."

"No. It is not possible. Each one I encountered I cleared the early floors and let them respawn, the Demonic Beasts that refilled the floors numbered even more."

"It still could have been due to not having been cleared regularly. Even with our current labyrinths, who is to say how many Demonic Beasts really appear in those early floors. There are so many people in them at any given time, it is impossible to know."

"I think you are setting yourself up for failure."

"This is the path I have chosen," Mage Teft responded. "At least this way, I am out of the reach of those families that wish me harm. None of them are going to brave the Red or Black Zones just to take revenge on me."

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