Chapter 310 The Heated Discussion of Magic Council
At the long, polished table that dominated the center of the room, the top council members sat in silence, their faces marked by deep lines of concentration. Among them was Kyrion, a towering figure with a presence that radiated coldness. His black robes, embroidered with silver threads of necromantic runes, seemed to absorb the light, casting an eerie shadow wherever he moved.
His eyes, as cold and unyielding as the frozen north from which he hailed, remained fixed on the parchments before him—Draven's abstracts.
"Unregulated chaos mixed with necromancy," Kyrion's deep voice finally broke the silence, his tone carrying the weight of centuries of experience. He lifted his gaze to the council members across from him, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This is not only reckless but dangerous. We cannot allow these findings to be disseminated without strict control."
There was a murmur of agreement from several of the council members. Kyrion's words always carried immense weight; his reputation as a necromancer was legendary. His cold, calculating nature had brought him great influence within the council, and few dared to openly challenge him.
The danger he spoke of was clear—Draven's research on chaos and necromancy, if left unchecked, could destabilize more than just the academic world. It could unravel the very fabric of their magical society.
But not everyone at the table shared his views.
Across from Kyrion sat Lisanor, her fiery red robes a stark contrast to his dark attire. Her presence was as fierce as her magic, her eyes burning with a passion that had earned her the title of Aradia's Pyromancer. She was no stranger to radical ideas and was often known to support research that pushed boundaries. Her voice, sharp and unapologetic, cut through the rising murmurs.
"Restricting his findings would be a mistake," she said, leaning forward slightly, her eyes meeting Kyrion's without a hint of hesitation. "Draven's research on mana flow and dungeon cores could revolutionize how we deal with the very issues that have plagued us for decades. If we stifle this, we risk weakening our own standing within the magical world."
Kyrion's lip curled slightly in disdain. "And what do you suggest, Lisanor? Letting chaos run rampant? You've seen what happens when unstable forces are left unchecked. You, of all people, should understand the consequences of that."
Lisanor's eyes flashed, and for a moment, the air around her seemed to heat up, the faint scent of burning lingering in the room. "What I understand, Kyrion, is that we cannot hold back progress simply because it makes us uncomfortable. Draven has done what none of us dared to do—he's taken the most volatile elements and found a way to bring them into harmony.
We should be embracing this, not shackling it."
The tension between the two was palpable, and it rippled through the room like a shockwave. Other council members shifted in their seats, some nodding in agreement with Kyrion's cautious approach, while others murmured in support of Lisanor's argument for progress.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The council had always been divided in its philosophy—those who believed in the careful control of magic and those who believed in pushing its boundaries.
At the far end of the table, a minor council member cleared his throat nervously. He was young, clearly eager to gain favor with both sides, and his voice wavered slightly as he spoke. "Perhaps we could... assign Draven a mentor? Someone who could oversee his symposium presentation and ensure that the more... delicate aspects of his research are handled with care."
Kyrion's eyes flicked toward the young mage, and though his expression remained unreadable, there was a faint glimmer of approval in his cold gaze. "A mentor, you say?" His voice was measured, thoughtful. "Someone to guide him, keep his findings... manageable." He paused for a moment, letting the implication of his words hang in the air. "I could take on that role."
It was a subtle move, but those familiar with Kyrion knew exactly what he was doing. By offering to mentor Draven, Kyrion would ensure that Draven's research was tightly controlled—kept on a leash, so to speak. It would give Kyrion direct influence over Draven's work, allowing him to restrict or suppress anything he deemed too dangerous.
Lisanor's eyes narrowed, seeing through Kyrion's ploy immediately. "Draven doesn't need a leash," she said, her voice sharp. "He needs support. If we assign a mentor, it should be someone who understands the revolutionary nature of his work, not someone who fears it."
Kyrion's gaze flicked back to her, cold and unyielding. "Revolutionary or not, it's still a risk. One that I'm not willing to take lightly."
The debate continued, the room divided as council members voiced their opinions, each one trying to steer the conversation in their favor. Some leaned toward Kyrion's cautious approach, wary of the dangers posed by Draven's blending of chaos and necromancy. Others, like Lisanor, pushed for more open support of Draven's research, seeing it as the key to advancing their understanding of magic.
As the council debated, Magister Algira, the head librarian of the council's vast archives, sat quietly in his chair, watching the exchange with keen interest. His sharp eyes moved between Kyrion and Lisanor, but his mind was already working on a different angle. To Algira, this debate wasn't just about the abstracts in front of them—it was about positioning.
In the world of magic, knowledge was power, and Draven's research held the potential to shift the balance of power within the council. If handled correctly, it could elevate Algira to a position of greater influence, allowing him to capitalize on Draven's findings.
As the council members continued to argue, Algira leaned closer to one of his trusted aides, speaking in a low voice. "We'll need to keep a close eye on this," he murmured, his eyes never leaving Kyrion and Lisanor. "If Draven's research is as revolutionary as they say, it could change everything."
His aide nodded, understanding the unspoken implication behind Algira's words. If Draven's work could be controlled, or better yet, monopolized, Algira could secure a place in Draven's inner circle—positioning himself as a gatekeeper to the most coveted magical knowledge of the age.
Meanwhile, the debate at the council table was reaching its peak. Kyrion, sensing the need to sway more support to his side, leaned forward, his voice low and commanding. "We are not just dealing with research, Lisanor. We are dealing with power—dangerous power.
If Draven's findings on necromantic chaos were to fall into the wrong hands, we could be looking at a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions."
Lisanor didn't back down, her eyes blazing. "And if we stifle him, we lose the chance to harness that power. To understand it. You speak of danger, Kyrion, but what I see is opportunity. The opportunity to control chaos, to master it."
The two locked eyes, the tension between them simmering just below the surface. But before either could press their argument further, Algira, sensing the moment was right, stood from his seat.
"Perhaps," he began, his voice smooth and calm, cutting through the heated exchange, "we should consider a compromise."
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the head librarian. Algira was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened.
"Assigning a mentor is a prudent idea," Algira continued, nodding toward the minor council member who had first suggested it. "But rather than place Draven under a single individual's influence, we could form a panel—a group of experts to oversee his work. This way, no one voice dominates, and we ensure that Draven's research is properly reviewed and guided."
There was a murmur of agreement from several council members. Algira's suggestion was measured, balanced—exactly what the council needed to hear.
Kyrion's eyes narrowed, clearly not pleased with the idea of sharing control, but he remained silent for the moment, calculating his next move.
Lisanor, however, nodded in approval. "A panel would allow for broader oversight while still supporting Draven's work. I can agree to that."
With the tension momentarily diffused, the council members began to discuss the logistics of forming the panel. Kyrion, ever the strategist, remained quiet, but his mind was already working on how to ensure his influence over Draven's research remained strong, even if shared with others.
As the council moved toward a decision, Algira leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. He had planted the seed of compromise, but in doing so, he had also positioned himself as a key player in the oversight of Draven's work.
If all went according to plan, Algira would be the one guiding Draven's research, steering it toward the council's—and his own—best interests.
The session finally came to a close with the council voting in favor of forming a panel to oversee Draven's research. Kyrion, though not entirely satisfied, gained enough influence to ensure his voice would be heard on the panel. Lisanor, pleased with the compromise, vowed to keep a close eye on Draven's presentation, ensuring his work wouldn't be stifled.
As the council members dispersed, the air in the chamber still buzzed with the tension of the debate. Draven's abstracts had thrown the council into a frenzy, and the upcoming symposium promised to be a turning point for the magical world.
But behind the scenes, plots were already in motion. Kyrion, Lisanor, and Algira each had their own agendas, and Draven's work had become the battlefield on which they would fight for control.
And Draven, though absent from the chamber, was at the center of it all.
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