MTLNOVEL Chapter 13: Ancient Truths
The Council chamber crackled with tension as Archmage Winters finished her report on the assassination attempt.
"So now we have extremists using forbidden combat magic to attack our research subject," Councilor Frost said acidly. "Exactly as I warned might happen."
"What I find more interesting," Councilor Reed interjected, "is that we had a Blade Saint on guard duty and none of you saw fit to inform me." He looked pointedly at High Councilor Brightstone. "As the Council's historian, that rather seems like something I should have known."
"Sir Marcus's identity was kept confidential for good reason," Brightstone replied calmly. "The Seventh Order prefers to work... quietly."
"Which raises another question," Councilor Chen added. "Why assign someone of his caliber to guard a research subject? Unless..." he paused meaningfully, "there was something specific you feared she might discover?"
The chamber grew silent as the implications settled. Finally, Councilor Moonshadow spoke up. "Perhaps we should be asking what the Blade Saints already know about chaos magic. Their order predates the sealing, after all."
"That is not relevant to our current situation," Frost cut in sharply.
"Isn't it?" Winters challenged. "We have new data from Miss Blackthorn's experiments - particularly regarding this 'chaos metal' manifestation. The theoretical implications alone-"
"Are too dangerous to pursue," Frost interrupted. "The assassination attempt proves that!"
"It proves that someone is afraid of what she might discover," Chen corrected. "Which is not the same thing at all."
Meanwhile, in a forgotten corner of the Academy's archives, Elena Brighthaven was following her growing curiosity about chaos magic. She'd been searching through historical records when she noticed something odd - a section of shelving that didn't quite match the library's standard organization system.
Using her S-rank magical sensitivity - a gift whose strength sometimes made her wonder about her unknown father - she detected traces of what seemed to be a very old concealment ward. But trying to investigate further only gave her a headache - whatever was hidden there had some serious magical protection.
"There's definitely something here," she muttered, making a mental note of the location. She'd need to come back better prepared, maybe after learning more about ancient warding techniques. For now, she could only wonder what secrets about chaos magic's history might be hidden in the Academy's archives.
As she turned to leave, her hand brushed against a shelf, dislodging an old journal. It appeared to be written in an archaic form of magical notation - one she couldn't fully decipher yet. But the few phrases she could make out suggested there might be more to chaos magic's history than she'd been taught.
Elena carefully returned the journal to its shelf. She'd need to improve her knowledge of ancient magical languages before she could learn more. But now she knew where to look - and that someone had gone to great lengths to hide something about chaos magic's past. Her unusually strong magical sensitivity seemed to resonate with whatever was hidden here, as if recognizing something familiar in the ancient wards.
Back in Sarah's quarters, a very different kind of discovery was taking place.
"Your stance is all wrong," Sir Marcus said, adjusting Sarah's grip on the practice sword. "You're trying to channel the blade like you do chaos magic. It doesn't work that way."
"But I've seen you cut through spells," Sarah protested, trying not to sound too excited about learning actual sword magic. "Surely there must be some similarity in how the energies flow?"
She was supposed to be practicing basic forms as part of her "physical conditioning program" - actually a cover for Marcus to teach her some Sword Theory basics. But she couldn't help trying to apply her chaos magic understanding to it.
"Chaos magic adapts to what it encounters," Marcus explained patiently. "Sword Theory imposes its will on magical energy through absolute precision. They're almost opposite approaches." He demonstrated a simple cut that somehow made the air ripple with magical resonance.
"That's so cool," Sarah whispered, then quickly tried to look more scholarly. "I mean, the theoretical principles are fascinating."
Marcus's lips twitched. "It's alright to admit you're enjoying this, Lady Blackthorn. Joy in learning is not a crime - despite what some on the Council might think."
Sarah tried the cut again, this time focusing purely on the physical movement rather than magical theory. To her surprise, she felt a faint resonance from the practice blade.
"Better," Marcus nodded. "Though we should probably end here for today. The Council meeting about your security will be concluding soon."
"Do you think they'll restrict my research?" Sarah asked, reluctantly returning the practice sword.
"Actually," Marcus smiled slightly, "I suspect they're about to discover some very interesting things about their own history with chaos magic. Assuming certain S-rank students are as clever as they seem."
Sarah's chaos marks swirled with interest. "Sir Marcus, do you know something about why chaos magic was really sealed away?"
"I know many things, Lady Blackthorn. Including that some secrets reveal themselves best when discovered by those ready to understand them." He paused at the door. "Keep practicing that basic form. And perhaps review what your research has suggested about how different magical traditions might interact."
After he left, Sarah flopped onto her bed with a huge grin. "He's teaching me sword magic!" she whispered excitedly to her chaos marks. "Actual, legendary, lost-to-the-ages sword magic! This is the coolest thing ever!"
She sat up suddenly. "And he totally knows something about chaos magic's history. He's being all cryptic and mysterious about it, but that was definitely a hint to keep researching magical interactions." She manifested some chaos metal and made it form a tiny sword. "I bet the Blade Saints had some connection to chaos magic back in the day. I mean, he can literally cut through spells - that's got to involve some kind of adaptive magical theory, right?"
The chaos marks swirled in what seemed like agreement as she flopped back down. "Though I probably shouldn't get too excited about the sword training where he can hear me. Got to maintain that whole 'serious researcher' image." She paused, then giggled. "But come on! Sword magic! This is way better than the book version!"
Back in the Council chamber, the debate was reaching a crucial point.
"The girl's research must continue," Chen insisted. "These attacks only prove that someone fears what she might discover."
"Or they rightly fear what chaos magic could unleash," Frost countered.
High Councilor Brightstone observed the debate silently, his thoughts drifting momentarily to another promising young mage. Elena Brighthaven's S-rank evaluation hadn't surprised him - though only he and Elena's mother knew why the girl's magical sensitivity might rival that of the noble Brightstone line. He'd arranged her admission to the Academy through intermediaries, careful to maintain the distance necessity had always forced between them.
"What concerns me," he said carefully, drawing attention back to the matter at hand, "is not the chaos magic itself, but those who would resort to violence to suppress its study." His eyes met Winters'. They both knew there were many kinds of secrets in the Academy's walls.
"This discussion will have to continue another time," he concluded. "For now, we must focus on the immediate security concerns. Sir Marcus has proven his worth in protecting our research subject. I suggest we allow the current arrangements to continue."
Frost looked like she wanted to object, but even she couldn't argue with the Blade Saint's effectiveness. The Council session ended with a tense agreement to maintain the status quo - though everyone could sense that bigger questions remained unresolved.
The chaos marks on Sarah's skin shifted slightly, as if sensing the changes beginning to ripple through the Academy. The story was changing in ways not even she had anticipated. But then, chaos had always been about adaptation - even if it took centuries for others to understand why.