The faint smile on Ackerman's face had barely appeared when Chairman Tresilles Quintin finally moved.
He closed the folder before him. The sound echoed through the hall.
Silence followed imdiately. Every conversation died. Every eye turned toward him.
Tresilles Quintin removed his glasses slowly.
"This discussion is concluded."
The statent caught several trustees off guard.
Ackerman remained still.
A parent trustee frowned.
"Chairman, we have not reached a decision."
Tresilles Quintin looked at him.
"We have."
The trustee fell silent.
The Chairman placed both hands on the table.
"The transfer in question was reviewed before the student council submitted its request."
The room stilled.
Several trustees exchanged glances.
Ackerman's eyes narrowed slightly.
Reviewed?
By whom?
Tresilles Quintin answered the question before anyone asked it.
"The matter was examined by the appropriate authorities and approved through the proper channels."
His gaze swept across both sides of the room.
"The academy acted within its authority."
Silence settled over the hall.
A cold, immovable silence
Not because people agreed but because they suddenly realized there was nowhere to push.
A trustee opened his mouth. Closed it again.
Tresilles Quintin continued.
"There will be no second review."
His voice never rose.
"There will be no vote."
A pause.
"There will be no appeal."
The words landed one after another.
Heavy.
Final.
The student executives sat motionless.
The door had not rely been closed. It had been removed entirely.
Ackerman spoke for the first ti.
"With respect, Chairman, the student body deserves an explanation."
Tresilles Quintin's eyes settled on him.
For the first ti, the room felt the difference between a talented student politician and a man who advised the High Regent.
"No."
The answer was imdiate. Simple. Absolute.
Ackerman held his gaze.
Tresilles Quintin held it longer, leaned back.
"This matter concerns state interests."
A single sentence. Nothing more. No details. No clarification.
Yet the effect was devastating.
Every person in the room understood the aning of the statent.
The matter no longer belonged to the academy.
And once sothing beca a state matter, ordinary channels ceased to exist.
Tresilles Quintin stood.
"The matter is closed."
Nobody objected. Because nobody could.
***
Surrounded by military personnel, Tresilles Quintin made his way to a long van at the center of Echelon Academy's massive parking lot.
"Uncle."
Tresilles Quintin stopped in front of the open door of the van and turned, smiling fondly.
Ackerman got to him in a few quick strides.
"Leaving without a goodbye?"
His expression was still serious from the eting but his voice carried a hint of playfulness.
Tresilles Quintin's smile broadened.
"I was going to but you seem like a very busy man. Student politics and all." He looked proud. "Your performance has been well reported, Winsley."
Ackerman chuckled.
"I thought I had you cornered for a mont."
Tresilles Quintin's expression hardened.
"I know politics is a ga but this isn't child's play, Winsley. Don't go digging up issues above your level."
Ackerman matched his seriousness.
"State interests," He said slowly, tasting the words. "Is the girl all that special then?"
Tresilles Quintin didn't react.
"Just stay within the limits."
Ackerman watched as his uncle turned and got into the van, without sparing him a second glance.
The van drove away from the parking lot, followed by two others.
"Limits…" Ackerman murmured to himself.
***
The academy library was a colossal labyrinth of knowledge.
Towering glass walls rose through multiple levels, allowing sunlight to pour into the enormous space from every direction. The ceiling arched high above, supported by steel beams so thin they seed almost invisible against the sea of glass.
Long rows of bookshelves spread endlessly across the floor like organized streets in a city. So shelves stood several stories high, connected by tal staircases, suspended walkways and narrow balconies that overlooked the lower levels.
Every section had its own purpose. History occupied an entire wing. Political studies filled another.
Political theory, military strategy, economics, law, engineering and countless other subjects each had dedicated sections marked by elegant silver plaques.
Students moved quietly between the shelves, climbing staircases, crossing elevated platforms and disappearing into secluded reading corners tucked between towering walls of books.
Although most students were already leaving.
Golden , amber and crimson hues from the setting sun reflected off the glass surfaces, bathing the library in a soft glow.
From the upper levels, one could see beyond the transparent walls to the rest of Echelon Academy—glass towers, elevated walkways and distant training fields spread beneath the evening sky.
Despite its size, the library remained strangely peaceful.
The turning of pages.
The quiet tapping of keyboards.
The occasional footsteps on tal stairs.
Together, those sounds beca the library's heartbeat.
It felt less like a room filled with books and more like a city built entirely for knowledge.
Olwen was making his rounds in the history departnt, carrying a stack of books in both hands as he shelved them in the right order.
Then he tidied up reading tables, reshelved misplaced books and straightened chairs.
He turned with the intention of heading to the next departnt and caught soone standing between the shelves, staring at him.
A plain looking girl.
"Elsie." He said, placing a hand behind his back.
Elsie shifted awkwardly, avoiding his gaze.
"Hey, Olwen."
Olwen waited. There was always sothing after that.
"Ackerman held an executive eting afterwards. The others were worried the board's decision might anger the students so Garrett brought up an idea to redirect attention."
Olwen waited so more. He was used to her talking in bits and pieces.
Elsie trailed a finger along the spines of the books beside her.
"Do you read much history?" She asked.
"Elsie." Olwen said.
His face was unreadable. His tone was a bit curt.
Elsie smiled and left the books.
"Garrett is organizing a Light festival this friday. The students will be too occupied preparing for it to dwell on the outco of today's hearing."
Olwen considered it for a few seconds.
"Is that all?" He asked.
Elsie nodded, turned and started walking away.
Olwen noticed a book on the shelf was upside-down, so he walked over and placed it properly.
"You know," ca Elsie. She had stopped and was looking back at him.
"The library is indeed beautiful, and filled with interesting books. It's certainly hard for one to leave..."
Olwen waited.
"But I hope to see you at the festival." Elsie said with a genuine smile. "It might be nice to see sothing other than books for once."
Then she left almost imdiately, not waiting for a reply. Already certain none would co.
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