Elias and Bohdi were marched into Administrator Dorne's office by the security officers, their boots clacking against the polished stone floor While Hush and Kiran were told to wait in the hallway. The office itself was austere but elegant—dark oak bookshelves lined the walls, each filled with neatly organized tomes on magical theory, regulations, and academy history. A large window behind the desk overlooked the campus courtyard, where students bustled about, completely unaware that two of their peers were already in serious trouble before the first day had even begun.
At the massive wooden desk sat Rylan Dorne, his hands clasped together, expression unreadable. He radiated authority, his sharp features framed by streaks of silver in his neatly combed dark hair. His piercing gaze swept over one student who was drenched and another who was grinning ear to ear before he let out a slow, measured sigh.
One of the guards cleared his throat. "Administrator Dorne, we've brought the—"
"I know," Dorne interrupted, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I was informed the moment both of them made a spectacle of themselves."
Elias swallowed hard. He was already expecting some kind of punishment, but the sheer weight of Dorne's exhausted expression made him feel way worse.
Bohdi, on the other hand, was entirely too comfortable. He stood with his hands in his pockets, a small, knowing smirk tugging at his lips as if he had been summoned here for a casual chat instead of a disciplinary hearing.
Dorne took a deep breath and leaned forward. "Let me make something abundantly clear," he said, his voice low and steady, the kind that made it obvious he was not in the mood for nonsense. "It has been less than a full day since you were assigned your dorms. Orientation hasn't even started yet, and here I am, dealing with you two."
Elias, feeling very targeted, opened his mouth to defend himself—but Dorne simply lifted a finger, silencing him before he could even start.
"You," Dorne said, his gaze fixing on Elias first, "set off a fire alarm in your dorm room."
Elias grimaced. "Technically—"
Dorne arched an eyebrow, and Elias immediately shut his mouth.
The administrator continued. "On your first morning, you nearly burned school property, triggered an emergency response, and had to be forcibly removed from your dorm by security." He paused. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Elias hesitated, then glanced at Bohdi.
Bohdi grinned. "I mean, compared to what I did, you looks practically innocent."
Dorne closed his eyes for a long moment, clearly resisting the urge to slam his head against his desk.
Then, turning his attention fully to Bohdi, he exhaled slowly. "And you."
Bohdi's grin widened. "Oh, I can't wait to hear this."
Dorne gave him a level look. "You—on your first day—managed to somehow bypass the academy's student registry, falsify your dorm assignment, and pose as an entirely different person."
Bohdi shrugged. "To be fair, it wasn't really falsification. Fenn is a real person...just not me."
Dorne did not look amused. "That is not better."
Bohdi held up a finger. "Debatable."
Dorne shut his eyes again and took another deep breath—this time, through clenched teeth.
"Let me be very clear," he said slowly. "Aetherion Academy is not a place where you can bend rules at will, Bohdi. Since you continue to insist on staying a student. That means you will adhere to the same structure as everyone else, especially now since you managed to somehow worm your way onto the official student registry. Note that this makes expelling you exceedingly difficult, as such we will take measures to incorporate you back into academy life. However, your continued stay here will be monitored at nearly all times and upon your graduation, extensive steps will be taken to assure your complete expulsion from this academy. Understand?"
Bohdi's smirk didn't falter. "Oh, I get it. I just don't like it."
Dorne finally dropped all pretense of patience. "Enough."
The weight of his authority crashed over the room like a tidal wave, and for the first time, even Bohdi straightened up slightly.
Dorne steepled his fingers, his eyes sharp as steel. "Here is what's going to happen," he said. "Effective immediately, Bohdi, you are on house arrest within the Foundation dormitories. That means no leaving the dorm, no attending unnecessary social functions, and no manipulating your identity. Your ring is to be confiscated until further notice, and any attempt to interfere with this restriction will result in your immediate expulsion, no matter the difficulties."
Bohdi blinked. For the first time, his smirk actually slipped. "Wait, house arrest? That's a bit extreme, isn't it?"
Dorne gave him a blank look. "Is it?"
Bohdi opened his mouth. Closed it. Thought about it.
"…Okay, fair point."
Dorne nodded, satisfied, before turning his attention back to Elias.
"As for you," he continued, "since you are not a chronic rulebreaker—"
Bohdi gasped dramatically. "Chronic? That's so harsh."
Dorne ignored him. "—your punishment will be temporary. However, since you clearly have issues with control, you will wear this."
He reached into his desk and pulled out a neatly folded black armband, embroidered with runes that pulsed faintly.
Elias felt a distinct sense of doom settle over him.
"This," Dorne explained, "is a mana restrictor. It will not stop you from using magic entirely, but it will significantly limit your output. Consider it a reminder to be more careful with your power. You will wear it for the remainder of the week."
Elias groaned. "A whole week?"
Dorne raised an eyebrow. "Would you like to make it two?"
Elias shut his mouth and held out his arm.
Dorne passed him the armband, and Elias slipped it on, feeling an immediate shift. His magic—normally brimming just beneath the surface—felt muffled, like trying to move with weights tied to his limbs.
Dorne leaned back in his chair. "Now, you two will leave my office and attend orientation like normal students. Do I make myself clear?"
Bohdi sighed dramatically. "Crystal."
Elias nodded. "Yes, sir."
Dorne waved them toward the door. "Good. Now get out before I change my mind."
The two of them left the office, one dragging his feet in annoyance and the other still poking at his armband like it personally offended him.
Bohdi sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Well. That could've gone worse."
Elias shot him a sideways glance. "House arrest?"
Bohdi grinned. "Could've been worse."
Elias snorted. "For you, maybe. This thing sucks." He wiggled his fingers, frowning at the dampened feeling of his own magic.
Bohdi patted him on the back. "You'll live. Now, go an and be a model student at orientation, yeah?"
Elias didn't have to know the guy to not trust that phrasing.