Wearing Power Armor to a Magic School (80/?) WiP 1 (Patreon)

Hey everyone! Here is the Work in Progress for Chapter 80 I hope you guys enjoy! :D

The Grand Dining Hall. Local time: 1210

Emma

“Never in my wildest of imaginations would I have ever considered that the one to threaten our position, our place, our image, and our very survival in this sky of feral drakes to be you — Prince Thalmin.” Ilunor managed out with an absolutely incredulous tone of voice. Though unlike his former confrontations with me, his current voice lacked the same intense vitriol. Instead, that was replaced with what I could only describe as a genuine sense of disappointment, as if confronting a friend who knew better than to commit to a dumb decision. 

“That’s an understandable statement to make, Ilunor.” Thalmin replied uncharacteristically calmly, as if he hadn’t even registered the Vunerian’s slights. Or at least, that seemed to be the case, until he shot the deluxe Kobold a predatory side-eye. “Creatures who lack honor, integrity, and personal dignity, often conflate sacrifices and risk-taking, for foolishness and idiocy. For within the heart of a Nexian, there lies only compromise for the sake of convenience. Whether that be convenience of survival, convenience of continuity, or convenience of the status quo, you will sacrifice everything to maintain it — even if it means allowing for your honor to remain sullied and trodden when there exists a pool to cleanse away that shame.” 

Thacea’s eyes grew wary with concern at that statement, one of the few instances I’d seen her genuinely worried about an Ilunor-Thalmin interaction. In fact, even I didn’t dare to interrupt, especially after both parties had shot death-glares towards our elven waiter as he arrived with the lunch platter.

“Restraint, Prince Thalmin.” Ilunor responded with a deep and calculating breath. “This isn’t the adjacent realms, this isn’t Havenbrockrealm.”

“Oh that much is very much clear to me, Ilunor.” Thalmin interjected with something just short of a growl. “In Havenbrockrealm, we would sooner slash, stab, flay, or lash our enemies in fair and open combat, than reduce ourselves to cowardly attempts at assassination, or retreat with our tails between our legs at the earliest signs of defeat.” 

Ilunor took another breath, placing a small hand atop of his snout. “I… empathize with your desires to follow through with what you believe is a morally sound decision.” The Vunerian responded in a surprising display of maturity. “However, and this goes for you as well newrealmer—” He paused for a moment, taking the time to glare at me before shifting back to Thalmin. “—we are not acting as independent actors anymore. For better or for worse… which, mind you, I still strongly believe this is very much for the worse in my case… we are now a peer group. And as such, the actions we take and their resultant fallout, should represent the interests of us all.”

“These are bold claims.” Thalmin began with a restrained snarl. “Even bolder when considering your actions the week prior. If the measure of a man were dictated by his words alone, then I would be inclined to acquiesce. However, considering the measure of a man extends beyond the weightless chatter of an exhaled breath, I feel far more inclined to reserve such actions for those far more deserving of my respect.” At which point, the lupinor turned towards both Thacea and I, following that up with a dip of his head. “I apologize, Thacea, Emma, for conducting myself in the way I did.” 

Thalmin took a moment to pause, side eyeing Ilunor as he acknowledged him once again. “Whilst his character may sully his words, the Vunerian has a point. I have, admittedly, overstepped my bounds in committing to an action which undeniably affects the group. However, I genuinely hope you understand the reasons behind my otherwise brash decision. For I must stand on principle, lest I decide to stand at all.” 

“Given the crap Auris Ping pulled last night, I’m inclined to agree with you, Thalmin. More than that, I would’ve gladly taken your place and dueled him the good old fashioned way if I could. Besides, the look on his face when you challenged him like that out of nowhere? It was just priceless.” I offered with a snide grin. “In all seriousness, I’m really not in a position to chastise anyone on the issue of just gunning it with your gut instinct anyways. Heck, the entirety of last week was one long drawn out escapade at my behest at the expense of the group after all.” I chuckled nervously. “So… yeah, this is incredibly tame by those standards, Thalmin.” 

“Whilst… unexpected, and indeed a risk, I can understand the reasons behind it, Thalmin.” Thacea nodded uneasily. “However, I do not advise any of you—” She paused, making an effort to make individual eye contact with each and every one of us. “—to make a habit out of this.” 

Thacea’s group-mom vibes were definitely showing at this point, which honestly, was probably for the better. Given the group seemed to be a magnet for this sort of thing, it was good to have an anchor of sorts. 

Sure thing, mom. Was what my gut instinct screamed at me to say.

But instead, given we were in public after all, I decided to tone it down a notch. 

“As you command, princess.” I dipped my head in acknowledgement, garnering a look of abashed confusion from Thacea, and just plain-old confusion from the other two.

“In any case… I… believe you wished to discuss matters outside of classroom priorities, Emma?” Thacea quickly attempted to shift past that little bit of prodding, which I obliged with an affirmative nod. 

“Yep. Well, it’s more of a small change of plans that I think is worth discussing with you guys. So, you remember how I was planning on deploying an infil-drone on Mal’tory after the end of class right?” 

All three nodded, urging me to continue.

“Well, since Mal’tory was a no-show, and with Larial taking the reigns instead… I think it’s best if we stick with the plan anyways, just with Larial instead of Mal’ttory. I honestly don’t see any other way to continue the library’s questline, or any other way to find evidence to support the Auris Ping - Mal’tory hypothesis we have going on. I know it’s a huge gamble since there’s no way of knowing if she’ll even head to Mal’tory’s office after class. But honestly? This is our best shot right now.”

“I concur, Emma.” Thalmin announced with a nod. 

“Given her proximity to the professor’s orbit, we may in fact gain a greater bearing on his actual state, which in itself may prove useful.” Thacea offered, more or less acknowledging my change of plans implicitly. 

“We don’t seem to have any other choice, earthrealmer. So a shot in the dark is better than stowing your wand.” Ilunor acknowledged in a rare display of solidarity. 

“It’s settled then. I’ll deploy the drone right after class is dismissed. Then, we wait in the dorm to see what the drone comes back with.”