I stood amidst the living paradise of herbs, still overwhelmed by its vastness. The golden light bathed everything in an ethereal glow, making each nt seem more vibrant than anything found in nature. I carefully selected herbs, taking only what I genuinely needed rather than grabbing everything valuable.


    "You''re showing remarkable restraint," Fifth Elder observed as I collected my hundredth herb. "Most alchemists in your position would take advantage."


    "I only need what I can use," I replied, securing the precious nts in my storage pouch. "Taking more would be wasteful."


    Fifth Elder nodded approvingly. "A true alchemist''s mindset."


    We exited the magnificent storage room, and I formally registered my withdrawals with the record keeper. The young apprentice carefully documented each herb, his eyes widening at some of the rarer specimens.


    "These are worth a small fortune," he whispered.


    "They''re worth nothing if I can''t use them properly," I said with a slight smile.


    As we walked back through the Guild halls, Fifth Elder kept ncing at me with a curious expression.


    "You continue to surprise me, Master Knight," he finally said. "Most would have grabbed the most valuable herbs without thought to practical use."


    I shrugged. "I learned long ago that greed often costs more than it gains."


    We parted ways at the corridor leading to my quarters. I needed to organize my new acquisitions and n my next steps carefully. The confrontation with Third Elder had made one thing clear—my position here was precarious at best.


    Inside my room, Iid out the herbs and began categorizing them by type and potential use. Some would be perfect for advancing my cultivation, while others could be developed into powerful medicines. As I worked, I found myself calcting costs and potential profits almost unconsciously.


    My finances were bing a concern. The funds I''d umted had dwindled faster than expected, spent on rare ingredients and materials for my research. If I wanted to continue my work independently—especially if I was forced to leave the Guild—I would need a stable source of ie.


    "Perhaps it''s time I started selling some of my creations," I murmured, examining a bottle of pills I''d refined recently. They weren''t perfect, but their quality surpassed most of what was avable in the market.


    A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts.


    I opened the door to find two stern-faced elders I recognized as members of the Guild''s Law Enforcement division. Behind them stood Third Elder, his thin lips curved in a triumphant smile.


    "Liam Knight," one of the enforcement elders said formally, "you are required toe with us immediately."


    I raised an eyebrow. "On what grounds?"


    Third Elder stepped forward, eyes glittering with malice. "On the grounds of forcibly entering restricted areas and theft of Guild resources."


    "What?" I stared at him in disbelief. "Fifth Elder apanied me to the storage himself. Everything was properly registered."


    "I''m also adding the charge of assaulting a guest of the Guild," Third Elder continued as if I hadn''t spoken. "Travis ckthorne remains in critical condition due to your unprovoked attack."


    My hands clenched into fists. "Unprovoked? He attacked one of your apprentices and destroyed Guild property!"


    "Those are your ims," Third Elder said smoothly. "We only have evidence of your actions."


    Thew enforcement elders looked ufortable but remained silent.


    "This is absurd," I said coldly. "I demand to speak with Fifth Elder."


    "Fifth Elder has no authority in enforcement matters," Third Elder replied. "Now, will youe willingly, or must these elders use force?"


    I studied the enforcement elders'' faces. They didn''t seem eager to manhandle me, but they would follow orders. Fighting them would only worsen my situation.


    "I''lle," I said finally. "But know this isn''t over."


    As we walked through the corridors, apprentices and alchemists stopped to stare. Word of my confrontation with Travis had spread quickly, and now they were witnessing my apparent downfall. Some looked sympathetic, others curious, but most simply turned away—unwilling to be associated with someone who had fallen from favor.


    We entered a part of the Guild I hadn''t seen before—a section dedicated to internal affairs and discipline. The walls here were darker, the air heavier with the weight of judgment and punishment.


    "Wait here," Third Elder instructed the enforcement elders as we reached a heavy door. "I''ll handle this personally."


    One of the elders frowned. "Elder, protocol requires—"


    "I know the protocols," Third Elder snapped. "I helped write them. This matter requires discretion."


    The elders exchanged nces but stepped back. Third Elder opened the door and gestured for me to enter.


    The room beyond was dimly lit and bare except for a wooden chair in the center. Faint glowing lines on the floor revealed the presence of a formation—likely one designed to suppress spirit energy.


    "What is this ce?" I demanded, refusing to step inside.


    "A holding room," Third Elder said. "Until the Pavilion Master returns and decides your fate."


    "This is nothing but a personal vendetta," I said, keeping my voice steady despite my rising anger.


    "Think what you like," Third Elder replied. "The fact remains that you entered a restricted area without proper authorization."


    "Fifth Elder—"


    "Fifth Elder exceeded his authority," Third Elder cut me off. "Only the Pavilion Master or myself can authorize ess to the main storage."


    Footsteps echoed in the corridor, and Fifth Elder appeared, his face flushed with anger.


    "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. "I authorized Master Knight''s ess myself!"


    Third Elder turned to him with cold disdain. "You know very well you don''t have that authority, Fifth Elder. Section 3, paragraph 7 of the Guild charter clearly states—"


    "Don''t quote regtions at me," Fifth Elder interrupted. "I was present for their creation. The spirit of thew allows any Elder to grant ess in good faith."


    "The letter of thew does not," Third Elder replied smoothly. "And in matters of Guild security, we must adhere to the letter."


    The two enforcement elders watched this exchange with growing difort.


    "This isn''t about security," Fifth Elder said angrily. "This is about your personal animosity toward Master Knight."


    Third Elder''s face hardened. "Mind your words, Fifth Elder. Questioning a senior Elder''s motives borders on insubordination."


    I watched this power y unfold, realizing that the conflict went far deeper than my presence. The Guild was divided, with Fifth Elder representing one faction and Third Elder another. I was simply the catalyst that brought their rivalry to the surface.


    "The Pavilion Master will hear about this," Fifth Elder warned.


    "I''m counting on it," Third Elder replied. "Now, unless you wish to join Master Knight in confinement, I suggest you return to your duties."


    Fifth Elder''s jaw clenched, but he nodded stiffly to me. "This will be resolved soon, Master Knight. The Pavilion Master is expected back tomorrow."


    After he left, Third Elder gestured again to the room. "In you go."


    I stepped inside, feeling the formation activate immediately. My connection to my spirit energy weakened, though it wasn''tpletely severed—likely becausepletely blocking a cultivator''s energy could cause serious health problems.


    "Enjoy your amodations," Third Elder said with mock politeness. "Consider this time to reflect on the consequences of challenging your betters."


    The door closed with a heavy thud, leaving me alone in the dim room. I sat on the chair, closed my eyes, and regted my breathing. This wasn''t the first time I''d faced confinement, and my time with the Sterling family had taught me patience.


    "One night," I murmured to myself. "I can endure anything for one night."


    I used the time to mentally catalog the herbs I''d collected, nning formtions and experiments. The suppression formation was ufortable but not painful—more an inconvenience than torture. <mark ss="in-imprint-b">Thanks for reading—brought to you by *.</mark>


    Morning arrived without fanfare, marked only by a slight brightening of the small window near the ceiling. The door opened to reveal one of the enforcement elders.


    "You''re free to return to your quarters," he said, avoiding my eyes. "The Pavilion Master has returned and will address this matter formallyter today."


    I stretched, working out the stiffness in my muscles. "And Third Elder?"


    "Has made his report," the elder replied neutrally.


    I nodded, understanding the unspoken message. The battle lines were drawn, and now everything depended on the Pavilion Master''s judgment.


    Back in my quarters, I found Sofia waiting anxiously outside my door.


    "Liam!" she eximed, rushing forward. "Are you alright? I heard what happened!"


    "I''m fine," I assured her. "Just a night in detention."


    Her eyes shed with anger. "It''spletely unfair! Third Elder is abusing his power!"


    "Politics," I said simply. "I should have expected it."


    Sofia bit her lip. "The Pavilion Master has called an assembly of all alchemists this afternoon. Everyone''s talking about it."


    I nodded slowly. "Then my fate will be decided publicly."


    "Fifth Elder has been gathering testimonies from witnesses to the incident with Travis," Sofia added. "Many apprentices are willing to speak up."


    "Good," I said, though I wasn''t entirely hopeful. In my experience, power often trumped truth in these matters.


    The hours passed slowly as I prepared myself for the assembly. I bathed, dressed in my finest robes, and meditated to clear my mind. Whatever happened, I would face it with dignity.


    When the time came, I walked to the main hall where assemblies were held. Apprentices, alchemists, and elders filled the space, their whispered conversations creating a hum of anticipation.


    I took my designated ce, ignoring the stares and whispers. Across the hall, I spotted Third Elder surrounded by his supporters, looking smugly confident.


    As we waited for the Pavilion Master to arrive, Third Elder caught my eye and smiled coldly.


    "Kid, wait until the Pavilion Master returns and see how you''ll handle this!" he called out, loud enough for those nearby to hear.


    I met his gaze steadily but said nothing. The real battle was about to begin, and I needed all my focus for what wasing.