I stood in the main hall of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, surrounded by staring faces. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Whispers flowed around me like water, carrying fragments of spection and judgment.


    "He actually dared to attack Travis ckthorne..."


    "Third Elder will make an example of him..."


    "Such a waste of talent..."


    I kept my expression neutral despite the growing unease in my gut. Thest twenty-four hours had been a rollercoaster—from selecting herbs in the Guild''s treasury to spending a night in a suppression chamber. Now I awaited judgment before the entire Guild.


    Sofia stood nearby, offering silent support with her presence. Fifth Elder positioned himself strategically across the hall, his face a mask of determined calm. Third Elder, meanwhile, wore his victory like a crown, already savoring my downfall.


    "The Pavilion Master approaches!" someone announced, and the hall fell instantly silent.


    All eyes turned toward the main entrance. The massive doors swung open slowly, revealing... nothing.


    Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd.


    Then I felt it—a presence so powerful it made the air vibrate. The hair on my arms stood on end as pure, concentrated spiritual energy filled the room like invisible smoke.


    A petite figure materialized at the center of the hall.


    I blinked in surprise. The legendary Pavilion Master of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, one of the most powerful figures in Havenwood City, appeared to be a teenage girl.


    She couldn''t have been more than sixteen or seventeen based on appearances—with smooth, unblemished skin and clear eyes that held the innocent brightness of youth. Her slender frame was draped in simple white robes adorned with the Guild''s emblem in gold thread.


    But those eyes... something ancient lurked behind them.


    "Pavilion Master Valerius," Third Elder announced with reverence, bowing deeply. Everyone else followed suit immediately, including me.


    "Rise," shemanded, her voice surprisingly mature and authoritative for her youthful appearance.


    As everyone straightened, I studied her more carefully. Despite her young appearance, she carried herself with the weight of decades. There was no hesitation in her movements, no uncertainty in her gaze.


    "I''ve been informed of a disturbance in my absence," she stated tly, her eyes scanning the crowd. "An altercation between one of our alchemists and a guest from the ckthorne family."


    Her gazended on me, and I felt a chill run down my spine. I tried to use my divine sense to gauge her power level, reaching out carefully with my spiritual perception.


    In an instant, crushing pressure descended on me. My knees nearly buckled as her overwhelming spiritual force countered my probe. It felt like trying to measure the ocean with a teacup.


    "Trying to gauge my power level, young man?" she asked, her voice echoing directly in my mind.


    The pressure disappeared as quickly as it hade, leaving me slightly breathless. No one else seemed to notice the exchange.


    "Third Elder," she called out. "Present your ount." <b ss="frag-593c5e">Publication<i ss="node-sep"></i>courtesy<i ss="node-sep"></i>of<i ss="node-sep"></i>*.</b>


    Third Elder stepped forward eagerly. "Pavilion Master, this new recruit, Liam Knight, viciously attacked Travis ckthorne, heir to the ckthorne family and an honored guest of our Guild. He inflicted serious injuries that required immediate medical attention."


    He gestured dramatically toward me. "Furthermore, he vited Guild protocols by entering restricted areas without proper authorization. I rmend immediate expulsion and appropriatepensation to the ckthorne family for this outrage."


    "I see," the Pavilion Master said, her expression unreadable. "And the used?"


    Before I could speak, Sofia stepped forward. "Pavilion Master, if I may—"


    "You may not," the Pavilion Master cut her off coldly. "I asked for the used to speak."


    Sofia stepped back, her face flushing with embarrassment.


    I cleared my throat. "Pavilion Master, Travis ckthorne was harassing an apprentice and destroyed Guild property. When I intervened, he attacked me first. I merely defended myself."


    Third Elder scoffed loudly. "Preposterous! You expect us to believe that a ckthorne would—"


    "I wasn''t addressing you, Elder," the Pavilion Master interrupted, her voice like ice. "Continue, Liam Knight."


    "As for entering restricted areas," I said, "I was apanied by Fifth Elder, who granted me permission and personally supervised my activities."


    Fifth Elder stepped forward. "This is true, Pavilion Master. I authorized his ess and registered all withdrawn items ording to protocol."


    Third Elder''s face darkened. "Fifth Elder exceeded his authority! Section 3, paragraph 7 of the Guild charter clearly states—"


    "I wrote the charter, Elder," the Pavilion Master said quietly, yet her words silenced the roompletely. "I''m quite familiar with its contents."


    She turned back to me. "Is there anything else you wish to add?"


    "Only that I regret the disruption this has caused the Guild," I replied honestly. "That was never my intention."


    The Pavilion Master nodded slightly before addressing the room. "Can anyone who witnessed the confrontation with Travis ckthorne step forward?"


    Several apprentices nervously moved forward, including the young woman Travis had been harassing.


    "He started it," the female apprentice said shakily. "Travis ckthorne was... making unwanted advances. When I refused him, he became angry and knocked over my workstation. Master Knight only stepped in when Travis attacked him with a spirit weapon."


    The other witnesses nodded in agreement, providing simr ounts.


    Third Elder''s face contorted with frustration. "Pavilion Master, regardless of the circumstances, the political ramifications cannot be ignored! The ckthorne family will demand satisfaction!"


    "Are you suggesting we sacrifice one of our own to appease them?" the Pavilion Master asked coldly.


    "I''m suggesting we follow precedent," Third Elder insisted. "Alchemists must avoid confrontation, especially with powerful families!"


    The Pavilion Master''s eyes narrowed. "Are you suggesting alchemists should passively endure humiliation?"


    Her question hung in the air like a drawn de. Third Elder hesitated, sensing danger.


    "I... I merely suggest caution in our dealings with influential families," he amended carefully.


    "I see." The Pavilion Master turned to address the entire assembly. "Let me make something clear. The Celestial Apothecary Guild does not bend to intimidation—not from the ckthornes, not from anyone."


    Gasps echoed through the hall. Even I was shocked by her directness.


    "But Pavilion Master," Third Elder protested, "the ckthornes will—"


    "Will what?" she challenged, her youthful face suddenly terrifying in its intensity. "Come to me with their grievances? I wee it."


    She began pacing slowly, her steps deliberate. "For too long, some families have mistaken our discretion for weakness. Perhaps it''s time they were reminded who truly holds power in this city."


    The hall waspletely silent now. Everyone held their breath, witnessing something unprecedented.


    "As for this specific incident," she continued, "I find no fault with Liam Knight''s actions. He defended himself and a fellow Guild member against unprovoked aggression. Such loyalty should bemended, not punished."


    I exhaled slowly, relief washing over me.


    "But the political consequences—" Third Elder began again.


    "Will be handled by me personally," she stated firmly. "I will address the ckthorne family myself."


    Third Elder''s mouth opened and closed several times before he found words. "This... this is highly irregr, Pavilion Master."


    "What''s irregr," she replied, turning to face him fully, "is your persistent defense of someone who disrespected our Guild and attacked our members."


    Her gaze hardened. "In fact, if anyone bears responsibility for this incident, it would be you, Third Elder."


    "Me?" Third Elder sputtered indignantly.


    "Yes, you. You assigned Liam Knight to host Travis ckthorne despite knowing the ckthorne heir''s reputation for arrogance and confrontation. One might almost think you were deliberately creating an opportunity for conflict."


    Third Elder''s face paled. "I would never—"


    "Wouldn''t you?" she asked softly. "Your antagonism toward our newest alchemist has not gone unnoticed."


    The Pavilion Master turned away from him dismissively, addressing me directly. "Liam Knight, you are cleared of all charges. Return to your duties with mymendation for your loyalty to fellow Guild members."


    I bowed deeply. "Thank you, Pavilion Master."


    She nodded before turning back to Third Elder. Her eyes were cold, calcting, and utterly merciless despite her youthful appearance.


    "As for you," she said in a voice that carried throughout the silent hall, "starting from today, you are no longer an Elder of the Celestial Apothecary Guild. You are demoted to an ordinary alchemist."


    The deration fell like thunder in the silent hall. Third Elder''s face drained of all color as he staggered backward as though physically struck.