Serene’s POV

Everyone was here as they came in one by one. Ayrden, Ralph, Mikasim, Zilver, Ziva, Alvene and even Arlo. We stood there in awkward silence for a while. Then Zilver broke the silence and began:

"I am sure both of you sorted some of the stuff out. As circumstances had been going against you, we thought it was time to take the situation into our own hands. With Arlo and Mikasim’s intel, we learnt that Lourden had taken help from a witch outside of the institute.

There is a huge market where witches and warlocks come to sell their products or tell fortunes. Lourden sought a witch there and bought a powder called: " Especial " its properties involve controlling the actions of others and making them do whatever you want. Once used it leaves no traces behind. That’s what she put on the paper and handed to Zeph on the night of the party to control his actions. Since it left no traces behind and she took the paper with her, we couldn’t charge her with anything." He explained explicitly what had happened that night.

"Later on she used the daughter of an alpha card to subdue Zeph. She threatened him that she will hurt his friends and make it look like an accident unless and until he cooperates and continue with the facade that she is his mate. Isn’t that right Zeph?" Zilver asked him.

"Yes," Zeph replied in a serious tone while holding his anger back. So, Lavaria Sensei and I tracked down that witch and she told us that Lourden had bought ’Especial’ from her. When we told her that Lourden is a student and it’s illegal to sell such dangerous potions to students, she told us Lourden had said she is a Sensei and had fake documents with her. We asked her if she can confess all this in front of our teacher’s council. She agreed. We also bought Heart’s Desire from her as Ralph was unable to make it, irrespective of his promises." He mocked Ralph.

" Hey, hey that’s not fair. It’s a very hard elixir to make and besides Mariela Sensei is scary, she doesn’t let anyone steal from her. She is like a hawk." Ralph almost pouted making us hide our smiles.

"Ok! Ralph. If you say so, let’s continue with the story. So, I told about it to Artins Sensei and he permitted Alvene to check Lourden’s room. Where we found the bottle containing Especial and also her fake documents. Her little scheme is over. Right now she is being interrogated by Senseis. We were sent here to fill you guys in. Zeph you will be needed to testify and tell the whole truth and whatever she put you through. Your ordeal is over, sorry it took us this long to finally get to the bottom of the truth." Zilver came forward and put his hands on Zeph’s shoulders, who nodded in return.

"I appreciate all of you going to all this trouble for me. I am ready to tell what she has put me through. " Zeph replied.

"That’s my man," Ralph came forward and hugged him while Mikasim tried to crush both of them trying a group hug. "Mikasim, cut it out," they shouted but he paid no heed.

Ayrden came to hug me and inquired if I was alright. Ziva and Alvene patted me on the shoulder as well and mumbled sorry for keeping me in dark. "We thought you had enough on your plate, so we tried to keep this to ourselves." Alvene hugged me.

"I understand. I am just glad it’s over and Zeph doesn’t have to deal with her anymore." I exclaimed.

I glanced over to Arlo. He was standing near the door with his back pressed against the wall. One leg was a bit tilted and resting on the wall while the other was on the ground. Both his hands were in his pockets, he hadn’t budged from his spot but his intense gaze was on me. His expressions were completely blank so I had no idea what he was thinking.

"We should get going now, Artins Sensei is expecting us," Zilver announced. Zeph was smacking Ralph on his head, I was sure it was revenge for locking him up with me.

As we left the room, I remembered that another tournament was yet to happen when we came here. " Who won the other tournament?" I asked. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"We did," Mikasim replied with a grin.

"You should have seen Arlo. He was so quick, that the other team had no chance." I looked back and he was following us alone. "Congratulations," I whispered to Arlo and he nodded.

We reached the conference hall. Zilver knocked and Artins Sensei’s voice beamed: "Come in," we entered one by one. The front wall of the room was covered with a huge painting showing witches, warlocks, Fae, werewolves, vampires and Folkels taking on a huge creature. It was old but magnificent. In front of the painting, there was a huge semi-circular table on which all our Senseis and another man were sitting.

He was in his late forties, he had long grey hair which was neatly tied in a ponytail. There were several scars on his face a very prominent one was across his lower lip. He had light blue eyes and a very grim expression on his face. His shoulders were broad and his muscles were well-built.

In front of them were several chairs on which Lourden, Tanzil, Dria, and some other girls of her group were sitting. As we entered they turned to look at us with expressions of sadness and hatred evident on their faces.

"We have heard your statements, please empty the seats and stand by the wall." Artins Sensei told them sternly. They got up and made a line against the other wall.

"Zeph, can you come forward and take a seat?" Artins Sensei called him.

Zeph moved forward and sat down on the chair. "Can you tell us exactly what you remember about the night of the party and the events that followed?" Artins Sensei asked him. Zeph nodded and narrated everything, this time he didn’t try to filter out the part about how she had threatened him.

"Why didn’t you report her to me?" Artins Sensei asked. "I was afraid she would hurt someone and make it look like an accident," Zeph replied sincerely.

"I am so ashamed that some novices had to go through so much mental and physical abuse at the hands of the others under my roof. For the next time, remember the only authority here is mine and only mine. I don’t care who your parents or grandparents are or which realm you belong to. If you can’t abide by my rules, and bully others. There is no place for you here. Next time, anyone abuses you or threatens you, come to me and let me handle that." His angry voice thundered in the room.

"Do I make myself clear?" He asked in an angry voice.

"Yes, Sensei." We replied in unison.

"Zeph, that’s all, please empty the seat for Lourden."

"Lourden Aripa, seeing all the evidence we confiscated from your room, hearing everyone’s stories, physically and mentally assaulting of your juniors including Zeph and Serene, and keeping in mind your bullying, which didn’t stop even after repetitive warnings. You are expelled from the institute without any chance of returning here ever again. You will also issue a written apology to everyone you have hurt with your schemes and plans." A dreadful silence fell on the room hearing that. Lourden started wailing loudly while the man sitting with Artins Sensei closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. His knuckles had gone white from clutching the table too rightly.

"Tanzil, Dria you were her accomplices and failed to inform any Sensei of her activities. But, nothing was found in your rooms and you weren’t directly involved in all the abuse she caused, you will be suspended for one month. After that, you people can return on probation and will be under strict surveillance. This is the last offence for you people." Artins Sensei mitigated further punishments sending everyone in shock.

I couldn’t believe my ears, I knew Artins Sensei was a tough guy but I had never seen this side of him. The bouts of anger and disgust were so evident on his face and he wasn’t trying to hide them as if he wanted them to see what he was capable of if his rules were broken.

"This meeting is adjourned. Three of you pack your luggage and get ready to leave. Aurorians, I will need a meeting with you people. Gather in your common room in 15 minutes." We nodded before leaving.

"Seriously, what the hell just happened? That was unexpected." Ralph exclaimed as we stood outside. "Not really, Artins Sensei takes these things very seriously. He would have expelled her last time if it wasn’t for her father’s pleas. That man inside was her father and he is our Alpha too." Zilver told us.

"She got what she deserved, I am very happy that she is finally gone from our lives." Ziva pipped in.

I was still burning inside from everything she had put Zeph through. I could forgive her for what she did to me but she took advantage of Zeph and his innocence. Right at that moment she came out of the room and looked right at me with those hateful eyes of hers. "You, it all happened because of you." She pointed her finger at me still playing the victim.

Ziva headed towards her but I stopped her and made my way to Lourden without any hesitation. Everyone was watching us seeing what was about to unfold. Tanzil and Dria were trying to hold her back, I stopped a few inches away from her and looking directly into her eyes I mustered as much strength in my hand as I could and slapped her right across the face.

"BAM..." the sound seemed to echo all around us or maybe it was so satisfactory that I felt that way.