Zara’s POV

  One month later, the city was still adjusting to the weight of what had been revealed. The university had become more than just a place of learning—it was now a refuge, a sanctuary where magicals could exist without fear. But today, the focus wasn’t on the future.

  Today, the past was being reckoned with.

  The courtroom was packed. Reporters, council members, citizens, magicals, and non-magicals alike filled the chamber, murmurs and whispers rippling through the air like a current. At the center of it all, seated behind a podium with his hands bound in iron restraints, was Alric Dain.

  He looked different than the last time I had seen him. The arrogance still lingered in the way he held himself, but his fine clothes were gone, replaced by a simple prisoner’s uniform. He had dark circles under his eyes, his once carefully combed hair now slightly unkempt. But there was no fear in his expression. Just patience.

  Councilor Marek stood, clearing her throat. The murmurs died instantly. “Today, we begin the trial of Alric Dain,” she announced. “Leader of the Sovereign Order, and orchestrator of the illegal imprisonment and torture of magical citizens. The court will now hear testimony from those who suffered under his rule.”

  A door at the side of the courtroom opened, and the first witness was led inside.

  It was the lightning mage—the man who had led the charge at the prison’s gates. He walked with purpose, his gaze sharp, but I could see the tension in his jaw as he sat at the witness stand.

  “State your name,” Marek prompted.

  “Ryland Mercer,” he said, voice steady.

  “Tell us your story, Mr. Mercer.”

  Ryland took a slow breath. “I was taken off the streets one night. I didn’t commit a crime. I wasn’t causing trouble. I was simply existing. They knocked me out, and when I woke up, I was in that prison, drugged so heavily that I could barely remember my own name. I lost count of the days. I lost count of the people who never woke up. And through it all, they told us we were the problem.” He turned, locking eyes with Dain. “But we weren’t the problem. You were.”

  Dain didn’t flinch, didn’t react at all. It was infuriating.

  More testimonies followed. Each one was just as gut-wrenching—magicals who had been taken from their homes, from their families, caged like animals, told they were dangerous for simply existing. I felt my hands tighten into fists with each story, but I kept myself composed.

  Then, finally, it was time for Dain to speak.

  He rose slowly, shackles clinking, and turned his gaze toward the council. “I do not deny my actions,” he said, his voice as calm as ever. “I did what was necessary to protect this city. To protect its people. And whether you like it or not, there are many who still believe in my cause.” He looked over the crowd, his gaze unreadable. “You may imprison me, but you will never erase the truth.”

  Marek’s expression was unreadable as she exchanged glances with the other council members. Then she spoke, voice unwavering. “Alric Dain, this council finds you guilty on all charges. You are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment, effective immediately.”

  For the first time, Dain’s composure cracked.

  The murmurs in the courtroom erupted. Some cheered. Some gasped. Some of the council members exchanged uneasy glances. Because Dain had been right about one thing.

  Not everyone in this room disagreed with him.

  Marek must have noticed too, because as the guards led Dain away, she turned and gave me a quiet nod.

  “This isn’t over,” she murmured.

  No, it wasn’t.

  Naja’s POV

  The streets were quieter than usual as Doran and I walked through the city. The tension from the trial still clung to the air like a storm waiting to break. People moved with caution, glancing at us as we passed, some with curiosity, others with unease.

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  “It’s different now,” Doran muttered, hands in his pockets. “The way people look at us.”

  I nodded, feeling the weight of it too. “They don’t know whether to be relieved or afraid.”

  “Because they don’t know what happens next.” He sighed. “You think things will really change?”

  I thought about the magicals at the university, about the people who had fought for their freedom. “I think change isn’t immediate. But this? This is a start.”

  Doran studied me for a moment before giving a small grin. “You always sound so sure.”

  I laughed softly. “I have to be. Someone has to believe in a better future.”

  We reached the market square, where a small group of non-magicals had gathered, murmuring amongst themselves. They fell silent when they noticed us. I squared my shoulders, meeting their gazes head-on.

  “The trial’s over,” a man muttered. “But there are still plenty who think Dain was right.”

  “Then they’ll have to live with being on the wrong side of history,” I said evenly. “Because magicals aren’t going anywhere. And we’re done hiding.”

  The man frowned but didn’t argue. That was enough for now.

  As we walked away, Doran chuckled. “Remind me never to argue with you.”

  “Smart choice.”

  He bumped my shoulder playfully, and for the first time that day, I felt hopeful. Change was slow, but it was happening. And no matter what came next, we weren’t backing down.

  Malrick’s POV

  The training field behind the university was alive with energy. Groups of magicals sparred, practicing their abilities, some still shaky from months of suppression. Among them, I stood with Liora and a few others, watching as an instructor demonstrated how to properly channel magic into a controlled strike.

  Sweat trickled down my spine as I steadied my stance. Magic crackled through the air, some precise, others still wild with untamed energy. It was different now. Before, magic like this had been something to fear, something people wanted to hide or control. Now, we were learning how to use it—to master it.

  Across from me, Liora grinned, stretching her arms before settling into a loose fighting stance. “You look way too serious, Malrick. You thinking too much again?”

  I rolled my shoulders. “It’s training. Shouldn’t I be focused?”

  “Yeah, but you should also breathe.”

  I exhaled, watching as she took a step forward and sent a pulse of sound magic reverberating through the air. It vibrated against my ribs, not painful, but powerful enough to throw me slightly off balance.

  I regained my footing and smirked. “Not bad.”

  She laughed. “Not bad? I just rattled your bones, blood mage.”

  With a flick of my wrist, I pulled a thin strand of blood from my fingertips, letting it form a controlled whip in my hand. “Let’s see if you can dodge this.”

  Liora’s grin widened. “Now we’re talking.”

  We sparred for a while, testing each other, pushing boundaries. It wasn’t just about fighting—it was about trust. Learning to control ourselves as much as our magic. Others around us were doing the same, some with fire sparking in their palms, others manipulating water or shifting the earth beneath their feet.

  As we paused for a break, Liora nudged my shoulder. “So, are you staying?”

  I exhaled, glancing at the university’s towering walls. “Yeah. I think I am. But… I’ll still go over to Kage and Zara’s place. It’s—”

  “Home?” she finished, smirking.

  I nodded. “Yeah. Something like that.”

  Liora leaned back on her hands, looking out at the rest of the training field. “This place is going to change things, you know. Magic out in the open, people actually learning how to use it properly. It’s kind of a big deal.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed, watching as a young magical finally managed to hold his fire in his hands without it flickering out. “It is.”

  She nudged me again. “Well, don’t go soft on me. We’ve still got training to do.”

  I smirked. “You think you can keep up with me?”

  She grinned. “I know I can.”

  For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace. Not just because I had a place here, but because I chose to be here. And for the first time, I wasn’t afraid of what came next.

  Kage’s POV

  The trial was over. Dain was gone. But the weight of everything still sat heavy on my shoulders.

  I stood on the balcony of Zara’s house, watching as the city stretched before me, lights flickering in the windows, people moving on with their lives.

  “You’re brooding again,” Zara’s voice came from behind me.

  I huffed a quiet laugh. “I’m thinking. There’s a difference.”

  She stepped beside me, resting her arms on the railing. “If you’re thinking about Dain, don’t. He’s locked away. He can’t hurt anyone anymore.”

  “It’s not just him,” I admitted. “He had supporters. Still does. Some of the council—did you see the way they hesitated when his sentence was read? This isn’t over, Zara. The Sovereign Order still exists. Just in the shadows.”

  She didn’t argue, because she knew I was right. Instead, she reached for my hand, lacing her fingers through mine. “Then we’ll fight them when the time comes. Like we always do.”

  I turned to her, taking in the way the lantern light reflected in her green eyes. She looked exhausted, but strong. We had been through hell together, but here we were, still standing.

  “You always know what to say,” I murmured.

  She smirked. “That’s because I know you better than you know yourself.”

  I exhaled a quiet laugh before reaching up and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t say it often enough, but… I’m glad I have you.”

  Her smirk softened, and in the quiet glow of the lanterns, she leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against my lips.

  And for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe that maybe—just maybe—peace was possible.

  “I love you, you know?” Zara murmured against my lips.

  I exhaled, feeling the weight of everything we had been through settle into something lighter. “I love you too.”

  She smiled softly, and before I could say anything else, she pulled me into another kiss—deeper this time, filled with all the words we hadn’t spoken, all the moments we had survived together. I held her close, letting the warmth of her presence ground me, reminding me that, no matter what came next, we would face it together.

  Malrick as the main character. Who knows what adventures await him next?