Astral Chroma's Arc

Chapter 7 of 7

The council chamber sat at the heart of the compound, its stone walls covered in frost and carved runes that glowed faintly in the dim morning light. Astral followed Master Aurelius through the heavy doors, clutching the frosted vial against her chest. Students lined the back wall, whispering as she passed. Dame Crystalline stood at the center table, her robes still carrying that faint strawberry scent. She held up a leather scroll stamped with an ornate seal—a crown with crystalline spikes rising from silver bands. "Before we address stolen pigments," she said, her voice cutting through the murmurs, "the council has formalized my oversight authority. All unconventional magic practiced on academy grounds now falls under my direct supervision." She gestured to the window, where a tall monument of crystalline shards caught the dawn light. "My family's legacy built this institution. The agreement is already sealed." Astral's throat tightened. She stepped forward with the vial, but Dame Crystalline raised one hand. "Your stardust-paint work included," she continued, pulling a decorative lantern from beneath the table. Inside its crystal panels, captured stardust swirled in patterns Astral recognized—her own dawn colors, harvested just hours ago. "I've already documented samples of your technique. Whether Master Cornelius stole from you or not, any work you create here belongs to my research now." The council members nodded. Master Aurelius looked away. Astral set the vial on the table anyway. The blue liquid caught the light, undeniable proof of Cornelius's theft. But Dame Crystalline simply smiled and placed the lantern beside it. "Thank you for recovering that," she said. "I'll add it to my collection." Astral understood then—proving Cornelius guilty changed nothing. Dame Crystalline had outmaneuvered them all. Her magic was no longer hers to control, no matter how well she demonstrated it. The council had already decided her unconventional methods were too valuable to lose, but too dangerous to leave in her hands alone.