“I’m guessing,” Aldric began carefully, “that it did something to the latent mana in the air. Assumed control of it and forced it to open a portal. If Rainer had tried to make something that big and bottomless after using so much mana during our duel, he would have killed himself.”

Zasia was nodding along as he spoke, but her face suddenly went white as realization hit her. She quickly turned back to Aldric in a panic. “That’s just like—!”

“Like the incident at Vultath,” Aldric finished quietly, not looking her in the eye. It was the incident that had ruined Aldric’s life.

Zasia slowly digested that, still looking worried but managing to master herself after a few deep breaths. “I will speak to Kedrin about it,” was all she said. Both of them sat in silence for several minutes after that. Finally, Aldric broke it.

“I’m sorry Zasia. I messed up.”

Zasia gave him a serious look before speaking gravely. “Aldric, what you did... none of the students are aware of what it really was, and any staff who saw it are sworn to secrecy by Kedrin, but that still isn’t something you should do lightly. I know,” she interrupted Aldric before he could protest, “You didn’t have any better alternatives and it was Rainer’s fault the incident happened at all. But you deciding to duel drove him to that. Personally, I was happy to see the toad put in his place, but it wasn’t strictly necessary. You let your emotions dictate your actions, and the result led to the students being put in danger, as well as your own secrets. You are not solely responsible, but you bear some of that burden.”

Aldric could only agree with her. Rainer going off on Nadrina had ignited an older part of him he’d thought buried. He was by no means sorry, but he probably could have gone about it better. At the very least, as Zasia had said, he put his students at risk because of it.

“Fine. I’m sorry that Rainer was such an insufferable prick that he made me fight him.”

Zasia raised a delicate eyebrow at that. Aldric squirmed under her gaze for a bit before he simply said, “Sorry. I’ll do better.”

Zasia nodded, satisfied. “Kedrin has it under control for now, but please be careful. I believe most are crediting me with what you did, but if word ever got out about you still being alive, there would only be so much myself and Kedrin could do to protect you.”

“I’m aware of my precarious life, thank you,” Aldric snapped. After a few moments of silence, he sighed and amended his tone. “That wasn’t fair. Sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Zasia said, rubbing his shoulder affectionately. “I understand. I’ll spare you more lectures while you’re still recovering, but my point remains.”