Chapter 520:Meeting results.

Chapter 520: 520:Meeting results.

The confrontation that finally brought everything to a head occurred during Silver’s third disciplinary hearing.

Deputy Administrator Corvin Saler presided over the meeting alongside two military officers and an academy legal representative. Peter attended as Silver’s supervising instructor, while Ravenna was present because she’d submitted additional information concerning the committee’s handling of evidence.

Silver sat across from the officials while Saler examined the documents before him.

"Ruddington, you maintain that an unidentified Rank Five Contractor attempted to assassinate you during an authorized field exercise."

He nodded.

"Yes."

"And you claim the individual possessed equipment designed to interfere with spatial abilities."

"Yes."

Saler leaned back.

"Yet the response team recovered no such equipment."

Silver smiled faintly.

"Because the assassin escaped," he said in an obvious tone.

Saler’s expression hardened.

"Mind your tone."

He nodded.

"Of course."

Saler continued, "You also admit to purchasing and deploying an unauthorized signal disruption device."

Silver nodded.

"Yes."

"Which damaged military equipment."

"Possibly."

"Possibly?"

Silver leaned forward.

"Administrator Saler, a Rank Five Contractor was attempting to cut my head off. I wasn’t particularly concerned about whether the nearby communications equipment would survive."

One of the military officers frowned.

"Ruddington, this is a formal hearing."

Silver nodded.

"I’m aware."

Saler tapped the table.

"Your attitude is becoming problematic."

He smiled.

"That’s unfortunate."

Peter sighed.

"Silver."

He glanced toward him.

Peter gave him a warning look.

He leaned back.

"Understood, sir."

Saler continued, "The academy cannot allow students to destroy military property whenever they encounter difficulties during field exercises."

Ravenna suddenly spoke.

"With respect, Administrator Saler, an assassination attempt is not a field exercise difficulty."

The room became quiet.

Saler looked toward her.

"Miss Arkland, you were not asked to speak."

Ravenna remained composed.

"Then perhaps someone should ask why the official incident report omitted the attacker’s estimated rank and the interference detected by Silver’s equipment."

Saler’s expression changed.

"What?"

Ravenna placed a tablet on the table.

"The original emergency report included both details. The version submitted to this committee does not."

One of the military officers leaned forward.

"Where did you obtain that?"

"From the academy’s incident archive. It was accessible to authorized students involved in the case."

Saler’s expression darkened.

"Miss Arkland, you have no authority to conduct an independent investigation into military records."

Ravenna looked directly at him.

"Then why were the records altered?"

Silence filled.

Silver watched the administrator carefully.

Saler’s jaw tightened.

"That accusation is extremely serious."

Ravenna nodded.

"I know."

"Do you understand the consequences of making unsupported allegations against academy officials?"

Her expression remained steady.

"Do you understand the consequences of altering evidence in an assassination investigation?"

The room fell completely silent.

Peter slowly closed his eyes and let out a defeated sigh.

Silver stared at Ravenna feeling like he was falling inlove allover again.

He smiled faintly.

Well, there goes the peaceful approach.

Saler stood.

"Enough," he coldly said.

Ravenna remained seated.

The administrator pointed toward her.

"You have repeatedly attempted to access restricted research materials, ignored warnings from senior personnel, and now you are accusing this committee of misconduct."

Ravenna stood.

"I’m not accusing anyone, I’m just asking for an explanation," she said, just as coldly.

Saler’s voice rose.

"You are a student!"

"And Silver is a student who nearly died because someone obtained information about his authorized field route!"

Silver slowly stood beside her.

"Ravenna."

She looked toward him.

He smiled faintly.

"Let me."

Then he turned toward Saler.

"Administrator, I understand that the academy has regulations. I understand that military infrastructure is important, and I understand that my actions caused damage."

Salee stared,more like glared, at him.

Silver continued.

"But I also understand that someone knew exactly where I would be, when I would be there, and what abilities I possessed." His expression hardened. "That information wasn’t public."

One of the military officers shifted uncomfortably.

He looked across the table.

"So instead of asking why I destroyed a fuel-storage structure while trying to survive, perhaps someone should explain how a Rank Five assassin obtained my mission route."

Saler’s expression became cold.

"Ruddington, sit down."

He didn’t move.

"Was the route compromised?" He asked.

"Sit down."

"Did someone access the assignment records?"

"Ruddington!"

Silver’s voice hardened.

"Or are we simply going to pretend none of that matters because investigating it might embarrass someone important?"

Saler slammed his hand against the table.

"Enough!"

The room became silent.

For several seconds, nobody moved, then saler slowly sat, his expression unreadable.

"Very well."

He looked toward the academy legal representative.

"Record that both students have demonstrated repeated insubordination during a formal disciplinary proceeding."

Peter immediately spoke.

"Administrator Saler, I object."

Saler turned.

"Instructor Kanister?"

Peter’s expression was grim.

"Ruddington’s conduct may be inappropriate, but the circumstances surrounding the attack remain unresolved. Punishing him for surviving an assassination attempt would be an extraordinary misuse of academy authority."

Saler just stared.

Peter continued.

"And Miss Arkland’s evidence concerning discrepancies between the original emergency report and the submitted version deserves independent review."

One of the military officers nodded reluctantly.

"I agree that the discrepancies should be examined."

Saler’s jaw tightened.

For several seconds, he appeared to consider his options, then he leaned back.

"Very well."

He looked toward Silver and Ravenna.

"The committee will review the evidence."

Silver remained silent.

Saler continued.

"However, your conduct during these proceedings, combined with repeated violations of administrative instructions, cannot be ignored."

Ravenna’s expression changed.

He looked toward the legal representative.

"Prepare a disciplinary recommendation."

The decision arrived two days later.

Silver and Ravenna were summoned to Peter’s office, where the instructor waited with a document displayed on his desk.

His expression was unusually tired.

Silver sat opposite him while Ravenna stood beside the chair.

Peter looked toward them.

"You’re both idiots."

Silver lifted a brow, amused.

"Good morning to you too, sir."

Peter shot him a glare.

He immediately straightened.

"Sorry."

Ravenna remained silent.

Peter sighed.

"I spent two days arguing with the disciplinary committee."

Silver’s expression changed.

"Sir?"

Peter continued, "They wanted to suspend both of you from all academy activities pending a broader investigation."

Ravenna frowned.

"On what grounds?"

"Repeated insubordination, unauthorized investigative activity, and violations of administrative instructions."

Silver’s eyes widened.

"That’s ridiculous."

Peter nodded.

"Yes."

For a moment, neither student spoke, then Peter continued.

"I managed to prevent a full suspension. But the committee insisted on disciplinary restrictions."

He turned the display toward them.

[ACADEMY DISCIPLINARY ORDER]

[Students: Silver Ruddington and Ravenna Arkland.]

[Duration: 26 Days.]

[Restrictions: Temporary removal from regular class exercises, suspension of specialization privileges, monitored training schedules, restricted access to selected academy facilities, and mandatory disciplinary instruction.]

[Students will remain enrolled and retain their current rankings.]

[Further violations may result in additional disciplinary action.]

He stared at the document and slowly leaned back.

"Twenty-six days," he said, almost to himself.

Peter nodded.

"Yes."

Ravenna’s expression hardened.

"Thats almost a month."

"Yes."

He looked toward Peter.

"And the assassination investigation?"

Peter’s expression became grim.

"Transferred to regional military security."

He laughed bitterly.

"Convenient."

Peter didn’t disagree.

Ravenna looked toward the document.

"What about our specializations?" She asked.

"Temporarily suspended. You’ll be assigned supervised independent work instead."

Silver frowned.

"And Class Four?"

Peter sighed.

"They’ll continue training without you."

For several seconds, the room remained silent, then Silver slowly nodded.

"Understood."

Ravenna looked toward him.

He smiled faintly.

"Could’ve been worse."

Peter sighed and rubbed between his brow before speaking.

"Ruddington."

He looked up.

"Yes, sir?"

"Stop trying to make everything sound like a joke."

His smile faded.

Peter leaned forward.

"Listen carefully. You’re both talented. Exceptionally talented. But talent doesn’t make you untouchable."

He looked toward Ravenna.

"And being correct doesn’t automatically mean you’re protected."

She lowered her gaze.

Peter continued.

"There are people inside this academy who care about their students. There are also people who care about their careers, their reputations, and their connections to regional command." He paused. "Learn the difference."

Silver studied him, then nodded.

"Understood."

Peter leaned back.

"Good." He looked toward the disciplinary order. "Your restrictions begin tomorrow."

Silver stood and Ravenna followed.