(Opening Scene: The doors to the council chamber open, and two figures enter, their bearing radiating an air of aristocratic authority. Leading the way is a stern-faced woman with piercing blue eyes and silver threading through her dark hair – Lady Elara Montaigne, Astrid's aunt and a renowned elemental mage in her own right. Behind her stands a tall, imposing man, a Captain of the Montaigne guard, his hand resting on the hilt of his ornate sword.)
Lady Elara's gaze swept across the council chamber, taking in the somber faces of the academy instructors and finally settling on Headmaster Theron. Her expression was a carefully controlled mask of concern and displeasure.
"Headmaster Theron," she said, her voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the tense silence. "We have received… troubling news regarding an incident involving our niece, Astrid, and another student. Reports suggest a dangerous and uncontrolled release of power. We demand to know the full details."
Headmaster Theron rose to greet them, maintaining a respectful but firm demeanor. "Lady Elara, thank you for your swift response. We understand your concern. There was indeed an… incident in a disused training area. However, we are still in the process of fully understanding the events that transpired."
"Understanding?" Lady Elara's voice rose slightly, a hint of the renowned Montaigne temper flickering in her eyes. "Our sources indicate a catastrophic release of energy, one that erased everything in its vicinity. And this involved Astrid?"
Before Headmaster Theron could fully respond, Astrid was brought into the council chamber, looking subdued but resolute. Lady Elara's piercing gaze immediately locked onto her niece.
"Astrid," she said, her tone softening slightly but still carrying an undercurrent of disapproval. "What happened? Are you unharmed? These reports… they are deeply concerning."
Astrid met her aunt's gaze, a flicker of her usual defiance returning. "Aunt Elara, I am unharmed. The incident… it was an accident. Zane and I were training, and our powers… they reacted in an unexpected way."
"Zane," Lady Elara repeated the name, her eyes narrowing as she turned her attention to the young void mage, who stood slightly behind Astrid. She scrutinized him with an intensity that felt like a physical weight. "This is the student who wields this… void magic? A power our sources indicate is unknown and potentially dangerous?"
Zane met her gaze, trying to project a sense of calm despite the palpable tension in the room. "My name is Zane, Lady Elara. The incident was unintentional. We are both trying to understand what happened."
Lady Elara turned back to Headmaster Theron, her expression firm. "Headmaster, we trust that you are taking this matter with the utmost seriousness. The safety and well-being of our niece are paramount. We expect a full and transparent investigation into this… void magic and its interaction with Astrid's abilities. Furthermore, we wish to be kept informed of every step you take in understanding and controlling this… situation."
The unspoken implication hung heavy in the air: House Montaigne would be watching, and any perceived mishandling of this affair would have consequences.