Chapter 180 - The Punishment

Adrianna was not surprised when she heard what the person from the ministry revealed. After all, she had already found out who had abducted him when she had delved into the healer's mind. She glared at Ilsa who looked extremely perturbed. 

"Who abducted the healer?" roared Adrianna.

Suddenly, Ilsa created a vortex. Unfortunately for her, her actions didn't escape Adrianna's eyes. Adrianna snapped her fingers and everything in front of her started taking place in slow motion. Adrianna could see a frightened Ilsa being sucked into the vortex. Ilsa was halfway through the vortex when Adrianna forcefully closed the vortex. Half of Ilsa's body was stuck in the vortex when Adrianna snapped her fingers again. The vortex froze and Ilsa was stuck in it. As soon as the vortex stopped, time resumed its normal speed and the people could see Ilsa's body half suspended in the vortex. The other half must be suspended in the place she had wanted to teleport herself to. It was the first time a wizard had ever been stopped from being sucked into a vortex. 

It was extremely painful for Ilsa and she gave out an agonizing scream. All the students and the professors present shuddered and became extremely afraid. 

"Please let me go. What is this dark magic? No one is able to stop a vortex created by a wizard or witch Please let me go or let me come out!" cried Ilsa as she shouted in pain. "Have mercy! Who did this?" Ilsa's hands were up in the air as she flailed about. "Let me go! Arghhhh!" 

Adrianna looked at her and then, very slowly, she first handed the rope that was tying Lia to Professor Ziu. Then, she moved closer to Ilsa, and with her hand, helped her out of the vortex. The effect of the vortex reversal was so strong that Adrianna had to drop Ilsa's hand as Ilsa got thrown several feet away, or else Adrianna would have also been thrown with Ilsa. 

It was impossible for Ilsa to get up. When she opened her eyes, she saw Adrianna standing near her. She cowered in her position. 

The men from the ministry also surrounded Ilsa and announced, "You allowed Lia to enter the competition area and defied the ministry's order. Under these conditions, we will have to arrest you." 

They proceeded to confiscate her wand before chaining her from top to bottom in ropes made of white light. "Because of you, chaos ensued and student even ended up dying. Henceforth, you are removed from your position and will be staying behind bars forever until further notice." A vortex was created and the two ministry-men took both Ilsa and Lia away. 

Almost everyone in the crowd now turned to look at Adrianna who seemed to be the root cause of all the recent developments. 

Adrianna turned to Professor Ziu and Isidorus and exclaimed, "Zola is dead… I- I didn't mean to harm anyone, but she was trying to bind me when her mother was sending a death spell my way. I just defended myself…" Adrianna's emotions were at an all-time low. She wanted to cry due to how much negative energy her body had absorbed when the death spell had been thrown at her. Even though she had managed to successfully deflect it, some of its energy had hit her body and had filled her with despair. 

"Where can we find Zola?" asked Isidorus. 

"She can be found at the bottom of the lake in the center of the forest," replied Adrianna, lowering her head as her eyes welled up. The forest animals had informed her that the fish in the lake had surrounded Zola's body, keeping it safe until it was fished out. 

"Adrianna, you should go and rest. We caught the neotides that you trapped in the pit. While most students couldn't trap any neotides, some managed to trap at least one. Frankly speaking, I am not surprised that you captured eight of them," said Ziu, feeling proud of his student. 

Isidorus smiled. He declared to all present, "The winner of the competition will be announced soon. There will be a day's holiday for all students tomorrow and your holiday starts right now. So, all of you, scram!" Almost immediately, there was a surge in excitement and a loud cheering amongst the students. The premise was empty within the next five minutes as the students created their own portals and quickly left. The professors all laughed to their hearts content and left soon after. 

Adrianna looked at Isidorus and said, "I want to go back to Dmitri and spend time with him…" 

Professor Ziu interjected immediately. "But Adrianna still have to learn so many spells. Plus, I was thinking of taking you to an important event this evening. There, you will meet all the people from the ministry." 

Adrianna looked at him. She wondered if she should attend the event or not, but the gloom in her heart was so great that she declined Ziu. "I am sorry Professor Ziu, but I can't…" 

Isidorus understood that she wouldn't be convinced otherwise. "Whatever my queen wants…"

Adrianna nodded and Isidorus created a portal for her. 

Ziu wanted to stop her. He clenched his fists and tried one last time. He quickly argued, "Adrianna, this is very important for the future queen." 

"Maybe…" she replied and entered the portal and directly walked into the arms of Dmitri.