"I hereby name Maximus Stormhart as the Head of Swordhart the House of Honor. The first of its line, and the one who brought it back."
The words echoed through the hall like thunder.
Gasps spread through the students like a wave crashing across the room.
Max jerked slightly, eyes wide. "Wait… what?" he muttered under his breath.
Jack's head snapped up, his expression frozen in disbelief. Even the golden haired girl standing beside him nearly choked in surprise. She covered her mouth and stared at the stage, completely stunned.
Professor Bianca blinked hard. Her mouth fell open. "You can't be serious," she whispered sharply, her voice tight with shock.
But Headmaster Fledrock didn't explain.
He didn't look back.
He just turned toward the glowing pillar behind Max the silver sword emblem still shining like it meant something much bigger than any of them understood.
And then silence.
A deep, heavy silence settled over the entire hall. Not even a cough, not even a whisper.
