Thank the Star

It wasn't just black soul gems however... Michael soon discovered something which he'd been hoping to avoid... A light blue coloured star made of segmented pieces of various soul gems. "Star of Azura..." he murmurs, wondering if he was actually cursed to find Daedric Artifacts wherever he went...

He didn't remember much about this thing or the quest related to it as it was one of the worst Daedric Artifacts in his opinion, but that didn't make it any less dangerous. The Star of Azura was essentially an unbreakable soul gem that could be reused over and over and over. Unlike regular soul gems which would break as soon as the energy they held was expended.

...

There was a way to turn the Star of Azura into a black soul gem or something like that... He vaguely remembered. That's probably what Malyn was researching. Regardless, Michael didn't intend to leave this thing here, he'd store it in his inventory so people couldn't cause trouble with it.

With the Daedric Artifact dealt with, Michael leaves the room, just in time too as Malyn had just entered the third floor... Michael slips by the man as he enters his laboratory and makes is way to the roof. From there, he makes his way to the roof entrance to the Hall of Attainment and then his room.

Of course, it isn't long before Master Malyn discovers that the Artifact is missing...

"WHO!" a voice roars, echoing through the College, drawing everyone's attention. Michael follows the group of curious apprentices to the Courtyard where Malyn was confronting his students.

"YOU, WHICH ONE OF YOU DARED TO TAKE IT!? ANSWER ME NOW, OR I WEAR THE NEXT TIME I ASK WILL NOT BE SO GENTLE!" Malyn roars in their pale faces, having never seen their master act this unhinged before.

"M-Master, none of us could have taken it, we were all attending your lecture!"

"LIES! ONLY YOU COULD HAVE KNOWN! ONLY YOU COULD HAVE SOUGHT IT!"

Borvir leans over to Rundi, "Starting to wish someone had stolen his tongue instead."

Rundi's lips turn upwards but he quickly stifles it, "Quiet brother, do you want to draw his attention?"

"Did something happen while were out?" Tiffania asks Michael as she, Charlotte, and Illococoo stands beside him.

Michael folds his arms, "Not that I know of... The Arch-Mage'll handle it though." he says, spotting said person marching towards the manic Master.

"Master Malyn, what on earth is the cause of this!?" he demands, feeling that such a scene could lower both the College's prestige and reputation. Having a Master verbally abuse his students in front of the whole College certainly wasn't conducive to the atmosphere the Arch-Mage wanted to create.

Malyn almost bites the Arch-Mage's head off before he recognises him and shrinks in on himself slightly, "THESE!... My students have stolen something of great worth to me. I will get it back, even if I have to scour the College from the highest to lowest points!"

The Arch-Mage hums, "And what would this 'something' be?"

Malyn pauses, "Nothing that would interest you, Arch-Mage... It is merely important for my research-"

The Arch-Mage shakes his head, "No, no, please, describe the item for me so I can better assist you." he presses, causing the Master to pale slightly. "If you don't wish for my help then it must not be so important, and you wouldn't need to tear apart my College in search of it."

...

"Arch-Mage... The item that was stolen is a soul gem... One distinctly... Star-shaped-" the Master slowly explains but is cut off by Savos again.

"S-Star shaped!? Do you think me a fool Malyn!? What in all the God's graces are you bringing a Daedric Artifact into my College for!? Did you think I wouldn't recognise your description of the Star of Azura!?"

...

"It was for my research! I'm so close! SO CLOSE! I JUST NEED A LITTLE MORE TIME! Arch-Mage! My research is nearing its completion!"

Savos scowls at the man from under his hood, "Any information gleaned from a Daedric Artifact is at best useless, and at worst malicious! You will hand over anything concerning it immediately, and cease your research on this particular subject!... This is an order, Malyn!"

Malyn takes a step back, as if he'd just been punched in the face, "N-no! You can't do this! I've spent years on this! I cannot turn back now!"

"You can and will Malyn, or you will leave the College in disgrace! Be thankful I haven't thrown you out for possessing a Daedric Artifact!"

...

Malyn glares at the Arch-Mage with an utter look of hatred. The man looked as if he'd start attacking at any moment... Luckily, his fear of the Arch-Mage's power stopped him from causing trouble in the premises. He looks over to his students, Nelacar and some other people Michael didn't know. "Come, it seems we are unwanted here! We will leave this place and try our luck elsewhere!" he says before turning and beginning to leave... Only to stop when a single person out of the four Apprentices follows.

"What are you all doing? Come, we will continue my research somewhere that fool cannot bother us!"

"N-no! I'm not leaving, master!" one of the students say, the two others nodding along.

Malyn growls, "You will do as I say, or be punished!"

"No. They won't, Malyn." The Arch-Mage says, stepping between him and the students, "They students of the College, not your lackeys, leave before I lose my patience."

"Fine! I've had enough dealing with these snivelling fools!" the Master exclaims and looks around at the gawking observers, "You are all nothing to me! I am Malyn Varen! You will all regret this!" he shouts before stomping out of the College with Nelacar at his side.

Michael looks over to his friends after this, "I'll bet a hundred gold he'll be back within a month."

"Won't he have to come back to find whatever was stolen anyway?" Tiffania asks.

"Oh, yeah. He will won't he?" Michael says, realising that it was just the case. He doubted the guy would find out that he'd been the thief though...