As Gabriel talked about the outside world while eating, the outside world was changing very fast.
The entire academy was going through a significant change. The whole academy was sealed. Moreover, all the students were told to go back to their dorms. Even the fourth-year students weren't allowed to stay outside now, including Garrick.
Garrick didn't understand why they were taking such drastic steps for Gabriel. Even though it was surprising that Gabriel managed to reach that floor, the Head Council members were behaving like he was an enemy of the Academy who was going to destroy everything after coming out.
According to Garrick, that should've been impossible. He didn't know what Challenges were on the Higher Floors that he didn't manage to reach, but he knew that all those challenges were made for Mages younger than thirty years of age. Only people younger than thirty could even attempt to climb the tower.