Chapter 172

(1)

1.

Head of the Arsen Student Council.

Council President Philip Ernoc let out a deep sigh as he looked at the barbarian youth in front of him.

That face was far too familiar.

He had thought he wouldn’t have to see this troublemaker during the summer break, yet here he was, just before the entrance ceremony.

‘Ulan Bator.’

The terrorist of the entrance ceremony.

He was the one who turned the Empire’s fencing genius, Himel Deorg, into a ragdoll and was linked to various incidents related to the Source of Magic.

All of this was caused by Ulan.

And to top it off, it had only been six months.

Since joining the student council, Ulan was the only one to have caused such a series of problems in such a short span.

‘And…’

There was one more special point.

His true abilities, proven during the friendly mock battle against Eloden Academy. He was a monster who had reached the level of Master.

‘A Master at just seventeen.’

The appearance of a monster unprecedented in history.

This was the moment it was revealed why Himel Deorg had to take such a beating.

Meanwhile, after this fact was disclosed, Philip had a rough understanding of Ulan’s identity.

‘He’s definitely a secret weapon of the Empire.’

There was only one piece of evidence to back up this conjecture.

Behind him stood the military authorities and the Dean of the Military Department, Berge Erkazhan.

‘So every time they capture him…’

The Oversight Committee under the Military Department constantly pressures to release Ulan immediately.

In other words, capturing him would be pointless.

Now that it had been established that he was a Master-level warrior, there was no way to stop him if he went on a rampage.

Nonetheless, the reason for capturing him was that it was the duty and purpose of the student council to do so.

It was distinctly different to capture and then release him than to not capture him at all.

Thus, each time Ulan broke a school rule, Philip captured him and then released him in turn.

But as had been the case until now, less than an hour after his capture, the release order came down.

However, a new problem had arisen.

“I’m not going out.”

“…What?”

Right, Ulan was refusing to be released.

Caught off guard by this unexpected situation, Philip wore a blank expression. After shaking off his astonishment, he asked for the reason, and this was the response he got.

“I have violated school rules.”

A complete acceptance of wrongdoing.

Soon Ulan continued with his answer.

“Therefore, I have no intention of leaving until I receive the proper punishment.”

No, just leave already!

He had gotten out fine until now, so what the heck was going on this time? Philip protested in disbelief, but Ulan’s attitude did not change.

In truth, there was a reason for this.

The two major incidents he had committed until now.

Causing multiple injuries at the entrance ceremony and assaulting Himel Deorg. Ulan did not think of these as his faults.

‘Naturally.’

During the entrance ceremony, all he had done was greet everyone to get along well.

And the act of turning Himel into a bloody mess was a deed done to restore Ivella’s honor.

In other words, it was justifiable revenge.

So he didn’t feel he had done anything wrong.

‘However, this time the situation is different.’

Even if it was to save Delia, not returning without permission was an undeniable violation of school rules and a clear mistake.

So he stated he would accept punishment.

Meanwhile, Philip, who didn’t know Ulan’s inner thoughts, was losing his mind. Just as he was heaving sigh after sigh, suddenly the entrance grew noisy.

A guest had arrived.

“Marquis Gorphant, Your Excellency?”

Seoric Al Gorphant.

A Master of the Empire and scheduled to become an honorary professor at the Academy from the second semester.

After making eye contact with Ulan.

He asked Philip for permission.

“May I have a moment to talk?”

A request to step aside.

Of course, it was supposed to be against the rules.

But Philip gladly withdrew. He feared that staying with Ulan would only drive him crazy.

Shortly after that.

“I’ve heard the gist of it.”

Once they were alone in the room, Seoric started speaking with a puzzled expression.

“But I can’t understand. Why would you voluntarily accept punishment when you could avoid it through proper means?”

“Because I violated school rules.”

“I’ve already heard that. There was a significant reason that prevented you from returning to the Academy.”

In front of the student council office.

He had received the entire story from Noa, who was waiting there. So he tried to persuade Ulan based on that, but it wasn’t easy.

“My decision is unchanged.”

Stubborn in the wrong places.

Seoric frowned.

But after a moment of contemplation, he quickly thought of a solution to get Ulan released.

“Then let’s do it this way.”

“How so?”

“I’ll discuss what kind of punishment you’ll receive and convey it separately after the entrance ceremony.”

“That’s….”

“You already know, right? To administer punishment, a committee has to be convened, and that takes quite a bit of time.”

So for now, just leave quietly.

Seoric’s eyes spoke this message.

Ulan, who was observing silently, finally delivered the answer everyone wanted to hear.

“Understood. I’ll go with your suggestion.”

“Good, well thought out.”

Seoric let out a sigh of relief and was about to call Philip. He wanted to ask for the release of the chains that bound Ulan.

However, that wasn’t necessary.

With a single display of strength, the chains easily shattered. Displaying his immense power, Ulan spoke with an unfazed expression.

“Then, I’ll be taking my leave.”

Bowing his head, he exited the room.

The sound of his footsteps growing distant.

Soon after Ulan completely disappeared, Philip entered.

“Thank you for your hard work, Your Excellency.”

“What hard work? You’re the one who suffered more.”

After patting Philip on the shoulder.

Seoric immediately left the room. A short while later, he arrived at the Dean of the Military Department.

Knock knock!

As he politely knocked and entered, a question shot at him right away.

“What happened with Ulan?”

The owner of the room, Berge’s question.

Seoric shrugged and replied.

“He insisted on receiving punishment. So I told him I’d convey it later and sent him back.”

“Tsk, it’s the first time someone insists on punishment even when they didn’t have to receive it.”

“Indeed.”

Both let out a simultaneous sigh.

They looked thoroughly worn out.

“Anyway, since the problem has been resolved, that leaves us with only one headache.”

“What is that?”

“The transfer application.”

Berge presented an application form.

The content was nothing substantial.

It was just an order to transfer the individual to Arsen Academy as a first-year student.

The applicant was the Rubens Imperial Family.

And the House of Lapis.

Upon discovering this, Seoric naturally checked what the name of the transfer student would be.

‘Tisha Lapis.’

A girl set to transfer from the second semester.

According to the documents, she was introduced as a collateral descendant of the House of Lapis.

So far, she had been receiving education from a private tutor at her mansion due to her frail health, but she recently applied for transfer due to improved wellness.

This alone shouldn’t be viewed as a headache. There was nothing particularly unusual about it.

However, a crucial part had been omitted.

The fact that the girl named ‘Tisha Lapis’ had a hidden name and identity.

‘Fertisha Eve Al Rubens.’

This was the girl’s true name.

She was the hidden princess of the Rubens Empire.

Originally, only Berge knew of her existence, but recently Seoric had learned about it too.

“It would be safer to keep her at the Imperial Castle, so why cause a stir by sending her to the Academy?”

Berge let out successive sighs.

The reason for his grim expression.

This was because a handwritten letter had been sent by the likely next Emperor, Chartang, asking to take good care of Fertisha to ensure her adaptation to the Academy.

It was a situation where the burden weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Sighs could not be avoided.

“Still, with the name of the Lapis family behind her, there shouldn’t be any unfavorable incidents, right?”

“Well, that much is true.”

A prestigious family known for producing Masters over generations.

At the same time, a powerful military noble with significant influence over the eastern part of the Empire. Borrowing the name of such a Grand Nobility should prevent any unnecessary antics.

Even if there were, as long as Berge and Seoric were keeping an eye on things, there shouldn’t be a problem.

‘However, the part that worries me…’

The variable that even Berge couldn’t control.

A being that overshadowed Seoric.

That was Ulan.

Therefore, it was best for Ulan and Fertisha to avoid encountering each other as much as possible.

‘Please let nothing happen.’

Until she returns to the Imperial Family.

Berge silently prayed inwardly.

2.

Meanwhile, around the same time.

In front of the Student Council Office, there were girls wandering about. They were Noah and Delia, waiting for the imprisoned Ulan to be released.

“Why isn’t he coming out like this?”

It had been almost an hour since Ulan was taken away.

But with no sign of him being freed, Delia muttered anxiously.

“Could something have happened…?”

“It’s okay. Nothing serious will happen.”

At that moment, Noah patted her back.

As if to say there was no need to worry.

“Even if something happened, it will be resolved soon.”

Because Marquis Gorphant had entered.

He must have come to solve the problem.

Ulan had made a contract with the Marquis in exchange for future cooperation with the Empire. Among the terms was providing help in situations like this.

While comforting Delia.

As they continued to wait for Ulan.

“…Ah.”

A familiar face appeared.

Bright turquoise eyes.

A girl with her light golden hair tied up.

It was Ivella Elea’ad.

“Noah.”

She quickly approached.

Soon her gaze met Delia’s, but there was no significant greeting. Delia also ignored Ivella as if she didn’t know her.

“I heard the story.”

“What, what story?”

“About Ulan. I heard he got caught right after coming here?”

Ah, that story.

Noa let out a sigh of relief inwardly at that moment.

Ivella’s question continued.

“What did he get caught for this time?”

“Actually, that’s…”

Noa summarized the situation so far.

However, she didn’t mention Ulan breaching their promise and crossing the border.

That was something for Ulan to resolve.

A little later, when Noa finished explaining the situation, Ivella looked surprised.

“What? He didn’t pass the re-exam?”

“No, he failed.”

Noa shook her head firmly.

At the same time, Ivella’s expression hardened.

‘Then he broke the rules to go…’

To the Arpen Duchy?

Breaking even the promise he made with her?

The moment she realized this, her turquoise eyes turned as cold as ice. Meanwhile, the sight sent a chill down Noa’s spine.

Intense burning gaze.

It was clear she had caught a glimpse of jealousy.

‘This is worse than I thought…’

As if she could devour Delia right then and there.

As the atmosphere grew tense under Ivella’s fierce look, suddenly, two male students broke the silence.

“Delia Arpen.”

“Can we have a moment?”

The seniors came boldly over, their ties indicating they were in their third year.

However, since they were unfamiliar faces, Delia tilted her head in confusion.

“…Who?”

“I’m Rufel Betin from the Student Council.”

“Also, I’m Lyle Cacherd, another executive.”

Executives from the Arsen Student Council.

They introduced themselves and then revealed their request regarding Delia.

“We came to discuss the entrance ceremony speech to be held tomorrow morning…”

“Can we have a moment?”

The entrance ceremony? A speech?

Delia frowned.

“What does that have to do with me…?”

“Well, it’s because you’re the top student in the first year.”

All events concerning the new students have the top student give a speech. Just as Ulan, who was the top scorer in the entrance exam, had delivered a speech during the entrance ceremony.

And to their words.

Delia, who had earned full marks in both theory and practical exams of the midterms and finals during the first semester, had indeed been given the opportunity for a speech as a representative.

But she frowned at the thought of doing so.

Her face clearly showed her annoyance.

However, realizing she couldn’t escape this, she soon let out a resigned sigh.

“Will it end soon?”

“It won’t take long.”

At least that was a relief.

Delia glanced at the Student Council Office, as if Ulan was on her mind. Noticing this, Noa whispered,

“Go ahead. I’ll inform Ulan.”

“Yeah, please do.”

Delia smiled faintly.

Only after hearing Noa’s answer did she finally move. After Delia followed the Student Council executives and disappeared.

The place fell into a silent stillness.

“…”

Ivella remained quiet.

In a suffocating atmosphere, Noa clasped her hands together and squeezed her eyes shut.

‘Please come quickly, Ulan!’

Or maybe in this case, it would be better if he came as late as possible?

As her mind became a jumbled mess, suddenly the door of the Student Council Office swung open.

Bang!

At the same time, those turquoise eyes sparkled.

A new emotion filled Ulan’s once jealous gaze. It was a feeling of happiness.

“Were you waiting outside?”

The barbarian who had just emerged from the council office.

It was all because of Ulan.

41st Chapter. Transfer Student