Chapter 197

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 26, 2025

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The Soul World, so you can swing violence around in the game too.

It doesn’t matter if your opponent insults you or if you just want to hit someone. You can even do it to your own teammates.

But like any civilization, once you unleash violence recklessly, you’re bound to feel the harsh hand of the law.

There’s a saying that civilization began not with fists, but with words. That’s how much direct violence is generally avoided.

[Civilized people can throw around rude words without getting their heads smashed open, making them ruder than barbarians.]

That’s quite a legendary quote. In some ways, you might think that barbarians are more polite.

Yet, just because you’re civilized doesn’t mean you won’t get your head smashed. If you cross the line in your words, fists will fly.

Moreover, this is a world that is pure ‘romance.’ The boundaries of self-defense are quite broad, so one misstep with your words can lead to serious trouble.

For instance, if a commoner were to hurl insults at a noble, they might just get their corn popped without any repercussions.

Of course, the aftermath of that will be something they’ll have to deal with themselves. And unless there’s evidence, the situation could get murky.

“I’ve heard the words of the offending student. They’ve made quite a few problematic statements. In a moment, we’ll listen to the victim’s testimony as well. We will take action afterward.”

“… …”

A member of the committee said their piece and walked out the door.

The sound of the iron door echoed clearly in my ears. I was currently locked up in none other than a prison.

It was more like a temporary detention center than a prison. It’s where people who commit crimes, including violence, are kept.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been here.’

If someone commits a crime at the academy, they usually end up here. The place they’re incarcerated can vary depending on the criminal’s strength or severity of their offense.

Rating it by stages, it’s a third-stage level, and currently, I’m in a third-stage cell. This is a place designed to prevent escapes.

Fortunately, it wasn’t barren just because it was a prison. There’s a bed and everything you might need.

‘That doesn’t mean I can’t escape though.’

I plopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. The ceiling was made of sturdy iron as well.

Not just iron, but it’s probably been specially treated with magic too. It’s like a cage made for some ferocious beast.

Considering what I’ve done so far, it’s not unreasonable to call it a cage. It means they’re wary of my power.

‘Things will work out, right?’

The Soul World is a game with a high degree of freedom. Thus, you can play with a wicked disposition.

Swinging fists or pulling scams whenever you get the chance. It’s hard to believe that such villainous deeds belong to an academy student.

If that were to happen, my notoriety would stack up, and my relationships would go up in flames, but a game is a game. You can also achieve a laid-back playstyle.

Of course, as I mentioned earlier, the aftermath is something I’ll have to handle myself. But I expect I can slip through this one smoothly.

‘At least I touched Rod, if nothing else.’

Up until now, it could be brushed aside as mere sexual harassment. But since I touched Rod, the academy will likely keep quiet about it.

To put it simply, I’m destined for a tongue-lashing anyway. After all, this is a world where they have magic that can detect lies.

The situation is infinitely favorable, but I’m slightly worried about how others will react. Especially how Rod will react.

‘He won’t hit me with a switch or anything… right?’

Rod had pleaded with me not to cause trouble. And then, right at the start of the school year, I went and made a big mess.

Moreover, it wasn’t mere property damage; it was assault. Assault that left one person unable to speak.

Rod would at least hear the circumstances, but it’s certain he won’t go easy on me.

‘It’s not my fault.’

The wrongdoings originated on their side first. They perpetrated an insult so severe that even losing a tongue wouldn’t be beyond justification.

Occasionally, there will be people saying that both sides are at fault, but I honestly can’t understand that perspective.

I mean, is it the same to be the one just standing still who gets hit first and the one who retaliates? We need to clearly distinguish right from wrong.

“The investigation results have all come in. It has been determined that the testimony of Sivar Student is completely true.”

How long did I lie on that bed looking like a sorry mess? After a bit, the person I had seen earlier came back.

It appeared they had gone to hear from the fool who got their tongue cut out. I wasn’t sure if they could even speak properly.

Or maybe someone else testified on their behalf. There were others around the fool, after all.

“The victim and accomplice will be suspended starting now. We will also inform the students’ respective noble families of the situation.”

“… …”

“However.”

Just when I thought I wouldn’t have to see those fools again—

A member of the committee emphasized the word ‘however’ particularly hard. It seemed a measure was also being placed on my end.

“The retaliation by the offending student was too excessive. Taking this into consideration, I will impose a 10-hour social service punishment on the offending student. That is all.”

“… …Social service?”

“Yes. You can hear the detailed story from the professors.”

Saying this, the member of the disciplinary committee walked back out. For reference, the prison door was wide open.

I stared blankly at the wide-open door as I turned my head back to the ceiling. I still had a lot to think about.

‘Social service for 10 hours? Not 100 hours, just 10 hours?’

Even when you commit a crime at the academy, you can serve it off with social service.

During that time, you can’t do anything else and have to do service, which blocks your growth.

However, basic assault normally starts at over 30 hours. Given this, I could be certain they were being lenient because of Rod.

It’s not just about Rod. This is a situation that could escalate into an international dispute, so they likely brushed it off lightly.

‘Connections sure come in handy.’

Not only Rod, who’s praised as the Sword Saint, but also the Duke’s daughter of the Matra Empire, the Princess of Tartar, and more. My connections are absurdly wide.

I don’t know how it ended up like this. Especially since Rod and I are in an involuntary friendly relationship.

Having been heavily instilled in etiquette, he can’t be that distant. He’s already more than just a dependable ally.

‘Now that I think about it, if he’s worried for real…’

It was around the time I was lying on the bed, staring blankly, that I felt someone entering the prison.

I turned my head towards the wide-open door and saw a familiar figure. An elderly gentleman with a prominent mustache.

“What are you thinking about?”

Rod came to find me. So that’s why the prison door was wide open.

I quickly got up from the bed and sat down properly as he approached. Rod also pulled up a chair and sat down.

“Just… thinking about the service.”

“Service? Ah, you got a social service sentence?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not a big deal. It’s mostly just about picking up trash or carrying things.”

Social service is easy. However, the true meaning of social service lies in blocking growth.

I’ll have to do it early in the morning or after classes. It might be a bit bothersome, but it’s not a big issue.

“… …”

After that, an awkward silence settled between Rod and me. I was busy gauging Rod’s mood.

He put a lot of emphasis on it, but the one who caused the trouble was clearly me. Even Rod seemed to have a complicated expression.

“… …First, tell me the situation.”

“… …”

“Why did you hit a fellow classmate? What was the reason?”

It was Rod who broke the silence first. It seems he hadn’t heard the full story yet.

Perhaps the disciplinary committee only covered things indirectly. The things those fools said were not just insulting but humiliating.

Had this news reached Rod, it would’ve been a matter of not just cutting tongues, but chopping off heads.

“… …I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Sivar.”

“I just don’t want to. I won’t.”

I was even more reluctant to speak. How could I say something like that in front of the person involved?

Rod pressed me sternly, yet I turned my head away in response. It was a clear indication that I didn’t want to continue the conversation.

Rod took a deep breath in and let it out. He must be frustrated too, but there was nothing he could do about it.

“I know that you wouldn’t hurt someone without a reason. There must be a good reason this time too.”

“Then just ask someone else later. Not me.”

“Right. I’ll find out the ins and outs soon.”

If it’s Rod, he can uncover everything. But he didn’t know the reason he came to see me.

However, I couldn’t help but shudder at what he said next.

“Why are you angry?”

“… …”

“I’ve hardly seen you angry. Especially not at the level of true fury.”

He had pinpointed my emotions accurately. I turned to look Rod in the eyes.

At first, I had suppressed my anger, but it surpassed a breaking point, and I caused an accident. But I didn’t regret it.

If anything, it felt relieving. That fool wouldn’t be able to run his mouth carelessly from now on, and he probably couldn’t even talk properly.

“I want to know the reason behind your anger. After hearing that, I feel like my heart would be at peace.”

“… …”

“Can you tell me? Please, for me and others as well.”

Rod earnestly requested this of me. Again, it wasn’t an order; it was a request.

Someone like him, known as the Sword Saint, is asking me for such a thing. It was a personable gesture.

I was hesitating, murmuring to myself when I finally let out a sigh. I didn’t want to disappoint Rod, even if I didn’t want to share.

“… …They insulted me.”

“They insulted you?”

“Yeah. My friends and Rod. They insulted me.”

“I see.”

Tap-tap—

Rod’s gentle smile appeared as he heard my answer. He even lightly patted my head.

As I caught the warmth in that touch, I glanced at Rod’s face. He wore a content smile, not one of anger.

“You did well. If your anger was for yourself, I would’ve scolded you. But it was anger for others. That’s a good thing.”

“I’m involved too. Because of me…”

“You don’t need to say anymore. Rather than cutting your tongue, how about pulling it out completely.”

“… …”

Is it okay for him to say that? I know he was joking, but if someone else heard that, they would’ve been shocked.

I never took jokes lightly and would usually act on them as they were. But of course, I wouldn’t actually do that.

“You should pick up trash on the streets and carry loads diligently. I hope you learn something through the service.”

“… …You won’t be angry, right?”

“Of course not. Why would I be angry?”

Rod lightly tapped my arm before standing up. He then chuckled softly and nodded his head back.

That was a signal for us to step out of the prison together. I hesitated a bit and then got up cautiously.

Once I stepped out with him, I could see several very familiar faces.

“Oh. It’s Sivar.”

“Sivar!”

Kara, Eli, and lastly, Luna. They lit up with joy at seeing me come out alongside Rod.

It seemed that news had spread widely, considering Eli was here too, even though I could understand the other two.

“How did it go? Was there any problem?”

“Yeah. I got social service.”

“Social service?”

Eli tilted her head at my mention of a social service sentence. Since she doesn’t have much experience with troubles, I could understand her confusion.

However, one person reacted differently. As soon as Kara heard about the social service, she scrunched her face and said with a bored tone,

“That’s such a hassle. How many hours did you get?”

“10 hours.”

“Have you ever received a sentence like that?”

It was Luna who asked. Kara seemed to have some insight, and Luna asked out of pure curiosity.

In response, Kara fidgeted her hair shyly and gave a bitter smile. Then she started sharing her past.

“Back in the day, I… I used to cause a lot of trouble, right? You know what rumors went around?”

“Oh. Yeah. People said you hit people all the time…”

“I got social service sentences each time. I had justifiable reasons too. Didn’t I get 100 hours as a max?”

Kara roamed around causing incidents before she mentally grew up. Mostly involving assaults.

In reply to being called a barbarian, she’d respond with a punch. She had solid reasons, so the academy had never even suspended her.

However, giving her 100 hours of social service seemed a bit too harsh. Just how often did she beat people up to receive that much?