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The next morning.
From early hours, a figure sought out Ulan’s room. A man dressed in a black coat—it was the inspector from the Military Department.
“Your punishment has been decided.”
He was the one who had pulled Ulan from the Student Council yesterday, and with that, he handed Ulan a piece of paper.
It was the notice of punishment.
▶Offending Student: [Ulan Bator]
▷Victim Student: [Himel Deorg]
◎Summary: The offending student violated the rules during the selection match of the mock battle, causing injury to the victim student.
The committee deemed the violence in this incident extremely serious and, according to school rule Article 5, Section 38, imposed the following penalties:
1) One warning of expulsion
2) 30-day suspension
3) Revocation of eligibility to participate in all tournaments
That was a lot of text.
For a moment, it almost made Ulan’s mind blank, but he managed to keep his composure. At least it was a relief that the inspector provided further explanation.
“First of all, a warning of expulsion is essentially a suspension of expulsion. If you receive an additional warning while on this warning, then it’s automatic expulsion.”
Being on a suspension meant that the committee had discussed expulsion at least once. Continuing in a stern tone, the inspector said, “Next, suspension means you won’t be able to attend lectures. Starting today, you can’t leave the designated zone for 30 days.”
A suspension at Arsen Academy is the second harshest punishment after expulsion. If caught leaving the designated area, your suspension period may be extended, or you might receive additional warnings.
“Finally, the committee has determined that you are a significant risk factor, and they’ve decided to revoke your eligibility to participate in all upcoming tournaments and matches.”
And this applied to more than just the mock battles.
It encompassed every form of competition against other students. After finishing his explanation, the inspector glanced at Ulan.
“Do you understand everything up to this point?”
“Half of it, maybe.”
Was the explanation so complicated that he only understood half? The inspector felt astounded but kept his cool.
“Well, I’m glad you understood at least half. Now, let’s take your statement.”
“Statement?”
“Yes. You wouldn’t have turned Himel Deorg into a mop without a reason, right?”
Settling into a suitable position, the inspector pulled out a notebook and pen, along with a glowing green orb he placed on the table.
It was a magic tool for voice recording.
“Also, this task is for your benefit. If legitimate reasons can be proven from your statement, your punishment may be reduced.”
This was true.
The inspector’s superior, Master Berge, aimed to somehow lessen Ulan’s guilt.
It was also a goal of the Empire’s military.
When the discussion of Ulan’s expulsion first arose, it was the military’s influence that turned it into a postponement.
‘The military has already calculated the stakes.’
Since the moment they received reports of the incident.
The military weighed the value of the Deorg family against Ulan Bator’s value. They judged that Ulan’s worth was substantially greater.
‘A seventeen-year-old Master.’
That alone holds considerable value.
Above all, if they succeed in bringing Ulan into their fold, more than ten thousand barbarians, along with the northern snowy mountains and prairies, will fall under the Empire’s domain.
This total area amounts to a staggering 20% of the Empire’s territory. It meant obtaining such land without shedding a drop of blood.
‘So…’
The military intended to create a debt with Ulan by actively assisting him with this incident.
To do this, they needed to secure Ulan’s statement and carefully select advantageous remarks to defend him.
After finishing his reflection, the inspector stared intently at Ulan.
“We want to help you.”
From the military’s standpoint, Ulan was a juicy piece of meat. Losing such a piece right in front of them was something they didn’t want.
“So, without hiding anything, tell me the truth of what happened yesterday. The more clearly we understand, the better we can help you.”
Even if the truth wasn’t entirely favorable, it would still be put to good use, while the unfavorable parts would simply be discarded.
As the inspector’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, Ulan finally nodded.
“Alright. I’ll tell you.”
It wasn’t exactly something to boast about, but it wasn’t something he felt the need to hide either.
And so, Ulan began to recount everything—from the conversation he’d had with Himel to the proposal Himel had given.
Meanwhile, at that moment, as Ulan sat for questioning…
In a classroom within the Military Department, eight men and women huddled together. They were the first-year students who had participated in the selection matches.
“Yawn!”
Perhaps it was because they were gathered so early in the morning?
Each of the students let out yawns.
Among them was Noa. She swallowed her yawn and quickly scanned the classroom. Afterward, she realized the common trait of the gathered students.
‘So they passed the selection matches, huh?’
Though not well-known yet, they were the ones competing for the top spots in their respective classes.
And there was one more.
A solid piece of evidence supported her hypothesis.
A blonde girl sitting in the back row.
It was Ivella Elea’ad.
‘Then…!’
Does this mean I passed too?
Noa’s eyes sparkled for a moment.
Just as she nurtured a deep hope in her heart—
Bang!
The entrance swung open.
The one who appeared was a silver-haired girl, her dark blue cloak swaying.
The moment Noa spotted her, her anticipation crumbled.
‘…Delia Arpen.’
The girl she had tussled with by pulling each other’s hair.
Her appearance meant one of two things.
Either both Noa and Delia passed the selection or they had to have a rematch.
‘Ugh, I hope it’s the former.’
If they had to rematch, she was sure she’d lose.
There’s no way the same strategy would work twice. Plus, Delia had almost depleted her talismans infused with spirit.
So she inwardly prayed desperately.
For there not to be a rematch.
Meanwhile, Delia scanned the classroom with her small face, as if searching for someone.
Then suddenly, her expression stiffened.
There was only one reason for that. She had spotted Noa.
“Uh, hey?”
Noa greeted with an awkward smile, but Delia’s response was non-existent.
All that returned to her was a cold shoulder.
With a swift turn, she took a seat near the entrance, the spot furthest from Noa.
‘Well, I can’t blame her.’
It was understandable she’d be angry.
How many times had she been yanked by the hair while living as a princess?
Of course, Noa had her grievances too, considering Delia was the one who first pulled her hair.
‘It seems like reconciliation would take some time.’
It might even take a lifetime.
Sitting there feeling gloomy about how their burgeoning friendship had just crumbled, suddenly the chatter of surrounding students reached her ears.
“That barbarian didn’t come, huh?”
“Of course not. He probably can’t come after all that trouble.”
“Right. I mean, he caused quite a stir.”
As soon as the barbarians were mentioned, the expressions of three girls shifted.
Ivella wore a troubled look, Delia tilted her head, and Noa sighed with a darkened face.
‘Sigh, Ulan.’
The moment after Noa’s fight with Delia, she had fainted for a solid half a day.
This was due to her magic running out. So, she hadn’t seen Ulan’s match directly but had later heard the whole picture from Professor Miel.
“They said Ulan caused an incident.”
And a truly enormous one at that.
“They said he beat Himel to a pulp.”
This wasn’t an exaggeration.
They’d said Himel was actually on the brink of death.
He lost a lot of blood and had even suffered organ failure, barely clinging to life.
‘I have no clue why he did it…’
This was something that had never happened in the original story.
Of course, right from the start, Ulan entering the academy had never been a part of it either. Still, she never expected Himel would turn into a bloody mess.
‘Things seem to get more tangled.’
This feeling had lingered since the moment she missed the Trial of the Hero.
The story diverged entirely from the original. Feeling increasingly stifled, she sighed again.
But only briefly.
Noa quickly regained her rational sense.
‘…Let’s think this through.’
There was no point in continuously sighing.
It would be far more productive to anticipate what might happen next and prepare for it.
‘This is pretty serious.’
It wasn’t just any student; after all, he had nearly turned the only heir of the Deorg family into a bloody pulp.
He might actually get expelled.
No, it’s almost a certainty.
‘Ulan doesn’t have a strong backing.’
Sure, there was Count Dermore, who had written a recommendation for him, but he wasn’t even close to being a match for the Deorg family.
They weren’t even well acquainted.
Noa’s complexion darkened.
‘If he gets expelled…’
Ulan would return to the prairies.
No, that was an optimistic guess.
He might be escorted straight to the Deorg family since he had nearly turned their only heir into a bloody pulp.
The story was drifting further away from the original.
At that moment, Noa’s expression took a turn.
Then, Bang!
Suddenly the door burst open.
“Is everyone here?”
The man who entered had a dry tone.
It was Professor Ethan Arnoff from the Military Department, also the one in charge of this selection.
“The reason I called you all early this morning is to relay messages regarding the selection. First, let me get to the results you’re most curious about.”
After exchanging glances with the students, Ethan jumped straight to the point.
“As of now, there are a total of seven confirmed participants for the mock battles. The reason the number is so low is due to the incidents during the Third and Eighth Matches.”
The Third Match refers to the fight between Ulan and Himel.
The Eighth Match was a similar ordeal—but involving mages, where an unexpected magic overload caused a mana explosion, leading to serious injuries for both students caught in the blast.
As a result, they voided the Eighth Match altogether.
Excluding the draw in the Second Match, it stands that the final selection count is indeed seven.
“Next, the Second Match ended in a draw, which normally would require a rematch, but…”
“No! Anything but that!”
Noa, eyes tightly shut, inwardly screamed as she fervently prayed this time more emphatically for mercy. Surprisingly, it had an effect.
“…Following Dean Chernio’s recommendation, both will be included in the final selection. Well, we’re also short on participants.”
God does exist.
Noa let out a sigh of relief.
This meant the final selection consisted of nine members, myself and Delia included.
“Lastly, a single participant will be chosen through a resurrection match.”
“Eh? So you’re saying…?”
“Himel won’t be participating, will he?”
“Not participating means he can’t.”
Ethan’s expression hardened.
Which meant he must have sustained severe injuries.
The students sensed the atmosphere shift and promptly fell silent. They had heard rumors too.
“Additionally, Ulan’s participation will also be restricted. He will be suspended, thus revoked of his eligibility for all upcoming events.”
“……!”
“W-What? Suspended?”
Only two people reacted in shock: Ivella and Delia.
Especially Delia, whose eyes widened as she heard this for the first time.
“The results of the punishment will be announced later today, but since you’re involved, I’ll inform you now.”
The punishment for Ulan consisted of a warning of expulsion, a 30-day suspension, and the revocation of eligibility for all tournaments.
As the results became public, some students murmured in disbelief.
“That punishment isn’t as harsh as I thought.”
“Right? Considering what he did, honestly, getting expelled wouldn’t be surprising…”
Right at that moment, both Ivella and Delia directed piercing gazes toward the student who mentioned expulsion.
It was indeed a terrifying look. The student shivered as if an unknown chill ran through them.
And then Ethan continued.
“This is the Dean’s decision. If you have any objections, visit the Dean’s office in the Military Department directly. I’ll inform them ahead of time.”
Silence fell over the room.
That’s only natural. Who among the students would possess the audacity to confront the Dean? Though it was understandable students had questions.
‘Originally, someone would be expelled on the spot.’
Regardless of the circumstances, Ulan had violated the rules and mercilessly assaulted Himel—on the brink of death, no less.
This was a grave infraction of school rules.
In Arsen, violence of any kind was absolutely intolerable, no questions asked.
‘If Ulan had been just a regular barbarian…’
He would have undoubtedly been expelled and immediately shipped off to the Deorg estates, left to deal with things however he wished.
But Ulan was anything but ordinary.
A seventeen-year-old who had become a Master, and the heir of the northern barbarian clan leader.
‘So that’s why the military intervened.’
To prevent Ulan’s expulsion.
Moreover, they were likely struggling to lessen his guilt as much as possible. Yet the military’s involvement would not automatically resolve everything.
‘…Istan El Deorg.’
Commonly known as Count Deorg.
One of the Empire’s five Masters, how he reacts to this incident remains the biggest concern.
Ethan recalled a time during his service on the front lines when he had briefly encountered Count Deorg.
‘He was like an iceberg.’
A person of utmost rationality and composure.
A being seemingly devoid of emotions.
But no matter how much of an iceberg he was, this involved his child. It was impossible to predict how he would respond to this.
‘Well, it’s up to the military to deal with.’
Ethan decided he would stick to his role as a professor.
So he opted to move on.
“In any case, that’s all the information I have. If any of you have questions or things to express, please do so now.”
He had delivered nearly all the pertinent information.
No further comments were expected.
Ethan anticipated that. But at that moment, a hand shot up.
It was Delia.
“Professor.”
“What is it?”
“I… I’m going to forfeit.”
“…What?”
Did she just say she was going to forfeit?
Ethan blinked in surprise.
Like someone who couldn’t make sense of the situation. It wasn’t just him; Noa and the others looked equally stunned at Delia’s sudden announcement.
“Wait, what do you mean you’re forfeiting? Why all of a sudden…?”
“Ulan’s not here.”
But what does that have to do with any of this?
Ethan wore a perplexed expression.
“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Wait, hold on! Hey! Delia!”
Ethan rushed to grab her, but it was to no avail.
Delia exiting the classroom was significantly faster than Ethan’s attempts to stop her.
Bang! Clank!
The door shut, and silence enveloped the classroom.
Nobody was prepared for such a turn of events. Even Ethan and the other students hesitated to speak up at that moment.
“I will forfeit too.”
Another shocking statement rang out.
With a blank expression, Ivella stood up next and declared her intention to forfeit. Ethan swallowed hard, stunned by her announcement.
“Ivella, why are you joining in on this…?”
“The reason Ulan has received a punishment is, in part, due to my actions as well. So I shall take responsibility and forfeit.”
Ending her baffling statement, Ivella strode confidently toward the exit.
Bang! Clank!
In less than a minute, two students had already expressed their intent to forfeit. As the sudden scene flustered Ethan,
Noa furrowed her brow.
‘Wait a sec, this is getting problematic.’
The reason Noa wanted to compete in the mock battle was to obtain the Hidden Piece from the event.
Specifically, the suppression event.
An event where powerful monsters trapped in seals are released, and the reward for defeating them is the Hidden Piece.
‘But the difficulty level is quite high.’
They had students die in previous events.
Consequently, to complete this suppression event, it was essential to have at least two more named students. The recommended trio for the strategy was three.
‘But now…’
With Delia and Ivella dropped out, coupled with Ulan’s absence, it meant only Noa remained.
Realizing this, Noa immediately made a decision.
“I’m sorry, but I’ll also forfeit.”
“…What’s your reasoning?”
“Ulan.”
After hastily finishing her vague reply, Noa stood resolutely.
No matter how important the Hidden Piece and rewards were, they didn’t hold a candle to her life.
Just as she was about to exit the classroom…
Thud! Bang!
Suddenly, the door swung open violently.
“S-Senior!”
The guest was Professor Stella.
She looked as though something urgent had transpired, her face pale.
Meanwhile, Ethan frowned.
“Stella, first knock before you barge in…”
“Knocking doesn’t matter right now! This is serious!”
“What’s happening?”
“Well, um, you see…!”
Stella was pacing anxiously.
Sneaking up close to Ethan’s ear, she immediately whispered something into it. Moments later, when she finished, Ethan froze like stone.
“…Is that really true?”
“Yes! That’s why emergency meetings have been called!”
Ethan frowned in distress.
After letting out a sigh, he turned to the students and declared,
“Sorry, but I have to leave due to an urgent matter. Any other messages will be relayed to the respective class professors. That’s all.”
Once he finished, both teachers exited the classroom promptly.
“What was that about?”
“No idea. What do we do now?”
“If Delia Arpen has dropped out…”
The students began discussing their next steps.
However, Noa remained oblivious to their conversation as she had just heard an even more shocking announcement.
‘…Is this for real?’
The tremor in her eyes was quite palpable.
Standing near the classroom entrance, she unintentionally overheard Stella’s whisper.
And the content of what she caught was this:
“Count Deorg has expressed his intent to visit the academy in the near future.”
One of the five swords of the Rubens Empire.
The visit of Istan El Deorg.
This was an unprecedented event that never happened even once in the original narrative, causing Noa to let out a half-hearted laugh.
“Ha ha, we’re doomed.”
Ah, now I’m completely lost.
Whatever will be, will be.
With a feeling of desperation, Noa exited the classroom, her eyes reflecting the dark clouds overhead.
It looked as if a storm was about to unleash.
Chapter 15: The Calm Before the Storm
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