Chapter 81
Aside from the history professor’s gasp preceding the silence in the meeting room, no one else spoke. Everyone was hesitant to voice their opinions, and they were busy staring at each other, hoping someone could speak first.
This was an abnormal situation, and no one dared to show what they truly felt toward it.
The professor of magic adjusted her glasses and said with a grim look, "Dean, we cannot just ignore this since the majority has already brought it up. It doesn’t matter even if the other party is Duke Agnus’ son."
"I agree with the Professor of Magic." A well-dressed middle-aged man, who was also a professor of imperial law, finally broke his silence and spoke up, "The environment of the academy has become strange lately. It's safe to say that this is a fight between Duke Agnus' family and the rest of the cadets."
"Well…" Dean Syutain hesitated.
The professor of imperial law continued. “We knew he got enrolled at the academy through special circumstances, but if we simply let this issue stew on its own juices and ignore the cadets’ concerns, our prestige will plummet. We cannot let that happen or else…”
The professor of magic briefly revealed a scary look before continuing. "The list of enrollees would become empty starting with the admission ceremony next year. In addition, commoners might even try to enroll at our academy if the issue with expedient admission is not resolved. Wouldn’t that obviously ruin our reputation?!"
Dean Syutain’s frown deepened. Especially when he heard the professor of magic’s response to the professor of imperial law’s words.
The professors intensely debated the topic. It was all because the children of many noble families were called upon to enroll at the Avalon Imperial Academy. They knew that the imperial power was strong here, but they still expected their children to be treated like treasures. It was only natural because even though the imperial power was strong here, one also couldn’t ignore the power of the nobility.
If their pent-up frustration filed up and exploded, the nobles with authority would surely rebel.
‘They’re children from noble families that aren’t really that high up the ladder, so there’s a high chance that what they’re doing will remain as nothing but a simple protest. After all, the academy is the best place for networking and socializing, so I’m pretty sure they won’t let the academy be defunct. In that case, the only issue is…’
Dean Syutain sighed deeply as he recalled the image of a certain boy.
Veron shen Villas.
And also the two other members of the Twelve Families enrolled at this academy. Their collective complaint was the real issue.
"I'm sorry, but we only have one way out…" The professor of etiquette with a wide temple and a small chin sighed as he looked around the room. He opened his mouth as if making the most awaited conclusion. "The cadet in question has to be expelled."
"...!"
The eyes of several professors widened.
The swordsmanship professor, Kane, urgently spoke, "Professor of Etiquette, wait a minute. What do you mean by expulsion? We need to hear the cadet in question’s side first before deciding whether or not to expel him because this is an issue that affects the integrity of the academy itself. We have to know why he decided to hide his identity upon enrollment!"
"Do you really think the nobles will remain silent?" asked the professor of etiquette.
"That…" Kane was forced to close his mouth.
The professor of etiquette continued speaking in a worried voice. "If we don’t resolve this issue sooner or later, we will all get affected. If everyone has the mindset that they could just do this and get off with a minor punishment, they will make use of it. How can we then prevent something like this from happening again?"
"..."
The professor of etiquette sighed when he saw Professor Kane biting his lower lip. He then turned to face Dean Syutain and said, "We should expel him, Dean. The first ever response to such a case will set the precedent. From this incident, we can also come up with appropriate guidelines for future enrolment."
"..."
Dean Syutain couldn’t answer. It was because he knew better than anyone that the apprehensive professor of etiquette who looked like an inverted triangle was a close friend of the Villas Family.
It was also the reason why he had been so arrogant and indifferent toward others.
'Baron Zwisegi. There are some rumors that the Villas Family would soon introduce him to politics. It seems this guy has been blinded by power,’ Professor Kane muttered to himself with a sour look. He despised this situation more than anyone else.
There were students from significant political families, but most of them were members of Araksha.
However, the children of lower-ranked noble families with almost no money and connection had always been the target of amusement and bullying by those children at almost every possible event. Even so, the majority of the students enrolled at Avalon Imperial Academy were students from lower-ranked noble families.
The children of Araksha saw those children from lower-ranked noble families as objects, and they divided them according to their arbitrary thoughts. They persecuted those children and placed the entire academy under their control.
Several professors, including Professor Kane, were aware of what Araksha were doing, but they chose to remain silent. As such, while everyone was drowning in what-ifs, an accident had already occurred as a result of their hesitation.
However, they finally had a chance to make things right.
‘Shimizu…'
Professor Kane clenched his fists and revealed a determined look.
'How many times have I wished that I should have done something?'
It already happened once, how could he let it happen twice?
‘Why does a child have to become a scapegoat just because the professors are too scared to stand up for themselves? Isn’t it a bit too much to expel a child to save face?’
For Professor Kane, it didn’t matter where Joshua had even come from anymore. Yes, a brave child, Joshua, had ignited the catalyst for the academy’s reform.
“Does the other professors agree with the etiquette professor? Is there anyone who disagrees?” asked Dean Syutain.
"..."
The professor of etiquette smiled when no one spoke to oppose him.
'With this, I will be able to help the Villas secure more power. Perhaps… I might even get into politics earlier than I thought…'
Everyone remained silent. They would have never been able to guess the professor of etiquette’s thoughts.
However, Professor Kane had different thoughts. He said, "I beg to disagree."
"Professor Kane?"
At that, everyone's gaze fell on him.
Professor Kane continued. "There are some rumors about him enrolling at the academy through special means, but there has never been a case when a harsh punishment like expulsion was given without hearing both sides. It’s even more important for us to uphold such a thing given that we’re a prestigious academy."
"That’s not even a valid…" the history professor started.
However, he was interrupted by Professor Kane. "More importantly, I heard that the student in question revealed his identity in a bullying case that even we, professors, aren’t willing to address. If we weren’t such a bunch of cowards, this wouldn’t have become a problem in the first place.”
"...!"
The majority of the professors were astonished by Professor Kane’s shocking remark.
The professor of etiquette couldn't take it any longer. His face turned red as he screamed."What is this bullying you are talking of, Professor Kane!"
"Are you really asking because you are unaware?" asked Professor Kane.
"What?” muttered Professor Zwisegi.
Professor Kane explained, "Everyone knows that the leaders of Araksha, a circle in this academy, are the three representatives of the Twelve Families. Since even their predecessors have a long-standing reputation in this academy, they must have found it justified to do indescribable and horrifying things."
"Professor Kane! Are you sure you can take responsibility for what you are saying?!" Professor Zwisegi jumped out of his seat in rage. "Professor Kane, are you perhaps unaware that offending those children means offending their families?"
Professor Kane coldly smiled. "Are you not ashamed to say that?"
"What?"
"I’m asking if you still have any shame, Professor," said Professor Kane with a cold look.
Professor Zwisegi quivered at the sight of that. Since Professor Kane was the professor of swordsmanship, he was physically stronger than anyone else here. In addition, he was no more than an ordinary guy, so he found it hard to endure Professor Kane’s intimidating air.
At that, Professor Kane continued in a sorrowful voice. "We’re on the same boat! We have been living under constant pressure. Each of us is either blinded by power or afraid of it. Now, our students are abusing our cowardice to threaten us into devastation. Our students are bearing the brunt of our silence."
Professor Kane looked at each and every professor before saying, "How long do you intend to choose 'silence' as your sole option?"
"..."
“If you’re someone who has even a smidgeon of pride for what you do, you shouldn’t tolerate this anymore.”
Professor Kane swept his gaze across the other professors, but each and every one of them avoided his gaze. The professor of etiquette, Baron Zwisegi, was the only one staring at him while trembling.
Dean Syutain was about to intervene, but a voice echoed from the door.
"I concur…"
"You’re…"
Dean Syutain’s astonished voice echoed quietly when he saw the boy who had just appeared.
***
"Ugh."
Joshua gently opened his eyes despite the pain. His soul seemed refreshed even though every bone in his body was screaming as though they were on the verge of shattering.
Upon discovering a burnt object in front of him, Joshua flinched and shivered as he forced himself to stand up.
As many thoughts raced through his mind, Joshua muttered, "Jack Steropes…"
‘I actually managed to defeat one of the Seven Mages despite my young body…’?
Only a Master could take on one of the Seven Mages, even if that mage were at the bottom of the ranks. In fact, Jack Steropes was on the same level as a Master or even higher.
"By the way, what kind of pain is this?"
'Is this joint pain or muscle discomfort?'
Joshua couldn’t help but ask, the sensation was just too delicate and unique. At that, a familiar voice rang in his head.
- Growing pains suck, right?
"Lugia?"
- Don’t you feel like you’ve become taller?
"Now that I think about it…"
Joshua surveyed himself and realized. His clothes were scorched and tattered, but there was one thing he immediately noticed.
"My clothes… shrunk?”
- Your clothes did not shrink. You simply grew big.
"..."
Lugia was correct. However, Joshua's body did not grow instantly, though he could feel the subtle changes.
Now that he had become taller, Joshua could now see more things. In fact, he could even behold Lugia’s entire figure now without moving his head.
As if he realized something, Joshua spoke, "Perhaps Bronto's other skill is growth?"
- Yes. It is completely unexpected, but the Primordial Stone seemed to be accelerating your growth. At this rate, it won’t be long until you start looking like an adult again!
"..."
- Of course, it doesn’t mean that you’ll end up like a rickety old man. Bronto is helping your physique grow into a constitution that will allow you to maximize your full potential.
"How did this even happen?" Joshua blankly muttered.
- Five years.
"What are you talking about?"
- Your body should become fully developed by then. Since you’re growing fast, you have to make sure that you’re well-acclimated to your growing body.
"..."
- And there's one more thing you have to know…
All of a sudden, Lugia rose on its own.
Joshua’s eyes widened as the pure white light Lugia was emitting started to engulf the surrounding.
"You…!"
Before Joshua could continue, the brilliant light inundated him.
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