Chapter 82
The man with gray hair walked down the academy corridors. The man of ambiguous age had a delicate grin, and his eyes looked like they were just two lines drawn on his face. All of the cadets knew the man's identity even if they did not know him personally, but it was understandable since a well-known student in the academy looked like a exact replica of this man.
"Count Sten?"
The history professor muttered in astonishment when the man finally arrived and entered the Avalon Imperial Academy’s staff meeting room.
It turned out that the man was the current head of the Sten Family and was one of the Avalon Empire’s five Masters—Arie bron Sten.
From behind Count Sten, another set of footsteps could be heard...
Tak. Tak. Tak.
Professor Zwisegi was startled by Count Sten's massive presence, and he accidentally shifted his gaze toward the new arrival.
"Ah!" Professor Zwisegi exclaimed with wide eyes. Upon recognizing the arrival of a greater being than Count Sten, he was silenced. "Duke Agnus?!"
His astonished voice echoed for a bit throughout the meeting room.
The brilliant star of the Empire—Duke Aden von Agnus—slowly entered the staff meeting room while under the stupefied gazes of the other professors and related personnel.
***
Lugia was still floating when the bright light faded away. The scarlet diamond in the seam connecting the spear shaft and the spearheads was the most noticeable change to Lugia’s form.
Joshua stared blankly at the crystal, seemingly captivated.
- It seems that Bronto managed to awaken a power it has lost after absorbing mana of the same attribute. Your unexpected growth might also be related to this.
"Then, this…"
Joshua stared at the crystal between the spear shaft and the spearheads.
- Yes. It can be considered the crystalized version of Bronto. It is impossible to keep a Primordial Stone in a human body, so I had to use my own strength to remove a portion of it.
"..."
- And as a result of that, your curse was lifted—I lifted the curse humans claimed could only be lifted by becoming a Master, so I hope you’ll be grateful to me.
"You… What or who are you?" With a stiff look, Joshua asked a question he hadn't been able to ask until now.
The concept of cause and effect occurred everywhere.
Whenever there was an effect, there had to be a cause behind it. One could not attain great power without paying the price, just as there were many trials and tribulations that would lead to wonderful results.
If Joshua’s memory was serving him correctly, Lugia had introduced itself as Demonic Spirit Lugia. Joshua couldn’t imagine a demonic spirit providing him with assistance for free.
- Are you sure you won't regret it?
"What?"
Joshua frowned at Lugia's eerie voice.
- I’m asking you whether you can bear the weight of my identity or not.
.
Joshua fell into contemplation for a moment, but he quickly answered, "It’s not about whether I can bear the burden or not. I'm not going to use you anymore if you won’t be honest with me."
- You're not going to use me?
Joshua nodded. "I’m not going to use a monster with ambiguous motives. After all, great power usually comes with a price worthy of it."
- Haha, you’re like any other human who doesn’t know how to repay kindness in kind.
Lugia fluttered and flew in front of Joshua. The latter remained silent as he stared at Lugia.
- Since you’re really interested, I'll let you know… this one is…
Lugia paused as if it was taking a deep breath before flashing by Joshua.
- This one’s name is Lord Lugia! The best and most beautiful existence in the universe!"
"Yep. I should probably throw you away," Joshua muttered as he turned around, prepared to walk away.
However, Lugia seemed to be not affected by Joshua's words.
- It makes no difference whether you utilize me or not. The contract has already been established, after all.
Joshua tilted his head and refuted, "A contract? How could a contract be established when one of the parties isn’t aware of it? I…"
- No, you’re definitely aware of the contract. It’s a contract that could never be established without your consent.
"..." Joshua didn’t know what to say.
In the end, Lugia descended from the air and stood upright on the ground, seemingly looking at the silent Joshua.
- What, you still have no idea? The contract has already been established when...
"...?"
Joshua directed a doubtful look at the blinking Lugia. Fortunately, he received his answer soon afterward.
- It was established when you regressed.
"...!" Joshua's eyes widened.
"What are you…" Joshua muttered with quivering eyes.
***
"Duke Agnus, why are you here?"
Duke Agnus grinned at Dean Syutain, who was muttering to himself.
"Wouldn't it be right for the father to come to the academy and find out what his child did wrong if he has done something wrong?"
Dean Syutain’s eyes widened in response. "D-duke… Please don't say that. How is it possible that your child did something wrong?"
Duke Agnus shook his head and ignored Dean Syutain’s mutterings. "You can't say that. After all, this academy is a precious place of learning. Everyone should be treated equally, right?"
"..."
"I also want my child to learn a lesson in this place as well."
The history professor shook his head and hurriedly said, "No, no, no, he doesn’t deserve to be punished."
However, Count Sten looked at the history professor and refuted, "No, an expedient enrollment is wrong, and the reason behind it doesn’t matter."
Count Sten smiled and turned to look at the professor of etiquette.
"Isn't that right, Professor Zwisegi?"
"Uh, about that…"
Count Sten's subtle yet sharp words made Professor Zwisegi unable to speak properly. Professor Zwisegi stiffened as if he had become a rat in front of a ferocious viper the moment Count Sten’s eyes landed on him.
"Enough, Arie."
Duke Agnus lightly sighed and took a step back. At that, Count Sten shrugged.
"Your guess is right. I'm here because of my son's issue," said Duke Agnus.
"Are you saying that you are planning to abuse your power to resolve the expedient enrollment matter as though it has never happened?"
"Who are you?" asked Duke Agnus.
A strict-looking professor stood up and said, "My name is Cecil, and I am the professor of magic."
The eyes of the other professors widened at the sight of her bravery.
"You said it yourself—this is a place of learning that educates the future of the empire."
"Yes, I said that."
Duke Agnus’ succinct reply surprised Professor Cecil to the extent that she abruptly gulped a mouthful of her own saliva.
After taking a deep breath, Professor Cecil started talking once again, “This is also a social environment for the children, a place where they decide the environment. The presence of an adult, especially someone like Duke Agnus, will affect them. After all, they will definitely be influenced by you, whether they like it or not.”
"..."
“I have nothing to say if you came here to resolve your child's issue as a parent. However, I feel that on the issue of expedient enrollment, the student isn't the only one at fault.”
"...!"
Professor Cecil's daring words stupefied everyone.
Professor Cecil's words were a reproach. It was a reproach to the highest noble of the Avalon Empire, and it came from the mouth of a mere professor who was also nothing more than a baroness.
Professor Cecil was basically saying this: Can the child themself have the means of doing an expedient enrollment if the parents were not involved?
It didn’t make any sense.
Of course, Professor Cecil had said those words after taking into account the imperial family standing behind the Avalon Imperial Academy. As such, Professor Cecil had to have been motivated by her personality to emphasize morally correct behaviors.
Professor Zwisegi quickly recovered his courage at Professor Cecil’s words and said, "I agree. Even if Duke Agnus is here, there’s only one decision we could possibly make, isn't that right?"
Count Sten pursed his lips and said, “You rat, you kept your mouth shut and protected Araksha even though those children had long been doing things even a group of thugs won’t do…”
Count Sten said those words in a low voice, but it strangely pierced the ears of Professor Zwisegi. No, it wasn’t just Professor Zwisegi. Since the staff meeting room was quiet, everyone heard Count Sten’s words.
Count Sten's words made a few professors blush in shame while a few others reddened in fury.
One of the blushing ones was Professor Kane. After all, Count Sten had accurately described what he had been like. Meanwhile, Professor Zwisegi looked like he was about to explode in fury any time soon.
Amidst all this, Duke Agnus said, "It seems that there has been a misunderstanding. There are two reasons why I came here."
"W-what is it…?"
Duke Agnus glanced at Count Sten next to him.
"For starters, I'd like to apologize for what my son had done against my friend’s son."
"..." Dean Syutain remained quiet.
"I asked the Stens, and they replied that they already knew about it and are on the way to the academy. I had to rush over, just in case that brat lost his mind and unknowingly offended my violent friend here."
Count Sten replied with a smile, “Duke. I honestly haven’t forgiven him yet. If you can’t take accountability…"
“Don’t worry; you will be shocked,” replied Duke Agnus.
"Since you have already said so, I can only look forward to it," replied Count Sten with a smile.
Duke Agnus looked around before saying, "As for the second reason…"
The professors gulped as Duke Agnus’ trailed off.
‘What is he going to say?’
Duke Agnus' continued. “If the expedient enrollment is a major issue that has affected the whole academy, go ahead and punish him, or expel him if needed.”
Everyone was dumbfounded by Duke Agnus’ words.
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.co(m) for the b𝘦st novel reading experience