Chapter 86
Professor Zwisegi was furious. If he could beat someone up, he would do it in a heartbeat.
If his initial plan had gone without a hitch, the child of Duke Agnus in front of him right now would have been kicked out of the Imperial Academy before he could even blink.
Unfortunately, a bunch of dumb kids ruined his carefully laid-out plans.
Children from poor households, however, were sometimes too scared or too unconcerned to speak about this situation. However, someone had created an absurd situation and dragged him up to the stage.
‘God damn it.’?After muttering to himself, Baron Zwisegi bit his lips.
‘Fortunately, I know something about this Joshua boy.’
Joshua was the second son of Duke Aden von Agnus, and he unexpectedly came under the spotlight recently. However, the fact that Joshua wasn’t the son of Duke Agnus’ legal wife, Duchess Vanessa, was crucial.
The news that Duke Agnus had brought over a concubine into the family, which was unlike him, had already made rounds across Arcadia. In addition, the concubine was apparently just a maid.
‘In that case, I only have one choice.’
Baron Zwisegi raised his head and glared fiercely at Joshua.
He still had a dependable method to rely on.
After all, he only had one way to resolve all this.
‘I already did my part, so I have no choice but to trust in the Twelve Families for the rest. After all, things had already gone downhill.’
A group of individuals appeared just in time as Baron Zwisegi was about to speak.
“Joshua von Agnus!”
“...!”
Baron Zwisegi quickly turned around.
Hundreds of children had gathered behind a boy and a girl. Obviously, they were members of Araksha.
“In addition to using violence against a schoolmate, you’re even oppressing the professors using the name of your family?”
Joshua sighed at how dumb those words sounded. He looked at the speaker and confirmed that he was Gehog, the heir of Marquis Crombell.
“Violence and oppression, you say?” Joshua sneered.
Just as Joshua was about to respond, the girl standing next to Gehog said, "How are you going to take responsibility for the attack that rendered our close friend Veron and the heir to the Villas unconscious till this date?"
“I’d also like to hear what you have to say about the claim that you’re apparently a concubine's child and the son of a—oh my god, a maid?” the girl standing next to Gehog emphasized the word ‘maid’ with her hand over her mouth.
Natasha’s words rang loud and clear in everyone’s ears.
“C-concubine?”
“He’s the son of a mere maid?”
“Is the case? He’s not a child of the imperial family bloodline, then?”
Some children who still hadn’t heard the news started muttering among themselves. It seemed they were truly surprised by this revelation.
Joshua noticed the members of the Araksha staring at him with glum expressions, and he chuckled as if he wasn’t under any pressure at all.
“Is that it?”
‘I see, so that’s how it is...’
These children suddenly got the courage to fight after learning that Joshua was the son of a concubine.
‘They’re definitely thinking that Duke Agnus won’t fight the Twelve Families for the sake of a child who isn't the official heir.’?Joshua bitterly smiled.
At the sight of Joshua’s bitter smile, Gehog shouted once again, “I don’t believe that the fair and just Duke Agnus would condone such ruthless and unruly behavior from a child! If you truly wish to maintain your family's honor, you would immediately cease your insolent actions!”
“Why would someone of a filthy bloodline know of family honor?” Natasha said clearly.
“This vegetable-looking witch!” Icarus clenched his fists.
“Icarus… stop.”
Agareth stopped Icarus by holding the latter’s right arm when he saw that Icarus really wanted to go out there and beat Natasha up.
“Let me go, Agareth! I’m going to sew her mouth shut so that this broccoli-looking witch won’t be able to speak nonsense anymore.”
“You don’t have to do that—hey!”
Agareth suddenly found himself sweating. He could feel great power coming from Icarus’ tiny physique. It seemed Icarus was stronger than he had imagined. In addition…
‘Has he always been this hot-blooded?’
Joshua finally spoke, "My current acts have nothing to do with my family."
Gehog revealed a strange smile in response to Joshua's words before saying, “Are you saying that because you don’t want to upset the Agnus Family? Are you afraid of the duke’s retribution? Sadly, it’s too late—”
“No.” Before Gehog could finish his sentence, Joshua interrupted him with a scowl. “I’m saying that in the literal sense. The name ‘Agnus’ has nothing to do with the punishment I will hand out to everyone related to the recent incident."
Some children gulped as Joshua's voice assaulted their ears. Joshua’s mana-infused voice made the atmosphere cold and froze the children where they stood.
“Ha! What a load of bullcrap!”
Gehog unintentionally squeezed his trembling legs.
Gehog gnashed his teeth and muttered to himself, ‘Why… Why am I shivering?’
The other children reacted the same as they took a step backward at the same time.
“Gehog of Crombell, Natasha of Broly, and Veron of Villas…”
Gehog and Natasha shuddered when Joshua spoke their names.
“I will see to it that the three of you will be held accountable for what you have done.”
“Don’t make me laugh, those threats aren’t even funny—”
“And this is for the remaining members of Araksha!”
Joshua's voice boomed as more and more children started retreating.
Tak, tak, tak.
"I'm going to give you one more chance."
Araksha’s members took even more steps backward when Joshua took a step forward.
"Get out of my sight."
“...”
“These three will pay for your sins.”
Gehog was enraged as the kids started to crack under Joshua's powerful bearing.
“You! If you dare to leave like this—” Gehog sharply inhaled to fight the urge to shout. Staring into Joshua’s abyss-like eyes made him feel like the abyss was staring at him as well.
Joshua chuckled after catching sight of Gehog trembling with his mouth closed.
“And after I leave this place… If I hear more stuff—rumors about bull…”
“I… I gotta go.”
“I’ll come with you!”
“I just want to graduate!”
Araksha’s members started fleeing before Joshua could finish speaking.
For some reason, Joshua's words instilled fear in them.
“Dean, are you just gonna sit still and watch?”
With an agitated expression, Professor Zwisegi shifted his gaze to Dean Syutain.
“Dean?”
"Unfortunately, you also have to take responsibility for your actions, Professor."
“What… what do you mean?”
Professor Zwisegi muttered when he saw Dean Syutain’s stiff look.
“I'm familiar with your relationship with the Twelve Families. We couldn't take any action since there has been no substantial evidence.”
“Wait a minute, what are you talking about?!” Professor Zwisegi screamed.
Dean Syutain grimaced and coldly stared at Baron Zwisegi.
“You’re the one who provided me the evidence. Didn’t you say that they will help me so long as long as I resolve the mess they had created themselves?”
“Please wait, Dean. It's the Prime Minister's seat! Think through it seriously…”
Seeing Professor Zwisegi stuttering with a look of disbelief, Dean Syutain shook his head and replied, “Is status really that important? I believe it’s more important to be satisfied and content with one’s status and position.”
Dean Syutain saw Professor Zwisegi’s face slowly being dyed with terror, and he continued. "I'm going to request disciplinary action from the imperial family in addition to your dismissal."
Professor Zwisegi raised his head and screamed, “O-On what grounds?!”
“And with that—”
However, Dean Syutain ignored him and announced. “I will also resign as the Academy Dean and take responsibility for what had been happening behind the scenes…”
“...!” At that, Professor Zwisegi staggered.
’What else can I even say when he’s going to resign as well?’
“This… This can’t be…” Professor Zwisegi muttered like a lunatic.
Meanwhile, Gehog finally came to his senses and fiercely said, “Do you really think that our families will just let you go like this?
“...”
“Surely you don’t think that your dear Papa Agnus will come rushing to help you after this, do you?”
“His successor is still Babel von Agnus. Even though you’re more talented than him, Babel is still the successor. Since he didn’t make you his successor, what he thinks about you can be easily deduced, and I guarantee that he will definitely not offend our families just to stand by you!”
At Gehog’s words, Natasha’s eyes flew open.
However, an unexpected voice echoed at that moment.
“I can change my successor anytime, so I decided to leave it alone for a while. It’s not like I am in a rush.”
The three turned their heads to the speaker.
“Duke… Duke Agnus?!”
“What is this…”
Gehog and Natasha muttered in disbelief.
However, Duke Agnus wasn’t alone.
Gehog and Natasha recalled those faces from their memories: a middle-aged man with deep blue hair like Joshua and a man with long and narrow eyes.
“Why… even Count Arie bron Sten?”
Duke Agnus stared at the quivering Natasha and Gehog before saying, “You children should resolve these issues among yourselves. That is what’s written in the regulations of the Imperial Academy.”
“...”
"Don't tell me that you are planning to drag your innocent parents and elders into the picture and make an enemy against the Agnus family because of this?"
“That…”
Natasha wore a puzzled frown when Duke Agnus used her words back on her.
‘Oh my God, he was listening!’
Duke Agnus slowly turned around.
“You kids are smart, so I’m sure you will never do things that will bring trouble to your families. I’m sure you’ll do that if you love—no, at the very least, care about your family.”
After that, Duke Agnus started moving again. Meanwhile, Count Sten next to Duke Agnus stared at Gehog and Natasha. Count Sten smiled at them, and then he raised his thumb and ran it across his neck without saying a word.
“...!”
It was a gesture that could never be further from a threat. At that, Gehog and Natasha collapsed like dead trees.
“Joshua, follow me.”
“Yes.”
Joshua threw the two of them a glance and began walking alongside Duke Agnus.
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