Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Second Epilogue
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Dean Rubilus Tristigion stared at the report with a grim expression.
Was it because the report contained bad news? No, not at all. If anything, it was good news—news worth celebrating.
The report's contents were straightforward. It provided a brief summary of the incident at the Rose Pavilion three days prior, along with condensed statements from those involved.
"...Is this report truly accurate?"
"Yes. It's been verified on-site by Professor Carned, who's currently handling the Fusion Summoning lectures, and Professor Oclie, in charge of Demon Sealing Magic. The demon beast corpses found there, the traces of summoning magic, and the pervasive demonic energy throughout the Rose Pavilion leave no doubt."
Hmm... At those words, Dean Rubilus furrowed his brow even deeper as he scrutinized the report.
If the report was to be believed, a follower of the Demon King's kin had appeared within the academy—the very institution tasked with training talent to fight the Demon King's Army. This was a critical security issue, far beyond mere reputational damage.
Moreover, the names of those who had prevented and resolved the incident were all too familiar to the dean.
"The students who prevented and resolved this incident..."
"Yes, the members of Professor Senia Reeves's Alchemy Club, led by Arthin Ludwig—the student who also resolved the previous Demon King's Army spy incident."
The Imperial Princess Agnes, Shaomei—the daughter and prized disciple of the War God—and Violet, the granddaughter of the Archmage. Even Jorba, heir to the Pelkas Merchant Group, had called in academy personnel after the Rose Pavilion incident was resolved.
Yet, topping the report was Arthin Ludwig.
The third son of an insignificant baron's family from a remote corner of the kingdom, and currently the academy's most famous student.
"First off, it's truly fortunate that what could have been a major tragedy was quelled at the outset..."
The dean set down the report and scanned the room with a chilling tone.
Several professors responsible for the incident flinched at his voice and gaze, their faces uneasy as if seated on pins and needles. After all, it was their duty—not the students'—to prevent such an event.
"Had these brave students failed, or if they hadn't even noticed the incident... unimaginable horrors would be unfolding by now."
"W-We offer no excuses, Dean."
"We never imagined such a gathering could exist within the academy..."
The dean’s brow creased further at the obvious lies. The professors' flippant attempts at self-absolution were transparent to anyone.
The academy prided itself on strict meritocracy. The reason was simple: its founding purpose was to cultivate talent against the Demon King's Army. Graduates with top marks would inevitably face the front lines, whether they liked it or not.
What if someone lacking talent received undue praise? It wouldn't end with them dying alone. Incompetent individuals formed incompetent groups, leading to disasters.
Of course, those with powerful family backing often received inflated evaluations regardless. But not every mediocre student hailed from a great house. Naturally, they grew resentful and formed their own cliques.
The Hexagram was one such common group plaguing the academy. Students culled for lacking talent, family, looks, or social skills received no special care.
"It's all because these untalented fools harbor antisocial ideologies. Why not expel the bottom 10% of students every year going forward?"
"Banning personal student gatherings outright might work too. Kids that age just waste energy on weird stuff when they clump together."
The professors, having read the report, began offering opinions while eyeing the dean—but their intent was uniform: handle the fallout without harming the talented students.
...How did the academy, an educational institution, sink to this level?
Dean Rubilus clicked his tongue inwardly, but he couldn't openly rebuke them. Hadn't he himself remained silent and complicit all this time?
What if he didn't? Proposals to tailor curricula to individual talents came yearly from newly arrived, idealistic professors. But the dean always shook his head and dismissed them.
The reason was simple: the academy's budget was limited, and manpower perpetually short. Casualties mounted on the Demon King's Army front lines. Funds could be scraped together, but personnel couldn't.
Yet now, students had to thwart the Demon King's schemes—a bitter reality that soured the dean's heart.
"For now, intensify special training on Demon King threats. Make it mandatory for all students except those with special circumstances."
"Understood. I'll instruct the relevant professors to draft and report the curriculum promptly."
"And regarding Rexton Wise, listed here as the ringleader..."
"Ah, Rexton has had his mana sealed, withdrawn from the academy, and his family has decided to confine him directly."
Some professors raised puzzled expressions. It had been less than a week since the incident—how was the punishment already finalized?
"Count Leonhard Wise, patriarch of the Wise Family, contacted us this morning to say as much."
"Ah..."
The professors swallowed their complaints. The Wise Family was among the academy's top donors, wielding significant influence.
"But won't students from other great houses complain? This warrants more serious consideration..."
Only the dean voiced discomfort, questioning the kingdom-born noble faction professor who'd spoken up. This incident was too grave for such a light penalty.
"Count Leonhard Wise himself plans to visit the academy, meet the involved students, and apologize."
"...The count in person?"
"He said it's the parent's duty to apologize for raising a wayward child."
The dean let out a groan. A kingdom earl personally apologizing to students was an offer the academy couldn't easily refuse. Whether it was sincere, even he couldn't say.
...Life was so much simpler when I just studied magic. Now even a single word feels this heavy.
With the perpetrator handled that way, quelling the rest fell to the academy.
As the dean nursed a headache from these headaches, his secretary calmly added:
"And... some professors are voicing complaints."
"Complaints? What now?"
Were the young, progressive professors pushing for individualized curricula again? Amid this mess, the dean glimpsed a spark of hope.
"Lately, with Arthin missing classes, several professors are demanding we urge him to attend."
"..."
Arthin Ludwig had been resting—citing severe aftereffects—since resolving the incident, skipping classes for days.
Naturally, the academy promised top-tier treatment for the student who'd thwarted two major threats, even discussing upgrading him from Bronze Class to Silver, or even Gold.
Yet instead of gratitude or shame for relying on a student, they demanded his attendance?
"Is that really true?"
"Some senior professors even asked us to inquire if Arthin has interest in graduate studies or serving as a temporary TA."
"Tell them to ask him themselves! Do they think the dean's their errand boy?!"
The dean finally erupted, startling nearby professors.
They'd been eyeing a chance to inquire about Arthin themselves but now breathed relief, glad they hadn't spoken first.
"Talent shortage... How can everyone be so selfish...?"
The adults meant to guide students cared only for their own gain—the dean sighed deeply, thinking of Arthin Ludwig.
...I wonder what that student's doing now.
A brilliant gem who'd thrown himself into the fray against Demon King's spies and even an executive, without regard for his own body. If the academy had hope, wasn't it that boy?
Resolving to extend more privileges for Arthin, the dean continued the meeting on countermeasures.
**
At that very moment, Arthin knelt, glancing nervously around.
"Arthin."
"Yes..."
"Big Brother."
"Yes..."
Under the cold voices of Agnes and Shaomei, Arthin peeked up pitifully, mustering his most wretched expression. But the two women stood arms crossed, staring down implacably.
"We won't tell you off for saving Miss Violet. We even think you did well."
"Yes..."
"Forming a bond with the unicorn... We understood that too. It was unavoidable, and she insists she truly loves you."
"Yes..."
"Plus, we're the ones who kept bringing up three wives and four concubines... So we could understand that too. Even if Olga and this Lucy woman show up, we figured you might end up with two more who love you. We accounted for it."
"...I haven't even met Olga or Lucy ye—Sorry..."
Arthin tried to protest his innocence but cut himself off under Shaomei's piercing glare, bowing his head. Even the pressure from Liliet hadn't felt this sharp.
"Sigh... Up to that point, Shaomei and I could understand. And since we were busy cleaning up after the incident, you must've been lonely alone. We got that far."
"...Th-That..."
"But what are these women? Demons, demonkin, and what's Sion Idris doing here, Arthin?!"
Flinch!
Behind Arthin, Al'Miraz, Sirka, and Sion—who knelt similarly—averted their eyes from Agnes's gaze, staring downward.
"Hey, you two, calm down, okay? Arthin probably has something to say—let's talk it out instead of ganging up?"
"Y-Yes. Your mate didn't mean any harm, so let's hear his side first, shall we?"
Violet and the unicorn tried shielding Arthin from the sidelines, prompting Agnes to heave a deep sigh.
Worried about Arthin resting alone, Agnes had rushed to his temporary quarters right after student council duties—and the sight that greeted her was unbelievable.
"Then explain yourself, Arthin. What reason do you have for tussling with Dream Demon Lord Liliet, then lounging naked with a succubus, Violet's familiar demon, and who-knows-what-else?"
"And why was that creepy woman—who should be in the infirmary—hiding in Big Brother's room?!"
"N-No, it's..."
Arthin opened his mouth, but no good excuse came to mind. Would the truth even earn forgiveness?
Jorba...! Kaiyen...! Anyone, help me out...!
Arthin inwardly wailed for the two men, but Jorba was swamped with aftermath, and Kaiyen... was barred from approaching by wary women.
In the end, he had to explain himself. To Arthin, it felt more terrifying and arduous than breaching the Rose Pavilion.
"Well... So, to start with Al'Miraz... I have to go back to the day of the Rose Pavilion..."
"Stay kneeling and explain, Big Brother."
His legs numb, Arthin had instinctively risen with his explanation—only to kneel again quietly.
This is too pitiful...
But Agnes and Shaomei seemed thoroughly furious. Seeing Arthin tangled with demonkin, who could blame them? Still, it stung—they were the ones who'd floated three wives and four concubines.
Lacking confidence to argue that, Arthin meekly resumed.
"So... After breaking the Rose Pavilion's barrier..."