Chapter 79: Second Arrangement (5)
The disciplinary committee convened.
Merhen and Dolores.
The two were summoned before the faculty.
“Merhen. It is said that you were the first to grab Lady Dolores by the hair. Is this true?”
“It's true. But…”
“Ah, that's enough.”
The professors replied indifferently and turned to Dolores. Just that morning, her beautiful golden locks had been full and flowing.
Now, they were not.
They had been chopped into a ragged bob.
“Lady Dolores. Did Merhen perhaps use a dagger?”
“Ahem, Professor Rammer. Haven't you heard the news yet?”
A few professors whispered among themselves.
Having heard the situation, he cleared his throat repeatedly.
Kern, that blockhead, was behind it.
The guy from the swordsmanship department who came to learn magic was infamous even among the faculty.
He was even more famous for just standing there blankly during classes, never once demonstrating a proper spell.
In any case.
This was a matter for the two ducal houses to settle. Professor Rammer, who had no desire to get involved, hurriedly tossed out other questions. With each exchange, Merhen's face grew darker.
She had endured nearly a year of bullying and humiliation.
That's why she had snapped.
But no one in this room was willing to hear her side.
Dolores was the heir of a powerful ducal house.
On top of that, her magical talent was top-notch, enough to claim the head student spot.
But herself?
A commoner who couldn't even manifest a single spell. Whose side the professors would take was decided from the start.
This was the academy that pursued equality?
‘Bullshit.’
Just fancy bullshit.
Reality was entirely different.
Professor Rammer looked at Merhen with a cold smile.
“Merhen. We've already secured testimonies from those around you. You have no friends in your class due to your complete lack of social skills, and you lack even basic self-control, indulging in luxuries on credit, isn't that right?”
“…”
“So, you attacked a fellow student without hesitation. The circumstances are extremely aggravating. And… your grades are the worst outside of note-taking? As they say, one can tell the character from small things; your usual conduct is clear.”
No one was on her side.
‘… It was just a matter of time anyway.’
Merhen clenched her fists.
No matter how high her scores in note-taking, it meant nothing.
She always got the lowest in practical exams, which carried the most weight.
She always hovered in the bottom ranks.
Expulsion was inevitable someday.
Thinking that way eased her gloom a little.
‘What should I do once I'm out…’
Regret crept in.
She should have tried harder, pushed herself to the brink before it came to this. Done something, anything more.
If only she could manifest her power, she would not be expelled so helplessly…
Professor Rammer adjusted his glasses and spoke.
“I propose Merhen's expulsion. This is for the honor of the Prail Empire Academy.”
“Ahem. I agree.”
“Me as well…”
It was then.
Bang!
The door to the disciplinary room exploded open. In strode Kern.
“This is making my ears rot. I can't listen anymore. Is this place full of idiots?”
“What do you think you're doing! Do you know what this--”
“A guy like this is a professor? Tsk. At least the swordsmanship department had real people.”
“You insolent brat!”
The professors erupted in outrage.
Even for a ducal heir, this was blatantly crossing the line.
They were professors, and he was just a student, wasn't he?
At that moment.
Dozens of sword auras erupted from Kern's blade.
The professors, horrified by the chilling energy, hastily cast defensive spells.
But before the spells could fully form.
The sword auras had already shattered their defenses and hovered at their throats.
He approached the frozen professors.
“See? Total idiots.”
Kim Minwoo said with a cold smile.
Professors of the Empire Academy, yet their skills were pathetic.
‘Not even war mages.’
Commonly called battle mages.
A type occasionally seen in fantasy settings, characterized by their addiction to combat.
Such mages didn't just stand there praying with defensive spells like these fools.
They knew how to move.
Compared to them, these were just greenhouse flowers. Pitiful types who thought chanting elegantly in place was enough. The dumbest mages, easiest to hunt.
‘Well, the Commander's Swordsmanship in the ring is strong too.’
An S-rank skill, no less.
The more mana poured in, the more sword auras extended.
To subdue the professors in one go, he had expended over 4,000 mana.
Their defenses shattering instantly wasn't surprising.
He approached Dolores.
“Hey.”
Dolores, staring wide-eyed at the subdued professors and him, answered hurriedly.
“Y-Yes?”
“Why didn't you tell the truth?”
“What…”
“You bullied her, didn't you? Right?”
“…”
“Right?”
“I-It wasn't bullying…”
“It was. Throwing stuff from behind, badmouthing, all that sneaky crap. You're a ducal kid, aren't you? Not embarrassed to do that to a commoner?”
Dolores bit her lip hard.
Her trembling hands were visible.
“… Why are you doing this to me! Just for touching one pathetic commoner, like you said!”
“Told you. None of your business. Still not getting it? Want more hair cut?”
As the Commander's Sword touched the back of her head, Dolores's face drained of color.
She instinctively thought of her current hairstyle.
At least now she could claim she changed styles.
Any more, and she couldn't even go outside. The professors were subdued and couldn't help.
Dolores cried out desperately.
“D-Don't! What do you want!”
Kim Minwoo whispered quietly.
“Apologize, promise not to touch her again. And bury this incident. Do that, and we're good.”
“…”
“Think about it. You wanna keep seeing me? Mess with her, and I'll cut that much hair.”
“I-I'm telling my dad! You think my family will let this slide?”
“Go ahead. Get a knight escort or something. But the swordsmanship department head can't even beat me. Think you can handle it?”
“…”
“Or try expelling me? You can't.”
Same ducal house.
The power difference wasn't overwhelming. The two families were evenly matched.
Cutting hair, not heads--they couldn't do much.
At most, some compensation. Hand over money, and it was done.
“Ugh. Uwaaaah.”
Dolores burst into the most heartbreaking sobs.
Whatever. The Commander's Sword stayed at the back of her head.
“Three seconds. Choose. Three, two, one.”
“Waaah! Fine! I'll do it, you bastard!”
“She says yes? Looks like the parties have reached an amicable agreement.”
This time, he stared at the professors. A real knife-to-throat threat. The pudgy pigs' response was a foregone conclusion.
* * *
Mutual fault, appropriately.
Merhen and Dolores both received equal penalty points, and the disciplinary action ended.
Thanks to the enthusiastic cooperation of the professors and Dolores.
‘They can handle it.’
The professors there were typical sycophants who bowed to power. He had caused a scene, but he was from a high noble house too.
This would likely blow over.
Even if not, no issue.
With the swordsmanship department head's backing, the aftermath would sort itself.
He hadn't killed a professor, after all.
He left the disciplinary committee with Merhen.
“… Thank you.”
“I egged you on, so this much help is the least. How do you feel?”
“A bit… no, a lot relieved, I think…”
Merhen's face indeed looked lighter, as if she had shaken off a weight. Perhaps the pent-up anger had eased.
Word of the committee rampage would spread fast. Students bullying Merhen would back off now.
‘Now to solve the root problem.’
He looked at Merhen.
It all stemmed from failing to manifest magic.
If she could manifest, her talent would propel her up quickly.
At least a far happier academy life than now.
‘Of course, it won't end there…’
Compared to Cedric's case, it just took longer; the core difficulty was easy.
Just making one girl happy.
And handing over a super-powerful summon rivaling Cedric?
Bad math.
Something more was likely.
“Merhen. Mind if I ask something?”
“What?”
“If someone offered to turn you into an undead, knowing you'd become very powerful, would you do it?”
She tilted her head at the sudden question, then answered.
“… I don't see why I should. Undead lose emotions, senses, all bad stuff.”
“Even if you assumed you'd be expelled from the academy and got that offer?”
“I'd still think the same. Not many joyful moments in my life. Becoming undead without truly living… I'd feel so wronged.”
“I see.”
“But why ask that suddenly?”
“Just curious.”
Why was her human-era stage playing out?
Because of unhappy academy life?
Unclear.
Even if bullied to expulsion, a Banshee Queen could easily avenge that. Total annihilation, no bones left.
Not a situation for deep regret.
That's why he asked.
To check if regret tied to becoming undead. Her answer confirmed high likelihood.
The being who could turn Merhen into Banshee Queen.
Only one fit.
‘Death Lord.’
Perhaps the past him would enter this stage directly.
Spot Merhen, turn her undead.
Even if she refused, forced rising left no answer. Maybe that's why the grudge.
Endlessly yearning for human days.
‘So, main theme is blocking the past Death Lord?’
Speculation.
But it felt right.
No other clear reason for human-era stage yet.
‘And it'd match Cedric-level difficulty.’
Progress so far had been too easy. A big twist anytime wouldn't surprise.
‘Need to prepare.’
He returned to the classroom with her.
Students subtly cleared seats.
Even the ladies who bullied Merhen.
With Dolores head down, what could her lackeys do?
Keep eyes lowered.
Unlike before, Merhen took her seat without resistance.
He naturally sat beside her. Soon, a professor entered and began class.
“As you all know, starting next week is practical exam period. You'll pair with swordsmanship department students, two per group, and enter the Demon Forest.”
Demon Forest.
A place academy students entered once a year together.
Known for demonic energy gathering, spawning all sorts of mutated monsters.
From what he heard, despite the scary name, not that dangerous.
Students careful enough could complete training without major incidents.
He glanced at Merhen.
Fortunately, she was enrolled in swordsmanship department.
Her partner was as good as decided.