Collision (2)
“Violence in the sacred halls of learning? This is simply unconscionable.”
“It’s nothing more than a little scuffle between students. Best not to blow it out of proportion.”
“Hmph, and is that something a teacher ought to say?”
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
In the midst of the gathered Magic Academy faculty sat Ellen, the subject of this disciplinary hearing.
On the day of the incident, Leonard had been transferred to the infirmary. The moment Fla, the nurse on duty, took one look at his condition, her face twisted in revulsion. She had seen plenty of students wheeled in right after fierce sparring matches, yet never one with a face this thoroughly ruined. His eyes were swollen shut, his nose bridge collapsed flat. Three missing teeth left his speech whistling and slurred. After emergency treatment, Fla reported Leonard’s state to the teachers. Those who saw him shook their heads in much the same way. Judging that the matter could not be brushed aside lightly, they summoned Ellen before the disciplinary committee.
“Everyone, settle down. Are the members of a disciplinary committee supposed to raise this much of a racket?”
Door, the academy principal and chair of the committee, quieted the room. Even so, the teachers continued to snarl at one another. The name Ellen had already come to cast this much influence over the academy.
“Ellen, do you have anything to say in your own defense?”
Door asked him.
“No, sir. I’m sorry.”
The Leonard incident was something even Ellen had committed on pure impulse. There had been no preparation of any kind. Against so blatant a wrong, he had no excuse that would let him wriggle free.
“Ahem. What you did is a clear violation of academy regulations. You’re aware of that, I trust?”
“Yes. I’m well aware.”
“Even the fact that you inflicted violence severe enough to require a full day of recovery magic?”
“I have no excuse.”
Apparently displeased with Ellen’s response, Door slid his chair back and let out a small sigh.
“However, there do appear to be mitigating circumstances. Other students have spoken up in your defense as well. I shall decide.”
At those words every teacher’s gaze locked onto Door’s lips. Though it was called a committee, the chair’s word was virtually absolute. The sentence about to fall would determine the future of the academy’s greatest prodigy.
“I sentence you to two weeks’ suspension.”
“What is the meaning of this? For an incident that barely warrants expulsion, a mere two-week suspension?”
One teacher slammed the desk as he objected.
“This is the principal’s decision. Frankly speaking, Ellen, along with Chester, is one of the academy’s shining stars. We stand to produce two future archmages.”
Thwack.
Door lightly struck the desk to command attention.
“With that, the disciplinary matter concerning Ellen is concluded. Call in Student Kinber next.”
Somehow I made it through the crisis. From now on I need to be careful not to get swept up by emotion.
Closing the conference-room door behind him, Ellen breathed a sigh of relief. His impulsive act had nearly derailed his plans. For the great work ahead, this was still the time to keep a low profile.
I should go see Yujin first. I do owe him for this, after all.
Ellen had sought Yujin’s help in this crisis with the desperation of a drowning man clutching at straws. The period when Yujin was dismissed as a half-baked mage came only after he barely scraped through the regular evaluations that followed. Right now was still a time when he could exert influence over the academy—and as a result, that influence had shaped the disciplinary outcome.
“Master, I’m sorry. I’ll make sure never to contact you over something like this again.”
Opening the door to the reception room, Ellen apologized before even offering a greeting.
“It’s fine. You can get into fights while you’re at school. So, what was the disciplinary result?”
His tone is even more annoying than usual today. What’s gotten into him all of a sudden?
Normally the man would have been bragging that it was all thanks to him. Today, however, his voice was milder and kinder than usual. He was the sort whose thoughts showed plainly in his actions—which was precisely why Ellen found the change of manner so unsettling.
“Two weeks’ suspension, they said. I’m ashamed of myself when I should be focusing on my studies.”
“Oh. No, no. A two-week suspension means you’ll have to live outside the school, doesn’t it? You’ll need some money.”
With that, Yujin handed Ellen a jingling money pouch. The pouch he received was quite heavy.
This bastard… just what is he after?
Ellen’s instincts were sounding a clear warning about Yujin’s behavior.
Forget it. Whatever schemes a half-wit like him might cook up, I’m confident I can handle them.
“Thank you, Master.”
“Right. Even though I’m busy with my research these days, I came all this way for you. Don’t let the suspension get you down—work even harder.”
Yujin made a fuss of saying goodbye and hurriedly left the reception room. Today he seemed more flustered and rushed than usual.
What is he plotting this time? I’ll look into it once the suspension is over. Still, with this much money I should be able to get my hands on some rare magic books, right?
Looking at the money pouch, Ellen considered what he could do going forward.
Ah, Kinber! That guy’s father is a merchant who deals with the Magic Tower, isn’t he?
He had heard before from Kinber that his house held many magic-related books. After learning that Ellen possessed mana talent, Kinber had said they were precious volumes his father had obtained from the Magic Tower.
Kinber and the others said they were going to the disciplinary committee too, so I should ask when they get back.
The students who had returned from the disciplinary committee all gathered in Ellen’s room. With five of them filing in, the small space felt packed to bursting.
“So you’re all getting two weeks’ suspension too?”
When Ellen confirmed again, the students nodded.
“No—you guys who only got hit, what crime did you commit to deserve suspension?”
Ellen, as the one who had used violence, naturally deserved discipline. But punishing the students who had merely watched from the side made no sense. Among them was even Locke, who had only been beaten one-sidedly.
“Fine for us, but what about Locke? What did he do wrong?”
One student thumped the floor as he spoke.
“The ones who actually did the beating didn’t even get a disciplinary committee convened.”
“Hey, keep your voice down. Someone might overhear.”
At those words the student who had just spoken hastily covered his own mouth.
“Anyway, this is ridiculous.”
“Nothing we can do about it, I guess.”
Locke had become much quieter from the shock of that day.
“I’ve got some money, so I’ll find you guys a decent place to stay during the suspension.”
“No need. We don’t have to keep relying on you for help every time. My family’s house is nearby, so everyone can stay there.”
Kinber waved his hands dismissively.
“Alright then. You all have to leave tomorrow, so pack your things. Sorry again for getting you into this because of me.”
Ellen thought this situation had come about because he hadn’t been able to hold back a moment’s rage. It didn’t matter for him. But for the other students the consequences of discipline were different. A disciplinary record would put them at a disadvantage even in the future Magic Tower examinations.
“It’s absolutely not like that, Ellen. You don’t have to try to take all the responsibility.”
Kinber placed a hand on Ellen’s shoulder.
“Take it easy.”
Thump.
He lightly tapped Ellen’s chest and grinned.
“Got it. See you all tomorrow.”
After the students left, Ellen lay on the bed and considered his plans for the two weeks.
Unexpected as it is, I might be able to contact my parents.
That was the first thought that came to mind. Living in the capital during the suspension would be impossible on a commoner’s funds. That was precisely why suspension was a punishment the academy frequently leveled against the commoner class. But with the large sum Yujin had given him, the suspension felt almost like a vacation.
I need to do the things I couldn’t while I was at the academy.