Chapter 101: Sepia Rivayden 11
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 101: Sepia Rivayden 11
Darun’s subordinate, his limbs frozen solid in an instant, shouted at Joden as the President approached, flanked by the Student Council.
"Ugh! Student Council President! What is the meaning of this?! That guy attacked Lord Darun first—"
"Silence."
The moment Joden’s cold command fell, it wasn't just the man's limbs that froze; his mouth was instantly sealed shut by ice as well.
"Whoa! Look over there! It’s Lord Joden."
"The entire Student Council is here."
"The President is as composed as ever."
The other Student Council members following behind Joden began to manage the crowd of students gathering around the scene. As the Council took charge, the noisy, buzzing crowd fell silent in an instant.
The Student Council had always been an object of both admiration and fear for the students, but their reputation had grown even more formidable since Joden became President. Since his enrollment, Joden had never once failed to take first place in both written and practical exams. Furthermore, after taking office, he had completely overhauled the Council, filling the vacancies with students he had personally scouted.
In other words, every member of the Student Council was an extension of Joden’s own will.
"Mmph, mmmph! Mmm-ugh!"
"I will be the judge of that. Stay like that until I give you permission to speak."
The subordinate, his mouth frozen shut, seemed to be trying to plead his case, but his muffled groans were impossible to decipher.
That Innate Magic is a total cheat code, no matter how many times I see it.
I had sparred with Joden back when I was training under Duke Adelian, but I’d lost overwhelmingly every time. It wasn't an excuse; Joden and I were simply a terrible match for each other.
Of course, unlike back then, I’ve already thought of a way to counter that Innate Magic now.
But countering his Innate Magic didn't mean I could beat Joden easily. Besides his Innate Magic, Joden was proficient in standard magic and was excellent in close combat as well.
"Aaaargh! P-President! Please, save me!"
Just then, Darun, who had fainted, seemed to have regained consciousness. Seeing his subordinate, he lunged toward Joden.
—Whoosh, thud!
However, one of the Student Council members beside Joden suppressed the lunging Darun in an instant.
"Do not approach the President so recklessly."
I knew why Darun had reacted that way upon seeing Joden. Earlier, when I used Nightmare on Darun, I had used the face of his own subordinate. It would be difficult for him to maintain his sanity after seeing the face of the person who had—in his vision—violated him.
He doesn't even appreciate my thoughtfulness. How disappointing.
"You two, bind this man securely. I will restrain the rest."
Joden gave orders to the other council members and proceeded to freeze the rest of Darun’s subordinates, rendering them immobile. After swiftly neutralizing Darun’s men, Joden walked toward me.
He probably has a rough idea of the situation already.
He would have heard that Darun’s subordinates attacked me first and that I had handled them easily. However, he wouldn't have heard what happened after the fog appeared. No one could see inside the fog, after all.
"It has been a while, benefactor," Joden whispered, his voice so soft that even Sepia, standing nearby, couldn't hear.
"Yes! It’s been a while. Though I didn't expect to see you in a situation like this."
Joden let out a small chuckle at my words.
"Haha, is that so? I figured a situation like this would happen at least once."
"If you knew, you should have warned me in advance. Though the result wouldn't have changed either way."
"I shall let you know beforehand next time," Joden said with a light smile before his voice turned serious. "A Disciplinary Board meeting will be unavoidable."
I wasn't surprised; I had provoked Darun with the intention of triggering a Disciplinary Board from the start. Of course, the current situation was quite different from what I had originally planned.
"I figured as much. I assume both Darun and I will be summoned?"
"Yes. The surrounding students all saw Darun attack you first, but the problem is..."
Joden trailed off, shifting his gaze toward Darun and his subordinates. I followed his gaze.
Darun’s subordinates were covered in bruises, their bodies and faces battered. As for Darun, although he had no physical wounds because I’d fed him a potion, his face was already smeared with blood.
"Did you do all of this alone?" Joden asked, glancing briefly at Sepia, who was watching me from behind. He was likely wondering if Sepia had also played a part in what happened to Darun inside the fog.
"Yes! I made all of them look like that entirely by myself. Pretty impressive, right?"
"I see. Understood." Joden nodded and asked no further questions. "Then, I shall now begin my duties as the Academy’s Student Council President."
That meant he was going to take me in as well. He could have just said it directly; I don't know why he had to be so formal about it.
"Ah, wait a moment. I have video evidence."
I retrieved the camera I had set up earlier. Joden stared at the device in my hand.
"Your preparedness is as thorough as ever."
"It’s just one of my many virtues."
"Is there anything else I should know before I perform my duty as President?"
"From here on, just follow the procedures. Oh! And make it as loud and public as possible."
"Understood."
Talking to Joden is comfortable because things just seem to fall into place. Joden gave orders to the other Student Council members.
"Fighting to this extent within the Academy without permission is a violation of school rules. Take them all away."
""""Yes!""""
The Student Council members responded with disciplined precision.
Man, that’s clean.
The council members moved swiftly. They were incomparable to Darun and his ragtag bunch of subordinates. I was also among those Joden intended to take away. The only difference between me and Darun’s group was that Joden himself was handling me instead of a regular council member, and my limbs weren't frozen.
Just as we were about to head to the Disciplinary Board's location, Sepia urgently spoke to Joden.
"Wait! Those guys picked a fight with Loki and attacked him first! Why does Loki have to be taken away too?"
"I am aware they attacked first. However, even so, the fact that he went this far is a problem."
Sepia probably knew better than anyone how severely I had beaten them. She was the only one who saw me hitting Darun inside the fog. Of course, even Sepia hadn't seen the Nightmare I used on Darun.
Thinking back to the Nightmare I used earlier sent shivers down my spine again. To use an illusion perfectly, one has to visualize the image vividly. To make Darun experience something truly horrific, I had visualized that very vividly.
"B-but the reason Loki did that was because Darun first—"
"Miss Sepia."
I cut her off. Whoops, she shouldn't mention that part.
Sepia looked at me, and I shook my head. She was likely about to mention the sexual harassment Darun had directed at her. To explain that, she would have to describe exactly what Darun said. But there were many other students around right now, and they were listening to every word of this conversation.
I believe in human malice more than human goodwill.
While most who heard it would think the words were lies, the truth or falsehood didn't matter to the crowd. Those who were jealous of Sepia’s talent and disliked her would spread rumors regardless, and whether it was true or not, people would certainly gossip.
"B-but..."
I knew what Sepia was worried about. She was probably afraid I would receive a heavy punishment.
"Miss Sepia, don't worry too much. I have a plan."
I handed the camera I was holding to Sepia. Inside was the full recording of the sexual harassment Darun had directed at her. I intended to deliver this to someone trustworthy who could interfere with the Disciplinary Board.
"Miss Sepia, please deliver this to Professor Elicia as quickly as possible."
Professor Elicia was trustworthy. And if it was her, she would understand why I was sending this to her instead of submitting it directly to the Disciplinary Board.
"I'll deliver it as fast as I can."
With those words, Sepia used her spirit power to dash away at high speed.
"What do you think? I’ve made a good friend, haven't I?"
"Hmm... a good friend, you say. You are as dense as ever, benefactor."
I bragged about Sepia to Joden, but he replied with something cryptic.
"Huh? About what?"
"My apologies. My father told me not to tell you because it’s more amusing that way."
If Duke Adelian said it, it’s probably something trivial.
"Why isn't that guy being tied up?!" one of Darun’s subordinates, whose arms were bound in ice, shouted at Joden.
Hearing that, Joden nodded as if the man had a point.
"Hmm. You have a point." Joden said that and then asked me, "Are you going to run away?"
"No."
"There you have it."
""""....................""""
As everyone stood speechless at that simple exchange, Darun’s subordinate spoke up again.
"I-I won't run away either! So please undo this!"
"How can I trust that?"
""""..............""""
Didn't he just say he was going to work as the Student Council President?
Joden had a surprisingly shameless side to him. But because his expression was so serious and cold, it looked as if he were merely stating the obvious.
"Hmm, now that I think about it, it would be a bit improper to just go without any measures."
"That's what I'm say—"
Ignoring the voice, Joden used his Innate Magic to create ice. However, that ice didn't bind my arms or legs; instead, it shifted and moved in the air.
"""................"""
After a few seconds, all the nearby students stared with their mouths agape at what Joden had created.
"This should be sufficient. Get on."
What Joden had fashioned out of ice was a horse. It even moved, making a rhythmic clop-clop sound.
While Darun and his subordinates were being marched away with their arms frozen, I traveled in comfort, seated atop the horse. Rather than being 'taken away,' it looked more like I was being escorted as a guest of honor.