Chapter 102: The Disciplinary Board
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 102: The Disciplinary Board
"Isn't it chilly?"
"No, this crisp air is actually quite refreshing."
At Joden’s words, I leaned a little closer into the horse. The cool temperature seeping into my body felt pleasant.
"That is a relief, then."
"I like it so much I’d want to ride it around all the time."
"Just say the word, and I can make as many as you want."
Hardly the sort of conversation you’d expect between a student summoned to a disciplinary hearing and the Student Council President escorting him there.
Currently, I was traveling in total comfort, perched atop a horse Joden had fashioned out of ice. Unlike me, Darun and his lackeys were forced to march on foot, their hands bound.
"Ugh..."
"Eeeugh..."
It seemed they hadn't fully recovered from the beating I’d given them; every step looked like an agonizing struggle. Ignoring their groans, I struck up a conversation with Joden.
Come to think of it, I hadn't spoken much with Joden since arriving at the Academy.
"How are Duke and Duchess Adelian doing?"
"Actually, my father was insisting on bringing our benefactor over as soon as possible, but my mother held him back."
"Haha, I'll be sure to pay them a visit soon."
The reason Joden was using polite honorifics despite other students being nearby was that our conversation was inaudible to anyone else.
Sound-blocking magic.
Of course, since it only blocked sound, people could still see our faces and notice our lips moving, which would give away that we were talking. However, since I was wearing a mask, no one could tell when I opened my mouth. As for Joden, he maintained a cold expression and kept his eyes fixed forward.
"It's a bit late, but congratulations on placing first in the midterm practical exam."
"Ayy, thank you. You took first in both the written and practical exams again, didn't you, Joden?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"That attitude! Acting like it’s only natural is honestly a little annoying."
"Hahaha, is that so?"
Joden’s lips didn't move while he spoke. This was because I was using an illusion to make it look like his mouth was shut. To an outsider, it simply looked like I was riding an ice horse while Joden walked ahead in silence.
"Are you confident?"
I didn't need to ask what he meant. He was referring to the Disciplinary Board.
"Yes! Of course I am."
I’d let my emotions get the better of me after hearing Darun’s vile comments toward Sepia. Because of that, things had deviated quite a bit—no, a lot—from my original plan, but it didn't matter. If a plan fails, you just make a new one.
While it might not be as perfect as the previous plan, it would still be enough to drive Darun to the edge of a cliff.
"I mean, I'm happy because it's comfortable for me, but is it really okay to show such blatant favoritism?"
Even though Darun, his subordinates, and I were all headed to the same Disciplinary Board, the disparity in our treatment was obvious to anyone watching.
"The report the Student Council received stated that a group of second-year students was attacking a first-year student," Joden replied. "And although those guys aren't in the best shape, it hasn't been officially confirmed that you were the one who did it, so it shouldn't be an issue."
"That’s some sophisticated sophistry. Though, I’m not complaining."
As I continued chatting with Joden, one of the Student Council members approached him.
"Um, President."
Joden deactivated the sound-blocking magic, and I dispelled the illusion. All of this happened in less than a second after the student spoke.
"Looking at Darun’s current state, I don't think we can hold the Disciplinary Board meeting immediately."
Darun was currently walking with a vacant, dazed expression. Whenever one of his subordinates walking beside him tried to speak to him, he would tremble, cover his backside with his hands, and collapse to the ground.
"Hmm, he won't be able to speak properly in that state."
"What should we do, President?"
"First, contact a priest and have him healed just enough so that he can speak. We will convene the committee after that."
"Then what about the other students in the meantime...?"
"Well, we can't leave students who were fighting in the same space."
* * *
"You can wait comfortably here."
I was momentarily lost for words when I saw the place Joden pointed out. I knew Joden was on my side, but I didn't expect him to go this far.
"...Isn't this just an empty classroom?"
The place Joden indicated was an ordinary classroom. It was empty of people, but it had a chalkboard at the front and several desks and chairs. However, it felt cold and neglected, as if it hadn't been used in a while.
'Still, this is several times better than that other place.'
The room where Darun’s subordinates had been taken looked more like a prison cell. It was cramped and dark—hardly a fit for over ten people.
"It's a classroom that isn't currently in use. It's the perfect place for our benefactor to wait."
"Well, out of respect for your sincerity, Joden, it’s only right that I use it."
I walked into the classroom and sat at the nearest desk. The desk let out a creak, showing its age.
"Shall we have a cup of tea and chat while we wait?"
I pulled tea and teacups out of my Pocket Dimension and placed them on the desk. I still had things to discuss with Joden.
"I would like to, but I have much to do. If you need anything else..."
Joden trailed off as he looked at the items appearing on the desk. It wasn't just teacups; there were books, cookies, cake, grilled skewers, and even a deck of playing cards.
"Yes? Did you say something?"
"......It's nothing. I'll be going now."
"Take care~"
Once Joden left and I had no one left to talk to, I started eating cookies while reading a book.
'A fantasy novel inside a fantasy world.'
The plot was a typical story—one quite common in Korea as well—about a boy from a small village who becomes a hero and defeats the Demon King. Professor Idra had recommended it to me, saying it contained detailed explanations of magic formulas.
I hadn't originally intended to read it, but I picked it up thinking I might learn something. I couldn't understand a word of it.
'It feels like reading a novel where the protagonist attacks enemies using calculus.'
As I was skipping through the parts explaining magic, a question suddenly crossed my mind.
'Is this book considered a fantasy novel here or not?'
To me, having lived in a modern world without magic, this was obviously fantasy. But what would this book be to the people here who have lived in a world of magic since birth?
Just as I was pondering this philosophical question while munching on a cookie—
Clatter!
The sound of the classroom door being thrown open roughly hit my ears. Because the only sounds until then had been the quiet turning of pages and the crunching of cookies, the noise felt exceptionally loud.
'Is it Joden?'
At first, I was 95% sure it was Joden. After all, he was the one who brought me here.
Who was the other 5%? That would be Sepia, after finishing her talk with Professor Elicia.
However, the hair of the person who entered the classroom was neither Joden’s black nor Sepia’s pink. It was a platinum blonde that had become familiar, yet still felt breathtakingly beautiful.
Platinum blonde was the symbolic color of the Freya Ducal Family, and there was only one Freya at the Academy.
"Senior Johanna?"
Whether she had sprinted here in a hurry or had come straight from training, Johanna was breathless, sweat beading on her forehead with a few stray platinum strands clinging to her face. It was the first time I had seen her looking so disheveled.
Of course, she was still beautiful even like that.
But that wasn't what was important right now. Though, I couldn't help but stare.
"Aren't you supposed to be in class?"
Johanna didn't answer. Instead, her platinum hair fluttering, she strode toward me. Before I knew it, she was right in front of me, reaching out.
"......Senior?"
Johanna grabbed both of my shoulders and, without a word, began inspecting my body from head to toe.
'I feel like I've seen this scene somewhere before...'
Where was it...?
Ah, I remember! It was shortly after I entered the Academy. In the cafeteria, with Rophri or one of his lackeys. I couldn't remember exactly who, but I had a brief confrontation with someone, and she had checked me over just like this back then, too.
'I'm pretty sure the next thing she said was...'
"Are you hurt?"
"Are you hurt? Right?"
My voice overlapped with Johanna’s, echoing through the classroom. Normally, I would have teased her more, but seeing her rolling up my sleeves to check for injuries, I couldn't bring myself to joke. She looked ready to strip my clothes off just to make sure I wasn't wounded.
"Aside from a bit of a headache, I'm perfectly fine. I was healthy yesterday, I'm healthy today, and I'll be healthy tomorrow."
I said it to reassure her, but I realized my mistake the moment the words left my mouth.
"...A headache? Why?"