33. Prepare for the Counterattack
Anyway, there wasn't a single normal person among all these witches. They all seemed to have a screw loose in their heads or competed to see who had the darkest backstory, turning their black histories into some kind of twisted bragging contest. Was this kind of thing commonplace here? Well, our world back home wasn't exactly a beacon of normalcy either.
"If you're not gonna pay me for listening to your whining, then quit sulking already."
Igneel crossed her arms like a pouting child. I gave a wry smile.
"Let's cut the chit-chat and get to the point. I need to grab some scraps from the cafeteria before they're gone."
"Fine, human."
Igneel reached into a hidden nook in the corner of the prison cell and pulled out an apple from a basket, taking a big bite.
"One warning before we start."
"Shoot."
"If you're gonna recruit people to join your cause from now on, drop this method. It's like advertising far and wide, 'Hey, we're gathering allies to attack you lot, so watch out!'"
"I thought I was being discreet."
"If you were serious, then you just suck at this. Might as well quit and crawl back under your master's skirt."
Tsk, what a prickly personality. But I wasn't in a position to force her chin up, so I bowed my head quick.
"Got it. I'll be careful."
"Don't assume every commoner is on our side."
Crunch. As a dragonkin, her teeth must be something else— the apple tore apart like it was a banana.
"They're all just humans trying to survive in their own ways, one way or another."
"What do you mean?"
"Some of them have become lackeys for the noble students, acting as their eyes and ears."
Traitors? Spies? They found their own way to survive, sure, but cozying up to the nobles who discriminated against them?
"Or there are students who just don't want to get dragged into the fight."
Her digestion must be inhuman too; she even ate the seeds and tossed only the core on the floor.
"But there have to be students with the will to fight back, right?"
At my core point, Igneel twisted up one corner of her mouth.
"Right. I, Igneel, am the leader of the resistance fighting the academy's chronic discrimination."
"How big is your force?"
"...Not very. Not in numbers or skill. Most people bail when they hear we can't win fights. Only about ten have joined me."
That was way too few. Even if every commoner magician banded together, it'd be short— and only ten?
"What can you accomplish with that?"
"We can't just sit on our hands!"
"This cramped cell echoes enough— keep it down."
I pointed toward the corner. Igneel gave me a explain look, so I gestured for another apple.
"You're short on manpower, but you've done something right."
"Oh? And what's that, in the esteemed opinion of our punishment instructor human?"
"You found me."
My shoulders puffed up with pride, and Igneel let out a disbelieving laugh. Her face screamed, what kind of lunatic is this?
"At least I'm the only instructor with the academy director's authority to punish students without restrictions. Even professors don't have that power."
"...Spare me the pathetic boasting. What the hell are you gonna do with it?"
Igneel tossed me an apple. I snatched it mid-air and wiped it on my sleeve.
"It means I can train those noble students who won't listen to a damn word."
"Train? Aren't you a punishment instructor?"
"Humans are wired to submit to pain-induced fear."
I took a huge bite. I expected juice to squirt out, but it was drier than I thought, and the texture was meh. Still glaring at the apple, I finished.
"I'll crush their pride completely, develop their bodies, and turn them into sex slaves."
"...You perverted freak. How have you not been reported yet?"
"If anyone's reporting me, tell 'em to take it up with the academy director first."
At my brazen attitude, Igneel pinched the bridge of her nose like she regretted dragging me in.
"What's wrong? You're the one who recruited me as an ally. You saw my potential, right?"
"I haven't recruited you yet."
"We're doing it now."
"...Listen up, pervert human. Yeah, I wanted you on board. You're not like the rest of us, just peeking around corners waiting for a chance."
Igneel strode right up and planted herself in front of me, hands on hips, chest and back straight as she looked up. Up close, she actually had a cute face.
"You boldly declared you'd stand up to the leaders of the group that makes us tremble in fear. That's why I thought highly of you."
"Not anymore, huh?"
"I figured you'd fight back, not turn them into slaves or 'develop their bodies.' That I didn't see coming."
"Hey, hey, you planning to blast magic everywhere like it's war and turn the academy into a battlefield?"
She poked my temple with her finger.
"Use your head. Smartly. If you can't beat them head-on, put a collar around the leaders' necks."
Igneel's eyes changed. They suddenly burned fierce as she grabbed my collar.
"So you do have a plan?"
"Think I'd come without one? Listen, lizard girl. To join your group, I gotta prove I'm worth it."
I patted her shoulder lightly.
"Showing up empty-handed like some freeloader? No thanks."
"...So you want something from us too."
"Sharp as ever— makes talking easy. My first target is Ios Savin. I tried digging into her background, but some professors blocked me."
With professors backing Ios, I couldn't find her weaknesses. Looked like I'd have to gather intel through Igneel.
"Anything works, even small stuff. Give me a hook, and I'll handle the training after. Spill everything you've got."
"Swear you won't betray us."
"Hey, do you know who my master is?"
She knew I was a servant, but not to whom.
"Sena Michele."
"...Sena? You're that ice witch's servant?"
Igneel's shoulders shook hard; she recoiled from me on reflex. Her lips quivered until her pink ones paled.
"Damn. No wonder you're fearless. That's why the academy director favors you."
"Not the reason, but it's complicated, so let's say yes. Anyway, betraying you would tarnish Sena's honor. No chance of that."
"...The ice witch wouldn't sully her honor. Fine, I'll trust you. Info on Ios Savin? I'll give you everything."
Igneel snatched the half-eaten apple from me and took a bite, grinning.
"Let's do this together, pervert human."
"Keep calling me pervert, and your ass is next. Show some respect, lizard."
According to the intel Igneel had gathered in her fight, both Ios and Eri hid behind veils a lot. They ordered their underlings to do the dirty work— negative stuff like that— and stayed back to reap the benefits.
"Exactly. All misconduct."
Leden, reading the info Igneel handed over, concluded that Ios's faction's actions were perfectly misconduct.
"But if the victims won't talk, it'll stay hidden forever."
"Can't we coax them into opening up?"
"Lee Hyun, I'm proud you're doing good work and want to help. But noble students are crueler magicians than you imagine."
Leden closed the documents and slid them toward me.
"They don't touch magicians who defy them. They go after their families instead."
"That's the worst."
"That's why it works. It's the surest way to keep commoners down."
Using families as hostages to blackmail students. Some couldn't take it and chose extreme measures. Others resisted, only to see their families sold to slave traders, quit the academy, and become wrecks.
"Hmm, any way around it?"
"Sure. Just get the evidence yourself."
"Like?"
"Raid the scene."
Violence or extortion wasn't enough. They could brush it off as pranks or "loans," too weak as leverage. So I targeted the magic tower annex restroom. That was the prime spot right now.
The magic tower was usually for research, but with professors and students moving to better facilities, it sat abandoned. No reason to go there unless hunting old tools— perfect for Ios's faction to occupy for shady deals.
Prostitution.
Intel said they used a few commoner witches as followers, pimping them out for cash in that restroom.
Couldn't rush in. Abandoned tower meant they could gang up and kill me if cornered.
Time to prep fully.
I grabbed a wand and a magic stone for emergencies. The stone stored spells— smash it to activate.
"Instructor!"
Steadying myself at the magic tower entrance, someone called from behind. It was Clara.
Her massive breasts still jiggled as she approached with her dumb smile.
"Hi."
"Hey."
"Remember last time?"
"Yeah, the fried sardines we ate."
"Nooo!"
Busy as hell, and she's clinging?
"You said you'd help me study."
"Huh? Never promised that."
"You did! That... " She leaned in, voice low, but her shirt gaped— buttons undone. The cleavage was dizzying. Not huge tits— bombshell tits!
Wha, what cup size? Bigger than Helena's by a size? On her petite frame? Loli mega-tits. Pink bra peeking too, and she didn't notice.
"You said spanking helps with studying."
"Oh... that..."
The concentration excuse? Damn, why now...
"I'm ready. Tonight?"
"Yeah, sure. But I'm busy now, so... wait!"
A voice echoed. I ducked behind a pillar, dragging Clara along by accident.
"Eek, wh-what?"
"Shh."
I clamped her mouth. A group passed down the hall: noble-looking students and three presumed commoner witches. The three had slumped shoulders. Obvious divide. They giggled among themselves and vanished into the tower.
"Intel checks out."
"What's going on?"
"Meet me in front of the academy tonight. Gotta go— busy!"
"Okay... Instructor? Here!"
"Later!"
Finding the restroom didn't take long. Noises and cum stench hit from the entrance— impossible to ignore.
"Ha-ut... Ah-ut! Haaa... Ha-at!"
"Hngh-guh! Eee-ik!"
"Slurp. Churp. Hurrrp. Chu-rup."
Climax moans, thrusting slaps, sucking slurps. Vulgar sounds rattled my ears already. Plus their giggling chatter.
Squelch! Squelch. Squish. Squish. Plung. Thud. Thud. Squelch.
Closer, the pounding hips and fingering grew louder.
I peeked in. One woman braced on the urinal, doggy-style pounded. Another squatted, fellating a magician. The third unseen, but tormented in a stall.
Each has a wand.
Wands in hip holsters— fight was inevitable. Especially Ios's hotheaded crew.
Arm myself too.
Checked my wand. And the magic stone.
Huh?
Why's my pocket empty? Frantic search— gone. I put it right there!
Shit! Should've watched pockets in these tight pants.
Nothing for it. Backtrack and—
"Hey. Gonna enter or what? Blocking the door."
A voice from behind. Not a student— professor robes.
A professor?
One who blocked me investigating Ios. He recognized me and froze.
"P-Punishment instructor?"
"What's a professor doing here?"
"Customer outside. Go greet 'em."
"Aigoo, early today. Huh?"
Here we were, lined up at the restroom entrance. Me stuck in the middle.
"Wha... huh? Th-that's the instructor? Huh? C-customer? No, can't be..."
The student gawked, confused. The professor fidgeted, debating flight.
And me in the center? No escape. Fight? Talk it out?
Student grabbed his wand first. I had no choice— drew mine too.