episode_0039

I didn’t expect to visit the principal’s office to meet Iris twice before the end of my first year.

And in the form of a face-to-face meeting. At Sungyong, even if I was called to resolve main scenarios or events equivalent to them to be dismissed, there were few opportunities to talk with Iris after receiving rewards and leaving shortly.

If they called me initially to recognize my talent and oppose me entering the Department of Magic, this time, there is a high possibility that they will give me a chance to find out and explain what I have done beforehand.

The time it took to reach the principal’s office was shorter than last time. After all, there is a prison located underground in the building where Iris’s office is to monitor beings to be confined here.

One thing that had changed from the first visit to the principal’s office was that it seemed like the guard next to me was not going to take me there this time.

Thinking that Iris might notice that I had overcome my unique ability penalty, I stopped walking due to the guard’s restraint next to me.

This time, I didn’t need to speak to enter the principal’s office by knocking. The guard beside me took care of it.

“I’ve brought Yukal to see the principal. May we come in?”

“Come in.”

As the guard cautiously entered through the door, what caught my eye was not a woman struggling with piles of documents on the desk.

Unlike the first encounter, Iris kept looking at this side as soon as I entered.

I couldn’t see her constantly scanning through documents, mumbling something, writing, stamping, and separating documents as I did when I first saw her.

“Sit over there. I have a lot to ask today, so I hope you’ll hurry up.”

As soon as I sat on the sofa, Iris immediately pressed on, speaking to me.

“Yukal, we’ve officially talked once until now, including informally meeting twice. Do you remember what you said when you tried to persuade me against entering the Department of Magic while recognizing your talent in swordsmanship?”

-There are people I must protect.

-More precisely, there are people I must protect. You may not understand, Principal, but… I promised myself. I want everyone to survive and have a happy ending.

-I know it myself. If I go to the Department of Swordsmanship now, I can demonstrate my talents as you said, Principal. However, I chose to enter the Department of Magic because I think there is a possibility that I may not be able to protect those I must protect. I don’t want to abandon anyone.

“To deal with those who intruded into the academy for the second time, I deployed a barrier. When I went to check that someone had broken the barrier in the academy warehouse, it was you. Do you remember what you said to persuade me back then?”

-I cannot say that I have no personal attachment to the items in the academy warehouse. However, I acted like this to gain strength for those I want to protect and to welcome a happy ending.

-Trying beyond one’s limits to protect someone without losing their life, overcoming deep-seated wounds in their heart, and not giving up even in seemingly desperate situations so that everyone can live happily according to their wishes.

“Surely, when we talked here before and in front of the academy warehouse, the common theme of what you said was ‘I want to protect someone and help them have a happy ending.’ Isn’t that right? But the information I received doesn’t seem to fit that.”

Iris immediately caught sight of the report I threw in front of her.

[#Yukal Student Injury and Property Damage Crime File]

[1. Incident Overview

Yukal (1st year student in the Department of Magic) encountered three female students at the cafeteria. He cut off one student’s hand and threatened others. Subsequently, he left the cafeteria and headed to an empty classroom in the Department of Magic. Engaged in a fierce battle with 8 students including Luke Lebron, resulting in the complete destruction of the classroom. Seven students suffered severe injuries and bleeding throughout their bodies, especially Luke Lebron, who appeared to have been tortured by having his fingers severed. He threatened Helena Clark by pointing a sword at her and breaking the wall, among other actions. When the professors arrived, he raised both hands as if surrendering without any intention to resist, and was promptly arrested. He later fainted due to injuries, showing traces of various elemental magic including burns all over his body.]

[2. After the Incident

Considering Yukal’s magical power and physical abilities, it was deemed possible for him to escape simple magical restraints, so a special restraint device was requested for approval. After quickly receiving treatment in the infirmary and wearing the restraint device, he was incarcerated in an underground prison. Some of the 11 students who directly encountered Yukal and those present in the cafeteria are experiencing trauma. Psychological therapy is being conducted separately from medical treatment in the infirmary. A disciplinary committee related to the perpetrator Yukal is scheduled to be convened. Many parents of the injured students have submitted petitions demanding punishment beyond mere expulsion according to imperial law.]

“You caused harm to 11 students and threatened one student who is not among those you want to protect, is that why you did this?”

“They are students of Ardent Academy, so I spared them because they were part of those I wanted to protect. I believe there wouldn’t have been major issues if they had received treatment in the academy infirmary in time. Also, I acted this way because I believe those who dare to touch fellow academy students need a clear example.”

As Iris calmly conveyed her words, she simply sighed.

“Do you think it’s a common mindset to let go once a life is at stake? By the way, explain in detail why you ended up doing this. Touching fellow students?”

When explaining the story related to Claire to Iris, she could only sigh with a worried expression.

“I don’t completely fail to understand why you did what you did after hearing your explanation. However, you were too extreme. It was too cruel.”

“Yes, I acknowledge that. However, I can say that even if I could go back in time, I would still act the same towards those students.”

Unless such individuals are dealt with decisively, they are likely to continue causing problems.

And I can’t guarantee that my mind won’t reel again at the sight of Claire going through such a thing.

“Can we really go back… Should we conduct character education or something?”

Although Iris seemed to mutter something, I didn’t hear it properly as I was lost in thought.

It seems like I heard something about education, but it’s probably just a rumor.

If education is to take place at the academy, at least it should proceed without expulsion.

“The disciplinary committee will not be convened regarding the incident you caused this time.”

‘Nice.’

I almost cheered at the news Iris brought.

“However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be any discipline at all, so don’t get too excited. You caused such a serious incident that you should receive some form of punishment to show that you were disciplined, so keep that in mind.”

The work went better than expected. If there were talks related to dropping out, I had thought about negotiating with Iris based on the information I knew, but it was practically the same as her saying she would protect me.

As long as I quietly stay in the academy dormitory, it should be fine.

Then, I remembered the incident where members of the Sineria Black Moon Guild disappeared and started monitoring me again.

“Headmaster, I have something to say. Recently, there seem to be people among outsiders who have infiltrated Ardent Academy secretly to monitor the students. They haven’t directly harmed the students yet, but we should prepare to deal with this just in case-”

“I don’t know… There are no such people…”

Iris said with a slightly annoyed expression.

“What? I definitely felt someone monitoring me. Shouldn’t you quickly come up with an alternative for the safety of the students?”

“Don’t worry about the students getting hurt. If anyone gets hurt, it’s more likely to be you.”

‘What? If I can sense them, there’s no way Iris wouldn’t notice.’

Iris, who seemed angry at whether I said something wrong, then coldly spat out her words.

“Since you don’t seem to reflect on what you’ve done, I might as well add disciplinary measures. Come to the headmaster’s office once a week for special education. Now leave!”

In response to Iris’s dismissive command to leave immediately, I reflexively stood up, lightly bowed, and left the headmaster’s office.

‘What is really happening here…’

Unable to hide my bewilderment, I was promptly driven out of the headmaster’s office.