Ch.12Disciplinary Committee (1)

The door to the Chancellor’s office opened. Professor Fenicia, the head professor of Magic Theory and a strong vice-chancellor candidate, entered carrying documents.

Clifford, who had been working, removed his glasses and gently massaged his eyes.

“What is it?”

“I’m here to report. It’s about a magic use incident that occurred in West Town.”

Using magic in unauthorized areas was strictly prohibited by the Academy. However, it happened quite frequently.

At that vigorous age, students learned methods to freely wield power. When fights broke out, they often escalated into magical duels.

Clifford was puzzled since this didn’t seem like something that required reporting directly to the Chancellor.

“I’m reporting because the parties involved are first-year students.”

“Ah.”

Clifford understood. No matter how common such incidents were, first-years were a different matter.

The first time is always important. There will always be someone who breaks the rules first, and to maintain discipline, they must be punished more severely than average.

Determining that punishment was the Chancellor’s responsibility. Too harsh would be unfair, while average punishment would fail as an example.

“This year’s incident has come remarkably early. Continue your report.”

“I’ll explain from the beginning. The conflict started when a first-year magic department student, ‘Catherine Ovillion,’ caused a disturbance at a restaurant called ‘Magic Feast’ and was stopped by ‘Ruide Christopher Windsor,’ which led to the dispute.”

Clifford, who had been listening to the report as usual, widened his eyes at Ruide’s name.

“Ruide? Is it truly that rascal Ruide?”

“…Yes, it is. But Ruide is hardly a rascal.”

Fenicia rolled her eyes.

“He’s the star of our prestigious Imperial Academy. Everyone’s already calling him the genius of the century. Haven’t you heard the rumors?”

Not only had the crystal containing Ruide’s dragon summoning magic sold for a high price at auction, but he had also been nominated for the “Magic Award of the Year” by the Mages’ Association. Despite it being only the beginning of the month, everyone was saying Ruide Christopher would win. The entire institution was buzzing with talk about him.

“That boy who sleeps all day, a star? What nonsense! Anyway.”

Clifford slapped his desk and smirked.

“Didn’t I say that boy would cause big trouble soon? I’ve been thinking that arrogant kid would lose control of his power and use it recklessly like a ruffian.”

With great power comes great responsibility. Based on Ruide’s behavior, Clifford judged that he lacked such awareness entirely.

“Summon him immediately. I need to discipline him personally.”

Clifford decided to completely crush his spirit at this opportunity.

Fenicia looked at Chancellor Clifford with salty eyes.

“Ruide is the victim in this incident. He even made the ‘effort’ you so appreciate to avoid conflict. All witness testimonies from students present at the scene are consistent.”

“What?”

Clifford waved his hand dismissively.

“You can tell ten things by looking at one. A person who completely destroyed a forest just to deal with a troll—do you think he’d show restraint? Besides, no one in this academy outranks the Windsor family. Who would pick a fight with him? Tsk, tsk.”

Clifford refused to believe it easily. Fenicia asked incredulously:

“Why do you dislike him so much? Ruide, I mean.”

“Who says I dislike him? Stop talking nonsense and continue with the incident!”

Fenicia sighed and continued.

“…The first to use magic was the student named Catherine. She initiated with a 3rd tier ‘Ice Pistol’ attack.”

“Tier, what a nostalgic term. And how did that good-for-nothing respond?”

Tiers were an old method of classifying magical formulas. In modern times, the argument that magic as a discipline couldn’t be strictly categorized had led to its disappearance.

For example, if a great mage cast a 1st tier spell like ‘Fireball,’ it would no longer have the power of a 1st tier spell.

But the term “tier” still remained. It mainly referred to magic that used the outdated method of chanting “activation words.” Quite a few magical families still hadn’t adapted to the times.

“Yes. According to witness testimony, Ruide appears to have used an application of ‘Gravity’ magic. That would be around 7th tier.”

Clifford asked with a sharp expression:

“What is the judgment of the future vice-chancellor?”

“The nature of the offense is extremely serious. According to testimonies from students present, the female student persistently provoked him. Ruide even tried to leave to avoid getting involved.”

“Don’t you think responding to a mere 3rd tier spell with a 7th tier spell is excessive?”

“That 7th tier spell wasn’t directed at a person but used to neutralize the opposing magic. I see absolutely no problem.”

Fenicia didn’t waver in the slightest. Clifford seemed displeased.

“Wasn’t it just a show-off spell? Who uses a 7th tier spell to block a simple Ice Pistol?”

“Ruide is a genius. From his perspective, casting 7th tier magic is as natural as breathing. It was probably easier for him.”

“Huh.”

“Hehe.”

Clifford was half proud and half exasperated by his daughter who wouldn’t back down an inch.

‘Well, if she’s going to inherit the Chancellor position someday, she needs that kind of backbone.’

As the saying goes, blood is thicker than water—he leaned slightly more toward pride. But he wouldn’t let it go at that.

“You said Ovillion’s daughter?”

“Yes.”

“Would the nobles take her side? They probably gave unfavorable testimony.”

“That’s excessive speculation.”

Fenicia glared at Clifford.

“If we think that way, we couldn’t properly resolve any case.”

“It’s good to think based on evidence, Fenicia. But think for yourself. Who would attack that good-for-nothing with magic? It’s obvious they’d lose. Also, how would a daughter from a small family pick a fight with a young lord? Persistently at that.”

Clifford waved his hand dismissively.

“You need to make sense. Sense.”

“Then what do you want me to do?”

Fenicia retorted, seemingly unable to tolerate it anymore.

Clifford shouted:

“Girl! What do you mean what? You need to cross-examine to find the truth! Bring in the parties involved! Starting with that Catherine girl!”

“I know that much! And it’s Catherine, not Castin!”

Bang! Fenicia slammed the door as she left.

Clifford stared at the closed door for a while before chuckling.

“Huh, that kid has quite the nasty temper.”

Clifford failed to recognize that his own temperament was even worse.

**

Justin, summoned to the Chancellor’s office, was depressed. He felt guilty for not stopping a fight that could have been prevented.

When Catherine immediately said she would confront them, Justin had tried to stop her. He knew the truth of the incident.

Justin had good hearing. He had heard the waiter apologizing at Ruide’s table.

But the enraged Catherine was unstoppable. She ignored Justin’s plea to calm down and listen, saying he was in the way, and used magic to paralyze him.

It was a 1st tier binding spell. Justin, whose talent was hopelessly lacking, couldn’t even dispel such a weak spell.

So he had no choice but to stand by and watch the situation unfold. By the time he managed to dispel the magic with all his might, Catherine’s spell was already flying toward Ruide.

‘…I was foolish.’

At that time, he had focused on how Ruide belittled Catherine’s magic.

The statement that ‘those without skill have no right to live’ applied to him too, as the weakest in the Academy.

But as his emotions settled, he realized that the mistake was clearly on their side.

However, he also felt:

‘With that kid’s skill, he could have handled it better.’

Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone gets angry and misunderstands. Did he really have to respond that way? Even if he was angry.

“…I’m sorry.”

Catherine, sitting across from him, said with her head bowed.

“It’s all my fault.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me, Catherine. I’m just here to testify.”

“I’m worried you might be affected because of this.”

Sophia shook her head.

“I should be the one apologizing. I insisted we go to a place you didn’t want to go…”

“Sophia, you did nothing wrong. You had good intentions… And I’m also responsible for not stopping it.”

As the three were talking, the door opened.

Tall with a sturdy build and a stubborn face—it was Clifford. Behind him, Fenicia followed with her hands clasped, closing the door.

“So, you’re the main parties in this incident?”

“Yes.”

Clifford reclined on the sofa. He placed both hands on the table and leaned his upper body forward.

“Now, tell me.”

“Pardon?”

“Your grievances. You must have some.”

Fenicia looked at Clifford, who seemed to be openly taking sides.

This time, if he insisted on being unreasonable, she was prepared to disobey.

“Grievances… sir?”

“Yes. I hear all the witnesses were nobles. How could they not be mindful of the Windsor family? Tell me if you have any complaints. I’ll listen to everything.”

“Well, Chancellor. The grievance is…”

Justin opened his mouth.

“I didn’t ask you.”

Chancellor Clifford said firmly. Justin’s body flinched.

He looked only at Catherine.

“Speak.”

“…Well.”

Catherine hesitated briefly. Should she apologize here? Or should she express her grievances?

Her deliberation didn’t last long.

“Using magic was my fault. But.”

Catherine bit her lip.

“He insulted me first by calling me a ‘billion’ without acknowledging his own mistake when I confronted him.”

Justin’s eyes widened.

‘But, I clearly explained everything, so why…’

He had explained the incident in detail to Catherine. Since it was truly a misunderstanding, he suggested they go apologize together later.

But the words coming from Catherine’s mouth now were completely different.

“His mistake? What mistake did he make?”

“He forced the waiter to bring his food before ours. I immediately confronted the waiter about it. But that wasn’t directed at the waiter—it was meant for Ruide, who was surely listening. But he ignored me.”

Clifford nodded with a serious face, as if sympathizing.

“So that made you angry.”

“Yes. I really couldn’t stand it. How could someone ignore someone speaking right next to them? And then he cleverly escaped by exploiting the lack of evidence. It was so infuriating.”

“Hmm, and then? How did you end up using magic?”

“…Because he called me a ‘billion.’ I couldn’t control my anger in that moment. I’m sorry.”

Clifford stood up with a solemn face.

“No need to deliberate further. I’ll pass judgment right here.”

“Chancellor…!”

Fenicia gritted her teeth. Clifford waved his hand, signaling her not to argue.

“Catherine Ovillion.”

“Yes.”

Catherine looked at Clifford with a somewhat bright expression. She was glad that he seemed to understand her grievances.

“You’re expelled.”

“…What?”

Catherine froze on the spot. Justin and Sophia did too.

“So there was no falsehood in the rumors after all. Tsk, what a shame. I could have given that good-for-nothing a good scolding.”

Clifford grumbled as he turned to leave with his hands behind his back.

Catherine shouted with trembling pupils:

“I-I cannot accept this! Weren’t you believing my story?”

Clifford’s steps halted.

“Even if your words were true, the result would be no different.”

Flames flickered in Clifford’s eyes.

“You picked a fight just because your food was served late? What does that improve? Your mood? Professors’ time is too valuable to waste on a stupid girl who lacks such basic situational judgment. I won’t say it twice.”

Clifford’s words fell like thunder.

“You are expelled.”

And he walked away without looking back.