Chapter 128.1

Chapter 128 – Henceforth, the Leader Adheres to All Rules (1)

“The defendant, Ahn Woo-jin, is hereby acquitted.”

The court at the Judicial Academy.

The AI judge delivered the verdict.

The audience that had filled the courtroom immediately rushed out and gathered at the school gate, where a representative student unfolded a large piece of paper.

On that paper were the words:

[NOT GUILTY]

“Waaaahhh!!!”

“Not guilty!!! Not guilty!!!”

Citizens who had crowded the road in front of the Judicial Academy gate to await Ahn Woo-jin’s acquittal erupted in cheers.

— …And now, the next news. An event that will go down in history as one of the worst incidents ever occurred. Ahn Woo-jin, the Disciplinary Committee Leader of Ahsung High School, rose against the late Head Principal Lee Doo-hee. This sparked the major conflict involving Spartoi, the Hanyang Federal Academy, and other key academies, known as the ‘Academy Great War.’ As the complex truth of the incident came to light, many citizens were left in shock. There was widespread anticipation of how the courts would rule on those involved. Ultimately, due to unavoidable circumstances and a significant public interest component, Ahn Woo-jin has been acquitted…

A month and a half had passed since the incident where Ahn Woo-jin had torn apart Academy City.

Once the truth was revealed, Neo Seoul was enraged, and Woo-jin, along with all those who had rebelled against the Head Principal and the Martial Law Guards, were acquitted.

Given the uniqueness of the case, the intense public scrutiny, and the clarity of the evidence, the Judicial Academy quickly rendered its verdict, mindful of public opinion.

It was an AI judge’s swift decision-making, but in essence, it was a mere formality.

With the facts clear and the entire Neo Seoul rallying in Woo-jin’s favor, his actions were viewed in a different light.

There were still those who criticized Woo-jin for the destruction he caused, but the majority argued that the destruction mostly targeted defenses the Head Principal had prepared, thus nullifying the illegality of Woo-jin’s actions.

Naturally, the student prosecutor did not appeal, and the verdict became final.

— This is Park Dae-gi, reporting from Cheongwoon High. I am currently at the Center Area, where recovery efforts are underway. They plan to remove all traces of the late Head Principal Lee Doo-hee and reconstruct the Center Area into a safer and new form…

— Citizens’ anger toward the late Head Principal Lee Doo-hee grew after numerous children’s bodies were discovered in the underground hideout of one of the Six Sinners, the Technomancer Moon Chae-won. A memorial was set up to honor the unjustly sacrificed children…

— Criticism of the socialization education of children born in factories, often dismissed by the late Head Principal Lee Doo-hee, has long been a topic of human rights concerns. Now, those methods are to be abolished in favor of more humane socialization processes…

— …Moving on to the next news. The goblin, Kim Dalbi, one of the Six Sinners, has been granted probation under extraordinary circumstances. Evidence confirmed that she was forced into terrorist activities under the coercion of the late Head Principal Lee Doo-hee, yet she managed to avoid causing any casualties. Recognizing her humane resistance, the disciplinary committee at Ahsung High School decided on community service and special educational courses instead of expulsion…

— Reports have surfaced suggesting the Federal Council tried to cover up the late Head Principal Lee Doo-hee’s lobbying fund flows, sparking public outrage. Calls for truth are mounting, and a special prosecutor team has been established…

News related to the Academy Great War continued to dominate the headlines for a while.

In response to public petitions, special agencies were established to keep the Federal Council and the Hanyang Federal Academy’s student council in check.

The absolute power of the Federal Council began to wane.

During the war, the council had been criticized for hiding in fear of Ahn Woo-jin, further diminishing its authority.

The Head Principal’s position remained vacant, with a Federal Council member temporarily assuming the authority.

Candidates were soon expected to announce their bids, and a new election was to be held.

And then.

“Wha-what? Hanyang sent me a love call…!?”

Mayeon High School Disciplinary Committee.

Committee Leader Lee Jae-ho’s hands trembled as he read the official document that Vice Leader Shin Ga-yeon had handed him.

“Ahem, ahem!”

Jae-ho awkwardly cleared his throat.

The student council president’s assessment of the Mayeon High School Disciplinary Committee Leader’s performance during the Academy Great War was positive, prompting the scout offer.

It was a chance to become a super elite.

“You must be delighted, Leader. Joining Hanyang would elevate you from super elite to hyper elite.”

“…”

Jae-ho glanced at Vice Leader Shin Ga-yeon. Her expression was calm, which unnerved him more.

“Well, you see, Vice Leader…”

“If you decline because of me, I won’t stand for it.”

“Won’t stand for it? How?”

“I’ll be angry.”

Jae-ho swallowed hard, cleared his throat, and adjusted his glasses.

“Huh…”

He leaned back in his chair.

Then, he tore the scout offer in half.

Ga-yeon was startled.

“Leader…!?”

“You think I’d go? I don’t care about being a super elite or hyper elite.”

“…This, coming from someone who always raved about being an elite? Didn’t I just say I’d get mad if it was because of me?”
“It’s not because of you. It’s because the President is here…!”

“Siscon!”

*Thwack!*

“Oof!”

Ga-yeon punched Jae-ho’s cheek.

“You should at least pretend it’s because of me! Do you have to scratch your girlfriend’s pride like this?”

*Thwack! Thwack!*

“You said you’d be mad! What do you want me to do!?”

“You don’t understand women!”

Despite being hit, Jae-ho chuckled. Ga-yeon was just too adorable.

“Haha…!”

Ga-yeon felt chills run down her spine at his smile.

“Leader, have you now developed an M tendency…?”

“No way…”

Jae-ho frowned, denying it vehemently.

The Mayeon High School Disciplinary Committee had received massive mileage rewards for their performance during the Academy Great War.

It was only natural that Jae-ho’s reputation would grow.

***

“Today, we have one of the key figures in the Academy Great War, Ahsung High School’s President Han Baek-hyun! Hello, President Han!”

“Hello, I’m Han Baek-hyun.”

“Wow, you look so refined! You seem smart… very intellectual…!”

“Haha…! As the proud student council president of Ahsung High, I make sure to maintain my appearance.”

Han Baek-hyun, the student council president of Ahsung High, appeared on a popular interview show.

His secretary watched anxiously from outside the filming set, worried that Baek-hyun might suddenly throw his tie and lose his temper again.

The interview continued.

“…You once famously said to the Student Council President, ‘I will claim justice!’ That statement became widely known. Back then, the President had said, ‘I will enforce justice.’”

This was well-known to the public, thanks to the live broadcast coverage by Shindorim Sword Master Park Seong-tae.

“Did you say it to mirror the President’s words?”

“Haha… No, not really… I just said what came to mind…”

“Wow! You just said it off the top of your head, and it turned into such a powerful statement like ‘I will claim justice!’?”

“No…, it’s not quite like that…”

Baek-hyun laughed awkwardly, sweating profusely.

‘Damn… Why did I say something like that…?’

Why had he uttered such cringeworthy words in front of so many students?

It was truly the pinnacle of embarrassment!

‘I feel so ashamed!’