episode_0233

Our thrilling brawl ended quickly. It was resolved more cleanly than expected.

The reason was simple: the Lestrade Clan raised the white flag first.

Professor Masus, who stood at the forefront, drew his sword and snarled in a furious voice. Taking advantage of the opening, our Violet and her friends quickly retreated.

“What in the world are you doing? You said you were visiting for an important matter, yet you attacked our students!”

For some reason, several armored knights were gathered, and a luxurious-looking limousine was parked nearby.

‘Could an important person have visited?’

The professors and guards, each holding their weapons, glared at the Lestrade Clan knights with angry and wary eyes.

Students and visitors nearby also murmured and scrutinized them. It seemed the attention from the surroundings was too much to bear.

Soon after, other armored knights and figures in suits who appeared to be high-ranking officials dismounted from an armored vehicle and began talking with the faculty.

“Hmm, after assessing the situation, it seems there was a misunderstanding on our part. We regret it.”

“Regret isn’t enough! No matter how large your clan is, you must abide by the non-interference clause regarding the academy.”

“It was merely a minor deviation. It’s regrettable, but we will compensate the academy.”

“What about our students?”

There was a brief commotion, but the situation was soon resolved.

About 30 minutes later, we wrote statements regarding the incident and testified before the professor and the headmaster.

Perhaps because the Lestrade Clan initiated the conflict, the atmosphere was quite relaxed.

“I see. So the knights provoked you first?”

However, through my friends’ testimonies, I learned an unexpected truth.

“So, according to Miss Daphne, Sebastian was just trying to back off, but the armored knights who were on guard suddenly got angry and overturned the table. Is that right? Please tell us honestly.”

My friend spoke the plain truth in a calm voice.

“Yes, that’s right. Although it was a bit unpleasant, he was just trying to leave.”

“What about the rest of you? Is what you just said true?”

The other two friends gave almost identical testimonies.

“Yes, that pervert… no, Sebastian, he did approach suddenly, but he didn’t actually force anything.”

“It’s true.”

I realized that something had been my misconception.

‘Huh? Wasn’t it S who started the fight first?’

Long after all the testimonies were concluded, Professor Masus explained how the matter would be handled. He said that all other statements had also been confirmed.

“So, what’s going to happen?”

“First, Sebastian will be referred to the disciplinary committee to discuss his punishment. Regardless of the circumstances, he was involved in the fight, and it’s true that the fight broke out due to the bodyguards’ issue. It’s difficult to simply overlook it.”

I almost cheered inwardly. However, disappointment washed over me at the professor’s next words.

“But Miss Violet, it seems you will also be referred to the disciplinary committee.”

“Why me? I was trying to protect my friend…”

“I just said, didn’t I? Sebastian was still. Given the circumstances, it was you, student Violet, who launched the preemptive attack.”

“But he’s a playboy!”

“I understand you’re upset. But it’s a matter of principle, so there’s nothing to be done. The testimonies of the parties involved, your friends, the witnesses, the campus CCTV, and other students’ statements all align.”

Feeling wronged, I hung my head.

‘We were just trying to uphold justice…’

As I was about to leave the faculty office, the professor’s voice came from behind.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll do my best to clear Miss Violet’s name. Considering the circumstances, your disciplinary action will likely be light, perhaps just cleaning duty.”

At those words, I felt relieved and started to laugh.

‘Hehe, what a relief!’

**

In the academy’s reception room, Sebastian’s face, seated across from Cordo, was visibly tense.

Nearby, his father’s chief secretary was making calls and checking a tablet.

His father’s piercing gaze felt harsh. He felt as if holes would be drilled into him at any moment.

“Don’t make any excuses about what happened today.”

Cordo spoke in a chilling voice.

“I saw everything. I heard she’s a first-year. How can a graduating student lose to a mere first-year? Huh?”

Sebastian clenched his fists. He protested with a resentful face.

“Father, I didn’t lose! I was just unfamiliar with her unique ability. If I had had a little more time, I would have won. As a knight, I must…”

“Time? Ha! Don’t make excuses.”

Cordo snorted.

“That only applies when you’re fighting an opponent of equal or greater strength. Does it make sense to drag out a fight against a mere rookie who only transferred a month or two ago? Finishing it instantly is normal! Admit it. That was as good as a defeat.”

Sebastian gritted his teeth. He was speechless under his father’s sharp rebuke.

Seeing his expression, Cordo growled even louder, as if finding him pathetic, and continued.

“Pull yourself together, Sebastian! You are the successor of our clan. You are descended from the Arnor royal family and are the successor to the clan’s supreme commander! You must be perfect. Whatever opponent comes, whoever it is, you must crush them.”

Seeing Sebastian’s silence, Cordo continued.

“But what did I see today? You couldn’t even control your own people and let them drag you around. You wasted time on a rookie. Your performance was disappointing. What have you been doing all this time? Playing around?”

“That’s not true! I’ve been training diligently all this time. I did my best in the field too. Father, you know that.”

“Training? What training? Running around in the field as a knight in armored attire, you must have thought the world was amusing. Attending the academy and lording over rookie commoners, did you think you were already a king? Let me tell you the truth. You’ve become lost in the childish game of chivalry, forgetting reality.”

Sebastian protested.

“No, Father. I have always done my best for the family. Never, no matter what I did, did I act with a light heart!”

Cordo stared at Sebastian sharply.

“Aha, so I told you to learn field work during your leave of absence, and instead you played knight in shining armor from a fairy tale?”

“I merely fought because someone needed protection. Isn’t that our duty as noble knights?”

His son’s excuse sounded foolish to the commander’s ears.

“You fool! Chivalry like that disappeared two hundred years ago. What we flaunt as chivalry or honor is just like a franchise slogan. Do you still seriously believe in it?”

“But aren’t we knights? Our job is to stop monsters. Father, I never took this as a game or a play…”

“Your best? So, you couldn’t even subdue someone weaker than you. In front of all the academy students.”

At his father’s sharp rebuke, Sebastian hung his head.

In the face of undeniable truth, even his anger turned into shame and self-reproach.

“Tomorrow, rumors will spread throughout the entire academy. That the Lestrade successor was pushed back by a mere first-year. To suffer such humiliation because of a commoner girl… You should be ashamed. If this continues…”

Cordo mumbled with an expressionless face.

“Right, I’ll have to reconsider your succession. Just like your other siblings.”

Other half-siblings flashed through Sebastian’s mind.

The bloody competition where they bit and kicked each other, lunging for the throne.

Hadn’t he himself once been in the thick of that fight?

And he knew what humiliation and insults the failures suffered.

“…I’m sorry. This will never happen again.”

Sebastian gritted his teeth under the immense pressure.

Only then did a cynical, satisfied smile appear on Cordo’s face as he looked at his son.

“You remember that day’s vow, don’t you? You are the child who must achieve the family’s long-cherished wish.”

Then, a slow, but powerful nod.

“Yes, Father. I remember it clearly.”

“The family’s honor comes first. Make sure nothing like today happens again. Otherwise…”

Cordo’s eyes flashed menacingly. Sebastian flinched and swallowed, but soon answered firmly.

“That will absolutely never happen. Even if it costs me my life…”

Only after hearing his multiple assurances did Cordo show a satisfied expression.

“Good. Remember this. You must never show weakness. That is the path for the family and the fate of one born of the Lestrade bloodline.”

Silence filled the room. Sebastian concealed his complicated feelings and stood up.

“Understood, Father. I will never disappoint you.”

Only when he stepped out the door could Sebastian let out a deep sigh.

‘Damn it, this is messed up!’

Humiliation and rage clawed at his heart.

‘No, chivalry isn’t a game…!’

He swallowed his indignation and walked down the corridor.

Meanwhile, beyond the door where his son had disappeared, the chief secretary asked Cordo.

“What about the original schedule? A big commotion broke out… should we postpone it?”

“There’s too much attention today, so it can’t be helped. Come back in three days. By the way, I’m curious about the girl my son was smitten with. Show me her information.”

At his words, the chief secretary held up a tablet.

The documents, obtained by giving a small gift to an administrative staff member, contained a picture and information about a silver-haired girl.

“Daphne Grace, a first-year transfer student. Her information is somewhat lacking. However, combining academy records and counseling notes, her grades and conduct seem to be not bad. She has no parents, so there won’t be any family issues. Especially…”

At the secretary’s next words, Cordo’s eyes widened.

“Oh, healing and shield abilities? Such unique abilities are rare; she has excellent genes. No wonder Sebastian is interested. What about the blonde kid?”

“Are you referring to student Violet? According to her records, she possesses the ability to create clones…”

“Clones, you say… I don’t know about their practical combat use, but they’d be valuable for collection. That Helios kid who’s her friend and that pink-haired commoner girl also seem useful. A bundle of rare breeds, it seems. I like it.”

Cordo felt satisfied.

His original purpose for coming here was one.

It concerned the investigation within the academy and cooperation for inspections regarding the clandestine cult operating in the southern district recently, and the otherworldly beings possibly behind them.

However, sometimes while touring the academy, he could also reap unexpected rewards like these.

“Should we choose one of the main or branch family’s children and connect them with these girls? The academy’s rules state that students can continue their studies even if they marry or become pregnant.”

“No, that’s enough. They’re only first-years. Let’s start with approaching them and proceed gradually. The inheritance of unique abilities has a low probability… Still, they are noteworthy talents. Though commoners, their abilities aren’t bad.”

They examined the list. The names of the four girls were added to the list of numerous prospective bride/groom candidates expected to be connected with the family.

“They’re presumptuous, but they’re just young girls. If we introduce them to some good-looking fellows and give them some luxury goods, their minds will change. Give them Prince Charmings on white horses.”

Cordo smirked.

Women seem complicated, but they’re surprisingly simple and easy to tame, after all.

“Yes. Understood.”

**

For several days, an older sister-like figure, who called herself a part-time lecturer, followed Violet.

“Sophieel Unnie! You’re a part-time lecturer, but you don’t give lectures?”

“No, the academy made special arrangements for me, so taking care of Violet is my job.”

My Unnie replied with a bright smile, but I couldn’t shake off an uncomfortable feeling. It was clear to anyone that she was here to monitor me.

“I won’t cause trouble. Please stop monitoring me…”

“Monitoring? It’s not like that. I’m here to help you.”

Not knowing what “help” meant, I looked at my Unnie with a puzzled gaze.

“Actually, the Lestrade family is paying attention to you right now.”

“Because of Sebastian?”

“That too, but also because Violet is quite a capable talent.”

Still not understanding, I scratched my head. Could they be trying to scout me?

“Is that so? Hehe…”

However, the students’ gazes were unusual. I wondered why they kept staring at me when I hadn’t done anything wrong.

Even when I was briefly away from Sophieel Unnie, chatting with my friends at a cafe, the stares from around us felt harsh.

“Guys, why does everyone keep looking at us?”

When I couldn’t bear it anymore and asked, Kalia seemed to hesitate, then carefully opened her mouth.

“Well… Violet, you know about our academy’s anonymous bulletin board, right?”

“Yeah, I know. But why?”

I was well aware that there was an anonymous community for Aegis Academy students. But I had never entered it until now.

Instead of answering, Kalia held out her smartphone screen. An familiar video was playing on it.

“Woah, that’s me?!”

The video, filmed with a phone camera, showed none other than me fighting Sebastian, captured in its entirety.

“The anonymous bulletin board is scary. Rumors spread like wildfire.”

“Gasp! What should I do?”

Stories of people collapsing under the weight of rumors and fake news online flashed through my mind.

As I trembled with fear, Kalia spoke again.

“You don’t need to be too scared. The reaction isn’t as bad as you might think.”

Driven by curiosity, I began to scan the community’s comment section.

**

[Video]

Likes 428 Dislikes 12

┕ Wow, holy hell, she’s pushing Sebastian back like that? It’s not fake, is it? My chest swells with emotion…

┕ Not fake, I saw it briefly on site too.

┕ Look at her movements, they’re no joke. I recommend watching it at 0.3x speed.

┕ Her swordsmanship is a bit clumsy, though? Those identical-looking ones, is that her unique ability? Anyone know?

┕ Yep, it’s her clone ability. But look closely, her unique ability usage, her movements, that entry timing, and the level of manipulation—that’s not student level, it’s veteran level.

┕ Wow, it’s true. How does she control clones so well? Who is she?

┕ I heard she’s a first-year who just transferred?

┕ She’s a first-year, but it’s famous that she sparred with Professor Masus in the first class of the second semester. Her sword skills are beyond imagination.

…

**

As I read through the video comments, a smile automatically appeared on my face.

“Woah! I’m getting so many compliments, you know?!”

Dopamine surged with every comment. But unlike me, who was overjoyed, my friends sighed.

“Everyone’s only talking about your clone ability.”

“What if your ability gets exposed because of this?”

“It might be best to refrain from creating clones from now on.”

My friends weren’t praising me at all, only worrying.

Feeling a little down, I took a sip of juice.

‘They’re not praising me…’

Just then, someone approached us.

“Excuse me, are you perhaps…”

People I had never seen before, a man and a woman in neat attire, stood before us.

Among them, a middle-aged woman with a ponytail spoke to us.

Surprisingly, these people knew who we were.

Irene asked with wary eyes.

“What is it?”

“Ah, hello? We’re from the Lightbridge Foundation. Could we have a moment to talk?”

The faces of those who spoke were full of kind smiles.

“What in the world…”

Thirty minutes later, we were sitting in a luxurious restaurant.

Delicious-looking dishes were served in abundance.

‘Wow, these people must be really nice!’

‘Oh my goodness, a kind ponytail!’

While my friends hesitated, I picked up a french fry.

“I’ll enjoy the meal!”