There are people trying to protect from getting expelled...
Could it be Snow?
It would make sense; as a princess and the academy's student council president, Snow has both the authority and influence to sway the academy's decisions.
If anyone could face off against the administration on my behalf, it'd be her.
And since the principal ntioned "fellow students," it's reasonable to assu that other students close to might be stepping up as well-Seo, Rose, Kagami, and perhaps a few others.
If I had to guess, it's probably these four leading the charge to defend .
But in the grand sche of things, they're all just students.
The academy isn't required to take their opinions into account, no matter how noble their intentions.
What I did went beyond breaking school rules; it bordered on a cri severe enough to warrant expulsion, if not imprisonnt or worse.
I could even be looking at a sentence in a dungeon mining camp or, in a worst-case scenario, execution.
True, my ties to the duke and the emperor could be sothing they're cautious of, and Snow's interference might be pushing them to handle this delicately.
Still, it doesn't fully explain the academy's roundabout way of trying to discipline .
Why not just lay down a clear punishnt?
Why all this deliberation and hesitation?
From Professor Alia to Dean Gale, and even the various deans and professors pressing to provide so clear answer or reason behind my actions... it's almost as if they're fishing for sothing more.
These people... do they want sothing from ?
"This is your chance, Riley Hell," Principal Leilah spoke in a smooth, coaxing tone, her eyes glinting with calculated interest. "Just one small talk, a single justification for your actions. Whether we find your reasoning acceptable or not is ultimately for us to decide. But, rest assured, all the support you've garnered will also be taken into account. We could call this trial done and say goodbye to the entire ordeal..."
"You're saying that as if my punishnt hasn't already been decided," I replied, sensing sothing beneath her words.
Principal Leilah gave a asured smile, her eyes narrowing in an almost playful way. "What makes you say that?"
This woman.
She certainly loves to play gas. It's clear she didn't rise to the position of principal on raw power alone.
She's got more in common with soone like Clara, layered, and with a hidden snake lurking inside her business-like deanor.
"If you're playing that ga, then I won't mince my words, even if it sounds rude, Principal..." I held her gaze steadily.
"Oh?" Principal Leilah's brows lifted, intrigued.
"What do you want?"
"What are you talking about?" she replied, her expression neutral, but there was a flicker of interest in her eyes.
"Honestly, this whole trial feels like a sham..." I let the words hang in the air, noticing the subtle reactions from those around . "This is supposed to be about punishing . And yet, despite all the animosity in this room, it feels like so of you are trying to save ."
Professor Alia and Dean Gale had already laid out their findings from a "completed investigation."
"Whatever I said now shouldn't matter-they'd made it clear the case was closed. And I'd already agreed to accept any punishnt they deed fit. So why drag this out?" Principal Leilah's lips curved slightly. "You also said you were innocent, didn't you?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Yes, but you've already listed all the damage I supposedly caused. You've questioned and scrutinized my every move, yet here we are, going in circles." "So, I'll ask again: what do you want?"
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The silence stretched between us as Principal Leilah held my gaze, her expression
unchanging.
Finally, she scoffed, almost as if finding the whole exchange tireso, and pulled out her smoking pipe.
She took a slow, deliberate drag, her sharp eyes fixed on .
"I suppose we were a bit too obvious, weren't we?" she said with a faint smirk.
If by "obvious" she ant practically begging to give them so acceptable explanation, then, yes-they'd made it perfectly clear.
Principal Leilah clapped her hands, a sharp sound that echoed across the room. Imdiately, everyone else in the chamber began standing and quietly filing out.
I could see a few professors shoot looks of irritation in Leilah's direction, and more than a few glances of disdain my way.
Yet, they left without a word. In the end, only Professor Alia remained with the principal, both of them now watching with more direct, unfiltered gazes.
Leilah folded her hands, leaning back. "Since the cat's out of the bag, I'll be a bit more candid with you, Mr. Riley Hell." She eyed as though considering her words carefully. "Just as you suspected, despite all the delays and posturing, your punishnt has already been decided. Suspension. And, frankly, it's a rather generous penalty given everything you've done."
Suspension, huh...
While it's not the harshest punishnt, it's still enough to tarnish my standing and reputation here at the
demy
And beyond the blow to my image, it would an restrictions I can't easily bypass-certain activities and privileges taken away, resources withheld.
A dorm-based probation would honestly be far more manageable; at least that way, I wouldn't have to leave for my hotown.
Going back now, with Alice's arc in full swing and the main scenario picking up, isn't an
option.
Not to ntion, I still need to figure out the strange, internal issues brewing inside .
Principal Leilah's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Given the considerable amount of support you've gathered, our final decision is very reasonable... though, admittedly, not everyone
agreed."
"So, it wasn't unanimous..."
"Of course, not~" she replied, a smirk playing at her lips. "You didn't just ruin us physically; you marred our reputations as well. The student council's efforts have managed to curb the worst of the rumors, but it's not enough to erase the sha your actions brought upon us."
"..."
"Fufu~ Your eyes betray you; you know?" Leilah continued, studying with an unsettling focus. "They may look apathetic, but they reveal more than you might think. You don't have to feel too bad about it, though."
Her tone was almost... teasing, but the words held a subtle, mocking edge.
This entire setup felt like they wanted to corner , to force into feeling remorse, even though I was still questioning just how much of this situation was actually under my favor at
this point.
"As we've made clear, the academy has no desire to delve deeper into your case, nor any matters indirectly related to you," Principal Leilah continued, her voice dropping to a low
tone.
"Quite frankly, as you've probably guessed by now, we can't exactly... touch you, you know?" She leaned back, studying my face carefully.
"This entire trial is a sham—a charade, if you will. A way for us to save what little dignity we have left. All the docunts, reviews, rejections, postponents, and approvals involved in this are not only costly but incredibly troubleso. The academy is already on the brink of collapse even without the disruption you caused."
"Where are you going with this?" I asked, my gaze narrowing as her words sank in.
She smirked, clearly enjoying the ga she was playing. "There are too many risks involved if we pursue any harsh punishnt against you, Riley. But letting the matter rest quietly would damage our personal standings even more. That's why we need... a compromise. A proposal that secures both sides, don't you agree?"
With a flick of her wand, a shimring projection appeared in the air before -a letter, its wax seal glinting ominously.
Although I only took a single glance on it, that was all it took for to absorb all the info
inside it...
Then, with a casual clap, the academy staff mbers who had just filed out began to return.
They took their seats, each one eyeing with renewed intensity, clearly anticipating my reaction to what was in that letter.
I glanced at the principal, who was watching intently, her gaze sharp and calculating.
This woman really was a snake... no, not her-the one pulling her strings.
Damn it! Since when had he established contact with her? And did Snow know about this?
Though it was only a projection, the insignia stamped at the top of the letter was unmistakable—the crest of the Germonia Imperial family.
The docunt in question was no ordinary correspondence; it was a directive from one of the empire's highest authorities, and in it lay an invitation.
More specifically, a hidden invitation to the Imperial Palace, with my na attached.
Inside the letter was a thinly veiled proposal, as much for her as it was for - a way to dodge the consequences if I agreed to just one thing.
"The crown will personally handle any 'loose ends' following your statent. Your punishnt will still be applied, of course, but now... with a 'reasonable approach.' Don't worry," she added with a faint smirk, "just as this trial is a farce, so too shall be your
punishnt."
She paused, watching carefully, her eyes glinting with a sharp, amused edge.
"Whether you accept or reject this offer is entirely up to you, Riley," she said, though her gaze
and the silent room around us betrayed the truth: every single person here expected to say
yes.
If looks could kill they were practically drowning with it... Pushing into a corner-creating a situation where refusal was unthinkable.
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