’My... what?’
The mont I listen to the words spewed by this worthless excuse of a Knight, my eyes widen in sheer surprise. The accusations that have been thrown my way aren’t light ones by any ans.
Even as a High-Rank Knight, Brutus should not be able to make them so carelessly.
Unless—
’The Earl! He must have put him up to this!’ I stare hatefully at Brutus, though I quickly calm myself before making any rash decisions.
While trying to collect my thoughts, I notice sothing equally as terrible.
The students around , all my supporters, begin to shrink back. Hesitation, coupled with fear, becos apparent on their faces. Their hands fall, and none of the vigor they previously displayed remains.
In an instant, there is sheer silence, and I am at the center of the hollow.
’I see...’ My thoughts calmly trail despite the turbulence around . ’So this was his intention from the start. By throwing such serious accusations at , he has created a strong deterrence in the minds of all my supporters.’
It would be one thing if he rely said I was disturbing public peace, which is truly an offense a student could be guilty of. However, this is a protest being made by a sanctioned club of the school, so it serves as an exception.
In fact, none of the accusations that Brutus made has any validity.
But—
’People can be very fickle. They do not want to take such risks if it ans implicating themselves so severely...’ I glance at the dwindling crowd, and my heart sinks.
So students are slowly retreating, not desiring to be associated with a movent that has been branded in such a way. Others remain, but it’s clear that they are rely in the process of making a decision based on how things turn out.
It’s evident that I’ve lost most of their support just based on this single situation.
’To think they would go as far as making false accusations. Just how low are you willing to go, Earl Klaus?’ My brows furrow, and I grit my teeth in sheer annoyance. ’He must have bribed Brutus to intercept at just the right mont, so I lose my followers. I should deny his accusations and salvage the situation as much as I can.’
Even though I have this thought, a part of has already fallen into deep darkness.
It’s over.
I was standing on too weak a foundation, to begin with. Without the support of these people, I do not have a voice or the power to influence actual change here
It seems this protest will not be successful, after all.
Once again, I have lost.
"I have in no way done any of the things you are accusing of. Throwing those words so flippantly, it seems you have no regard for the Nobles and Royals whom you reference..." I slowly lower my hand, making an attempt to fold it.
But then, I see Brutus smiling.
His grin—malevolent!
Sothing is wrong! There’s sothing else that’s happening?!
"Oh no! He’s reaching out for his weapon! Guards, stop him!" Brutus quickly yells out, his sharp teeth gleaming ominously like a dog’s as saliva pours out of his mouth.
In an instant, I am surrounded by the security officials of the Academy.
"W-what?!"
Before I can even get a word in, Brutus charges at with an unsheathed blade in hand, his rapid movent clearly indicating a lethal move.
’Hold on...’ My bloodshot eyes stretch to their limits. ’... Is he trying to kill ?!’
No!
Why would he do such a thing?
Wait! He just labelled an enemy of the Nobles and Royals! If he indeed has the Earl behind him, they’ll be able to make sothing up to justify this action of murdering a student.
This must have been why Brutus accused of reaching for my weapon.
He’s trying to create a scenario where he is in the right for killing !
My goodness!
He really is trying to kill !
My body trembles the mont I realize this, and an icy feeling envelops almost imdiately.
Killing a rebel or an insurgent isn’t a cri in the Randalorion Kingdom. Soone who initiates a revolution of any kind, attempting an uprising against the High Nobility or Royal Family, is deserving of death.
By branding as such a person, even with my denial, they have sufficient grounds.
’If only...’ I glance at my shrinking followers and feel an ounce of regret. ’If only they could stand up for , then this silly excuse will fizzle out!’
But who would want to do such a thing?
No one wants to be the scapegoat!
’If one person stands for sothing, they can be branded and executed, but if they gain the support of many, even the accusers will have to think twice before making a move. No single act of defiance can succeed unless there is a form of cooperation among the masses. The weak can only obtain strength through numbers...’
Naturally, those in power recognize this, which is why they put them in subjugation.
They create strata to segregate the masses.
They form hierarchies and reward obedience, fostering loyalty.
Most importantly... they oppress their enemies, ensuring that no one dares to rise against them.
Indeed—Oppression is the tool of the powerful.
It keys into the selfish nature of humans and ensures their self-preservation instinct prevents them from acting up in opposition to the higher power.
I have been labelled the enemy, and anyone who chooses to side with will automatically share that label with as well. They will also be attacked, and this creates a deterrence factor that prevents them from stepping up.
But do they not understand that if a sufficient number of us rise up and maintain our stance, we will be able to overwhelm the opponent and overturn their expectations?
Indeed! One or two people can be bullied... but what of an entire group of like-minded people?
Who would dare bully an army?
If only my followers were a lot more strong-minded, we could face this problem and chase the likes of Brutus away. However, I know this is asking too much of them.
After all, if they were such people, I wouldn’t have been able to manipulate them so easily.
CLANG!
Right as Brutus’ blade is about to reach , slicing from my shoulder, through my torso, I block it with my Armant. The D Grade Armant... Ashen Purple Blade!
"Look, everyone! He has unsheathed his blade!" Brutus raises his voice, snickering loudly as he grins evilly at . "He clearly has no good intentions! How nefarious! This must have been his motive from the start—!"
"Be quiet, shaless old man. Did you think I’d simply offer my life and let you kill just like that?" I scoff, easily parrying his attack.
I twist my body while sliding backward so I create so distance between us.
Only when I achieve this do I heave a soft sigh and calmly assess the situation with a little more clarity. Things have gotten a lot worse.
’It’s possible that he didn’t want to kill but made it seem that way, which ans by defending myself, I have fallen further into his sche...’ My thoughts rapidly flow, and I narrow my eerie gaze at the man before .
Unfortunately, I had no choice but to fall for the plot.
After all, it is a two-pronged sche.
If I hadn’t defended myself, he would have definitely attacked . If he didn’t kill , he would have caused grievous injuries and incapacitated . The problem with letting him do that is that it takes agency from and prevents from defending myself when he further slanders and makes up more lies.
Plus, classes comnce in two weeks, and without any external aid, I probably will not be able to attend any class for an extended period of ti, months even, depending on how severe my injuries are.
That’s enough ti for the Earl to cook up a story and have arrested.
Even if I’m not arrested, I’d definitely be expelled from the Academy. Even if I am not expelled from the Academy, missing so many classes will affect my attendance and also cause to be way behind on my studies.
Chances are, I’ll get lower grades in so courses and lose my Scholarship.
In essence, no matter what I do... I’ll be in serious trouble.
’So that’s why Brutus was so confident...’ I sigh to myself and shake my head. ’They had everything all figured out. By defending myself and using my Armant, I’ve basically broken a school rule regarding the use of Armants on campus grounds.’
Of course, since I have a limited license, the penalty for using the Armant won’t be as high as for a normal student, but regardless... it remains present. I could give the very valid reason that I was trying to protect my life, but Brutus would simply retort that he wasn’t trying to take my life.
We would have to rely on eyewitness testimonies, and since most of the students won’t take a risk to defend , I can’t count on their reports. As for Brutus, he is the Head of Security and is the superior of all the guards around.
It’s very evident whose side they will take in this matter.
All of this simply ans that I am in a very precarious situation, and I have fallen into the Earl’s trap. Essentially...
"... I lost."
My blade falls to the ground in a loud clang, and I raise my hand in surrender.
There’s no other way out.
It’s over.
************
"Javier Aditi... Scholarship Student... a total of 77 As, 23 Bs, and 17 Cs..." A deep, stern voice echoes in the dimly lit room, and an incredibly muscular man stands before , possessing a harsh expression on his rough face.
His dark green hair firmly remains in place as he stands still as a monolith while alternating glances between and the piece of paper in his hands.
He wears a long wine jacket that has golden lines and embroidery on it, with an inner green shirt that matches his hair. His yellow eyes scan the report, and he sends a fierce glare, almost at the sa ti.
His most distinct feature is the patches of hair that decorate his face, essentially rough strands of an uneven beard.
Naturally, I recognize this person quite well.
He is Balric Wolfshade, one of the Senior Professors in the Departnt of Martial & Chivalric Studies.
But, he is also sothing else.
This man is the Dean of Discipline & Conduct!
In essence, he is the head of the disciplinary committee in the Royal Academy, supervising investigations and punishnts regarding student affairs and even staff misdeanors.
In essence, he is a very powerful man in the Royal Academy.
And right now, I have been forced to my knees before this person by the guards behind .
"You have an exceptional track record. You’re the founder and leader of one of the most popular Clubs in the Academy right now, and you don’t have a single record of violence. Honestly, it’s difficult to believe that you are guilty of these accusations made against you..."
"That’s because I’m no—!"
"Silence! The Dean is speaking!" Before I can completely let out words, I am imdiately suppressed by the guards behind , forced to eat the dust on the ground.
"Guh!"
My restrained body shivers from the pain, but I do not break my composure and continue to maintain eye contact with him.
He stares at with his fierce gaze, his scowl only growing deeper.
In all my ti in this Academy, I have never once seen this man smile. His face has perpetually been in this state, like an angry bear enraged with the world.
"Don’t treat him so roughly..." Dean Balric Wolfshade loudly sighs, rubbing his creased temple mildly. "Regardless of what he’s done, this lad is still a student of this Academy."
"A-ah... apologies, sir!"
The guards lift my body back up, even going ahead to dust my dirtied attire for .
I nearly snort in cold fury, but maintain my calmness.
"It seems you have a lot on your mind. I am not an unfair person, so I am willing to hear you out..." He walks away from and proceeds to his seat behind his desk. Then, with a simple gesture, he guides to the chair right in front of him.
"Sit. Tell what happened."
The guards help rise to my feet, and I limp forward, towards the chair.
It has been a whole week since the incident.
My body has grown considerably weak from the torture and food deprivation. My charred lips have not tasted water in days, and my aching body has grown emaciated during this period.
This isn’t very important, but my raven-black hair is even noticeably longer.
But none of these concerns ...
I calmly sit before the man in front of and let out a breath of turbid air. Despite the gnawing discomfort all over my body, borne from the maltreatnt and torture which I have suffered, I am in quite a pleasant mood.
Why?
Because I have finally gained the audience of soone who can help out.
This man—Dean Balric Wolfshade—is also an Earl of the Kingdom.
In essence, he possesses the sa rank as the person who put in this predicant, Earl Klaus Gerondester. As such, if there is anyone whom I can appeal my case to, it is him.
’For an entire week, I have waited for this mont. This chance...’ My thoughts weakly flow as my trembling lips part and I make my first attempt to speak.
I have to make good use of this opportunity!
It’s my last shot.
[A/N: I know so of you must be growing impatient, wondering when the action will begin. I implore you to have a little more patience and enjoy the story for what it is. Honestly, all of this is necessary to deepen your understanding of this world, and it will pay off eventually.]
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