Seth Clayford?!
No... not just him.
Liliana... Rayford... Julius... Lumian... Raphael...
There are at least dozens of students, nearly fifty of them, who stand behind him. They all look at with indescribably complex emotions in their eyes. Unable to withstand the weight of their gaze, I look away.
Complicated feelings rise up within as well, but I suppress them.
Am I angry?
No.
Why should I be upset? I rely used these people for my own benefit, and I attempted to manipulate them into overturning a system that would benefit .
Even though they didn’t defend when I needed them most, how can I possibly bla them?
These are children in my eyes. They have families who rely on them, and expectations weigh heavily on their shoulders. Why would I expect that they would throw away their future prospects for a total stranger that they have only known for a year?
That would simply be too selfish of .
’They are too young...’ I think to myself and form a wry smile. ’I never expected too much from them, to begin with.’
And yet, what is this frustration that causes my heart to thump so much?
Why do I feel a sense of bitterness inside ?
A sting of betrayal!
Could it be that... despite my initial intentions... I actually hoped for sothing more from them?
Did I truly feel so asure of entitlent after all?
Perhaps... perhaps not.
In any case, it is already too late. I left the J-Tutorial Club in their hands and have decided to simply focus on my studies for now.
I have no further use for such a system at the mont.
Life was easier and more enjoyable back then, but... right now... I suppose I have moved on.
"Javier! Please... co back to the J-Tutorial Club!" Seth bows his head, and the rest of the students follow suit.
’What?!’
"We need you to return, Javier!" One of them says with a shaky voice.
"Beco our leader again!" Another cries out passionately.
"Please... co back!" Yet one more yells with a trembling roar.
More and more voices overlap, forming a maelstrom of noise that nearly overwhelms my senses.
They grow too loud to the point that I have to gesture for them to be quiet.
Public disturbance is an offense in this Academy.
Their getting into trouble is one thing, but I wouldn’t want to be lumped in with them and face punishnt too. I value my education far too much to allow that.
"No... I can’t go back." I sigh and tell them plainly. "I’m simply too busy with my studies."
They glance at each other and nod to themselves.
I can see that they expected this response of mine, so why would they ask for such a ridiculous thing, to begin with? They surely have a plan, but what is it?
"Javier... we are sorry."
Falling on their knees, they lower their heads and apologize to .
"What? Why are you apologizing?" I ask them with a confused expression. It’s not like they actively turned on or anything.
In fact, I was the one who risked their own situation by underestimating my opponents.
The situation turned out more severe than I anticipated, and it would be unfair for to hold grudges against them for not sticking by my side regardless.
’I was the one who instigated you people to engage in the protest. The J-Tutorial Club is ant to be a study group, yet I turned it into a political weapon aid at my enemy.’ I sigh, my thoughts flowing silently. ’You people... shouldn’t be sorry for anything.’
"You did so much for us! You sacrificed your ti and energy to teach us, inspire us, and help us to beco better students overall!"
"My grades improved steadily because of your teachings!"
"I was already despairing, thinking I’d never make it, even as a Third Rate Scholar, until you ca along!"
"You are my junior, yet I look up to you most of all! You truly showed what excellence and perseverance really an!"
"You have helped everyone here, and even many more! All of us here are only a small fraction of the ones who owe you so much!"
"So where’s everyone else?" I ask half-heartedly, my wry smile deepening.
"They... couldn’t muster up the courage to face you. Even we... we’ve been unable to approach you until now because we truly felt ashad of ourselves..." Seth mutters, his head hanging lower than the rest.
"We are cowards... all of us!"
Everyone nods in agreent, their gaze sullen and their expression crestfallen. In this mont, it appears as though all these students have beco one.
"I set aside our loyalty and let fear dictate my actions! I am sorry, Javier!"
"Because I was afraid of the school authority, I acted dishonorably and didn’t support you when you needed most. I am sorry, Javier!"
"You stood up for the rest of us, yet I couldn’t even muster the courage to do the sa for you. I am sorry, Javier!"
More and more students let out their thoughts, tears streaming down their faces.
I would be lying if I said I don’t feel their sincerity.
After they all get their turn, Seth looks at with his gem-like eyes, now watery with tears.
"I was your friend, yet I didn’t remain by your side when you needed most." His loud, thin voice causes my body to tremble mildly. "Javier... I am so, so sorry!"
To be honest... I am moved.
Regardless of the complex emotions within , twisting around one another like a knot, I can not deny that their voices have reached . These people... are truly sincere.
But this only further proves my point that I have no right to be upset at any of them.
’Especially you, Seth...’ My smile broadens. ’I know none of you want to bring up your reasons, so it doesn’t seem like you’re making excuses, but I understand your circumstances.’
All of these students have their own difficulties.
Even Seth.
No... especially him.
’I know the Ethereal Choir’s situation. You had to remain quiet about my affair because of the oppression the Club was experiencing. You standing by my side politically was already enough to put a target on your Club, yet you did so. But, after the accusations ca... You couldn’t do more, else it would have affected the Clergy Students whom you represent.’
Despite Seth being a Second-Year Student, he is actually the face of the Clergy Students.
It has sothing to do with a secret I still don’t know about.
But I know his actions have consequences.
He couldn’t have taken my side, even if he wanted to, else he would implicate all the Clergy Students whom he represents.
The fact that he feels this bad about the matter ans he probably even tried to help, but was convinced by his fellows not to. I believe the Church must have also warned him to steer away from all political affairs in the Academy.
’Maybe he even got punished for attending the protest...’ I think to myself, while an expressionless mask hides all the deep layers of consideration I make regarding the people before .
After a tense mont of silence that seed to stretch forever, I finally let out a sound.
"Pfft... hehe... haha!"
A laugh escapes my lips, and I let out loud chuckles.
"I understand, you guys!" My voice is filled with mild hints of amusent, which covers up the relief that now exists in my heart.
Truly... I get it.
It’s not like I am entirely oblivious to the situation within the Academy.
In fact, during the past few weeks, I have noticed a few things happening, but chose to ignore them in order to focus on my studies.
The Nobles—both Lesser and Higher—have sohow improved their opinion of .
They probably never expected to go as far as I did.
Lesser Nobles feel inspired, well Higher Nobles feel threatened. At the sa ti, they cannot help but see the unfairness of the situation.
I have had a few mbers of the High Nobility approach and even offer a semblance of concern. Despite their elevated status, they are still human beings, are they not? Plus, they are very young and still in touch with their conscience.
Many of them recognize that I have been wronged by the Academy’s system.
However, what can they do about it?
Speaking up to criticize the Academy goes against their best interests.
In the end, they also have their circumstances and have to live according to the dictates of their status. That ans forever remaining on a higher pedestal and looking down on those born beneath them.
Regardless, it seems I was wrong about yet another thing.
I haven’t lost my reputation.
In fact, it has only grown stronger thanks to the Academy turning into a martyr.
"Javier! Let help you!"
"I will assist you in your Public Service!
" too!"
"Sa here!"
’Oh? They want to help ?’ My eyes widen as I realize what this ans. ’I am only one person, but there are over fifty people here. If I take their word for it, there are even hundreds more who also feel bad about what happened and would like to make it up to ...’
What would happen if they helped amass Prestige Points?
I’d be able to gather them in no ti!
That ans I probably don’t even have to engage in Public Service anymore!
"So, please... Javier... return to the J-Tutorial Club." They plead yet again. "Beco our leader once more!"
At this point, what reason do I have to refuse?
They are essentially offering a much easier life for in exchange for leading the sa organization I founded. I see no negatives at all!
"Fine... I’m in." With a heavy sigh and a small smile, I finally give them an answer. Their faces brighten up almost imdiately, and they shout for joy, forcing to gesture for them to be silent once again.
Suddenly, it seems like my life is about to change yet again.
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