Soul World, in other words, allows violence even in the ga.
Whether the other side insults you or you simply feel like hitting them, it doesn't matter. You can even attack your allies.
However, as in any civilization, the mont you wield violence recklessly, you are t with the iron hamr of the law.
There's a saying that civilization began by fighting with words, not fists. For that reason, direct violence is generally avoided.
[Civilized people are ruder than barbarians because their heads don't get split open even if they speak rudely.]
It's a phrase that could be considered a legendary quote. In so ways, it makes barbarians seem more polite.
But just because you're civilized doesn't an your head won't get split open. If you cross the line with your words, punches are bound to follow.
Moreover, this world is pure 'romance' itself. The scope of self-defense is very wide, so speaking recklessly can lead to big trouble.
For instance, imagine a commoner insulting a noble. Even if the noble knocks out the commoner's teeth, it's unlikely anyone would complain.
Of course, you have to deal with the aftermath yourself. Plus, if there's no evidence, the situation becos ambiguous.
"We've heard the statent from the offending student. There are quite a few problematic remarks. We will now hear the testimony of the victimized student and proceed with appropriate asures."
"... ..."
One mber of the committee spoke their piece and walked out the door.
The sound of the iron door was vividly clear in my ears. At the mont, I was locked up in none other than a prison.
It's more like a temporary detention center than a prison. It's where people who commit violence or other cris are confined.
'It's been a while since I've seen this place.'
If you commit a cri at the Academy, you usually end up confined here. The place of confinent varies depending on the criminal's skills or the severity of the cri.
In terms of levels, it's at level 3, and the place I'm currently confined is also level 3. It was secured this way to prevent potential escape.
Fortunately, for a prison, it wasn't barren or unpleasant. It had a bed and all the necessary anities.
'Not that it ans I can't escape if I wanted to.'
I flopped onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling. Even the ceiling was made of sturdy iron.
Not only iron but it must have been specially treated with magic. It felt like the cage of a ferocious beast.
Considering the things I've done, calling it a cage isn't far off. It ant that they were wary of my power.
'It'll be resolved well, right?'
Soul World is a ga with high freedom. Therefore, it allows players to act with malicious intent.
You can indiscriminately wield violence or commit fraud whenever the opportunity arises. It's bad enough to make you question whether these are actions an Academy student would commit.
Doing so would only accrue infamy and ruin your relationships, but it's still a ga. Plus, you can enjoy a thrilling playstyle.
Of course, as I said before, you have to bear the consequences yourself. Still, I expected to get out of this situation relatively easily.
'If nothing else, I ssed with Rod.'
Up until now, it could've been considered simple sexual harassnt. But since it involved Rod, the Academy would likely try to keep it quiet.
To put it bluntly, losing his tongue was inevitable. This is even a world where magic can distinguish lies.
The situation was infinitely advantageous for , but I was still sowhat worried about how others would react, especially Rod.
'He wouldn't hit with a cane, would he...?'
Rod had pleaded with not to cause trouble. Yet the mont school started, I stirred up a huge incident.
Moreover, it wasn't just property damage but assault. Assault that left soone mute.
Although Rod might hear the full story, I'd still get scolded.
'I'm not at fault.'
The fault lies with them. They committed insults so severe they couldn't complain even if their tongue was ripped out.
Sotis, there are people who say both sides are to bla, but I honestly don't understand their perspective.
No way. Are the guy who hit first and the one who retaliated the sa? Faults should be clearly distinguished.
"The investigation results are in. It has been confird that Mr. Sivar's testimony is entirely true."
How long had I been sulking on the bed? After so ti, the person I had seen earlier returned.
In the anti, it seed they had heard the testimony of the ruffian whose tongue I cut. I wondered if he could even speak properly.
Or maybe soone else testified on his behalf. There were other guys with him, after all.
"The victim and accomplices will be suspended starting now. Additionally, their families will be inford of the situation."
"... ..."
"However."
Just when I thought I wouldn't have to deal with those ruffians anymore.
A committee mber unusually emphasized the word "however." It seed asures would be taken against as well.
"Given that the offending student's retaliation was excessive, the student will be assigned 10 hours of community service. This concludes the matter."
"..munity service?"
"Yes. You'll hear more details from the professors."
With that, the disciplinary committee mber left the room again. Incidentally, the prison door was wide open.
I stared blankly at the wide-open prison door before turning my gaze back to the ceiling. There was still much to mull over.
'Ten hours of community service? Not even 100, just 10?'
Even cris committed at the Academy can be resolved through community service.
During that ti, you can't do anything else but serve, which hinders your growth.
However, even simple assault usually results in at least 30 hours. From this, I was convinced they were being lenient because of Rod.
And it wasn't just Rod. This could've escalated into an international dispute, so they likely glossed over it.
'Having solid connections sure helps.'
Not just Rod, who is hailed as the Sword Saint, but also the Young Lady of the Matra Empire's Duke's Family, the Princess of Tatars, and so on. His network of connections is unreal.
I'm not sure how these relationships ford in such a way. Especially Rod, with whom I beca close unintentionally.
He even instilled a sense of etiquette in , so I can't say it's a distant relationship. He's far surpassed being a re reliable ally.
'Seeing his genuine concern for ... well...'
It was around the ti I was lying on the bed, idly. I sensed soone entering the prison.
Turning my head toward the wide-open door, I saw a familiar figure. An elderly gentleman with an impressive, straight mustache.
"What are you thinking about?"
Rod had co to see . There was a clear reason the prison door was wide open.
As soon as he arrived, I got up from the bed and sat properly. Rod also brought a chair to sit on.
"Nothing much. Just thinking about the service."
"Service? Ah, you an community service?"
"Yes."
"It won't be much, I'd imagine. It's just picking up trash or carrying loads."
Community service is simple. But its true implication lies in hindering growth.
You have to wake up early in the morning or do it after classes. It's a bit of a hassle but nothing too burdenso.
"... ..."
"... ..."
After that, an awkward silence settled between and Rod. I was busy gauging his mood.
Despite all his warnings, I had caused trouble. Even Rod seed a bit troubled.
"...Well, let's hear the story first."
"... ..."
"Why did you hit a fellow student? What was the reason?"
In the awkward atmosphere, Rod was the first to speak. Judging by his words, it seed he hadn't heard the full story yet.
Perhaps the disciplinary committee had explained it vaguely. The ruffians' remarks weren't just insulting—they were utterly disgraceful.
If Rod were to hear about it, he would've cut off their heads, not just their tongues.
"...I don't want to talk about it."
"Sivar."
"I just don't want to. I'm not going to."
That's why I didn't want to speak further. How could I possibly say that in front of him?
Rod sternly pressed , but I responded by turning my head. It was my way of saying I didn't want to talk anymore.
At this, Rod inhaled deeply and exhaled. He must have been frustrated, but there was nothing he could do.
"I know well that you don't hurt people without reason. There must have been a reason this ti, too."
"Then hear it later. Not from ."
"Alright. I suppose I'll hear the full story soon enough."
If it's Rod, he'll find everything out. But I didn't understand why he had co to .
However, his next words made shiver.
"Why are you angry?"
"... ..."
"I've rarely seen you angry. Not annoyed, but truly furious."
His words accurately pinpointed my emotions. I turned to face Rod.
At first, I suppressed my anger repeatedly, but I reached the breaking point and caused an incident. However, I did not regret it.
Rather, I felt relieved. That ruffian wouldn't be able to speak recklessly anymore, not even properly speak.
"I want to know why you were angry. I think I'll feel at ease after hearing it."
"... ..."
"Can you tell ? For and for others as well."
Rod asked firmly. Again, it was a request, not an order.
A person as great as the Sword Saint was requesting sothing from . Treating as an equal, person to person.
I hesitated, mumbling while thinking it over, then I sighed. At the very least, I didn't want to disappoint Rod.
"... I cursed."
"You cursed?"
"Yes. I cursed at my friends and you, Rod."
"I see."
Tap- Tap-
Rod, after hearing my response, gave a gentle smile. At the sa ti, he lightly patted my head.
I glanced at Rod's face, moved by his affectionate touch as a person. It bore a contented smile, far from any anger.
"You did well. If it were anger for your own sake, I would have scolded you harshly. But it was anger for others. That's a good sign."
"I'm included in it too. Because of ..."
"You don't need to say more. If you were going to cut out their tongue, you might as well have ripped it out completely."
"... ..."
Was it okay to say sothing like that? He probably ant it as a joke, but anyone else who heard it would've been horrified.
I wasn't the type to take jokes lightly and often carried them out literally. Of course, I wouldn't actually do it.
"From now on, clean up street trash and carry loads diligently. I hope you'll realize sothing while volunteering."
"... You're not going to get angry?"
"No. Why would I get angry?"
Rod lightly tapped my arm and stood up. Then he gave a small laugh and nodded his head backward.
It was a signal to leave the prison together. I glanced around cautiously and then slowly got up.
When I finally ca out with him, I encountered so very familiar faces.
"Ah. It's Sivar."
"Sivar!"
Kara, Ellie, and finally Luna. They brightened up when they saw coming out with Rod.
Seeing even Ellie there, aside from Kara and Luna, it seed the news had spread widely. It was a bit embarrassing.
"What happened? No problems, right?"
"Yes. I got community service."
"Community service?"
Hearing I received community service, Ellie tilted her head in confusion. She seed unfamiliar with such a punishnt.
However, only one person reacted differently. As soon as Kara heard "community service," she frowned and spoke in a weary tone.
"That's really annoying. How many hours did you get?"
"Ten hours."
"Have you ever received it?"
That question ca from Luna. She seed genuinely curious after noticing Kara's knowing reaction.
At this, Kara awkwardly touched her hair and gave a bitter smile. Then, she revealed her past.
"Back in the day, I... caused a lot of trouble. You know the rumors that were going around, right?"
"Ah, yes. About how you frequently hit people..."
"Every ti, I was given community service. I had my reasons too. The maximum I received was 100 hours, I think."
Before Kara matured ntally, she caused all sorts of incidents, mostly related to assault.
If she was insulted as a barbarian, she would respond with her fist. Her reasons were justified enough that even the academy didn't expel her.
However, 100 hours of community service still seed excessive. Just how many people did she beat up to receive that much?
Luna blinked at Kara's words and then casually asked.
"Are you a volunteer worker or sothing?"
"Seems like it. So, let hit you once."
"Pfft."
I chuckled weakly. Luna's mouth was still the sa as ever.
[Faith Increases!]
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