Within a matter of days, news of the entire event had spread.
The White Death had been captured, and it turned out to be a forr Beta Class Student, which further caused the rift that existed in both classes to widen. The Joint Combat Training Session was on the verge of collapsing as a result.
Since the Culprit had been captured, with enough incriminating evidence to prove her guilt—as well as the corroborating testimonies of her partners—the curfew was lifted and so semblance of normalcy was returned to the Academy.
Students could safely roam the Campus Grounds without fear or worry, and the entire Academy would experience safety and security once more.
There was only one thing missing in all of these subsequent events.
—Ashfelt Zephyr's return.
***********
"Per our deal, I'll cancel your transfer to the North and accept your re-application into the Akashic Magus Academy."
Gerard Lockwood rested his chin on his intertwined fingers as he sat on his exquisite chair within his luxurious office. Seated opposite him, separated by a classy desk, was Ashfelt, who had a calm smile on his face.
"That's a relief." He replied. "I feared you might want to go back on your word."
Their agreent involved giving Gerard all the glory when it ca to solving the case of the White Death, which ant he would be recognized for solving such an unsettling case in the Academy.
This was important because it would further improve his image as a competent Head of Student Affairs and one of the administrators in the Academy. If the accolades had gone to two students—particularly a Beta Student—it would have badly injured the image of a lot of staff in the Academy, himself included.
"And why would I do that?" Gerard chuckled.
"I'm not sure. Why would you send to the North? Because you can... right?"
"Hm. Good point."
'Well, I'm relieved he followed through with his promise.' Ash sighed internally. 'If he didn't, I would have had to do sothing I don't want to resort to.'
Since everything had been resolved so neatly, it was about ti for him to resu his identity as a student. This had always been the plan, and since Gerard had agreed to support the re-application, he had sidestepped a lot of the legwork involved in the process.
Of course, that didn't an he was completely out of the woods.
'I still have to pass the Re-Application Exams and reach a satisfactory score for to advance with my goals.'
"By the way, I would like to see Britta before I leave." Ash asked Gerard with a soft smile. "That is possible, right?"
"No... it's not." The man sighed.
Ash instantly frowned, feeling the urge to incentivize Gerard, just in case he forgot the kind of position he was in. Before he could say anything, though, an explained flowed from the older man's lips.
"You can't see her because she's already dead."
"What? Really?!"
"Yes." Gerard sighed. "The higher-ups wanted her dead as soon as possible to reduce the risk of the White Death reappearing, or worse... her escaping."
"You didn't even interrogate her?"
"We did." Gerard sighed. "We got to correspond her activities with the nights of the murders, identified all of her allies, and we extracted the truth regarding her identity as the White Death from her."
"...."
"Don't worry... you got the right person, if that's what you're worried about."
"I know I did." Ash responded with a sigh.
"So what's the problem? You didn't think she would actually be spared, did you?"
'Of course not!' He shook his head internally. 'She killed a Noble's child, murdered an Academy alumni, and two Instructors.'
All while expertly blending into an environnt that gave her access to even more victims.
Her fate was sealed the mont she was caught.
"I just wanted to speak to her a little before she was executed... that's all." He murmured, rising to his feet.
"Thank you once again for your audience, Head of Student Affairs."
Ash walked towards the door, one hand in his pocket as he calmly cast one final glance at the man who was still seated so comfortably on his chair even as he ntioned the demise of one of the students he was supposed to care for.
'Things wouldn't have escalated so much if he had done his job effectively.'
The strife and ever-growing frustration that burned within the Beta Class Students would only continue to rise—especially now that one of their own was identified as the White Death—but n like Gerard were doing nothing to curb the impending storm.
They were incompetent n who simply occupied positions due to nepotism and a tinge of rit. There was no doubt that Gerard Lockwood was strong, but he was also too malignant and short-sighted to be a leader.
Especially one of such a scale.
'Head of Student Affairs is an important position for the growth and overall welfare of students... yet I doubt he does anything but sit in his office and delegate tasks to everyone else.'
That was why he was never relevant to the novel's original storyline.
'Doesn't that an I can eliminate him and the tiline wouldn't change that much? No... who am I kidding? Of course it would.'
Certain individuals had more relevance in death than when they were alive.
Besides, since he was publicly recognized as the one that solved the White Death Case, his death would raise a lot of eyebrows and suspicion.
Then, just as he investigated and caught the White Death... soone could do the sa to him.
'He isn't worth it.'
Ash had not forgotten the actions of Gerard Lockwood during their first encounter, and he had no intentions to let it go. However, for the present mont, it was best to postpone his punishnt until an appropriate opportunity reared its head.
'Right now, I have to prepare for my re-entry into the Akashic Magus Academy.'
In essence, he would have to take a new Entrance Exam—this ti, far crueler than the one that regular applicants had received.
He also couldn't get a free pass due to his title as a Noble.
This ti, he had to work hard for it.
'And I'm fine with that... as long as the exam is standard and the judging process is fair.'
But, what were the chances of those being the case?
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