* * *Lord Howe Academy, Conference Room 1.People of different colors and ethnicities were seated at a massive round table made of luxurious hardwood, unfolding docunts.Teaching representatives from major departnts, as well as directors from key offices such as administration, admissions, and public relations.With everyone, who could rightly be called the real power of the academy, gathered, only the hushed sound of pages being turned could be heard.And just before the silence could beco uncomfortable, the door to the conference room opened, and a middle-aged woman with her hair tied up stepped in.Hina Libero.Or as she preferred to be called ‘Principal’ instead of her official title ‘President of Lord Howe Academy’.“You’ve arrived. Ms. Pre—no, Ms. Principal.”The staff stood up in unison and bowed their heads.In response to their greeting, the Principal smiled gently and casually made her way to the seat at the head of the table.Following her lead, the staff also sat back down and turned toward her.“Ladies and gentlen of the staff, I apologize for summoning you at this late hour. As those of you who have seen the docunts on the table already know, this ergency eting was convened at the behest of Director Nikolay.”The Principal looked at Director Nikolay Tcherny, who was sitting to her left.“The agenda for this eting is for us to vote on… the disciplinary action regarding both the transfer student and the Admissions Director.”The staff, who were quick to pick up on the latest rumors, showed no reaction as if they had expected this.However, professors, like Professor Kadan from the Magic Departnt, turned to the Admissions Director with a look of surprise.How did that strict person end up in this situation?As everyone pondered this, Nikolay raised his hand. The Principal gave him permission to speak with a slight gesture.“Ahem, ahem. As so of you may already know, a tragic event occurred at our academy today.”Director Nikolay stood up and scanned the staff around the table before continuing.“Due to one person’s choice and one person’s misconduct, the academy has suffered enormous ntal and material damage.”With a triumphant voice, he turned towards dga, the Admissions Director.“First, Runway 2 at the airport has been damaged. According to the Facilities Managent Departnt, it will take three days to restore it to normal.”The runway was damaged? So teachers turned to the head of Facilities Managen,t as if asking if that was true.He simply shrugged his shoulders in response. On receiving his unspoken affirmation, Nikolay continued.“But that’s not all. According to the nurous testimonies we have received, the transfer student overtly threatened the staff who were present on-site. Not just with words, but using weapons and mana as well.”“… Huh.”Upon hearing a sigh from an unknown staff mber, Nikolay spoke with greater emotion.“Additionally, 27 staff mbers, including Pedro, an employee of the board, are complaining of ntal distress. So have even requested leave due to post-traumatic stress disorder.”“…”“A total of 19 people, including the students who had gathered on the runway, have suffered injuries of varying degrees. Fortunately, none of them were severe, but the dical team has officially requested restraint.”He spoke with an agitated expression and gestures. Seeing everyone’s attention fixed on him, Nikolay slamd his hand on the table.“And among the injured is the Saintess herself! It’s fortunate she was able to heal herself, but she still suffered a broken arm! We’re not just talking about so ordinary person here—this is the Saintess! And this happened on her very first day at the academy!”dga remained silent, glaring at Nikolay, who had just finished speaking while trying to hide a sneer.“Everyone! I hereby call for imdiate disciplinary action to be taken against the transfer student and for the removal of dga from the position of Admissions Director.”Teachers with even little to no interest in the internal politics of the academy recognized Nikolay’s ploy and frowned, but that was all.Assuming that all of Nikolay’s claims were true, then disciplinary action against the Admissions Director was warranted.After all, this transfer was solely the Admissions Director’s unilateral decision.“Do you have any rebuttals, Admissions Director dga?”The Principal, who had been resting her chin on her hand, asked. dga sighed and replied.“It’s hard to say that the transfer student is the only one at fault. There were people who were deliberately condemning the transfer. And especially…”But before he could continue with his explanation, Director Nikolay interrupted.“Condemn, you say?! What they were doing was expressing their opinion in a legitimate manner! How could you describe people who were protesting against your overreach of authority like that, Admissions Director! Aren’t you ashad?”“… Hah.”Faced with such a shallow ploy, dga swallowed his sigh.Even though that man had relied on his connections outside the academy to gain his current position, how could he stoop to such a low level?Although it was a situation that would make one sigh involuntarily, the other staff mbers had grim expressions.Even if they put aside the damage caused to the runway, the fact that a Superhuman student threatened ordinary staff and caused the injury to the Saintess was no trivial matter.“If there are no objections, we will imdiately proceed with the vote.”As Nikolay said this, the back door of the conference room opened, and secretaries carrying the voting boxes and ballots rushed in.It was as if they were advertising that they had prepared everything in advance. From the ergency eting to the voting, it was all just so blatantly obvious.Ignoring the staff’s uncomfortable expressions, Nikolay continued to address the table.“Lastly, I will ask. Does anyone oppose the voting?”It was clear that no one would oppose taking a vote, though there might be those who cast an opposing vote.“Then, we will start the voting…”Just as Nikolay was about to declare it triumphantly, the Principal raised her hand.“…Ms. President?”“Principal.”“Yes, Ms. Principal. Uh, may I ask why you raised your hand?”“You asked if there were any objections, didn’t you?”The Principal’s stern gaze caused Nikolay’s expression to harden.“Objections? You have heard my entire explanation, right? The transfer was an overreach of authority by the Admissions Director…”“Not by the Admissions Director. It was my command.”“… What?”Nikolay was struck speechless. Tapping the table, the Principal continued.“I was the one who approved the transfer of the rcenary called Cheon Yeomyeong.”“…”Tap. Tap. Tap. The sound of the Principal’s fingers tapping the table echoed through the conference room.“So, if anyone should be taking responsibility for this incident, it should be . Don’t you agree, Director Nikolay?”The Principal enunciated each word with great care.“You also brought up dismissal, right? I think it’s too extre of a asure for an accident caused by a single student.”“M-Ms. Principal, I….”“I know, I know. I understand that you have put in so effort for all this.”“…”“But boundaries must be maintained. The students gathered at the airport are no fools, and if the staff are fooled by such blatant sches, what will the students think?”The atmosphere had beco peculiar. Director Nikolay, not even bothering to wipe the sweat from his forehead, answered in a flustered manner.“I thought this was a matter of the academy’s prestige. And if you take any matter involving the Saintess lightly…”“…because of the Saintess.”The Principal narrowed her eyes and turned her head.However, her gaze was not directed at Director Nikolay but rather to the back of the table.“Does that woman think so as well?”Only then did the teachers’ gazes turn to the back.At the end of the conference room, where the secretaries and personal assistants were sitting in a row…Sat a woman in a blue coat, with a plain blue mask on her face while crossing her legs and looking at the table.Only a few recognized her identity.At most, a few keen-eyed individuals realized that the coat she was wearing was the representative attire of the Blue Rat.But Nikolay was different. As soon as he saw the blue mask, he swallowed nervously.It was an appearance anyone from Moscow would recognize.“Wh-why… is that woman at the academy…”Nikolay stamred as he took a step back.While the staff, unable to guess her identity, were unable to hide their confusion, the Principal simply tilted her head.“Is it that strange for a parent to co to see their daughter’s admission?”
* * *The male dormitory for first-year students at Lord Howe Academy was chaotic as ever. While it was always lively, it was even more so.
Because today was the day the rumored transfer student was moving in.The dormitory staff gritted their teeth while sneaking occasional glances at the clock, while the students gathered in groups at the windows, keeping an eye on the path leading to the dormitory.- Is today really the day of his admission?- I heard he was released from the Disciplinary Office earlier.- Which room do you think he’ll get?After a long wait, two people could be seen walking down the brightly lit hallway.Leading the way and giving directions was the familiar dormitory supervisor. And following him was…- They say he’s an ex-rcenary, but he doesn’t look that different in the school uniform.Students, who were seeing the transfer student for the first ti, did not hide their disappointnt. The neatly dressed transfer student did not seem special in any manner.- That’s because you haven’t seen him fight.Of course, the students who had seen him back at the airport thought differently.They had seen the transfer student threatening to sever the limbs of the instigators and the battle in which he brought forth his Sword Aura.Jealousy, admiration, pure curiosity.Amidst countless gazes of the male students, the transfer student had already arrived right in front of the dormitory.- Which room will he be assigned to? An available one or according to tradition?- It should obviously be done according to tradition.- He didn’t even take the entrance exam. How can they place him according to tradition? They’ll probably assign him to any available room.The Tradition of the DormitoryIt referred to the long-standing practice of assigning rooms based on admission rankings, the higher the ranking, the better the room.Although it was only a matter of assigning rooms with better sunlight or ones closer to the stairs…Boys of this age often stoked their competitive spirit over such minor trivialities.- But if they stick to the tradition, does that an Jeon Yunseong will have to vacate his room?Asked one of the students rushing down the central staircase.It was a simple question, but it was enough to ignite a fla in the boys’ hearts.Who was stronger? Jeon Yunseong, the strongest first year and the pride of Arica? Or the transfer student who had supposedly defeated a dragon?- Nah, Jeon Yunseong is probably stronger. Even third-year seniors don’t dare to challenge him- Hey! The transfer student supposedly defeated a dragon in actual combat. How can Yunseong compete with that?- They say it was thanks to the Saintess’ blessing. It might be different if he fought barehanded.By the ti the transfer student entered the first-floor lobby, that was the discussion that had everyone’s attention.Thud.However, as if on cue, the mont the transfer student stepped into the dormitory, the students fell silent at the sa ti.“Hmm…”His cold, golden eyes scanned the students gathered in the lobby and the central staircase.After observing the students for a mont, the transfer student turned to the dormitory head and asked.“…Mr. Dormitory Head. Is there a welcoming ceremony or sothing?”“Uh… well…”Looking flustered, the dormitory head trailed off.He didn’t know why so many students had gathered in the lobby.Fortunately, his bewildernt did not last long. Unable to tolerate the silence, soone revealed the truth.“This isn’t a welcoming ceremony; everyone’s gathered to see you.”“…See?”A burly boy stepped forward from among the students. He added in a gruff voice, as if he had just past puberty.“Cheon Yeomyeong, you are a famous person who’s been all over the news as of late. So, you know, it’s like they’ve gathered to see a celebrity.”“…”“And also… maybe… you might be assigned to the best room in our dorm.”Assigned to the best room… what? What kind of nonsense was this? Yeomyeong raised an eyebrow.“Oh, I see. It looks like you don’t know about this yet. It’s a tradition in the first-year male dormitory.”Seeing Yeomyeong’s indifferent reaction, the boy hastily explained the dormitory’s tradition.Though his explanation was a bit muddled, it wasn’t difficult to understand.The tradition where male students were assigned to better rooms based on their admission ranking.As soon as his explanation ended, Yeomyeong comnted curtly.“What a foolish tradition.”Reactions were mixed. So snickered in agreent, while others frowned in displeasure…Regardless of the students’ reactions, Yeomyeong paid them no heed and addressed the dormitory head.“Mr. Dormitory Head, where is my room?”“Uh… Room 314. I’ll show you the way.”Relieved that no dispute regarding the room seed imminent, the dormitory head sighed and prepared to guide him.However, the next mont, the boy who had given him the explanation of the tradition earlier jumped up.Thud!Landing in the center of the lobby, right in front of the dormitory head and Yeomyeong, the boy did not hide his burning gaze.“Cheon Yeomyeong. I’m Wesley, ranked 4th in the admission rankings. I’m currently using the second-best room in this dorm.”It was clear what he would say next, even if left unsaid.
Let’s have a fight over my room.
Cheon Yeomyeong could have refused, but there was no reason for him to do so.
He wouldn’t have acted so boldly back at the airport if he didn’t want to be noticed.It seems I’ll be fighting more often than I did as a rcenary.Yeomyeong was about to open his bag and take out his sword. However, he just set the bag down and clenched his fists.Why should I use a sword against kids?Seeing this, Wesley also raised his fists. Far from being displeased, he actually had a smile on his face.“…Are we going to do this barehanded?”“Yes, barehanded. Are there any rules?”“Until one side surrenders.”The dormitory staff tried to intervene, but the dormitory head waved them off. It was a gesture to let them be.This marked the mont when Yeomyeong and Wesley’s fight officially beca a dispute over a room.- Hey! Everyone up there, hurry down! Wesley and the transfer student are going to fight!As the staff sighed and the male students cheered…“Here I co.”Wesley kicked the ground.
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