Chapter 17

It was around noon, two days after the chaotic Great Five Saints Festival.

In the capital of this country, Aurest, an emergency board meeting was held on the top floor of the 'Five Academies Hall,' which stands at the center of the city.

The area around this building, where the presidents of the five academies gathered, was under strict traffic control, and the number of Holy Knights assigned to security was enormous, with the highest quality of personnel.

It was a state of utmost vigilance, not even allowing a mouse to pass through.

The five people gathered in the VIP room on the top floor were all prominent figures in the country.

Reia Rasnote of the Senrin Academy.

Feris Dohrain of the Ice King Academy.

And the presidents of the other three academies, a distinguished lineup.

The agenda was the second match of the Great Five Saints Festival—Allen Rodor vs. Shido Yucilus.

The issue was the punishment for the two clear rule violations that occurred during the match.

The elderly gentleman from the 'government,' who had no vested interest in the five academies, was in charge of the meeting. He announced the results of the vote with his deep, resonant voice.

"---With five votes in favor and zero against, Shido Yucilus of the Ice King Academy is hereby suspended for one month."

"「「「「「No objections.」」」」」

This decision was unanimously agreed upon by all the presidents, including Reia.

Ignoring the referee's stoppage and executing a lethal attack on the opponent.

Although Allen defended and the attack was unsuccessful, it was a clear rule violation that could not be overlooked.

The discussion on Shido's punishment was quickly resolved, and the meeting finally moved on to the main topic of the day.

"---Next, we will discuss the punishment for Allen Rodor of Senrin Academy. First, we will consider whether to expel him. We have thirty minutes, so please take your time to discuss."

The moment the elderly gentleman said this, the presidents began to voice their opinions one by one.

"Of course, he should be expelled!"

"Agreed. In fact, he should be handed over to the Holy Knights for attempted murder."

"Um, well... I think expulsion might be unavoidable..."

"Indeed. Considering what he did to our Shido, expulsion is inevitable."

"Wait! At that time, Allen was in a complete state of mental breakdown! I don't think he was responsible for his actions!"

One against four.

In terms of numbers, Reia was in a completely disadvantageous position.

"Even if you say mental breakdown... Isn't it just that he's immature?"

"Agreed. As students of the Five Academies, they must always discipline themselves."

"Um, well... Losing control of oneself is not good, right?"

"Hmm... From the video, it seems they were able to communicate properly... That's a bit harsh, don't you think, Reia?"

"..."

Reia was at a loss for words.

(Grr...)

She bit her lower lip and tried to think of a way to turn the situation around.

However, Reia was not particularly good at intellectual work or eloquence.

Persuading the presidents, who were all seasoned, was objectively impossible.

Realizing this instinctively, she quickly gave up on verbal persuasion and appealed in the simplest and most primitive way.

"If---if you decide to expel Allen here..."

A tremendous 'pressure' emanated from Reia, and everyone in the room involuntarily held their breath.

"---If you do, you'll have to deal with me. Is that okay?"

It was a crude and immature tactic, not even a strategy, but in reality, it was the most effective move.

No one in the room was ignorant of the name and martial prowess of 'Reia Rasnote, the Black Fist.'

"Grr..."

"Ugh..."

"Ah, ah, ahhh...!?"

"O-Oh, scary!"

Reia Rasnote, as an outstanding individual, could hold her own against any of the Five Academies for more than five minutes.

Rationally, this was just a threat—childish tantrums that would not be taken seriously.

Because, even if it were possible, it would be unthinkable to make enemies with the Five Academies just to protect one student.

The balance of benefits and losses simply did not add up.

However, the thought that "Reia might actually do it" crossed the minds of the four presidents.

Indeed, in the past, when she was still young,

A large criminal organization called 'Red Rain' had severely injured a swordsman who could be called her best friend.

Upon hearing the news, she was enraged and, despite opposition from those around her, stormed the organization's headquarters alone.

As a result, the 'Red Rain,' which had long been a thorn in the side of the Holy Knights, was annihilated in a single night.

One of Reia's most famous feats.

In this world, where various powers exist, the final word is ultimately military might.

Thus, when everyone fell silent, the timer beeped.

The elderly gentleman quietly stopped the timer and cleared his throat.

"---We will now vote on whether to expel Allen Rodor of Senrin Academy. Starting with Reia-sama, please state your opinion one by one, whether you are in favor or against his expulsion."

Thus, the vote that would greatly affect Allen's fate began.

"I strongly oppose it!"

Reia declared this loudly and clearly, and the turn passed to the next president.

"Um, well... I, I... I..."

She was often neutral and was wavering between favor and against.

Sensing this, Reia deliberately cracked her right knuckle loudly.

"Ah, ah, ah, I, I oppose it..."

The president, who had been in favor until just a moment ago, yielded to Reia's martial prowess.

Seeing this, the pro-expulsion faction glared at her, shouting, "Traitor!"

The next two presidents,

"It's decided, isn't it!"

"Agreed. I'm in favor."

They strongly desired Allen's expulsion and immediately declared their support.

Two against.

Two in favor.

With the votes evenly split, the final vote was in the hands of Feris Dohrain.

She was in a victim-like position and had a long-standing grudge against Reia from their student days.

(Grr... Is it this far...!?)

(Haha, I've won...!)

Reia clenched her teeth, and the two pro-expulsion presidents smirked.

And in the next moment.

"I, I oppose it."

Feris smiled and cast her vote against Allen's expulsion.

The elderly butler immediately declared the result of the vote.

"Two in favor. Three against. ---By majority vote, Allen Rodor's expulsion is rejected."

At that moment, the two who had strongly pushed for Allen's expulsion were enraged and slammed their fists on the table.

"What, what nonsense!?"

"What kind of farce is this!?"

They glared at the two who had changed their opinions at the last moment.

"What do you mean, you guys!?"

"You're going back on your word!"

Indeed, these two had contacted all the presidents except Reia and had colluded to expel Allen.

Moreover, they had even offered a large sum of money to Feris to get her support for Allen's expulsion.

It was no wonder they were enraged.

Their faces flushed red as they glared at the 'traitors' with fury.

"Um, well, I, I'm sorry..."

The president who had yielded to Reia's martial prowess at the last moment bowed her head with tears in her eyes.

On the other hand, Feris showed no sign of remorse and spoke with a cool expression.

"Yes, I heard the proposal. But I only heard it... No one ever said 'I agree.'"

She said this and narrowed her fox-like eyes, chuckling.

"You, you... You received the 'tea and snacks,' didn't you!?"

Here, 'tea and snacks' was a coded term for the bribe between the two.

Feris responded,

"Hmm? Oh, yes, I enjoyed them very much. Thank you."

She treated the actual 'tea and snacks' with just a word of thanks.

"Grr... You, you 'vixen'... What are you thinking, you!?"

"Well, at first, I thought I would expel Allen... But then..."

She began to explain why she had cast her vote against expulsion.

"Early this morning, I told Shido, who was still in the hospital, 'I'll expel Allen.' He said, 'Miss, I'll kill him in the next tournament, so please don't,' and he bowed his head and begged me."

Feris recalled his appearance at that time and smiled lazily.

"He looked so cute... I couldn't help but agree to his request."

Shido was originally an orphan born in the slums. Through various circumstances, Feris rescued him when he was five years old.

He grew up a bit wild due to being overly indulged, but Feris truly cared for him.

Shido also felt a strong sense of gratitude to Feris, who had raised him, and called her 'Miss' with affection.

The 'request' of her beloved 'son' and the 'request' of an elderly president.

There was no need to weigh them on a scale.

"Grr, you fools...!"

"Why can't you see the future...? This will be a great loss in the long run..."

The two had pushed so hard for Allen's expulsion because they were afraid of his power, which they had seen in the recorded video.

His overwhelming physical abilities, which trampled on Shido's Soul Armor 'Lone Ice Wolf' without a second thought, were truly impressive.

And the pinnacle was the black sword that contained immense power, effortlessly piercing through Shido's magnificent defensive technique 'Ice Waterfall Wall.'

Multiple such swords were confirmed in the video.

(Grr... If Senrin Academy revives...)

(We might lose the 'presidency' we worked so hard to achieve...)

They wanted to expel Allen to protect their own positions.

The position of 'president of the Five Academies' is like sweet honey.

In the face of its immense power and social influence, no one would openly oppose them.

Therefore, many people coveted this position.

If they showed even a moment's weakness—such as poor performance in a tournament like the Great Five Saints Festival—they could be expelled.

Indeed, this year, the president of Senrin Academy had just been removed from office.

They had absolute confidence in the students they had raised.

They did not think Allen was unbeatable.

---But it was best to nip dangerous sprouts in the bud.

Allowing Senrin Academy to strengthen would weaken them relatively.

That's why they wanted to expel the unknown threat, Allen.

All for the sake of protecting the position of 'president of the Five Academies.'

As the two in favor of expulsion trembled with frustration, Reia heaved a sigh of relief.

(At any rate, he's safe...)

Just as she took a deep breath, the elderly gentleman spoke.

"Next, we will discuss the specific punishment for Allen Rodor. We have thirty minutes, so please take your time to discuss."

Although expulsion was avoided, Allen, who had broken the rules of the Great Five Saints Festival, would still receive some form of punishment.

Reia tried to lighten Allen's punishment, while the two in favor of expulsion sought a harsher punishment.

The one neutral president wavered between the two, and Feris stirred the pot with her mischievous comments.

The debate among the five presidents was intense.

■

I regained consciousness to the regular beeping of a machine.

...

The sharp smell of disinfectant.

The artificial, glaring light.

The stark white ceiling before my eyes.

It seemed I was lying on my back.

"Ugh... Where... where am I...?"

Turning my head slightly, I saw Reia and Rose.

They were sitting in chairs, their upper bodies resting on my bed, breathing steadily in their sleep.

Finding my familiar friends, I felt a bit more at ease.

I slowly sat up, careful not to wake them, and leaned against the bed frame.

"So, this is a hospital..."

Electrodes were attached to my chest, and a heart monitor was placed next to the bed.

The beeping sound was the line on the monitor moving up and down with my heartbeat.

"What happened after that..."

I don't remember much after Shido aimed a thrust at my neck.

I only remember that the 'Something' inside me was rampaging joyfully.

At that time, I felt like I was sinking into deep, dark water.

I was incredibly sleepy.

But for some reason, I felt I shouldn't fall asleep.

As I fought to stay awake, I heard Reia's voice.

I struggled desperately.

Struggling in the water, and then—when I came to, I was back in the original world.

(What was that...?)

As I recalled that moment,

"Ugh, ugh..."

Reia rubbed her eyes and slowly sat up.

"Good morning, Reia."

"!? Allen! You're awake!"

She opened her eyes wide and hugged me tightly.

"It's, it's suffocating, Reia..."

"It's okay... It's really okay..."

She whispered this over and over, her voice trembling.

(I caused her so much worry...)

A mix of guilt for worrying her and happiness that she cared so much for me made me feel a bit complicated.

But... I had to say this at least.

"Um, well, that... It's, it's touching me..."

"...Touching? ...!?"

When she understood exactly what was 'touching,' her cheeks turned bright red, and she quickly pulled away.

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and glared at me.

"...Allen, you pervert!"

"That's, that's unfair..."

As I smiled wryly,

"Mm... Allen?"

Rose rubbed her eyes and swayed as she sat up.

She seemed to be weak in the mornings, and her usual composed demeanor was nowhere to be seen.

Her hair was standing up in an artistic mess.

It was a truly artistic bad hair day.

"Good morning, Rose."

"...Good morning. ...Are you okay now?"

She asked with a slightly slurred voice, showing concern for me.

"Yeah, I think I'm fine now."

Strangely, despite the numerous injuries I had sustained, there was no trace of them on my body.

(Is this... because of that guy's power...?)

The 'Something' that had taken over my body and rampaged with all its might.

(Who is that guy, really...?)

As I placed my hand on my chest and thought about it, the door to the hospital room suddenly opened.

"Hey, you're awake, Allen!"

Reia-sensei, dressed in her usual black suit, appeared.

"Here, it's a get-well gift. Eat it when you're hungry."

She handed me a plastic bag she was holding in her right hand.

When I peeked inside, there were three bananas.

(Well, I've heard they're good for health...)

Honestly, I didn't need so many.

But the thought counts.

"Thank you. I'll eat them later."

When I thanked her sincerely, she smiled.

Then,

"---But, Reia! What happened to Allen!?"

"Tell us quickly!"

The two of them stood up and approached Reia-sensei.

"...?"

What were they so eager to know?

As I tilted my head in confusion,

"Alright, calm down. First, I'll explain what happened after you lost consciousness."

Then, Reia-sensei told me about the aftermath of the Great Five Saints Festival.

After I and Shido lost consciousness, we were immediately taken to the hospital.

Both of us were critically injured, but we managed to survive.

Due to the significant rule violations by both sides, the match between Senrin Academy and Ice King Academy was declared a double disqualification.

And today, a board meeting was held to decide the punishments for the two of us.

The moment Reia-sensei finished speaking,

"So, what happened to Allen!?"

"Tell us quickly!"

Reia and Rose immediately demanded the 'answer.'

They were probably asking about the punishment the board had decided for me.

Reia-sensei cleared her throat and spoke.

"---Allen has been given a one-month suspension."

"...Suspension? Not expulsion, but 'suspension'!?"

"Is that true?"

"Yeah, I managed to keep it at suspension. ...To be honest, it was a close call."

"「It's a relief...」"

Reia and Rose heaved a sigh of relief as if it were their own matter.

"But, there's something a bit difficult to say... As a form of collective responsibility, Reia and Rose have also been given a one-month suspension."

"What! That's unfair!"

They had nothing to do with the match.

In fact, they hadn't even participated in the Great Five Saints Festival.

It was an extremely unfair punishment.

"It's fine, I don't mind."

"It's not a problem."

They said this, but I couldn't accept it.

"Why are Reia and Rose being suspended? Please tell me the reason!"

Reia