After stopping by at a café for lunch, the three of them headed back to the academy. Normally there's two bells whenever break is about to end. The first one signifies they have to get moving. The second one means the gate is about to close.
However, unusually enough, there were no bells today. That said, students know how long the break is so they check the time every now and then. A crowd of students were now marching back, all wondering why that first bell didn't happen.
When the three of them entered the gates, they noticed the students gathering in the track-and-field training area.
It looked quite important since even some teachers were standing there.
Seeing that, Arnold went there as well, curious as to what's going on.
Celeste was standing there in the front, facing the students. Her gaze alternated between the gates and the students that are still flocking here.
Behind her was the entire Student Council, excluding the juniors who joined this year. There were also teachers standing nearby, but it was quite obvious that Celeste is the representative.
After a minute, the gates closed and she began to speak.
"I hope everyone is here." Celeste's voice came from the mic floating near her mouth, "If your friend or dorm roommate isn't, please be sure to let them know what I'm about to say. Don't worry, it won't be long."
Without beating around the bush, she continued:
"The academy will be closed for the rest of the week, starting tomorrow. Teachers have already been informed this morning and will gather work for you to self-study at home. A bell will ring later today—once you hear that, proceed to the auditorium."
"Why is that? It's the first week and we're supposed to catch up on what we learned last year!" someone asked from the crowd, perplexed at the sudden announcement.
"Yeah, self-study is gonna be brutal." Another added.
"Not to mention we first years are still adjusting." A third person complained.
"It can't be helped as it's an order directly from the palace. From what was told to the vice principal and faculty, leaders from all over the country, from every nation and city, have been asked to attend a meeting with the emperor. They weren't specific over what this was but what we do know is that it's important that they convene as soon as possible since this meeting will have the fate of the entire continent of Diacree as the subject."
Could it be that Jurnick is announcing and scheduling the duel? No, it could also be the Republic of Zrek since Lunaria sent the news to the emperor behind the scenes before the envoy from the republic could even cross the imperial border.
If the President is killed, whoever is responsible might try to pin the blame on the emperor, given how the Eulia Empire had conflict with the Republic of Zrek in the past. This will no doubt start a world war if the perpetrator succeeds since a monarchy is trying to overthrow a democracy to keep one system in power, afraid that it will affect those in power in the monarchy.
Given how the perpetrator is Serz, they will probably find a way to pin the blame on someone. Their whole "business model" isn't assassination, as everyone knows, so if a second assassination happen in the same decade, it has to be for good reason.
The narrative of the emperor wanting to kill the president will hold strong. As such, Jurnick will probably try to prove that he isn't involved.
"In addition to closing the academy for the rest of the week, the main streets will also be closed off starting tomorrow so if you decide to leave the academy to visit family or go shopping, please avoid crossing the main roads as soldiers will be there to stop you. The student council, the Disciplinary Committee and other student bodies, are expected to come to the office at least for a few hours per day as our work never stops even when on vacation. While the main campus will be off-limits while we from the student council are doing our work, students are encouraged to use the libraries we have on campus to study. Half of this month's school fees will be paid back as an apology for the sudden closure."
Celeste bowed and the rest of the student council followed suit, "Please take care if you go back home for the week. And don't forget to do the work you will receive by the end of the day. Stay safe and we hope to see you back in a week."
◊◊
There was an unease in the air for why the academy is suddenly closed. But if there was danger, the emperor would've declared a national emergency. Then again, the national emergency is happening across the country right now.
Myrena was currently standing beside a carriage, Arnold and Rina there with her. The rest of the students were either walking out of the gate or heading back to their rooms to wait for the teachers to finish preparing the work.
"Shouldn't you be waiting for your school work?" Rina asked in confusion as Myrena was loading her luggage.
"I have a servant ready to take my work in my room." She said after putting a suitcase in the back, "I can think of the work later. Something more important needs to be addressed right now." She gave Arnold a knowing look.
"Tell your family I'll meet them at a later date. My hands are full right now." Arnold said, remembering that he basically gave them an order without even meeting with them.
"Do not worry about them, my King. I shall come back with an army a thousand dragons strong."
"Thanks again."
"You need not thank me. Then, I will be off. Please take good care of my king, Miss Wistorina." Myrena bowed to Arnold before boarding the carriage.
"Uhm, okay…" Rina answered, none-the-wiser about what Myrena meant.
'Go with her, Ceru. Show yourself to her later and tell her the plan.'
Ceru, still in her angel form, flew over to Myrena after giving an energetic "you got it, Papa!".
When the carriage door closed and the horses neighed, it began to move.
"What now…?" Rina asked, watching the carriage drive off.
"For now, let's go back to our rooms and wait. After that," he looked at the ring on his finger, "We go to my city for some answers."
**
Arnold and Wistorina separated in front of the dorms. Unsurprisingly, the halls were filled with students who now had nothing better to do but wait for the teachers to send them their work.
Even with them all condensed like this, he couldn't spot who he was looking for (yes, his Halo is still active). They must be actively avoiding every spot he's known to frequent, even the dorm.
Their investigation is getting a bit tedious so he'll just wait for Morwenne to move. The two have to meet tomorrow anyway to share what they've learned so far. While they have a few "hotspots" or locations right now, investigating when and who visits these hotspots is a priority.
He'll leave recon to the other members.
His quiet steps echoed as he walked up the stairs. However, it came to a halt when he heard two familiar voices.
Maylim and his homeroom teacher, Lisiar.
'What are these two doing here?'
"—Anyway, thanks for all the help, Professor. My parents weren't too keen on spending another year of school fees on a failure like me…"
"You really shouldn't call yourself a failure, dear. What will you have left once everything is taken from you? Your future, family, home. All that will be left is your will." Lisiar pointed at her own chest, "That's like a fortress that only you should have the power to break down."
"I know… Geez, I should've listened to my father when he said I should stop trying to learn my grandfather's martial art. If I did that, I wouldn't need my own teacher to negotiate with the school to cut my fees in half for my repeating year." Though what she said was sad, her demeanor was entirely carefree.
'That's why she's repeating a year, huh.' Arnold quietly observed the two.
"Was it… that important to you? To the point where you spent less time studying?"
She smiled self-deprecatingly, "Keeping my household's martial art alive is the most important thing to me…"
"…"
"I-It's not that I'm not grateful and all that! In fact, I don't want to trouble you any furt—"
"Fufufu, don't worry. I am glad I was able to help you secure your future. Just remember our promise—you will work hard and pass this year."
"Definitely! I've finally mastered my family's martial art so I'm ready to tackle any amount of studying! Just watch! You'll see me on the top ten this year, Prof!"
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Well, take care, Prof." Maylim stretched her upper body with a long yawn, "That guy probably left the academy so I guess I'll have to scold him for abandoning his duties."
Thinking that it's time he stops eavesdropping, Arnold stepped from out of the corner.
"Speak of the devil." Maylim smiled wryly when she saw him approach.
He acted surprised, "Do you have business with me? Hm, my professor is here too?"
"Ah, don't mind me. You two can finish your talk. I'll wait." Lisiar replied and took a few steps back, to give them some privacy.
Hearing that, Arnold looked at Maylim, wondering what she's doing here.
"Don't look at me that seriously. No one is in danger." She commented on his slightly creased eyebrows, "You heard what the Prez said, right? All student bodies are required to check in every morning. That means you too, Mister."
He would have had an issue with this if his ring was still malfunctioning since flying back and forth from his city would be a pain.
Since the ring doesn't have a limit to how many times he can teleport, unless it's off-world teleportation, there's nothing preventing him from checking in every day.
"We might have some time off school but that doesn't mean we can slack."
"…I'll keep that in mind."
"See you tomorrow then!" Maylim was about to walk past him but he stopped her.
"Can I request something?"
"Hm?"
"I would like to see your martial art again. It's been at the back of my mind ever since I've seen it in action."
Refining one's aura to the width of a hair strand, increasing its natural output power, even more so than aura blasts that condense energy into a single point.
It's a genius martial art that he's been trying to copy in his simulations and the various fights he's been through but he fails to do so as precisely as hers. Imagine condensing aura into every nanofiber of a string, which allows you to cut through anything.
His desire to learn every martial art grows stronger by the day ever since he visited the shadow world, a world built on the legacies of Martial Gods where martial arts is not only a common thing but a necessity for power and survival.
"Oh, is that so?" Maylim smirked, "This isn't your way of trying to get into my panties, is it?"
"…"
"Geez, smile a little!" Chuckling, she jokingly punched his arm, "I'm pretty busy with school work and the SDC stuff so I can't set time aside for other things. If I do have time, I'll let you know."
"A small demonstration is fine, though…"
"I know but I'm the type of person who likes to show off what I've achieved through blood and sweat. I'm proud like that." She grinned while flexing her arm.
Seeing that proud smile, he wondered if it was wrong to pity her for the events to come.
Ekterina was already scheming in the shadows — soon, every student in this academy would be caught in her web.
What if Maylim died before she could see how far her martial art could go? That would be a sad fate for someone who worked so hard toward her goal.
He felt a faint respect for her resolve — the kind that flared briefly before being buried beneath thoughts of the bigger picture.
"Okay. I'm looking forward to it." he said, regardless of his own thoughts.
"I better get going." She turned but then looked over her shoulder, "Remember, I'm watching you as your senior so don't disappoint me." She said, most likely referring to their SDC duties.
"Yeah."
Soon after Maylim left, someone's heels stepped closer.
"Am I in trouble, Professor?" he turned to face his homeroom teacher.
"Quite the opposite. I've heard nothing but praise from the other teachers who give you classes." She smiled slightly, "I am ashamed to admit it surprised me."
She then said, "I won't beat around the bush. Arnold, is your education important to you?"
"Yes." He answered straight away.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"What motivated you to ask me this today, Professor? Did I not seem like myself yesterday?"
"Honestly, no. I wanted to see if I was hallucinating and waited on everyone's opinion of you."
By everyone, she probably meant the teachers.
"It's not that you didn't do your work but you never expressed any motivation for working towards your future. This made me worry that you would give up along the way."
"Why would you worry about me? I was nothing but a nuisance to you when you were my teacher last year, professor."
"Would you believe me if I said I saw something great in you—and I didn't want to watch it fade away?"
"I've heard that quite a few times."
Sebastian used to tell him this. But the context was more related to his training, not schoolwork or what he'll do after the academy.
"I was shaken when I heard that you were close to failing last year. Nothing saddens me more than seeing a genius give up and let their talents rot. I thought to myself that you, of all people, can't be lazy. You're just indifferent. But this hurts your teacher's motivation to teach you."
"You're all adults. I'm sure a single student can't hurt your motivation that much."
"You don't get it, do you? A true teacher wants to hone that talent of her student because it will challenge her competency and experience. This is why I called you to the class so much after school—requests you ignored. This not only made me question if I was good enough as a teacher but I feared you would let that intelligence and talent of yours go to waste. This is why I need to know If you're serious about completing your education." Her eyes held her determination to guide him. But her lips were slightly trembling, as if she was scared of what his answer might be.
Saying he'll pursue knighthood will probably disappoint her, maybe even sadden her. This was his original goal…
But now his eyes have been opened to a vast—no, endless—sea of opportunities that his intelligence as Arnold von Berkley can take advantage of.
Looking deeply into her eyes, he spoke with a calm voice, "There are a lot of things I want to do once I graduate."
Though it wasn't the generic "I'll become a great independent noble who uses his strength and intelligence to lead his people", a smile appeared on Lisiar's face.
The unease vanished. He did not even need to elaborate because it appeared that she knew exactly what he meant. Or more like possible answers swirled in her head, all of whom were answers she was satisfied by.
Not much is known about Lisiar Brockway. Her fate after the School Arc, that left many traumatized, remained mysterious. She probably quit too young and married someone then lived the rest of her days as some trophy wife.
No one could blame her for wanting a simple life because of the horrific experiences everyone in the academy went through when the "Perdition Core" turned the whole academy into a demonic domain.
Satisfied, his teacher placed a hand on his shoulder, "I will make it my goal to make it to your graduation day. I hope you make it to the top ten every semester from now on like you usually do."
"I won't disappoint you, Ma'am."
Her smile grew wider but she then placed her hands on her hips, "You better. From now on, don't ignore me when I tell you to come to class after school. And don't skip detention."
"I know. But I don't plan on getting into trouble ever again."
Lisiar slung her purse over her shoulder then walked past him.
"I like this side of you more. Hopefully, it's permanent."
He watched her walk away, unaware if she'll actually get to see if it is.