Before Genesis parted ways with them on the way back to the academy, Nathan tried to fish out some information about him with subtle questions about himself. Though unfortunately, the more questions he asked, the more unconvinced that Genesis was the product of the Heaven's Child Project. He was way too human, to the extent Nathan had started to doubt his humanity.
He wasn't too defeated anyway, Genesis will be moving to their identity in a few days. The times they could spend with each other will be long enough for him to figure out who he truly was. To be able to transfer to the Imperial Academy as a transfer student in the middle of the term was simply suspicious.
Nathan could read the time of the day by looking at the position of the moon, it was already past midnight when they arrived back at the academy gates. The three students silently rejoiced that tomorrow would be a Saturday, and they could wake up anytime they wanted, which was a fortune that they weren't allowed to experience even at home under their strict house rules. Even at this time, the academy buildings had lights bright enough to guide their way, just like the rest of Endnest.
Tonight was exhausting, Nathan felt as if he was in a dream already. The surroundings felt as if they were changing constantly, and he needed to intentionally focus on his movement to remind himself that he was not in bed yet.
Until, he found something, or someone, lying on the ground of one of the courts in the city of academy buildings, lifeless and covered in blood.
Nathan rubbed his eyes and asked, "Do you guys see that?" His voice didn't even sound realistic to himself. It was almost as if he heard himself speak in another person's perspective.
David shrieked as quietly as possible, and Nathan examined the seemingly dead body in concern and carefulness. Though it was quite difficult in his fading conscience.
It was Monica who courageously walked forward, she hissed after checking the man's pulse.
"Out of breath, can't be more dead." She shook his head, "That's troublesome… He seems like a second year Representative Student.
Nathan approached slowly as well, but the closer he got, the more the fear in his heart grew. Not because he was scared of corpses, but because the corpse lying in front of him was becoming more and more familiar.
He tried to deny his observations, but with his current state, instincts were controlling his senses completely.
"Alisher Vester." He whispered to himself.
Alisher wasn't killed by a Rune Art, but more like something caused by a hard object being slammed on his head. And from the shape of his dented head, Nathan would be a fool to think that this was an accidental slip of hand.
This was an intended murder, and Nathan could only think of one possible culprit. Of course, it was Jennifer.
Looking at the surroundings, the story of what happened that caused his death became clear to him. If his assumption was correct, Jennifer Lumendra would be in massive trouble. She didn't know Principal Nox's Rune Art allowed him to spy on every single area of the academy: it was almost impossible for her to get out of this.
No, perhaps there was one last solution.
The fogs of his mind was cleared by the flame of determination, he turned around to Monica and David, and announced seriously.
"Monica, David, I know who the culprit is."
"Who," Monica and David responded in two different tones.
Nathan lowered his head, and squeezed out the name out of his mouth. His voice echoed in the other two students' minds, resonating even in their dreams of their well-deserved sleep.
…
Jennifer Lumendra stood among the crowd of students gathered around the court in a Saturday morning, her fingers digging deep into his palm in anxiety.
As a part of the Lumendra family, she was confident that ordinary investigative skills would not be able to discover that she was the culprit behind this murderous case, but who knew if someone in the academy had an impressive Rune Art that can uncover her disguise?
It was meaningless for her to find somewhere to bury the corpse, because as a Representative Student, it will be eventually discovered anyway. She could only leave it there and hope for the best. She never stopped cursing herself at the recklessness of her actions, but of course, its nature is composed of fear, not guilt.
"The Imperial Rune Arts Academy of Runalond has lived its prestigious life along with the kingdom's existence. Not once had a student committed such a vile act on a representative student, this will forever remain as a stain on the academy, unable to be explained or justified to all future generations of the students." Samuel Helix stated solemnly, his voice covered in a coat of silent anger.
"Every student of this academy is gathered here at this moment. And I promise to the culprit, no matter who you are, your death penalty is inescapable. But now, if you hand yourself over voluntarily, we will promise you an honourable death."
Jennifer thought of herself as fearless can take all consequences of her decisions, but under the pressure under the phrase "death penalty," she couldn't control the tremble of her body. Her throat felt tight, she couldn't breath, she was going to die, she was going to lose everything she had.
Right before the time of a total collapse, a warm hand rested on her shoulder.
"Rest assured…" It was Nathan Modernson, his eyes no longer carried the usual carelessness and replaced with acquiescence and resolve, "You will be fine." He whispered.
She couldn't open her mouth but nod hurriedly in instincts of fear, the last lingering dignity was the only argument against her kneeling down before Nathan and begging for his help.
Then, a voice among the students broke the silence, it was Monica.
"I know who the culprit is," Her voice was also trembling, "I saw what happened."
Jennifer widened her eyes, wasn't she out in the Arena of Isaria yesterday night? How could she see or know what happened?
"Don't be afraid, child, tell us." Samuel continued, Henry Nox stood beside him. She couldn't tell if she was hallucinating things but… she thought he had an amused smile on his ever-proud face?
Monica walked forward, every step feeling like a century to Monica. She lifted her hand gently, pointing directly at her. It was as if she was dead already.
Monica spoke.
"It was…"
"Nathan Modernson…"
Nathan's hand lifted from her shoulders, a faint smile crept onto his face.
"I told you you will be fine…"
He walked forward in the middle of the court, and pointed to his face in sheer arrogance.
"I did it," He said without a single trace of guilt, "So what? You will sentence me to death?"
He turned around to Vice Principal Helix and approached his face. He said word by word inches away from his face, "Do you think you can kill me?"
Ash Robert looked at Nathan in disbelief and worry. It didn't matter whether he was the son of V or not, it didn't matter whether he did not need to lower his head before the first seat. He killed another representative student, how could he possibly get out of this? Somehow, Ash was not concerned about the consequences of Nathan's departure on his own fate, he was only worried for Nathan.
Everyone else within the salvation club clutched their fists, especially Daniel Whitedawn, Joseph Gravekin and Jay Short. Their eyes showcased undeniable fear.
Samuel Helix stared at him in the way one would stare at a monster, his lips fighting each other vigorously.
"I kill whoever I want, and you won't be able to stop me…" Nathan continued as he reached his hand towards his neck. There was a necklace under his shirt, one his father said could save his life in an emergent circumstance. He trusted Eric Modernson, whatever the necklace symbolised, it was definitely enough to save his life, and Jennifer's. Now, he only needed to pray that Henry Nox wouldn't reveal the truth.
But before he could pull the necklace out, a powerful hand grabbed onto his fist.
It was Henry Nox, his movement fast and invisible as always. Nathan heard whispers of his voice in his head without seeing the movement of Henry's lips.
"Save your trump card for later, Nathan, this isn't that big of a deal to waste it." A simple statement without any additional emotions.
"Mister Modernson, everything people do has a reason behind it, no matter how absurd it is." He declared facing the students but directed at Nathan, "If your reason sounds acceptable, maybe Vice Principal Helix's words don't have to be the reality."
Nathan remained calmly silent and stared at Henry's eyes, his life depended on what excuse Henry could make for him. When someone offers help but you don't know the details of their plan, it is best to stand by like a statue and not say a word.
Henry nodded at his silent response, "Nothing in this academy escapes my eyes, Nathan Modernson, let's have a peak at what happened last night, shall we?"
He lifted his hand solemnly, wand still attached to his waist, but somehow, an Rune Art activated without runes projected two transparent figures on the court before everyone. Their features are distinct and identical to the figures they mirrored, Nathan Modernson and Alisher Vester.
The "Alisher" seemed furious, fire ready to be spread from his eyes to the "Nathan." A voice echoed in the atmosphere, more in the student's mind rather than real noise, "Nathan Moderson. Someone must put an end to your actions. You are a shame among the aristocrats, one ungrateful of who you are. Your actions brims with arrogance and moral superiority. I will teach you a lesson you will not forget.
"Nathan" replied with a calm demeanor, "What are you going to do? Beat me up? Bombard me with Rune Arts? Go ahead, come at me." He pushed his cheeks forward and slapped it gently, provoking "Alisher" intentionally.
Without words, "Alisher" drew his wand and fired rays of flaming missiles towards "Nathan."
"Nathan" dodged out of the way hurriedly, and shined a ray of light directly at "Alisher's" eyes, blinding him.
Conveniently grabbing a sword from the weapon rack nearby a Tower of Domination building, "Nathan" swung it towards "Alisher's" head with all the force had. Right before the strike landed, the projection had already vanished into nothingness.
Henry Nox turned to the students once again, announcing with confidence and authority, "Aha! Now the truth is finally revealed! Nathan Modernson's actions were but an act of anguished self-defence. In this academy, we allow mistakes, as long as they are not repeated. Nathan is still young, his control of emotion is still in the developing phase of life. Considering the fact that it was Alisher who started the conflict, both verbally and in action, Nathan should receive a punishment that is nonetheless severe, but not as extreme as an instant death penalty. But I wonder, what does Alisher mean by 'put an end to your actions?'"
At this moment, Arthur Paradox squeezed his way across the crowd.
"In the name of the Student Council, I hereby affirm that Nathan Modernson's actions throughout his record are all rightfully on terms with academy rules and kingdom laws." He stated word by word, "If there is anything worthy of concern, it would be a shame upon the student council for our inaction."
Henry nodded in agreement, "Great point, Mister Paradox, if Nathan was doing anything wrong, wouldn't the Student Council or other academy staff notice and warn him?"
Everyone stared at each other in resigned mockery, who dared to judge Nathan Modernson's actions? Is Henry Nox that ignorant or was he defending Nathan or purpose?
It was truly laughable, this whole drama was so evidently an excuse used to protect Nathan from the punishment he "deserved." Everyone understood, but no one dared to say anything against the "truth" they had staged up.
Even the scene projected itself. If Alisher truly launched fire missiles at Nathan, why did it leave no burn marks on the floor and buildings nearby?
"Nathan, please follow me to the central tower, where your punishment will be discussed and finalised. Even if your actions are justified, murder is a sin that cannot be so easily forgiven."
To many people, this was but an ordinary day among the academy, one decorated with the paint of blood from a representative student that died without reason. It didn't matter to most people, however, representative or not, they moved on from the death of someone they barely cared about. The Students studied Rune Arts as normal, and the staff had their usual, professional, reputable smiles on their faces. If anything affected them at all, it was the silent prayer in their hearts, hoping that they will not be the next Alisher Vester.
Some of them may have moments of revelation, moments where they realise the underlying corruption under this event, but knowing is never enough to solve any problems.
It wasn't that they didn't care, it was that they couldn't afford to care. They were left with no choice but to turn a blind eye from exploitations they are not involved in. Only a fool would invite trouble onto themselves for someone else's justice.
Nathan Modernson sat in the Principal's office, lying mindless on the comfy chair Henry provided him, and took a sip of tea emotionlessly.
He didn't know what to feel, or say. He was just helping his friend, right? Why should he feel guilty? But there was this pain in his chest that refused to go away, haunting him for years to come. He didn't yet know, this was just one of the many moments that he had to abandon his morality for the greater good.
This did not mean Nathan regretted his actions, if he would be condemned for his decisions, then so be it. He couldn't reverse suffering that had already happened, but for those yet to happen, especially on his friends, he vowed to prevent it with all he had, even if it meant that their suffering would be transferred to himself. Call it stupidity or sheer arrogance, especially for an unfortunate child born in Lostburg.
But as David said, Nathan would not regret his decisions, no matter where they take him, paradise and hell alike.