(Michael POV)

Next Day , Morning.

Disciplinary committee Room

Henceforth, it is not mandatory to attend classes, and thus I went to the Disciplinary Committee Room to look at a few files.

I would have had a wonderful time of it had not the quiet knock at my door disturbed me.

Knock. Knock.

I glanced up out of the pile of disciplinary reports that piled my desk.

"Come in."

The door opened sufficiently to allow a familiar face to look through, Alex.

He rushed toward me.

"Brother Michael", he said as he went in and closed the door behind him. His tone was hesitant, respectful, yet steady.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Naturally, of course", I said, pointing towards the opposite chair as sit there .

"What's wrong?"

He sat and clasped his hands on his lap.

"It has something to do with my friends in Class C."

Immediately, that caught my attention because Class C is swarmed with hopefull students, the majority of whom are commoners--kids such as Alex who have made their way into the Academy by talent and not by blood.

I had a hunch that I already knew who was behind it, should something be wrong there.

"Go on."

He cleared his throat, and talked in a hurry.

"Some of the third‑year nobles who have connected to Marquis Daven's circle have been visiting the lower classes."

"Why "I asked

"They are advising them, instructing them to select weaker monsters on the following day, the Subjugation Trial, so that they do not shine too brightly." Alex answer give me rough Idea of there motive.

"Advising or threatening them," I repeated flatly.

Alex nodded grimly. They do not say it, but all understand what they are talking about. When one of the lower classes hits a noble on the scoreboards, they will turn their life into hell. People are scared, Brother. They believe that they will be targeted until graduation in case they fight in a proper way.

My fingers beat on the desk as I was thinking of counter attack on them.

'The same disease, a new disguise. Like now they want to develop the fear that I have revoked from the Commoner students, as always.... fear has always been the nobility's oldest weapon.'

"You did the right thing to come to me", I said finally. "I'll handle it."

He looked uncertain. "Won't that… cause trouble? I mean, those guys—"

"Trouble," I said, cutting him off, "is the Disciplinary Committee's here just in name."

That made him grin, though faintly.

"Don't insult me," I deadpanned, standing and straightening my coat.

"By saying that little things will cause trouble to me .....don't you know me ...how I am..."

" I don't run away from trouble" I sad with full confidence standing pose.

Then I look at Alex , I noticed that he has black circles around his eyes.

' This guys training late night again '

As I was worried about him , I said.

"Go back to your dorm, Alex and get some rest"

"You'll need to clear head for tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."He gave a clumsy salute, but in his heart he wished he were more dependable.

The door was shut behind him, and there was only silence and the low moaning of mana-crystals overhead.

I looked a long time at the closed door.

So it begins again, I thought.

' The nobles are not able to fight directly, thus they infect others indirectly.'

'It was clever—too clever. A trap dressed as tradition blackmailimg in cliche novel.'

'In case If I hit them head‑on , Magnus Daven would turn it into a political strike by chief of Disciplinary Committee to bully Nobles '

'I would be just as guilty of the same stuff I vowed to purify had I neglected it.'

'Neither option suited me.So, as usual, I would make a third way.The one they didn't expect.'

So I decided and I directly went to meet them.

____________________

By mid-afternoon, I found them.

The third-years were lounging in one of the upper courtyards, where most underclassmen would not dare to go. The courtyard itself was an extravagance: white marble seats, crystal fountains purring with mana, golden sunbeams streaming through wards floating on the air.

It smelled faintly of luxury and rotting pride.

Six of them were seated around a table; their laughs were too loud and too practiced.

Their leader was Baron Lest, whom it was easy to recognise: slick blond hair, an attitude that gave him the impression that he owned the air, and the sneer that nobles use when they believe that no one can get at them.

He noticed me coming, laughed and put aside his drink.

"Well, well. Unless it is the old commoner Chief Inspector," he drawled.

We did not break curfew or anything, did we? Swear, officer, we were just planning petty crimes.

The group chuckled.

I hesitated a couple of steps, with my hands in my pockets.

"You've been busy person," I said evenly.

"Advising first‑years on how to perform in the trial tomorrow."

Baron raised an eyebrow. "Advising? That's a kind word , I prefer mentoring."

"Whatever word you choose," I said, " anyway it is over now."

He sat back, all mocking amusement. "Oh? And why's that?"

"Due to the fact that coercion is not allowed as per the code of the Academy," I responded. "And also because I said so."

The laughter around the table died a little at the edge in my voice.Baron tilted his head, examining me.

Then he looks at me and said mockingly.

"Big words to one who used to scrub monster guts in the practice hall."

"Big attitude for someone who's about to lose their stipend," I countered, my voice was calm.

"Did you know what is funny about power is , Baron? People only believe in it when it becomes real. And now the Academy has faith in me."

That was a bigger blow than I had imagined. His mouth stiffened, but he attempted to make a joke about it.

"Oh please," he scoffed.

"You think the Dean or the Principal would side with a few scared commoners?Their word against ours? We're nobles. , you are,-- "he waved his hands at me in a vague gesture.

"—What, a charity case"

"Maybe," I said. "But even charity cases know how to bite."

I raised my wrist, and the holo-projection of my smartwatch , thing that was showing a

In displaying were neat series of numbers and ledgers.

Baron's smirk froze.

Since he was aware of the format.

"This," I said quietly, "is a transaction record."

"A transfer of funds that was completed last month by one of the subsidiaries of the Daven Marquisate. Destination account--that of your family. Labelled as a scholarship."

I let the word hang.

A beat of the heart brought only silence--the silence that seems to be the air itself listening.

One of his lackeys whispered, "Baron…?"

He didn't answer. His face grew pale and his eyes flitted between the holo and me, and then at the exit to the courtyard, and reckoned ways to escape that were nonexistent.

I smiled—thin, cold. What is the best thing about corruption? It never travels alone. It leaves prints, lines, footprints. It only requires a person who is persistent enough to pursue them.

"Where did you—" he began, voice strangled.

It is all the same, I interrupted him.

"The thing is this: I do not care about your money but what I care is that you're using your power to threaten first‑years....that what I care now."

He said nothing.

I took a step forward. "Withdraw your 'advice' and stay out of it."

"Leave the Class C students to themselves. Or this little scholarship is tomorrow in all the big papers of the capital- 'Noble House Lest Involved in Unlawful Transfers out of Marquis Daven Funds.' how nice it sound just by hearing it... doesn't it?"

His mask cracked. "You wouldn't dare."

I met his gaze, not blinking. "Try me."

The words came out softly. But they fell like the blows of hammers.

The other nobles blushed and their laughter was entirely dead now. They did not see me as a fellow student, but as something, something dangerous.

Baron opened his mouth, and closed it. His throat worked once, twice.

"...Fine, "he spat at last, with a voice that shook with suppressed anger. "You win. We'll… stop. I'll tell them to stop."

"That's the smart choice." I flicked the holo-file closed, the light going out. "And Baron?"

He looked up, wary.

I was about level but I want to give warning before he try something else on me behind my back.

"And last next time you think about manipulating people weaker than you," I said, "remember how it felt to be the one get himself."

He made his lips curl and said nothing.

I walked away, leaving the courtyard to himself, and turned my back on him.

And Baron and his follower are glaring at me like a hungry Wolves.

(To be Continue).

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