And another arrived several minutes later.

[ – To First-Year Magical Swordsman Department, Class Three

Dear students,

Your class will be merged with Class One and Two. Please ensure that you follow the directives to determine which class you will be joining.

—Grand Avalon Academy Governing Council ]

That was quick.

I wasn't surprised that they had instructed us to merge with Classes One and Two. It would take some time to find a replacement for Fredric, given the current ongoing situation within the academy.

They wouldn't want to delay the other class while the rest continued as usual.

This was the best decision they could make at the moment.

And lastly,

[ Dear Ezekiel Zahara,

Certain events unfolding within the academy have been brought to our attention. Due to the nature of the issue, we've decided to look into it ourselves. Please report to the Disciplinary Committee Station at your earliest convenience.

The Disciplinary Committee needs to clarify your involvement in this matter. You will also be asked several questions to hasten the investigation.

Grand Avalon Academy Governing Council. ]

I was looking forward to the club activities and testing whether I could merge the firearms with CR1 and the others today.

I had no choice but to put my plans on hold for later.

After making my preparations, I quickly left the boys' dorm for the Disciplinary Committee Station.

***

I arrived at a two-story building with a signboard above it:

Disciplinary Committee Station.

Each First-Year Department had its own Disciplinary Committee Station.

This station was filled with members of the Disciplinary Committee from Classes One to Three. Yet that didn't mean the tasks were limited to one department.

If a problem requiring the Disciplinary Committee's attention arose in another department, from the Trickster Path to the Magical Swordsman Path, then they could be summoned to act as well.

The Disciplinary Committee of the Magus Class was another category altogether, due to the strength of the Magus Class Awakeners.

Only the Committee within that department could handle issues that arose there.

After students ascended to their Second Year, they would have a single station where committees across different Paths worked together toward a common goal, signifying the period where students across the Class System could learn about each other and their respective paths.

I walked through its doors, heading toward the robotic receptionist at the counter.

"Welcome to the Disciplinary Committee Station. How may I help you, student?" the receptionist asked.

I took out my student ID and placed it in front of me.

A red ray of light emerged from the blinking eyes of the robotic receptionist, scanning the ID.

"Student Ezekiel. You have a standing arrest order by the Disciplinary Committee. Please remain where you are. Any attempt to escape will result in a further increase in your punishment. A Disciplinary Committee member will arrive shortly to arrest you," the robotic receptionist said.

Its words took me by surprise.

I frowned.

Had they suddenly changed their minds and decided to arrest me, too?

I quickly shook my head.

No, that shouldn't be the case.

If that were the case, then Sarafina would have informed me, and the Grand Instructors wouldn't have ordered me to head to the Disciplinary Committee Station.

It must be a mistake.

Yes, that had to be the reason.

However, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.

I hadn't forgotten the fact that the Disciplinary Committee had also colluded with the Descendants of the Zahara Clan.

Apart from me, no one else seemed to be aware of this, not even Sarafina.

What if this was their last attempt to take me down?

I tightened my grip on Spiral Fang at my side.

Since everyone had already seen me wielding it, there was no longer any reason to keep it hidden.

I hadn't made a sheath for it yet, as I was unsure of what would fit.

If things didn't go as planned, I had no intention of going down without a fight.

At the very least, I would create a ruckus until everyone discovered the situation and gathered to find out what had happened.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from the door beside the robotic receptionist.

There were only three doors from where I stood: the entrance, and two others to the right and left of the receptionist's counter.

The footsteps emerged from the door on the right side.

The door swung open with a 'Bang!' and the familiar figure of Elric dashed out.

Huh! I was taken aback by his appearance.

The sides of his cheeks and lips were swollen. His nose was reddened and slightly bent to one side as though he had been beaten. His hair was ruffled. His torn uniform looked as though it had been slashed apart by a blade.

Another figure rushed out behind him.

Andre! He was also in a similar condition, although not as severe as Elric's.

Their eyes brightened the moment they landed on me, but their faces instantly turned fearful.

They both limped toward me.

When they arrived, they gave me a 60-degree bow.

"We sincerely apologise for the problems we may have caused. If you are still unsatisfied with this token of apology, we'll accept any punishment you desire!"

Elric and Andre shouted in unison.

"Please have mercy on us," Andre added.

Their bodies trembled.

My eyes widened with a mix of surprise and confusion.

Was this a trap?

No, most likely not. There was no way Elric and Andre, descendants of the prestigious Lupindral Clan, of the Magical Swordsman Path, top rankers of the Class Three Magical Swordsman Ranking, and Disciplinary Committee Enforcers, would ever bow their heads to anyone.

I was the last person they would bow to.

Their appearances suggested they had been beaten by someone stronger than they were.

It looked genuine.

But just to be sure, I asked, "What are you apologising for?"

They raised their heads, glanced at each other, nodded, and then turned to look back at me.

After a brief hesitation, Elric responded, "We can't explain here. Please follow us inside. Another Disciplinary Committee member is waiting to begin the questioning."

They had deflected my question. Didn't they realise their actions only made me more suspicious?

Still, I was curious about the name of the Committee member who could force both Elric and Andre to invite me in this state.

I suspected that whoever was responsible might have caused their injuries.

In that case, I had no other choice but to meet them.

"Okay. I'll decide your punishment only after I've gotten to the crux of the matter," I responded.

There was no way I was going to let Elric and Andre, who had played a major role in the Descendants of the Zahara Clan's schemes, escape without consequence.

"Lead the way."

Their shoulders dropped as unwillingness, shame, and fear flickered across their expressions before vanishing in an instant.

"Please, follow us," Elric said, gesturing at the door behind them.

I nodded and followed closely behind them.

We walked through a corridor before arriving at a small room.

There were only two seats inside, one facing the other.

At the centre stood a metallic table with handcuffs soldered to its surface.

"Please take a seat. A member of the Disciplinary Committee will be here to meet you shortly," Elric said.

I nodded, stepped forward, and sat down.

They both bowed respectfully once more before leaving and closing the door behind them.

A minute later, Andre returned carrying a covered tray.

He placed it on the table and removed the lid.

Creamy vanilla cake and a cup of hot chocolate.

"This is for you, while we begin the questioning," he said with a smile. "Please let us know if there's anything else you need."

He stood to the side, still smiling, as if waiting for my response.

I slowly began to doubt whether I was truly at the Disciplinary Committee's station.

My gaze lingered on the tray.

This was a delicate situation.

It would be foolish to eat anything they served without knowing whether it was poisoned.

Even if they tasted it in front of me to ease my suspicion, it wouldn't make me any less wary.

I shook my head.

"I don't want to eat anything. You can take it back."

Andre's smile instantly stiffened.

"I–is there something wrong with it?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"No. I just don't like it," I replied flatly.

BANG!

He dropped to his knees.

"If you don't want to eat it, then at least tell me what you 'do' want, so I can bring it for you!"

Tears began to stream down his face, snot bubbling from his nose.

I raised a brow in surprise at his unexpected reaction.

He didn't seem to be acting; he looked genuinely afraid and desperate.

"…Alright. Bring me a sealed bottle of water," I said.

Andre's face brightened instantly. Without another word, he nodded quickly, rose to his feet, and hurried out with the tray.

Several minutes later, he returned with a cold bottle of water, setting it carefully in front of me.

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