"Good afternoon, students. My name is Javier Aditi, and I'll be your Staff Consultant. I hope we all get along."

My tone is calm, and a friendly smile forms on my face.

Before me are hundreds of students, all making different expressions. There are those who are stunned, and there are others who smile knowingly. Many are glad about my presence, while others appear skeptical.

I take all of these myriad expressions with complete understanding and calmness.

After all, I understand their reaction.

Right now, even though I am a Senior Professor of the Royal Academy, I am from a Fallen Knight Household. I am still a Scholar, and many still recognize me as a Hero of the Kingdom, but with the Deep Winter Massacre and my lack of a functioning title going for me, my reputation has been tainted with some measure of infamy.

I more than suspect that the Noble Faction has done some work to besmirch my name.

The biggest issue, I believe, is my Fallen Knight Household.

If you notice, people still call me "Aditi." That isn't by mistake, but due to the operation of the Kingdom's laws. A person's surname is derived from their place of origin, usually their village or town. Special families are given distinguished names, allowing them to stand out from the rest.

These are the Knight Households, Clergy Sects, and Noble Families.

But what happens when they fall?

Does the name just vanish?

No… not quite.

Those who bear the name continue to do so, but no longer as a symbol of pride. Instead, it is a reminder of the tragedy that happened, usually carrying shame and stigma on the bearers. As such, even though the Aditi Household is no more, I continue to bear the name as one of the last surviving members.

I don't mind this arrangement, and quite honestly… I prefer it.

To me, this isn't a matter of shame, but identity. In my eyes, I am still an Aditi, and I also refuse to accept the demise of my family as an immutable part of the world.

As a Leviathan, I can defy the concepts of the world and bend the laws to my will.

What is such a thing called death?

Do not tell me such a thing is invincible, beyond reproach.

No!

Spreading my Leviathan wings and ascending above the clouds, with my hopes and aspirations lifting me beyond the realm of dreams to reality, I will persevere on my path and see it to fruition.

I will save my family—no matter what!

'Until then… I suppose I'll have to deal with these kids.' A wry smile forms on my inner countenance as I stare at the students with a complex gaze.

This used to be the J Tutorial Club, a club I created during my student days in this Academy. It started out as a study group, eventually evolving to become one of the popular clubs here.

I had all sorts of reasons when I founded it, and I used it to help me in my Academic life.

But, thanks to an alliance with the Royal Faction—Prince Korrin, specifically—the J Tutorial Club's new and true overlords became the Royal Faction. I already had a feeling that it would be devoured whole once I left the Academy, and I wasn't wrong.

Not only did they change the name from J Tutorial Club to The Golden Dawn Association, but a lot of the structures I put in place have already been modified.

For example, the J Tutorial… I mean, the Golden Dawn Association is no longer all about the interests of the Knight and Clergy Households. It favors the Nobles and Royals—all of whom belong to the Royal Faction.

In essence, it is a breeding den and an absolute territory for the Royal Faction.

Because of this, it isn't any different from the other Clubs, openly practicing nepotism and prejudice. It is deeply rooted in classism now, and the elitist mindset of its members has made the levels of dissatisfaction among low-tier members constantly rise.

The Club has declined over the years and has now become a jerk fest for the rich elite and spoiled noble brats who desire to flex their knowledge.

This was supposed to be a Study Group in the form of a Club, but all it has become is a pretentious show-off party where the Nobles come forth to discuss silly theories and boast about class accomplishments, while looking down on the 'inferior' students, poorly communicating the desire for them to 'get better' at Academics.

When I returned to the Academy as a staff member, I indeed checked out the Club, but I lost interest as soon as I saw what was happening there.

This isn't the same Club I left behind… but that's alright.

If the students desire a study group, they can simply create another and make it work.

It doesn't have to be the Golden Dawn Association.

It can be any club… led by anyone. That was what I thought, anyway.

But now that I've been tasked to oversee the affairs of the Club, you best believe I plan to reform the heck out of it and return it to form. Qualifications for being a Tutor will be based purely on merit, not status, and the Club will be open to those who truly need the help—the Knight and Clergy Students.

This isn't to say that these students aren't already present in the Association, but their involvement was only due to their support of the Royal Faction. In essence, those who are neutral or are in the Noble Faction have been completely locked out.

That has to stop.

In my time, I embraced all kinds of students, bolstering the strength and quality of the Club, so we could stand out and effect positive change.

I recognize that many of these Knight and Clergy Students could act as spies for the Noble Faction, and we could inadvertently be strengthening the enemy forces, but it is a risk I am willing to take.

In fact, it is a risk I have to take.

To combat the Noble Supremacist ideals, which are especially strong in the Noble Faction, we need more members of that Faction in our Club. Plus, I could simply convert them to our side through some manipulation… or rather, incentives.

I was able to do it as a student, so things should go even smoother thanks to my identity as a Senior Professor.

Speaking of my current identity, it has offered me so many benefits.

My present advantage is incomparable to the time I was a student, like night and day.

For one, it isn't that easy to suppress and bully me as a Senior Professor. Plus, since my employment greatly benefits the Royal Academy, and as a staff member, I represent its prestige, it is more difficult for the opposition to attack.

Of course, that doesn't mean that things are suddenly peaceful.

Not at all!

In fact, in my attempt to raise the prestige of the Golden Dawn Association and make it even exceed its past glory through my reforms, I suspect enemies from the Noble Faction will do their best to interfere.

And, just as I predicted, that is exactly what they do.

Not even a few weeks into my taking on the position of Staff Consultant of the Golden Dawn Association, Earl Klaus Gerondester and his idiot followers start making trouble for me.

They also attack the Golden Dawn Association, trying to use this chance to dismantle it.

Since it is one of the main centers of power for the Royal Faction in the Academy, getting rid of the club will greatly benefit the Noble Faction. So, using all kinds of seemingly righteous excuses—such as prejudice, bigotry, and ineffectiveness—they opt for the shutdown of the Golden Dawn Association.

Since there are no Royal Students in the Academy, the power of the Royal Faction's power among students has been shaky for some time.

I guess the Noble Faction sees this as a perfect chance to strike, all things considered.

But they're nothing but annoying flies.

As a student, I could only helplessly rely on the likes of Korrin, or even Anna—who became our Staff Consultant back then—but now?

I can take care of these leeches on my own, with only a sliver of help.

I am a Senior Professor who has the backing of the Royal Faction. Plus, I am a Leviathan who can easily spy on the enemy's meetings and gather incriminating information, and use it to my benefit.

In a way, I even know of their plans before they can implement them.

That makes it easy to deal with them.

As such, all the pushback I get from the Nobles eventually fizzles into the air, and I proceed with my reform. Naturally, there are some internal conflicts within the club. Some students already prefer the current state of the club, not wanting it to change.

Of course…

Stagnant water is bound to get rotten.

Those who are used to privilege suddenly view equality as oppression.

The Nobles who have enjoyed the level of decadence and depravity of the Golden Dawn Association would prefer for it to remain the same. That way, they won't have to work hard or compete with students they deem inferior to themselves.

Using nepotism rather than merit, they can cease tutor or administrative roles, increasing their influence in the club.

As someone who was once the leader of the club, I know the kind of power that it gives.

The reputation alone makes the ordeal worth it.

I remember how many girls flocked around me, and how many people held admiration for me, all because of my status. I wasn't very moved by them, and I never took advantage of the position, but that was because of my nature and the goals I had in mind.

For normal students, the temptation is simply too great.

So, naturally, they try to resist me.

But… how can they possibly compete? It's naive on their end, but I don't blame them for trying.

In the past, when I was a student, I used to constantly scheme and struggle to get what I wanted in the Academy. I even lost some battles, and they nearly cost me everything.

However, look at me now.

Life in the Academy has never been easier.

The reform takes a while, but it is successful. Naturally, it will take some time for the Golden Dawn Association to acclimate to these changes, but I can see that we're moving in the right direction.

Unfortunately, after stabilizing the situation with the Golden Dawn Association, I am met with yet another conundrum.

"A Panel has been opened to put my legitimacy as a Senior Professor into question?" I sigh, asking Anna Randalorion with a slightly raised brow.

"Yeah…" Anna sighs and affirms it with her next troubling statement. "It's a serious matter involving the Royal Oversight Committee, whose power isn't inferior to the Council of Deans."

I nod slowly.

Naturally, I know how big a deal this is.

In the Royal Academy, there exists a hierarchy of structure, showing how power is distributed among its inhabitants. At the top is, of course, the Headmaster. After is the Council of Deans and Royal Oversight Committee. Then, we have the Dean of Discipline and Conduct, and finally… the Prefectorial Council, also known as the Student Council.

The Royal Oversight Committee consists of three High Nobles to ensure the curriculum is compatible with royal policies and also makes sure its affairs are in alignment with fairness and the prestigious standards of the Royal Academy.

All three of its members are Viscounts, which means they're not a force to be messed with.

In the Randalorion Kingdom, there are only seventy-seven Viscounts.

"But aren't they appointed by the Royal Family? Surely, they should be taking my side in this matter, right?"

"It isn't that simple. The Royal Oversight Committee is meant to be impartial. If they take your side when the Noble Faction presents compelling evidence and sufficient grounds, then more criticism will fall on the Royal Faction, and we could fall under even heavier fire…"

Ah, I see.

Of course, that would be the case.

"The Noble Faction wouldn't go this far unless they were confident about the cards they possess, which means we have to take this matter seriously," I mumble, rubbing my chin with a few fingers as I stare at Anna's troubled face.

"You look like this matter has taken you off guard. Didn't you expect that they would pull something like this?" I ask her with a raised brow.

"I did. But I also thought we had more time. I'm guessing they were spurred into action when we increased the intensity of our attacks on them and their Noble Supremacist ideals."

"That's likely the case…" I smile, despite the severity of the situation.

It's true that the Nobles have a case this time.

After all, to be a Senior Professor, one usually has to be an Erudite Scholar or a First Rate Scholar with many years of experience and immense contributions. I only recently started scholarly work, and I haven't even published my first official public treatise, which means I shouldn't even be qualified for the second option.

'Looks like I can't keep running from this issue. Even though I'm busy with a lot of things right now, especially figuring out my Leviathan problems, this is also an important matter…' After all, I need the stability of this job as a guise for my other affairs, as well as my anchor to normal life.

The worst-case scenario would be that I'm fired, but that's going to be quite the stretch.

I'm sure the Noble Faction won't be able to go that far.

They'll probably be satisfied with me getting demoted to a Junior Professor level. Doing that would still be a major loss for the Royal Faction, and it'll also affect the current privileges I enjoy, which means I can't let it happen.

Overall, I have to take this matter very seriously.

"When will the first hearing be?" I ask Anna with a straight face.

The Royal Oversight Committee comprises incredibly busy viscounts, so even though a panel has been opened, it'll still take some time before I am called for the hearing.

"About a month…"

"Good…" I smile in relief, nearly wiping off imaginary sweat.

I still have some time to spare.

"Do you have a plan?" Anna asks me with a mildly worried expression. "If you want, I can—"

I quickly raise my hand to stop her.

"No need for that. I might need your assistance with something later, but I promise it won't be something too strenuous for you."

"Well, aren't you considerate?"

"Hehe… It's one of my many charms." After laughing a little with Anna, I finally leave her office and make my way to another colleague and a respected senior.

Right now, this man might be the only person who can help me in the entire Academy.

After knocking on the door of his office, he tells me to come in.

Slowly, I twist the knob and advance into his well-lit and sweetly scented office. I take in the pristine image, grad decor, and serene ambiance that pervades the entire expanse.

Then, I keep my focus on the man before me.

He smiles, his eyes lighting up the moment he sees me.

"Javier, what a pleasant surprise!" He energetically jumps to his feet, his ponytail swinging restlessly as he offers me a seat with a polite and friendly disposition.

I nod solemnly and exchange pleasantries with him, eventually taking my seat.

"So, what brings you here? Is there anything I can do for you, Javier?"

I smile and then nod once more.

"Yeah… actually, there is, Professor Klein."

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