The door to the headmaster’s office opened. Professor Penisia, the chief professor of magical theory and a powerful candidate for the vice headmaster position, entered with some documents in hand.
Clifford, who was busy with his work, took off his glasses and lightly massaged his eyes.
“What’s the matter?”
“I came to report about the magical incident that happened at West.”
The use of magic within the unspecified area was strictly prohibited at the academy. However, it happened quite frequently.
Learning how to wield power freely at a young age often led to fights escalating into magical clashes.
Considering that the matter had reached the headmaster’s office directly, Clifford was intrigued.
“The students involved in the incident are first-year students.”
“Ah.”
Clifford understood. Even though it was a common occurrence, it was different when first-year students were involved.
The first time anything happens is crucial. Those who break the rules for the first time are bound to appear, and to set an example, they are punished more severely than the average.
The headmaster was responsible for deciding that. If it’s too harsh, it would be unfair, and if it’s too lenient, it would be unfitting as an example.
“This year seems to be quite exceptional. Go on and report.”
“I’ll explain the incident from the beginning. It started when a first-year magic department student, Catherine Obelion, caused a disturbance at the ‘Magical Spectacle’ restaurant and got into a conflict with Lloyd Christopher Windsor.”
Clifford’s eyes widened when he heard Lloyd’s name.
“Lloyd? Is it really that mischievous Lloyd?”
“Well, it’s him. But Lloyd isn’t a troublemaker, and-”
Penisia clicked her tongue.
“He’s the star of our illustrious Royal Academy. They already call him the genius of the century. Haven’t you heard the rumors?”
The magic-infused crystal with a summoning spell of a dragon that Lloyd created was sold at a high price at the auction house. He was even nominated as a candidate for the “Magician of the Year” award by the Wizard Society. People were already buzzing that Lloyd Christopher would win the award this year.
“Hmph! That lazy brat thinks he can do whatever he wants. Do you really think that arrogant brat will hold back and act like a troublemaker? And besides.”
Clifford slammed his desk. His lips curled upwards.
“I told you he’d end up in trouble sooner or later. That arrogant kid can’t control his powers and acts like a brat. It’s exactly as I expected.”
He had little faith in Lloyd based on his actions.
“Summoning a dragon for such a petty thing as Ice Pistol? Is that going too far for you?”
“The 7th rank spell was not aimed at the person but to suppress the opponent’s magic. There’s no problem with that.”
Penisia remained composed. Clifford seemed unsure.
“Why do you hate him so much? Lloyd, I mean.”
“Who said I hate him? Cut the nonsense and tell me about the incident!”
Penisia sighed.
“…First of all, it was Catherine who used magic. She initiated the conflict with a 3rd rank Ice Pistol.”
“A rank? A mere 3rd rank for someone who claims to be a genius? And how did that brat respond?”
“The testimony of the witnesses suggests that Lloyd used an application of ‘Gravity’ magic. It’s approximately at the 7th rank level.”
Clifford raised an eyebrow.
“Rank? That archaic term. So how did that brat handle it?”
Ranks were a way to classify past magical rituals. By modern times, the claim that magic could be strictly divided had vanished.
For example, if the Archmage used a 1st rank spell, it would no longer have 1st rank spell power.
However, the term “rank” still remained. It mainly referred to magic incantations that chanted in the archaic way. Some magic families who couldn’t adapt to the modern ways still clung to it.
“Well, Lloyd used the 7th rank spell in an application to counter the magic aimed at him. It wasn’t directed at the person, so there should be no problem.”
Penisia showed no signs of hesitation. Clifford seemed skeptical.
“Isn’t it just a show-off? How can you use a 7th rank spell just to block an Ice Pistol?”
“Lloyd is a genius. For him, using a 7th rank spell is as natural as breathing. It was more convenient for him in that situation.”
“Heh.”
“Hehe.”
Clifford felt proud and disconcerted at his daughter, who didn’t back down at all.
“But if she’s the daughter of a vice headmaster?”
“The charges against Obelion are quite unfavorable. According to the testimonies of the students who were present, the female student kept picking fights. Lloyd tried his best to avoid conflicts.”
“Unreasonable assumptions!”
“That’s quite a conclusion to jump to. We heard the testimonies of all the students present.”
Clifford seemed uneasy.
“Well, first, summoning a dragon was more than necessary to stop an Ice Pistol. Where does that insolent brat get off?”
“Lloyd is a prodigy. For him, using a 7th rank spell is as natural as breathing. It was more convenient for him in that situation.”
“Heh.”
“Hehe.”
Clifford was torn between being proud and uneasy about his daughter’s response.
“But what if she’s the vice headmaster’s daughter?”
“Obelion’s case is not very favorable. According to the testimonies of the students who were present, she continuously provoked him. Lloyd tried his best to avoid conflicts.”
“That’s nothing but baseless assumptions!”
“That’s a harsh conclusion. We’ve heard the testimonies of all the students present.”
Clifford remained unsure.
Penisia glared at Clifford.
“If you keep handling cases like this, there won’t be a single one resolved properly.”
“It’s good to focus on the evidence, Penisia. But think for yourself. Who would dare to confront that brat with magic? It was obvious it would end badly. Also, how could a minor noble’s daughter keep picking fights with a genius? And continuously, at that.”
Clifford waved his hands.
“Speak logically. Speak.”
“But then what should we do?”
Penisia seemed frustrated and retorted.
Clifford became exasperated.
——————
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“What do we do? We have to cross-examine! Find out what the truth is! Bring in Castin, or should I say Catherine!”
“I already know about that! And her name is Catherine, not Castin!”
Bang! Penisia closed the door and left.
Clifford stared at the closed door for a moment and chuckled.
“Heh, that brat has quite the temper.”
Clifford didn’t realize that he had an even worse temper himself.
**
Justin felt gloomy as he was summoned to the headmaster’s office. He felt guilty for not being able to stop the fight that could have been prevented.
In truth, when Catherine was about to confront Lloyd, Justin tried to stop her immediately. He knew what really happened in the incident.
Justin had good hearing, so he overheard the waiter apologizing to Lloyd’s table.
However, enraged Catherine was impulsive. Despite his advice to calm down and listen to the situation, she used a spell that paralyzed his body to prevent him from interfering.
It was a 1st rank binding magic, and Justin, who lacked talent, couldn’t undo the weak spell.
So, he had to stand by and watch the situation unfold. By the time he managed to dispel the magic, Catherine’s spell was already heading towards Lloyd.
‘…I was foolish.’
At that moment, he only focused on Lloyd blocking Catherine’s spell.
‘The words ‘those with no talent don’t deserve to live’ also apply to me, the weakest at the academy.’
However, after his emotions subsided, he realized that he made a clear mistake.
However, a part of him also felt this way.
‘With her talent, she could have handled this situation better.’
Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone can get angry and misunderstand things. Even when angry.
“…I’m sorry.”
Facing Catherine in front of him, Justin bowed his head and apologized.
“I only called you here to give your testimony.”
“No?”
Clifford, sternly, replied. Justin flinched at his words.
Clifford’s gaze then turned solely to Catherine.
“Speak.”
“Is there something you find unfair?”
“Yeah. All the witnesses seem to be nobles. How can you not be wary of the Windsors? Speak up if there’s something unfair.”
“Well, Headmaster. Unfair… thing is…”
“I didn’t ask you, Justin.”
Clifford said firmly. Justin’s body trembled.
He only looked at Catherine.
“Speak.”
“…That’s.”
Catherine hesitated for a moment. Should she apologize here? Or should she express her sense of injustice?
The moment of hesitation didn’t last long.
“What’s… wrong is…”
Catherine bit her lip.
“I should apologize for using magic. However…”
Catherine’s lips trembled as she continued.
“Before blaming me without admitting any fault yourself, Lloyd called me ‘Villion’ and provoked me first.”
Justin’s eyes widened.
‘W-wait, I told her about it. Why is she saying this?’
He had explained the situation in detail to Catherine before, saying that it was a misunderstanding, and that they should apologize together later.
But the words coming from Catherine’s mouth were entirely different.
“He called me ‘Villion’ without admitting any fault himself. And what I said was not directed at the waiter, it was clearly aimed at Lloyd. Yet, he ignored me.”
Clifford nodded seriously as if he empathized.
“I see. So, you were angry.”
Catherine nodded.
“Yeah, I couldn’t stand it at all. He was ignoring me even when I was right beside him, talking to him! And then, using the fact that there was no evidence against him to slip away. How sly.”
“Hmm, so what? Why did you end up using magic?”
“…Because he called me ‘Villion.’ I couldn’t control my anger in that moment. I’m sorry.”
Clifford stood up with a serious expression.
“No need to delve further. I will make a judgment right here.”
“Headmaster…!”
Penisia clenched her teeth. Clifford raised his hand, signaling her not to argue.
“Catherine O’Villion.”
“Yes?”
Catherine looked at Clifford with a slightly hopeful expression, feeling that he understood her sense of injustice.
“I’ve made my decision. You are expelled.”
“What?”
Catherine froze in place, as did Justin and Sofia.
“In the end, the rumors were not false. Ah, sigh. It’s a pity. I could have made that brat suffer more.”
Clifford muttered, grumbling as he started to leave.
Catherine’s pupils trembled, and she shouted.
“I-I can’t accept this! Weren’t you supposed to believe my story?”
Clifford’s footsteps stopped.
“Even if your story is true, the outcome won’t change.”
A glint of fire flickered in Clifford’s eyes.
“You picked a fight over a mere delay in having your meal. What good does that do? Satisfy your feelings? It’s a waste of time for professors who have to teach brainless girls like you who can’t even make basic judgments. I won’t say it twice.”
Clifford’s words struck like thunder.
“You are expelled.”
And without looking back, he continued walking away.
