“I apologize for my rudeness, Headmaster. But this concerns me as well.” 

Jenyx nonchalantly approached them as if it was the most normal thing to do in the situation. 

“Foolish child! Do you have any idea who I am!?” 

Count Baruth stood up in a fury as he yelled at the ill-mannered student who burst into the room. Completely confident that he had scared the boy witless, he smiled as he tried to peer into the boy’s terrified expression.

!!

Contrary to his expectations, the boy’s eyes bore neither fear nor anguish. Instead, the count was met with an intense gaze. The count found himself stunned in shock, yet was able to steady himself as he could not show weakness in front of his son. Although it may not be much, he once served as the commander of a small unit of soldiers (provided by his father) that fought small skirmishes during his short stint in the military. To be scared of a child, what would his family and peers think of him?

“Y-you lowly insect. How dare you act so brazenly in front of nobility! Prostrate yourself at once!”

Despite the small wavering in his voice, the count felt satisfied with his performance. He could feel his son’s look of admiration even if he wasn’t looking and that was good enough for him. On the other hand, Jenyx seemed to have lost interest in the two as he ignored the count’s words and cast his sight further, towards the headmaster who returned his gaze.

“Again, I apologize, headmaster. My name is--”

“Jenyx Troan, I know who you are.”

The headmaster cut him off mid-sentence with a smile. 

“I see.” 

Although the headmaster was smiling, Jenyx knew better. 

(“This is your friend, Dad?”) 

Jenyx couldn’t believe that his father befriended a man like the headmaster. Then again, his father’s friendliness extends to even hooligans so it wasn’t hard for him to picture Jullsariah getting along with the headmaster.

“Surely, you can provide a good explanation for this, Mr. Troan?  I’ll have you know that I have every right to either suspend or expel you for destroying the institution’s property. So I ask you; what do you wish to accomplish with this stunt of yours?"

“I’ve come to ask for your reconsideration on Ros-- Ms. Grayle’s punishment!”

“Hmm? And just how do you know what kind of punishment I have in mind for her?”

“I’ve been listening to your conversation.” Jenyx stood tall as he replied.

“Such a bold admission. Have you perhaps not thought this through?”

“I see no reason for me to lie, and seeing as I am the reason for this entire situation, I believe I would be essential in order to swiftly resolve this matter.”

"Is that so? Well, since he is already here, will there be no problems with Mr. Troan participating in this discussion, Count?”

“Of course it’s a problem! I believe it would be detrimental to the institution’s reputation if students such as these run rampant on the campus!” The count replied.

“Yes, I do apologize for that. Sometimes, unwanted weeds just tend to appear on your lawn despite all your efforts to maintain it. Would you be so kind as to overlook it this time?” The headmaster bowed his head towards the count.

“Hohoho, I see, I see… weeds hmm? That indeed cannot be helped. Fine, I shall allow it, just this once.” 

“I am grateful for your consideration, Count. Now then, please take a seat, Mr. Troan.”

Jenyx ignored their thinly-veiled insults and promptly sat on the empty chair beside Rose. Although he was a little surprised at how the headmaster, whom his father claimed to be his friend acted, it wasn’t as if this was his first time receiving such words.

“Then, let us continue. Mr. Troan?”

“Yes, as I have said earlier, I cannot agree with your judgment of this situation. It is true that Ms. Grayle did attack Brad Baruth with magic, but in her defense, she was protecting me.”

“Ahh yes, if I recall correctly, Ms. Grayle has indeed spoken of such things earlier.”

“Then--”

“However, even if it was to protect you, she still broke the most crucial rule of the institution; To not use magic on any student. Believe me, we in the institution value Ms. Grayle greatly. If possible we also do not wish to see her expelled, which is why I thank Mr. Baruth and his father, the Count’s magnanimity on this issue.” 

Brad nodded vigorously at the headmaster’s words, irritating Jenyx even further. However, he had to rein it in. If he is unable to remain calm, then the situation would only worsen for them.

“Before that, should you not be addressing the issue of Brad’s bullying first?” Jenyx replied.

“Hmm, but were you really bullied? Was it not but a misunderstanding between friends, Mr. Troan?”

“I wonder, headmaster. Would you classify them kicking me behind the cafeteria repeatedly as a misunderstanding?”

“Ms. Grayle mentioned that earlier as well.”

“Then I implore you to re-think your earlier decision. I merely wish for fairness and justice in this matter.”

As he spoke, something nagged at the back of Jenyx’s head. Something felt amiss. It was as if there was something terribly wrong with the atmosphere of the room. However, he paid it no attention and finished explaining his case.

“I see, that all seems very compelling. However, Mr. Troan, those who witnessed the scene say otherwise.”

“W-what?”

“Yes, you see… the people who were present at the incident seemed to recall the events differently." The headmaster smiled.

The bad feeling multiplied. As the headmaster continued, Jenyx could feel his heart beating faster and faster.

“They were saying something about you all smiling and talking to each other when, all of a sudden, Ms. Grayle attacked Mr. Baruth right here with magic.” 

("You're wrong!")

“The victim himself is reiterating what happened, but you choose to believe someone else’s words!?” Jenyx was unable to contain his rage as he bellowed towards the Headmaster.

“Watch your tongue, child. Do not yell at me.” The headmaster’s sickening smile broadened further as he coldly replied to Jenyx. “I truly want to believe you, Mr. Troan, however, it is an established fact that you and Ms. Grayle are long time friends. Even if I wanted to…”

Jenyx blocked out the headmaster’s voice as he continued speaking. Instead, Jenyx’s eyes shifted towards Brad. 

(“Unbelievable…”) 

Brad’s hand was placed on his mouth. The sight of Brad as he attempted to hide his laughter was enough to drive Jenyx mad with rage, but still... he had no choice but to quell his anger.

(“I see…”) 

He placed his hand on his pocket and felt the folded handkerchief inside. However, before he was able to bring out the handkerchief, something prevented him from pulling his hand out. Rose’s left hand grasped his hand that was still in his pocket. He looked at Rose but she simply looked down and slowly shook her head. Jenyx blankly looked at her, unable to comprehend the reason behind her actions.

“Headmaster, I shall accept those conditions.”

(“Rose!?”)

“However! I request that you allow me a condition of my own.”

“Condition, you say?” 

“Yes.”

“Hmm. That is not for me to decide, Ms. Grayle. Why don’t you ask the party who set the conditions?” The headmaster gestured towards Brad and his father.

“If you insist on your insolence, then prepare to feel the wrath of the Baruth family!”

“Please do not worry, I will not make any difficult demands. I merely wish for your son to stop associating with Mr. Troan from here on after.”

“Rose!” Jenyx inadvertently yelled.

In response, Rose shook her head at him. Urging him to keep quiet.

“Please accept my act of selfishness, just this once, and I will gladly comply with your stipulations!”

Rose bowed to the two as she finished speaking. The father and son then whispered to each other for a few moments. 

“Why would say that, Rose!?”

Jenyx did his best in order to suppress his voice to a whisper as much as possible. He could not hide his feelings about the matter any longer. However, Rose simply stayed silent, unable to give him a reply to his concerns.

“Done!” 

As he tried to question Rose, a voice came from in front of them as Brad replied. He beamed like a child who was bought a new toy by his parents.

“Then let it be so. I, the Headmaster of the Vistergan grand institution of magic, Phieos Muspalt, shall serve as witness to the completion of this matter.” The headmaster proclaimed.

Jenyx could only watch helplessly as the matter was swiftly concluded. From the start, the headmaster didn’t plan to give the matter a fair trial. He could not accept the outcome. However, before he could do anything else, Rose’s hand tightly grasped his.

“Then with this, I believe this meeting is over, correct? You two are now free to go. Ms. Lindrun, please escort these two outside as the meeting is adjourned. We and the Count have another matter to attend to.”

Sillia nodded from behind the group, leading Jenyx and Rose outside. Jenyx and Rose remained silent while they walked. Jenyx didn’t know what to say or if he wanted to talk at all. He was upset at Rose’s decision and could not understand why she did it. However, he didn’t have the time to be mad at her, he had to come up with another way to salvage the current situation. 

“I’m sorry, both of you.” Once they were a considerable distance away from the room, Sillia suddenly broke the silence.

“I know it’s too late now but, I would still like to apologize.” 

The two remained silent, their gazes steadily on her as she continued.

“Once I’ve learned of what happened, I tried to talk to the headmaster about the matter and informed him of Mr. Troan's circumstances, but... I was unable to convince him."

Sillia bowed to the two as she finished speaking. 

“I have one question, professor...”

“What is it?”

“Wasn’t there supposed to be a board that oversees matters such as these?”

Sillia blinked in astonishment, “I’m surprised you know about that. But... the board you speak of would be useless in this situation as it is mostly occupied by the headmaster’s supporters. Even if you tried to appeal to them, they would only repeat the headmaster’s conclusion to you.”

“I see…” Jenyx’s eyes drooped as he replied.

“Will you both be attending the spell mastery exam? If you like, I can arrange for the both of you to take a special exam at a later date.”

“I have no intention of taking it so, please forget it.”

“Thank you, instructor, if you please.” 

Sillia nodded to Rose as she turned and walked the other way, leaving the two by themselves.

**

"As always, thank you for your continued support to our institution, Count Baruth." 

The headmaster slightly bowed towards the count. 

"No, no, thank you. Our family was given true justice with your help."

"Then I assume there would be no troubles with our 'business' with this matter resolved?"

"But of course. In fact, I didn't come here just for this matter. You see..."

The Count leaned closer to the Headmaster who did the same. He whispered something to the Headmaster's ear which made him smile from ear to ear. 

"Of course, we'd be happy to. Shall we deliver it to the same place?"

"Ahh yes, thank you. An unexpected thorn appeared at our 'pen', you see."

"I understand. We shall deliver the products as soon as possible."

"Thank you very much, Headmaster."

"My pleasure, Count."

After shaking hands with the count, the father and son duo were escorted outside by one of the headmaster's aides. After concluding the day's matters, the Headmaster stretched his arms and opened the window behind him, presenting him with a beautiful view of the institution and their glorious kingdom. As he was admiring the view, a knock came from the door. Though the lock was now broken due to a certain upstart imp, he was glad that his employees still observed proper decorum. However, the door suddenly burst open, revealing a slender foot. 

"I brought you a letter, Phi-- err, Headmaster."  

Phieos sighed as he turned to look at the person who kicked open the already broken door. She had been a long time associate of the Headmaster now and were familiar enough with one another to call each other their first names.

"What is it, Therese?"

"Here, some trembling professor I met earlier asked me to give this to you."

Therese entered the room and tossed the letter towards Phieos' table. She pulled up one of the chairs and sat on it with her arms resting on the top rail. Phieos pressed against the letter with his hand before it slid off the edge of the table. As he picked up the letter, his mood turned sour as he noticed the crest of a blue serpent, coiled around a five-pointed star inside a circle. the fingertips that held the letter glowed a purple light, disintegrating the letter completely as he let it fall. Behind him, Therese laughed out loud as she watched his reaction. 

"Ahh, even now, you still hate him huh? It's hilarious."

"...If you don't have any more business, I suggest you leave as I will be very busy due to the institution's annual event." 

"Ahahahaha, yeah. I just came to tell you that I've dealt with Viscount Torrus and delivered the letter. Got any more jobs for me?"

"Yes. Schedule a meeting with the other nobles in our 'club' and ready a batch of our special product for Count Baruth." 

"Got it, boss"

Therese got up from the chair, leaving it as is, and left the room. Though somewhat irritated, Phieos had already grown accustomed to her behavior over the years and simply shook his head as he watched her leave.