2 PUNISHMENT

<<URION'S POV>>

TO FIGHT for what is right is the noblest act of a man. Those who opened the eyes of righteousness are much blessed than those who inherited divine blood. I am not saying I was favored by the gods but I do know what is right.

I was a man of two worlds. Right now, I am standing at the gap: a bridge or a connector. I live in hunger and in full; in poor and in richest; in gloom and in joy; as a slave and as a noble.

No one in this kingdom can define fairness much better than I. They do not know what they are fighting for.

"'Defending the powerless,' you say?" said by the midget guy with dark wavy hair. He was furrowing his right brow, messing his face with agitation. "Do you actually know what are you talking about? You are going nuts, Urion. How come the Crimson Flame Clan had conceived someone like you?"

I chuckled to piss him off. Though I am not sure if it will do, but as far as I know, showing being unaffected by one's taunt brings the bully into shame. I just smirked and said, "I am truly a descendant of the Crimson Flame... And as a descendant, why won't I saturate your evil thoughts? A glimpse of hell will do."

Wow! I actually do not know what am I saying. I cannot control the words coming out of my mouth. My head is full of hatred right now-a slave of my emotion. Darn it!

"You dare to challenge me? I, Raiden Boran, a genius of the Lightning Wing Clan," the cocky bastard declared, hands on his chest. "Are you somehow asking for a death wish?"

This cocky bastard is probably a direct descendant of their clan: a son of the Patriarch. That will explain why he had no fear on his tone. Having that proud confidence, their clan is probably higher than ours. I am really going to put too much pressure on Master Gideon now.

"The two of you stop!" Teacher Riva went between us. She moved too fast like a surging river flow. "You are both soul users. You should be brothers! Such ignorance is not our quality."

"Teacher!" sister Aiya called, standing and bowing heads. What is she doing? I cannot afford to drag her in this mess of mine. "Please, forgive my brother Urion for such ignorance."

"Sit down, Aiya," teacher commanded with conviction. My sister did not able to resist intimidation as she obediently followed. Thankfully, she did. I cannot trouble her in saving me from my own mess. "You are a real talent but I am speaking to Urion and Raiden. You keep your tongue inside your mouth!"

"Teacher! Am I at fault for stating the truth? Lazy slaves only worth is sacrificial defense," Raiden said in sarcastic tone, folding both arms away from his body.

Calming down will not be difficult since I already released some steam. However, keeping the heat will not bring me peace. I will not back down! "How dare you call them lazy? Do you know what you are talking?"

His eyes are slightly closed while glaring at me. It looks like I did enough to provoke him to say, "You're the one who doesn't know facts. Do you really study? You sounded like a lowly beast living in caves for ages."

"Didn't I demanded both of you to stay in silence?" Teacher Riva shouted. It seems like we'll be punished for our action now.

Sorry Master Gideon for being such disgrace. If I will be punished with death, I will be happy for it. Dying for what I deem right is the last thing I want to do in earth.

"Urion, please, stop this." I heard a cracked voice which touched my heart. The sound of gloom washed the madness in my mind. It was Sister Aiya who is almost going to burst in tears. "Do not fall to this."

What did I do to her to deserve her kindness? None. I remember Ashiya in her but I know that there will be a big difference between their characters. She stands in my defense for being in the same clan. When Sister Aiya learned about my origin, I am sure that she'll be disgusted.

However, I cannot be in her debt at this time. I will repay by running her wish. Besides, this will also save Master Gideon from shame. I should not let myself be under the strings of madness in the first place. For now, let's play safe.

"I am very sorry for my ignorance, teacher," I said, kneeling my knees on the grass. "I will accept any sort of punishment to show repentance."

"You must know that speaking uncalled will bring you punishment, especially provoking a fight in that manner," Teacher Riva said. I cannot see her expression but I can hear disappointment. "I want to exempt you for being new but rules are rules; no one must escape the rules."

"I have no objection," I replied.

Sister Aiya suddenly touched my left knee. Her soft hand brings comfort like a healing spell. Lowering her head, she uttered, "Brother Urion, bargain with the teacher. You will not desire to be punished. I'm telling you."

I raised my heads and look at her eyes. Teardrops are about to drip down her porcelain skin. Such fear exists in her burning eyes. Maybe I need to comfort her a little. I cannot leave her with worries.

"I cannot assure anything. I do not know what kind of punishment I will face but I no more fear any torture instruments," I assured to her.

"You really don't know what you are saying," Sister Aiya commented, looking down. Woman are really full of drama... But that honestly touches a man's heart. "When a friend of mine got punished, he never went back to school again. I cannot-"

"If you fear that I won't be back, fear not," I replied and smiled. "I will be back for sure."

Her face slowly turned a little bit of red which I smiled at. She then turned her sight away from me and whispered, "You're such an idiot, brother."

We are lucky that Teacher Riva is locking her eyes on Raiden. We talked unnoticed. Too bad... I did not able to hear how the bastard got scolded. Probably, going to be ashamed.

"...And never taunt your fellow disciple, Raiden! I'll be the one punishing you if you ever did that again," Teacher Riva finished, brows knitting.

So, I am the only one deserving for a punishment and this cocky bastard will be exempted? This is really a fair implementation of the rule.

Based on the whispers, Raiden will surely bribe Teacher Riva with useful artifacts or cultivation stones. No wonder why rich people always escape justice. They are taking advantage of the status of those around them. An inevitable manipulation.

Disgusting...

I am kinda looking down on our teacher right now. It is hard to trust her words. Next time, she will punish Raiden? Probably, to babysit the bastard while staying in the torture chamber.

"My class will be dismissed soon enough," teacher said while taking her walk in front of her students. Her hands hold each other below the center of her chest. Such modesty is defiled by corruption.

Teacher Riva then turned her sight on me again, and said, "I will be meeting you in my office when the moon rises."

"The time is set," I said. "I will not be late."

/~•~\

The moon visited the starry night. I run my way to teacher's office. The corridor of the academy is still illuminated with orange light stones on lamps... And I am actually dusting on the red carpet. This felt like royalty if only I am not taking the way to punishment.

There were a few numbers of turns to reach teacher's office. Luckily, I already toured around the castle-like academy, managing to familiarize all routes. Though, I've only visited what are not restricted to trainee level.

This place have more secrets to discover.

After two minutes, I finally set foot in front of teacher's office. I knocked on its varnished wooden door. I then pushed the door to open before taking a peek inside. There was teacher sitting in front of her desk while writing with a feather pen.

"You are truly brave, young man," Teacher Riva said without setting her eyes on me. She only continued on writing as if it is more important than punishing me. "Most students come too late or won't even come. I am always forced to fetch students each time. Since you had your way here like a child excited for a sweet, I will make your punishment lighter."

I entered the room first. It is quite empty and narrow—only filled with shelves of books and scrolls. I eyed on teacher before saying, "Thank you teacher but do not worry for my sake. I would like to be fair to others."

"I'm not sure if you're trying to reach your teacher but I admit that I am hurt," teacher said in gloom. Honestly, she still knows her action and probably regrets falling on the dark ones. I somehow misjudged her. "I admire your courage, Urion... But, you must realize that being fair will only put you in harm. You're still young. You have more things to learn."

The room was invaded by silence where only whoing night owls and howling wind can be heard. I only stood firm near the doorway while waiting for my teacher to finish her work. It took us a couple of minutes before she stood up, sparkling with her deep sky blue gown and white braided long hair dangling down her chest.

"You seemed to be confident. I really wish to not punish you but I can no more back out," teacher said without showing her face. Is teacher being troubled to do this? Someone might be pushing teacher to commit action outside of her desire.

"No matter what: I will not hold grudge on teacher," I assured, darting a beam. That gave teacher a surprised expression. She must be shocked by my confidence.

"You're the most unique student I ever met," teacher chuckled with her right hand covering her lips. Beautiful. "I really see a bright future ahead of you. Work hard and you will succeed. You might be a tool of change to the future."

With the moonlight shining through the window, Teacher Riva dazzles as she walks toward me. I am speechless and was stunned by her presence. Teacher is also at the level of master's intimidation. She passed by me, opening the door; exiting. I want to follow but my feet seemed to be glued on the floor.

"Did you lose your courage?" teacher asked, giggling while walking ahead of me. That brought me back to reality so I began following her way through the corridor. "Twenty whips will be the normal punishment for the first offense but... Why not we lower it to ten?"

Ladies in the academy are too kind to me. First, Sister Aiya who tried to rescue me from this so-called unbearable punishment. Now, it is teacher who wants to ease the pain that I will bare. However, twenty whips will not even wound me. In the slave's land, we usually get whipped hundred times. Youths here do not even know true pain?

It took us four minutes before we reached a passageway. It is pitch-darkness like the gate of doom. It is going downstairs: an underground torture chamber. Without entering, a pampered individual will surely be terrified by just seeing this entrance.

"You seemed to be having fun. Aren't you even terrified? I actually thought that this will move you a bit." I diverted my sight on Teacher Riva whose face shows more worry than I do. "Being brave is surely scary. I hope you'll still keep your heart after this."

I just smiled on teacher because I no more want to keep her worrying. She only sighed before raising her head on me. Then, her eyes suddenly widened and mouth opened slightly like a person in shock after seeing a ghost.

Intrigued is calling behind me but before I even turned around, teacher Riva already spoiled the man of horror, honor perhaps. "Vice-principal Ayre," she called, gesturing respect which I followed.

Vice-Principal is at his usual snow bear robe, keeping an intimidating aura covering him. Yet, he was with a guard in silver armor who is holding a black whip-someone who probably tortures people in this chamber. Now, I wonder if they have another person screaming for mercy underneath.

"A pleasant evening, Vice-Principal," teacher greeted as the old man stood a meter away from us. "I wonder what took you at this place with a torturing guard."

"It happened that the news about an ignorant new student making trouble in his class reached my ears," Vice-Principal Ayre replied while caressing his beard, eyes on me. "I realized that it was Urion whom I favored to enroll late. So, I want to take responsibility for it is my choice to let this young man enter the academy."

An arc of sadness clouded the face of Teacher Riva. She must be worrying right now. She does plan to be light on me but with Vice-Principal Ayre's intervention it will surely be scars and bruises. Yet, I am not afraid after hearing the level of torture this academy used to discipline students.

However, I know that the Vice-Principal has a good relationship with Master Gideon. Is it also possible that master heard about my mess? So, he immediately came to my rescue through his teacher. That is not impossible but that shows how great master's influence is.

For sure, I will also be doomed in his hands, having no face to show after stirring this mess. Despite being reminded by master, I still got the guts to disobey his order. I won't like to be home in our rest days.

The fact that Vice-Principal is only taking responsibility can be true as well though. Yet, won't it be much easier if he just commanded one of his servant to relay the message. He should be a busy man after all. Punishing a student will not be a Vice-Principal's priority.

"Do you have any concern Teacher Riva?" Vice-Principal asked emotionless. "Do you want to whip this young man so badly? I will not hold you off if you do. I am just here to make sure that he'll be fairly punished."

Teacher Riva took a deep breath before answering, "No, Vice-Principal. I am willing to hand Urion to your hands. Who am I to not answer your desire?" She surely had no initiative to take control-wise choice-despite being given a chance. The Vice-Principal surely knows to speak in authority but indirectly.

"Are you sure?" Vice-Principal asked for assurance as if he still needs to. It is really hard to argue with the Vice-Principal. He is like a huge boulder standing still against the surge of the river.

"Do as much as you please, Vice-Principal," Teacher Riva affirmed, looking at me with a sullen expression. A kind woman who keep her wings un-spread. She must be carrying heavy burden right now. I guess she also thinks that I do not really deserve this kind of punishment.

Checking other people, it was the guard who caught my attention. He was locking his eyes on me from the very start as if he was really excited to whip me. He's not that muscular or huge. His built is similar to the weakest guards in the slave's land. I can handle his strength for sure.

"Very well," Vice-Principal chuckled. "The night is still long. You should be cultivating your soul sphere right now. I heard you are near to breakthrough to the second class."

Teacher Riva, nearly in the second class? I am impressed. That's the reason why his intimidation and speed can spar against master. To be a teacher here, one must be at least in the age of 20. I wonder how long will I take to be on teacher's level. What is teacher's age anyway?

"It was your guidance that boosted my growth," Teacher Riva said, bowing too low. "I will make sure to repay your help once I had the chance, Vice-Principal. Please call me whenever you need my assistance."

"It was only my guidance but it was your effort to be stronger. I have no right to share in your success," Vice-Principal replied, raising his hands to signal teacher to keep her head high. What a humble man he is. Now, I understand why master shows high respect to this old man. "But we'll be leaving now. You take your time to cultivate and we'll deal with this ignorant boy."

Ignorant boy? How many times he used that word to degrade me? I cannot accept that opinion but I have no power to argue. I will just hold horses for now. Once I get older, I will be stronger. When that time comes, I will fulfill my heart's content.

Vice-Principal took the lead, walking down the passageway of darkness. Then, I stepped down next while the torture guard tails from behind. I did not yield to fear even if the place cast chills down my spine. I cannot see anything like a bat in the light.

These people are not even uttering a single word. Heavy footsteps echoed. Cold wind makes my body shiver. No wonder most students fears to be toured in this place. Yet, I am different from them. They are living in nobility. Thus, they get things in a snap. I am a product of pain—I am strengthened by life-pounding experience.

Fifty steps had been taken. My eyes is adapting to the life in shadow. The cold is like a breath of fresh air. Flexible. Without living outside the walls, I may be a coward fool, peeing on my pants right now. But I am blessed that I wasn't.

Another fifty heavy steps resonated as we walked down the spiral pathway. I cannot feel that our journey is already ending. How long will it actually take to reach its end? Hundreds? Thousands? This will be a torture to one's endurance. Thankfully, I am a man that can work vigorously and nonstop for a week. This walk is just a walk in the park.

Thirty minutes passed in silence. We are still walking down in this endless path. This may not be a test of strength but it will surely haunt one's emotional state. Boredom is already drowsing me. This is a true torture now. It is more than the pain of ten whips.

The torture guard and Vice-Principal Ayre seemed to take it easy. I cannot see clearly but I can feel that they do not mind anything. What kind of a place is this? And how deep are we under the ground now? Is this a trip to the core or something?

I sighed out of boredom but I can still keep it up for days. Doing stuff that is not challenging does drain plenty of strength. I wish that this will end sooner now. Fear may not strike me but sleep will!

"You are really a tough one. I judged you wrong in my first impression of you," Vice-Principal Ayre chuckled, echoing through the entire space. He then snapped a finger which triggered the lighting up of the torch. The cold changed to warm. "If we keep in this, we'll be wasting a day for nothing."

We then continued walking down. Surprisingly, it only took us twenty more steps to finally set foot on the basement. I scratched my head for being confused on what happened. Then, I formed an idea of an unbelievable magic.

"The stairway to this possessed a unique structure. I must say that some sort of inscription are marked along the way," I commented while looking back on the stairs.

"You noticed?" Vice-Principal asked, placing his hands on his back. "You are not just blessed with strong physical and emotional attributes; you're actually a keen observant too. Do you happen to come across with this kind of magic? In books, perhaps."

I shook my head and smiled, saying, "I haven't. I am actually guessing, Vice-Principal. But now you confirmed my idea."

"I see," Vice-Principal quipped, eying me with striking aura rushing like a flood. My feet shivered. My body froze. Is my torture just starting? "That's what we are aiming to make you feel in that walk—FEAR. However, you have a sense of patience and concentration; also, an unyielding bravery."

The immense surge of force slowly calmed down. I then stumbled on the ground. Somehow, I lost the strength to stand up. His presence is undoubtedly terrifying. The mightiest in the slave's land will never be in comparison to this old man.

"The passageway is only forty-feet deep." But, that will only take a couple of steps to reach this chamber then. But we almost walked for an hour. "It just happened that your suspicion of having inscription written all over the way is true. Unless the torches are lit, everyone who walk down here will end up in an endless spiral loop."

"Such magic can only be done by a genius platinum-ranked inscriptionist," I commended in amazement.

"Truth! You are quite knowledgeable for your age, especially after staying here for only six days. You already familiarized a lot," Vice-Principal commended me, nodding with a poker face. "You are not only limited to a mage class. You may even be a great scholar of research someday."

"Thank you for such praise, Vice-Principal," I said, scratching the back of my head; closed eyes. "I am undeserving for such uplifting words, especially coming from the likes of a great man like you."

"Truth shall be said at all times," Vice-Principal quipped as he turned around. Despite the surrounding getting warmer, it felt like there's ice inside my body. "Even if I want to talk more to you, we shall proceed to the real deal."

I flicked my right eyebrow while staring at Vice-Principal. So, I am really going to be punished by him. He does look like a person who always stand for the truth. Anyway, I have no concern even if they triple the whips I will take.

"Your face never lose courage, Urion," said by someone with a cold mature voice. I was about to push myself up but his voice weakened my knees. I fell on the concrete floor again. Why is master here? "Do you know what you did in your class?"

Before answering, I turned my head behind me. I saw the torturing guard's image deforming to Master Gideon's huge physique. "Standing for what is right? To protect the people who protected me?"

Master's eyebrows closed near to each other. The heat of his aura burns every part of me. Glaring, master vented, "Wrong! All you did is breaking your promise to the clan... And breaking a promise is not different on breaking one's trust and heart."

A gravitational force kept pounding me to the ground. Losing my strength on Vice-Principal's intimidation, I can no more resist master's aura. The concrete floor was crushed, forming rubble of my figure. Skin gets cut. Blood drips on the floor. I received what I deserve.

"Aack," I cried in pain. I almost vomited blood.

After a destructive thirty-second of pounding, master crossed his arms in front of his crimson breastplate. The gravitational force stopped but my body is still stunned. I can't move even an inch. I can't speak but I can still hear.

"You overdid it, Gideon," Vice-Principal said while walking towards me. He sounded emotionless though. "But, this young man surely gave us a show. Others will lose consciousness in my intimidation but he only lose strength. Moreover, he managed to endure your power for a couple of seconds despite his poor state."

"I wasn't planning to bring him to this situation but after hearing his answer, I thought that he need to be taught in the hard way," master answered, only eying on his teacher.

"At least, you save me from using a pain-inflicting spell in him." Master frowned in confusion. "Taking his toughness into account, the normal punishment will only be a bite of an ant. He cannot leave this place without showing pain after all."

"Otherwise, other students and teachers will think that you are protecting him. Thus attracting more trouble for Urion," master continued Vice-Principal's words.

Nodding, Vice-Principal Ayre sighed-seems like his somehow disappointed.

"I understand," master coldly said but I can still hear sorrow and pity in him.

"Anyway, we must go up now," Vice-Principal stated, walking pass on me. That man really do not have time to check if I am in a good state. "You do know that I am a busy old man."

Heavy clanking steps approached me. "I'm sorry for bothering you, teacher. I will take this as a huge favor of myself in you," master said before grabbing my waist; picking me up. He carried me with his two hands as he walked, following Vice-Principal.

"Master," I whispered with all my remaining strength.

"You are still conscious, Urion?" he asked in shock. Worry started to paint his face-I am glad that he's not that mad in me. "You should sleep to forget the pain for now."

"Sorry," I uttered. I cannot convey statements right now. I had lots to say; oceans to cry. Yet, my body restricted me from doing so.

"It's fine," master shortly replied. "You break your promise today but that does not mean that you can no more promise again. You just need to hold on your words next time."

"I promise" to not let you down next time...

Other words cannot escape my mouth anymore. I already used the remaining strength I got. My sight blurred already. My eyelids closed the view. I slowly succumbed to darkness.

"Sleep well," Master Gideon said-the last comforting words I heard for this day-before my body was invaded by warm that suppressed all of my muscle pains. Yet, my heart still cries for grace even in my sleep.

>/~•~\<