Actions And Consequences.

"I believe, Gerald… a redeemed knight of Axonia, right?"

As the crew head's voice rings in his ears, it drove in fear into his very own heart.

On all fours, unable to look at his face while knowing what he went through in the realm's forest's section under a crew member's hand.

"Y…you are ab…solutely right, sir."

"I must commend you of course, what an absolute show.

You aided in adding a flavour even I don't want to ever think about in this year's academy acceptance examination.

First landed in the island sector, brew up a plan of turning the paraders against each other.

I truly say to you, if there is just a single addition to the numbers, you could have the pleasure of enjoying the chaos you created but of course, you did have the chance to admire the art you created while thrusting the last spear into your opponent's heart against her barriers.

Now to be straightforward with you, let's get to calling out your sins.

First; brewing up a plan to have the strongest opponents face against each other wasn't your crime, you actually abided by the rules except that you didn't do that for academic reasons but for political reasons.

One of the laws I made in this very establishment is that all political views are welcome but that doesn't call for a creation of disturbance in the academy's system.

Again, your actions almost caused a death of a participant and as well, it did cause a participant's death which is a grave sin but according to the rules of the acceptance examination, death by murder is allowed.

So your sentence based on that is halved.

Thirdly, blackmail of inferior participants for your own political views in order to gain information and use them as stimulants for your plan.

In terms of your political views, you are found guilty but in terms of the examination's rules, you have a clean sheet since it's allowed.

Therefore, your sentence based on such actions has been halved.

Then lastly, sneaking into the academy's ground but as a student unlike your unfortunate predecessors who came straight in as intruders, that's a clean sheet since one of the laws of the academy allows in foreigners of different race cancels out your intruding crime.

But…"

There was a huge silence in the room as all eyes were now on the crew head who finally faced the room as he had his back turned against the crew the whole time.

"You were actually looking down on this academy all this while before barking like a dog before your very own opponent, right?"

With that question asked, Gerald began sweating profusely while his heart was beating rapidly, enough that an elderly person would have a cardiac arrest.

"Gerald of Axonia, you are hereby sentenced to being imprisoned within the academy walls.

Simply put it this way, don't think of graduating.

Escaping brings you torture and unlike the last person who went through this sentence, suicide is not an option, I'll bring you back alive instantly on the first second of your departure and I promise you, even if I fail, your soul won't be going anywhere."

"Wait what!?"

At this point, Gerald suddenly looked at the crew head with a shocked face.

"Come on, just like my predecessors, can't you just kill me?"

"Yes I will, by killing off the will to live.

The only escape for you is just sleeping off like a soul who's given up after years of tryouts and struggles and not waking up the next day.

Only then shall you meet your predecessors and after all, having you here will actually be more productive to the academy.

To you, you might not understand what drives the will of a teacher who teaches about the warfare of man, both on magic and martial arts but I assure you, as far as making sure that my students get stronger comes in mind, I'll make sure I take the chances.

Unlike many, I'm the type to drive a student to their death just for them to have an additional point of improvement in their skills.

Now, Gerald of Axonia, do make sure to enjoy your possibly everlasting stay in this academy.

You are now dismissed."

After the crew head's last statement, two staff barged in and dragged the now soulless vessel out of the office.

Gerald was beyond saving as he could not imagine being stuck in a place he once looked down upon.

The thoughts of dealing with the academy head died of instantly.

If a crew member could make him bark disgracefully like a dog, and the presence of the crew head could make him go stiff, what will the academy's head's presence be like.

Such imagination proceeded to make him an empty vessel who has lost his purpose and is about to live life in a repeated cycle.

"Now, you can call in the second offender."

The crew head ordered as he finds his way to his seat.

The room's door opened once more.

Collins stepped in unfazed and as he gets to the middle of the council's round table, he made a bow with a knee, showing a knightly respect towards the council or crew head.

"Greetings to the council head and the council. My presence was summoned, of what purpose am I called for?"

"Knight Collins from the house of Henz, of the Hartz Empire. Your greeting is appreciated, so is your presence but I'm not so sure if it will be the same of your actions."

"I please guilty on the actions I am accused of."

"Quite hasty, aren't we?"

"Respectfully sir, I'm well aware of my actions and I have no intention of arguing about it."

"According to your words, knight, you are aware that you chose violence over a situation that would have been dealt with an exchange of words."

"Yes sir."

"According to your words, knight, you again are aware of your belief that the pride of you being a knight is of utmost importance to that of the pride of knighthood."

After the crew head's statement, Collins was not just dumbfounded but aware that he has been cornered and must choose his words wisely from now henceforth.

"Uhm… sir, I hope you pardon my lack in terms of intellect and linguistic but I humbly ask for a proper explanation of your previous statement."

"Good, at least unlike someone, you do not look down on this institute.

By my statement, I'll give you the grace of it's clarification.

"As a knight, one's thought would have been to confine the criminal and surrender he or she to that administrative of this very institution.

Rather, you acknowledged that your pride was hurt and engaged in a battle not to subjugate your enemy but to feed your own ego.

You even neglected the act of investigating further and prop

Again, in the midst of the battle, it was obvious that the enemy has changed his motive for fighting, from defeating you to surviving but instead, your pride was hurt to see that his will wasn't broken.

Therefore, according to your statement, you agree that you are guilty for these crimes, isn't that so?"

"The crew head is praised of his intelligence, you know the best interpretation of my actions during the examination."

Collins replied with the intention of escaping the question asked and is currently sweating out of fear from escalating his situation to the worse.

"Henz Collins, I repeat my question once more. According to your plea, you do agree that you are guilty for the previously mentioned crimes, isn't that so?"

With squeezed brows and narrowed eyes, showcasing the dark purple eyes of his, he stared daggers into the now faced-down Collins.

After some few seconds of silence in the council room, Collins finally replied,

"I would then like to lay my actions upon the examination's rules."

"According to the examination rules, anything goes, including the murder of an opponent." Another council member stated.

"That indeed is clever of you, Henz Collins but that means that we will have to judge your actions according to the code of knights then." The council suggested.

"Sorry sir, but I can't take a punishment due to failing a code in the code of knights from one who is not of knighthood."

With this statement, Collins bent his head facing the ground in order to hide his smirk.

Unfortunately, the smirk didn't last long as he heard the council head chuckle, he quickly lifts his head up to know what's going on.

"Nice comeback, then, you are permitted to be set free…"

Realizing the sentence passed on him, Collins lets out a shocked expression accompanied with a smile.

"…but…"

Just a single word from the council head, the smile from Collins' face suddenly disappeared except for the shocked expression.

"…do have it in mind that the charges has not been dropped yet."

"Pardon me sir, but for what reason then?" Collins questioned as his mind got consumed by confusion.

"Of course, according to your own words, you won't take a punishment in accordance to the code of knights from one who is not part of the knighthood, right?

Therefore, it wouldn't be a problem if a knight passes the judgement, right?" the council head explained.

"What?" this time around, Collins was no longer shocked but frightened instead.

The council head let's out a chuckle before explaining further his words to Collins,

"My intention is to call forth a squadron commander or rather, a captain from one of the squads.

Precisely, from the squad which u belong in, in order to reduce the intensity of the whole situation…"

"Damn!! Is he even threatening me with his privileged to call forth the squadron commander at first?

It seems like I won't be able to go unpunished. The council head is really having fun with his tricks, huh?

Lets see if two can play such game or not." Collins thought to himself as his ego begins to brew inside him.

"…therefore, in short, you are free to go for the moment but you will soon be called for when a knight in a higher position than you is called forth.

Henz Collins, you are hereby dismissed."

With the council head's last statement, Collins got up, although his emotions being in resentment, he manages to fake a smile and in return, the council head showed forth a smirk.

This did tick Collins off but he bowed before leaving the room.