Business As Usual

"What? Are you saying—you don't want to be the class head? Being a class head comes with a subsidy of ten essence Gems every time. Are you really refusing? Are you sure?" The academy elder's brow knotted into a tight knot. He had taught for decades and had never seen anyone voluntarily refuse this position!

Actually, he had considered that having Aidan as class head could have benefits. Once he became class head, he would be integrated into the family system. Aidan would have to fulfill obligations while enjoying privileges. Whatever the specific duties of the class head were, at the very least, he would have to stop extorting and robbing his classmates. This wasn't something a class head could do.

It was like last time when the academy elder, despite being slighted by Aidan, had to reward him for his achievements in cultivation. Being within the system meant that you couldn't handle things entirely according to your own wishes; many times, you were even compelled against your will.

Of course, the academy elder didn't dislike Aidan for always extorting so many essence Gems. He was thinking about all the students. Once Aidan became class head, he couldn't violently oppress his classmates anymore. This would give other youths some relief under Aidan's heavy-handedness. Later, by guiding the situation accordingly, a scene of diverse opinions could be cultivated. Sacrificing a small class head position was nothing compared to nurturing seeds of hope like Isolde, Ewan, Tristan, and Emeric.

However, as good as the academy elder's intentions were, the reality turned out to be drastically different from what he had anticipated. Aidan refused! He actually refused!!

Although the position of class head was small, in the hearts of these spirited young students, it represented the honor of being first. Not only honor, but becoming class head also meant receiving a subsidy of ten essence Gems each time!

Such temptation had never been resisted by any youth before. But Aidan actually refused.

As Aidan left the academy elder stunned, he counter-questioned him, "Does the academy stipulate that only the top-ranked student can become class head? Can't the position of class head be refused?"

The academy elder's face turned as dark as water. "Of course, there's no such heartless rule."

Aidan chuckled, "Thank you for understanding, Elder."

With that said, he bowed slightly and returned to his seat.

The students who witnessed this were immediately in an uproar.

For a moment, the academy was in an uproar!

"Aidan actually refused? What the fk is going on here?!"

"Is he out of his mind?"

"I don't know what he's thinking, heh heh, he'll regret it in the future."

...

"Aidan gave up being class head, which means—I'm the class head?!" The shock came too suddenly, and Isolde, who was ranked second, couldn't react for a moment.

She immediately calmed down and pondered the deeper meaning behind Aidan's actions.

Tristan and Emeric had faces full of disbelief. They found it difficult to understand how someone could voluntarily give up the position of class head. What a complete fool!

"Brother..." Ewan stared with wide eyes, gazing at Aidan step by step back to his seat.

According to his third place ranking, he would also be the vice-class head. But when Aidan voluntarily gave up the position of class head, Ewan suddenly felt that his position as vice-class head was tasteless.

The academy elder's face turned ashen; this time, it was truly ashen.

Previously, when Aidan skipped class, his expression was also unpleasant, but it was all just a show for others. His mood was very bad, worse than the last time.

Aidan's refusal of the class head position meant refusing to join the castle's system. The academy elder, who had been in charge of the academy for decades, had never seen such a student, one who could refuse such a great temptation!

Originally, he wanted to invite Aidan into the fold, but Aidan simply wouldn't budge. The academy elder was helpless in this matter.

The subsidy distribution was complete.

In the end, Isolde, ranked second, unprecedentedly obtained the position of class head. Ewan and Tristan were appointed as vice-class heads.

The subsidy for the class head was ten essence Gems, while the subsidy for vice-class heads increased to five.

Some students from less affluent backgrounds, seeing the subsidies of these three, couldn't help but envy them to the point of almost drooling.

...

...

...

When the students left the classroom with their newly received essence Gem subsidies in hand that afternoon, they were all in high spirits.

"I really don't understand what Aidan is thinking, actually giving up the position of class head!"

"Heh heh heh, his brain must be broken. Probably spends all day thinking about killing people. Let's not pay attention to this lunatic."

"Speaking of which, when he barged into the academy that day, I was really scared. It was too terrifying. After that day, I had nightmares all night."

The students walked in pairs, greeting each other as they went.

"Greating! class head."

"Greating, class head."

Isolde walked through the corridor, and wherever she went, the students bowed to her.

But she didn't feel excited or happy at all. She urgently went to the door to verify her suspicions. And trailing behind her, Tristan couldn't contain his excitement and intoxication.

"Greating! vice-class head."

"Greating! vice-class head."

Isolde was the king's daughter, with exceptional talent and a wealthy background, but she was still just a woman. Except for her, he was the highest-ranking person. This was the charm of power. Even a slight difference in treatment could make one more certain of their own value.

As the sun set, casting a blood-red glow, Tristan looked at it and thought joyfully, "Why didn't I notice before? The sunset is really lovely..."

"Hmph, what's so great about being a vice-class head?" Emeric deliberately walked behind, refusing to greet Tristan.

"I really don't know what Aidan is thinking, giving up the position of class head like that. But even if he gave up the position, I still couldn't become vice-class head. Sorry, Grandpa, I let you down, didn't I?" Emeric looked at Isolde and Tristan ahead of him with great dissatisfaction. "You annoying guys, why didn't you give up your positions like Aidan did and give them to me?"

Under the castle's system, one level of authority was higher than the next, like a carrot dangling in front of him. But at this moment, Ewan, also a vice-class head, felt terrible, his face ugly. He silently followed behind.

At the end of the corridor, Aidan leaned against the door as usual. Isolde saw Aidan and stopped, showing an expression that confirmed her suspicions.

"Same old rule, one essence Gem each." Aidan stood with his arms folded, his tone flat.

A group of youths approached Tristan, who, upon seeing Aidan blocking the school gate, became furious. He pointed at Aidan, "Aidan! How dare you block us? I'm already the vice-class head now. As an ordinary student, you should bow to me first when you see me!"

Aidan's response was his fist.

Caught off guard, Tristan was punched and took several steps back, his face filled with disbelief. "You hit me? How dare you hit me? I'm the vice-class head!"

Once again, Aidan's response was his fist.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After several exchanges of offense and defense, Tristan was knocked to the ground by Aidan and lost consciousness.

The surrounding youths stared in shock, unsure of how to react.

This was completely different from what they had imagined!

The guards at the gate watched all this happen under their noses and began whispering to each other.

"Aidan knocked down the newly appointed vice-class heads. What should we do?"

"Nothing!"

"What do you mean?"

"Just watch, then inform the others and clean up the mess."

"But..."

"Hmph, what kind of person do you think Aidan is? Do you want to provoke him too? Think about the fate of those poor colleagues under him now!"

The questioning guard suddenly shuddered and didn't say anything more.

The two guards at the main gate stood straight, letting the robbery happen as if they were deaf and blind, not hearing or seeing anything.

"Brother, you!" He stared in disbelief at the lonely figure standing at the gate of the academy.

Ewan opened his mouth, and after several attempts, he finally said, "Brother, I'm the vice-class head now!"

"Indeed." Aidan nodded expressionlessly and glanced at Ewan, "As vice-class head, you receive a subsidy of up to five Gems. So you can hand over three."

Ewan was speechless for a moment.

Aidan dealt with Tristan, then Ewan, and looked at Isolde, who was still standing motionless.

Isolde had already begun silently squatting down and searching through Ewan and Tristan's wallets.

"One Gem each for everyone, three for the vice-class head, eight for the class head," Aidan announced the new rule.

Isolde took out three essence Gems from the unconscious Ewan and Tristan, in addition to her own eight, and handed them all to Aidan.

Aidan took the money pouch and glanced at her, beginning to count the amount.

The other youths realized then that nothing had changed. Aidan was still Aidan, and the extortion continued as usual.

The youths sighed and obediently took out their essence Gems.

As they walked out of the academy gate, someone suddenly slapped their forehead and shouted, "I just realiz no wonder Aidan didn't want to be class head. He wants to continue extorting us!"

"That's right. He used to extort fifty-nine essence Gems from us each time, now it's increased to sixty-eight. If he were class head, it would only be ten."

Many people followed suit, suddenly enlightened.

"He's too insidious, too cunning, too ruthless!" Someone slapped their thigh, full of resentment.

"Alas, in this way, there's nothing remarkable about being class head or vice-class head. They're still robbed, and they end up with only two essence Gems left, just like us."

No one knew who said this, but the youths fell silent upon hearing it.

Meanwhile, Emeric suddenly felt a sense of relief, thinking that not becoming class head or vice-class head might actually be a good thing.