Chapter 43

(Arthur's POV)

"It's your shift now, Arthur." Claire told me and I just heavily sighed, it was my turn to patrol around the school.

"Yeah, I'll go right now." I exited the DC room and started wandering around the school.

I had finally time to ponder about this badge that Ash gave me. Items that could forcefully increase a person's strength, not damaging the body nor giving any side effects. Anyone would dream of such a precious thing and here he gives it away to people he doesn't even know. I don't know if there are any safety measurements in it, but this is still bizarre.

From the period I know my brother, I noticed that he hates doing things without the reasons and benefits behind them. I don't judge him because of such ideals, I approve of them myself. But he was just too socially awkward before, maybe he changed and gifted a bunch of teens items countries would fight for?

Like hell, I would believe this. There was definitely a reason behind it, why would he even start a class to teach 'how to survive'? Director may have had hands in this matter, but Ash was always doing things on his own, he had the strength and mainly those black soldiers…

Illusions or not, all of them were solid and fought against other students with ease. That humanoid-ant meanwhile could wreck us in seconds, but it complied with Ash's commands, which either meant it has personality or Ash played with illusion.

I never heard of such magic, so Ash could have created something from his own experience.

While many similar thoughts flooded my mind, I almost forgot about my duty of patrolling school grounds.

"Psst! Silence, someone is coming." I heard someone whispering near the corner of the building.

I walked towards sounds and when I turned to the corner to see someone aiming a punch to my face, I on instinct ducked underneath.

"Shit! It's a DC officer!" One who attacked me cursed after viewing my attire, it was just some noble black-haired boy from what I could see.

Before he could run away, I caught him by the collar and didn't let him go. Behind him was another bunch of students, they looked shocked and were trying to cover something behind their backs.

"Let me go, you bastard!" Yelled black-haired boy, without words I let him go but knocked him down with the kick on his feet.

"Attacking a DC Officer, without initiative on duel is strictly prohibited, you will get punishment nonetheless. Now, what are you hiding?" I turned to three boys, they gritted their teeth at me, and pulling their hands forward, and started casting spells.

'Why did I even agree to this job?' I questioned myself. If I knew about Ash creating his own class, I would refuse Cynthia's offer and take on my brother's, but that old hag played a trick on me…

"Take this!" One of the boys shouted and threw some fireball towards me, which I blocked with an augmented palm.

"Sorry, I don't have time to play around." Before others could finish their spells, I dashed behind them bonking on their heads, knocking all of them out in an instant.

"Now it's time to notify others and take you to custody." I told them and activated a special dagger we DC Members received.

While I was waiting for the other committee members to arrive, I kept my eyes on unconscious students. In the process, I couldn't help but wonder why humans hate other races so much, especially those nobles. Every day there were new cases which could be considered as discrimination, nothing new to be honest…

"Arthur! Anything happened?" Curtis arrived with his bond quickly after receiving the signal, I just pointed at laying people and pieces of art on the wall for him to understand the situation.

"*Sigh* Again, they can't get over this huh…" Curtis released a heavy sigh and approached the unconscious boys.

"Grawder come, help me out with them." Curtis's bond complied and lowered himself for Curtis.

.

"And here goes the last one." Curtis laid the unconscious body of the student on Grawder.

"You can go ahead, I'll take care of this art on the wall." I told him and he just nodded before leaving with his bond.

"Now what to do with this?" I asked myself looking at some text written with bloody-red paint.

I could just leave this behind and let janitors or teachers fix it, but what was written on the wall shouldn't be seen by normal students.

"Well, they got in big trouble." I placed my hand over the painting and using water magic removed it easily, nobody was watching me so I decided to use my water affinity.

Anyway, it was time to continue my patrol, but I sensed a presence pretty close to me. Deciding to learn who was near me, I walked away from the scene and decided to follow my hunch.

I didn't have to wait long, that one presence was literally standing behind me.

"Didn't know Lances were doing patrols at night, should I be honored for patrolling with you?" I asked playfully and turned to the person behind me.

When I turned I saw a white-haired woman, with grey eyes which starred in mines. I couldn't sense her core. This meant she had at least a higher stage than me. Of course, what did I expect from a high-positioned military asset?

"You may already go to your dorms and rest, I will be taking over patrol." She responded ignoring my previous question.

"I guess…" I couldn't retort her. I wasn't in a position to disagree with Lance, so I just nodded and turned away from her, and walked towards my dorms, besides I was really tired…

"Student, what is your name?" I again turned back to her with a confused expression, she had her eyes narrowed at me.

"Arthur Leywin, is something wrong?" I answered and she widened her eyes for a moment, before returning back.

"Nothing." Yeah, like I'll believe her answer, her reaction definitely didn't mean 'nothing'.

"Then excuse me." After excusing myself, I quickly got out of there. I could literally feel her gaze on my back and that was uncomfortable, Ash didn't do something to her right?

But apparently, fate decided to play a joke on me. My day of unfortunate events was just beginning when I heard the sound of something tearing into flesh. Quickly running towards the sounds, I saw something I wouldn't wish my enemy to see…

_________________________________________________________________________

(3'rd POV)

The whole school was shaken. Rumors about someone dying on the school grounds because of mana beasts, shocked everyone including teachers and Lance Varay herself.

At this moment, the directress of Xyrus academy Cynthia Goodsky with a few teachers, Lance Varay, and the first witness is currently discussing this matter in her office. Arthur Leywin was the first one to witness the scene, unfortunately, he didn't reveal much information. For a few reasons…

"Arthur, you have to tell us what exactly you saw there." Cynthia repeated an already-asked question.

"I told you, didn't I? It was some mana-beast. I couldn't see it because it faded in darkness right after I got there." Answered Arthur, but other teachers still didn't believe him.

"Lance Varay, what about you?" Cynthia looked at Varay who nodded.

"I wasn't able to see the mana-beast, but the victim is someone not from this land." Varay answered briefly, confusing many except two people in the room.

'They already got here?' The directress got the hint from Varay.

'Not from this land? Does she mean another continent?' Wondered Arthur, but he didn't question anything further and just waited for others.

"Can you please explain what you mean in this?" One of the teachers questioned, Varay just shook her head in denial.

"I can't disclose any more information about this matter, however, it is connected to announcements made by Royal families." With this said Varay stood up from her seat and again looked at people present in the room.

"Now I have to continue my duty, I assure you the situation is already solved." She left the room and other teachers followed her actions, Arthur just stayed behind because Cynthia asked him.

"Arthur, you didn't tell everything right?" Asked Cynthia.

"..." Arthur kept silent.

"Arrived just in time." Someone put a hand on Arthur's shoulder, startling both the woman and boy.

"Yes, you have an explanation to do Ashborn." Arthur stated with a serious voice, after realizing who appeared.

"There is nothing to explain, the enemy should be eliminated before it gives us problems in the future." Responded Ashborn, not being intimidated by Arthur even slightest.

"I want more explanation about those matters, what enemy? What did you mean in teaching 'how to survive'? just what the hell is going on?" Demanded Arthur harshly.

"I thought you already realized Arthur. The different continent everyone is talking about, they are already here, plotting something behind your backs." Answered Ashborn, Cynthia meanwhile kept herself shut.

"And that one your beast killed was the enemy?"

"Yes, it was a spy sent by another continent. I'm sure you noticed strange runes on the person." Said Ashborn and received a nod from Arthur.

"Only mages from another continent have such runes." Added Ashborn, flickering his eyes at Cynthia.

"What will happen to the continent?" Arthur already understood most of the situation, but he had to still clarify if there will be war between continents.

"They are definitely seeking conflict." Assured Ashborn, Arthur's face became gloomier at this.

"When will it begin?"

"It began when the first denizen of another continent stepped on this land." Ended Ashborn.

Cynthia looked down in shame, her fists were clenched hard. Visibly she was angry, Arthur noticed this, but he thought it was natural. Internally he felt almost the same but didn't show it outside. Arthur may didn't have had experience in large-scale wars, but he knew what it meant. (If you don't know then I'll explain, in Grey's previous world there weren't large-scale wars, but more of a duel between kings to determine the winning country. At least that is what I understood.)

People present here had at least some imagination about war. Ashborn literally participated in universal scale wars, so he was most experienced in this field. He could be described as a person who was born to fight in wars, unfortunately for him...

"So this was the reason behind why you started the class?" Guessed Arthur, both Ashborn and Cynthia nodded.

"Arthur, war is coming. Biggest one this world will ever see, so you should get prepared if you want to take action too." Advised Ashborn, he wasn't going to go against his brother. If he wishes to participate in war actions, Ashborn will not hold him back.

"I understand." Without more words, Arthur stood up and left the room.

"Cynthia, keep an eye on the academy while I'm not here. I don't have multiple consciousnesses to do a hundred things at the same time." Stated Ashborn, but before he left he also shared a piece of information.

"Since you are Alacryan, you should also know about Scythe Seris." Cynthia nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Lady Nezera was an influential figure in Alacrya. What about her?" Asked Cynthia.

"She doesn't have the desire for Dicathen to crumble in the war, so she will be kind of a support for you." This statement widened a woman's eyes.

"Are you serious about this Mr. Ashborn?" She asked not believing his words.

"You will meet her soon enough." Replied Ash.

"Did… Did she tell you about Alacrya's plans?"

"Yes, however, you don't have to worry about it, at least not yet. Also, it's time when you reveal your identity to the council, your safety is guaranteed when the dwarven king isn't there anymore." Declared Ashborn.

"What do you mean?" Confused Cynthia questioned.

"Exactly what I said, Dawsid is dead. He was executed directly by me." Shocked, Cynthia just stared at Ash.

"As I said, reveal your identity to the council. Limit is one month before Alacrya will make serious moves on Dicathen."

________________________________________________________________________________

Damn who would have thought, I'm really shit when it comes to writing on phone. Anyway here is the chapter.

And I'm hella lazy to copy links for Discord and my other FFs sorry.

Cya.