[Ren's POV]
As expected, I was arrested.
Unlike an ordinary school, Völundr Academy treated discipline with uncompromising severity. It was not merely a place of learning, but an institution designed to condition its students for life as soldiers, drilling order and obedience into them at every opportunity.
Like a death-row inmate being led to the chopping block, I was dragged through the halls, boots scraping against polished floors as I was hauled forward without ceremony. The journey ended at a large chamber, its doors closing heavily behind me.
I was forced to stand at the centre of the room. Encircling me were broad, circular council tables. It felt less like a disciplinary hearing and more like a court-martial, with me alone at its centre, waiting for judgment to be passed.
I nervously studied the figures seated around the chamber, each of them carrying more influence than I could begin to comprehend. When I glanced at McGillis confidently standing beside me, my brow furrowed instinctively.
Only then did I notice the faint curve of a smile tugging at his lips, nearly lost beneath the dark bruise spreading along the side of his face.
In his words, the disciplinary meeting amounted to nothing more than a gathering of "senile old men," too preoccupied with meddling in the affairs of the younger generation.
"We are convened today following the investigative report concerning an assault involving Ren Ordis and several other students," an elderly man seated at the head of the council table began.
"Infighting within the academy is treated with the utmost seriousness. However, given the relationship between the assailant and the victims, this matter must be handled… delicately."
"However, may I request clarification as to why Young Lord Fareed is also in attendance?" The question was polite, but there was a noticeable shift in the old councillor's tone as he addressed McGillis.
"While I apologise for the intrusion," McGillis replied smoothly, "I was, regrettably, involved in the incident as well." He gestured casually toward the bruise on his face, as if it were little more than an inconvenience.
"That commoner attacked you as well!?" one of the councillors exclaimed, outrage flaring across the table. Murmurs rippled through the chamber, and I instinctively shrank beneath their sharpened gazes.
"It is true that I was ambushed," McGillis said, inclining his head in calm acknowledgment. "However, I was not attacked by Student Ordis."
The room stilled.
"Then who was it that laid a hand on you? How is it that this was never included in the report?" another councillor demanded, faces tightening as the implication settled in, and McGillis's smile subtly widened as the gaslighting began.
"That was an error on my part, and I will accept full responsibility for it," McGillis said, inclining his head. He bent forward into a flawless ninety-degree bow, instantly shifting the atmosphere in the chamber. "I was still caught up in the moment and failed to speak up at the time. For that, I offer my deepest apologies."
Watching a noble lower himself so completely, I almost snorted. The sight of someone of his standing casting aside dignity so shamelessly was surreal.
"Young Lord Fareed, please, there's no need for that!" Several councillors grew visibly flustered, the sudden display throwing the room off balance. "Since the young lord is injured, it would be best if you seek medical attention at once."
With the image of McGillis prostrating himself so earnestly before them, the councillors found it difficult to press the matter further. Their earlier indignation faltered, replaced by unease.
"Thank you," McGillis said softly as he straightened. "However, before I depart, I must correct my mistake." His gaze swept the room, calm and unwavering. "I will now provide the full context of the incident. After all, that is the very principle this academy teaches."
"To put it simply, it was a political dispute between the injured party and me," McGillis said evenly. "Regrettably, the discussion escalated. Words gave way to violence, which ultimately resulted in this injury."
"So you are saying the other party attacked you?" one of the councillors asked. His expression hardened at the new information.
"Yes. As unbelievable as it may sound, that is the truth," McGillis replied, his expression never wavering.
"As much as we wish to take the young lord at his word," one of the councillors said slowly, "we find it difficult to accept such a claim." His gaze shifted toward me.
"Given Student Ordis's current appearance, would it not be more believable that the original account is closer to the truth?"
I lowered my gaze to the faint bloodstains marking my uniform. What little skin was left exposed was mottled with shallow cuts and bruises from the fight. Compared to McGillis, the difference was unmistakable. Even a blind man could tell that, whatever the truth was, I had been involved in the violence.
"I understand your concerns," McGillis said gently, a soft smile forming on his lips. "It is true that Student Ordis was involved, but not in the way you believe."
"Fortunately for me, Student Ordis overheard the altercation and intervened without hesitation," McGillis continued. "I will be forever grateful for his actions. Frankly, I dread to imagine what might have happened had he not been there."
"Manipulative bastard…" I muttered under my breath before I could stop myself. Beside me, McGillis dipped his head slightly, just enough to hide the smile he was trying not to show.
It was as if the situation had been turned on its head. They had gathered to punish a commoner who dared to raise his hand against the nobility, yet now they found themselves entertaining the idea that they were falsely accusing a good Samaritan instead.
Even if the injured parties protested, the councillors could not simply dismiss the wound on McGillis's face. No one could prove that the injury had been fabricated, and doubt had already taken root.
"I understand Lord Fareed's eagerness to see justice done," one of the councillors said at last, his tone strained, "but we cannot simply sweep this matter aside." The words carried their own quiet resentment, heavy with reluctance.
"Ultimately, both sides will have to face appropriate punishment," the councillors declared after a pause. "Based on Lord Fareed's testimony, the other party involved will be formally investigated and dealt with severely. However, given the extent of the injuries sustained, Student Ordis will also be subject to a strict evaluation."
"Please wait, Councillor."
McGillis stepped forward, his voice calm but deliberate. "While it is true that the other students initiated the attack, I cannot deny that I may have provoked them as well. For that reason, I believe I share responsibility." He lowered his head slightly. "I ask that the punishments be reduced. After this incident, I am confident that neither side will repeat such actions."
It was a careful balance of carrot and stick. The councillors were determined to punish me regardless, yet the prospect of disciplining noble students filled them with visible unease. If the punishment leaned too heavily in one direction, word of McGillis's injury could spread throughout the academy. If it leaned the other way, sparing me too lightly, unrest would ripple through the noble families.
So when McGillis proposed a lighter, equal punishment for both sides, the offer became irresistibly appealing.
"Very well," the councillor said after a moment's deliberation. "We propose that, effective immediately, Student Ren Ordis and the other involved parties will be confined to their dormitories pending further review."
"It cannot be helped," McGillis replied with a wry smile.
With that, the meeting was brought to a close. The councillors rose from their seats, and before I could fully process the outcome, we were ushered out of the chamber, the heavy doors closing behind us with a final, resounding thud.
As we walked back down the corridor, I found myself glancing at McGillis again and again. "Who are you, really?" I asked at last, unable to keep the suspicion from my voice. "They were clearly wary of your status. Not every noble could make them act like that."
"While I detest the corruption that comes with nobility," McGillis replied without shame, "it would be dishonest to deny that it has its privileges."
He paused, then turned to me with a measured look. "Ren, have you heard of Gjallarhorn's Seven Stars?" When I shook my head, McGillis gave a small nod, as though he had expected nothing else.
"In short, they are seven families that govern Gjallarhorn," McGillis explained. "They were the ones who led the fight against the Mobile Armours during the Calamity War. Each founding ancestor earned their place through decisive achievements on the battlefield."
He glanced ahead as he continued, his tone almost casual. "The Fareed family is one of those Seven Stars. The others are Issue, Bauduin, Baklazan, Elion, Falk, and Kujan. It would be wise to tread carefully around them. They are far more troublesome than the lesser nobility you've dealt with so far."
"Troublesome... That's certainly one way to describe you." I grumbled, and he laughed.
"For now, don't concern yourself with the lower-ranking nobles," McGillis said lightly. "If necessary, simply make use of my name. Provided their intelligence matches their wealth, they won't be foolish enough to provoke you."
I frowned. "I still don't understand why you're going this far."
"Well," McGillis Fareed replied with a casual shrug, "I find it beneficial to maintain an amicable relationship with you." He glanced sideways, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You could even call it the beginning of a friendship."
"So I'm useful," I replied flatly.
McGillis's smile deepened, just enough to be infuriating. A vein throbbed at my temple. He reached out and tapped my shoulder. "But I mean it," he said, his tone turning uncharacteristically sincere. "I want to be your friend."
I froze. When I looked back at him, he let out a quiet chuckle and continued down the hall, leaving me standing there alone.
"Friend, huh…" I muttered under my breath.
With a weary sigh, I turned and headed back toward my dorm. The corridor felt longer than before, quieter. And as my footsteps echoed against the floor, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of trouble I had just stepped into.
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