The admiring praise that came out of Dean Saires's mouth successfully caused the atmosphere in the Victoriaz academy square to suddenly fall silent.
Time seemed to stop turning. All eyes were now fixed on the youth, who was standing with his flat expression.
Allen, Alrain, Ordion, and Alvein spontaneously widened their eyes in unison. Hundreds of students from the Astoria academy also held their breath before they all finally erupted in an uproar.
A piece of information had just exploded in their faces. Arvin Vedegra, the first-year student famous for his terrifying reputation, was actually the legal owner of the Astoria Academy, and not a single one of them knew about this fact beforehand.
The Flamort Kingdom delegation standing not far from there also couldn't hide their shock. Kylen and Vian's jaws seemed to drop to the ground upon learning the fact that the owner of the largest magic academy in the neighboring kingdom was a youth who was a student just like them.
"My Love!" exclaimed Alrain, who was the first to manage to find his voice again. He stared at his husband with a look of heavy shock on his face. "What did Dean Saires mean just now? Did you... did you buy the academy?"
Receiving the disbelieving stares of hundreds of people, Arvin sighed softly. He felt that he could no longer hide the truth.
"Yes, I bought the academy completely when I was taking care of Ordion's transfer administration process some time ago." Arvin answered calmly, as if buying a giant institution was as easy as buying bread in the morning.
"But, what was your main reason for doing something that big, My Dear?" Ordion suddenly exclaimed, chiming into their conversation with his forehead wrinkled in confusion. "Wasn't the price very expensive?"
Arvin looked straight at the students and teachers. "I want Dean Saires has full authority and can act firmly if there are noble students who dare to oppress and bully commoners who are studying at the academy." he answered very honestly, his voice growing heavy.
"If relying only on the old rules and without the absolute protection of the Vedegra family name, Dean Saires would never be able to firmly discipline students from the high-class nobility because he'd be hindered by the bureaucracy and the power of their parents. His Majesty the King has also agreed to this decision. He will join in severely punishing any noble student who dares to act arbitrarily within the academy."
Hearing that explanation, the students who were children of nobles swallowed hard, feeling intimidated. Meanwhile, the students from the commoner class were incredibly astonished. Their hearts warmed. The reason behind the academy takeover done by Arvin Vedegra was apparently entirely to protect them from the unfair caste system.
"If the absolute punishment from the academy and the direct punishment from the kingdom are applied simultaneously, then acts of bullying will never be able to run rampant in the academy again." he concluded.
Due to attracting too much attention, Dean Saires immediately led the Astoria Kingdom delegation group out of the square area, moving through the capital's streets toward the merchant guild to sell the magic crystal in order to rent land to use as a resting place.
Inside one of the moving carriages, the atmosphere felt very awkward and heavy.
Allen, Alrain, and Ordion stared at their husband's face with serious expressions. They still couldn't believe the shocking truth.
"Once we arrive at the mansion later, you must explain everything to us about your intention of taking over the academy secretly!" Alrain said, breaking the cabin's silence. His gaze shone sharply, as if he could not accept the fact that his husband had gone too far as to buy a giant institution without discussing it.
"Wait a minute. Before we discuss that matter, what about this one anomaly?" Ordion chimed in with a displeased tone. The tip of his finger pointed right at Kylen, who was sitting awkwardly, still insisting on sticking around in the same carriage as them. "If he is allowed to keep following us, this outsider will definitely know everything about our family affairs!"
Hearing that complaint, Allen took a deep breath while massaging the bridge of his nose. His head felt dizzy.
"My Husband, it is better if you just yield to him and let him return to his kingdom!" Allen requested with a tired expression. "I really don't like dealing with someone who can't even be honest with his own feelings. His presence here only makes the atmosphere uncomfortable."
"Allen is right!" Alvein, who was sitting by the window, now spoke up. His innocent face looked serious as he judged Kylen. "He is a hypocrite! I am absolutely not willing to accept him as your fifth spouse! All this time, the four of us have always spoken bluntly and been open with each other. If there is one of your spouses who likes to lie from the very beginning, our future household will definitely be full of conflicts!"
The atmosphere inside the cabin grew even heavier when Alvein suddenly lowered his gaze.
"That is the painful thing that happened to him in the past..." Alvein continued softly yet laden with wounds. "He was betrayed by the hypocrisy of those closest to him and eventually killed. I don't want that history to repeat itself. I don't want a hypocrite in our midst!"
Hearing the strong support from the others, Alrain looked back at Arvin.
"You heard their words yourself, right?" Alrain demanded, hoping his husband would quickly make a decision. "If one of us disagrees, we all will never accept that person into our family!"
The consecutive demands from his four spouses left Arvin unable to move. He absolutely could not deny their highly logical concerns. He then shifted his gaze, staring at Kylen who had been sitting and squeezing the edge of his uniform, looking extremely anxious.
"Answer me honestly right now. Do you like me, Kylen?" Arvin asked to make sure, his voice flat yet intimidating. "If you beat around the bush again, I will ask you to get out of this carriage right now! I do not like someone who likes to make excuses and doesn't even dare to be honest."
Arvin leaned his body slightly forward. "Just so you know, Kylen... I can appreciate an honest person much more than someone who likes to lie."
Hearing that ultimatum, Kylen fell silent. His breath felt caught in his throat.
What should I do? Kylen thought in panic, his heart rumbling intensely amidst the jolts of the carriage. Do I have to be honest and throw away all my pride as a prince right now? But if I keep denying it, I will never be accepted by them, even though I myself don't know... is this feeling of mine truly a feeling of liking Arvin, or just simply admiring him?