Mystery Tales Under the Moonlight

Chapter 29: Category Determination Exams at the Academy (6).

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Gold had no value in this world; instead, there were other metals of value.

At most, some used gold as jewelry, and doctors used it to treat certain diseases.

Steel was much more valuable than gold due to its valuable properties.

In any case, Lilith's eyes sparkled as she sorted through the information in her mind.

The value of Loki's information... was immeasurable.

After some consultation and back-and-forth between the two, they struck a deal with somewhat equal terms.

[... fuck that shit... what got me into this mess, all because of that scoundrel]

[Now I understand a little of what you mean... this is exhausting]

If it weren't for the time constraint, they would have spent hours covering all the details, but at least the important things were covered.

Lilith would help Leon and his group start trading with the Kronos Guild branch within this academy as a private client.

The details would be discussed fully with the concerned party.

In return, Leon's side would provide Lilith with the remaining information she needed.

Other conditions would be discussed later, due to time constraints.

At first, she wouldn't have considered entering into a deal with them.

That was until she saw the power Leon displayed, not to mention some details of his deep plan.

What if she used the information to betray them?

The answer was already set in stone.

[If a situation arises and you break the deal without suffering the consequences, we might be lenient, but Leon... will definitely kill you]

[Tell that to the daughter of the Kronos family... that's interesting]

[This isn't idle talk; it comes from a strong person. It doesn't matter who the enemy is; the moment Leon becomes the enemy, there's no room for negotiation; you will be the only one to suffer]

[Not to mention us; we are not like the sleeping rascals over there]

Saying that about the continent's talents... was a bit ridiculous.

Did his words mean he would face the entire Kronos family? Did he have the guts to do that?

That was something uncertain.

But because of what Loki said, she understood something.

Leon Evenius, he was someone who feared no one.

And he had the power to back that fearlessness, not to mention the cunning he possessed.

How did she know of his cunning? Because...

[I almost forgot to mention, the terms of this deal were set by Leon from the very beginning... even before we met]

[I have no words to express]

She understood that it was indeed in Leon's hands.

Perhaps the coat was an excuse to make her meet him, and this situation was part of his planning.

Planning against the academy in the first few hours since his arrival... not to mention defeating talents and making deals.

Now she was completely sure.

A very familiar scent.

The girl felt a shiver run through her body.

The scent of money!

She couldn't help but look at Leon with sparkling eyes.

This person... suddenly became the most beautiful in her eyes!

Leon, as if unaware of the matter, did not turn to her.

"Her reaction is unexpected"

"I told you, she might really be his lost sister"

Loki and Firon whispered as they watched Lilith staring at Leon with greedy eyes.

The two walked towards Dio and Lloyd.

Lloyd was glaring at Dio with displeased eyes.

"Yo... Lloyd... what are you doing?"

"Look at this treacherous scoundrel... he made me sit with a boy while he enjoys his time with a girl!"

"Huh? Has spring come for our sword-obsessed friend?"

Seeing Dio carrying an unconscious girl in his arms, Dio complained, while Firon looked at the situation with mocking eyes.

"Spring my ass!... nothing happened"

"What's with your voice? Suspicious..."

"Hahaha! For God's sake, what do you think will happen? It's not like she hugged me or anything like that!"

"... that scoundrel" Firon elegantly smiled, cursing quietly.

Looking at the smug laugh on his face, he knew this fool was saying this on purpose!

Lloyd's expression was ugly, and he remembered once again that spring doesn't come easily.

"Supervisor! We have finished the examination!"

One of the paramedics rushed towards Dios, who did not break eye contact with Leon.

"The results were..."

He whispered in a faint voice to Dios.

For a moment, an unprecedented look appeared on the face of Supervisor Dios, before his expression returned to its previous state.

"What you're saying is that everyone... except for two people... were unharmed?"

Unbelievable words came out of Supervisor Dios's mouth.

Expressions of disbelief appeared on everyone's faces, as if they hadn't heard him well.

"Professor... what did you just say...?"

Her voice was confused, the student council president asked with a suspicious tone.

"Only two were injured..."

"Wait... student Leon Evenius! Come here quickly!"

Supervisor Dios called him in a panicked voice.

"Okay~" Leon walked lightly and complied with his orders like an obedient child.

"Here he goes"

"They won't understand even if he explains, his power is somewhat unique"

"Look at him acting like a docile student listening attentively to his teacher, it just hurts my stomach to see it"

"Ugh! I feel nauseous... don't mention that again!"

The four friends consulted among themselves while loudly cursing their dear friend.

What a tear-jerking scene... friendship is truly wonderful.

"Student, show your mana essence"

"Yes~!"

In compliance with Supervisor Dios's orders, Leon revealed his mana essence.

The color was a mixture of black and red.

A small amount the size of a fist, as if he was completely used to it, he played with the small mana essence in his hand.

The essence looked like a strange field intertwining with each other, and in the center, there was a pitch-black sphere.

Not too close, not too far, just as it should be, the field moved in harmony.

He brought his hand closer to the paramedic for inspection.

Having the mana essence take on a special form means one thing.

Leon Evenius, in one way or another, had already performed the talent revelation ceremony.

His talent... was unknown.

It seemed he had hidden it by some means, means that even they couldn't easily uncover.

That wasn't the important thing at the moment.

"Is this it?"

Supervisor Dios asked the paramedic beside him, in an urgent tone.

"... Definitely, from the few remaining traces on the two injured children, it is the same"

"What about the others? Are there any traces?"

"According to the report I gathered from the others... no one, there are no remaining traces on any of them"

"This is unbelievable..." Dios muttered in a stunned voice.

He wasn't the only one; everyone here felt a cold sensation.

Lilith, Olivia, student council members, faculty members, and even Princess Lucia and her companions.

Everyone felt the chill.

It was as if a person in hot water was suddenly thrown into icy northern waters.

"Just so you know... even if you kill me, I won't tell you anything, it's for you to uncover yourselves" Leon smiled lightly.

The person involved in all the events stood before them, saying incomprehensible words.

What does killing him have to do with it?

The meaning of his words was clear; he did not trust them even a little.

It was to the extent that he took precautions so they wouldn't get ahead of themselves.

Some professors felt a slight disappointment in some way.

That was due to his lack of trust in them.

But after thinking a little, it made sense.

He caused a commotion, and it was unreasonable to expect such trust from a teenager in adults.

Trust was something built over time.

With such thoughts, the professors calmed their minds.

They just had to do their duty.

In this world full of corruption, they wanted to make this place an environment where these children could smile without worries.

Thus, Supervisor Dios issued his orders.

"... Seize him"

"What? Professor, don't you see? It was all self-defense?"

"Don't try to wriggle out, stand still, I won't punish you too much!"

Seeing the devilish smile on Dios's face, Leon smiled bitterly as he tried to step back.

"That scoundrel..." Leon looked at him, thinking: "Was it wrong to try to start planning with him?"

"Quickly! Seize him!"

The first people in front of him were his friends.

"You scoundrels... I mean my dear friends! What's wrong with you all of a sudden?"

"Hehehe! Don't worry, Leon, I won't do anything! Just one hit!"

"No other choice after all! The circumstances forced me!"

"Right, right! The student must listen to his teacher!"

"Don't make it hard for us and let us catch you; we are friends after all!"

After saying things that a good path fox would say, four people approached Leon with expressions that would make bandits bury their faces in shame.

There was a need for justification in everything.

Today, everyone was moving after saying things to justify their actions.

This was funny.

They looked like good path people on a mission to catch a demon.

Not just the four of them, whether it was the professors or the student council members, they joined the chase.

Even Lilith had joined them.

"Seize him!"

"Quickly!"

"For his own good, he must be caught and reprimanded!"

The princess watched what was happening while sorting her thoughts.

Whether it was because of what happened today, or who Leon was, or the prophecy she saw.

She had a lot to do.

The long event ended after much effort; in the end, they caught Leon and brought him to the teachers' room after a day.

It was unknown what the professors were discussing with Leon the previous day.

He had been locked up all day and even the next day in the teachers' room.

The next day, Leon could be seen sleeping and tied to a chair.

Some professors were panting, and others were treating their bodies after being bitten by Leon.

His four friends were quietly sitting in the chairs at the back.

Some students could be seen peeking through the cracks in the windows and doors.

Naturally, this was to find out what punishment would be issued against Leon.

Since the concerned parties did not complain directly for some reasons, it was unknown to the students how the professors would punish him.

The principal had some business elsewhere, so he did not intervene in the matter and delegated authority to Supervisor Dios.

There was no significant objection except from a few.

The trial of the student was about to begin.

The boy woke up half an hour after being put to sleep with anesthetics.

"Ah~ that sleep was really comfortable~"

After waking up, he was met with cold stares from some professors.

"Are these the sneaky mice here to take the cheese?" he thought while looking at them with bored eyes.

"Student Leon Evenius, do you acknowledge, as a student of this academy, that you will bear the responsibility for your actions?"

After a moment of silence, Dios opened his mouth coldly.

Whatever his intentions towards Leon, they should not be revealed, and thus, he reached an appropriate punishment for this student with the principal.

This way, those foxes would not have the right to intervene easily.

They had to be prevented at all costs.

"Yes, whatever my actions, I acknowledge full responsibility"

He replied in a mechanical voice, showing no expressions on his face.

It was better not to laugh more at the moment; he had already established his position.

Now it was just waiting for the fish to bite the bait.

He already knew what kind of punishment he would receive; it was harsh enough for a seventeen-year-old student.

So the scoundrels of the two kingdoms would not easily intervene.

But most likely, there would be some resentment, but that was not his concern.

Whatever Leon's actions were severe, they, in their simple position in this place, not to mention being outsiders, could not act carelessly.

That was so they would have something to justify their actions.

"Then, by the authority granted to me by the principal, I will issue a punishment against the student, Leon Evenius"

"In the category determination exams, whatever the score of student Leon Evenius, 50% of it will be deducted, and if he achieves a high score, his rights to scholarship will be revoked."

"And whatever category he enters, he will be stripped of the right to live in the student dorms, for fear of him causing trouble with others until further notice"

"Finally, he will be monitored throughout the semester by the vice president of the student council"

A harsh punishment!

Whatever the student's score, half of it would be deducted immediately, meaning if he was in last place, half of what he collected would be canceled, which would likely be a fatal blow to the person.

Of course, for someone with Leon's strength, that was unimportant, but the problem was that it was difficult to get a high score with this; half of your hard work becomes useless immediately.

And even if he got a high rank, his scholarship rights would be revoked, meaning that his study costs would not be covered; he would have to pay them himself.

The worst was being expelled from the student dorms until further notice.

Not to mention being monitored by the vice president of the student council, it might seem lighter when viewed from the perspective of the above punishment, but it wasn't lighter at all.

Cold.

The vice president of the student council was indeed a cold person; she didn't talk much and applied the laws just like a fanatic.

Of course, her talents were unique, not to mention her unknown origin.

She was a mysterious person, even for the teachers here.

This punishment... isn't it a bit excessive?

Even the students felt it; this punishment was very harsh for someone who had come for the first time.

"... this is a bit excessive" looking around, Leon said in a protesting voice.

It was as if he was waiting for the students to express their doubts so he would have the courage to express his opinion in turn.

No matter how smart and strong he was, he would go along with his surroundings.

After seeing his reaction, some professors smiled sarcastically internally, but they looked at him coldly on the surface.

His dissatisfaction was reasonable, so they didn't suspect anything.

They would have suggested some punishments themselves, but what Dios proposed satisfied them.

Although it was a somewhat excessive punishment, it didn't matter.

This was enough to curb the student.

Of course, there were many professors who expressed their dissatisfaction, saying that the punishment was too excessive.

Dios did not listen to them; seizing the opportunity, the minority of professors supported Dios.

Intimidating students, mocking the educational body, the severe injury of two students, not to mention being children of important families, would cause the academy to provide a proper explanation for the case.

It caused a lot, so even though they acknowledged it was a somewhat harsh punishment, it was the best middle-ground solution.

"I don't care, whatever the reason, this is excessive!" His body tied to the chair shook violently, as if expressing his anger.

"Didn't you say you would bear the responsibility for your actions? Or were those just empty words?" Dios stared coldly.

Leon was silent for a moment at his words, as if trying to object, but he chose silence.

He opened his mouth to say one last thing: "Is there really no way to reverse this punishment?"

"There isn't; you must, no matter how bitter it is, accept it"

"Well..." His eyes glinted coldly, he laughed a little as his voice became harsh: "I can now see what kind of place this academy is"

Easily and effortlessly, he untied himself and stood up from his place.

An evil aura rose from his body, as if unconsciously.

Everyone became on high alert.

He looked at them silently, his red eyes were lifeless.

"The exams are in two days, right?"

After saying that, no one answered.

He took their silence as agreement and continued in an emotionless tone: "Since that's the case, I'll show you something interesting, just wait"

After this, the boy headed towards the exit.

"Student! Where do you think you're going?"

The professor could only swallow his words; a tremendous pressure descended upon him.

The boy merely stared at him, but he felt the urge to flee.

The gravity pressed down on him hard; of course, his body could handle it to some extent, but the psychological factor was what weighed him down.

After a few seconds, Leon coldly left the place, leaving everyone in silence.

"... Isn't anyone going to follow him?"

"If you think you can bring him back, go ahead"

The person who said that immediately fell silent after receiving the answer.

Well, it could be tolerated; his reaction was reasonable.

Only an insane person wouldn't be angry in such a situation, even if just a little.

The professors who agreed to the punishment understood now; this boy was truly strong.

From beginning to end, the four with Leon were silent, trying to suppress their laughter.

Fortunately, from the outside, their expressions looked unpleasant, as if they didn't like the situation at all.

* * *

After leaving the place, Leon let out a light laugh.

These fools... they were easily deceived.

In any case, since he was kind, shouldn't he meet their expectations and make the exam enjoyable?

Hehehe, I will drain all your resources, you scoundrels.

His gaze was noble.

Spreading goodness and happiness throughout the world.

Leon's sole motto was about to be revealed to the world.