`Sure is convenient that someone is here to stop me right away. While when Brant swung on me, it was Selienne holding him back.` I think as I watch the teacher approach with his hand on his wand.
Like he was expecting me to continue fighting. But of course I don't. The one that deserved to get hit already got hit. I had no reason to do anything more. At least not yet.
"What do you think you are doing, you barbarian?!?" The teacher asks angrily as he stalks closer. All righteous fury and indignation. But I don't pay him much mind. More interested in what the four school staff members will do.
They all approached me from different angles. Like real professionals. Like they were ready to physically take me down and restrain me at any moment. Though in the end, seeing how the situation wasn't volatile or I didn't look like I would continue to fight, they all relaxed.
Two of them kneel down next to the boy I had knocked out. To check if he was alright. You know. Putting him in a stable sideways position and all that. While the other two flank me. To make sure I don't run off, I assume.
But they leave the talking, or rather, the scolding, to the teacher. "How dare a lowly person like you hit a fellow student. And an older member of this school, no less. Do you have no respect for your betters?"
Who, by the way, looks exactly like he sounds. He has slicked-back black hair. And a receding hairline. That, coupled with his beady brown eyes that seem to shift around a lot, gave him a weasely, rodent-like appearance.
Quite fitting for a character like him, all things considered. `The character designers for this game really were creatively bankrupt sometimes.` Though that assessment wasn't exactly fair. They created thousands upon thousands of characters. So slacking off on one or two wasn't a big deal.
Not that this was the right way to think. These aren't characters in a game. They are real people now. People who don't wait around for you to click a dialogue option until they continue speaking.
"Are you trying to ignore me?!?" He asks angrily. And he did kind of hit the nail on the head. I was, in fact, trying to ignore him.
Not because I thought it would make him go away or the problem disappear. But rather because I wasn't ready to talk to anybody yet. Least of all someone clearly biased like him.
"Have you no decency? Do you feel no remorse for what you just did?" He asks while trying to grab my shoulder. So I can't ignore him any longer.
Not that I let this happen. I smack his hand aside. Fixing him with a cool glare of my own. One that makes him freeze. "I am listening. But I'm not sorry. He deserved it."
My words tore him out of whatever spell my glare had put him under. His cough and attempt to smooth down his robes did nothing to hide his sudden nervousness.
His next words came out in a stutter. "I... I-I can't believe you. You… You are coming with me. I'm taking you to the headmaster's office. To let him deal with you." He explains as he motions for me to stand up.
His actions were clearly born of fear. Or at least his inability to handle this situation. If he had control over it. If he had believed he could cow me. He certainly would handle things right here. In front of everyone. Probably force me to my hands and knees begging for an apology.
But seeing that I clearly don't care about what little authority he has. He does what people like him always do. He threatens me with someone with more authority. Basically, kicking the problem up the command chain in hopes someone stronger than him fixes it.
"Tss. Fine by me. Let's go." And his reaction to my answer shows that he had hoped this would be the end of it. That the threat alone would be enough to bend me. But of course that wasn't the case.
I stand up smoothly. Lazily waving for him to lead the way. `If you think you can intimidate me. Think again.` The one step it takes for me to stand beside him is casual and easy. To show him that I really don't care about his threat.
"Come on. Lead the way. Or do you not know where the headmaster's office is?" My taunt finally makes him move. Breathing life back into his shivering frame.
Which bristles with indignation at being so openly challenged by a student. Before he starts walking. He moves quickly and with jerky, stiff motions. Doing his best to hide the tremble wracking his body. That partially stems from fear and partially from anger, I'm sure. "Fine. But don't think the headmaster will go easy on you."
"In fact. Our Headmaster is quite strict when it comes to violence on school grounds. So expect to be expelled at the very least." He continues to threaten me as we make our way out of the cafeteria and towards the main building.
But his threats mean nothing to me. I'm more interested in throwing glances at the two school staff members still flanking me. The way they move is very peculiar. Like bodyguards.
Or wardens in this case. `They clearly know what they are doing. Must be ex-military or something like that.` It made sense for the school staff of such an elite institution to have some guards secretly sprinkled in.
I had been thinking that before. That most of the school staff just seemed to have a certain air around them. An air similar to Serathen or Brenvar. And now I know for sure.
Considering all four of the people who had approached us to apprehend me were wearing waiter outfits. Working and blending into the background of the cafeteria perfectly. It's probably fair to assume that all school staff have some formal combat training.
`Good to kno-`"Are you listening?" My thoughts are interrupted by the weasly professor asking me if I'm listening. But I wasn't. And I have no issue telling him that. "No."
Which made him stumble. Almost missing a step up to the doors of the main building. Before he spins around with a furious expression. "Tss. Fine. Ignore me then. But know that this is it. This was your last chance to apologize. I will make sure that you get expelled for what you did."
I just roll my eyes and motion for him to keep walking. "Yeah. Yeah." I wave dismissively. Almost baiting him into hitting me. I saw how he clenched his fists in anger. But eventually, he just huffs. Turns around and keeps walking.
His constant stream of threats finally dying down. Though it's only now that I finally take them seriously. Not because of anything he had said. But because it's a very distinct possibility that I'll get expelled.
Fighting isn't exactly respected here. The documents I got on my first day actually mentioned that fighting is completely prohibited outside of sparring duels. And that anyone caught fighting will suffer severe consequences. Obviously. Just like it is for any other school ever. The problem here was just how they would enforce those rules. `Are we cooked chat?`
Then again. No matter how much I worry. And no matter what happens. I won't apologize. Insults against my family are the one thing I will never let go. I will never let anyone talk badly about them.
And the parents of this boy are now in that circle of people I count as family. They deserve that much after what they had written and conveyed in those letters.
So even if I end up getting expelled. Which will probably shave years off their lives. I still won't apologize or back down on that point. I'm stubborn like that.
I'll walk my path. Even if it ends in failure or death. That's what I've always done. On earth. And here.
And with those thoughts and promises swirling around in my head, we step into the headmaster's office.
Or rather. We step into the foyer of his office. The place where you would usually announce your arrival and ask if he was available at the moment. The place where a secretary would usually receive you first.
But it just so happens that Malrik is currently talking to said secretary. Or assistant. Or whatever that older woman next to him is.
Well. I say older woman. But she seems to only be in her mid-thirties or early forties at most. She was tall and elegant. With chestnut brown hair that started to grey. Some silver streaks were visible in her hair that only made her seem even more dignified.
She only seemed older at first glance in comparison to the youthful headmaster next to her. Malrik takes only one look at the arriving group before a big, excited grin comes to his lips.
"Ohhh? Guests? How unexpected. What can I help you with?" He asks before anyone can say anything. His eyes linger on me for a little longer than necessary as he does. His interest is pretty clearly focused on me. Yet again.
`Maybe I can finally use this chance to figure out why he seems so interested in me?` I muse while holding his gaze steadily.
"Well." The weasely professor begins as he smooths down his robes again. Trying to appear as presentable and dignified as he can to the headmaster. "I caught this student here fighting with a fellow student in the cafeteria."
His words finally managed to draw Malrik's eyes away from me. But only for a second. He shoots the weasely teacher a glance before looking back at me. Quirking his eyebrows questioningly.
But I'm not about to give him an answer to his unspoken question. After all, I'm sure my opposition wasn't done making their case yet. And I was right.
"When we had caught him and made sure the other student was alright. Of course." He says with a flourish and an air of pride. Even though he did nothing of the sort. Straight ripping the glory from the two school staff members who had actually done that.
"Then I asked him to apologize and repent for his mistakes."`That's a big fat lie.` He had done nothing but assume and demand apologies. He never asked normally. And even if I had apologized, I'm sure it wouldn't have ended there. Not for someone as biased as him.
"But he refused. So I brought him here to receive appropriate punishment."`Well. At least that was true.`"Please, Headmaster. We cannot afford to have a violent and dangerous student like him on school grounds. So I request that you immediately expel this troublemaker."
He finished his side of the story with a little bow to show respect and give his request some weight. Not that it mattered. Before he can even straighten up again, Malrik is already looking at me. Asking the question I was expecting.
"Is that true?" Of course, he wanted to hear my side of the story too. And I assume that he would have asked any other student the same question. Not just me. At least that's the vibe he gives off. He seemed like someone who cared about the whole truth.
"Yes." My blunt and straightforward answer did seem to catch him off guard a little. But he recovered quickly. Motioning for me to go on. Like he already knew there was more to this story.
"He insulted me. I punched him. I will not apologize for doing that. That's all I have to say." But even my extrapolated side of the story was not enough to quell his curiosity.
"And what was it that he said?" Malrik asks with a tilt of his head. His normal grin and sunny disposition gave way to a serious, questioning look. Showcasing just how serious he took this.
"I don't think that really matters." But before I can answer, that weasely professor speaks up again. Trying to cut things short by interjecting his own opinion. "Words are just words. They never warrant such crude violence. Every noble, no matter how low their standing is, should know this."
His words were honestly something I agreed with. It was never a good idea to answer words with fists. I didn't want to do that either. I even always try to mind my words around others. It's just when it comes to my family, I'm a little too sensitive.
"You are certainly right, Relkin. Words shouldn't elicit such a violent reaction. It is quite unbecoming." And Relkin's logic was something even Malrik agreed with. At least this one time.
Yet that doesn't stop Malrik from wanting the whole truth. "But even so. I want to hear what was said. It will help me decide the appropriate punishment." So he turns back to me and asks me again. "So. What did that other Student say?"
I sigh and close my eyes for a moment. I had secretly hoped to avoid this with my blunt answers. Since I didn't exactly want to bare my heart like this. `I guess no point in trying to hide this side of me. It's not anything embarrassing anyway.`
"He insulted my Mother." I reply with another sigh. Spilling the truth. "I don't care if others insult me. They can do that as much as they want. But when it comes to my family. I won't tolerate any insults." I explain honestly.
And my words resonate with everyone present. I could tell. The little nods from everyone tell me all I need to know. Malrik. The older Woman. And even the two school staff members. They all respect my choice, even if they couldn't support it or let it go.
There was only one person that seemed incredulous at my explanation. "Seriously?" Relkin asks with bulging eyes. Like he couldn't believe my words. "This was what you fought over? A little insult?" He sighs and shakes his head.
Somehow, having missed that everyone agreed with my take. But I guess it was to be expected from someone with their head up another person's ass. "I've changed my mind, Headmaster. This doesn't just call for expulsion. This calls for a harsher punishment."
He crosses his arms over his chest and continues. "I say we send this violent criminal to the Everfrost wall to cool down." Trying to push for a punishment much worse than just simple expulsion.
His idea is however, quickly shut down. By Malrik's secretary this time. "Professor Drauve." She hisses and glares at him. Looking about ready to tan his hide. "Mind your words. Another idea like this a-"
But she, in turn, is shut down by Malrik. "Seraphine." He cuts her off with a wave of his hand. Signaling for her to stand down before he turns to Relkin. "Do you truly believe such a punishment is appropriate for children simply fighting?" He asks Relkin.
Who manages to entirely miss the rhetorical tone of Malrik's question. Answering as if the final verdict had just been passed to him. "Of course. We've already agreed that such violence is never warranted. And all this over a little insult towards a lowly wen-"
Again. I moved before my thoughts could. Purely on instinct. Before anyone else could react. Before anyone could even blink. My backhanded slap struck Relkin straight across his face before he could finish his sentence and insult my mother as well.
Because if I had let him finish. I don't know what I would have done. Insulting someone on something you don't know they are sensitive about is one thing. But poking at a sore spot when you know it's a sore spot is a very different matter.
So I shut him up before I'll have to do something worse in retaliation for his words. That way, I can at least leave it at a simple slap across the face. A slap that didn't just stun him. No. It left everyone frozen for a second.
Enough time for me to speak. "I just said I don't tolerate insults towards my family. From anyone." I reiterate my point coolly. Staring at each person in the room one by one for emphasis. Before my eyes settle on Relkin's stunned face.
And for a Moment, I just enjoy the silence that my loud slap had brought with it.