Chapter 180 The chairman asks for punishment and the devil's secrets!
Hagun Academy, Chairwoman's office.
Smoke billowed, and a choking smell permeated the air.
Shinguuji Kurono took a deep drag from her cigarette, then abruptly stubbed it out in the ashtray, her gaze like a sharp sword fixed on the innocent-looking Arthur.
"Arthur, don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
"As far as I know, there isn't any rule at Hagun Academy that requires students to report what they did during their leave of absence, is there?"
Arthur had a faint smile on his lips, seemingly oblivious to Shinguuji Kurono's critical gaze.
Saikyō Nene, lounging on the guest sofa, giggled sweetly, raising her iron fan to send a gentle breeze to the complex-minded Chairwoman, mediating the situation.
"Little Kuro studied at Hagun Academy during her student days, and the Chairwoman of Hagun at that time was Tsukikage Makoto. You brat, at least give her some face."
Saying that, Saikyō Nene turned her gaze to the indecisive Shinguuji Kurono, reminding her.
"Calm down, Little Kuro. This disciple of mine has surpassed common sense. If you take this seriously, Hagun, which has just been rebuilt, will be gone again."
"Surpassed common sense?"
The same words came out of Shinguuji Kurono and Arthur's mouths simultaneously, the former with surprise and uncertainty, the latter with keen interest.
Even Arthur, who didn't know what "surpassed common sense" meant, had a vague answer after seeing Saikyō Nene and Edelweiss consecutively.
However, what was more urgent at the moment was to give an explanation to the indignant Chairwoman.
"Tsukikage Makoto's Noble Art is too special. He completely fell after witnessing despair with his own eyes and couldn't turn back."
Shinguuji Kurono's brows were still tightly furrowed: "A Noble Art that witnessed despair?"
Because Tsukikage Makoto was not a combat-type Blazer, even she, who had been his student, had never seen his Noble Art.
Therefore, she couldn't determine if Arthur's statement was wrong.
But Saikyō Nene, beside her, calmly nodded, which slightly calmed her jumbled thoughts.
"I apologize, Arthur, I lost my composure."
"It's a small matter." Arthur waved his hand dismissively, "Teacher Saikyou, could you tell me more about what you just said about surpassing common sense?"
"You don't know?" Saikyō Nene half-closed her foxy eyes, then suddenly realized, "Right, you shouldn't know yet."
The usually playful Yasha Princess now reined in her charm, smoothed her skirt, and adopted the solemn demeanor of a strict teacher.
"So-called magical power is the shackles that bind a Blazer's destiny, everything is determined from birth."
"But there are always exceptions in the world. Some people can cut off their own karma with extraordinary will and escape the control of destiny."
"And for such beings who break the wheel of destiny, we call them — Demon Lords!"
Hearing this, Arthur's gaze swept back and forth between Shinguuji Kurono and Saikyō Nene, a slight curve on his lips.
"Although Teacher Saikyou made it sound easy, becoming a Demon Lord is probably more difficult than ascending to heaven, isn't it?"
Saikyō Nene, who had just been solemn, heard this and seemed to have had a nerve touched, suddenly feeling disheartened.
She opened her iron fan, lay back, covering her face, and responded in a muffled voice.
"Don't ask me, I don't know."
Looking at Saikyō Nene, who was suddenly throwing a tantrum, a hint of doubt flashed in Arthur's eyes, and he turned his gaze to the embarrassed Shinguuji Kurono.
"The documents for resuming my studies have been submitted. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Hmm… regarding that."
Shinguuji Kurono lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then took out a notice from the Alliance Committee from her drawer and handed it over.
Arthur casually took it, scanned it quickly, and chuckled.
"Hoisting themselves by their own petard, they got what they deserved."
The Izumo Branch, which had once attempted to unite with the Rebel Army to pressure the Alliance Headquarters, was now caught by the Rebel Army for colluding with them.
The elites belonging to the Rebel Army not only did not withdraw from the other six academies but also brazenly continued to participate in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival as representatives.
With this thought, Arthur shook the notice in his hand and asked.
"Do the other academies know about this? A death match with terrorists and a competition between students are two completely different things."
Shinguuji Kurono nodded with a grim expression, fiercely stubbing out another cigarette.
"The information has already been shared, but isolating them is useless. The Seven Star Sword Art Festival will ultimately be decided by strength."
At this moment, Saikyō Nene, who had been feigning sleep, suddenly propped herself up and waved her hand broadly, comforting them.
"That's exactly what we want, to speak with strength!"
"With this kid in charge, unless the Rebel Army brings in a Demon Lord, who's afraid of whom!"
Arthur nodded with a light smile: "Thank you for your trust, Teacher Saikyou. I will keep my promise and bring the championship trophy back to Hagun Academy."
…
After briefly understanding the situation, Arthur pushed open the door of the Chairwoman's office and immediately saw Stella, who had been waiting for a long time.
She was squatting on the ground, feeding Fou biscuits, and seemed to be muttering something under her breath.
As he approached, the Princess's little thoughts were fully revealed.
"Is his hometown also in Europe?"
Fou shook her head.
"Then did he mention me to his family when he went home?"
Fou continued to shake her head, and the Princess crushed the biscuit on the spot.
"Fuwu!"
"You mean he doesn't have a good relationship with his family?"
Recalling her lover's self-deprecating remarks during the training camp, Stella's fingers, which had been clutching the biscuit bag, relaxed, her expression complex.
"Since you're so curious, why don't you just ask me directly?"
Stella suddenly turned her head, saw Arthur's smile so close, and her blood rushed to her head. Her eyes darted around, and she stood up, stammering an explanation.
"I, I just… just asked casually! Right! Just asked casually!"
Arthur raised his hand, his fingertips seemingly brushing her burning cheek, sweeping away a stray strand of hair, feeling the astonishing temperature, and teased.
"What others think doesn't matter, but my sister has a very good personality, she will approve of you."
The tingling sensation on her cheek rushed to her brain, Stella's eyes became hazy, and she completely froze, not hearing what he was saying at all.
Arthur withdrew his fingers, no longer teasing this steam-powered princess who could overload at any moment, and gestured for Fou, who was watching the show, to get on his shoulder.
"The Chairwoman said that the President and the others were stimulated by you and are all working hard to improve themselves during the holidays?"
When it came to serious matters, Stella raised her hand and coughed twice, regaining some composure.
"I just followed Teacher Saikyou's request and conducted a practical training session with everyone."
Arthur raised his hand to his forehead: "Given your strength, Teacher Saikyou is bullying them."
For the other representative students, Stella, who had awakened the concept of a giant dragon, was an absolute cheat.
Not to mention winning, there were very few who could even break through the defense of the Dragon Queen's Feather Robe.
Stella scratched her cheek awkwardly, but her eyes, looking at Arthur, ignited with a flame, and she smiled coolly.
"What about you? Did you slack off while you were away? Be careful, I might surpass you!"
Arthur chuckled: "Alright, I'll have a practical training session with you the day after tomorrow to temper your personality."
Stella hummed softly, then immediately noticed something was off and asked in confusion.
"Why the day after tomorrow?"
Arthur raised his hand to tease the bored Fou, explaining with a seemingly casual smile.
"Because tomorrow, Arisuin and I have a mission to go off-campus to receive an important guest."
Stella took in her lover's smile, her fingers, clasped behind her back, suddenly tightened, and a sour, numb sensation welled up in her heart.
At this moment, just like in the past, he still habitually used a smile to hide his true emotions.
She suppressed the turmoil in her heart, trying to make her voice sound steady.
"Remember to come back early."
"Okay."
Arthur turned and left, the smile on his face slowly fading.
What he didn't say was that the "important guest" was a big shot on the Rebel Army's list.
And his mission with Arisuin was not to "receive" but to "eliminate."