'Ding!'
[Demolition of the Auditorium, complete!]
[58 Casualties, 10 injured, 2 saved]
{Congratulations!}
[New Title unlocked:Crime Boss.]
[Skill unlocked: Bone Manipulator]
>>Description: You can Manipulate a maximum of 100 beings in possession of manna, no matter how small and even after death.<<
[By creating a complete disaster, you have successfully unlocked a new Level!]
[A Reward of 500 XP has been added to your account!]
[Bonus of 10 XP, New badge unlocked!]
[Your stats have been boosted back up to 100%]
[You have obtained a bonus skill: Villainous Recovery!]
>>Description: Even after exhausting all your Stats for the sake of evil, you will miraculously recover once that evil deed is done.<<
I sat up on the ruined floor, proudly looking at the chaos caused by me.
"I want to do this again, but not with him.."
At the other side of the pile of ruins, Liyan paced around, from a sorcerer to another. He bandaged wounds, transferred his manna to healers—anything that could save everyone.
".. he's just too stubborn."
I heard footsteps,
"Um..We're sorry about earlier."
Knowing that voice, I turned around in relief. "You guys.."
"Miraculously, we survived the whole blast, unscathed." Salva said, shuffling her feet. "And I'm sorry, if I knew what that guy was up to, I would have sliced him to bits before he ever made a move."
She has that look of someone who badly wanted to commit murder but never had the chance to.
"Good thing he's cleaning up his own mess now." Rec added.
Message Box buzzed.
'Feeling guilty are we.'
"Don't you dare try to make me self conscious!" I internally screamed at it.
'Guilty as charged.'
The sound of heavy, rhythmic thumping echoed through the dust. The atmosphere changed and I senses a different type of manna, cold but slightly powerful.
Above, three figures hovered on platforms of solidified light, glistening so magically, it almost felt surreal.
"The Deans." Salva muttered. "I wonder who called them here."
Liyan dropped the bandage he was holding and stood up, his face grimy but hopeful.
"Sirs! Over here! We need immediate medical—"
"Silence, boy." A grey haired man cut him short.
"Such audacity, speaking without permission. Tsk, tsk."
The Head Dean, a man whose beard seemed woven from actual silver wire, descended slowly.
He didn't even look at the screaming students or at Liyan. His eyes scanned the wreckage until they landed on the one person who mattered.
Me?
"Illy!" The Dean's voice, previously cold, turned into a frantic, soft chant as he rushed toward me, "Heavens, are you the slightest hurt? If the Great House finds out you were even scratched under our watch..."
He dusted my blazers, patting my shoulders like he was my personal servant.
I played my part perfectly. I didn't stand up. I stayed on the ground, leaning against a piece of rock, looking so traumatized.
"I... I tried to stop him, Dean," I whispered, my voice trembling just enough to fool anyone.
"Stop who?" The Dean's eyes narrowed, turning toward the only other person standing on the stage.
I pointed a shaky finger at Liyan. "Liyan Kiir. He was showing off a risky technique."
"But then, he lost control. I tried to use my own manna to shield the students, but I'm just... I'm so exhausted."
Rec and Salva didn't miss a beat. They stepped forward, flanking me like twin pillars of righteous fury.
"It's true," Rec pitched in, his face as stoic as a statue. "The Representative of Class B attacked Master Illy during the lecture. The structural collapse was a direct result of his reckless magical discharge."
"As his vice subordinate, I vouch for him too." Salva stepped forward.
"That's a lie!" Liyan screamed, his blue eyes wide with disbelief. "I was defending myself! He's the one who triggered the whole chaos!"
The Dean's face hardened. He looked at Liyan like he was a bug on a windshield. "Then, are you suggesting that the youngest son of the Highest Council would intentionally destroy his own Academy?"
"He's a Villain!" Liyan roared, but his voice was drowned out as two Wardens who grabbed his arms, forcing him to his knees.
"Attempting to frame the Young Master. That's a double offence!" The Dean frowned at him. " You shall be punished accordingly."
'Ding!'
Huh? What now?
{Congratulations!}
[New Title unlocked: Framing the Hero.]
[By destroying Liyan Kiir's Reputation, you have earned a bonus of 30 XP]
[New Passive Skill Unlocked: Unchecked Authority.]
>>Description: In the presence of lower-ranked Authorities, your lies are 100% more likely to be accepted as the absolute truth even with fair evidence held against you.<<
"Take him to the Black Cells," the Dean commanded. "We shall investigate his magic for any sign of corruption. As for the casualties..."
He glanced at the ruins with total indifference. "A tragic accident caused by a rogue student. Ensure the press knows the Young Master did his best to mitigate the damage."
Liyan looked at me one last time as they dragged him away. "This isn't over!" He called.
Sheesh, quit sounding like the villain here. That's my line.
"Um, hold on." I called, forcing the Dean and his underlings to stop and look at me.
"I've been working on a magic skill lately, I believe I can use it to bring people back to life."
He looked amused for a bit.
"I believe it is to your knowledge that casting spells on school ground is prohibited." He turned around, "but if you must, then who are we to get in your way."
Pfft, as expected. These guys will just let me do whatever I want.
"Message Box,"
'Yes, Crime Boss.'
"Are you trying to mess with me??" Whatever,
"Activate, Bone Manipulation!"
{Notification}
[Skill: Bone Manipulation, can only be used for 30 minutes]
[Cost: 100XP]
[Balance: 540XP]
[Activate?]
"Hell, yeah!"
A surge of energy spiked through my body, refurnishing me in a way, I felt my manna increase two times its original amount.
I walked up to the students and a domain expanded itself around us. "Awaken!"
A huge amount of manna extracted from my body, then one by one, the students healed and woke up, like nothing had ever happened.
"Young Master!" Salva screamed.
I was halfway into losing consciousness when she leapt in to catch me from falling. The domain shattered to bits followed by a notification.
'Ding!'
[Bone Manipulation: Complete!]
[The revived students are now under your absolute command.]
'Ding!'
[Skill activation: Villainous Recovery!]
'Ding!'
[Warning: The Antagonist's 'Hero System' is responding to his despair.]
[Quest Triggered: The Hero's Revenge.]
[Liyan Kiir is no longer trying to 'save' you. He is now hopes to 'erase' you.]
Pfft.
Let him try, I've got an entire Academy behind me now.