Chapter 180: The Principal’s Judgment

"Isn’t that right, Principal?" Kael asked.

Everyone immediately turned toward the direction Kael was facing.

The Principal is actually here? Auriella thought, stunned by the revelation. What is the Principal doing in this hearing? Is Kael in serious trouble?

Charlotte, who was standing with the members of the Disciplinary Committee, also looked cautiously toward the Principal.

I see. So Kael’s offence really caught the Principal’s attention. Well, this isn’t the first time Kael has done something outrageous, but he might actually get into trouble for this assault incident.

Verdia, who was also present, couldn’t help worrying about the situation.

"Of course the Principal is here. Who else would observe and supervise the Student Council’s ruling? It would either be the Principal or the Vice Principal," Sylvia explained.

"Calm down now, dear President. I’m sure the first-years are still stunned by my appearance. I doubt they were informed that I would be attending," the Principal said, stunning Sylvia.

However, Sylvia’s attention wasn’t focused on his unexpected appearance. She was still wondering how Kael could use his mana even after being bound by the Mana-Binding Chains.

Her gaze remained fixed on his pitch-black eyes, which clearly showed that he was utilizing his darkness mana.

How is he doing that?

"Well, Principal, what do you think of my patriotic speech?" Kael asked with a smug smile, completely ignoring everyone’s stunned expressions.

The Principal slowly descended the stairs, looking at Kael with a surprised expression.

"How is it that you were able to resist the effects of the Mana-Binding Chains, boy?" he asked.

"Come on, you should already know the answer to that. My master is very powerful, and he taught me a technique to resist them," Kael replied with a cheeky smile.

No, that isn’t true. After all, the Mana-Binding Chains are one of the few things in this world that can help stabilize his power. They only work because he cannot resist their effects.

The Principal thought solemnly as he observed Kael.

"But that’s beside the point. Why are you asking about a secret technique my master taught me? I thought this school valued privacy," Kael complained, knowing full well that his earlier excuse was complete nonsense.

"Now, could you please respond to my question? My assault on my fellow student, allegedly committed in the name of a duel, would help improve the effectiveness and combat readiness of our students for the upcoming Inter-High Tournament."

The Principal paused, looking at Kael before rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"I suppose what the young man said is true. It certainly helped our student. Now, whenever Felix steps out of his room, he’ll be on guard against any potential attacks."

"But that’s insane, Principal! The students would definitely use this as an excuse to start fights with their fellow students!" Sylvia countered.

Meanwhile, Cairo was stunned that this had even become a discussion in the first place.

How the hell is the Principal agreeing with what Kael did? he wondered.

Lynx, who stood beside him, nodded unconsciously. His usual sleepy expression had completely disappeared as he tried to decipher the strange situation unfolding before him.

"I understand that students could abuse this privilege," the Principal continued. "However, if we put Kael in charge of it, perhaps he could assault first-year students participating in the Inter-High Tournament every morning to help with their training."

He nodded as though he had just come up with a brilliant idea.

"To better help the students, Kael can choose any morning he likes to assault first-year students."

Kael, who stood beside him, nodded enthusiastically with a bright smile. He looked like a child on a sugar rush.

His pitch-black eyes shifted toward Felix, who stood on the other side of the room, desperately trying not to wet himself.

Is Kael actually going to get a free pass to attack anyone he wants? Felix wondered nervously, swallowing hard.

Why do I feel like I’m going to be his first target?

Then he saw Kael silently mouth something in his direction.

You’re the first target.

Felix nearly broke down.

What did I do to deserve this? I only ran my mouth once! Just once!

Charlotte looked down at Kael, who was still threatening Felix with his eyes, and gave him a deadpan stare.

He’ll never learn his lesson.

She then turned toward Verdia, who was also focused on Kael.

I heard she was Kael’s childhood friend and that they were engaged. I wonder why she broke off the engagement with him. I wonder what Kael did.

If Kael had heard her thoughts, he would undoubtedly have complained about why Charlotte automatically assumed he was the one at fault.

"But, Principal, if we agree to this, we’ll be giving Kael a free license to terrorize any student he dislikes!" Sylvia countered.

"Well, in that case, it would be better if Kael also assaulted second-year students to keep things fair. After all, they’re his seniors, so I expect them to teach him the proper lesson."

The Principal spoke as though the matter had already been settled.

"As for the first-years, simply make an announcement. They can take the necessary precautions. Besides, I doubt Kael would actually kill a student. This is just training, after all. Look at his first victim—cough, I mean, training partner. He looks perfectly fine. Not even a scratch on him."

Everyone stared at the Principal.

That’s because he was coming directly from the infirmary!

The thought crossed everyone’s mind simultaneously.

The bizarre situation left them speechless.

Sylvia, however, eventually sighed in resignation. She already knew what the Principal was like. He valued individual strength above almost everything else and believed that a certain amount of chaos was necessary for students to grow stronger.

That was precisely why he had allowed the previous Head of the Disciplinary Committee and the previous Head of the Student Council to fight on sight whenever they encountered each other, without punishing either of them for the damage they caused.

Knowing the Principal, arguing any further would be pointless.

"I suppose I cannot argue with you on this matter," Sylvia finally said. "Kael Draven is hereby granted the privilege of assaulting—I mean, training—students who are actively participating in the Inter-High Tournament."

With that, the Student Council President quickly left the room.

Felix stood frozen in disbelief.

Why have you abandoned me?! You’re the Student Council! Aren’t you supposed to protect the students of this academy? And yet you’ve left this poor student to be bullied in the name of training! Such injustice!

His internal complaints became increasingly poetic as the seconds passed.

Meanwhile, Kael wore a smug expression as he stood up from his chair, although the chains still bound him.

Raya suddenly appeared in front of him with a grin.

"I guess you now have the authority to attack students. I hope I can be your next prey," she said, wearing a battle-hungry smile.

Kael returned her smile.

"Although I would like that, my current prey has already been decided."

He turned toward Felix, who was scrambling to leave the Student Council room.

Kael’s expression made Felix’s blood run cold.

After Raya released Kael from his bindings, he turned back toward her.

"Can I ask you for a favor? Would you agree to supervise my party during a dungeon raid?"

Raya looked at him in surprise.

"Nah. Those kinds of things are boring. I prefer raiding dungeons solo."

She flashed a grin that revealed her canines.

"I agree. I also prefer raiding dungeons solo, but unfortunately, I’m currently a first-year," Kael replied, looking slightly dejected.

Raya patted him on the shoulder.

"Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll reach that stage soon."

"In that case, what if we make a wager?"

Kael pointed in the direction Felix had gone.

"After I finish dealing with my current prey, I’ll make you my next target. If I manage to land a hit on you, would you agree to supervise my party?"

As Kael walked away, Felix suddenly felt a chill run down his back.

"Is Kael already making his move?" he muttered, terrified.

Raya, on the other hand, seemed delighted by the proposal.

"Now, that’s an interesting offer."

She grinned.

"But I agree. Good luck!"

With that, she turned and walked away.

Kael watched her leave with a devious smile.

Excellent. Things are finally going my way.

SMACK!

"Owww! What’s going on?"

Kael immediately grabbed the back of his head before turning around.

Cairo stood behind him, glaring down at him with a deep frown.

"You’re lucky you survived this round, but don’t do anything that stupid in the future," Cairo warned.

"Alright," Kael replied with a sigh.

However, before he could say anything else, Charlotte appeared beside him and kicked him in the shin.

"Are you developing a fetish for Beastkin now? Why were you looking at Raya like that?" she complained.

Kael immediately lifted his leg, wincing as he held his shin.

"What’s wrong with that? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being interested in other races!" he protested.

Charlotte frowned and turned away from him.

Kael stared at her for a moment before sighing.

"There’s no need to get worked up. I only asked her to supervise our upcoming dungeon raid."

Charlotte immediately turned back toward him.

"Oh! Is that all? Then you should have said so!"

Kael looked at her with a sigh.

Charlotte seems different this semester.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but something about her behavior felt different from before.

Still, he decided not to think too much about it.

After all, he had more important things to worry about.

Like finding a way to make Felix’s life miserable.