“H-Headmaster…”Malkof’s voice trembled as he immediately bowed, his face pale and taut with unease.
The headmaster stepped forward, calm and composed. “Mr. Malkof, I’d like a moment alone with your student. Would you mind leaving ?”
Malkof nodded quickly, his movements stiff. “Y-Yes… Sir.” He backed away, leaving the two of them alone immediately.
‘Fuck… I hope that kid doesn’t die by the headmaster’s hands.’ Malkof thought with a scared expression.
—
“Leon Luster, is that correct or am I mistaken ?” the headmaster asked, his expression unreadable, one of his eye sharp as it stared at Leon from under his thick white brow.
“Yes, Sir.” Leon replied plainly, his gaze steady.
The headmaster narrowed his eyes.
“Your expression… It unsettles me. You’re not afraid. Not of me, not of anything. Why is that, Leon Luster ?” The headmaster asked with a confused expression.
Leon tilted his head slightly. “Because if you wanted to kill me, I’d already be dead. That means, you want to have a talk with me.”
There was a beat of silence.
Then the headmaster chuckled dryly, but his tone sharpened. “Hahahah, That sort of over confidence, Leon, will get you killed faster than you think.
I’m the headmaster of this academy. Any other commoner would be on their knees before me, trembling. You, however… You stare like we’re equals.”
“Kid, Remember… I am thousands of times stronger than you are.” The headmaster spoke as he emitted deadly aura from his body.
‘Fucking hell.. his Aura is scary buy not as scary as death.’ Leon thought in his mind as he remained silent, his eyes blank, unyielding.
The headmaster sighed and turned away, folding his arms behind his back as he looked toward the sky, staring at the suns directly.
“I’ve read your papers. You entered this academy through a personal scholarship from the Sword Queen herself… Quite rare. That girl barely speaks and if she recommended you to the academy, you must be special,”
He paused.
“I was a commoner too, once you know. My journey was one of blood, grit, and sleepless nights.”
‘Why the hell is he turning this into a npc monologue ?’ Leon thought, his expression flat.
“When I faced the nobles for the first time, it was a war in silence—sneers, threats, politics. Every day was survival. I was terrified, but I never stopped climbing the stairs and-“
Leon raised a hand politely, “Sorry to interrupt, but… could we skip to the part where you tell me if I’m being expelled or not?”
The headmaster blinked. Then, he smiled—thinly. “Impatient, are we? Fine. Let’s get to the heart of it and you are definitely not getting expelled.” He turned to face Leon again.
“Leon Luster. If you plan to keep pulling stunts like what you did in the arena today… I’d advise you to become a noble.” The headmaster spoke with a neutral expression.
“What?” Leon’s brows furrowed as he looked at him with a confused and shocked expression.
“This academy is built on my blood and bones. I’ve kept peace between noble lineages and commoners for years.
Then you walk in and begin thrashing the sons of dukes and daughter of a seven star household. I can’t allow that kind of disruption. I’m willing to offer you a one-star noble status. I’ll even cover the fifty gold fee myself and you can increase the status of your family by-“
Leon blinked. “I don’t want it.”
The headmaster’s brows shot up. “What?”
“I said I don’t want the noble status.” Leon replied with a flat expression.
The headmaster’s voice grew firm, perplexed. “Do you understand what I’m offering? Respect, protection, status. People will treat you differently from Commoner because you will become noble.”
“How would they even know I’m a noble?” Leon asked, an amused smile twitching at his lips.
“You’ll receive a certificate signed and stamped officially by the king himself—carry it, show it. It’ll open doors for you to bigger opportunities.
You will able to do stuff without any Commoner interrupting you.” The headmaster explained.
Leon tilted his head. “Did you carry yours around too?”
The headmaster snorted. “No. I was awarded my title after slaying a dragon in the northeast wood valley.
I built this academy alongside the best adventurers of that time kid. But even I knew better than to antagonize seven-star noble households.”
“Then expel me if you’re that worried about it,” Leon said coolly. “I’m not interested in studying here that much.”
The headmaster stared at him for a long moment. Then, he let out a tired sigh.
“I’ve tried my best with you, Leon Luster. My offer will remain, should you ever change your mind.
Come find me—if you survive that long, but I am not expelling you, Derisa has made that clear in her letter that you will ask for this, Hohohohoh…” He chuckled as his figure shimmered, vanishing with a swish of air.
Leon stood there for a second. ‘Well… that was weird.’
He turned on his foot and started walking towards the exit gate of the academy.
—
“Oi, kid…” Suddenly, A low voice echoed behind him.
Leon turned and noticed a knight in polished silver armor stood tall behind him, his face unreadable under the helm.
“Master Blain requests your presence. Immediately. Follow me.” The knight spoke in a serious tone.
‘What the hell is happening today? Why is everyone so intrested in talking to me ?’ Leon groaned internally.
“Follow me, Fast” The knight didn’t wait for confirmation as he started walking.
Leon sighed and fell in step behind him. “Who the hell is Master Blain…?” he muttered under his breath.
—
They walked through long, echoing halls before stopping outside a heavy wooden door.
It was a meeting room just under the arena.
“Inside,” the knight ordered.
Leon pushed the door open and stepped into a lavish room. Seated inside were Wander Blain and his wife, sipping tea in absolute silence.
“What kind of commoner walks into a noble’s room without greeting them properly?” Wander asked, a mocking smile on his lips.
Leon gave a curt bow, his face unreadable.
‘What kind of stupid ass wants to meet you ?’ Leon thought in his mind as he checked out his wife and didn’t find her much attracting as she was really skinny and had flat chest.
Wander leaned forward. “I’ll be direct with this. I want you in my army. A knight serving at the southern border. Every three years, we promote talented soldiers to nobility. You’ve got the spark. Serve under me, and you’ll have a real shot.”
Leon began with a polite tone, “That’s too great of an offer for someone like me, but I sincerely—”
“Cut the crap.” Wander’s eyes narrowed. “Your face is clearly not matching your words. Tell me the truth. Why are you refusing?”
Leon looked him dead in the eyes. “I’m lazy.”
Wander blinked. “What?”
“I’m lazy. Doesn’t matter how good your training is. I’ll still be lazy. You don’t want a knight like me. I will just get my comrades killed in the battlefield.” Leon replied with a straight face.
For a moment, silence hung thick in the air.
Then Wander laughed—a deep, rumbling sound. “That’s the dumbest but most honest answer I’ve heard in years. Fine. Go on. But don’t forget… you just walked away from the chance to become a noble.
That’s an opportunity that people die for kid.”
Leon offered a sarcastic bow as he spoke in a low voice “I’ll weep over it later in my room, Sir.”
He turned and walked out after that.
Click.
Thud.
—
Back inside, Wander chuckled as he sipped his tea.
“What kind of kid turns down a noble title like that?” He asked with a smile.
His wife smiled. “Commoners these days… are getting dumber. Let’s just enjoy the tea.”
“Yes, Love.”
—
Outside the academy walls, Leon headed toward Noble Street.
“I told Justin I’d come tomorrow… but might as well start early,” he muttered, hands in his pockets.
“Time to become a butler and fuck some noble bitches, hehehe.”
But as he walked, unseen eyes followed from the shadows.
“Is he the one?”
“Yes.”
“He’s just a boy.”
“I want my revenge, I want him fucking dead.”
“Fine. He’ll be dead by sunset. Payment is standard. Do you want his head?”
“Yes.”
“This is your final decision?”
“It is. Kill him.”
—
Reynal Household, Veronica’s Room
Veronica sat by the window, staring out with a pained look in her eyes and there was a big black book Lying in front of her.
A butler entered, pushing a trolley of snacks and tea.
“Ma’am? Is something wrong?”
She didn’t look at him.
“I want a new summon… a Virin Snake.”
The butler stiffened. “W-What? But that beast lives in the deepest parts of Vinceral Forest!”
Veronica stood, her eyes fierce.
“Pack my bags. I’m going. I need to prove myself… to Father. I will show him that I am the only one who deserves to sit on that throne.”