I Obtained the Final Boss' Power

Chapter 88 : Difference in Class (3)

Difference in Class (3)

Usually, when a problem arises with a class representative, their assigned staff member is called in.

The rule that the only guardian in place of the parents is the staff applies to any educational institution.

Typically, if an assigned class representative gets into a serious accident, the staff member is summoned, but they're also called in when the class representative causes trouble.

In this case, Rio belonged to the latter category.

In the academy's conference room, Rio and several other stakeholders took their seats.

There were Rio, the central figures of the incident, Alio and Selion, and the on-site witness Louis along with some other class representatives.

All the necessary staff members from the academy who could decide their fates were present.

The starting point of the problem was the incident that had occurred last evening.

"We have a question for student Rio. Is it true that you are responsible for what happened to these students here?"

The vice principal, acting as the presiding officer of the meeting, questioned Rio.

Rio, receiving everyone's cold gaze, answered calmly.

"It is true."

With that, the gazes of the people around grew even sharper, as if they would pierce Rio.

Since violence is not tolerated in any educational institution, Rio deserved every bit of that harsh scrutiny.

"In that case, how did you end up assaulting those students?"

"We had a sparring match. I heard that in the academy, duels are regarded as sacred rituals."

Normally, the old Rio would have faltered and stuttered, unable to adapt to the atmosphere.

However, after thirty days of education from Estelle, she had grown enough to hold her own in conversation during such a situation.

Louis, upon seeing this, found her admirable, but it was still only the basics.

"A sparring match? That's not what students Selion and Shalio testified."

The vice principal pointed to the alleged victims. Shalio and Selion were covered in bandages all over their bodies.

It was because they'd been beaten up by Rio and had suffered broken bones.

"Especially class representative Selion was beaten excessively and suffered broken hands and legs. If a priest nearby hadn't hastily treated him, he might have had difficulties not only wielding a sword but also with everyday life."

It was true that Rio had gone too far. Of course, Louis, who had egged her on, was in no position to protest.

"Then let's hear from the victims. Can you tell us what happened in more detail?"

"Yes..."

When the administrator asked, Selion spoke up, his expression fearful.

Some staff members began writing down his testimony as an essay, and Silia, who sat beside Rio to defend her, frowned the entire time.

According to his testimony, he and his classmates were training in the forest, where there were no signs of people.

Selion himself was leading and demonstrating the sparring when Rio and her brother Louis suddenly barged in.

'It's true we did barge in.'

Upon witnessing the scene, Rio immediately challenged Selion to a spar.

Since it was a training location, Selion had no reason to refuse.

And so the spar began.

As soon as it started, Rio insisted on everyone introducing themselves first.

Following that demand, Selion was introducing himself when Rio launched a surprise attack.

Thus, Selion lost the flow of the duel, and despite being known as the academy's strongest, he was utterly defeated.

Even the other class representatives who had jumped in to protect Selion ended up the same way—that was the real story behind the incident.

So ended Selion's testimony. Louis's reaction was predictable.

'What an obvious pile of crap.'

That Selion guy was the number one in the combat department.

The only issue was, Rio was a monster beyond normal standards, so it had been a one-sided loss.

'But what if word got out that the top student got thrashed by a mere freshman?'

Naturally, they had to cover it up. That's why they tried to gloss over the matter with false testimony.

If the above testimony were true, it would explain why the top class representative fell so easily due to Rio's supposed dirty tricks.

'And besides, even the staff are on his side.'

All of their sharp gazes were only targeting Rio.

But that didn't mean Selion could win anyone's sympathy, though at the very least it was clear Rio had no support.

"That's all."

After finishing his testimony, Selion added,

"I want to thank the priest who healed me and apologize to my classmates who got hurt trying to protect me. I hope that no more victims like me will ever occur again."

Louis had to suppress a laugh at that. It was such a ridiculous claim, he almost couldn't keep a straight face.

"And Shalio, I'm sorry that your brother couldn't protect you."

"No, I'm the one who should apologize for getting in the way."

And now, a melodramatic scene between the wronged brothers! Louis nearly applauded their performance, though of course Rio's expression grew even darker. Selion and Shalio glanced at her and smirked.

"There's no reason to continue this meeting. Let's decide on Rio's punishment immediately."

With the declaration from Selion's supervising staff, it seemed everyone's opinion was converging.

If word got out that the academy's top student Selion lost to a freshman, it would be bad for the academy.

That's why everyone could only agree on the same conclusion.

"Wait a moment."

Except for one person: Silia.

"We haven't heard student Rio's side yet."

Everyone looked frustrated at Silia's suggestion, as if wondering why she had to butt in and ruin things now.

"I'm not sure there's any need to hear it, but... let's listen, then."

When the vice principal offered the opportunity to speak, Rio began to explain exactly what had happened.

Yet, those listening let it go in one ear and out the other.

"All right, thank you. Now, let's check with the supposed victims whether those claims are true."

When asked if Rio's statement matched the facts, the victims all responded in unison:

"No!"

"All of that's a lie!"

"Don't be fooled!"

"If you hadn't used cheap tricks, Selion could've won easily!"

The vice principal clapped, and the flood of student testimony ended.

"We have the testimonies now. Let's proceed to the verdict."

He was about to decide on Rio's punishment when—

"This doesn't make sense. I think this meeting is way too biased."

When Silia voiced her disagreement, every staff member turned to glare at her: the eyes of those who had singled out a public enemy.

"There's a chance the alleged victims coordinated their stories..."

"Shut your mouth!"

At that, Selion's supervising staff shouted,

"Coordinated stories? On what basis are you slandering these innocent class representatives as liars? Do you have any evidence?"

"Well, that's..."

"No matter if you're a freshman—this is extremely unpleasant. We don't have to listen to this anymore."

Everyone nodded at the staff member's statement. Rio had no one on her side. Silia's mind recalled a strikingly similar scene.

'Just like back then.'

When a meeting was called to deal with the group who drove her younger brother to his death, they ended up with just a one-week suspension.

The reason was preposterous. The group claimed they were only trying to become friends, and blamed his mental state for failing to adapt.

Now, it was happening again. Rio was about to be punished by their biased decisions.

Silia, anger swirling inside, clenched her fists so hard that her hands nearly bled.

"Then I'll give my decision."

Scoffing, the vice principal indicated there was no more need for discussion.

"Hold on!"

Just then, one of the 'victims' stood up.

When Rio saw their face, she was shocked. It was the girl who'd been nearly assaulted at the scene.

"My name is Lizsha from the first-year alchemy department. I was also at the scene as a victim, but..."

"What is it?"

"I, um..."

She was the one Shalio had almost assaulted. She could reveal the truth right here, but Lizsha hesitated.

Selion, glaring at her like he'd kill her if she spoke, had made her too afraid.

"I..."

She wanted to tell the truth, but just didn't have the courage. Under invisible pressure, she could only yearn for the chance.

"Excuse me, but may I say something as well?"

At that moment, Louis raised his hand. With his sudden intervention, all eyes turned.

"Watching this meeting up to now—what's the point of having it? It looks like you already decided the answer from the start, so why bother with all this?"

They had made up their minds before it even began. Namely, that Selion's side were the victims and Rio was the perpetrator.

"What are you saying?"

"Do you know how many times I almost laughed during this whole thing? I mean, if you're only going to listen to one side and hand down a biased verdict, why have a meeting at all?"

At Louis's words, all the staff members scowled.

In reality, only Selion's accusations were accepted; Rio's defense was ignored.

And while Selion's side had more people, simply going by numbers was no way to render judgment.

Even the way the meeting was called without a proper investigation just the next day was suspicious.

It looked like they were rushing to end it no matter what.

"Are you failing to grasp the situation here, student?"

"I understand just fine. The ones really harmed are us, but over there, they're absurdly claiming to be the victims."

The vice principal chuckled and said,

"As I said, if you can't provide proof, it means nothing. And what gives you the confidence to act so smug?"

No matter how correct Louis's arguments might be, without evidence they were pointless.

No one was even listening. Everyone looked at Louis like he was deranged—until—

"And what if there were evidence?"

Suddenly, someone entered the conference room, shocking the entire crowd.

"F-Ferus, sir...!"

The most famous magitechnologist in the Imperial Court had arrived—leaving everyone speechless.

Come to think of it, today was the day he was scheduled to visit the academy.

"Why did you arrive earlier than expected...?"

"Anyone can be fickle sometimes. Besides, I heard everything from outside—it's such a serious issue, I was shocked."

"That's true. The students just refuse to admit their wrongdoing..."

The vice principal bowed and tried to blame Rio once more in front of Ferus.

"The real problem is not with them, but with you."

"... What?"

When Ferus made a menacing face, the vice principal felt a chill shoot through his heart.

"Did you just say there's no way to prove it? What would you do if there was?"

"I'm not sure what you mean..."

Ferus took a crystal pendant from around his neck and pointed it at the wall. Instantly, a light shone from the lens inside the crystal and illuminated the wall.

Soon, a video recording of the incident appeared.

[Wham!―]

The video showed Selion beating someone.

["I'm not doing anything weird. You've messed around with livestock near your homes before, haven't you? So what's the problem?"]

Selion's voice was heard.

["So we're livestock to you?"]

["Is it that strange?"]

Seeing this footage, Selion panicked.

And the expressions of the so-called victims turned pale.

The entire, unvarnished truth was there for all to see.

It continued from Shalio trying to assault Lizsha, to Selion cheating and still losing the sparring match.

With the whole truth revealed by the footage, silence fell over the room.

"What do you think after seeing this?"

"..."

The vice principal stood motionless and silent.

Even if he wanted to insist on his way, the opponent was the Imperial Court's top magitech master.

****

The moment the meeting ended, Shalio and Selion were beside themselves with anxiety.

With their crimes exposed, hope was all but gone.

To make matters worse, it was Ferus, the academy headmaster, who had caught them.

"Brother! How can this be happening?"

"How should I know! More importantly, why is even Ferus interfering in such a minor matter?!"

There were several things too strange to accept, but now wasn't the time to dwell on that.

In fact, the meeting wasn't actually over yet.

Headmaster Ferus had sent all the other students out and was holding a meeting himself.

Their fate hadn't been decided yet.

"At this point, he's the only one we can rely on!"

"You mean the one Shalio introduced us to?"

With their crimes revealed, they could be expelled at any moment.

The only thing they had left now was the present from their older brother.

"But can that person really prevent our expulsion?"

"There's no one else! We have no choice!"

As soon as the brothers entered the dormitory where she stayed, they immediately searched for her room. It was the new freshman, Elaine.

But that was just her cover—her true identity was so secret that even Shalio dared not mention it.

As a result, they had no idea she was really 'Saber.'

"Elaine! Please help us!"

"We're in big trouble!"

Without so much as knocking, they rushed into her room.

"There you are at last?"

However, some people were already waiting inside the dorm room.

"Welcome."

For some reason, Louis was waiting for them in the room.

"Stop...! My... back!"

Elaine, whom the brothers had been so desperate to find, was being used as a cushion under Rio, who was sitting atop her as if she were a seat.