—Outside of Class A

The bell rang faintly in the distance, signaling the end of class. The corridors of Arcadia Hunter Academy buzzed with the usual chorus of voices, laughter, and footsteps. But Michael Wilson walked alone.

He wasn't in a rush.

With his hands tucked casually into his pockets, he made his way toward the Disciplinary Committee Room. His body still carried the faint fatigue of the lecture, but his mind—it was racing elsewhere.

"One hour break," he muttered under his breath. "Just enough time to catch up on the damn paperwork."

When he pushed open the door, the familiar scent of polished wood and parchment hit him. The Disciplinary Committee's office was spacious, lined with shelves stuffed full of binders, reports, and files—each one a relic of past cases and student squabbles.

Michael dropped into the leather-backed chair reserved for the Chief and let his gaze sweep across the mountain of documents piled up on the desk.

"…This job is really more clerk than enforcer."

He picked up one of the older files, its corners yellowed from handling. Records of disciplinary actions: extortion, duels without permission, harassment, even theft. All signed and sealed, each one a headache someone before him had endured.

Michael flipped through them lazily. He wasn't reading so much as letting his mind drift.

That's when he heard it.

Tap…

Tap… Tap… Tap…

Heavy footsteps. Too many to belong to a friend. Too deliberate to be casual students.

Michael froze, the file halfway open in his hand, eyes narrowing toward the door.

"…Coming for me?"

The thought crossed his mind, but he dismissed it with a quiet snort. Maybe Leon or Maria. They'd probably come to nag him for ditching them earlier without saying goodbye.

But the sound of the door answered him otherwise.

Creaaak—

The door swung wide.

Ten soldiers in military uniform filed into the room, boots hitting the floor in synchronized rhythm. Their uniforms bore the insignia of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Michael's body stiffened. For a heartbeat, silence pressed down heavier than their footsteps.

"…The military?" His lips tugged into a crooked smile. "Well, that's not normal."

If Law Enforcement soldiers moved inside the Academy, it meant one of two things: either a massive security breach… or a scandal involving someone high-profile.

Please don't let this involve me, Michael thought grimly.

One of the soldiers, a tall man with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward and raised his voice.

"Chief of the Disciplinary Committee, Michael Wilson." His tone was as cold as steel. "We have been sent here to arrest you."

Michael blinked once, slowly, then leaned back in his chair with unsettling calm.

"Arrest me?" His voice was even, almost amused. "May I ask why?"

The soldier didn't flinch. "We have received a formal complaint against you. To know more details, cooperate with us. Inspector Gileard will explain everything to you in the Law Enforcement Hall."

Michael tilted his head. Inside, gears turned.

A complaint…? Against me?

His first thought was Eric William. But then he dismissed it almost instantly.

No. Eric's too proud. His arrogance wouldn't allow him to stoop to something like this. Schemes and backroom plays are beneath him. If he wanted me gone, he'd challenge me head-on and try to crush me outright.

So who, then?

His brow furrowed ever so slightly, but his lips curved into an easy smile.

The squad leader pressed: "Michael Wilson, will you cooperate with the Law Enforcement Hall?"

Michael sighed, shoulders rising and falling with exaggerated weariness.

"…What choice do I have? If I resist, I'll just look guilty." His thoughts flickered. Eh, better to play along and see where this leads. No use protesting when they've already got their narrative.

Out loud, he spoke clearly:

"Yes. I'll cooperate. Show me the way."

The soldiers shifted aside, making space for him to walk through. Their movements were stiff, disciplined—yet Michael could sense the tension in the air.

He rose from the chair, brushing imaginary dust off his uniform. As he walked forward, another thought nagged him.

Wait… aren't they supposed to cuff me? Drag me down the hall in chains, parade me like some criminal?

He paused, turning to the squad leader with a raised brow.

"…Shouldn't I be in handcuffs right now?"

The soldiers blinked, caught off guard by the question. A few exchanged glances, clearly dumbfounded.

Finally, the leader cleared his throat. "Student Michael, you have not committed murder or treason. The evidence submitted is under review, and your current status is 'suspicion.' Cuffs are unnecessary unless you resist."

Michael chuckled softly. "I see. That's almost considerate of you."

With that, he stepped past them and into the corridor.

---

—the Academy Corridor

The moment Michael emerged flanked by ten Law Enforcement soldiers, the hallway went silent.

Dozens of students turned their heads. Their whispers started low at first, then rose like a tide.

"Look! It's the Chief of the Disciplinary Committee…"

"…What's he doing with Law Enforcement?"

"…Is he under arrest?"

The air thickened with murmurs. Faces twisted into suspicion, disdain, or outright disgust.

Michael caught fragments of conversation as he walked, his boots echoing alongside the soldiers' heavy march.

"See? The commoner showed his fangs when he became Chief."

"Yeah, I heard he extorts nobles for money."

"No, no—you've got it backward. He takes bribes from nobles to let them bully commoners freely."

"…Is that true?" a black-haired boy asked uncertainly.

A blonde-haired girl whispered sharply, "I saw him talking with my own eyes. Don't doubt it."

The rumors burned hotter with each step.

Just yesterday, these same students had hailed him as the Academy's new flame, cheering his boldness at the entrance ceremony. Now, their eyes turned cold, their admiration curdling into contempt.

Michael's gaze swept across their faces. Humans… demons at least wear their malice openly. But you… you change masks faster than you breathe.

' But the question is how they know what complaint I was Charged against'

' Damn it might someone have already Spread the rumors about my arrest and reasons'.

He was still turning that thought over when a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"Michael! Wait for me!"

He turned—and there she was.

Maria sprinted down the hall, her auburn hair bouncing, her face etched with worry. Behind her followed Leon, Aiden, Selena, and Elara, all of them wearing matching expressions of disbelief and concern.

The soldiers slowed their march, allowing them to catch up.

Maria skidded to a stop in front of him, breathless but fierce. "Michael, what's happening? Why is Law Enforcement with you?"

Leon's eyes narrowed. Aiden's jaw clenched. Even Selena and Elara, usually composed, looked rattled.

Michael's lips curled into a grin, dazzling in its brightness. He masked the storm beneath with ease.

"Don't worry. Some nobles aren't happy with me. So they filed a fake complaint." He shrugged. "It'll sort itself out."

Then he looked each of them in the eye, letting his words harden into steel.

"Just wait for me. I'll be back… after breaking a few noble spines."

The soldiers escorting him couldn't help but smirk. His resolve in this situation was rare. Most students, dragged under suspicion, would be trembling, begging. But Michael carried himself like a man walking to battle, not trial.

Aiden threw his head back and laughed. "Hahaha! Yes! That's how my rival should sound! If you need help breaking spines, ask me first!"

Leon's lips tugged into a proud smirk. "If you need my help, don't hesitate" but there is something going on in his head about Michael.

'How can he be calm in this situation, I know he is innocent but he is fighting against the noble, those noble who dislike commoners when they stand above them, they go to any level to harm him.'

' if they are weak, they will break his will to live… I know very well about this feeling as I was one of the victim of this discrimination, if I didn't have system, I don't know what would had haven to me'

Now Leon looks at Michael's as a hope who will finish this discrimination between noble and Commoner and now Leon wants to be part of the revolution that will be started from the Academy.

Selena crossed her arms, her expression firm. "Don't forget me. I'll fight too."

Elara, voice barely above a whisper but earnest: "…Count me in as well."

Maria stood closest, her eyes locked onto Michael's.

'I wanted to protest, to demand answers, but his calm radiance stayed in my heart. I don't know if it is a concern for a friend or a Lo…ah what I am thinking, No I should focus on training and build up my strength so I have a position in my family'

'To fight against my Brothers and sisters for position, I need a strong Ally like Michael, I will just help him'

For now, she settled for a nod. "Okay… and until you return, I'll handle the Disciplinary Committee's work."

Before Michael could thank her, another voice chimed in from behind.

"I'll also help her."

Aurelia strode forward, Chris beside her. Clearly, they had overheard everything.

Chris added without hesitation: "Add me too. Michael represents Class A. If he's down, then we'll carry the weight until he's back."

The soldiers shifted impatiently. "Enough. Let's move. We're already late—the Inspector must be waiting for us ."

(To be Continue)

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