Alicia told me all this while I lay on the bed.

Apparently, I had been unconscious for two full days.

At first, she spoke calmly, dutifully reporting everything that happened.

But the more she spoke, the more emotional she became.

Until she snapped.

Her eyes burned with frustration as she slammed a fist against the blanket.

"Master, I'm so angry I could scream! Rumors everywhere call Princess Celestia the one who uncovered the truth and Kael the one who 'stood bravely against the demon' alongside the noble heirs!"

Her voice trembled with rage.

"But there's no mention of you anywhere! They're all taking the credit while you almost died! Cowards! Thieves! Shameless, pathetic, honorless—!"

She kept going, spitting insults like flames.

She had no idea that several figures had quietly gathered outside the hospital room door.

They froze at the entrance—faces flushed red, unable to even raise their voices in protest.

The protagonist's party.

Kael, Celestia, their companions… every one of them stood stiff, shame painted on their expressions. They had come to visit—only to overhear a maid tearing their reputations apart.

And the worst part?

They couldn't refute a single word.

Among them stood another person—not ashamed, not angry.

Ariana.

Her cheeks were flushed, but not from embarrassment.

She was desperately holding back laughter.

For two days, she had been worried sick—barely eating, barely sleeping—waiting for me to wake up.

And now seeing him finally wakeup, she relaxed.

And now, hearing Alicia spit truths they couldn't say publicly…

Her suppressed emotions finally cracked.

Because she had witnessed everything with her own eyes.

She knew exactly how much he had done.

How much he had carried.

More than all of them combined.

Yet his name was nowhere.

No reward.

No acknowledgment.

Her gaze slid toward the party beside her—noble heirs, prodigies, and the golden protagonist—all standing there, speechless.

Ariana leaned in slightly, voice low enough to sound like a threat and a judgment at once.

"If any of you still have even a shred of shame left, then you should leave him alone."

*****

The office of the Imperial Academy's principal was a place of quiet majesty.

Sunlight streamed through tall arched windows draped in velvet, illuminating shelves lined with ancient tomes and crystal artifacts.

The walls were engraved with runes that pulsed faintly with mana, giving the room a solemn, timeless calm.

A vast enchanted world-map floated near the ceiling, its surface shifting to mark every active leyline and magical disturbance across the continent.

Behind a heavy mahogany desk sat a dignified old man, his white hair combed neatly, his eyes sharp behind golden-rimmed spectacles. He appeared frail at a glance—but the air around him carried power like a rising tide.

This man was Archmage Alistair Grendel, the Empire's only living Grand Archmage, and the single strongest mage in the empire.

He was also the current Principal of the Imperial Academy.

Across from him stood Instructor Samantha Everhart, her posture straight and respectful—very unlike the fierce warrior who had cut down a demon count moments after arriving on the battlefield.

Because even she knew:

This was not "just an old man."

This was a pillar of the Empire.

She was here to report.

"…So you mean to say Cadet Lucien was already aware of the existence of the chimera laboratory?" Principal Grendel asked, his voice calm as he tapped the ink quill against the desk.

"It appears so, Principal," Samantha replied with a controlled tone. "According to the testimony of Cadet Mariella, Cadet Elisha, and Princess Celestia, Cadet Lucien separated from the group and went directly into the underground sewers. They stated he was moving as if he already knew exactly where the laboratory was located."

"So naturally," she continued, frowning, "it can be inferred that Cadet Lucien had prior knowledge of what was hidden there."

The principal raised an eyebrow. "You don't sound very pleased. Shouldn't you be glad that one of your cadets took initiative to stop a national threat?"

Samantha's expression tightened. "Glad? Why should I be glad? If he had reported his findings properly, the academy and the city could've mobilized knights. Instead, due to his reckless actions, we have civilian casualties."

Principal Grendel leaned back slightly.

"That is only an assumption, Instructor. Even if he had reported it, who would have believed him? Imagine it: a foreign cadet, on his first day in the nation, walks in and says, 'Your alchemist is a madman creating chimeras under the city.' Would you believe it?"

Samantha fell silent.

She had no answer—because he was right.

"See?" the principal said quietly, a hint of wryness in his voice. "Now then… leave that aside. What I want to know is this—if Lucien uncovered the laboratory and dealt the majority of the damage, why is the public narrative claiming Princess Celestia and the ducal heirs resolved the incident?"

Samantha exhaled, brows furrowing.

"The ducal houses acted first. Before the Academy could publish an official statement, they spread the story themselves—glorifying their children's achievements. The princess's name was conveniently included as well."

Her tone sharpened. "Now, if we refute it, it will be interpreted as challenging both the ducal factions and the Royal House."

"The nobles move quickly," Principal Grendel sighed. "Politics runs in their blood."

He lifted a hand, ending that topic. "Whatever the situation, ensure Cadet Lucien receives a proper reward for his involvement."

"I will see to it personally, Principal."

Samantha bowed and turned to leave—but was halted by his voice.

"And one more thing."

She stopped.

"The matter of the divine bullet."

Silence filled the air. A pressure that felt heavier than any demon.

Principal Grendel's voice lowered. "Keep it secret. If word of it spreads, the Infernus will come for him."

Samantha's eyes narrowed slightly. She understood the weight of those words.

"I will keep that in mind, Principal."

The old mage nodded once.

Outside, the wind rustled the academy's banners—but inside the office, the atmosphere remained heavy.

Something had begun.

Something far bigger than a single demon incident.

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