CHAPTER 85: STUDENT COUNCIL [2]

Chapter 85: Student Council [2]

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The student council boardroom, a place of stern authority within the walls of the Royal Elite Academy, adorned with its polished bright wood finishings, remained still after Damien’s words. The weight of his declaration settled on every person present. The call for a faculty member’s immediate removal was not something to be taken lightly.

After a moment of silence, the Vice President spoke. "So, we’re calling him in? Professor Vaelian himself?"

Damien’s gaze was fixed on the empty chair at the end of the table. "He will be here. I’ve already dispatched a liaison to bring him in. We need to hear his side of this before we make an official recommendation."

It wasn’t long before a soft knock sounded on the heavy oak door. Hayley Sapphire— the council secretary, without a word, moved to open it. Professor Vaelian stepped inside. He was a man of formidable height with a receding hairline and thin-rimmed spectacles that rested on the bridge of his nose. He carried a stack of papers clutched against his chest. His posture was defensive, almost nervous, a stark contrast to the stern authority he projected during the midterms. He seemed to shrink under the collective gaze of the council members.

Damien gestured to the empty chair. "Professor Vaelian. Thank you for coming. Please, have a seat."

Vaelian nodded stiffly and took his place. He set his papers down on the table, the sound a sharp crack in the silence.

"Professor," Damien began, his voice calm and even. "We’ve received several reports regarding the recent midterm test for Class 1-D. Specifically, the duel between Rian Blake and Greg Tunley. The reports allege that the duel was not fair, and that you acted with a clear intent to show favoritism towards Rian."

Vaelian’s hands tightened on the papers. "With all due respect, Mr. Ravenscroft, these are baseless accusations. The duels were conducted under fair and transparent rules."

"We have reports from multiple students," Thora interjected, her voice sharp. "They say that you changed the rules of the test mid-way through. The original elimination method was based on a comprehensive set of average culmulative scores. The change to the rules of the duel was a last-minute addition, a one-on-one fight to the expulsion. It was a change that worked in Rian Blake’s favor, a student with a clear physical advantage."

"The academy administration gave me a specific directive," Vaelian said, his voice rising in pitch. "I was told to coordinate a midterm that would get one student expelled. I had to ensure that the outcome was reached, and I made a professional judgment that would best achieve that goal."

"A professional judgment?" The vice president scoffed. "Or a judgment based on your personal preference?"

"I have no personal preference!" Vaelian’s voice was strained. "My only goal was to fulfill the administration’s directive."

"So you admit to changing the rules?" Damien asked, his voice still calm, a dangerous calm.

Vaelian hesitated. "I... I adapted them. I didn’t change them. The framework of the test remained the same."

The Strategist spoke up, his voice analytical. "Professor, the reports state that the original test was a series of exams followed by a one-on-one duel. The change with the idea of a single-elimination event. That is a fundamental change in the rules, not a simple adaptation. And it happened after it became clear that Rian Blake performed poorly in the written portion."

Vaelian’s composure was beginning to crack. "I did what was necessary! I was given a task, and I carried it out."

"And the rumors of favoritism?" Thora pressed on. "It’s said you were trying to ensure Rian Blake survived the test."

Vaelian’s eyes flickered from one council member to another, like a cornered animal looking for an escape. "Those are lies. I have no favorites. I treat all my students the same."

"Do you really expect us to believe that?" The vice president said, leaning forward on the table. "You put a kid who couldn’t lift a sword against a kid who’s a brute. The outcome was clear before the duel even began."

Vaelian leaned back, his face pale. He was trying to run around the bushes, trying to evade the questions with half-truths and evasions, but it wasn’t working. Damien Ravenscroft was too smart for him, too sharp. The student council president had a way of cutting through the nonsense, getting straight to the heart of the matter. He was just as cunning and shrewd as Kyousuke, maybe even more so.

Kyousuke, Vaelian thought, the name a bitter taste in his mind. He finally got rid of me. His definitely responsible for this reports the council received.

He knew this was Kyousuke’s doing. He had seen the way Kyousuke had manipulated the situation, had seen the way he had pushed the test to its conclusion. He had seen the way Kyousuke had used everyone, had used him, to get what he wanted. Kyousuke wanted him gone, he considered the professor a possible threat to his goal, a potential nuisance in his plan to take the top spot among the academy’s students.

He got what he wanted. I can’t even try to fight back against him while he still have that thing against me . Vaelian’s thoughts were a whirlwind of frustration and regret. He knew the student council wouldn’t believe him if he tried to reveal what was truly going on. It would just make him look even more desperate.

The silence returned, more suffocating than before. Vaelian looked defeated, his eyes downcast.

Damien Ravenscroft finally broke the silence. He looked at Vaelian, his expression a mix of disappointment and something close to pity. "Professor," he said, his voice quiet, "we have enough information. You’ve admitted to changing the rules, and you’ve failed to provide a compelling reason for your actions. Your silence on the matter of favoritism speaks volumes."

Damien leaned back in his chair, his hands now clasped behind his head. He looked at the other council members, and they all nodded in agreement.

"I will be writing a recommendation to the administration," Damien said, his voice a final say on the matter. "A recommendation for your immediate suspension from the Royal Elite Academy."

Vaelian’s eyes widened, a look of pure dread on his face. He had lost. Kyousuke had won. And there was nothing he could do about it. The students’ council would do anything in their power to make sure that the academy remained true to its values, not knowing that they were just another pawn in Kyousuke’s plan. They couldn’t be wrong. Their decisions were absolute.