CHAPTER 51: OPPRESSION IS THE TOOL OF THE POWERFUL

’My... what?’

The moment I listen to the words spewed by this worthless excuse of a Knight, my eyes widen in sheer surprise. The accusations that have been thrown my way aren’t light ones by any means.

Even as a High-Rank Knight, Brutus should not be able to make them so carelessly.

Unless—

’The Earl! He must have put him up to this!’ I stare hatefully at Brutus, though I quickly calm myself before making any rash decisions.

While trying to collect my thoughts, I notice something equally as terrible.

The students around me, all my supporters, begin to shrink back. Hesitation, coupled with fear, becomes apparent on their faces. Their hands fall, and none of the vigor they previously displayed remains.

In an instant, there is sheer silence, and I am at the center of the hollow.

’I see...’ My thoughts calmly trail despite the turbulence around me. ’So this was his intention from the start. By throwing such serious accusations at me, he has created a strong deterrence in the minds of all my supporters.’

It would be one thing if he merely said I was disturbing public peace, which is truly an offense a student could be guilty of. However, this is a protest being made by a sanctioned club of the school, so it serves as an exception.

In fact, none of the accusations that Brutus made has any validity.

But—

’People can be very fickle. They do not want to take such risks if it means implicating themselves so severely...’ I glance at the dwindling crowd, and my heart sinks.

Some students are slowly retreating, not desiring to be associated with a movement that has been branded in such a way. Others remain, but it’s clear that they are merely in the process of making a decision based on how things turn out.

It’s evident that I’ve lost most of their support just based on this single situation.

’To think they would go as far as making false accusations. Just how low are you willing to go, Earl Klaus?’ My brows furrow, and I grit my teeth in sheer annoyance. ’He must have bribed Brutus to intercept me at just the right moment, so I lose my followers. I should deny his accusations and salvage the situation as much as I can.’

Even though I have this thought, a part of me has already fallen into deep darkness.

It’s over.

I was standing on too weak a foundation, to begin with. Without the support of these people, I do not have a voice or the power to influence actual change here

It seems this protest will not be successful, after all.

Once again, I have lost.

"I have in no way done any of the things you are accusing me of. Throwing those words so flippantly, it seems you have no regard for the Nobles and Royals whom you reference..." I slowly lower my hand, making an attempt to fold it.

But then, I see Brutus smiling.

His grin—malevolent!

Something is wrong! There’s something else that’s happening?!

"Oh no! He’s reaching out for his weapon! Guards, stop him!" Brutus quickly yells out, his sharp teeth gleaming ominously like a dog’s as saliva pours out of his mouth.

In an instant, I am surrounded by the security officials of the Academy.

"W-what?!"

Before I can even get a word in, Brutus charges at me with an unsheathed blade in hand, his rapid movement clearly indicating a lethal move.

’Hold on...’ My bloodshot eyes stretch to their limits. ’... Is he trying to kill me?!’

No!

Why would he do such a thing?

Wait! He just labelled me an enemy of the Nobles and Royals! If he indeed has the Earl behind him, they’ll be able to make something up to justify this action of murdering a student.

This must have been why Brutus accused me of reaching for my weapon.

He’s trying to create a scenario where he is in the right for killing me!

My goodness!

He really is trying to kill me!

My body trembles the moment I realize this, and an icy feeling envelops me almost immediately.

Killing a rebel or an insurgent isn’t a crime in the Randalorion Kingdom. Someone who initiates a revolution of any kind, attempting an uprising against the High Nobility or Royal Family, is deserving of death.

By branding me as such a person, even with my denial, they have sufficient grounds.

’If only...’ I glance at my shrinking followers and feel an ounce of regret. ’If only they could stand up for me, then this silly excuse will fizzle out!’

But who would want to do such a thing?

No one wants to be the scapegoat!

’If one person stands for something, they can be branded and executed, but if they gain the support of many, even the accusers will have to think twice before making a move. No single act of defiance can succeed unless there is a form of cooperation among the masses. The weak can only obtain strength through numbers...’

Naturally, those in power recognize this, which is why they put them in subjugation.

They create strata to segregate the masses.

They form hierarchies and reward obedience, fostering loyalty.

Most importantly... they oppress their enemies, ensuring that no one dares to rise against them.

Indeed—Oppression is the tool of the powerful.

It keys into the selfish nature of humans and ensures their self-preservation instinct prevents them from acting up in opposition to the higher power.

I have been labelled the enemy, and anyone who chooses to side with me will automatically share that label with me as well. They will also be attacked, and this creates a deterrence factor that prevents them from stepping up.

But do they not understand that if a sufficient number of us rise up and maintain our stance, we will be able to overwhelm the opponent and overturn their expectations?

Indeed! One or two people can be bullied... but what of an entire group of like-minded people?

Who would dare bully an army?

If only my followers were a lot more strong-minded, we could face this problem and chase the likes of Brutus away. However, I know this is asking too much of them.

After all, if they were such people, I wouldn’t have been able to manipulate them so easily.

CLANG!

Right as Brutus’ blade is about to reach me, slicing from my shoulder, through my torso, I block it with my Armament. The D Grade Armament... Ashen Purple Blade!

"Look, everyone! He has unsheathed his blade!" Brutus raises his voice, snickering loudly as he grins evilly at me. "He clearly has no good intentions! How nefarious! This must have been his motive from the start—!"

"Be quiet, shameless old man. Did you think I’d simply offer my life and let you kill me just like that?" I scoff, easily parrying his attack.

I twist my body while sliding backward so I create some distance between us.

Only when I achieve this do I heave a soft sigh and calmly assess the situation with a little more clarity. Things have gotten a lot worse.

’It’s possible that he didn’t want to kill me but made it seem that way, which means by defending myself, I have fallen further into his scheme...’ My thoughts rapidly flow, and I narrow my eerie gaze at the man before me.

Unfortunately, I had no choice but to fall for the plot.

After all, it is a two-pronged scheme.

If I hadn’t defended myself, he would have definitely attacked me. If he didn’t kill me, he would have caused grievous injuries and incapacitated me. The problem with letting him do that is that it takes agency from me and prevents me from defending myself when he further slanders me and makes up more lies.

Plus, classes commence in two weeks, and without any external aid, I probably will not be able to attend any class for an extended period of time, months even, depending on how severe my injuries are.

That’s enough time for the Earl to cook up a story and have me arrested.

Even if I’m not arrested, I’d definitely be expelled from the Academy. Even if I am not expelled from the Academy, missing so many classes will affect my attendance and also cause me to be way behind on my studies.

Chances are, I’ll get lower grades in some courses and lose my Scholarship.

In essence, no matter what I do... I’ll be in serious trouble.

’So that’s why Brutus was so confident...’ I sigh to myself and shake my head. ’They had everything all figured out. By defending myself and using my Armament, I’ve basically broken a school rule regarding the use of Armaments on campus grounds.’

Of course, since I have a limited license, the penalty for using the Armament won’t be as high as for a normal student, but regardless... it remains present. I could give the very valid reason that I was trying to protect my life, but Brutus would simply retort that he wasn’t trying to take my life.

We would have to rely on eyewitness testimonies, and since most of the students won’t take a risk to defend me, I can’t count on their reports. As for Brutus, he is the Head of Security and is the superior of all the guards around.

It’s very evident whose side they will take in this matter.

All of this simply means that I am in a very precarious situation, and I have fallen into the Earl’s trap. Essentially...

"... I lost."

My blade falls to the ground in a loud clang, and I raise my hand in surrender.

There’s no other way out.

It’s over.

************

"Javier Aditi... Scholarship Student... a total of 77 As, 23 Bs, and 17 Cs..." A deep, stern voice echoes in the dimly lit room, and an incredibly muscular man stands before me, possessing a harsh expression on his rough face.

His dark green hair firmly remains in place as he stands still as a monolith while alternating glances between me and the piece of paper in his hands.

He wears a long wine jacket that has golden lines and embroidery on it, with an inner green shirt that matches his hair. His yellow eyes scan the report, and he sends me a fierce glare, almost at the same time.

His most distinct feature is the patches of hair that decorate his face, essentially rough strands of an uneven beard.

Naturally, I recognize this person quite well.

He is Balric Wolfshade, one of the Senior Professors in the Department of Martial & Chivalric Studies.

But, he is also something else.

This man is the Dean of Discipline & Conduct!

In essence, he is the head of the disciplinary committee in the Royal Academy, supervising investigations and punishments regarding student affairs and even staff misdemeanors.

In essence, he is a very powerful man in the Royal Academy.

And right now, I have been forced to my knees before this person by the guards behind me.

"You have an exceptional track record. You’re the founder and leader of one of the most popular Clubs in the Academy right now, and you don’t have a single record of violence. Honestly, it’s difficult to believe that you are guilty of these accusations made against you..."

"That’s because I’m no—!"

"Silence! The Dean is speaking!" Before I can completely let out words, I am immediately suppressed by the guards behind me, forced to eat the dust on the ground.

"Guh!"

My restrained body shivers from the pain, but I do not break my composure and continue to maintain eye contact with him.

He stares at me with his fierce gaze, his scowl only growing deeper.

In all my time in this Academy, I have never once seen this man smile. His face has perpetually been in this state, like an angry bear enraged with the world.

"Don’t treat him so roughly..." Dean Balric Wolfshade loudly sighs, rubbing his creased temple mildly. "Regardless of what he’s done, this lad is still a student of this Academy."

"A-ah... apologies, sir!"

The guards lift my body back up, even going ahead to dust my dirtied attire for me.

I nearly snort in cold fury, but maintain my calmness.

"It seems you have a lot on your mind. I am not an unfair person, so I am willing to hear you out..." He walks away from me and proceeds to his seat behind his desk. Then, with a simple gesture, he guides me to the chair right in front of him.

"Sit. Tell me what happened."

The guards help me rise to my feet, and I limp forward, towards the chair.

It has been a whole week since the incident.

My body has grown considerably weak from the torture and food deprivation. My charred lips have not tasted water in days, and my aching body has grown emaciated during this period.

This isn’t very important, but my raven-black hair is even noticeably longer.

But none of these concerns me...

I calmly sit before the man in front of me and let out a breath of turbid air. Despite the gnawing discomfort all over my body, borne from the maltreatment and torture which I have suffered, I am in quite a pleasant mood.

Why?

Because I have finally gained the audience of someone who can help me out.

This man—Dean Balric Wolfshade—is also an Earl of the Kingdom.

In essence, he possesses the same rank as the person who put me in this predicament, Earl Klaus Gerondester. As such, if there is anyone whom I can appeal my case to, it is him.

’For an entire week, I have waited for this moment. This chance...’ My thoughts weakly flow as my trembling lips part and I make my first attempt to speak.

I have to make good use of this opportunity!

It’s my last shot.

[A/N: I know some of you must be growing impatient, wondering when the action will begin. I implore you to have a little more patience and enjoy the story for what it is. Honestly, all of this is necessary to deepen your understanding of this world, and it will pay off eventually.]