CHAPTER 57: PRIVILEGE OF POWER

WHOOSH!

Two bodies move in a swift dance, their limbs twisting and turning in a flurry of combative symphony.

One belongs to a certain golden-haired student whose olive skin radiates brilliance, while the other is a silver-haired young man with deep azure eyes and a fierce expression. With weapons in hand, they move with pristine calculation, their blades clashing to create loud echoes that send shivers down the bones.

The Prince—Korrin Randalorion—currently faces off against the second man who bears a striking resemblance to Selena Rudinger.

Their clash is a masterclass in combat, with sparks accompanying them on their ethereal dance.

I watch all of this unfold from a distance, both hands behind me.

The field is vast, with space abundant.

Despite there being abundant seats to choose from, I have decided to remain on my feet while I watch the fight between these two. Selena, on the other hand, sits on the grass next to me, her eyes constantly alternating between the sparring duo and me.

I have no idea what I have done to gain her attention, but I certainly hope she hasn’t developed some form of attraction to me.

This is not me being narcissistic, but from experience... this sort of thing tends to happen to me quite often. We’ve been working together for over a month now, which is sufficient time for fondness to blossom.

As such, I can’t entirely rule out the possibility of feelings developing.

’I think it’s best to ignore it...’ Selena is about two years my senior in the Academy, but I am decades older than her.

There’s no way I could ever see her in that light.

Back to the match, I stare at the fluid motion involved in every stroke of the sword, and color me impressed. These two really know how to fight.

This is incredible!

What makes the fight even more fascinating to watch are the weapons that they wield.

They aren’t ordinary blades.

’Armaments!’ My thoughts echo as I narrow my eyes to form a stern gaze. ’The Academy forbids the use of Armament on campus grounds, but I suppose the Prince and his cohorts are exceptions...’

Prince Korrin currently wields a sword gleaming like the sun while radiating countless sparkles that form stars around it. As for his opponent, his blade is coated in darkness, with tendrils dancing around it to form shadowy constructs.

Both of these Armaments seem to be attack-type weapons, but I also notice that the armor they wield also gives off trace elements.

They are also Armaments!

Armaments are usually split into two types based on functionality: Attack and Defense.

Just like normal weapons, Attack Types boost offense and combat potential to an absurd degree.

Defense Types, as the name suggests, do the same for protection.

Both of them possess attack and defense-type Armaments, causing the nature of their battle to have a higher level of sophistication than the duels I had with my brother and sister in the past.

Even my battle with my father doesn’t match this level of intensity.

I feel the ground beneath me tremble as they exchange blows without any consideration.

Since they possess Armaments protecting them, I’m certain they feel less restraint when it comes to fighting. This allows the two of them to display far greater skill than one would expect from an ordinary spar.

And... my goodness, am I impressed.

The way Prince Korrin twists his body in mid-air, turning into a radiant burst of overwhelming power, is astonishing. Conversely, how his opponent uses the dark tendrils to block all of the golden attacks that shower down on him like falling starlight is equally as impressive.

Both of these are expert fighters.

Even I cannot compare to their level of skill and proficiency.

I also certainly cannot even come close in terms of the Armaments they possess.

’Each of those Armaments is at least C Grade. A single one is the main foundation of my Aditi Household.’ My eyes twitch mildly while calculating a few things. ’To think two young adults just easily swing those weapons like they’re nothing, using them for sparring sessions...’

Even their footwork and techniques are very foreign to me, consisting of complex variations and movements that cause my head to ache just staring.

They are certainly not going to use their main Martial Techniques in such a match, which means these are just basic movements to them. However, to me, their techniques already far surpass the Aditi Martial Technique.

The gap is simply too large!

Is this what they call the privilege of power?

Such a vast advantage that allows one to take a single leap and reach as high as the heavens, swinging a blade to cut down mountains in a single stroke.

Even though I hold no real regard for the Royal Family, I cannot deny their strength.

’Will I get to enjoy such things in my lifetime?’ I silently wonder, making a wry smile as my wide-open eyes feed on more of the dazzling sights.

Once again, I notice Serena glancing in my direction, though I pretend not to notice.

"My cousin’s pretty good, wouldn’t you say?" She finally speaks after being silent for so long, her voice smooth like silk.

Forced to take my eyes from the exciting fight, I look at her clear and beautiful face.

Her crimson eyes are barely open, and her head is tilted, resting on her raised knees while she looks at me with a peculiar expression.

It’s a mix of amusement, curiosity, and a tinge of seduction.

Was I right all along? Does she have feelings for me, or is she simply trying to tease me?

I’ll go with the latter for now.

Hopefully, that is simply the case, and I’m just being paranoid.

"Indeed... but I would say the Prince has better overall abilities." I offer my unbiased response with a calm air around me. Prince Korrin is definitely the one in control of the match, and the other young man has been forced into a more passive position.

If nothing spectacular happens, I reckon the match will be over before long.

But the thing is, even if that wasn’t the case, I would still have no choice but to praise the Prince.

After all, he is my sponsor.

It has been about a month since I officially joined the Prince’s Faction, and he has fulfilled all the things he promised. I have regained my scholarship, the J-Tutorial Club now has ample funding, and so much about my life has improved.

He even repaid the money I spent on my tuition for the term already.

Since he is practically my benefactor, I cannot say anything that puts him in an awkward or disadvantageous situation. I must use as many avenues as I can to praise him and the Royal Family while diminishing the opposition.

This is a price I already knew I would pay when I decided to join.

’Prince Korrin is definitely a better fighter than Jonathan, but even if he wasn’t... I would still praise him.’ I hide my wry smile and slowly cast my gaze back to the battle. ’Even if Jonathan is the son of a Count, I can’t afford to offend my sponsor...’

"I quite like you, Javier..."

My body tenses up the moment I hear those words from Selena, and I feel my throat get itchy.

I do my best not to glance in her direction.

Then, I feel her soft, delicate fingers trace through my body, the soft linen of my clothes serving as the only barrier between her skin and mine.

It feels so uncomfortable... like worms dancing on my body.

Disgusting!

Absolutely repulsive!

I want to pull away and maintain my distance, but I am unable to do anything of the sort.

If this woman desires me, there’s actually nothing I can do about it except politely decline. But, if she makes moves like this, how can I possibly stop her? I can’t touch her without permission, and I certainly wouldn’t dare to reprimand her.

That simply means I can only stand still while she uses her hands to defile my body.

"You’re so smart... and you seem to have this gaze that sees through so much. Those gray eyes of yours... sometimes I want to see the world through them."

"Thank you, Lady Serena..."

"Ah, they’re so pretty. Almost like I should pluck them out and see them up close."

"I... am honored, Lady Serena...?"

I know women can be very twisted, but these rich noble girls are on another level of crazy, especially those belonging to the High Nobility.

I certainly wouldn’t want to have anything to do with them if I could help it.

CLANG!

Fortunately, before Serena can say anything more, the match ends with Prince Korrin knocking Jonathan Rudinger’s blade out of his hands, securing the victory.

I heave a silent sigh of relief as I watch the next scenes unfolding, preparing myself for the Prince’s presence. Serena also rises to her feet, though I notice a measure of dissatisfaction on her face from my auxiliary vision.

"As always, you are simply unmatched with the blade, your Highness." Jonathan bows in respect and smiles heartily at Prince Korrin.

However, the Prince simply laughs, waving his hands casually.

"Haha! How can that be, Jonathan?" His false sense of modesty is quite obvious, but who would dare say anything about it? "You let me win."

After their brief exchange, Prince Korrin approaches me and Selena, and we greet him.

Afterward, we all moved to the garden, where I could give my report.

Indeed!

I came all the way here —to the Gold Wing—so I could give my report to the Prince regarding what has been happening in the J-Tutorial Club, and also everything I have been doing as PRO to promote his administration while opposing his enemies

As his foot-soldier, his bulldog, I have a lot of responsibilities all tied to his well-being.

And so, once a week, I need to come here to deliver my full report and observation. If the Prince asks for it, I can also render my opinions.

More times than not, he actually seeks out my counsel and also takes some of it.

Naturally, he also refuses other suggestions—gracefully, of course. As for most suggestions, he modifies them after taking my perspective and other opinions into account.

I really am impressed with this young man.

He certainly has qualities necessary in a leader, and this isn’t simply due to my bias.

Then again, I haven’t met the other Princes... so who knows?

Maybe they are better.

What I do know is that, in my past life, the one who becomes king after the death of the current ruler isn’t Korrin Randalorion.

Instead, it is his older brother, the First Prince.

There’s nothing strange about that, though, as this is usually how things go in succession. Unless the firstborn is simply incompetent, no other person would really be considered as Heir.

After I finish giving my report, Prince Korrin thanks me, and I give him as much appreciation and praise as I can possibly muster. Naturally, he throws around this fake air of humility, but I simply humor him and laugh to myself.

Once my business is over in the Gold Wing, I depart from there and return to my side of the Academy Grounds.

Just as a side note, but the Gold Wing is humongous!

It is larger than the Bronze and Silver Wing combined, and everything about this place screams absolute luxury. I recently got to know that each student in the Gold Wing has lavish quarters all to themselves, with personal attendants dedicated to them.

That is an indescribable jump from one wing to the other, and the difference is too staggering.

Only students from the Royal Family, the Duke Households, and the Count Households get to live in such an exquisite space.

It truly is remarkable in many ways.

In any case, I shake off the thought of the Gold Wing, as well as Serena’s oddly fond farewell, and distract myself with other thoughts.

Before long, I begin reminiscing on the past few weeks and how they have been for me.

Truly... different.

So much has changed—not just for me, but for those around me.

Using my status, I have made life much easier for the less-privileged students. Suggestions regarding dormitory improvements were taken up by the Prince, and that has caused drastic changes in the Bronze Wing, especially.

This, naturally, has caused everyone’s impression of the Royal Family to go up.

Also, ever since I joined the Prince’s Faction, I have never had problems in the Silver Wing anymore. It’s almost like the prejudice I noticed around me has suddenly vanished.

However, this doesn’t erase everything I experienced in the past.

I can’t pretend like some things never happened.

... Like they never existed.

Regardless, there have been a lot more positives than negatives in my life as of late.

I still continue running the Tutorial, and I still teach there, since I am still the best one among all the tutors we have. I have been tempted to stop and perhaps take a step back from all of it, simply due to how stressful things have gotten. But—

’I shouldn’t pull away from them now, just because I have a better support chain now...’ I sigh to myself and let out a soft smile. ’Let’s not be like those scummy nobles that like to reward loyalty with backstabbing.’

The J-Tutorial Club and its members are what have brought me to such a position.

I refuse to forget my roots.

Aside from just teaching in the Tutorial and running administrative tasks, I have finally created a functional system that encompasses a large number of members. It is also sustainable, thanks to our dear sponsor.

The J-Tutorial Club is now able to extend proper help to the current juniors and future juniors to come, even without me lifting a finger. My system also ensures the well-being of less-privileged students in the Academy, helping them secure prestige points through merit and collaborative efforts tied to their academic endeavors.

No longer will the acquisition of Prestige Points be at the detriment of a student’s academics!

This means students can do their best to obtain Prestige Points while also rising in their studies; the system has made both of those things compatible.

Of course, I couldn’t do all of these on my own, but thanks to the power backing me and the Club now, it has made everything much easier. Honestly, I am in awe at how power can truly make life much easier and a lot more enjoyable.

These privileges, of course, do not come for free.

Since all of these achievements are being done in Prince Korrin’s administration, the ones who get all the glory are the Royals. The Prince’s Faction is the central Royal Faction of the Academy, and it has been growing drastically.

Naturally, this means the Noble Factions have been reducing in might, influence, and popularity.

Korrin is also making active efforts to suppress them on his end.

With his political strength increasing, his influence will only grow stronger, and he will certainly carve his name into the history of this Academy. Once I leave the Royal Academy, there is no doubt that the Royal Faction will completely devour the J-Tutorial Club.

They could choose to rename it, even.

In fact, the devouring has already begun, and I’m certain my position of leader is slowly turning into that of a figurehead. If Korrin wishes, he can look for a reason to remove me from my office.

But, I know he won’t do that.

The backlash on him would be far too great, and the benefits wouldn’t match.

Right now, I am an effective and loyal dog.

The perfect tool!

Why would he throw me away just like that—especially when I keep exceeding his expectations?

As such, unless some unprecedented event occurs or I somehow turn against the Royal Faction, I will likely remain as the leader of the J-Tutorial Club until I leave the Academy.

Even though I recognize all of the political machinations behind the scenes, am I against any of it?

No... certainly not.

After all, even I started helping people for selfish reasons, and there was a lot of manipulation from me when it came to the the creation of the J-Tutorial Club.

Who in the world isn’t selfish?

In the end, people act based on personal interests and self-preservation.

Even the so-called selfless people gain some form of gratification or self-reassurance by doing good deeds. They feel good about themselves, which is—in a way—their benefit.

I am not a selfless person.

That clearly means everything I do brings me great benefits.