CHAPTER 36: CH 36: AN UNEXPECTED RESULT

The entire matter had turned into an escalating issue within a span of hours. Kingdom officials visited our academy premises, no doubt concerned about the demons’ sudden appearance.

The principal had soon exited his dimension and the four devices were simultaneously removed. I guess they help with setting the dimension...?

Even Gideon had hurriedly arrived after news of his son’s injuries. Since then he had been staring at me with such hatred in his eyes that for a moment I really thought he would be attacking me here.

Very fortunately for both of us he didn’t do anything reckless.

As night approached, the council members assembled. I was present with them as well.

Reinhard was supposed to be there too but given the extent of his injuries, he couldn’t make it here.

Poor guy faced both the wrath of Henry and Isolde’s full range freeze unlike me.

And now, I stood in the same place of the council room as the day when I had arrived in this world.

Waiting for my life’s fate to be decided. How ironic that one’s life was never truly independent but rather dependant on the people around them...even if one wanted to be free.

Truly freedom was just an illusion, an ambition whispered to masses as a sacred honey filling their ears.

’Reality is cruel’ I sighed deeply as I waited for Principal Cormac to speak. It was just not me, every other council member waited as well.

’Well not everyone’, I thought as I looked at the three empty chairs.

Two of them belonged to the Ex-Officio and the Alumni Representative, both of whom were out of the city for business.

And the third chair....the chair for the Vice-principal.

The one for which the examination and all this trouble happened in the first place.

At that moment, a knock came at the luxurious door of the room. I turned around, intending to open it.

But Malakai got up from his chair and said in a clear voice, "Let me, Henry. I think it might be the reports."

He opened the door with a click and a servant in red turbans and white robes appeared in view. He handed a piece of folded paper to Malakai, who nodded in return.

Closing the door, he approached the principal’s desk and held out the paper to him, who was toying with his monocle in one hand.

As he received the paper and Malakai got back to his seat, complete silence enveloped the room. Even the sounds of breathing couldn’t be heard amid the palpable tension in the room.

Principal Cormac put on his monocle. Instantly his presence changed. His previous charismatic pull have now become a sharp blade and a poweful aura spilled out from him. It felt as if we were all watched, as if his presence was everywhere around us....among us.

’What is that monocle?’ was probably everyone’s thoughts here as I saw the others glancing at the monocle surreptitiously.

"Hmm...the results are certainly interesting. Before going to the final score, perhaps you would all like a better analysis or breakdown of the different sections." He finally spoke in a composed manner, his face betraying nothing.

To that Gideon replied, "Of course, we would like to hear that. I am curious as to someone’s perfomance as well..." He glanced at me while saying that.

Ignoring him, I stared straight at the Principal. I won’t lie...I am quite nervous myself.

I can only count on the massive point difference that was created when Henry defeated Reinhard.

But even then would it be enough?

As if totally unfazed by the different storm of emotions in the narrow room, Principal Cormac started.

"Let us begin with the combat test.

The first subdivision. Reinhard had completed it within a span of 40 minutes but on the other hand, Henry took a total of 2 hours."

’Its alright, don’t worry. Mr.Arlott did say that he would give me extra marks for the higher difficulty level.’

"Since this was Mr.Arlott’s dimension, we cannot be taking his judgement in it as he was focused on stabilizing the magic circle itself. Thus, we can only assume the tests were completely suited for their abilities and weren’t different in their difficulties."

Ehh -- What?! Mr. Arlott’s judgement won’t even be considered!!

My hands clenched into tight fists beside me as I thought of punching the hell out of that man.

I can’t even shout out here regarding the unfairness of my own exam. Afterall, Mr. Arlott could probably prove it easily that I wasn’t Henry.

"Accounting all of it, Reinhard gets 9 points and Henry gets 4 points only."

And thus I stood there, completely silent but boiling within.

"Next up, the teamfight. The test had two instructions in total-- one from me. And another from the guardian of my dimension. Henry ignored the guardian’s rules while at the same time, Reinhard ignored mine. While Reinhard was able to brutally kill almost all of them, Henry’s coordination was the very key which made that possible.

But Henry...you are a fighter in the frontlines. Important for executing key targets. Thus, you violated the code of the fighters of never abondoning your own post.

Reinhard --8 points

Henry --7 points"

’Sigh...my calculations misfired. But then again, how was I supposed to know about whatever code they follow?’

And when did Henry become a frontline fighter? Don’t assassins remain at the back as well and only sneak upon their enemies...?

"Lastly, the duel."

Phew, finally some relief. The point difference between me and Reinhard is quite high right now.

...but with this, I can finally surpass him.

"Reinhard --7 points

Henry -- 8 points"

Yes finally I--- wait....

WHAT?!

Only 1 point difference?

I opened my mouth in protest but as if waiting for me to do so, Principal Cormac said calmly, his tone one of finality.

"The match never ended. You might have trashed him but he didn’t surrender and you didn’t kill him.... irrespective of the sudden guests who had decided to visit my lovely dimension."

"The rules had exclusively stated to either defeat him or kill him. And as long as a person hasn’t surrendered, he isn’t considered defeated."

My shoulders drooped deceptively.

Is that it...?

Suddenly Gideon broke out in a bellowing laughter.

"I knew it! Had Henry really be having his memories, my son probably wouldn’t have won."

Principal Cormac raised an eyebrow at that before he said, "With all that said, now the final score of both tests combined.

Reinhard gets a total of 80 points out a maximum 100."

"Haha that’s my son! A score of 56 in written test!! That’s impressive. No, not just impressive, that’s the most fabulous score I have ever heard of." Gideon’s fat cheeks bulged so much that he resembled a tomato on the verge of bursting.

"On the other hand..." Principal Cormac continued, "Henry has scored a total of 80 points out of 100 with a record high of 61 points in written test."

The room had gone still with Gideon’s face showing shock on it.

"With that said, the result has led to a draw between the two candidates."