Chapter 152 — Silence is a Time for Crafting Gold

1

One of the hardest things to build in this world is a reputation.

You have to prove that you are better than countless others.

On the other hand, the easiest thing is to tear down that reputation.

Hyenas are always the same.

If they can’t climb up themselves, they’ll bite and tear at you, even if they have to fabricate crimes.

The way to counter them is either to build an overwhelming reputation or to live so flawlessly that they can’t find anything to bite.

‘What’s going on here?’

And, to make it clear that messing with you would be a grave mistake.

Manus concealed his frustration and looked at the eyes filled with hostility around him.

He had finished in style, so what was this?

If he panicked here, he’d only be throwing himself to the wolves.

He planned to stay as calm as possible and first assess the situation.

No need to ask; since they had gathered in such numbers, they’d undoubtedly spell it out for him.

He simply waited for them to speak.

He knew that the first to ramble would naturally put themselves at a disadvantage.

“Caesar Manus, something like this was found in your room.”

“Black Rum.”

“Indeed. You need to explain yourself.”

Manus crossed his arms and looked at the bottle with black droplets forming inside.

He recognized the substance.

It was a banned item, obtainable in the underground market during the mid-game.

A mana enhancer that could only be used in dungeons.

The situation became clear in his mind.

He let out a small laugh.

So, this was all an exquisitely orchestrated setup?

“It sounds like you’re suggesting I used it.”

“Given the circumstances, yes. You displayed incredible magical power as soon as you became a second-year. And today—”

Right.

There had been that unfortunate incident where he lost control of his mana.

Who would have guessed it would be so immensely powerful?

He was a bit annoyed.

They had dropped him into a Blood Slime nest, yet now they were questioning his actions?

How should he react?

If he got angry, those harboring malice against him would surely act.

‘This situation… It feels so familiar, and I kind of missed it.’

A situation that made him smile.

Back in South Korea, on Earth, wasn’t this the kind of thing he dealt with for fun?

The professors who saw his smile began to fume.

“This is not a laughing matter! This is serious! Are you trying to disgrace your family?”

“Answer honestly, Manus. If you’re lying, I might have to break a few of your bones.”

Professor Trail and Professor Jennifer growled.

The aura of power they emitted felt as if it was crushing Manus in a vice.

The overwhelming pressure urged him to speak.

To confess.

Or… to strongly deny it.

But Manus remained silent.

‘There’s nothing I need to say in this room.’

“Manus. Will you not answer?”

“We’ll have no choice but to convene a disciplinary committee. If it’s revealed that you used this substance, you’ll be expelled.”

They were trying to intimidate him into giving the answer they wanted.

Implying what could happen to create a sense of fear.

This was a very basic tactic.

Instead of answering, Manus studied the expressions of those present.

Most of them showed disappointment, while a few looked sympathetic.

And then, there was one person.

A fleeting moment of unhidden joy.

‘Interesting.’

Chesthip.

Kaiser’s assistant.

He couldn’t hide his glee in that brief moment.

And that gave Manus an opening.

A picture quickly formed in his mind.

Perhaps, he could deal with all the gathered malice in one fell swoop.

But first, he needed a little time.

“Do you have nothing to say?”

“This started with suspicion. My innocence will be proven.”

Manus remained as composed as ever.

To anyone observing, his attitude might seem infuriatingly brazen.

But he had clearly seen it.

When he intentionally exaggerated his demeanor, there were those who couldn’t resist and turned their heads.

When a crowd gathers, people often delude themselves.

They believe that they can hide perfectly and avoid the eyes of the person they’re targeting.

But in truth, the one who stands out the most is the one who tries to hide.

“So, you’re saying you didn’t use this substance?”

“I would never tarnish my family’s name.”

“Is that so… But since it was found in your room, we have to proceed according to protocol.”

Manus nodded calmly.

Following protocol meant this would take some time.

During that time, he could gather solid evidence.

It was a time for silence.

If he wanted to eliminate all the gathered malice in one stroke, he needed time.

Manus turned away.

In any case, the evaluation would need to proceed properly.

“If my innocence is proven, what will I gain?”

“Your honor and pride, and the opportunity to punish the true culprit.”

That was enough.

He didn’t need anything material.

That was the life of a conglomerate’s heir.

What he desired was the glory of his family and a comfortable life for himself.

To gain vast knowledge and immense power.

And to do that, he needed to shake off anything that stood in his way.

“Please ensure that the rest of the evaluation is fair.”

“…”

Professor Trail nodded gravely.

Manus walked away, leaving the room.

The disciplinary committee would proceed without him.

Countless eyes followed him.

Manus briefly locked eyes with Assistant Chesthip before casually disappearing.

The sound of sighs escaping behind him was rather unpleasant.

2

That night.

A wriggling shadow loomed outside the door.

Manus quietly closed the book he had been reading and looked at the shadow.

A black figure silently emerged.

Aden, with her eyes narrowed in sorrow, looked at Manus.

There must have been much she wanted to say, feeling wronged.

But she remained silent.

“You’ve been through a lot. My Lord.”

“Not really, I imagine someone else has been under more stress than I.”

“How dare they… Who would do such a thing to you…”

Manus calmly smiled at Aden, who was seething with anger on his behalf.

To have someone who would get angry on his behalf.

Just that made him feel that his life here wasn’t so bad after all.

Aden, seeing Manus’s calm demeanor, vented her anger in his stead.

This wasn’t the time to be smiling.

If things went wrong, not only could he be wrongly accused, but he could also be expelled.

An expulsion from the Caesar family?

‘That’s something that must never happen.’

They would have to fabricate crimes if need be to pin it on someone else.

Aden resolved that even if Manus directed his anger at her, she would—

“Don’t waste your time on such thoughts, Aden.”

“…You’re even reading my mind now?”

“How could I not know when your expression gives it all away? Don’t worry about that matter.”

He rose from his seat and opened the magic refrigerator.

He poured two glasses of non-alcoholic wine.

Aden gracefully accepted a glass and took a sip.

It had a sweet taste, reminiscent of Moscato wine.

It was late enough that everyone else was likely asleep, and the view of the academy outside the window was shrouded in darkness.

Manus looked at the bright moonlight shining down on the ground and spoke.

“It’s likely Chesthip and one of the maids were behind this.”

“A maid…”

Come to think of it—

After a moment’s thought, Aden recalled a face she had briefly encountered a few days ago.

“There’s one girl who stood out to me. Her heartbeat was a bit different—”

“Then that’s where we’ll start.”

“I’ll return to the shadows. The committee will be convened tomorrow.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

It was just a futile goal, a mere academic exercise.

The longer it took, the better.

He wanted the rumors to spread far and wide.

In the end, he would be the one laughing.

Manus turned to Aden.

She was fiddling with the glass, unable to hide her anxiety.

She was worried that even darker, more unbearable malice would gather.

“Thank you for your concern. But… I am a Caesar.”

“…Understood.”

“Proceed in your own way. You’ll gather plenty of evidence.”

Evidence?

Aden had no intention of gathering such things.

The one who deserved punishment should come forward.

They couldn’t just hide in the shadows.

She excelled in this area.

No need for further words.

She hadn’t earned the title of master by sitting idle.

With her resolve strengthened, Aden downed her glass in one gulp.

“Then, I’ll begin my work.”

“I’m counting on you. Oh, and while you’re at it, I’d appreciate it if the rumors were exaggerated.”

“Malicious… rumors, you mean?”

Manus nodded.

After talking a bit more, she could start to see his intent.

It was the duty of the shadow to ensure that things flowed according to the master’s will.

Aden quietly bowed her head and was absorbed back into the shadow.

Those within the academy had no idea.

The chairman, the head maid.

The people who truly ran the academy were all on his side.

‘Seeking redemption and clearing one’s name are different matters.’

He could bow his head to the innocent.

It was only natural for him to seek forgiveness from those who had been oppressed by unjust violence.

But there was no need to show mercy to those who sought to drag others down by exploiting their circumstances.

Such people typically had the mentality that tolerance and mercy were their due.

The children from the original work were ones who, no matter what hardships they faced, grew up resilient.

Even after going through suspicion, intrigue, and countless incidents, they would eventually band together and climb to the top.

“Indeed, whether here or there, life is the same everywhere.”

Perhaps this world, based on imagination, was more exaggerated and treacherous.

If he were still his past self, he would likely be living as “Student 1” or working part-time at a local convenience store.

Now that everything had changed, he was able to do so much more.

A student’s body with an adult’s mind.

It was a time when he had only felt lacking, but with some perspective, he saw things differently.

The saying that everything, whether failure or success, is an experience came to mind.

‘I’m worried about those kids.’

The rumors must have spread far and wide by now.

He hadn’t been able to meet with the others since the monthly evaluation would take place tomorrow.

The only one he encountered was Guillermo in the boys’ dormitory, who gave him a peculiar look before disappearing.

How would they react?

It could be greed or just an expression of anxiety.

Humans are creatures that constantly seek reassurance.

By tomorrow, he’d know.

And once again, he would be certain.

‘Or maybe they’ve lost their innocence because of me.’

Either way, it was going to be an interesting day.

–TL Notes–
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