Chapter 157 — When Truth Reveals How Hollow Things Truly Are

1

The next day.

Manus woke up early in the morning.

Despite the fact that it was the day of the disciplinary committee, his routine remained unchanged.

It was a morning like any other, starting with rigorous training and absorbing mana through meditation.

He had come to realize, after facing various events, that while he might be strong within the academy, he was still an insignificant presence in the world at large.

This understanding made him keenly aware of the importance of using his time wisely.

Dressed in his training gear, Manus took a deep breath of the fresh morning air.

“The timer is running smoothly…”

The skill he was working on would take years to master, so the timer was moving at a slow pace.

If he managed to resolve this situation well, he could obtain three skills simultaneously.

He needed to make his choices carefully.

Where would this story take him, and when would it end?

How would the timeline shift, and what actions would the villains take?

He couldn’t answer these questions with certainty.

“Hooah—!”

His body moved automatically as his thoughts continued.

There was nothing like distractions to help forget physical pain.

His stamina had improved to the point where he had to run at a fairly fast pace to feel out of breath.

While the strength of his skills played a part, his body was also gradually becoming more robust.

6th-Class.

What skill should he master to grasp the endless thread of mana?

Even though he had forcibly grasped the edge of knowledge, there was something unsettling about using the skill—something difficult to put into words.

“It felt as though the system, not I, was casting the magic.”

His body moved on its own, and mana drained out as if by itself.

It was an experience he didn’t want to repeat—his body casting magic independently, beyond his control.

He wanted to reach the 6th-Class through his own power.

It had only been two months.

There was still plenty of time ahead, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency.

The dawn began to break, sweeping away the twilight.

“Hooo—.”

Having moved his body to the fullest, Manus wiped away the sweat with his hand.

Now, all that was left was to wash up and attend the disciplinary committee.

Just as he was about to head back, he heard a familiar voice.

“A guy like you using Black Rum? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Good morning.”

“You’re still the same. Have you made any progress?”

“I’m still at the same level.”

His martial arts were still at a basic level.

With more focused training, he could become significantly stronger, but there were too many other things he had to do.

Manus’s main focus was elemental magic.

He also had to use Cadenza, which combined two or more spells.

Professor Jennifer, who had spotted Manus running laps around the training ground early in the morning, gave a wry smile.

“I think it’s time you moved on to the next level… What do you think?”

“I’m ready.”

“Have you found the evidence?”

“It’ll come to me. I don’t think I’ll need to take any action myself.”

He was calm.

It wasn’t because he was from a great family, but because the person himself seemed solid.

He either had something to rely on or something that could prove his innocence.

Professor Jennifer looked at Manus for a moment before turning away indifferently.

“Seems I was worrying for nothing. Geez—”

“There’s no need for you to worry, Professor.”

“Just don’t make it obvious that my judgment was wrong for the whole world to see.”

Manus simply responded briefly and continued on his way.

Despite her gruff exterior, she seemed to be concerned.

For some reason, a warm feeling welled up inside him.

Black Rum.

It was a serious matter, and crimes related to it occurred frequently.

It was a drug often used by nobles who felt they lacked talent.

It was occasionally used as a powerful doping agent in dungeons as well.

“Should I visit Melanie?”

If it was Assistant Chesthip, he might know how to acquire it on his own.

But why did Livy keep coming to mind?

She had a history of using a drug that forced Melanie into a deep sleep to confine her.

Would her parents have supported her in that madness?

It was more likely that she had found a way to get it on her own.

If you’re curious, you have to go and find out.

Caeser’s mindset was telling him just that.

‘I’ll find out when I get there.’

If Melanie was there, she’d probably take care of it.

That’s the kind of people the Harry family were.

By now, Melanie’s mind was likely calculating the pros and cons of the entire club.

She must believe that being involved would bring tremendous benefits.

As he continued to ponder, Manus arrived at the dormitory.

Lost in thought, he finished getting ready.

He neatly changed into his uniform and used magic to remove any dust.

“Lord Manus, it’s Aden.”

“I’m coming out.”

It seemed she was ready as well.

As he opened the door, he saw Aden standing there with a demure expression.

In her eyes, he saw a mixture of guilt and the joy of being helpful.

Manus could sense these emotions in her gaze, even if only faintly.

So he asked.

“Was it as expected?”

“…Yes. They even erased her memory.”

“They’ve dug their own grave.”

Aden nodded.

The two walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Manus had his own concerns, and Aden had hers.

Out of consideration, they refrained from speaking.

Aden was a character with a lot of warmth, despite being an assassin.

In the original story, she experienced countless moments of despair and ultimately met a tragic end.

It was likely the same this time.

The maid had been a colleague she had worked with for a long time.

‘Hmm… What should I do?’

While he appreciated her dedication, he wanted to stop her if it caused her too much stress.

The truth would come out through an examination, and a witness would testify.

Manus hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“There’s no need to overexert yourself for my sake.”

“…I know. But I promised to protect you, Lord.”

“There’s no need to include this in that. It’s nothing.”

Aden smiled and shook her head.

Who could have called this man a tyrant?

This consideration, as if his very soul had changed, brought a smile to her face.

“At least, to me, it’s something. Please don’t deny the purpose of my life.”

“…If you insist.”

He had no intention of stopping her resolve.

If she wanted to, she should be allowed to do so.

Emotions that stem from the depths of one’s heart are not something even Manus could control.

He could only offer suggestions.

The final decisions had to be made by them.

“Here we are. The professors should have already arrived and prepared everything.”

“Who is the witness?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve heard they haven’t arrived yet. I don’t know who it is.”

Manus gave a light nod and knocked on the door.

A soft knock echoed, followed by a heavy voice.

“Come in.”

Professor Trail.

A character known for their rigid sense of justice.

He was also depicted as someone who often clashed with the Chairman, especially when it came to the protagonist’s group.

It was the first official event of his second year where they would face off.

He wondered what stance the two would take.

Creak—

As the door opened, an austere atmosphere filled the room.

“Manus, please take a seat.”

“We will now commence the disciplinary committee.”

As the professors organized their prepared documents, the disciplinary committee began.

The four student council presidents watched the proceedings with calm expressions.

Alano, Anais, and Nia.

Although their faces were set, their eyes betrayed their concern for Manus.

“This is it.”

The bottle containing Black Rum.

Various pieces of evidence taken from Manus’s dormitory were placed on the shelf.

The professors’ eyes flickered with a range of emotions.

Disappointment, hope for a possible twist, or perhaps mere curiosity.

“Manus, do you admit to using Black Rum?”

“I did not use it.”

“Hmph… Even with such clear evidence?”

Manus gave a light nod.

Professor Trail furrowed his brow and stood up.

To reveal the truth clearly, the power of magic would be necessary.

In such situations, a witness was essential.

It was an unspoken rule that matters related to a family had to be addressed by that family.

The academy’s punitive system dictated that the family in question should uncover the truth and face the consequences.

Some families might try to protect their own.

But the social perception they would receive would be far from favorable.

“Summon the witness.”

“They’ve just arrived.”

“Head Maid.”

Aden gave a slight nod and opened the door.

A familiar aura wafted in from afar.

To Manus, it was a mana signature he knew well.

Invidea.

The most recent graduate of the Caeser family.

She had served as the student council president for all four years, and she must have attended many disciplinary committees.

A quiet smile spread across Manus’s lips.

“Professors, it’s been a while.”

“…Invidea, you’ve come.”

“Hoho, the academy’s top student as a witness…”

Professor Chandler faintly smiled.

Invidea, dressed in the Caeser uniform rather than the academy’s, made a strong impression on the professors.

Confident and beautiful, Invidea possessed mana so powerful that the title of “best” was well-deserved.

Far more powerful than Manus was at this moment.

She glanced briefly at Manus before speaking.

“Has my brother caused any trouble? Or has someone dared to challenge Caeser?”

“At present, there is no way to prove Manus’s innocence. Therefore, he remains the only suspect.”

Invidea nodded.

According to procedure, Manus would now have to undergo magic that ensured he spoke only the truth.

The caster of the magic would be Invidea.

Magic does not lie.

Therefore, it was believed to be impossible to conceal criminal acts.

Invidea smiled at Manus.

“You’re confident?”

“Of course.”

Manus smiled back and nodded.

His sister’s magic began to take shape.

A dazzling magic circle bloomed, and it began to encircle Manus.

A sensation of his consciousness twisting.

An extremely unpleasant feeling began to plague him.

Just before her spell was completed, the door to the disciplinary committee room was thrown open violently.

“W-Wait a moment—!”

“Hm? This is a restricted area. Please leave immediately.”

“I’m involved! I’m the one who put that Black Rum in Lord Manus’s room!”

“…”

The atmosphere shifted.

Siren.

She had burst into the disciplinary committee room.

Breathing heavily and trembling, the maid stood in the chamber.

Siren’s eyes were filled with desperation and urgency.

Manus glanced at Aden.

What did you do to this girl to make her like this?

Aden simply smiled faintly in response to his look.

“Are you absolutely sure of what you’re saying?”

“Yes, of course! I even know who ordered it. I can reveal the entire truth!”

It was very easy to turn the situation around.

Invidea, while maintaining her spell, spoke up.

She seemed to have been threatened, but in such an unstable mental state, the truth could be extracted.

“That’s fortunate. I’ll use this magic on the maid instead, then, right?”

Her magic circle now turned toward Siren.

It was time to unmask the real culprit.

–TL Notes–
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