33 – Faculty Meeting
There was a lot of nonsense about this protest.
First of all, in a situation where the empire, which has won the war now and has more power than ever before, is pursuing a policy of peace and harmony, protests that oppress foreign and heterogeneous peoples are branded as rebels against the imperial family’s policy. It was perfect to climb the gallows.
The purpose of the protest was also unclear. The protest was so radical and sudden that it appeared to be simply the sporadic action of disgruntled individuals. It would have had the effect of attracting public attention, but the risk was too great compared to the benefits that could be gained.
If the intent was to commit a hate crime against a specific group, there were other ways to convey a clear message without revealing one’s identity. Terrorism, for example.
If it wasn’t so, it could be assumed that the purpose of the protest was just to cause a commotion and divert the attention of the military police to another place, but the real goal was elsewhere.
Is it too much of an assumption to think that someone, knowing that Titania would come here, stirred up a stir among the public and tried to kidnap her in the meantime?
Maybe. But my intuition, built over 20 years on the battlefield, was telling me that this protest wasn’t what it looked like.
“Khehehehe… Who is the real culprit?”
The man with scars must have been unable to maintain his strong body liquor any longer, and even though blood was flowing from his thighs as well as from his wrists, he struggled to lift the corners of his mouth and smiled sarcastically.
“There is no such thing. We just wanted to take advantage of the commotion and kidnap the elves. It has nothing to do with this protest.”
I let out a short sigh. You must use your hands cumbersomely.
Because of my war experience, I knew how to vomit as much information as possible from the enemy in a short amount of time. And even better than necessary.
“If you gouge out those cheeky eyes, your tongue will be a little more flexible.”
I bent down on one knee and thrust the blade close to the scarred man. The broken blade slowly dug into the man’s eyes.
“Wait… stop that! No!”
The scarred man’s smile disappeared and his pupils trembled slightly.
Scar Cold sweat formed on the man’s forehead, and he swallowed his dry saliva nervously. The fear of the future torture was evident on his expression.
I stared into the scarred man’s eyes for a while without speaking, then struck him on the top of his head with the handle of the knife.
“f*ck!”
The guy flipped his eyes open from the shock of his head shaking and passed out in an instant.
I thought about it for a while, but I don’t think there’s any need to torture me in front of students.
The important thing now is the safety of the students. Leave the rest to the gendarmerie and they will take care of it.
“Let’s go back.”
I quickly took the two of us out of the back alley.
***
When I returned to the market, most of the protests had already been suppressed.
As soon as the systemic military police arrived at the scene, they suppressed the protesters with violence without hesitation, and as a result, the protesters quickly dispersed.
I showed my identification card to the military police who were arresting the demonstrators, informed them that there was a ringleader in the back alley, and requested their arrest instead.
The gendarmerie treated me very politely, perhaps because of my rank, readily accepted my request and ran straight to the scene.
Now, the military police will interrogate the men who targeted Titania, and then we can share information later.
I returned to Fillion Academy with the two of us.
Unlike Oznia, who was calm right after the incident happened, Titania remained uneasy after the situation was over, but when she passed through the main gate of the academy and arrived at the Opal Black dormitory, she let out a sigh of relief, perhaps realizing that everything was over. Rested
After sending Oznia and Titania back to their respective rooms, I immediately went to the president’s office and explained the situation.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, President Heinkel immediately gathered the remaining faculty members at the academy and called a meeting of the faculty.
The subject of the meeting was, of course, the solution to Titania’s problems and her treatment.
A small meeting room in the Gyomu-dong.
“President Heinkel! This is a serious matter!”
Instructor Lirya shouted in a furious voice there.
“A student of our Fillion Academy is being targeted by an unknown organization. Of course, I think we need to come up with countermeasures and take action at the school level!”
“Now, now, Instructor Bennet? Calm down. It hasn’t been decided yet that such an organization exists.”
Instructor Ryan Klosterman, a young man with a sweet look, said, calming her down.
“It is widely known within the system that Titania entered our academy as a freshman. It may be that some of the few who heard the news were made up with resentment. And haven’t they already been captured by Instructor Graham?”
“But! What if these people show up again and pose a similar danger to the Titania students?”
“Even Fillion Academy can’t keep an eye on all the citizens of Sangria. And preventing crime is the job of the gendarmerie, not us.”
Instructor Ceylon von Acheron, in charge of Diamond White’s 1st year, spoke leisurely as he stroked his mustache.
“In the first place, I didn’t like the fact that Titania’s students were enrolled. Didn’t I tell you from the beginning that this kind of problem would happen? President Heinkel.”
At Instructor Acheron’s scolding words, President Heinkel shook his head heavily and said.
“That’s nothing more than consequentialism, Instructor Acheron. We should not forget that Fillion Academy is an institution that educates and nurtures talented people equally regardless of race or background.”
President Heinkel spoke softly.
“When I accepted her Titania student into her academy, I promised to teach her just like all her other students.”
“Hmm… I am well aware of the President’s opinion. But wouldn’t the Titania student think differently?”
Instructor Helga Brown, who is in charge of the 1st year of the emerald green class, a woman with a strict look wearing glasses, said in a cold tone.
“What do you mean by different? Instructor Helga.”
“It means that the Titania students might find it dangerous to be here. Even if the student herself does not think so, her parents may think otherwise.”
She said in a cool tone, raising her glasses.
“What will the elven clan of Linia Great Forest think when they hear this news? Wouldn’t you like to take the Titania student back to the forest right now?”
That made sense.
As far as I know, the Great Forest’s elven clan did not welcome Titania’s admission to Fillion Academy. They are always exclusive to work outside the forest.
However, thanks to Titania’s strong will, the elven clan of the Great Forest, who could not defeat her, had no choice but to send her to the Empire.
However, given the circumstances, it was obvious how the elves in the great forest would behave. Now that she has an excuse, she’ll try to take her straight away.
Instructor Helga said in a calm and determined tone.
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“Whether or not there is an outside organization targeting the Titania student, it is clear that at least her life is threatened. In that case, we just need to send the Titania student back to the forest.”
“Are you saying we should give up our students now, Instructor Brown!? If you’re inside the academy, the Titania students will be safe!”
“I am speaking for the Titania students. Is Instructor Lilya going to keep the students confined to the school? What is the future curriculum like? It’s impossible for us to protect Titania students 24/7 until they graduate. She wouldn’t even want it herself.”
A heavy silence fell in the meeting room.
Each instructor seemed to be thinking deeply about Instructor Helga’s proposal.
Returning Titania to the Lynian Grove would ensure her safety, but it would mean taking her away from the life she had chosen for herself.
Instructor Lyria was clearly in the opposite position, Instructor Helga and Instructor Acheron, who had expressed their opinions, agreed, and Instructor Lian seemed to be neutral, stopping the meeting from becoming overheated, but seemed to support Instructor Lyria’s opinion implicitly.
As the silence in the meeting room grew longer as the votes for and against were split in half, President Heinkel turned his head and asked me.
“In this matter, the instructor’s opinion is the most important. What do Instructor Ion think?”
All the instructors’ eyes focused on me, who had remained silent throughout the meeting.
I passed their gaze casually and calmly opened my mouth.
“We should listen to Titania’s opinion.”
“Hmm… What do you mean?”
President Heinkel gave an interesting exclamation and brushed his long beard.
“If you want Titania to go back, I will send her back at your own risk. But if she says she will stay, I will respect my student’s opinion.”
“You are irresponsible. You say you respect the opinions of the students, but as a result, the Titania students might be in more danger than they are now?”
I met Instructor Helga’s eyes and said firmly.
“That will never happen.”
“Yes? No, for what reason….”
Instructor Helga opened her eyes wide and licked her lips, as if my baseless assertions were absurd.
President Heinkel, who had been listening to me carefully, nodded as if he had sorted out his thoughts and said.
“Every instructor’s opinion is reasonable. However, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our students. I think that responsibility includes respecting the free will of students.”
President Heinkel continued with a warm smile.
“It won’t be too late to decide the next course of action after listening to Titania’s opinion first. Instructor Ion?”
“Yes.”
“Student Titania must be very shocked by her, can she calm her down?”
I silently nodded.
“Okay.”
“Good. So, let’s end this meeting with this.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, some instructors couldn’t hide their confused expressions, but they did not dare to openly protest against the president’s words.
Lecturers in the conference room exchanged polite greetings and then left one by one. The moment I was about to leave the meeting room with them, President Heinkel’s voice stopped me.
“Instructor Ion.”
“Yes.”
President Heinkel called me, but he did not open his mouth even after a long time.
After hesitating at last, he finally opened his mouth and uttered one word.
“Thank you for protecting Titania.”
Perhaps President Heinkel had guessed in his heart that something like this might happen?
I don’t know the truth, but at least I could tell that President Heinkel’s wrinkled eyes were mixed with sincere gratitude and deep concern.
“I just did my job.”
I left the conference room with a light bow to President Heinkel.
***
After the meeting, I went back to the dormitory and knocked on Titania’s door.
“Instructor… ?”
When the door finally opened, she had a look of deep sorrow.