13 Chapter 13 (2/2)
”Well you see, when I was watching the fight, I used my [Inspect] ability while looking at you, hoping to find something and I did. When Lucy detonated her s.h.i.+eld and you both flew away from the explosion, I was able to see an item. It was [Major Barrier Enhancement Trinket]. A level 17 trinket that when worn grants up to 320 % boost to the [Barrier] spell. As far as I know, using these is not allowed.”
Seeing Isabella's reaction to how Lucius described her magic item all but confirmed it for him. She knew. The hard part would be getting her to admit it or else finding the item. If she was smart, she would have already disposed of it. Perhaps she couldn't though, maybe it's too valuable. Wilfred wondered the value of these things. His guns were likely worth a fortune too now that he thought about it.
At that moment, before Isabella could respond, Valery opened the door and the whole council also followed suit. The room was getting quite crowded, thankfully it was big enough to move everyone in. The older but rather good looking lady that had barged into Wilfred's room what seemed like years ago, stood at the forefront again and talked to Primus.
”I see you're trying to go behind our backs again Primus. Tsk. When will you learn. Matters regarding enrollment and student discipline are council prerogative.”
”I do know Agatha, I have not taken any action yet, I've simply gathered the accusers and accused in one room.”
Agatha huffed and puffed but could not do anything more. Then, Isabella spoke to the council.
”Dear Councillors, thank you for coming. I can a.s.sure you that I did not cheat, it'll be the word of these students versus mine. I can guarantee that my father would not be happy with you taking their side in this matter, especially with only this ridiculous claim as to what item I used. As you can see, I have nothing on me.”
The council conferred for a brief moment but returned unanimous in their decision.
”If that is all, we will dismiss these frivolous charges and move on to more important things. Such as actually finis.h.i.+ng this event.”
Being at an impa.s.se, Wilfred sought help from Primus and whispered to him.
”Hey, do you have any ability that can find if such a magic item would be in this room or any room next to it?”
”Hmmm, I do yes. [Detect Magic]!”
The Headmaster looked around the room after activating his spell and noticed something glowing in one of the rooms.
”I believe I've found the magic item, Councillors. It's located 24 feet from this location, on the second room on the right. Shall I go fetch it?”
Isabella instantly reacted.
”You can't! That's my room, you must respect my privacy!”
Agatha seemed concerned, distress apparent on her face.
”This is bad for image of the academy...You need to let us look Isabella, or else our judgement will be taken with you hiding something in consideration.”
Isabella relented and let them enter her room. Agatha came out with a small box holding on a chain.
”And? Primus, is this the item in question?”
Primus used his [Inspect] ability, just like the one Lucius has and inspected the item.
[Enhancement Trinket]
Major Barrier Enhancement, Lv17
Effect: Augments strength of [Barrier] by up to 320%, scales based on Wil,Wis,Int.
Primus nodded solemnly.
”You can't prove it's mine! It's just an eye witness, who knows where else he could have seen this item? Maybe he broke into my room! There's no proof I used this in combat.”
Wow, Wilfred thought. She's really fighting this, has she no shame? Perhaps the n.o.bility are used to this, expecting to get out of these situations but if Wilfred had his way, it wouldn't happen. Agatha looked severely at Isabella.
”Shush now child, you've done enough damage as it is. Stop trying to wiggle out of it. The council believes the fight should be annulled, the results of it cancelled.”
Wilfred smiled but his smile was cut short when they then announced that no other fight would be rescheduled, making this still an expulsion for Lucy and merely a loss of points for Isabella. This time, Wilfred addressed the council.
”Furthermore, Nicolas Trehar has been rigging the matches to ensure that fights went a particular way. How else would have Lucy ended up against her Cousin. Or me against Lucius and Hovard against me? Nicolas has been taking bribes from the n.o.bles in order to help them!”
This one was purely a guess. It would make sense but there was no proof at all that Wilfred could find of this. But he needed the extra pressure to make something happen. Agatha and the council were clearly taken aghast, looking at Nicolas with fury.
”Is any of this true!?”
Nicolas choked on what he was drinking, quietly hiding in a corner out of everyone's sight.
”I...uhhhh...yes. I needed the money to pay back a loan my mother took...”
He hung his head low, ashamed.
Agatha pressed her fingers to her temple, clearly not able to process all the corruption happening in her academy. Luckily, Primus came to the rescue once more.
”My my, it would be such a shame if all this came to light. It would really s.h.i.+ne a bad light on all of us here. I suppose there is a way that everyone would be satisfied with this though.”
Like a man drowning in water, the council seized the rope.
”What is it? How?”
Wilfred answered this time.
”Wellll, obviously Nicolas needs to be reprimanded, I don't think he should tach anymore.As far as we are concerned though, perhaps granting Lucy another try would be good. Letting her start the year over once more at least.”
Wilfred knew they would be against pa.s.sing Lucy, even Isabella might try to use her influence to make it so, but this way, they'd all be at the same year and all sides could claim some kind of victory. Compromise is important.
”Very well, we can accept that. Lucy will start second year once more, Nicolas will be reprimanded by the council to our discretion and Isabella will have her win annulled. Now, if there is nothing else, I need to go take my mind off of these things.”
Agatha left, followed by the council. Wilfred nudged his friends and left right after, trying not to stay too long near Isabella and Valery who would most likely be fuming right about now. Jumping with joy in the corridors, Lucy was light as a feather. She still had some chance! It was all thanks to Wilfred too. Without thinking, she swept him up and kissed him on the forehead.
It was easy to do since he was still so small.
”Hey! What are you doing, argh! I have some dignity, put me down!”
”Sorry! I'm just so happy and I wanted to thank you.”
”If you want to thank someone, Lucius and Primus also helped out.”
She then gave a big hug to Lucius, who blushed red like a tomato from it.
”You're...welcome. You'd have done the same for us too right? That's what friends are for. Plus, now we're all in the same grade!”
Lucy was barely listening, singing to herself and running along. Lucius sighed. Wilfred tried to cheer him up.
”Hey, let's head to my room and do a little party to celebrate. We'll buy some nice food and I'm sure there's some games we can play together, all 3 of us. Shame there's no video games though.”
”Huh, video games? But yeah, a party sounds good.”
Reaching Wilfred's room, something didn't feel right. He was sure he closed the door when he left but it was slightly open. Pus.h.i.+ng it open gently and looking inside, his whole room was turned upside down. Every nook and cranny searched, his drawers open, his bed turned upside down. Someone had come to steal something.
”f.u.c.k! No!”
Rus.h.i.+ng over to his hiding spots, Wilfred tried to see if he could find the artifact guns he had hidden away. Unfortunately, two were missing.
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