8 Wit and Counterattack! (2/2)

”According to our investigations, you engaged in the consequential and vile act of cheating during the district test. According to the college's rules, the punishment should be in the form of immediate expulsion. As you are a specially-recruited student, we have summoned you here for a hearing!”

After the black-robed middle-aged man finished his piece, he turned to look at his colleagues, not giving Wang Baole so much as a chance to explain himself.

”My fellow colleagues, we can begin. I personally suggest that the punishment meted out to Wang Baole should be to revoke his privileges as a special recruit and have him expelled. The four Dao Colleges will be informed to never admit him again!”

His words seemed categorical and extremely cold as they resounded through the room. Wang Baole's expression changed. He wondered why a person he was meeting for the first time would be filled with such malice despite not having a grudge with him. His suggestion was practically ending any future that awaited him.

There was a brief silence before another teacher spoke coldly.

”He should be expelled. Such a despicable and shameless person has no right to be admitted into a Dao College!”

”That's right. I suggest that he be expelled, too!”

”Although the punishment is somewhat harsh, we are being irresponsible toward the Federation if we leave such acts unchecked!”

Teachers offered their views one after another. Wang Baole was a person of no importance to them. Since the black-robed man had set the tone of the hearing, there was no reason for them to refute him.

Wang Baole breathed slowly as he listened to the teachers. He did not move as though he had fallen into a daze. However, his hands were clenched. As for Goatee, he shook his head and sighed.

”The revoking of his status as a special recruit would be sufficient. Nobody is perfect. There's no need for such a harsh punishment.”

However, he did not receive the support of the crowd. Soon, other teachers spoke, and expulsion became the main agenda that was discussed in the room.

Only the old physician remained silent. The black-robed man did not seem interested in asking for the old physician's opinion. He stood up and was about to announce the outcome when Wang Baole raised his head suddenly, his eyes filled with anger and sadness.

”Teachers, please give me a chance to speak!”

The black-robed man frowned. The reason he had been so harsh was that he had planned on recommending someone else as the Dharmic Armament faculty's specially-recruited student. Yet, before he could make his recommendation, the title had been snatched by Wang Baole. He grunted coldly and was about to ignore him, but it was at that moment when the old physician spoke.

”Go ahead.”

With him saying so, the black-robed man could only acquiesce as he looked at Wang Baole.

Wang Baole took a deep breath, his body nearly trembling. ”Teachers, I did know that everything in the test was fake, but what did you expect me to do?

”Could I have told all the students that the so-called test was, in fact, fake? Could I have?” His final sentence was nearly delivered with a roar.

Without waiting for the teachers' response, Wang Baole appeared like he was in a fervent state as he continued in his elevated emotions.

”Once I reveal the truth to them, I would have wasted all the efforts already made by the school to administer the test. When that happened, I would have crossed the school. Tell me, what should I have done?

”In moments of danger, I saw my fellow schoolmates injured, some bleeding. And yet, I couldn't tell them everything was fake. All I could do was save them. Was I wrong in saving them? Tell me, what should I have done!”

The veins on Wang Baole's forehead protruded. His entire body was quivering like he was in a fit. He appeared to be venting all the anger in his eyes.

”Is saving people wrong? Should I not have saved them? Despite me knowing that everything was fake, I had to consider if I was cheating, thinking about the pros and cons of my actions. Do I have to act indifferent as I watch my fellow schoolmates cry, be injured, or even be killed? Could I even be considered human if that's what I did!” Wang Baole was nearly shouting at the top of his lungs. All his emotions were fully expressed, his voice echoing through the room.

All the teachers were stunned.

”All you saw was me acting. But I wish to ask each and every one of you, if you were in my shoes, what would you have done? Would you have turned a blind eye to the deaths or would you have rescued the people like I did?”

”I'm a student of Ethereal Dao College. I don't claim to be capable of changing the world and bringing world peace, but I, Wang Baole, am an upright man!”

Wang Baole's eyes were welling in tears. He raised his right hand and pounded his chest, producing loud thuds. Every word he said sounded extremely earnest. Many teachers were visibly moved.

The finale was most impactful with Wang Baole laughing out tragically.

”If sacrificing myself to protect others is considered a crime, I admit to it!”

”If being intelligent and sharp is considered a crime, I admit to it!”

”If that is the case, I, your humble student, Wang Baole, am willing to receive any punishment meted out to me!”

Wang Baole's voice boomed loud and clear as he suddenly bowed toward all the teachers!

The entire room fell silent. All the teachers drew a gasp as the looks on their faces changed constantly. They looked at Wang Baole in a daze. Every sentence he said contained righteousness and logic, shaking them to their very core.

The teachers like Goatee, who had seen Wang Baole's acting, felt moved, but they had a nagging feeling that something was amiss.

As for the black-robed man, he squinted and glared at Wang Baole. He wanted to say something but found no words. Although he felt that Wang Baole's statements were flawed, they were tightly bound with righteousness. He was very familiar with such techniques, one commonly espoused by high officials. However, it was rarely seen among students.

The feeling that denying Wang Baole's words meant that he was denying righteousness left him at a loss for words. When he looked at his colleagues, he knew that Wang Baole had survived. He sighed. The puny figure that he believed he could easily squash had suddenly transformed into a prickly porcupine.

The old physician gave a deep, meaningful smile as he closed his eyes.

Soon, Wang Baole walked out of the building. There were thousands of people surrounding it. Many of them were envious of his status as a specially-recruited student; others were gloating at his misfortune. They were planning to see Wang Baole make a fool of himself when a mighty voice boomed from inside the building, resounding throughout the Dharmic Armament faculty!

”According to the college's investigations, the student, Wang Baole, did not violate any rules in the freshmen test. He will retain his status as a specially-recruited student!”