You can read ahead up to 30 chapters on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
In the end, Kurogane Ikki was taken away.
From the outcome, this appeared to be yet another act of persecution by the Kurogane Family against him.
The difference this time was that, whereas they had previously pressured him through the Hagun Academy's board of directors, attempting to force his expulsion, Shinguuji Kurono now showed them no respect whatsoever and instead targeted his relationship with Stella.
Stella was the Second Princess of the Vermillion Empire.
Although the Vermillion Empire was merely a small European nation with its strongest Blazer only at C-Rank, its international presence was almost non-existent; a princess's romance remained a matter of global significance.
Moreover, both the Vermillion Empire and Japan were member states of the League. Mishandling the situation could easily escalate into a diplomatic crisis and damage international relations.
So, by simply smearing dirt on her romantic partner, they could easily manipulate him.
"The Kurogane clan is truly rotten to the core," Ryoji declared, his contempt for the family barely concealed in the school cafeteria.
"On that point, I wholeheartedly agree," Kurogane Shizuku replied with a cold smile, her face filled with conviction.
"Can you imagine Kurogane Ryouma, the great-grandfather who single-handedly built the Kurogane Family's modern glory, being expelled from the clan by his own son in his final years? He was forced to live alone in a dilapidated bamboo hut in the back mountains, where he eventually succumbed to illness and died alone."
"Such a thing actually happened?" Stella exclaimed, shocked by the revelation.
She couldn't fathom the depths of corruption within the Kurogane Family that would drive them to treat their own father and son in such a way.
'What filial piety gone horribly wrong.'
"My grandfather was that very son," Ryoji continued, his voice bitter. "And just like a hereditary curse, his offspring proved to be just as monstrous a father."
Kurogane Shizuku smirked coldly.
Even as the daughter of the Kurogane clan and a potential heir to the Clan Head position, she harbored a deep loathing for her family and her father.
"Given the current situation, what are the chances of Ikki receiving the 'Exile Punishment'?" Arisuin Nagi asked.
"I'll answer that!"
A young goddess with short, peach-gold hair materialized beside their table, answering Arisuin Nagi's question with boundless energy.
"Although the news is grim right now, we can at least be relieved that Student Kurogane Ikki is virtually impossible to exile, and it's highly unlikely his Blazer Qualification will be revoked!"
Kusakabe Kagami abruptly set down her tray and began wolfing down her lunch.
"After all, only the League Headquarters has the authority to revoke Blazer Qualification. Otherwise, the Kurogane clan wouldn't have gone to such absurd lengths!"
Blazer Qualifications are officially registered with the League Headquarters. Whether you're a Student Knight or a professional knight, only the League Headquarters has the authority to revoke your qualification.
Branches have very limited authority in this regard. They can only conduct investigations, submit evidence, and file applications; they cannot unilaterally revoke a Blazer's Qualification or impose Exile Punishment, not even on Student Knights.
"After all, once exiled, they're highly likely to turn to crime, aren't they?" Arisuin Nagi remarked with a knowing smile.
Once a Blazer's Qualification is revoked, those driven to extremes could easily harbor criminal intentions. Worse still, they might even become terrorists, which would escalate the situation dramatically.
Take Kurashiki Kuraudo, for example. That guy had spent years traveling around challenging dojos, leaving Ayatsuji Kaito in a vegetative state and occupying Ayatsuji Dojo for two years.
Yet, after a series of incidents, the League's only punishment for him was a "severe warning."
Ridiculously lenient!
Ultimately, in this superhuman society, Blazers are the privileged class. Even if they commit crimes, they receive lenient sentences. Moreover, Japan has abolished the death penalty, so even the most heinous crimes and mass killings would only result in imprisonment.
Given this context, to prevent driving Blazer into the criminal underworld, the League would never lightly revoke his Blazer Qualification or exile him.
Therefore, the chances of Kurogane Ikki being exiled were extremely slim.
Of course, this was assuming he didn't confess to his crimes, namely, toying with a foreign princess.
As long as he maintained his denial, the League Branch would be powerless to bring him down.
So, it's easy to imagine just how dire his current situation must be.
Mamoru Akaza and his gang would undoubtedly subject Ikki to relentless mental, energetic, and physical torture, attempting to break down his psychological defenses and force him to confess to baseless charges.
"The co-ed dormitory system itself is flawed..." Ryoji muttered under his breath.
But considering he himself benefited from this system, he refrained from further criticism.
"According to Yuri-chan, the school will now transport contestants to the League Branch for Ikki-san's selection matches. Yuri-chan, who's serving as a judge, mentioned that Ikki-san looked terrible, not just starved, but also showing signs of illness and severe sleep deprivation..."
Several days had passed since Kurogane Ikki was taken away.
During this time, another round of selection matches had concluded, and the group maintained its undefeated streak. With only three rounds remaining, the Hagun Academy's internal selection matches were drawing to a close.
After lunch...
Ryoji went to the Student Council office.
"Junior Brother, what brings you here?" Toudou Touka was as busy as ever, but she immediately greeted Ryoji when she saw him.
"Just checking in," Ryoji replied, settling onto the sofa.
Moments later, Rich Lady Kanata placed a freshly brewed cup of black tea on the table before him.
"Where's Renren?"
"Renren..." Toudou Touka and Totokubara Kanata exchanged glances, then simultaneously shook their heads with bitter smiles.
"Her physical injuries have healed, and thankfully, her brain wasn't damaged; there are no signs of her becoming a vegetable. But she's terrified of fighting now. She forfeited yesterday's selection match outright."
Ryoji glanced toward the back of the office.
From where he sat, he could see Tomaru Renren lying curled up on a bed, her back to him. Her huddled posture radiated a deep sense of insecurity.
Tomaru Renren had never faced terrorists before.
She never imagined that her first encounter would be with such a vicious enemy as the PuppetWarlock. Not only was her brain forcibly stimulated, but she was also manipulated into attacking her own comrades.
Throughout the ordeal, her life hung by a thread, constantly at risk of being abandoned by her captors.
This became a profound psychological trauma for her. Her usual lively spirit vanished, replaced by complete withdrawal. She wouldn't be able to pull herself together anytime soon.
"I'm leaving now," Ryoji said, rising from his seat after a brief stay in the Student Council office.
"I'll see you out," Rich Lady Kanata offered, noticing his subtle glance. She stood up to escort him.
Outside the office building:
"Kanata, there's something I need to ask of you," Ryoji said, his expression serious.
"What is it?"
"If anyone at the League Branch asks you to secretly alter your match opponents, contact me immediately."
Rich Lady Kanata looked puzzled but quickly nodded in agreement. "The Branch wants me to change opponents... no problem."
"Thank you."
"It's nothing."
After giving his instructions, Ryoji strode away.
(End Of This Chapter)