Elian was seated on a chair with Finn and Max beside him, listening to all the charges laid out by the judge before them and the many accusations directed at the three of them.
Finn could no longer endure it and stood up abruptly.
"We are not guilty! That commoner showed no respect toward nobles. That is why we decided to teach her a lesson!" Finn shouted angrily toward the judge.
Seated in the judge's chair, Sylvia—the candidate for Student Council President of Astryx Academy—looked at Finn with an expression full of disdain. Her calm gaze turned icy, as if what she saw before her was not a human being, but mere societal trash. Luxian had not expected Sylvia to appear and escalate the matter to this level. To him, the situation was simply too amusing, and he let out a small laugh.
"In that case, it is confirmed that you deliberately harmed a fellow student of Astryx Academy and knowingly intimidated another student using your family title—an act strictly forbidden within Astryx Academy," Sylvia's voice echoed, silencing everyone in the room.
Finn and Max clenched their teeth in frustration, while Elian trembled slightly as he laughed, watching the foolish argument between his subordinates and Sylvia.
Sylvia noticed Elian's laughter and grew even more irritated.
"Mr.Elian, there is nothing amusing here. Do you find it entertaining that your subordinates bullied a young girl? If so, I believe I should increase your punishment to twenty lashes so that you may realize the gravity of your actions." Sylvia smiled coldly as she stared at Elian.
Although they had known each other for quite some time, despite rarely meeting, the rumors surrounding Elian were deeply repulsive to her—especially his belief that commoners and nobles were equal.
Finn and Max were about to stand and voice their complaints, but Elian stopped them.
"Forty."
Elian rose to his feet and stared sharply into Sylvia's eyes.
"I wish to receive the punishment that should be borne by my subordinates."
Finn and Max cried out in shock and desperately tried to persuade Elian to take back his words.
On the other hand, Sylvia's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Oh? And why should I do that?"
"They are my subordinates, and the mistake of a subordinate is fundamentally the fault of their superior. They acted under pressure from me. Therefore, I hope you will make the correct decision—just as a prince would."
Hearing Elian's words only made Sylvia angrier and deepened her hatred toward him. It was common knowledge that Princess Sylvia sought recognition from other nobles, yet the shadow of her older brother always loomed over her, making her feel inferior. Over time, that inferiority had turned into an obsession to imitate every action of her brother.
"I am certain that a wise prince would choose to punish the superior before the subordinates. I hope you make the same decision as the prince," Elian said with a mocking smile directed at Sylvia.
Sylvia was well aware that Elian was deliberately provoking her. However, since she desired his suffering, she was more than happy to indulge him.
Sylvia smiled coldly at Elian.
"Very well. Since Elian has confessed that he is the mastermind behind this incident, all punishment will be borne by him alone."
"Wait, he isn't guilty!" Amelia cried out from across the room.
"Amelia, don't worry. Next time, I will protect you and never allow him to hurt you again," Reinhard said as he tried to calm Amelia at his side.
Elian was slightly startled when he saw Amelia trying to defend him. Memories flooded his mind, and unconsciously, a smile formed on his lips—quickly hidden behind his wrist.
Tok. Tok. Tok.
The sound of the gavel drew everyone's attention.
"Miss Amelia, you need not worry about retaliation. We will ensure that Mr.Elian is closely monitored so that this incident does not happen again. The decision is final. This hearing is adjourned." Sylvia stepped down from her seat and left the room.
Elian was immediately approached by two individuals who escorted him to receive his punishment.
"Release Lord Elian—let me take the punishment in his place!"
"I'll pay you! Please let me take Lord Elian's place!"
Finn and Max tried everything to save Elian, but those they faced were members of the student council—competent individuals who left them utterly powerless.
After walking for quite some time, Elian arrived at a dark place with a single opening that allowed light to seep in.
"You've finally arrived. I hope that after this punishment, you'll come to your senses and become an obedient student."
Elian ignored the voice and walked to the center of the room. After removing his clothing and being fitted with shackles that suppressed magical power, his back was whipped mercilessly.
"CRACK—!"
The sound of the whip echoed throughout the room. Elian clenched his teeth, enduring the pain of each strike. He was confident he could withstand forty lashes, believing that pain was temporary—and that once it ended, it would fade away.
After forty lashes that felt like an eternity, Elian's back was covered in blood, torn skin, and shredded flesh. Someone approached and removed the shackles from his wrists.
"I hope you learn from this experience," the person said, handing Elian a bottle of healing potion.
Elian walked past them and picked up his clothes from the ground. With heavy breathing, he staggered out of the room, step by step.
Outside, he found Finn and Roy waiting for him, held back by several guards. Upon seeing Elian, Finn and Roy were momentarily relieved, but their expressions quickly turned sorrowful.
Elian walked up to Finn and took the potion from his hand. He opened the bottle deftly and drank it. A warm sensation flowed down his throat, and the pain in his back eased almost instantly.
"My lord, why did you endure all that suffering for us?" Finn asked hoarsely.
Elian had not done any of this out of kindness or foolish sentimentality. Although Finn and Max were described as loyal subordinates, Elian did not know the extent of their loyalty. He acted to secure the last pieces he had—and because if they were injured, he doubted they could properly carry out the mission he intended to give them.
Elian smiled and pulled both of them into an embrace.
"What are you saying? Aren't we friends? Besides, I'm your leader."
He released them and stepped back.
"From now on, call me boss."
Elian looked at his subordinates, slightly startled. For some reason, their expressions suddenly turned cold.
Max quickly regained his composure and smiled brightly.
"From this moment on, I, Max Blackthorn, swear loyalty and obedience to all of Lord Elian's commands."
He knelt to the ground, pressing his right hand to his chest.
"Idiot. Haven't we been doing that since the first time we met?" Finn scoffed. Like Max, he knelt and placed his right hand on his chest.
"I as well—Finn Ashcroft swear loyalty and obedience to all of Lord Elian's commands."
Watching this, Elian felt slightly uneasy.
If only I could see their status…
At that moment, two transparent screens floated before Elian's eyes.
Name: Finn Ashcroft
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Sequence: 8
Magic Power: ???
Personality: Middle way
Trait: Loyal to Elian Arcadia, Analytical, Arrogant, Noble Superiority
Rank: ???
Strength: ???
Dexterity: ???
Agility: ???
Constitution: ???
Intelligence: ???
Wisdom: ???
Charisma: ???
Name: Max Blackthorn
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Sequence: 8
Magic Power: ???
Personality: Kind
Trait: Loyal to Elian Arcadia, Built like a bull, Arrogant, Noble Superiority
Rank: ???
Strength: ???
Dexterity: ???
Agility: ???
Constitution: ???
Intelligence: ???
Wisdom: ???
Charisma: ???
Seeing the screens before him, Elian was momentarily stunned—then satisfied to learn that both subordinates were loyal to him. Although unfamiliar, the screens were immediately recognizable due to their resemblance to the status interface in the game Tales of Hero.
"One day, I'll punish that whore Sylvia and make her understand who she's dealing with," Max shouted angrily.
"Don't be stupid. She's an imperial princess. Still, it's truly pathetic to see a princess defending commoners and trampling on nobles," Finn said as he stood up and brushed the dirt from his knees.
Elian lightly smacked Finn on the head.
"Don't be foolish. At Astryx Academy, commoners and nobles are considered equal. I hope you won't casually oppress commoners again."
Seeing his subordinates lower their heads gloomily, Elian continued.
"Since you're nobles, I trust you understand politics and conspiracy." Finn and Max looked at him as Elian smiled.
"In the end, they're nothing more than losers who believe themselves equal to us. If you want to fight, use the rules to bait them—then show them the difference between nobles and commoners."
"Remember this… no one truly stands on the side of justice or truth. Everyone only stands on the side of what they believe in. For those whom no one believes in, the rules are the shield that protects us from all others."