“Insolent! The decision made by the Council is final and will not be reconsidered.”
A professor sporting a handlebar mustache shouted angrily, not expecting this newcomer, who had just sat down for only a few seconds, to dare to openly challenge the Council’s decision.
“But go ahead and speak.”
Lothefer seemed quite willing to give Lin Yue a stage to perform, so he waved his hand, signaling Lin Yue to continue.
On the other side, Isabena, who had originally been calm, felt her heart stir again as she watched Lin Yue suddenly start defending her so earnestly.
This fool…
Seeing the headmaster nod, Lin Yue felt more confident—seems there was no need to spill the embarrassing secret about his kidney deficiency after all.
Lin Yue took a deep breath and said to everyone in the Council, “At the time, Isabena’s use of advanced magic was actually reasonable and understandable.”
He paused deliberately, adding extra weight to his words.
“I was the one who launched a life-threatening attack first. For a student without real combat experience, instinctively using a life-saving spell was unavoidable.”
“Therefore, I believe Isabena should not be expelled from the Academy, whether as a genius who could one day become a Sixth-Rank Mage, or as a frightened, ordinary girl.”
He looked at the professors around him, his gaze earnest and laced with a subtle hint.
It was as if he was saying: Hey, do you really want to waste—or worse, offend—a potential future Sixth-Rank talent?
He knew that in the near future, Avelina wouldn’t even have a single Sixth-Rank Mage left.
Shouldn’t they at least consider that?
“And besides, isn’t it strange? How could a Second-Rank Mage use advanced magic and not die from mana exhaustion? Even if she’s a Scale Four genius, it shouldn’t be possible…”
Some professors around were listening to Lin Yue, some lowering their heads to write notes, others looking at him in obvious displeasure, as if they were watching an amusing show.
“Doesn’t anyone here find this suspicious?”
Lin Yue was growing anxious.
Without Isabena, how would he deal with Lia’s rampage in the future?
He had to plan ahead; otherwise, if the Academy ruins couldn’t be preserved, the portal couldn’t be built.
The Power of Laws had to be handled with extreme caution; even a tiny misstep could invoke backlash from this nearly godlike force.
She was a peerless genius throughout the ages, unmatched in history, able to master it with ease.
Just by getting close to Avelina’s testing stone, she could instantly max out the scale—a feat only she could accomplish.
Scale Five was the stone’s limit, not hers.
But even such a monster couldn’t guarantee she’d never lose control.
Ordinary Sixth-Rank Magi rarely used the Power of Laws at this stage.
Like Lothefer, they conserved every drop when possible.
No one else treated their ultimate moves like ordinary attacks as she did.
She resonated profoundly with the world’s Source Will—almost like the Child of the Plane, a being born under endless favor.
But her existence, from the start of the game, was meant for… creating tragedy.
Even if someday there was a way to drag her out of her destined doom, the Valiana sisters would be indispensable.
As always, the game surely had a mechanism for this duel; brute force wouldn’t cut it.
But these old geezers all ignored him, some even yawning, eager to get to the next topic.
As Lin Yue racked his brain for more evidence, Lia suddenly stood up beside him and said to everyone: “Her use of advanced magic was also my fault for poor supervision. If punishment is due, then punish me as well.”
Her words instantly brightened the eyes of those old fogeys around, as if surprised Lia would take the blame for Lin Yue’s sake.
“Lia, you are an Honorary Professor of the Academy—enjoying rights without responsibility. There’s no need for this.”
Lothefer gestured for Lia to sit, then looked at Lin Yue, giving Isabena a meaningful smile.
“Isabena, you’ve really found yourself a good man.”
“I…”
Isabena blushed a little at the headmaster’s words.
Faced with teasing from a Sixth-Rank Mage, she had no idea how to respond.
Has this old man misunderstood my relationship with Isabena?
“Headmaster, with all due respect, but I am not in that kind of relationship with Valiana. Even if there was once an engagement, it has long since been dissolved. Now, I simply can’t bear to see a genius lose her future, that’s all.”
Lin Yue knew she didn’t like others pushing the two of them together, so he explained proactively.
“Young man, should I call you smart, or say that the clever are sometimes outwitted by their own cleverness…”
Lothefer watched as Isabena’s bashful face turned thunderstruck, finding this kid all the more amusing.
“Alright, enough teasing. Isabena, you speak for yourself.”
Isabena lowered her head, looking uneasy.
“The expulsion was my own request…”
“?”
This time, Lin Yue was the one left dumbfounded.
Seeing Lin Yue’s shocked and awkward expression, Isabena recalled the words he’d just said to distance himself from her.
Her feelings were complicated—she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Yet what he said just now was more precious than any treasure.
“This incident made me realize, even with talent, I don’t have the ability to control my power. A mage who can’t even control herself, no matter how strong, will only bring danger to those around her.”
“So, I want to leave the Academy, leave magic, and do something that won’t harm others.”
Perhaps, she was never truly willing to become a strong person from the start.
But the freedom she pursued required strength to protect it.
Beauty, family, her little sister—without power, what freedom could she talk about?
[Remember, Isabena, if House Hawk wishes to choose your sister, you must do your utmost to recommend yourself to their young lord.]
She seemed to have accepted that she wasn’t suited to learning magic, and understood why her parents always favored Bella, not her.
“This is fine. Useless as I am, I’ve had a beautiful dream.”
Isabena smiled, looking completely content.
Whether she returned to her family to wait or married some unknown noble, she had no regrets.
At least she had flown, seen how dazzling the blue sky could be—wasn’t that enough?
This event allowed the already conflicted Isabena to finally let go.
Let it be.
You’re only this much, after all.
Don’t bring misfortune to others.
At that moment, Lin Yue suddenly spoke, his voice quiet but carrying an undeniable resolve: “Isabena, you’re wrong.”
Everyone froze, including Isabena, turning to look at him.
Hearing Isabena’s words, a long-buried secret deep within Lin Yue’s heart was viciously dragged out.
He clenched his teeth, his gaze tormented.
Flashes of old memories ran through his mind—he recalled that petite girl lying in a pool of blood, surrounded by chaos, himself rooted to the spot, unable to do anything.
He never wanted to feel that way again.
And Isabena before him was exactly like her that day!
Isabena wasn’t like this—she couldn’t be like this.
Lin Yue looked at Isabena, his eyes seeming to belong to a different person: “You say you can’t control your power, that you’ll bring danger to others. But let me tell you: no one is born able to perfectly control their strength—not even Lia!”
He remembered Act Six, where Lia curled up in her own space, enduring the backlash from the Power of Laws.
“You shouldn’t reject magic just because you’re afraid of losing control.”
He remembered Allen, who, even faced with enemies many times stronger, would swing his sword for the one behind him.
Lin Yue paused, then continued: “You say you want to leave the Academy, to do something that won’t hurt others.”
“But have you considered, if you give up magic, give up the chance to grow stronger, when real danger comes one day, when you need to protect those beside you—like Isabella—what will you do then?”
“Just watch? Blame your own uselessness, and watch them fall one by one before your eyes? Ridiculous!”
“If you don’t even have the power to protect what’s important, that’s what truly hurts those you care about. That’s real uselessness!”
For some reason, Lin Yue poured out all his true feelings, almost as if he were denouncing himself rather than Isabena.
Well said!
Lin Yue!
Despite his own dire circumstances, Allen couldn’t help but be moved by Lin Yue’s words.
It matched his own ideals—why, despite knowing his weakness, he still followed Lilian to the Academy.
“Lin Yue…”
Isabena looked at the man before her as if awakened from a dream.
For some reason, the shadow that had long clouded her heart faded a little.
“Becoming strong and finding the freedom you’ve always sought—that is your true path.”
Lin Yue finished, then sat down heavily, his abdomen still aching, but he hadn’t been this emotionally out of control in a long time.
What am I even saying… How embarrassing…
He gave a bitter smile, not expecting to blurt out everything in his heart.
He’d said this much—if Isabena still wanted to run, there was nothing more he could do.
Isabena closed her eyes and pondered for a long time.
These past days, she had struggled, thinking leaving was best, but never realizing that giving up power was just another form of escape.
Principal Lothefer watched all this, a trace of relief at his lips.
He said to Isabena, “Isabena, Lin Yue is right. Think it over carefully.”
These old guys had never really wanted to expel a genius like Isabena.
Which of them hadn’t defied the odds when they were young?
Geniuses had to be extraordinary—besides, no great harm was done.
In fact, there was no harm done at all, and they saw limitless potential in Isabena.
It was Isabena’s own guilt that made her insist on leaving; they tried to stop her but failed.
Unexpectedly, this kid managed to talk her around in just a few words.
Ah, youth… so easily swayed by emotion.
She opened her eyes, glanced at the headmaster, then at Lin Yue, her mind made up: “I… won’t run away anymore.”
“Professors, I’m sorry for my rashness earlier. I will stay and study at the Academy and treasure the school’s guidance…”
Isabena looked at Lin Yue, her eyes both helpless and full.
Lin Yue… it was you who gave me this hope.
Isabena whispered in her heart.
So, you must take responsibility for me.
Lin Yue looked at Isabena’s face, his heart involuntarily trembling.
After all, the smile Isabena showed him now outshone anything beautiful he had ever seen.
With Isabena’s issue resolved, it was Allen’s turn.
Seeing one character settled so easily, Lin Yue thought Allen’s case would be just as simple…
But the moment Lin Yue relaxed, Lia suddenly stood up and declared firmly, “My suggestion is still to execute him immediately, not the slightest leniency allowed.”
Lin Yue: “…”
Why is it you who wants him dead?