Let me be a mob! - Chapter 52- New changes?

Inside the staff conference room of the Academy, all the senior professors and instructors could be seen currently resting over their seats with their heads turned in the direction of the head throne where sat the greatest wizard of the past three decades and also the headmaster of the Excalius Academy.

It was a sudden summon of the said old wizard since there are still three months for the bi-annual meeting and recently after the Mamba’s attack they already had a small gathering where the headmaster directed the roles which the teachers have to play other than tutoring students.

The notice about Elven’s involvement has also been alerted among the staff members. Not only the dorms but the main entrances of the academy were all now in heavy guarding of those allies whom the headmaster has made a long time ago.

Erwin(Headmaster) has already lost many of his students and to not take another chance that might arise considering how the Crimson Demon has set her gaze on the academy, Erwin has prepared himself for the worst but nothing he would let reach the innocent youths the next time.

“Now that we all have gathered let’s start the discussion over today’s agenda and what changes this year would be brought to prepare the students for any possible threat.”

The assistant of the headmaster, Professor Lisa began the discussion as she stood from her seat which was just to the left of the headmaster, signifying her position in the academy.

The severity of the matter rose even higher as the others heard the word ‘changes’. Already many alterations have been made and bending more rules and adding another element of security might be considered a sign of paranoia from the perspective of the outsiders.

The guardians who have sent their offspring to the academy might feel more secure but those bastard information spreaders would surely circulate the word that Excalius Academy has fallen weak ‘just’ by a single attack whatsoever. Naturally, some professors considered students’ safety more than anything but there were those too who had their dignity before anything, and showing weakness to the world was like throwing mud over their pride.

Regardless of their conflicted thoughts, no one interrupted Lisa since there were only three people who could actually handle her whip, and all those three were surely agreeing with these said changes.

“This year, it has been decided solely by the headmaster that Dungeon exploration would be allowed for the freshmen as well. And not only that, the alliance would be…” Lisa was not able to finish her words since the sounds of murmurs dyed over her voice.

As annoyed as she was, Lisa didn’t want to start a fight here and she somehow understood the reason why the meeting fell into such an uproar. There were many reasons in which one of them was pointed out by one of the instructors sitting at the farthest on the left.

“Excuse my impudence madame Lisa, but discharging first years who have the least practical knowledge of the field and have yet to get educated about the demons…are we not just telling them to commit suicide by sending them in those dungeons?”

The room went silent not because the tone used to raise the question was high but because most of the audience wanted to ask the same thing.

Lisa knew it was coming so she didn’t mull over it for long and followed with the response soon after, “You are partially correct instructor Hugous but a part of your statement is entirely wrong.”

The said broadly framed instructor straightened his back and felt a cold sweat drop down his spine when he saw Lisa’s narrowed gaze focused on him. Despite being an A-rank warrior he was terrified of the said lady, especially after what happened a year ago when he went to hit on her.

The bespectacled beauty didn’t position her eyes on the man for long since she knew it was not his fault raising such a query but a result of common understanding which she could not glare at and shoo away. Calming her temper she once again parted her lips and quelled others’ curiosity.

“We sould not forget that in ancient times when the academy has just commenced enrolling students, most of the teaching occurred on the field since it was and is the most effective and versatile method of teaching. I agree that the risk exponentially spikes in that way, but unlike in the past, we all have better artifacts, weapons, and techniques to handle unexpected dangers which might bring harm to the children, no? Not to talk about the number of warriors who would develop in a short period of time if they themselves see the horror of this ugly world. They would have done the same thing starting next year, the headmaster has just decided to shorten the time for the youth to enjoy their leisure life in the academy.”

The room fell dead silent for some time as Lisa concluded with her words which filled a strong influence on the audience. Those who previously were complaining and calling this measure a stupid move were now seriously contemplating after they heard Lisa’s argument.

But there were those too who still were not affected by the strong choices of words and raised their points after a brief pause.

“If I may dare ask, Professor, what about the parents of those youth whom we would be taking in those hell holes?”

The sly voice echoed from the third seat on the right where sat Professor Ross Breamen. The instructor of potions sure has some poison coating his tongue to voice out such a blunt assertion.

But Lisa didn’t falter since she has already prepared for such statements.

“Those who wanted to have their children removed from the academy, they already have done so after the invasion. And even if there rise some objections and people’s desires to get their offspring out of the academy once we announce this new change, there would be nothing Excalius would do.”

“So, does this mean we are losing potential hero candidates over just a small alteration in the system which might bring more damage than surplus? Hmm… I must say, this is something I could have never expected.”

The venom was reeking from his words making Lisa tempted to lunge forward and slap a strong whip across that nasty face. Her clenched fist and slight overflowing intent went unnoticed by none, including Ross but the person in the target of such contempt remained natural with a grin still plastered across his face.

The point which Ross put forward was anything but unreasonable since what he said was true in every sense. It was already a loss for humanity that many talented youths were sacrificed some days ago and some dropped out because of the insecurities which both students and their guardians developed. And if such a drastic change was to be added just in the first month of the year, then it was highly likely there would be more who would just retire from their schooling life due to pressure and fright.

The room was yet again enshrouded in silence as Lisa tried to calm her nerves and voice out an appropriate response to the borderline mockery of the bastard blondie. But her train of thought was brought to an end when a domineering voice resonated throughout the room.

“Heroes are not those who cover away in the face of threat but those who put a bold front regardless of their inner turmoil to provide a sense of dependency for those around them. I have seen many generations in this long life of mine, and I believe if someone couldn’t withstand just a ‘small’ alteration in the rules…” Erwin glanced at the pale-faced Ross before he finished.

“…then I don’t consider them as a Hero as well.”

******

“You sure you don’t want to rest Silvie? It’s been already two days now.”

It was around eight in the morning when Aiden walked out of his room and found the small elf still stationed in front of Jin’s room just like she has been since two days ago.

Despite the bags under her eyes and exhaustion hitting the roof her determination was still strong as ever.

“I am fine Aiden, thanks for asking.”

Silvie provided a grimoire which contained a mantra, to Jin two days ago which would help him break his physical bounds before they could actually start spiritual training. He has to read the mantra stored in the grimoire until he doesn’t shatter his bounds and becomes a better version of himself that could at least resist the borrowed strength of the spirits to a decent extent.

But the fact that during that duration Jin would be rendered vulnerable made the boy slightly cautious. If not for Silvie’s persuasion and the Mana contract she took the oath under, Jin would have never begun the ritual.

“And besides, Fiona has kept my company as well, so it’s not as difficult as you may think.” (Silvie)

Fiona who was ‘casually’ roaming the night before yesterday came across Silvie and naturally upon hearing the circumstances she also chose to guard the door along with the elven girl.

When Silvie needed to take rest and eat something to remain conscious Fiona would stay standing and vice verse. Currently, Fiona has gone to get some sleep before she rejoins.

“It’s surprising how the warden has still not taken any action…” (Aiden)

Even Silvie was not sure why the dorm warden has yet to put up a warning for Silvie and Fiona even though they practically have been here for most of the time. Silvie had previously prepared her reasoning but by the stroke of luck, she never got the chance to deliver the long speech.

“I was thinking-”

Silvie’s tongue got tied and her eyes widened in shock when she suddenly felt an aurs approaching them. Turning her head to the right she witnessed the person she wanted to never meet, approaching them with his eyes only trained on Silvie.

Aiden also turned his head toward the direction with perplexion evident on his face before he realized the reason for Silvie’s distress.

“Silvie…get behind me…”

*****

A/N: – I hope you guys liked the chapter.

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