Novel Full Chapter 219: Reactions
Chapter 219: Reactions
Seraphina’s eyes went wide, her composure cracking.
Even Kaiser showed surprise, his ancient face registering genuine shock for the first time in the conversation.
“That many?”
Elizabeth looked directly at the Headmaster.
“You were probably too aloof previously, Headmaster. The amount of crimes and their severity… it shocked even me. All these incidents occurred outside Academy grounds where your direct observation doesn’t extend. Students waited until victims left campus, then…”
She pulled files from her spatial storage and shared them holographically.
Both Kaiser and Seraphina began reading, their expressions becoming progressively darker.
Case after case of assault, rape, torture and entire families threatened. Commoner students were beaten so badly they required months of medical treatment. Some are permanently crippled. Several deaths that had been ruled “accidents” but showed clear evidence of murder.
Previously, when Adrian provided Damian with the list of students, who were later on killed by the Mafia. It only contained 23 students. But from the looks of it, Adrian didn’t manage to find all the culprits.
Kaiser’s face became completely expressionless as he read through decades of accumulated crimes that he’d been unaware of.
Finally, he sighed – a sound that seemed to carry the weight of centuries.
“Who would have thought it had become this severe…”
This was not just suppression of commoners. And all the nobles who were committing these crimes… didn’t seem like those who would help humanity in their times of crisis.
All three of them stood in silence, the sunset painting everything in blood-red light.
For the first time in years, Headmaster Kaiser felt something approaching regret for not managing his Academy more carefully.
’I was so focused on the external threats, on preparing students for Monsters and wars, that I allowed rot to grow from within.
Perhaps… the boy’s changes are needed more than I realized.’
****
[Federation News Networks – Emergency Broadcasts]
The story broke simultaneously across every major news channel in the Federation.
[BREAKING: STORMHOLD ACADEMY EXPELS 78 STUDENTS, SUSPENDS 200 MORE]
[UNPRECEDENTED DISCIPLINARY ACTION TARGETS NOBLE STUDENTS]
[MASSIVE REFORMS ANNOUNCED AT PREMIER AWAKENER INSTITUTION]
Reporters descended on the Academy like locusts, their vehicles crowding the entrance, cameras pointed at every building, desperate for statements.
The Student Council released an official announcement – signed by President Elizabeth Murdock and Vice President Damian Valcor – detailing the new policies.
Within hours, the information had spread to every household in the Federation.
And Damian’s name rang out once again, this time not as a fighter or survivor… but as a revolutionary.
****
[Various Households – Reactions]
A commoner family sat around their dinner table, the father reading the news on his device with tears streaming down his face.
His wife has also fallen prey to Nobles’ evil clutches before. But he was too helpless to make any changes.
“They’re actually enforcing justice. After all these years… someone finally stood up for us.”
His teenage son looked at Damian’s picture on the screen with something approaching worship.
“I’m taking the entrance exam next month. I’m getting into Stormhold Academy no matter what it takes.”
****
One of the hundred Noble family’s dining room was far less peaceful.
“SEVENTY-EIGHT EXPULSIONS?! How many of those are from our family branches?!”
The father was shouting, his face red with fury.
“Four. Four of our promising young talents, thrown out like garbage!”
His wife tried to calm him.
“The crimes they committed were documented and verified. We can’t fight this publicly without looking–”
“I don’t care how it looks! That commoner bastard is dismantling everything we built!”
But even in his rage, he knew there was nothing he could do. Not with the Headmaster’s implicit approval and not with the evidence so thoroughly documented.
****
[Other Academies – Central Region]
The administrators of rival Academies watched the news with growing alarm.
At Crimson Peak Academy – second-ranked institution in the Central Region – the Dean sat in an emergency meeting with his staff.
“Our commoner students are already demanding similar reforms. They’re citing Stormhold’s new policies as proof that change is possible.”
One professor spoke up nervously.
“If we don’t at least appear to implement some changes, we’ll lose all our talented commoner applicants to Stormhold. Their enrollment numbers will skyrocket while ours collapse.”
The Dean rubbed his temples.
“Contact the Noble families who support us. We need to discuss how to respond without completely dismantling our existing structure.”
****
At Skyreach Academy in the Eastern Region, similar conversations were happening.
“Students are staging protests in the main courtyard. They’re demanding access to advanced weapon arts. Demanding fair treatment.”
“How are we supposed to compete when Stormhold is essentially bribing students with resources we can’t match?”
“We can’t. Not without massive restructuring.”
****
[New Student Applications]
The Academy’s application system was overwhelmed with questions about the requirements for next year.
Students who’d been planning to attend other institutions suddenly changed their preferences to Stormhold as their first choice.
Commoner families who’d given up hope of their children receiving proper training now saw opportunity.
****
[Social Media Explosion]
@FutureAwakener: “Damian Valcor did more for commoner rights in one year than the government did in fifty years. That’s my future Academy president.”
@NobleHeritage: “This is a disaster. They’re destroying meritocracy. Soon talent won’t matter, only politics.”
@CommonerPride: “Meritocracy? You mean the system where Nobles had all the advantages and called it ’merit’? Good riddance.”
@AcademyWatch: “Other Academies better adapt fast. Stormhold just became the only real choice for talented commoners. The brain drain is going to be catastrophic for rival institutions.”
@ImperialDescendant: “78 expulsions. Most from Noble families. This is an attack on the established order. There will be consequences.”
@DamianSupporter: “Good. Let there be consequences. At least someone has the spine to challenge a corrupt system. #GodfatherOfChange”
The debates raged across every platform, dividing the Federation into camps, making Damian’s name synonymous with revolution.
****
[Academy Forest – Deep Within]
While the entire world discussed and debated the changes he’d implemented, Damian was alone in the forest.
His axe rose and fell with mechanical precision, cutting through thick tree trunks, each swing executed with perfect form.
THWACK. THWACK. THWACK.
He was training his weapon art – Abyssal Slaughter.
Sweat poured down his bare torso despite the cool forest air. His muscles burned and his breathing was controlled but heavy.
’All that noise outside doesn’t matter. Politics, debates and protests – none of it affects what I need to do.’
THWACK.
Another tree fell, cut clean through at the base.
’Get stronger. That’s all that matters. Everything else is just preparation for what’s coming.’
He knew about it – the approaching catastrophe Seraphina kept hinting at, the reason for this generation’s talent surge.
’When it arrives, politics won’t save anyone. Noble bloodlines won’t save anyone… Only power will matter. Only being strong enough to survive whatever hell is about to break loose.’
THWACK. THWACK. THWACK.
His axe continued its rhythmic work, Damian’s mind focused entirely on the present moment, on perfecting each movement, on building strength for the battles ahead.
The world could burn with debate.
He would be ready when the flames reached him.
Kuro watched from a branch above, his intelligent eyes tracking Damian’s movements, sharing the bond between them that spoke of shared purpose.
’Get stronger and survive…’
The sun set completely, darkness filling the forest, but Damian didn’t stop.
He just kept swinging, kept training and kept pushing forward.
Because that’s what survivors did.