Chapter 98: Karmic Consequence

"You all will be allowed to use the rest of the day to relax from the test, and the second phase will immediately begin tomorrow."

Mr. Ian finished speaking as the various students rose from their seats and moved toward the exit.

Just as Arlo was about to leave like the others...

"Please stay behind, Arlo Eclipsion!" a teacher commanded.

It was the very same man who had formed the vortex that had appeared in the realm.

The sudden command drew the attention of some of the students, who assumed Arlo was being called back to receive a reward for his performance, but none of them reacted beyond that, simply leaving until only Arlo and the remaining staff were present in the room.

Slowly, Arlo turned his attention back toward them, a small smile resting on his face.

"Might I ask why I have been called back, Sirs and Ma’ams?"

He asked politely, as all the teachers turned their gazes toward the singular teacher who had summoned him.

It seemed even they had no idea why he had called Arlo back.

’It’s not a joint agreement. That’s even better.’

"The realm where you were all transported is my personal domain, where I can observe everything that happens within it."

"And I noticed that you stole all the golden cards belonging to the triplets, whose names are Auguste, Ansel, and Aren, in order to obtain your current number of cards."

"I want to know if that is true."

He asked threateningly, his eyes narrowing as the other staff members followed suit.

Arlo stepped forward toward them.

"Yes, Sir. That is correct." Arlo responded, much to the surprise of the various staff members.

"And might I ask why that is?"

"Because, as you also know, Sir, I was attacked by them first. They approached me and demanded all of my cards."

"And just as you also may know, I requested a truce, which was for them to leave me alone while I left them alone, allowing all of us to continue searching for cards instead of wasting our time on fighting."

"But they laughed it off and forced the fight. Isn’t that right, Sir?"

Sir Andrew opened his mouth to deny it, only to close it again before finally opening it once more and shutting it tight.

It was indeed true that Arlo had asked the trio to stop fighting and continue searching for cards instead.

However, the trio had been too headstrong to accept, insisting that Arlo would be their final target.

The question was one that simply couldn’t be refuted.

"That is true.

"But that doesn’t explain why you beat a student from the same academy to such a devastating degree that he won’t even be able to open his eyes for the next half a year!"

"Your actions were far too brutal, and you should be punished for them just the same." Mr. Andrew pressed on as Arlo smiled.

"With all due respect, Sir, I will never admit that I went too far against three pieces of jackass who found their way through the mission by inflicting severe pain on those who struggled with their lives on the line to obtain their cards."

"While it is true that there was no rule against searching for cards, and stealing them was technically a valid choice, isn’t it reasonable that such a negative method should come with its own consequences when it goes wrong?"

"A group of three people at the same cultivation level as me stubbornly decided to collect all of my cards within the final ten minutes of the phase."

"What would you have me do, Sir? Hold back?"

He asks, leaving the instructor stupefied.

"So, I went all out and barely inched out a win, which left the thieves with some injuries. And now, I deserve to be punished for that?"

Arlo asked rhetorically, causing even the other teachers to turn toward Sir Andrew with raised eyebrows.

While stealing cards had never been explicitly forbidden during the mission, that did not mean the teachers supported such behavior among the students, as it revealed a lack of integrity.

However, the situation was entirely different when someone was fighting to prevent his cards from being stolen.

How could they punish him for protecting what he had rightfully earned in the first place?

No matter how badly a thief was beaten after being caught, it could only be considered the karma of his own actions.

He could have chosen a more difficult but honest path, yet he hadn’t.

It was never the fault of the person who caught him that he suffered the consequences of his own choices.

"I’m not talking about your nonsense! I’m talking about you being too heavy-handed with a student! You almost killed him, if not for my quick intervention!" Mr. Andrew roared at him.

"Well then, I can only say I’m sorry, Sir, for fighting back against those who tried to steal my hard work from me."

"I hope I can be forgiven for my outrageous act of doing so."

Arlo said with a bow, causing several of the staff members to snicker.

"You basta...!"

"You can leave now, Arlo. Be sure to take a good rest..."

A sudden voice interrupted him, and it belonged to none other than the female Vice-Chancellor.

"Thank you very much, Ma’am."

Arlo gave her a polite bow before calmly walking out of the room, looking not even the slightest bit stressed by the entire ordeal.

"Stealing people’s cards as a means of passing the test is cheap in the first place."

"Whatever they bear by treading upon that dark path should be dealt with by them. That is the law of Karma."

One of the Vice-Chancellors spoke seriously to Sir Andrew, who could only lower his head.

"I hope this matter dies here. Everyone, go and prepare for tomorrow."

Instantly, the three Vice-Chancellors faded away into thin air, as though they had become one with the space around them.

Slowly, the teachers also began leaving the room one after another.

______________

[That was a close one!]

The System notification panel flickered across Arlo’s face as he slowly climbed the stairs toward Professor Igris’ laboratory.

"Yes, it is."

Arlo replied, letting out a sigh of relief.

[Your calmness, choice of words, and slight humor at the end saved you.]

[They are what allowed them to overlook the fact that a student had been placed into a half-year coma by another student.]

[Hopefully, such a scene never repeats itself again.]

The System’s words earned a nod from Arlo.

"Hopefully..." he mused as he finally arrived before the familiar door.

He raised a finger, about to knock, when he suddenly noticed a letter plastered across the door, with his name clearly written on it.

Opening it, it reads,

______________

Dear Arlo,

How are you doing?

I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be leaving on a two-week seminar trip, so the lab will remain closed for the duration of my absence.

I also heard that you’ll be embarking on your expedition a few weeks from now. This should give you some much-needed time to rest and prepare properly for the test. I’m looking forward to hearing all about your adventures when you return.

Also, be extra careful out there! I won’t be around to watch your back this time!!

Yours faithfully,

Professor Igris

_____________

"Oh?"

Arlo muttered quietly as he placed the letter back inside its envelope before slipping it into his trouser pocket and heading away from the laboratory, returning home.

"Activate System Interface..."

[System Interface]

[Congratulations on completing the mission.]

[Defeat the Vorath Trio and obtain their cards!]

[Rewards:

1.) +3 Level Up Cards

2.) +4000 EXP]

[Congratulations! Hidden Quest Completed: Reach The Archmage Realm!]

[Rewards:

1.) +5000 EXP!

2.) You Have Awakened New Fallen Angel Skills!

3.) +80 Attributes to every stat except Intelligence and Charm!]

[Congratulations! Hidden Power Unlocked!]

[You Have Awakened a New Sin!]

[Check Arcane Mysteries tab to understand and access new information on the Hidden Power!]

[System Interface]

[Name: Arlo Eclipsion]

[Title: None]

[Race: Higher Arcana Humana]

[Cultivation: 1st Grade Core Cybernetic Expert. Early Archmage Realm.]

[Level: 22]

[EXP: 15,700/20,000]

Arlo had leveled up once during his two weeks of endless growth before finally reaching the Archmage Realm.

It seemed to him that the more he leveled up, the harder it became to level up again, which made sense to him.

[Level Up Cards: 3]

"Does Host wish to use Level Up Cards?"

"Yes."

[-1 Level Up Card.]

[Congratulations, Host has leveled up to Level 23!]

[+15 Attribute Points!]

[-1 Level Up Card.]

[Congratulations, Host has leveled up to Level 24!]

[+15 Attribute Points!]

[-1 Level Up Card.]

[Congratulations, Host has leveled up to Level 25!]

[+15 Attribute Points obtained.]

[New Level: 25]

[Total Attribute Points: 45 (+15)]

[Attributes]

[Strength: 200 (+80)]

[Agility: 190 (+80)]

[Perception: 124 (+80)]

[Charm: 30]

[Attribute Points: 60]

"How does Host wish to use Level Up Cards?"

"Add 40 points to Intelligence, and add 10 points to Charm."

[Points Have Been Successfully Added!]

[Attributes]

[Strength: 280]

[Agility: 270]

[Perception: 204]

[Charm: 40]

[Intelligence: 160]

[Attribute Points: 0]

"Good. Arcane Masteries tab!"

Arlo called out, and the tab quickly appeared.

[Arcana Masteries]

[New Arcane Skills:

Arms Of Rakhasa:

{Description: Tap into the bloodline power of the Fallen Angels and summon the mighty Four Arms of Fallen General Rakhasa. These four arms possess twice the strength of your normal arms!}

Steps of Rakhasa:

{Summon the power of Fallen General Rakhasa into your legs, creating strength that greatly surpasses your normal legs and doubles their power!}

[Note: Power increases based on Fallen Angel bloodline comprehension and concentration!]