Chapter 30
In broad daylight, who is making the hero disheartened!
Henry truly doesn’t understand the thought processes of these people.
Sydney hinted at something, then steered the topic toward himself, and suddenly the blame was directed at him.
These people act as if they hold the truth, placing themselves on a moral high ground.
No wonder the original host was forced to leave the academy.
Henry thinks it’s time to open a health supplement store and sell to these fools.
But what surprises Henry the most is how angry Jessica got.
Her demeanor was practically fighting injustice on his behalf.
Henry silently glanced at Sydney, noticing he made no effort to stop any of this, and realized the other party must have set him up.
While it might not lead to expulsion, it would still subject him to strange looks.
To Henry, the opinions of these fools mean nothing, but being schemed against by the Rumelter Family is somewhat disgusting.
Though Sydney isn’t entirely wrong—Henry does carry traces of Black Magic.
It just hasn’t erupted yet.
On the other side, Jessica isn’t just angry; she also feels sorry for Henry.
Even though she’d heard about Henry’s treatment at Saint Nad Magic Academy, seeing it firsthand was downright absurd.
A group of so-called genius students, without a shred of evidence, were ready to convict someone based on their own delusions.
“Your Highness, while we don’t know what relationship you have with Henry, facts are facts. There’s no need to shield a criminal!”
One student, unafraid of Jessica, stood up to confront her.
Such a fearless spirit is commendable, but if his family found out, they’d probably break his legs.
Everyone treated Jessica’s words about equality as a joke, yet you took it seriously?
“A criminal? Based on your speculation, you can just label someone a criminal? Should we let you take over as the Empire’s executioner?”
Jessica’s voice was icy as she stared down the student.
The student faltered for a moment under her gaze but quickly resumed his excuses.
“Then how does he explain controlling objects without magic? He’s supposed to be magicless!”
“What if he possesses a talent we’re unaware of?”
The sound of high heels clicking echoed from the doorway.
A mature voice drew everyone’s attention.
Lady Reina stood there, dressed in a mage’s robe, her face adorned with a charming smile.
The students exchanged confused glances, unsure of her identity.
Sydney, however, paled before forcing an obsequious grin.
“Professor Reina, when did you return?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? There was a major incident in town yesterday, so I rushed back to handle it.”
This was a lie—she’d actually returned for her daughter.
She wanted to see the boy her daughter was so interested in.
But as a professor at Saint Nad Magic Academy, her recent absence was for a magic research conference.
Originally, Principal Merlin had wanted her to mentor the freshmen, but she found it troublesome and declined.
She had no particular interest in this new generation of mages.
But as she passed the classroom earlier, she overheard the lecture—and the more she listened, the more something felt off.
Why was the discussion suddenly targeting Henry?
While she hadn’t approved of her daughter’s interest in Henry, she disliked seeing him bullied, especially by someone from the Rumelter Family.
“Professor Reina? She’s Lady Reina Noel, wife of the Noel Family and a senior professor at Saint Nad Magic Academy!”
“I heard she was away on business, but her magic skills are legendary—she can cast spells without incantations!”
“Did she just defend Henry?”
Reina ignored the murmurs.
Sydney, recalling yesterday’s events, added, “You mean the incident with the cultists infiltrating the circus? I heard your daughter was there—is she unharmed?”
“If not for Henry, she might have been hurt.”
Another lie—Reina had been watching from the shadows the entire time.
Had anyone truly threatened her daughter, she wouldn’t have hesitated to intervene.
Sydney’s expression twisted at her words.
He wasn’t stupid; he recognized Reina’s subtle defense of Henry.
But Reina paid him no mind.
“Did you know Henry single-handedly killed several cultists yesterday and even captured the ringleader for the Empire? Just now, I overheard someone calling him a cultist. Which student was it? Step forward—let me inspect your ‘credentials.’”
The student who’d been arguing with Jessica earlier had already slumped into his seat, head bowed like a scolded chick.
But Henry pointed at him and loudly declared, “It was him! As a law-abiding citizen who helped the Empire, I’ve been falsely accused of being a cultist. I’m devastated! I might succumb to depression and drop out of the academy!”
He even pouted, feigning tears.
Jessica, standing beside him, struggled to keep a straight face.
She’d seen people play the victim, but never one who counterattacked so aggressively!
But this was for the best—these people needed to know what Henry had done.
Reina’s lips twitched in amusement.
This kid had a nasty personality, but she didn’t dislike it.
When someone targets you, retaliate fiercely.
Why wait? For the New Year?
She cleared her throat, her smile vanishing.
“Professor Sydney, do you realize how many eyes are on our academy right now? If word gets out that we labeled a student who fought cultists as a cultist and expelled him, do you know the backlash we’d face? Can you shoulder that responsibility alone?!”
By the end, Reina’s expression was outright furious.
“In broad daylight, who is making the hero disheartened! Is this the collapse of morality or the extinction of humanity? Do you want tomorrow’s headlines to read like this?”
Sydney’s forehead glistened with sweat.
How could he not believe her? The town’s newspapers were all owned by the Noel Family—Reina could publish whatever she wanted!
“This was my mistake. I never meant to imply Henry was a cultist—the students misunderstood.”
“If students misunderstand, it’s the teacher’s fault! From now on, you’re dismissed. I’ll take over this class.”
“But… I’m their—”
“If you disagree, take it up with the principal. Oh, and those broken windows? Pay for the repairs. The academy’s funds aren’t for your reckless spending!”
Reina shooed him away like an unwelcome guest.
Sydney, clutching his books, was unceremoniously booted from the classroom.
“Wait… I’m their teacher! How am I the one getting kicked out?”