"I admit to these misdemeanors."
Raghnall admitted with no remorse nor regret in his face that startled Elder Fang quite a bit.
Normally, most students would weasel their ways out of this situation by either lying or justifying their actions but to think he would just admit it so blatantly…
Elder Fang really likes his honesty!
But alas, with these offenses, he can't do anything to at least lighten up his punishment.
"Since you have admitted these to be true, are you aware that there are corresponding punishments entailed?"
Raghnall internally groaned as he felt his patience wearing thin.
"Yes."
So, just hurry up already.
He'd rather do something fun, like annoying a certain someone than spend another moment in this office with them.
Elder Fang sighed as he continued. Well, if he couldn't make the punishment lighter, he could always make a similar alternative that might benefit him.
After all, this talented boy would be a wasted asset in the academy if he wouldn't use this chance to take advantage of him.
"Raghnall from the Rose class, this is my official statement as the Grand Elder and the Head of the Magic Department. From these misdemeanors such as your rude behavior towards teaching staff, disruption of an official exam, and insubordination, by the Academy's rules, I have decided to give you the choice. Will you undergo detention for three days, or would you be willing to do community service for three months starting tomorrow? Which do you feel would be more fitting?"
Raghnall internally groaned in annoyance.
Detention means he's going to be locked up for three days along with students that also have detention.
He didn't want to spark trouble in there nor fight.
But community service would just be becoming a lackey for professors and the Grand Elder.
And he didn't want to do that for three months.
Also, it seems like the Elder Fang would most likely take advantage of him since that old man can't use any magic as of the moment.
So far, he dislikes both punishments so he decided to make one instead.
Though, in actuality, it's less of a punishment for him and more of a reward.
"I would like to decline of both punishments because I deem them too… simple for my case."
The two Elders both furrowed their brows upon hearing Raghnall's shameless remark.
Professor Gnarly was about to speak out when Elder Fang held up his uninjured hand to signal Raghnall to speak.
"Please do enlighten this old man on what kind of punishment you deem would fit your case that is far better than the ones decided by the Academy itself?"
Raghnall finally showed a sincere smile as he voiced out his thoughts.
"I know that the Grand Elder has been worried over the state of this academy now that we've recently had the new batch of freshmen students enter Eldora Academy. And along with that batch are very… memorable people."
Elder Fang narrowed his eyes at the strange path the conversation has shifted upon.
"Where are you going with this, young man?"
Raghnall coughed lightly, trying to hide his smile as he continued.
"Well, as I have said, one of these very memorable people would be the first charity case our dear Headmaster has brought to us. And, it's been known throughout the whole country that Eldora academy only accepts the greatest of all geniuses. And with the sudden appearance of this… charity case… her weak abilities and her inability to reach even the lowest standards of Eldora academy might endanger the reputation of our dear academy. And if news got out, surely it will cause a riot regarding the Academy's 'hypocrisy.'"
Elder Fang roughly stood up from his chair as he stared down at Raghnall with an irritated gaze.
"Boy! Out with it! Are you threatening us?!"
Raghnall shook his head slowly as he continued.
"No, no. In fact, as reluctant as I am to say this, I have a solution to the problem. Truthfully, I don't really want to do it. But then, since this is a punishment, I guess I will have to unwillingly offer my services for the betterment of this Academy."
Now, Elder Fang was utterly confused from his statements.
"What is this 'solution' you speak of?"
Raghnall grinned in his mind when they took the bait.
"With my triple high rank and commoner status as a testament to my self-teaching ability, I am willing to offer my services to train the weakest student in this Academy, the freshman student from Lily class."
Elder Fang promptly sat down when he finally realized what the boy wanted.
He looked him straight in the eyes as he answered.
"No, that is not a suitable punishment at all!"
Raghnall wasn't fazed by the strong rejection of Elder Fang. Instead, he decided to counter back with a strong convincing message.
"It may not be the punishment you want, but it is the punishment this academy needs."
"I'm only going to offer this once. If our dear Elder would not accept, that Lily class girl will forever be in starter rank and would most likely only experience slow growth being in the academy. And news about her will most definitely go out, one way or another, to the outside walls if one of the graduates were to spread it once they leave the academy which will heavily tarnish the school's reputation."
Elder Fang furrowed his brows as he thought about it.
Technically, the young man is right.
Since her presence is truly controversial, people would obviously be curious about it which would end up them talking about it.
Thus, it can't be avoided that there would be graduates with loose mouths that might spill the information one way or another.
So the ideal solution would be that she should be strong enough by the end of the year so that when the graduates finally leave, they wouldn't retain that impression that she's still a weak student and undeserving of the status as a student of the Eldora academy.
But the Lily class girl, judging alone from her Starter rank, even if she spends about five years in the academy and have the growth speed of the most renowned genius, she will most likely still be below the admission standards of the academy.
Now, to solve this, a great personal mentor would really help. But he is sure that no one in the faculty would offer their service to do such a fruitless, unproductive, and grueling task that might even give them a bad reputation for being a horrible mentor if the Lily class girl is un-teachable or slow.
So, it would turn out that only this man would be willing to do so. And he doesn't fall behind much on the criteria as a mentor. After all, him being a commoner yet a triple high rank at such a young age, he must have had a secret method on strengthening up without using many resources.
But the problem of allowing this would be the fact that he is disregarding the rule on following the Academy's set punishments for certain misdemeanors.
But then again, the boy did say that it may not be the choice that would adhere to the rules, but it is truly the choice that the Academy is deeming as a necessity as of the moment.
Elder Fang ground his teeth together as he finally came to a conclusion.
"It seems there is no other choice. In consideration for the betterment of the Academy, with Professor Gnarly as witness, the punishment will be as what Raghnall of the Rose class had proposed."
Raghnall held in a victory shout as he tried to contain his excitement.
"But… under one condition…"