"Leroy!" Tang Bo came running into the backyard.
Only knowing his friend had gotten his Occupation approved and a pretty high Tier the same as his cousin Tang Xuan, Leroy spent more time on Cultivation Correction of himself and only spun some time chatting with everyone.
It took quite a bit of effort to get presentable and a lot of changing of the Inscription Patterns to come out. Someone had actually stolen sections of his courtyard at one point while he was out.
Leroy ended his cultivation to see what was the matter from the rushing Noble. He assumed this had something to do with the people that came to the Akademy this morning. The Metal Seed was his biggest defense for range recon.
"Come quick! Chu Xue is getting kicked out of the Akademy!" He was neither happy about the matter nor sad but couldn't help from smiling. But he thought Leroy would want to know what happen to his junior martial brother. Especially after the Test incident became wider known to everyone. "Should we go see?"
"Sure." Packing up the little experiment, he wondered what was the full reason. 'Has the Rebellion kicked back up once more?'
The two moved to the departure area at the front gate to check things out. Tang Xui and the members of Amp Plant Town, the name they end up giving the former Hamlet he was reminded, were already there whispering something or another to each other.
Tessie gave Leroy's sash a look over before turning away. Both Jealousy and a snide sneer in regard to his situation. Despite being a Tier 5 Medical Doctor, he didn't have anything to show for it. As well as his cultivation not showing anything major lately.
In front of an official sedan, a horse-drawn carriage with other students was with Chu Xue who turned to Old Vice Principal Jin showing respect.
"Teacher, I'm leaving now. Do look after yourself after I am gone!" He sounded more like a family member than an actual student to most gathered. 'The last few weeks I have dedicated everything to my Cultivation and staying out of trouble. Hopefully, this will help.'
"You as well Chu Xue!" Old Jin responded somberly before turning to see his 1st student of the group standing to the side with a look of slight interest. "Do not forget your time here and everything you experienced." The old Nascent Soul Realm cultivator felt a little conflicted about the situation. 'From what I derived from the others, Leroy was not happy with what went down and the last few weeks focused on his Occupation. I doubt he makes trouble now, especially considering he confined himself to his courtyard to improve himself the last month while healing.'
"Why are you here?" Chu Xue turn slowly before he asked.
"Just wanted to look at your stupid face is all." Leroy gave a smirk. "You really, really screwed things up for your Family. How the hell will you keep them from getting killed by the fallout and the Patriots of the Empire?"
"Oh boy." Tang Bo didn't think Leroy was aware of some of the happenings in the various territories considering he mostly cultivated the last few weeks and looked over various books. 'Whelp, better get ready to fight later.'
The Clear Tang Family member was picking up some habits and sayings from Leroy.
"I mean you declared a rebel and assassin of the North Princess your brother despite everything that happened." Leroy's voice started to turn a little hot as he spoke louder and clearer. 'If this fool would not have gotten in the way, killing Pin Feng would have at least killed one of their rising members!'
Old Jin was ready to interfere if need be in the situation. Chu Xue at least had the decency to just look away from what was treason.
"Not only did you put your Family you said you were going to protect in danger, but you also implicated various others that were just there. This means you implicated every other vassal's family of the same Tier that has relations with them. Do you not understand guilty by association, boi?!"
Those gathered who didn't understand before were surprised at how deep these things go. The few Nobles who already received letters from their families to remain in the Akademy and even told them to not come home eyes flickered in understanding.
Of course, the few Commoners who were close to Chu Xue understood that may be why their families weren't writing anymore. They might have been arrested or worse.
"I.." Chu Xue shook a little. He had ample time to think it over but for the most part, he kept thinking about the others and not about his family situation. But now that he was expelled, it all came crashing down like a mountain when someone pointed it out. "..I did what I thought was right at the time."
"Right at the time... boi I'll be damned! I will just be twice dogged damned then!" Leroy shook his head in distaste. "I hope you never do right by me in that way, I mean heavens knows what will happen to me! I might have the North, West, East, and Central Kingdom not to mention the Empires guards after me! Can only imagine the crap Jasmine and Victoria are going through because of you!"
"What do you mean?" A lump formed bigger in his stomach.
"I bet they asked their fathers to spare you and honor their wishes somehow like the love-struck idiots they seemed." Leroy let that sink in a little before continuing as he needed more interest going that way and away from him. "What do you think someone who knows how important you are to them will do with that information? After all, they have to weigh being a leader and a father at the same time. The right thing would be.. well to do right as a leader and king to have you killed. You are after all a traitor sympathizer.."
"That is enough Leroy!" Old Jin spoke with a little force. His Qi pushed against Leroy but was ignored. The pressure was a lot lower than what he felt during the Test from whoever targeted him. "Chu Xue is after all your junior brother still!"
With that statement, Old Jin made it clear that despite the expelling of Chu Xue he was still his teacher. Which meant that the Empire might still have eyes on the situation here in the Akademy.
"A junior brother that doesn't listen and almost got me killed along with our classmates." Leroy shook his head unbothered by old Jin but happy for the outspoken words. 'Well, a good reason to take an excursion in the future after I prepare.'
After all, he only received anything from him since arriving and anytime he tried to speak with him in regards to cultivation the vice-principal was too busy lately. There is busy with work and your private affairs. Then there is ignoring like he had been currently doing except when it came to this blasted Life Martial Artist.
"This could have been avoided. But he...."
"Chu Xue!" Fang Hao came running over. The little lapdog of Pin Feng was very dutiful. No matter how Leroy saw it, that's what the boy was. I mean he hung out with Pin Feng a lot and was around him the entire time of the Test, except during fights from what Leroy found out. But that is just a cover really. "I heard you are leaving!"
Leroy was grateful for the Demon Beasts and Assassins he refined. He was at least able to know several of the traitors in the Akademy still moved about. However, he had no real means to expose them and could only be careful of each of them.
He started pleading for Chu Xue to take him as well. Most of those gathered focused their attention on the two now. This was just weird to anyone with half a brain. But Chu Xue was smart enough to distance himself politely from the other.
"As your teacher, I am telling you to drop it." Old Jin said.
"Only person that can tell me to drop a matter and expect it done, is myself." Leroy did not appreciate being talked down to like this. Forgetting that he was in a different Dimension and not back Home in his adult body but in a young body with different social norms. "I am my own man, stop trying to protect this fool of a boy. How damaging will this be to the Akademy and yourself? Are you going to prioritize one over so many others? The other students do not deserve the treatment they will receive from the rumors that have already spread."
Before Old Jin could correct the matter further what was said was true and Leroy did seem to be speaking in the interest of the Akademy. Of course, speaking out against his Teacher was a sign of disrespect.
A voice called out. Making matters worse in seconds.
"Tsk, tsk, if it isn't vice-principal Jin and his Students." The voice belonged to another old person. That of the other vice-principal Itsumi. Itsumi had a bit of a rivalry with old Jin. Accompanying her were a few students of the Weapon Division that she mostly dealt with. "Long time no see."
The Akademy was quite large and had student batches twice a year. Thus the reason for so many new highers of teachers this year alone so far. Not to mention the hiring to replace those who died.
"Ms.Itsumi, what are you doing here?" Old Jin questioned with force politeness. His question was ignored outright. Looking around quickly, the vice-principal did not like the looks of this and hoped a brawl would not start. 'Too much of a coincidence for her to arrive right now.'
"These are the young men who showed so many Spiritual Root Branches during the test for admittance, yes?" She eyed Leroy and Chu Xue closely. "One a former lesser noble the other the last of his people I hear. If you believe the rumors that are out. One was unappreciated because he just started cultivation late and the other was expelled from the Heavenly Theocracy Akademy, what a waste."
"Oh, this is interesting." Leroy mumbled under his breath.
Old Jin did not like where this was going at all.
"For a teacher to treat his students this way, is quite a shame." Ms.Itsumi said smugly. "Kid, why not take me as your teacher instead?" She messed up by calling Leroy a kid. Evident by the look of distaste directed toward her that changed from interest. "Nevermind." Ms.Itsumi turned to Chu Xue not wanting to miss the chance. "You have no future under Takawa Jin, why not make the smart choice and switch to me?"
"Ms.Itsumi, what do you mean by that?" Old Jin inquired. His eyes narrowed at the very notion of having his students poached. 'The disrespect of not even giving me the courtesy of doing this behind close doors!'
"I'm talking to the kids here!"
"Humph, a waste of my time." Leroy feigned being sleepy as he gave a fake yawn to excuse himself. "Good luck saving the Light Lion-ice Family."
The Clear Tang members and those from Amp Flower Town left as well.
"Apologies Vice-principal Itsumi, while I do appreciate your offer.." Chu Xue started saying playfully. Not really serious but wanting to mess with the woman who insulted his teacher so openly. " .. the ones I've offended this time are people of the North Kingdom and possibly the Empire itself. Oh, not to mention the Dark Rose House. What can you do against these three powers?"
"Humph, not much." Ms.Itsumi would not play his game. Especially after the look Leroy gave after departing. These brats were not taking her seriously or with respect at all. "Takawa Jin, looks like you won't have much to show again at the Country Martial Cup. Such a pity."
Leroy did not stop walking which made a few of the students upset. Expecting him to argue back or at least stand his ground for them. The Unarmored Division had no real students to speak out since most of the stronger older students were out doing work Missions and Class assignments.
"Someone who's supposed to be a vice-principal of the Akademy actually doesn't have anyone under him worth looking at!" A student near Ms.Itsumi ridiculed loudly. "What a joke!"
It was just to loud and carried in the open area of the Main Gate. But Leroy and company did not stop despite hearing it.
"Is that an insult at us cousin?" Tang Xui leaned over asking. She doubts that was the case really. "I mean not like we were meant to participate anyway. It is more for those who practice a year after Training in a Sect or an Akademy like ours.
"Nah, I have know idea who they are talking about." Tang Bo shrugged as he rather focuses on his techniques and prepares for the trip home. "Not like the Clear Tang Family will let us participate under these circumstances."
"I feel the same way. Town Leader Votley told us to not do it as the Tournament is rigged anyway." Tessi voiced out but he still planned on going after he found out bets can be made to earn resources.
Unknown to the Clear Tang members their family had changed their stance on the matter and were planning to have them all enter.