It came to me that my Artes had been stripped away. At first, I didn't believe it since the white ghost seemed to be joking. However, when I attempted to activate my Artes. It wasn't responding to me as it should. My hair doesn't change, and even the chill sensation is all gone.
That's why I need to confront the president. He was surely the one who decided this. Actually, I was walking in the hallway of the hospital now. I've been discharged earlier, although my body still feels sore, and my left eye hasn't fully healed yet.
I can't stay in that room any longer. Perhaps all I need to do is make an appeal for my Artes. It doesn't make sense when they took away Artes.
I am an honorable soldier. I completed my examination swiftly. I've sacrificed everything for that power, I just can't lose it.
"My Artes."
Just imagining without it makes me dizzy. Ugh, if this is a punishment. Then I want another one, "Lock me! Starve me! I don't really care. Just give me back that Artes." I paused from my walk to have a little more thought about my loss.
Someone's loud howling drew my attention.
"Ahh! Emily! How could they do this to you!"
"Emma, please stop. You'll cause a ruckus."
"I don't care! I don't care at all! I can't believe that she'll get into this kind of state. She is our only child; I can't believe this! How could you stay calm after seeing our pitiful child's situation? You're the worst!"
There are two couples crying nearby. They must be here to see their children. Come to think of it, there are so many people visiting this Chasseur hospital. Most of them are in grief. To be honest, today was kind of gloomy. They've lost their children and even the title they hold will be stripped.
The Empire's regulation is that if your child does not pass the examination, whether dead or alive, their family's title will be taken away from them. Then the worst part comes next, they will fall from being Nobles to Chattel.
The Empire doesn't give any consideration to the loss. That's why the majority of people in the Empire attempted to flee to another nation.
Hence, this will not be the sovereign of the Empire if they don't hunt the Chattels who're trying to get away. It doesn't matter if they die or are sold out to the other nobles. As long as the Empire laws exist. No one will be able to escape.
"I have hated this place for a long time. I'm surprised that until now, I've managed to be on my feet. Soon I'll gain my freedom. I must refrain from being bothered by trivial matters such as this."
As I walk past the people who are mourning the loss of a family member, I pretended not to hear anything. I have my own problem. Even if I see them broken into pieces, I won't be able to aid them. Time cannot be changed, nor do their fleeting fates.
"He is dead."
"Yeah, I can see that."
"He is a shame for our family."
"What will happen now to our family?"
"We must make an appeal. We've helped the Empire before. It'll gain us at least credibility. That way, we must increase the funds that we'll pay to the Ministry of tribunate affairs."
The office's breeze greeted me as I stepped inside. My eyes laid upon the luxurious furniture, that was the first thing I had to see. Gold, Silver, and even the ornaments inside this room seem to have an immersive value. It's not strange to find things inside here but, this is my first-time seeing luxury. That's why it was new for me.
I walked past these things. I've just noticed that this place was not under security protection. There's no one watching and outside, I actually didn't see anyone.
"Perhaps. They didn't post security in the room thus they used CCTV (Close-circuit television). There's no way they won't put protection in the president's room."
Most people resent the president for the brutal and inhumane examinations. They treat their students not as humans but as animals so that at any time, they can die without any worth or value. They will dispose of them like trash after the things they did for them in the end.
Looking back on the matter, I have to attend. I saw someone standing right close to the huge window. He was staring down, probably watching the surface from here. Recognizing who he was, it wasn't hard for me to tell that he is the president.
My footsteps made a noise that allowed him to realize that I'd finally arrived.
"Ah. Welcome, my dear." He turned over to me as he marked a smile on his face, and he continued. "I've been expecting your arrival. Please have a seat."
He then pointed his arm to one of the seats that were unused. To tell the truth, I don't have any allure to talk with this old man. The death of that kid wasn't solved yet. I know no one will talk about him anymore but my hunch is strong. This old fart is surely one of the masterminds.
I sat in the seats that had been offered to me.
"I can see you have taken serious damage from the final examination. The doctors told me that your left eye will take time to recover. So, you don't need to worry about it."
"I'm not worried about anything. I'm more worried about the Artes that has been taken away from me."
"Artes that has been taken? What are you implying, my dear?"
Is he trying to dodge the blame? Why does he sound like he doesn't know anything? This is making me pissed off.
I dropped my hand annoyedly on the table recklessly. My eyes were glaring at him.
"If you are trying to play with me of 'What the hell are you talking about' thing won't work on me." My voice is starting to rise. The tension in this room is growing stronger. However, from what he sees me I hope this will be clear that I have no time for his joke.
His eyebrows twitched in confusion.
"We didn't take your Artes. My dear. The council won't do that to our outstanding students. What's made you think we took it from you?"
"What? But I can't use it. I can't activate my Artes!"
"Hmm, perhaps because you overused it. I told the thing about that. Overused Artes will fail to be activated the next time you try using it. It will take some days, or probably months to restore your Artes. That's the punishment for reaching the maximum limit of your powers."
But that white ghost told me that my Artes was totally stripped.
The kid's image appeared in my mind together with his annoying face and his sticking tongue.
"How dare that white ghost fools me for fun!"
"Huh? Are you saying something...?"
"No!"
"Then why are you even shouting at me—."
"It's none of your business."
"..."
I will make sure he'll pay for this.
"Anyways. I believe you're here for your Exclusive Card and Graduation Certification. Here, take them."
The president changed the topic immediately. He slides an envelope that contains the things I need. It's nothing special though when I took it from him.
"You've been unconscious when the graduation ceremony was held. So, the celebration—."
"I don't need celebration. I just need to get out of here."
"Hm? You've probably misunderstood..."
The old man abruptly said something that pique my attention. I saw his serious expression after that.
"You'll continue to serve the Empire. You'll descend in the surface... but hmm... Think of it as a short vacation. You'll return here to become a First-Class Lieutenant and take on the Empire's responsibilities that were designated for you."
My eyes widened when I heard his explanation of the matter of what will happen to me next.
"That's absurd!"
I stood up in a way of opposed the decision for me. I knocked my hands on the table with anger that I couldn't hide from my face.
"So, in the first place. There's nothing I could do to gain my freedom. This is worse than being a Chattel!"
"How could it be worst if you gained yourself a promotion on your first duty?"
"Do you think I will want that for myself?!"
I shouted at him; he could see how pissed I am yet he just smiled without being bothered by this matter.
"President. The board is waiting for you in the meeting room."
Then someone has to chime in. We're still not done with our discussion.
"I see." The president stood from where he sat. "Wait. We're not done here yet!"
"Euphemia darling. We don't have anything to discuss anymore. I've already cleared your misunderstanding. Oh. By the way...
...The Airship will be leaving this afternoon. If you want to spend your vacation it's okay, if you don't want then it's also fine. But before you leave, you should visit the Artes section for them to check if how is your Artes' condition."
"...!"
Then he left me inside this room full of vexation.