We arrived at the front of the principal's office; two guards stood next to the door.
Leonardo, following us from behind, suddenly walked past us and spoke to the guards.
After a brief conversation, one of the guards knocked on the door.
"Sir, your son, Leonardo, brought two students who said they're being called by you," one of the guards said.
"Let them enter," the principal's voice echoed from inside the room.
The guards opened the door, and we stepped in. The principal sat at his desk, surrounded by paperwork, appearing busy. Considering this, I anticipated a brief meeting. I wondered why I had been summoned.
"You're Will, right?" the principal asked.
"Yes," I answered.
"And what are you doing here, Fia?" he asked, looking at Fia by my side.
"I came here to assist him. He's still not in perfect condition, as you can see," Fia answered, glancing at me.
"I didn't expect you to be close to a first-year," he said.
"Well, it's a long story," Fia replied.
"Sorry for derailing the conversation. Let's get to the reason why I called you here," the principal said, opening one of the drawers on his table.
He took a small pouch from it and threw it in my direction. I caught it, feeling the weight of coins inside.
"What is this, Principal?" I asked.
"A compensation for what happened to you. As the principal, it is my responsibility to protect you, but sadly, I was unable to do that," he said.
"I hope you'll take it and consider it an apology from me," he added.
I opened the pouch, finding ten gold coins inside. Was this payment for my silence?
"Principal, you don't need to apologize for it. These things sometimes really happen," I said.
"I'm glad to hear that," he said, smiling. "By the way, I have something to tell you, Principal," I said.
"Oh? What is it?" he asked, his face reflecting curiosity.
I noticed Leonardo, in my peripheral vision, making a face as if warning me not to say anything rude.
"You see, during that night in the fighting ground, some of my friends came to rescue me—Raiden, Tyiyn, Tork, and Chris. There is also a girl along with me who's also a victim. Maybe you also caught her; her name is Crestia," I said.
The principal made a face as if to ask, "So what of it?" I continued.
"I heard that all those who were caught are going to be sent to the battlefield. But my friends were innocent; they only came there to save me. Can you please free them?" I asked.
The principal, upon hearing this, started thinking, placing his hand on his chin. Silence enveloped us as we waited for his answer. After a while, he spoke.
"I'm sorry, Will, but if I do that, it would cause a problem," he said.
"What problem?" I asked.
"You see, I'm busy right now preparing for the swordsmanship tournament in the next two weeks, and your request would take time because it needs to be investigated first to confirm if what you're saying is true. But we're short on manpower right now, so I apologize, but I can't process your request," he said.
"Then can you do it after the swordsmanship tournament?" I asked.
"Hmm, that's impossible because they're going to be sent to the battlefield right after the swordsmanship tournament," he said.
"Can't you do something for it?" I asked.
"I feel sorry, but I'm really busy," he said, sounding a bit irritated.
"Why don't you just free them? I told you they're innocent," I said with a hint of frustration in my voice.
"Are you ordering me?" he said.
"That's not it; I'm just saying, why can't you do it? They didn't do anything wrong, and they're going to be sent to the battlefield. Think about it; isn't it unfair?" I said.
"Isn't it their fault for trying to act like heroes and failing to do so?" he said with a tone that hinted at irritation.
"Isn't it your fault for allowing that fighting ground to exist!?" I said, equally frustrated.
Why won't he understand me?
Leonardo's piercing gaze was directed at me, but I didn't care anymore; this was unfair.
"Are you questioning me, the principal of this academy?!" the principal shouted.
"But this is unfair!" I shouted back.
"You know, it's your friends' fault for getting involved, and I don't care even a bit about them. So leave now and don't ever come back here," he said, his tone firm.
"Principal, can't you do something about it? I'm begging you," Fia interjected.
"Don't butt in; this is not your business, and even if you ask me with this kid's attitude, I won't do it," he said.
Just because he's busy, he will send my friends to the battlefield? Just because he doesn't want this case added to his workload, he would send them even if they're innocent?
"You piece of shit!" I shouted because I cannot contain myself anymore.
Everything that happened since I woke up is so bad that I cannot contain myself anymore.
Why is this so unfair? What did I do to deserve this?
I saw Leonardo about to unsheathe his sword. This guy is so fucking idiotic; can't he understand what we talked about? His father is the one in the wrong, and the one he's angry with is me?
If this is how you want to play, then I'll give it to you.
"Water arrow!" I shouted, and then three arrow-shaped water forms appeared and headed towards the principal.
"Earth Wall!" The principal shouted, and then a wall made of earth suddenly appeared and blocked the arrows.
Before I knew it, Leonardo's sword was already pointing at my neck.
"What do you think you're doing?" Leonardo said, his voice saying he's ready to kill anytime.
"You brat! How dare you attack me!" the principal said, furious.
"Principal Morris! We're really sorry; please don't punish him. He just got fired up because of what happened. Please forgive him," Fia said, then bowed towards the principal.
"Fia..." Leonardo muttered, surprised about what Fia did.
The principal looked at Fia and then at his son, who's looking at Fia with concern.
"Fine, this is the first and the last time I'll do it! Take that brat outside and don't ever think of coming back here because there's no next time," the principal said.
"Tsk!" Leonardo said, then put away his sword that is pointing at my neck.
"Let's go, Will," Fia said, then took my wrist and dragged me out of the room.