Only several numbers of certain students were able to comprehend what had just transpired. Even then, the brief exchange of strikes between Cain and Aeon was nothing but questionable in their eyes.
But if there was one thing significant in this meager and quick godent duel that seemed abrupt… it's the participants' capability 'data.'
Just like how an ordinary student necessarily watched and attentively listened to a professor's lessons, the spectating godents would always find it informative to witness a godent battle-all for the sake of learning what the others had to offer.
'Is his godent power related to body strengthening? Or perhaps fire element?' Yuridika uttered in her head, carefully assessing Aeon's one hand emanating some sort of gray smoke as he was gently blowing it.
Yuridika's plan to sneak out of the spectacle to ask 'nicely' the presumed holder of the lost file about the Goddess was immediately halted; not even ten seconds had passed after she had decided to focus on the main reason why she infiltrated the academy by becoming its student.
"We have a winner! Aeon of Class 3-A wins!" The student referee reached for his hand and raised it together; some things remained the way it was, to say the least.
Hearing the declaration of the godent duel's end, the other students were still at the moment of processing what had happened.
"What just happened…?"
"I didn't see a thing aside from Cain being slammed to the ground."
"But isn't this better? That fucker really tried to lay his hands on our innocent Airi!"
The mix of indignation and relief from nearby students simultaneously erupted, and along with it were their echoing cheers.
However, before a minute or two had passed since Cain fainted due to a vital punch on the jaw, the student referee of the godent duel sensed an approaching figure and glanced at one of the entrances leading to the central arena, prompting him to immediately lower his head.
Aeon did the same.
At the same time, wondering about their sudden actions, the students' gazes gradually followed suit. It was then that they witnessed the unhesitant strides of a girl, whose eyes depicted thorny pink roses.
With her icy demeanor and confident atmosphere, the Head Judge of the Summit Grand Court arrived. Everyone, aside from others that could be counted on one hand, was surprised.
However, as if those in the gymnasium instinctively sensed it, they immediately raised their bodies and slightly bowed their heads toward the figure's direction.
After all, on the top-left most of her student uniform, a specific emblem symbolizing judgment was attached—the insignia of the Summit Grand Court depicting overlapping dual swords and a lone eye between its gap.
Everybody fell silent.
The Yu Heirs, along with some members of the Student Council nearby, showed the same level of respect, waiting for Alina Noxan Eurasia's purpose of visit. Of course, if there's one thing they didn't feel the need to do… it's to bow for her.
Tapping something behind her ear, as if she had gained control of the gymnasium's technical facilities in an instant, several massive holographic projections manifested.
These projections then displayed the fate of four students within a certain room in the Red Moon Hotel.
Kendrick, Rodrick, Sophie, and Rain—all dead by Alina's hand.
***
"This will serve as a warning…" Alina, with her voice amplified and reaching everyone's ears, carefully delivered what she intended.
"For the first-year students, do not ever have funny ideas about the possibility that something against the Summit Rules will go unnoticed. Remember why you're here and what it means for your family living outside the academy." She paused for a moment.
Taking a short breath, with her resolved tone, Alina continued,
"Remember the student interview before you were admitted to this place? Do not ever forget what will happen to your families… the moment you stupidly do something that'll undermine the Summit Rules that have held a long-lasting standing since the academy's foundation.
"Your loved ones hold no power outside this place, and even if they're involved somehow, they do not have an ounce of authority to bend what's already written. So tread carefully… unless you want your entire bloodline to be erased from history."
Even though this message was not solely meant for the first-year students, who had a grasp of how the Old World's society was entirely different from the present, they couldn't help but feel tense as Alina's blatant warning resonated in their souls.
Looking around, Alina added,
"Now then, as we are also merciful… before the Godent Assessment in two days, and Summit Banquet in four, I will have everyone vote about the fate of the relatives of these four students.
"Check the official website later at 11:00 P.M. and you will also see the full details regarding the rules they'd broken. That will be all."
It was then that Alina subtly gestured Aeon to follow her, which he silently obeyed as the brief, seemingly anti-climactic duel ended.
Those who were adjusting to this sight were evidently relieved… only until Alina turned her head to gaze at the unconscious Cain.
"My bad. It's the fate of the five students' relatives."
Crack.
Beside Alina, a crack of starlight manifested…
Bang!
From a considerable distance, with a godent-effective gun she pulled from her own subspace bag, Cain's head was blown into smithereens.
***
9th Floor of the Summit Tower, Court of Summit, Central Peak of the Summit Academy.
"Thank you…! Thank you so much!"
Airi Winter repeatedly bowed to Alina as a form of gratitude for saving her from Cain's grasp, whatever caused him to act that way. On the other hand, standing by Alina's side, Airi also adamantly expressed her thanks to Aeon, who was commanded by Alina to take the Eurasia Grand Agency's idol's place in the godent duel.
"There's no need for it. I didn't do it for you but for the agency. You'll have your world tour next month, and I can't have you get injured. Even if we possess the finest medicines and such, it's still quite troublesome to deal with the possibility of having foreign star mana in your body system."
Star Mana – what revolved around the godent's soul and served as the energy to draw out the godent power. Without it, a godent would be as helpless as an ordinary human.
One could also say that the comet that landed on Earth was constantly emanating this so-called Star Mana and was the source of human evolution. However, even after all these years, no one could arrive at a conclusion, only speculations.
"J-just thanks, okay! I-I'll be off first! Thank you!" Airi continuously lowered her head before leaving the expansive facility used for grave case trials.
With the two of them remaining in this cold place, Alina spoke, "Aeon, what the hell happened?"
For some reason, no one knew why Cain Argos suddenly triggered the Godent Duel against Airi Winter.
"I am not sure either, Young Miss. But if I have to guess, it might have something to do with why you executed him earlier, that is, if you did it because of the same reasons you had in mind or because he dared lay a hand to one of the agency's valuable assets, which in this case, Airi herself."
Alina pondered Aeon's words.
'Did Cain perhaps know I'm into him? Well, considering his connections to both Rodrick and Kendrick, I wouldn't be surprised if he learned what happened to them pre-announcement earlier.'
"I see… Nonetheless, I have to prepare. The vote will begin in four hours."
***
Aeon stayed by Alina's side during this cold night.
They didn't return to their respective dormitory rooms but instead remained in the Court of Summit.
When the clock struck 11:00 P.M. approximately, a certain section of the Summit Academy's official website was updated, thanks to Alina's pre-arrangements.
Using his academy-exclusive phone, Aeon read the poll-attached announcement.
[ Transgressors' Relatives' Fate ]
The following students are proven to have violated the Summit Rules:
[1] Kendrick Zakir of Class 2-B
Rule Broken:
Summit Rule Book, General Section of Authorization, Clause I – 'Any product unauthorized by the Summit Government is forbidden to sell/distribute within the academy premises.'
Case Specifics:
Secretly sold an unauthorized drug within the academy.
[2] Rodrick Kang of Class 3-C
Rule Broken:
Summit Rule Book, General Section of Authorization, Clause II – 'Any product unauthorized by the Summit Government is forbidden to consume/use/buy within the academy premises.'
Case Specifics:
Secretly used an unauthorized drug illegally sold within the academy.
[3] Sophie Kim of Class 3-C
Rule Broken:
Summit Rule Book, General Section of Authorization, Clause II – …
Case Specifics: …
[4] Rain Zareen of Class 3-C
Rule Broken:
Summit Rule Book, General Section of Authorization, Clause II – …
Case Specifics: …
[5] Cain Argos of Class 3-A
Rule Broken:
Summit Rule Book, Section of Royalty, Clause I – 'Any mockery against any of the heirs of the Seven World Corporations – legitimate or illegitimate – is punishable by death…'
Case Specifics: …
An heir of one of the Seven World Corporations was mocked; specifics were omitted.
[ Based on these broken rules, decide the consequences for their respective families. ]
[ Reminder: A student can only vote for the same person once. ]
***
Aeon looked at Alina with a dumbfounded expression.
After reading Cain's case, Aeon couldn't help but ask, "Since when?"
As she remained seated, Alina replied coldly, "Are you asking me because you don't know?"
"I don't-"
"I don't care if he has connections with Kendrick and Rodrick based on the data I've gathered…"
"If so, then why-"
Aeon didn't manage to finish his words as Alina continued to cut him off.
"Because he punched you. Remember what happened on the first day?"
"Wh-what do you mean?" Aeon was visibly flustered.
Alina then stood up from her seat and pushed Aeon, who was by her side, to the corner.
Thud!
"Aeon… I don't like it when someone touches my possession. Remember that, okay?"
Based on her words, though not explained directly, Alina viewed Cain's act of punching Aeon last time as a mockery of her possession, which, based on the Summit Rules, was valid.
Alina gazed intently at Aeon's stoic amethyst eyes.
The latter's expression was now standstill, returning to the way it should be as the lone mercenary of the Eurasia Grand Agency's heir.
'What are you thinking right now…? Would you appreciate it? That I can just kill someone if they hurt you?
'Would I know what or who you truly are if I completely claim you to be mine and use you the way I want? Would that lead you to open yourself to me?'
In these drowning thoughts that seemed to stem from obsession wanting to know why her father entrusted her security to this certain person wandering Antarctica, a voice from the same source of her uncertainty echoed amidst this cold, solemn night,
"If you boldly claim that I am yours, then what do you want me to do...?"