The Fallen Sage

Once Weiss was released from the infirmary, he staggered unsteadily through the academy corridors.

Along the way stood a notice board, surrounded by a large crowd of students.

Posted prominently on it was the latest ruling concerning Class 1-20.

Incidentally, had the Black Panther smuggling incident been fully exposed, a single-rank demotion would not have sufficed.

However, in this matter, everything was buried in darkness.

That was because the Board of Education had shown consideration toward Weiss’s father.

If it were discovered that a Great Sage had secretly supported his son, it would have become a massive scandal.

Weiss tried to pass by without looking at the board, but the murmurs reached his ears regardless.

“Hey, look! Class 1-20 got demoted again!”

“Huh, again!? What did they screw up this time!?”

“Apparently Weiss got injured after being attacked by his own pet during the Tamer class!”

“Wow, that’s pathetic! A Tamer getting attacked by his own pet—does that even happen!?”

“Normally no, but if it’s that useless Sage, doesn’t seem impossible.”

“And rumor has it he was saved by that unemployed trash! Otherwise, he might’ve been killed!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa—seriously!? Getting saved by unemployed trash is beyond lame!”

“Yeah! If it were me, I’d be too embarrassed to stay at the academy!”

“And if they get demoted again, they’ll be E-rank—bottom-tier group!”

“Yeah! If it were me, I’d die of shame!”

“U… uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”

Unable to bear it, Weiss broke into a run.

That day, he was spotted running around screaming all over the academy buildings and residential district.

By the time Weiss returned to the Class 1-20 house, night had fully fallen.

In the dining hall, his classmates had already finished dinner, and a completely cold meal sat at Weiss’s seat of honor.

Without wiping the dirt from his face or removing his tattered Sage robe, Weiss spoke without even sitting down.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Monsoon, lounging arrogantly at a nearby seat, shot back.

“What do you mean, what’s the meaning?”

“Meals were supposed to begin with my declaration. Why did you eat without permission?”

“How should I know? Everyone except you was here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I am the leader of this class.”

“You’re the ridiculous one. You haven’t done a single thing worthy of a leader.”

“And besides, we got demoted again because of you, didn’t we?”

Cyaruru, sitting across from Monsoon, spoke while twirling her hair.

“I was fighting to discipline Leopin. He’s far more wicked than you all imagine and is trying to throw this academy into chaos. The delay in our class’s development is entirely his fault—”

“Cut the crap!”

Monsoon shouted, springing up as if to flip the table.

“Our class’s slow progress is all your fault! Since you seem clueless, Sage-sama, let me enlighten you—how do you think the rubble was cleared!? Who do you think built this house!? Who do you think prepared this food!?”

Monsoon spread his palm, indicating the classmates seated at the table.

“All of us did it! We bought everything with Slave Tickets! You’re the only one who didn’t contribute a single ticket!”

Weiss hated being ordered around more than anything, so he had always found excuses not to provide any Slave Tickets.

Furrowing his brow, Weiss spoke with clear irritation.

“That’s only natural. I’m a Sage. Sweating and laboring is your job—”

“Then act like a Sage and lead us! All you’re doing is dragging us down!”

“At this point, having Leopin around would’ve been better.”

At Cyaruru’s words, the classmates began nodding in agreement one after another.

“Yeah, Cyaruru might be right.”

“The houses Leopin built for Lady Monaka and Lady Kotone were amazing.”

“Man… if Leopin were here, we might’ve been living in a place like that by now.”

“Oh yeah, didn’t Leopin already start growing sweet potatoes?”

“Yeah, I got to try some—they were insanely good!”

“Ugh… if Leopin were here, we wouldn’t be struggling with food right now.”

“Shut up!”

Weiss roared, slamming his fist down on the table.

“Take that back, Cyaruru! You’re saying it would’ve been better with Leopin!? That’s impossible! You’ve lost your mind!”

Cyaruru stood up, refusing to back down.

“You’re the one who’s lost it, Weiss! Get it through your head already! Leopin is dozens of times better than you!”

“Y-You’re saying that unemployed trash is better than me, a Sage…!?”

“That’s right! And Leopin cared about us way more than you ever did! He didn’t just watch from on high—he worked harder for this class than anyone!”

The classmates shrank back, overwhelmed by Cyaruru’s fury.

“W-What’s gotten into you, sis Cyaruru!? You’ve never once praised Leopin before…!”

“I-I’m not praising him or anything! I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking for them!”

Weiss hung his head, clenching his fists tightly.

“T-Take it back… Cyaruru…! Your words carry the most influence in this class after mine…!”

“I told you already! I’m not listening to you anymore!”

“Then this time for sure—purgeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Weiss bared his bloodshot eyes and lunged at Cyaruru.

But his face was grotesquely crushed by a fist like solid rock.

Weiss was sent flying as if his neck were about to snap.

He slammed into the service door, yet his momentum did not slow.

Bursting through it, he was flung outside and smashed into the garbage area with a sickening thud.

As Monsoon closed the door, he said,

“I told you I won’t tolerate anyone who hits a woman. Cool your head out there for the night. I’m done with you, same as Cyaruru.”

Bang!

The door slammed shut, cutting him off completely.

Wriggling amid the food waste, Weiss shed tears of blood.

“Ghh… g-ggggh…! Why… why is this happening…!? Why are you taking everything from me…!? The class rank, the house I built, my classmates’ loyalty…! Cyaruru and Monsoon—no, even my pet and my father…!”

An unprecedented sense of defeat and humiliation threatened to crush him.

Yet the flame burning in his eyes had not gone out.

“I… I will never forgive this…! I will never forgive it…!”

If anything, it burned even more fiercely.

As if spewing that fire from his mouth, he howled up at the heavens.

“…Leopiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!!”