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Appearing on stage accompanied by grand live music was Weiss the Sage.
Ever since provoking Leopin, he had followed a path of downfall.
Abandoned by classmates, his starting Sage robe torn to rags, glasses cracked, and hair disheveled.
He had looked like a fallen slum dweller… but—
Now he wore a dazzling robe like a phoenix reborn.
Stepping into the center of the stage, he fluttered the robe like wings and brushed back his silky hair with theatrical flair.
Then he adjusted his glasses fitted with brand-new lenses.
He sharply pointed at the pair huddling at the edge of the stage.
“Nekodran, Yesman! Your evil deeds were long obvious to me, the Sage! I merely let you run free to capture the decisive moment!”
…DOJAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!
The orchestra roared.
The pair blinked, cheeks still pressed together.
“W-what… what does this mean?”
“The one who proposed this operation to us… was you, Weiss-kun…”
Weiss shrugged.
“Good grief, even now you try to pin the blame on me. Truly despicable.”
Instantly Nekodran and Yesman’s faces turned red like ignited flames.
“Y-you trapped me, the principal…!?”
“No! A mere student deceiving me, the vice principal — what a delinquent!”
The two lunged at Weiss reflexively.
But the tall woman conducting at the front of the orchestra stepped between them.
Then a fierce strike was delivered.
…DOGWASHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Her thigh soared through the air, white frilled skirt fluttering.
Nekodran and Yesman took a direct knee to the face.
“GYAAAAAAAH!?!?”
They rolled backward with crooked noses.
“W-what was that for!?”
“W-who are you!?”
The woman placed a hand on the hat she wore low.
She tossed aside the emblem-marked cap of the royal marching band.
“Y-you are…!? N-no… you are!?”
“Th-the Education Committee…!?”
She was the very messenger who had informed them of their three-rank demotion.
She tied up her hair and returned to her usual secretary-like appearance.
Then she spoke coldly.
“Instructor Nekodran, Instructor Yesman, Weiss-kun here told us everything about your scheme. Even after being removed from principal and vice principal, you clung to power and tried to throw the academy into chaos. And you even sealed the teleportation magic circle to prevent outside interference…”
Weiss immediately added beside her.
“Fortunately, my genius intellect as a Sage broke the seal. Without me, things would have been disastrous.”
Nekodran and Yesman shouted back in outrage.
“What are you saying!? You told us to seal the magic circle!”
“That’s right! You stood beside me while I sealed it and watched the method! That’s why you could undo it so easily, wasn’t it!?”
“And not only that! The state of emergency, recasting the Unquenchable spell, filling the pond, blocking the river — everything…!”
“It was all Weiss-kun’s instigation! He whispered like a devil in the academy courtyard!”
But Weiss remained unfazed.
“How does it feel?”
“Huh?”
“I once received devilish whispers from you as well. You told me to build a base using students who were still immature. When it failed, you pushed all responsibility onto me. Of course I protested, but you wouldn’t listen. Now you’re experiencing the same feeling.”
“Guh…!”
“I repay what’s done to me double. Naturally, punishment will be doubled as well.”
With a courteous bow, Weiss stepped back.
The Education Committee envoy stepped forward.
“Nekodran and Yesman, I hereby deliver your sentence.”
The two shrank in terror.
Like children glared at by a witch, they clung tightly to each other.
“As educators, abusing authority you did not possess and disturbing academy order is a grave crime. At the Royal Pioneer Academy, it is considered rebellion against the kingdom.”
Her heel struck the ground like a judge’s gavel.
“Therefore, you are arrested for sedition! The ringleader will face long-term forced labor, possibly life imprisonment!”
Instantly the brothers turned from strangers into enemies.
“H-he’s the ringleader! Him! I was forced by this man…!”
“What nonsense, you bald fathead! You threatened to infect me with baldness if I didn’t obey!”
“What!? I’ve had enough!
You’ve insulted me constantly! I always wanted to throw you out!”
“That’s my line! All you do is ooze rotten grease from your face and act arrogant! I wanted to crush you!”
“GYAAAAAA!!”
“KEEEEEEE!!”
Their hatred peaked and they began brawling.
“GYAFBEROHAGYABEBABUJOHABA!!”
Nekodran and Yesman — together, Nekoman — were bound by the Education Committee members disguised as musicians.
Still grappling, they were tightly wrapped in rope.
Screaming like a plucked monster bird and a shaved fat cat, they were hauled away in a barred carriage.
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