Jerilial sighed in defeat. "I knew it would be difficult to convince you to spare them. But since this is the decision you've chosen, I'll gladly support whatever punishment you decide," he said with a smile.

I nodded.

"One more thing. Based on the outcome of the investigation, the Student Council will be given the authority to decide who will remain in their position and who will be removed from it," he said.

"So, before I leave here, I'll be looking into some candidates to take up positions as new members of the Disciplinary Committee. I would like to know your thoughts on becoming an Enforcer of the Disciplinary Committee."

I was taken aback. Considering the current situation, I hadn't expected such an offer.

Just to be sure, I pointed at myself. "Me?"

Jerilial nodded. As though reading my thoughts, he responded with a smile, "Before I arrived at the First-Year section, I did a lot of research on you. Although your earlier results were lacklustre when compared to your peers, it didn't take too much to understand that they were fabricated to hide your strength, as you had already anticipated a situation like this."

"I uncovered your rising popularity, which Ivory's false accusations have blemished. As long as we can get rid of that stain, you can stand at a level above your peers, becoming a target of other noble descendants. If you accept my offer, you will be protected by the Disciplinary Committee."

"You won't have to worry about being targeted by the Zahara Clan Descendants anymore. Even if they remain relentless, it would be challenging for them to act without us uncovering it."

"You would also receive a weekly payment of 14 merit points and gain access to various privileges restricted to ordinary students. And most of all, The Disciplinary Committee will recover its reputation."

Protection? Privileges? Easily accumulated merit points?

I acknowledged that it was an amazing offer.

I gained 24 merit points a week as the third-ranked Magical Swordsman in the Magical Swordsman Department, Class Three. With an additional 14 merit points, that would be 34 merit points a week.

Milas earned 27 merit points as the second-ranked swordsman, and Ivory gained 30 merit points as the top-ranked swordsman.

However, although becoming a Disciplinary Committee member was an enticing offer, due to the strict procedures involved in selecting members and their demanding responsibilities, which sometimes even prevented them from attending classes, it wasn't sought after by many.

After all, it was much more profitable to train harder, rise into the top ten, and display one's potential to guarantee the future. They could also earn merit points higher than those in the Disciplinary Committee this way.

The only thing truly worth looking forward to was the various privileges.

I had once learned that this was by design, to prevent the position from being monopolised.

But that didn't seem practical, considering that the Descendants of the Lupindral Clan were members of the Disciplinary Committee in both the First and Second Year.

"I'll think about it. I'll give you my answer after this matter has been settled," I said. "I'll also inform you about the kind of punishment I've decided for the Disciplinary Committee members who had a hand in this."

Although I was initially inclined to accept his offer immediately, I was far more interested in seeing how this matter would be resolved before making such a drastic decision.

"You don't need to worry. I understand your situation, and I'll give you time to think about it. But as long as you make your decision before then, please get in touch with me," Jerilial said, passing a card toward me.

"The sooner, the better."

I took the card.

It contained only his email.

I nodded and stored it away in my storage bag.

"That's all for today. You may leave. I'll pass the investigation report to the higher authorities. I will inform you if anything else comes up," Jerilial replied.

I nodded.

"Thank you for your time, Senior Jerilial."

"Hah- there's no need to thank me. I'm only doing my work."

Jerilial responded with a smile, waving his hand casually.

"I'll be taking my leave then."

I stood up and exited the room.

As I returned to the robotic receptionist area, I saw Eldric and Andre, along with a few others who appeared to be also beaten, though in slightly better condition, discussing among themselves.

I didn't bother confirming their identities as they quickly noticed me.

Their expressions dulled and filled with fright for a moment before they rushed toward me.

However, I weaved past all of them and swiftly headed straight for the door.

***

[ Jerilial Lupindral P.O.V ]

I couldn't understand how they had gotten themselves into such a troublesome situation.

Everything would have been fine if we had received information in time, but now that the Governing Council and the Instructor Committee were aware of it, things were bound to become much more problematic.

Still, the First-Years this time around are truly something else.

Even if a situation like this had always occurred in the past, they were usually on a smaller scale, involving students taking advantage of academy workers to carry out tasks that could otherwise get them into trouble if discovered.

Trying to persuade a Disciplinary Committee member to bend the rules to avoid trouble was more common, and many students were punished for attempting to do so.

There were a few cases of people succeeding, but once discovered, the Disciplinary Committee members responsible were punished much more heavily than the culprits.

Hence, they had to try their best to remain incorruptible.

Blackmailing an Instructor was something that rarely happened because the risk of being found out was much greater, and no students were foolish enough to do it.

Tricking them into becoming dependent on a drug and turning them into addicts was something only a minimal number dared attempt.

However, not only had three of these been done by First-Year students, but they had also been done simultaneously.

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