Detention for three days?
This punishment wasn’t particularly heavy, but it wasn’t light either.
For an ordinary student, staying in the Holy Studies Branch’s detention room — which was comparable to an ascetic monk’s cell — for three days would result in them losing a layer of skin by the time they came out.
But for a monster with a constitution like Astreia’s, it was probably no different from sleeping for three days.
Wendy even felt that the punishment was a bit too light.
After all, the person who died was the heir to the Macary Kingdom’s throne.
Aurelia, acting as the peacemaker, was clearly playing favorites.
However, just as Wendy thought the matter had been settled —
Bang!
The heavy office door, crafted from Holy Oak and engraved with a Guardian Array, was kicked open from the outside.
The entire doorframe let out an overwhelmed groan.
A figure as burly as an iron tower strode inside with great purpose.
The newcomer was the Dean of the Military Branch, Beota Nord.
“Aurelia, I heard my student suffered a little grievance on your turf?”
Before the old General had even come to a halt, her booming voice exploded within the solemn office.
Her hawk-like eyes swept across the room, lingering on Wendy’s face for a split second before falling onto the blood-stained Astreia.
When she saw that Astreia only had some superficial wounds and that the other party involved was nowhere to be seen, Beota’s furrowed brow relaxed.
‘Well, it looks like my student wasn’t the one who lost out.’
That was good.
Aurelia looked at the wobbling door and felt the veins in her forehead start to throb again.
“Beota, before you come in, could you learn to knock first?”
“Knock? Too much trouble.”
Beota waved her hand dismissively, walked straight to Aurelia’s desk, and plopped herself down on it.
“I just came from the command department when I heard that the little girl over here caused a death at the Saint Academy’s Duel Arena. Was it the one from the Macary family who died? Was she the one who did it?”
Beota pointed at Astreia.
“Yes,” Aurelia’s answer was brief and weary.
“Was a Life and Death Contract signed?”
“It was.”
“Then that’s that!”
Beota slapped her thigh hard.
“On the Duel Arena, swords and spears have no eyes. Since a Life and Death Contract was signed, everyone must accept their fate. If she died, she can only blame her own lack of skill and incompetence! What’s there to talk about? Astreia, well done! You truly are someone my Military Branch has its eyes on!”
The old General was not stingy with her praise.
Upon hearing this, Astreia straightened her back.
“I heard outside that you’re going to give her three days of detention?”
Beota glanced sideways at Aurelia.
“Though a Life and Death Contract was signed, her methods were too cruel. She tortured and killed her opponent in front of the entire academy’s students and teachers.”
“The impact is extremely negative. If she isn’t punished —” Aurelia’s tone turned cold — “and everyone follows suit in the future, what will become of the Academy’s regulations?”
“Regulations?”
Beota sneered, her face full of disdain.
“Aurelia, have you stayed in the church for so long that your brain has turned to mush from chanting? Cruelty to an enemy is called deterrence; kindness to an enemy is called stupidity! If she had shown mercy today, do you believe that a second or third Macary would’ve popped up to cause trouble tomorrow?”
“On the battlefield, it’s either you die or I live! If you’re going to cut the grass, you must pull it out by the roots!”
The old General’s words were powerful, each word carrying the scent of blood and fire.
“Nonsense!”
Aurelia’s temper also flared up.
“This is an academy, not your blood-soaked battlefield! We are training the pillars who will protect the future of the Continent, not butchers who only know slaughter!”
“What use are pillars who can’t even finish off their enemies? Are they just waiting to be hacked to pieces?”
Seeing that the Dean of the Holy Studies Branch and the Dean of the Military Branch were about to start a fight on the spot, the atmosphere in the office became extremely tense.
Wendy hid behind Astreia, watching with great interest.
‘Fight, fight! It would be best if they beat each other’s brains out!’
Laxana was so scared she was about to shrink under the sofa, desperately shooting looks at her mother.
As for Layana, she acted as if nothing was happening from start to finish, elegantly picking up her black tea and taking a small sip.
Only when the tea in her cup reached the bottom did she slowly put it down, making a crisp sound.
That sound successfully caused the two arguing women to stop at the same time.
“Oh, you two. You’re both at such an age, yet you still have such tempers, just like children.”
Layana spoke lazily, breaking the deadlock.
“Beota has a point. There is indeed no need to be soft-hearted toward an enemy. If you don’t beat them into submission today, there will only be more trouble later.”
Beota gave her an approving look that said, ‘You really understand me.’
“However,” Layana changed the subject and looked at Aurelia, “Aurelia’s concerns aren’t wrong either. After all, this is an academy, and the influence isn’t good. It’s necessary to put on a show for the other students.”
Aurelia’s expression softened slightly.
‘How clever,’ Wendy thought.
‘This Magic Dean managed to avoid offending either side and positioned herself as the mediator in just a few sentences.’
“How about this?”
Layana stood up and walked to Astreia with an elegant, feline stride.
She reached out a slender finger, gently hooked the Princess’s chin, and looked her over.
“Three days of detention is indeed a bit heavy.”
“Instead, let’s punish her by having her write an 800-word self-reflection, deeply considering where she fell short in the battle.”
“For example, she should have killed more efficiently instead of making such a mess of blood everywhere. It’s quite unrefined.”
As soon as she said this, Aurelia’s face turned dark again.
‘Is this self-reflection? This is incitement!’
Layana ignored her and continued.
“As for the detention, I don’t think she needs to go to the detention room.”
She gave Astreia a charming smile.
“Your punishment will be one day of detention in my office. I happen to be researching a new Composite Magic Array recently and am lacking a thick-skinned target. Come over and help out. While you’re at it, I’ll supervise you while you finish your self-reflection.”
“What do you two think of my proposal?”
After speaking, Layana looked at the other two Deans with a smile.
The office was deathly silent.
Beota was the first to lose it, letting out a snort before bursting into a hearty laugh.
She gave Layana a thumbs up.
“Brilliant! Simply brilliant!”
Detention for one day in Layana’s office?
And acting as a target for magic experiments?
This wasn’t a punishment; it was clearly special treatment — a massive reward!
Everyone knew that the Dean of the Magic Branch, Layana, rarely guided students.
In the entire academy, getting a single pointer from her was enough to brag about for six months.
Now, Astreia would not only receive her personal guidance for a whole day but also participate in the research of new magic.
This kind of fortune was something others couldn’t get even if they begged for it!
Aurelia’s chest rose and fell violently.
She looked at the two crazy women in front of her, acting in concert and colluding together.
Her head spun, and she almost couldn’t catch her breath.
She finally understood.
From the moment Beota kicked the door open, the nature of this matter had changed.
It was no longer about whether she should be punished.
This was a blatant power struggle between the three of them.
And she, unfortunately, was the one being isolated.
“Sigh…”
Finally, Aurelia let out a long sigh filled with endless exhaustion and compromise.
She waved her hand weakly.
“We’ll do as you say.”
With that, she turned her back to everyone, not wanting to look another second.
Her elderly back was the picture of desolation and helplessness.