The Golem Mage

721: Shamelessness At Its Peak 2.

721: Shamelessness At Its Peak 2.

The crowd understood the truth of Alec’s situation: there had been no investigation.

The king had renounced the War God Mage Academy’s achievements in a single, unchallenged decree, using Alec’s actions as a convenient excuse.

But now, with Alec’s bold justification and reference to the law, the tables had turned, he had exposed the lack of due process, indirectly calling out the incompetence of those responsible for investigating the incident, and by extension, the king himself.

Though Alec had not openly insulted the king, but his words were an indirect slap to the monarch’s authority, forcing him into a corner before the eyes of thousands.

“Don’t push your luck, boy!” the Golden Armoured Knight growled, releasing a suffocating wave of aura toward Alec, as Alec’s word indirect meaning was picked up by many.

But before the oppressive energy could reach him, it was effortlessly blocked by the Dean of the War God Mage Academy, who stepped in front of Alec with a calm yet dangerous smile.

“It seems you’ve forgotten I’m still standing here,” the Dean said, his voice cold and sharp.

“Do you think I’d allow you to threaten one of my students without consequence?

Hmph.”

Though the Dean had often come across as a lackluster leader, but he would not tolerate anyone bullying a member of his academy in his presence.

Alec, peeking out from behind his Dean, wasn’t done, his eyes blazed with defiance, giving him the aura of someone fuelled by justice or, at least, righteous indignation.

“But it’s the law,” Alec retorted, his tone cutting.

“Unless, of course, you don’t respect it, you, of all people, as the leader of the Royal Guards, should know better than anyone that I am not guilty of what I’ve been accused of.”

The Golden Knight clenched his teeth, his face twisted in frustration.

Alec’s sharp words had outmaneuvered him, leaving him unable to respond without looking foolish, worse still, the Dean’s unwavering stance made it clear that intimidating Alec into submission wasn’t an option.

But to the audience it was understandable why the Dean was acting so fiercely, as not only were his authority being undermined as they planned to brand Alec a guilty person even under the circumstances where the truth was out, but also the king’s decision to strip the War God Mage Academy of their victory wasn’t just a blow to their pride, it was a calculated move to deprive them of the resources and wealth tied to their rightful share of the Royal Treasury under the academy budgets, and the Dean was not about to let that happen without a fight.

The Dean of the War God Mage Academy had never truly believed his team would win, but now that they had, he was determined to claim their rightful share of the prize.

His academy needed the resources more than any other, and for good reason, the War God Mage Academy had been at the forefront of the Northern Kingdom’s expansion efforts into the Second Dimension.

As Alumni, present students, and instructors alike had tirelessly fought, defended cities, and lost countless lives in service of the kingdom, all without receiving the proper support due to their refusal to accept interference in the academy, this neglect had left the academy in a state of near ruin.

But their sacrifices didn’t mean the academy had lost its pride or its hidden strength.

And the Dean, seeing the blatant conspiracy unfolding, wasn’t about to stand by and let their hard earned victory be stolen.

“Let us not forget that among the brave mages you mentioned, your Majesty, Alec stands at the very top, he is one of the reasons the battle ended as swiftly as it did.” The Dean began, his voice sharp yet composed as he stepped forward

The crowd stirred at his words, and even the king seemed momentarily taken aback.

“Have you considered,” the Dean continued, his tone unwavering,

“how many more lives would have been lost had he not stepped in?

Alec used countless resources, millions of magic crystals worth of pills and talismans, all just to aid others and bring the battle to a close.

And yet, not only is he being denied recognition for his efforts, but you also seek to punish him and the entire academy?

Where is the justice in this?

I implore you, your Majesty, to reconsider your verdict.”

Though the Dean’s words were respectfully directed at the king, his tone carried a subtle yet unmistakable defiance.

It was as though he had delivered an even sharper rebuke than Alec’s earlier outburst, though veiled in politeness.

And he didn’t forget to emphasize the enormity of Alec’s contributions to the battle, the thought of all the resources Alec had used, and the price they had paid for victory, made the Dean’s heart ache.

But his pain only fuelled his determination, as if the War God Mage Academy was to fall, it wouldn’t be without a fight and certainly not at the hands of baseless accusations.

At this point, even the king found himself unable to refute the Dean’s arguments.

His silence was a testament to his discomfort, and the hall began to buzz with whispers, among the academy leaders present, greed started to seep into their thoughts.

The display of wealth Alec had casually shown during the battle left many of them wondering just how much more he might have hidden.

Some began to eye Alec, weighing their options, like if they could somehow gain hold over him, they might coax or force him into revealing whatever treasures he still possessed.

However, reason held most of them back, was after all, despite its rundown state, the War God Mage Academy was still backed by monstrous strength.

Its alumni, many of whom still held General rank positions in the institute, would undoubtedly rally to defend the academy’s interests if provoked, for a potential but uncertain profit, few were willing to risk offending such a powerful institution.

Their interest, however, lingered on a different target, whoever was supplying Alec with those talismans and pills.

If they could trace the source, it would be worth any effort to secure such a lucrative pipeline.

The king finally broke the tension, his voice cold and firm.

“It does not change the fact that Alec killed someone, the boy displays far too much bloodthirsty, such a child cannot be allowed to train in the mana pool cultivated by the Royal Clan for generations.

“

“As for my decision to strip the War God Mage Academy of its title, it stands, you have failed to teach your students proper control, allowing them to be consumed by their bloodlust.

My judgment is final.”

He turned his face away from the Dean, unable to meet his eyes.

The king’s shamelessness was clear to all, even as his injustice was laid bare, he stubbornly refused to retract his earlier verdict.

To him, backtracking now would be too humiliating, and his pride wouldn’t allow it, internally, however, he cursed Liam for feeding him incomplete information, information that failed to mention the context of Alec’s actions or the deserter incident that had justified them.

The Dean expression was calm as he came to a realization that no matter if they were right the king still won’t change his judgment

“I see, the kingdom has finally abandoned us, we understand your wishes, your majesty.” The Dean spoke again but his tone icy.

With those parting words, he turned his gaze away from the king and toward his team, his resolve stronger than ever.

“Let’s go, there is nothing left for us here,” the Dean said firmly, his voice echoing with finality.

“We will not accept the prize as compensation, we are not beggars, we deserved it, and if it won’t be given to us properly, then there’s no need to accept it as though we are grovelling for scraps.”

With a flick of his wrist, the Dean summoned his shimmering space door, its edges glowing faintly with mana, one by one, the members of the War God Mage Academy team stepped through, vanishing from the arena’s view.

Alec lingered for a moment, standing at the threshold.

His gaze swept across the arena, locking briefly onto the king and then Liam, his expression was unreadable a mix of disappointment, frustration, and defiance.

With a slow shake of his head, he turned and stepped through the portal, disappearing into its light.