Chapter 102: Vajrapani (1)
"I don't want to conclude hastily about Shirone's case. Currently, we lack information about the Unlocker," Ethella, who agreed with Alpeas, added.
"Shirone entered the Immortal Function three months ago and dramatically opened it during the recent battle. The Sacred Order recognizes the Immortal Function as a mental sublimation function. It could be a matter separate from life itself."
"What are you talking about? We're not here to listen to the perspective of the Sacred Order. We want to resolve this situation as soon as possible."
Some professors didn't understand Ethella's words. The Immortal Function was a level beyond comprehension. Not even the most knowledgeable teachers could claim to understand it more than a layman in the field of enlightenment.
The professor facing Ethella spoke directly to Alpeas.
"Director, please reconsider. Honestly, with all due respect, this all started with the Principal's romantic relationship. There's nothing more important to us than this academy. At this rate, the worst could happen."
Alpeas looked at the audience. Dozens of gazes urged him with silent anticipation.
"The worst-case scenario? What's the worst case you can think of?"
"The academy might be ordered to close."
"No, that's not the worst case."
A frustrated professor spoke up, pounding their chest.
"I can't understand the director's will. What could be worse than the closure of the academy?"
"The worst scenario for the academy is if all students and teachers die."
The conference room fell into silence. The gazes directed at Alpeas shifted one by one.
"If it weren't for Shirone, none of us would have survived. And the casualty list would have included all of you."
Alpeas felt disappointed by the professors who sought to use the student's death for their benefit instead of honoring him.
"Isn't there even a slight possibility? Even if it's less than a 1% chance, isn't this the child who gave his life for us? Shouldn't we try until we exhaust every possibility? Even if the academy closes, isn't it our duty as teachers to do everything possible for Shirone's return?"
"But, Director, what does the academy mean to us? We're sorry for Shirone, but if the academy closes like this..."
"The academy won't close. I'll take full responsibility. So please, work hard for Shirone. Shouldn't we at least make this sacrifice for that child?"
The professors couldn't refute Alpeas' words. Regardless of the reason, they couldn't deny the fact that a student had saved their lives.
After the meeting, the professors left the conference room with somber expressions.
The Student Council of the Magic Academy.
The representatives of the student council from each class gathered in the huge conference room. Unlike the professors who were concerned about their livelihood, emotionally sensitive students felt betrayed by Alpeas' past.
"Hello, I'm Amira, the president of the Student Council. I've called this meeting to discuss and resolve the current situation. I hope everyone presents constructive opinions."
Amira, from Class 2, declared the conference from the podium. At twenty-two years old, a final-year student specializing in climatic magic, he held the top position among graduating students.
As a representative figure of the leftist inclination of the student council, the atmosphere of the debate could be predicted. As expected, the first to request the floor were the conservatives who criticized the school's stance.
"I'm Cerielle, from Class Three. I'm aware that there's a highly critical public opinion regarding Director Alpeas within the academy. However, I believe we should be cautious. The honor of the academy is the same as that of the students. Attacking the faculty in this situation could have negative repercussions for future graduates."
"I'm Cass from Class Four. Although I understand Committee Cerielle's point, this issue is related to the morality of the teachers. Even though it happened 40 years ago, it was a criminal act. I don't think there's a future for the academy if they don't take responsibility for this part."
Naturally, Amira agreed with Cass. However, as befitting her role as president, she didn't express her agreement outwardly but simply nodded.
"Olivia from Class Six. The main issue at hand is Shirone's death. As you know, Shirone has died. However, a minority of students and teachers are distorting this fact. As a result, the school has lost two of the suspects aligned with Arcane, and the Director's accusation is also being delayed. I believe this is a clear case of evading responsibilities, and the student council should step up."
Amira was furious for the same reason. Currently, the teachers were delaying Alpeas' accusation by claiming Shirone's status was uncertain.
Cerielle opposed this view.
"Isn't the interpretation of the teachers' intentions a bit exaggerated? Shirone's heart isn't beating, but there's no decomposition either. I know there's a lot of discussion about the Immortal Function even in the Ivory Tower. Considering this, it's not unreasonable to understand the professors' judgment."
The students reacted with disdain. It was about the Immortal Function, which was difficult to understand even for the professors, so there was no way they could accept it at their level. Some students didn't even know what the Immortal Function was.
The same applied to Amira. The highest level a mage can pursue. But what about it?
Magic was a phenomenon based on knowledge. She couldn't feel the greatness of being called the best while discussing something as intangible as a cloud.
"Um, I'm Veronica from Class Ten."
An eight-year-old girl raised her hand. The student council selected representatives from each class, so regardless of her age, the weight of her words was the same.
"Yes, please, go ahead, Committee Veronica."
"What did Grandpa Alpeas do wrong?"
Upon hearing a voice that seemed on the verge of tears, Amira furrowed her brow and let out a sigh.
'That's why I suggested separating the classes,' said Veronica with a huff.
"Can't we forgive Grandpa Alpeas even if he made a mistake?"
"That's not right, Committee Veronica. This is a matter related to the honor of the academy."
"But... everyone makes mistakes, right?"
The atmosphere in the conference room stirred. There was no doubt that her statement had a significant impact. The conservatives, surprised by this unexpected harvest, listened to Veronica's words and watched the situation unfold.
"My mom scolds me a lot too. But she doesn't scold me too much. She says everyone can make mistakes. Grandpa Alpeas made a mistake, but he has led the academy well so far. Can't we forgive him?"
Mark, wanting to have a chance, raised his hand and stood up.
"I'm Mark from Class Seven. I agree with Committee Veronica's statement. Of course, those who commit crimes should be punished. However, I think it's overstepping for us, who have trusted in the academy's safety and advocated maintaining the status quo, to now attack aggressively. While the teachers have no intention of approving the situation, the student council should also have the sense to wait."
"Good job, Mark."
Cerielle gave a thumbs-up under the table, and Mark responded with a nod. With the changing atmosphere, opinions clashed.
Amira predicted the votes based on each one's speech. Overall, the lower-class students were siding with the academy, while the upper-class students tended to criticize it. The votes of the upper-class students were divided.
"At this rate, we might lose."
If things continued like this, they couldn't accuse Alpeas. They needed to find an opportunity to turn the situation around, but the younger students from the lower classes tended to be swayed by emotions, making it difficult to quell the situation.
"Ardino Fermi from Class One will speak."
When Fermi, who had been listening until now, raised his hand, the audience's eyes turned to him. He was the top-ranked student of the cohort and the top candidate for graduation, so it was natural for everyone to be curious about his thoughts.
Cerielle looked at Fermi anxiously. The young man, neatly dressed with slicked-back black hair and a formal suit, had a deceitful air beneath his authoritative appearance.
He was more than capable of graduating, but he had repeatedly failed for some reason. He had been a strong candidate to become the next president of the student council but eventually withdrew, yielding the position to Amira.
To be honest, it was difficult to understand what he was thinking. The only certainty was that he loved creating trouble and enjoying others' struggles.
"Everyone here has received Shirone's help. If it weren't for him, we would already be dead. Therefore, there must be some who can't accept his death."
The students were stunned. They knew how much Shirone had fought for the good of the entire academy.
But, on the contrary, Cerielle felt uneasy. As far as she knew, Fermi was not someone who felt gratitude towards anyone. She didn't understand why he brought up that topic now.
"I'm also grateful to Shirone. But the teachers are using him as a shield. Therefore, our judgment isn't overstepping. It's a struggle to protect Shirone's spirit."
"What spirit are you talking about? Shirone isn't even dead...!"
"It's been five days already. Shirone's heart isn't beating. There isn't a single person among you who doesn't miss Shirone, right?"
Most nodded. Even if they didn't think so, mourning someone's death wasn't too difficult.
"Everyone misses Shirone and is grateful. So let's ask the question again. Does anyone really believe Shirone is still alive?"
Cerielle realized Fermi's strategy. By separating emotions and reason, guilt disappears, and reality becomes clearer. Students would make a rational decision.
"Of course, nobody would think that. It's not cruel; it's common sense. And yet, the teachers keep insisting that Shirone is alive. It's almost like a cult."
Cerielle banged the table and stood up.
"That's not true! There must be something strange about Shirone's condition...!"
"What exactly is strange? I've read the report about the Immortal Function. However, it has nothing to do with magical phenomena and the death of an organism. We have also obtained information that Shirone's body has already been embalmed."
"That, that is...!"
It was Alpeas' order. If the Immortal Function was involved with the mind, then physical harm should be handled here with foresight.
However, it was unknown how Fermi had accessed a secret known only to a few.
asked Amira, her eyes shining fiercely.
"Embalming? Is what Committee Fermi said true?"
Cerielle glared at Fermi. Seeing that innocent smile bothered her even more.
"Committee Cerielle, please answer."
Cerielle sighed. A battle that could have been won was thrown into uncertainty by a momentary mistake.
"I will exercise my right to remain silent. If you want more answers, please hold an official hearing."
Keeping quiet in itself carries a positive meaning, but it was a world apart from speaking directly. The importance of the right to remain silent is to leave room for rebuttal. There was no need to commit the foolishness of opening a gap beforehand when any variable could turn the situation around.
Amira wasted no time. If there was an atmosphere of setback upon setback, now was the best time. She closed the meeting and proceeded to the vote.
"Then we will start the secret ballot."
The result was... as Cerielle had expected.
***
"Alpeas must resign! Accept the inspection department's investigation!"
"Proceed with Shirone's funeral! Playing with the dead is not something a teacher should do!"
Over 100 students who had participated in the student council's decision staged pickets and protested in front of the infirmary.
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