Eric scanned the room, recognizing some of the people there. Like Silvia, his former fiancée, who was standing among the members of the Disciplinary Committee. That made sense, since she was an active member of it.
She looked at Eric with a slightly sad expression, but quickly managed to change it, returning to her usual blank face.
"Thank you for your hard work," a voice said, catching his attention. "Hello, Eric Ostheno. I hope you don't mind spending a few minutes with us.
Eric narrowed his eyes. The current President of the Student Council, Frederick Nomus Aldeno. A third-year student and, as you can tell from his name, the second prince of the Aldeno Empire. One of the strongest students in the Academy, and to top it off, he had a flawless, handsome face that could instantly capture people's hearts.
"No wonder Ostheno brat seething in rage everytime seeing this guy." Eric scoffed, "...wealth, status, power, appearance...the black haired brat owned it all."
Frederick chuckled after being stared at by Eric, waving casually. "Let's get to the point. Aside from the Student Council and Disciplinary Committee, we also have Miss Cecilia."
The president gestured to the long haired blonde young female student that stood some distance beside him. Eric widened his eyes after glancing at her.
He was astonished because the blond female student had a massive chest to the point her blazer uniform almost looked like it was gonna burst out. It was the biggest chest he has ever seen, both in his past life and this life. Instead of lust, he felt curiosity seeing her, "how is it possible to carry those two mountains? Won't it dislocate her shoulder bone?"
"Miss Cecilia is here as a representative of Radiant Church. They want to verify the accuracy of the information regarding the incident at the mansion on the city's outskirts." said Frederick with calm tones.
Upon hearing that, Eric glared at Cecilia and Frederick alternately. He finally remembered the familiarity when Frederick said that. "Cecilia...and that Anna brat earlier...they are part of...what is it called again?...ah yeah, Harem. They are Leon's harem members."
Leon and the four girls who are always following him are very popular at the Academy thanks to their reputation and good looks. Especially Cecilia, A well-known Saintess of the Radiant Church. Every time she passed previous Eric, he always ogled at her with lustful eyes but she only smiled and waved at him.
"...the damn church again..." Eric's annoyance is increasing.
Eric once again paid attention to the people around him. A huge male beastkin aka The president of Disciplinary Committee scowled at him, It's not without reason, since Eric himself is known as a white supremacist.
"We will begin the questioning shortly. Alex, if you will?" Frederick called a student. "Yes, President." A good-looking male student that stood beside Cecilia began taking notes, and Eric was stunned seeing that student.
Because that student is Alex Justitia, someone who defeated him and humiliated him in an open duel some time ago. Both of them are staring at each other, but somehow the current Eric doesn't feel anything whether it was contempt or loath.
"That's right, Alex brat is the current secretary of the Student Council. Kind of explained why he is here." Eric's thought finally clicked after remembering that fact.
Their staring contest was broken by Frederick. "Actually, we will begin after Jeremy Memo here- Ah, there he is."
A new participant entered the room. Jeremy nervously stepped in, he trembled a little feeling the stares of many people but his face brightened upon seeing Eric. Everyone catches that small detail, and they are confused why Jeremy is happy when meeting with his bully.
"Hmmm...anyway, let's begin." Frederick clapped his hand to get attention. He flipped some papers and reports. "Jeremy Memo and Eric Ostheno, First Year of Zeris Academy. On the weekend of the 11th Month, specifically the 25th Day, both of you are searching for a topic for your research field…"
Frederick paused. "...in order to improve your grade. Is it true?"
Eric groaned and glanced at Jeremy. The wimpy boy immediately understood the looks behind Eric and nodded. "U-um yes, it is true, President."
"Moving on, the reason you two chose an abandoned mansion on the city's outskirts for your research was after hearing a rumor about it?" The black haired President probed them.
"Y-yes. We didn't have much time, so we decided to choose that location." Jeremy stammered.
"Why not choose a more safe research topic? The Academy and the city have abundant of it. You know it, right Eric?"
"That stuff needs meticulous process and permits, right?" Eric casually answered Frederick's question. "We don't bother with that."
"Hmmm...duly noted. Anyway, did you two not feel or witness anything strange before entering the mansion?"
"U-um no-"
"I'm indeed seeing it." Eric cut Jeremy's words. "After we squeezed through the front gate, I saw an ugly-looking bitch staring at me on the third floor."
Jeremy was surprised, and the whole student also puzzled by his words. "Why keep continuing after seeing that?" the president of Committee Disciplinary questioned him.
"Because it will be fun, I guess?" Eric shrugged nonchalantly.
"Fun you say! How-"
Frederick cut the beastman, "Well, well. We should keep going. Next, Jeremy. How did you know it was a demonic manifestation, specifically a banshee inside the mansion?"
"I read the monster encyclopedia, President. Sweet scents of flowers, unnatural whispers, and shriveled corpses pointing out it was banshee's modus operandi."
"Good! You are actually learning something! Unlike a certain person!" the president of Committee Disciplinary roared in satisfaction. Eric furrowed his brows hearing the sarcastic remarks.
"Indeed. Your knowledge becomes helpful no matter where you are. Next, it is stated the banshee fully manifested and attacked you two. Technically, Eric was the first one being attacked and grabbed. We know that once a banshee grabs you and casts its mind magic, it is difficult to escape. Care to answer, Eric?"
Eric kept silent and yawned. The members of both organizations grew impatient, and instead Jeremy answered the question.
"U-um he headbutt the banshee..."
"Excuse me?"
"H-he headbutt the banshee violently, President. Thus Eric can free from its grasp..."
A silence filled the room, every student speechless hearing that. Frederick's brows twitch incoherently and just like everyone else, he is also dumbfounded by Eric's way of handling the monster.
"O...okay, that was so random out of nowhere. Assuming it's true, what's next? Surely the monster wouldn't just sit there after being attacked like that."
"Eric...he...he tackled the banshee and brawled it...repeatedly punched it..."
Again, the room became silent. Even Silvia, Alex and Cecilia showing confusion hearing that. Frederick and the beastman couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"What...? Why though?" Frederick rubbed his forehead, baffled.
Eric answered this time. "Because the bitch was ill-mannered, what else? Figures gonna teach the bitch some manners before it died."
"Normally you don't brawl a monster with your fist, let alone an apparition-type Silver-rank monster, Eric…"
Eric only gave Frederick his shrugged shoulders.
Frederick sighed and shook his head. "Next, according to the report, Jeremy is the one who destroyed the ritual shrine...if it's true, the one who is holding back the monster is you, Eric. A Silver-rank monster...how did you manage to do it?"
"Let's just say I blow the bitch into smithereens."
"What! You better spilled out-"
"Eric, this is not a small matter. A Silver-rank monster is no joke, even more so for a First Year like you-"
"Yeah, yeah. You want the detailed parts? Fine. I slammed, pelted, molested and choked the bitch when I fought it. The result of our fight was the destruction of the third and second floor. If this interrogation was all about asking for compensation, you can send the bill to the Ostheno family!"
Eric's explanation incited murmured and disbelief among the students.
Sensing Eric's stubbornness, Frederick gave a big sigh and continued the questioning about what spell Eric is using, the aftermath and Jeremy point of view, in which Eric mostly answered vaguely, not giving away his secret ability.
For around 45 minutes the questioning occurred and finally Jeremy and Eric were released, and they returned to their daily life.
***
The night descended, bringing cold air. Eric and Jeremy sleep on their respective bed. Days blurred, the Final Year Exam is nearing. Eric felt exhausted after doing some extra lessons to improve his grades.
Slowly drifted into slumber, Eric surrendered himself to rest.
But tonight is apparently different.
A giant black bird landed on his window, perched casually as if it was the owner of the room.
"Wake up, Eric Ostheno."
The voice boomed inside his head, and Eric suddenly opened his eyes.