Chapter 224 — Expelled II

"Professor Admond Ashford is hereby removed from the Academy effective immediately. Anyone else who follows similar ideologies can leave as well. We don’t lack professors. And even if we did... I alone would be enough to guide every student here."

"..."

Silence!

Most professors knew that voice immediately, their faces going pale, cold sweat breaking out.

The first-year students looked confused, one whispering to a nearby senior.

"Who was that? Whose voice?"

The senior’s face was white as a sheet.

"That was Headmaster Kaiser. The founder of this Academy. The legend who hasn’t spoken publicly in years."

Victor and Admond looked like their souls had left their bodies, the reality of their situation finally penetrating.

They’d been expelled. Not by Damian. But by the Headmaster himself, whose word was absolute law within these walls.

Security escorted them both off campus as the crowd watched in silence.

And everyone realized simultaneously: the Headmaster had just openly supported his disciple for the first time in Academy history.

The balance of power had fundamentally shifted.

And there was no going back.

****

[Southern Region - Hypersonic Train - Private Compartment]

Victor Cross sat alone in the luxury compartment, his reflection in the window showing a face still bearing traces of recent humiliation.

The bruises on his neck from Damian’s telekinetic grip had faded, but the psychological wounds remained fresh.

His communication device vibrated with an incoming call.

Father.

Victor’s hand trembled as he answered, his throat tight with anxiety.

"Father, I–"

"I’m disappointed in you."

The words hit like physical blows, each syllable carrying the weight of Imperial expectations.

Victor’s fists clenched so hard his knuckles went white, his already pale face losing what little color remained.

Silence stretched between them with Victor unable to find words that wouldn’t sound like pathetic excuses.

His father’s voice continued, cold and measured.

"The Cross family has maintained its position among the thirteen Imperial families for two centuries. We’ve survived wars, political upheavals and internal conflicts. Our reputation is built on strength, honor, and discipline."

Each word felt like a hammer striking Victor’s chest.

"And my own son gets expelled from the Federation’s premier Academy. With disgrace no less. Recorded for all to see...

You broke down in front of hundreds of students, crying like a child, broken by a commoner’s mental Domain."

Victor wanted to defend himself, to explain that Damian wasn’t just any commoner, that his Domain was unlike anything Victor had encountered.

But the words died in his throat.

"However..."

Victor’s head snapped up, hope flickering.

"I understand that the Headmaster’s disciple is a genius in his own right. So I won’t be too hard on you this time."

Relief flooded through Victor, tears threatening to form again.

"Go to the Imperial Academy in the Southern Region. I’ve made arrangements with the Headmaster there. You’ll join their Student Council immediately and represent them in the upcoming World Championship Tournament."

Victor straightened, processing this information.

’The tournament. A chance to prove myself and to restore my honor.’

"I’ll send sufficient resources to push you to B- rank before the competition begins. Train hard and learn from this experience. Don’t disappoint me again."

"Thank you, Father. I won’t–"

"Don’t thank me, boy."

The voice softened almost imperceptibly.

"I might be strict with you, but I’m still your father. I want you to succeed. Take this as a lesson: don’t let arrogance blind you to real threats. Don’t underestimate people based on background."

His tone became more instructional.

"Do well in the tournament. I expect Imperial Academy to win this year. The Southern Region’s pride depends on it."

Victor frowned, confusion breaking through his emotional turmoil.

"But Father... how is that possible? Stormhold Academy has Elizabeth Murdock. She’s already A- rank. Nobody in any Academy can match her."

Silence on the other end of the line.

Then his father’s voice came back, carrying something Victor couldn’t quite identify.

"You don’t need to worry about Elizabeth Murdock. Just focus on your own improvement."

Before Victor could ask what that meant, his father continued.

"Also, Victor... you’re an SS rank talent yourself. Stop having such low self-esteem. You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone except yourself."

The unexpected validation made Victor’s breath catch.

"Remember the most important lesson I can teach you: the one who survives to the end is the winner. Not the one who’s stronger. Strength without wisdom is just temporary advantage. Wisdom with patience creates lasting victory."

Victor felt something shift in his chest, the constant pressure to be perfect easing slightly.

"...Thank you, Father. I understand."

"Good. Make me proud."

The call ended.

Victor sat staring at his reflection in the window, the landscape blurring past at high speed.

’The one who survives to the end is the winner.

Damian might be stronger now. Elizabeth might be unbeatable currently. But I’m also an SS rank talent with Imperial resources backing me.

This isn’t over. Not by a long way.’

His hands unclenched, determination replacing shame.

’I’ll show everyone. I’ll show Father. And I’ll show... him.’

****

[One Month Later - Federation-Wide]

[FEDERATION ENTRANCE EXAMS CONCLUDED]

[RESULTS TO BE ANNOUNCED IN THREE WEEKS]

The news dominated every media channel, social platforms exploding with speculation and anxiety.

Hundreds of thousands of teenagers across all five regions had taken the standardized exams, competing for limited spots at the Federation’s various Academies.

But this year was different.

This year, everyone knew exactly which Academy they wanted.

****

[Student Forums - Federation-Wide Discussion]

@FutureAwakener: "Stormhold or bust. Did you see their new policies? Equal access to skills and weapon arts regardless of background? That’s literally the only Academy where commoners have a real chance."

@NobleHeritage: "Imperial Academy is still the best for those who value tradition and proper training. Stormhold has descended into chaos with that commoner running things. Don’t forget how many just died during their second years. Better to be alive than entering that suicidal Academy."

@SouthernPride: "Imperial Academy in Southern Region is ranked #2 globally for a reason. We have the highest concentration of Imperial family students. Pure bloodline strength."

@EasternScholar: "Skyreach Academy (#3 globally) offers the best theoretical education. Our research programs are unmatched."

@WesternWarrior: "Darksky Academy (#4) produces the best combat specialists. If you want to actually fight rather than just study, come west."

@NorthernCommoner: "Republic Academy (#5) might be weakest in rankings, but we have the most commoner students and nobody looks down on you for your background. Sometimes that matters more than rank."

@CentralResident: "Crimson Academy (#6) is solid and right here in Central Region. Don’t overlook us just because Stormhold gets all the attention."

The debates raged across every platform with students weighing prestige versus opportunity, tradition versus revolution.

Only time will tell which Academy would be chosen by the new students.