The Darlings.

Did I assault Susan?

The question haunted me, a weight far heavier than anything I had ever felt. A question that tore through my thoughts, breaking whatever peace I had left. Terrified, and shattered, I couldn't escape the growing certainty that this was something I couldn't undo.

Why did I do it?

I screamed, but the sound never came. The silence swallowed it whole. Desperately, I searched for a way to escape these twisted memories, to undo them, but… I couldn't.

I don't know. I don't know.

Fear wrapped around my heart, squeezing until I couldn't breathe. I didn't try to shake it off because I knew. I had sinned. A vile sin that ripped away every shred of peace I had left.

I don't know, I don't know, I…

I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW!

Anger surged within me, mixed with disgust—but not at anyone else. No. I was furious with myself. Disgusted by my very existence. The self-loathing burned, but I quickly buried it..

I tried to shift my thoughts, to find something—anything else to focus on. My memories. My future. What did my future hold in this academy? Torment, that much was certain. And I wasn't going to run from it. Why? Because I deserved it. I deserved every ounce of it

As I sifted through my memories, my chest tightened further. If what the book said was true… then this world, this cursed world was doomed.

The protagonist of the book. The hero. The one destined to lead the fight. Adrian Montague. I knew him. Heir of Montague house. Ranked number one in the pre-academy, his future gang members occupied the top ten. They would become the hope of tomorrow, the shining pillars of strength. Together, they would reach the pinnacle of power and face the demons, the chaos monsters.

They would almost defeat the Demon King, but then a terrifying monster from the abyss stronger than ever would emerge, killing nearly everyone in the group. In the end, only the Demon King and Adrian would remain. The story ended there.

But what happened after that?

I don't know 

Also, I wasn't in the story after I graduated from the academy, but what came next? Was I forgotten? Would I die? Did I ever reach my full potential? Worry took control of me and I kept thinking.

Compared to my brother, to the other children of those noble houses, my potential was not that bad. S+ was nothing to scoff at. I should be proud, right?

But... what happened to me later?

I was ranked number 12 now, and I wasn't in Adrian's group. Did I want to be? Maybe. But as I thought that a voice deep inside me warned me to stay away. Stay away from them. Stay away from the academy.

***

In a luxurious room, a man in his 40s sat in a finely crafted chair, enjoying the slow, deliberate process of making tea. He poured hot water into the cup, savoring the ritual as he hummed softly. The world outside seemed far from his mind. But as he brought the teacup to his lips, a sharp ringing from his watch broke the moment.

"Tch." He clicked his tongue in annoyance. A holographic screen flickered to life, displaying the image of a crimson-haired woman with piercing brown eyes and a face that could melt any man's resolve. Yet, to him, she was nothing more than a disturbance.

"Angelica, this better be important or I'm going to skin you alive," he muttered, barely containing his frustration.

"I'm sorry to disturb your tea time, Headmaster," Angelica's angel-like voice came through the speaker. "But we need your presence immediately."

"What happened?"

"Aaron Solarius assaulted Susan Locke."

"Just an assault?"

"A brutal one. And now, most of the students in the pre-academy know about it."

"Hmm..." The Headmaster's face remained neutral, his annoyance growing but his emotions carefully hidden. "Send me the report. I'll talk to Darven after I read it."

"Understood."

The Headmaster set the teacup down, waiting. It only took a few seconds before the report arrived. He opened the file and skimmed through it, his irritation mounting with every line. He'd seen this kind of thing before—youth from noble families causing trouble. And It wasn't the crime itself that bothered him; it was the hassle, the time, the energy it would take to deal with it.

He tapped the holographic screen and called Darven Solarius, but as expected, there was no answer. With a sigh, he dialed the Solarius house number. After a moment, someone picked up and connected him to Darven.

"How may I help you, Ravindra Roy?"

The voice was laced with authority, but to Roy, it only felt like another form of formality. He didn't care for it.

"Your son caused quite a bit of trouble," Roy said bluntly.

He explained the situation and then asked how Darven wanted to handle it. For a short moment, the room fell silent as Roy awaited a response.

Finally, Darven's voice came through, colder than before.

"He is no longer a Solarius. He has no connection to this family or house. He is a nobody, and I have no responsibility for him. The house will announce his disownment by today. You can administer whatever punishment you see fit."

"Are you sure, Darven?" Roy asked, though he already knew the answer.

"If you have nothing else, I have to go." The call ended abruptly.

Roy sat in the silence, contemplating. He didn't take the disownment personally. He was familiar with the way Darven Solarius operated. But still, it didn't sit well with him. He called Angelica once more.

"Yes, Sir. Did you decide what to do?" she asked.

"Darven has decided to disown Aaron, and you know the consequences of a disowned noble—especially from a house like Solarius. Whether he leaves the academy or stays, all that awaits him is torment. But... his potential is significant. I don't want to waste it. Tell him he can continue his studies. As for the costs, we'll offer him a scholarship, but he'll have to work for the academy in return. If you want to add anything else, feel free."

"Understood, Sir."

The call ended. Roy's hand reached for the teacup, but it felt cold now.

Tch. He clicked his tongue again, frustrated by the turn of events, but with no way to turn back.

***

It's been a while since I opened my eyes and all I could feel was pain, from every inch of my body. Ms. Angelica just smashed the hell out of me. After my body settled a bit. I observed my surroundings and found out that I was in her office. 

"What are they doing? Leaving me like this with a bloodied body."

I muttered, "I know what I'm saying in this situation doesn't make sense, at least to me." But my mind right now my mind is full of chaos with thoughts that I'm struggling to keep in control. A creaking sound brought my focus back to reality, and I saw a figure with crimson-red hair and sharp brown eyes, which were filled with disgust and animosity. I came to terms with the fact that I could not do anything about my current situation. I know what she came here to say. I will be disowned and as my talent is quite good they don't want to waste it. So I will be given a chance to attend the academy but after the academy, I will have to work for them for an indefinite time but the novel doesn't tell anything about what will happen to me after graduation. And my life in the academy is nothing short of an actual hell. And my gut screams to leave the academy.

 …If my future is as written in the book then I want to change it. I don't care what happens to me after graduation. I will just start anew. I will leave the academy, change my identity and I will start a new life. 

"Student Aaron"

I heard an authoritative voice and I could feel mana in it. She definitely used mana to pressure me. But I will not give in to your pressure.

"Your father, Mr. Darven Solarius, has officially disowned you as a result of your actions. However, the academy has decided to grant you a rare opportunity for redemption. You will be allowed to remain enrolled but under strict conditions.

You will receive a minimal scholarship to cover the cost of attendance, and in exchange, the academy expects you to demonstrate significant growth, both in strength and in character. This is not negotiable.

Upon graduation, you will be assigned a position deemed suitable by the academy. You will have no choice but to accept it if you wish to secure any semblance of a better future or contribute meaningfully to humanity.

I expect you to understand the gravity of this opportunity and to treat it with the respect and discipline it demands. Do not squander it."

Blood tricked down my ears and my hands as I clenched my fists not to erupt from the rage that I was feeling about this whole messed up situation. Every word she said tingled my emotions but I stayed put. 

"I decline"

"What do you mean?"

I clenched my fists even more and bit my tongue as she increased her mana.

"I appreciate the academy's generosity in extending this opportunity to someone as disgraceful as myself. However, I must respectfully decline the offer and take my leave from the academy."

I kept my gaze fixed on the ground, unable to muster the courage to meet her eyes. The weight of her presence pressed down on me, sharp and unyielding, like a blade poised to strike. I couldn't risk it—couldn't escalate things any further.

Her silence was deafening, stretching the seconds into an eternity. I didn't know what expression she wore, whether it was disgust, disappointment, or something far worse. The uncertainty gnawed at me, but I didn't dare lift my head to find out.

Then, cutting through the thick tension, her voice came again

"Very well, if you wish to leave, know this: you will be placed before the student body, and the victim of your actions, Susan, She will be free to express her anger, frustration, sorrow, and every ounce of pain you've caused her, however she sees fit.

Understand, Aaron, this is not a mere reprimand. I cannot guarantee your survival if you choose this path. Think carefully before making your decision."

"So, Do you still wish to leave the Academy"

"Yes!"