77 Chapter 77 : I won't betray my Queen

"What is going on here?"

The loud voice diverted everyone's attention from the two individuals to the entrance together. By the door, stood the principal, the legend who trained many famous mages, an example of how a powerless human can turn into a powerful mage. The man who changed everyone's belief in mana and showed everyone how special they, mages, were.

The world before the realization of how powerful mana was akin to an ocean without water. Even though the place was filled with mana, no one utilized it the way they were supposed to do. The most they would use mana is for the insignificant tasks like building a fire or home from the ground, drawing water from rivers to their homes. 

No one believed that they could use their power for better means until the Heroes Council was formed. The people were surprised to find ten people appear, one day, and defeat the demons who attacked the villagers. The people marveled at seeing those ten people use their skills to defeat the demons. 

It was on that eventful day, that the Heroes Council became worldwide drawing the attention of many power-seeking individuals. It was rumored that the master behind those individuals had already passed the God level.

No one knew what existed beyond the God level as none managed to reach that pinnacle.

During the huge war with demons decades ago, these individuals held the front line as they massacred their way to protect their people. They managed to win the battle but unfortunately, their master disappeared after that war with no news. 

The Heroes Council decided together to form an academy to pass down their teachings. They created the Royal Mages Academy in hopes to see their master once again. Everyone together turned the academy into a prestigious one.

After some years, the ten individuals separated their ways forcing their principal to become in charge. His friend aka rival formed another academy- Silver Mages in the north which in turn made the rivalry between the principals turn into the rivalry between students.

Principal Vernon stood by the door with a darkened face as he glanced at the mess created by these brats. The room was completely turned into a big mess with cracked floors and walls.

His voice thundered across the room, "How can you all disregard the rules you have set up? Is this how you make others look up to you - by breaking rules?"

Everyone pursed their lips as they looked down at their feet. Feeling indignant, Ren stood up from the ground and snarled, "Why is he here? How can our rival enter our compound?"

Principal Vernon frowned at Ren's words and looked at Usui, who had his back against the floor. He was panting as his eyes stayed at Loki, who was doing the same as him on the other corner.

Jinha looked around the room and asked nonchalantly, "Gather, where?" He used his hands to show the damaged room.

The principal glared at him before he brandished his hand, restoring the messy room immediately to its original state. On seeing that, the room was taken care of, everyone made their way to their seats.

Usui got up and stood in a place opposite to Hazel, leaning against the wall calmly. His gaze bore down on Hazel, who ignored him. He smiled but soon his smile disappeared as an annoying monkey was tapping all over his body - looking for any injuries.

Usui gritted his teeth as he said threateningly, "Zelal if you can't control your hands, then don't blame me if I send you back."

Zelal widened his eyes in horror as he shouted loudly, "No, brother... you can't leave me alone there."

His loud voice distracted everyone as they turned to look at that annoying duo. Zelal smiled embarrassedly as he apologized for being loud. His eyes fell upon Liz, who was squinting her eyes at him. 

He saw her scoff as her mouth formed the words. 

"Brother complex"

Zelal gaped at her unbelievably as if she just didn't call him that.

He thought furiously, 'Hmph!!! You have no idea what I had to give in return for my brother to take me here.'

Zelal turned to his brother and murmured, " Brother, do you think we did a good thing in coming here?"

Usui glanced at him, raising his eyebrows. "Do you not want to be here?"

He hurriedly shook his head and said, " No..No..that's not it. I was just asking because we don't seem welcomed here."

Usui turned his head and said, "Yeah..but I'm staying. If you want, you can leave."

Zelal frowned as he looked at the table again. Then he heard his brother murmur, " Don't blame me if Liz falls for some random guy here."

Zelal swiftly turned his head to his brother, glaring but before he could answer him. They heard the principal look at him and gestured them to stand beside him.

'I'm not leaving.'

And, Zelal looked at Liz who was calmly chatting with Reyna and thought, 'When would I even get the chance to talk to her like that?'

Looking around, after making sure he had everyone's attention. The principal announced, "We have two transfer students - Prince Usui and Prince Zelal. "

"What?" everyone shouted except Hazel who just rubbed her forehead. Ren gritted his teeth as he stood up hurriedly and asked angrily.

"Why did you accept them?" 

Principal Vernon raised his eyebrow in surprise and stated, "I don't find any reason to reject his transfer."

Ren spat hatefully, "He is a Silver Mages student. Don't you think that's enough reason to not accept him? Are you sure he is not a spy?" 

Principal Vernon sighed, "Yes, so what? He was part of our rival academy but he wants to be here now. Moreover, he was the strongest there, didn't we gain an advantage by him transferring here?"

Looking at the unresponsive people, he sternly added, "They are our rivals, not our enemies. Don't forget who our real enemy is." And looked at each one of them making sure they got his meaning.

Everyone nodded their heads, agreeing to him. Principal Vernon smiled as he got the result he wanted. Hazel peeped at Usui, who was staring at her for a long time. Noticing her gaze, he grinned at her cheekily. 

She rolled her eyes as she turned her head away and asked the principal, "And?"

Principal Vernon looked at her and others as he rubbed his forehead, and said helplessly, "They are the new members to Heroes Council."

"What?" this time everyone frowned as they stared at their principal absurdly. How can he allow them to enter their council?

Zeno frowned as he voiced out the unfairness," Why should we do that? The council members are only for the top 10 who won the battle fairly. How can he just enter without competing?" 

Ren and Jinha looked at Zeno simultaneously and raised their thumbs up. 

'Good! Good! At least now we made use of our fair strategist.'

Principal frowned as he retorted, "They were the strongest in their academy. So, isn't it obvious that they should be included in the group."

Ren retorted, "That doesn't necessarily mean that they would be the strongest here. You can't just replace us based on his achievements there. That would just cause an uproar here."

'Join our Council?! dream on!!! '

Usui smiled calmly and asked, "Do you want to try again?"

Usui raised his eyebrow as he provoked Ren. Ren stood up and pointed at him sharply, "You –"

He couldn't complete his words when Hazel called out his name warningly, "Ren"

Ren glanced at his President who was frowning at him. He pursed his lips before sitting down on his seat glumly. Principal Vernon looked at Hazel gratefully before he continued, "No one is getting replaced, he is just being added to the list."

He further clarified, "It would be top 12 instead of top 10."

Loki finally voiced out, "It's still unfair. There are many who are capable of being in the top 12."

The principal nodded his head, understanding their demands, "Let's do this way then, whoever wants to challenge their spot." Pointing at the brothers, he continued, "They can challenge them to a duel. If they manage to defeat them, then the brothers would get replaced by their defeaters."

Everyone reluctantly nodded their heads as this solution was fair enough. At least everyone would get a fair chance for the spot, but somehow everyone knew they would be part of their Council eventually.

Ren glared at his principal and asked, "How can you be sure he's not a spy? How can you be confident that he isn't here on their orders?"

Everyone turned to Usui, frowning as if not sure whether they should believe him or not. But Principal Vernon only had eyes on Hazel who was rubbing her head as if having the brothers here was a huge pain.

"Because I'm here to be with my Queen. I wouldn't betray my Queen."