He saw the principal busy with documents while Anna, his homeroom teacher, sat across the table and helped the principal.
"Sit," Charlotte said.
Felix nodded.
He sat next to Anna and in front of the principal.
Charlotte removed her glasses.
She rubbed her tired eyes before focusing on Felix.
"You have five minutes to speak.
"If I feel like you've come to waste my time, you will be fined with one thousand credits."
She picked the hourglass from the table and turned it upside down.
The grains of sand fell through the narrow opening.
"You can start."
"I'm here to complain about the recent competition among the teams for the slot of the S-rank mission posted by the Sphinx."
"You want an official hearing?"
Charlotte drummed her fingers on the armrest.
"It costs 1,000 credits. Add another 5,000 credits if you want me as the witness."
The principal, Charlotte, could observe the campus at all times.
She saw everything that happened inside the academy's boundary.
Thus, her words were absolute.
If she said she saw someone do a crime, the person would be found guilty no matter what evidence they brought.
"There is no need for the principal's testimony. I only need to start the official hearing."
"Very well."
Charlotte nodded.
She took out a new page and placed her pen on top of it after Felix paid the required credits.
"What is your complaint?"
"I want to file an official complaint against the principal of the Demigod Academy, Charlotte Fontaine, for allowing students to use unsavory means to win the competition.
"She's turning a blind eye to cheating, bribery, and sabotage, and it's tarnishing the reputation of the academy.
"This isn't about honing our skills anymore—it's about who can manipulate the system the best."
…!
Charlotte froze.
She raised her head and stared at Felix in the eye.
"You are filing a complaint against me?"
"Yes."
Felix tried his best to maintain his composure.
A groan escaped left his lips when the principal's pressure hit him.
"Brat…
"Have you gone mad?"
Felix's limbs trembled.
'Dammit! Neo, I'll haunt you if I die here because of you!'
Blood trickled from the corner of his lips.
Charlotte snorted.
"What are you trying to achieve with this?
"The complaint alone can't do anything without evidence and testimony of witness.
"Do you have anything to prove your words?"
Charlotte looked down on Felix.
She was furious at his actions.
In normal hearings, Charlotte decided who was guilty and who was not.
She didn't need any evidences or witness.
However, when she was the accused, there would be a public hearing and the judgement would need witness or evidences.
"The testimony?"
Felix turned to Anna at his side.
The homeroom teacher was staring at him.
"Does it work if our homeroom teacher acts as a witness for our side?"
"It—"
Charlotte closed her mouth.
There should have been no one inside the academy who would act as a witness against her.
Felix's complaint was useless.
But.
What about Elizabeth who was disguised as Anna?
Would she help Charlotte or Neo who was about to lose the slot due to interference of Zeus Clan?
'These brats... They planned everything.'
Charlotte tightened her fists under the table.
She had seen Neo devour the corpse of Phoenix.
Coupled with what was happening before her, it was clear Neo always planned to fail the mission and get a slot by forcing Charlotte to make a move.
He was trying to get the best out of everything.
Charlotte's anger simmered.
It didn't feel good to be outsmarted by kids who were one-tenth her age.
"Go out for a few minutes," Charlotte said.
"What? I can't leave the principal alone with Miss Anna. There is no guarantee if—"
"Brat, out, I said."
Felix felt the hair on his limbs burn.
The principal was angry.
He nodded and left the room.
"What are you going to do?
"Will you act as a witness against me, your master who gave you a place to stay when you have nowhere to go, or will you take my side?"
Her words made Elizabeth wrinkle her brows.
"…Neo."
"tsk, shouldn't have expected anything from someone who returned to her master only when she needed a favor."
"…"
Elizabeth looked away.
The more Charlotte thought it the more she didn't like Neo.
It was one thing to try and one up her.
She would've liked Neo's plan under normal circumstances.
But to have her disciple choose him over her was crossing the line.
Charlotte called Felix back into the room.
Despite being nervous, he maintained a calm expression.
"Withdraw your complaint."
"…"
"I will deal with the God Clans who sabotaged other teams if you do that.
"Or you can proceed your complaint.
"Your homeroom teacher here will help you win the hearing against me.
"However, don't think you'll be safe after dragging my name through the mud."
Felix gulped.
He was relieved.
Everything went as Neo told him it would.
"I'll withdraw my complaint." He let out a bitter smile. "After all, I'd rather not have the principal hold a grudge against me."
Charlotte snorted.
She returned his credits and pressed the bell.
Two dolls in maid costumes entered the room.
"You called, my liege?"
Both of the puppets spoke in unison.
Their voice was sweet yet it made one's heart beat faster in fear and trepidation.
Goosebumps ran over Felix's skin.
"Bring Team Umbra, Astra, and Tempest."
"As you wish."
They formed hand seals.
Divine Energy in the air churned.
Dozens of portals appeared inside the room and students fell from them.
"What was that…?"
"Ah, fuck! My ass. I think it broke."
Some of them complained.
They fell silent when they noticed their surroundings. S~eaʀᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Felix locked eyes with Neo.
'It's done,' he mouthed.
"Good evening, principal," Lucas stepped forward and greeted.
Other students followed behind him.
Charlotte nodded.
"Good evening.
"I've called you all here because I've noticed some of you using underhanded means to win the slots for the S-rank mission and hinder other teams' progress."
…!?
Lucas and Harrison's face hardened.
It was the first time the principal was getting involved in a matter like this.
They looked at each other and then around the room.
Noticing Neo's calm expression, both of them had the same thought.