CHAPTER 14 - COUNCIL OF BLADES

Arcadia Academy Council Hall was not a hall. It was a coliseum of judgment.

100 meters round. 12 thrones for 12 Class Leaders. S-Rank to A-Rank aura everywhere. In center, Headmaster's empty throne - Headmaster never came, only his voice.

And in middle of that circle, stood Jin. Alone.

"Ex-slave Jin," said Lady Valeria, Leader of Main Class, Gold armor. S-Rank. She looked at Jin like looking at dirt. "You hanged Demon King's envoy on Academy gate. You crippled three S-Rank Demon Envoys. You have given Demon King reason for war. Explain why we should not expel you and give you to Azazel."

Leon, sitting behind in his father's throne - Leader of Merchant Class - wanted to stand but his father held his shoulder. "Don't. You die too."

Jin did not bow. Kings don't bow in circles.

"I killed a dog that entered my Kingdom," Jin said calmly. "Demon King sent assassin A-Rank to kill my people at night. I left body as message. As any King would."

"Your Kingdom?" Valeria laughed. "Dorm 13? The Ghost Dorm where slaves sleep?"

"Yes," Jin said. "My Kingdom."

He stepped, and shadow under his feet moved.

Igris appeared. Full armor. No longer hiding. A+ Rank aura, almost S-. Knight shadow with sword that cut chains.

Gasps.

"Shadow Summon," whispered Teacher of Magic Class. "Forbidden magic..."

"Not forbidden," Vice-Master Elara said from her throne, legs crossed, smiling. "Rare. Very rare. Monarch class."

Headmaster's voice finally came. From empty throne, old and deep, S+.

"Jin. Demon King Azazel demands you in 3 days or he breaks treaty and attacks human border. 10,000 humans will die if war starts. Are 100 ex-slaves worth 10,000?"

Perfect question. To make Jin look selfish.

Jin looked at empty throne.

"Headmaster, 100 years ago, Demon King broke treaty 7 times. You gave him slaves each time to keep peace. How many humans died in his mines while you kept peace?"

Silence.

Headmaster did not answer. Because true.

Jin continued, voice louder.

"You call me ex-slave. But in Demon Kingdom Mine-7, there are 2,000 humans like Ren. Like me. 15 years old boys mining crystals with bare hands. If you give me to Azazel, you give them hope that no one will save them."

He pointed to Council door.

Behind door, 100 ex-slaves stood. Not allowed inside. But they came. Varok, Mira holding Ren's hand, all 100. They did not shout. They just stood.

"They walked 1 km to stand outside hall where they were never allowed. Because yesterday they ate at main table for first time. Because they believe Academy can be home, not prison."

Vice-Master Elara stood.

"I vote NO to expulsion. Shadow Class is Academy Class. We protect our students."

Merchant Class Leader - Leon's father - stood too, sweating. "I... I also vote NO. My son is in Shadow Class. If we give his leader... my son will never forgive me."

2 votes.

Valeria sneered. "2 vs 10. Still expel."

Then door opened.

Ren walked in. Skinny, bandaged, but walked. He went to center, beside Jin.

He knelt in front of Headmaster's throne.

"Headmaster, I am Ren. Mine-7 slave number 7791. I escaped. In mines, we hear story. Shadow Monarch will come. He will have black flame eyes. He will free us. We thought it was lie to make us work harder."

Ren looked up, tears.

"He is real. My brother is real. If you give him to Demon King, you kill last hope of 2,000."

[System: Faith +10% - 100 ex-slaves + Ren - Collective belief strong]

[Seal Break: A Rank -> A+ Rank - 60%]

Jin's aura exploded. A to A+ in front of Council. Wind blew papers.

S-Rank to A+ is still lower, but growth speed terrified them.

Headmaster voice came again, this time... amused.

"Interesting. 10 years I wait for Monarch. I thought it would be Main Class genius. Not Ghost Dorm slave."

Headmaster's throne glowed.

"My decision: Jin stays. Shadow Class stays. But..."

Pause.

"In 3 days, Demon Kingdom will send Champion for Academy Duel. Traditional. If Demon wins, Jin goes to Demon Kingdom. If Jin wins, Demon Kingdom gives back 100 human slaves from mines and keeps peace."

Duel. S-Rank Demon Champion vs A+ Jin.

Valeria smiled cruel. "Demon Champion is S-Rank Kross. The Butcher. He killed 3 S-Rank humans last year."

Jin smiled too. Same cruel.

"Tell Azazel, I accept. But if I win, not 100. 500 slaves."

Headmaster laughed loud. "500! You bargain with Demon King!"

"I'm Monarch," Jin said simple. "I don't bargain. I command."

Council ended.

Outside, 100 ex-slaves hugged Ren. Mira gave him bread again.

Leon ran to Jin, panicking. "Kross! S-Rank! He uses blood axe! You are A+! You will die!"

Jin looked at his shadows. Igris, Fang, Griffin, Knight, Miner, Elder, Ghost. Seven shadows. All A Rank now after his A+ break.

And Ren. Blood brother.

"Three days," Jin said. "Enough to make S-. And enough to make 100 ex-slaves... D-Rank."

He turned to Legion.

"Listen! Demon thinks we are slaves! In 3 days, we show them Kingdom!"

[Quest: SHADOW LEGION 7/10 -> Preparation for War]

[New Mission: Train 100 ex-slaves to D-Rank in 3 days - Reward: Shadow Legion Skill: Fear Immunity]

Night came to Dorm 13. No one slept. 100 people trained under moon. Ren tried to punch dummy, fell. Mira laughed and helped him up. Igris corrected sword stance for 50 people at once, shadow moving fast.

And on roof, Jin meditated, black flame eyes open.

Far away, Demon King Azazel got duel acceptance.

He looked at Kross, his Champion, S-Rank tall as giant.

"Bring me the slave boy alive. I want to make him my dog."

Kross licked axe. "Yes, my King."

END OF CHAPTER 14