THE EMPERROR

Two years have passed since Teivel's death. Nothing about the truth has been exposed, since at the time of his death Orion Stofford, the prime suspect has a great alibi there is no more people that can kill Teivel inside the academy. The officials investigated if there are people from outside that can do it but they ended the case being unsolved as there is no evidence that can lead to the perpetrator.

"O-ra-yon!" Arnold snuffled my hair from behind.

"Arnold, you!"

One thing that has changed in the span of two years is that Arnold became more attached to me. Once I am treated as a crime suspect, I have been avoided by most of my friends and classmates but Arnold is the only one that stayed with me. His lively attitude always cheers me up.

"You see, I have been recruited to the Special Defence Committee as a soldier. I'll probably not see you much after graduating."

Ah, so that's it, Special Defence Committee are made up of officials that solves cases that includes people misusing their special abilities and such. Even if I am found not guilty just being a suspect of murder greatly reduces the acceptance value in the Magic Defense Committee. It is not impossible but I can still be accepted if I produced great results in the recruitment tests.

"Is that what you are worrying for, are you a fool? I will definitely get in without any special recruitment so we will still meet as officials. There is no way that I will fail a basic exam, right?"

Arnold grins widely. "It's not like I am worrying that you can't get in, I am just thinking that in the time I'm away you'll slack and brood all the time because of loneliness."

"You… asshole!!!"

A month later comes our long-awaited graduation; it has been a grand party since most of the students in the Stofford Academy are from noble and wealthy families. The Grand Ball was held in the villa of the noble Albert Family, the noble family that has been the primary leaders Special Defence Committee. They have a bloodline of a strong ability user that has been praised as one of the heroes of our nation, not to mention even the current members of the family have at least B-rank abilities.

After a few moments, the top of the graduates, Emma Albert has risen to stage in order to give the graduation speech. Everyone has been entranced by her grace, her beauty is just like a fairy, and that fairy is just so… she is just so… she is just so annoying that I want to impale her.

Eh! What the hell am I thinking? I should not do anything that would further endanger my position in my family. I grabbed Arnold's suit as I am trying to calm myself. Arnold saw me clinging to his elbow and look at me with a worried expression.

"Orion, are you alright? If you need to go to the doctor, I'll drive you there."

With a pained expression on my face, I answered. "No, I am not sick. Just let me stay like this for a while."

Arnold replied with a gentle smile. "Alright," I never knew he could smile like that. It is so different with his carefree and usual self. It is as if he is looking at me with pure affection. It feels so warm and nice. The evil thoughts that have been bugging my mind is now completely gone.

Miss Emma's speech is almost finished too. "And to finish my speech, I would like to show you a sight that would be engraved to your minds forever. A rare chance to meet all the members of the Albert Family."

Now, that I calmed down I also realized that there are no members of Albert family in the ball. It seems that they planned a grand entrance to show off their power. It is normal for the head of the family to show up late but this time they are coming as a whole family. Not a single soul would waste an opportunity to make a connection with the Albert family so everyone has been filled with anticipation.

"Well then, I will no longer make everyone wait. Let us welcome the-…" Just as everyone reached their maximum excitement a gigantic icicle fell from the roof that crushed Emma's body. The blood splattered like fountain as her organs are blown all over the place. Her blood even reached my face that made me cringe. No one could speak as they are astounded by the horrific display.

It is until a young man approached her on the stage. His face could not be seen as he is wearing a half-mask of gold in the lower half of his face but it is clearly seen that he has beautiful jet-black hair and deep crimson eyes. Just as everyone he is wearing a suit for the occasion but it is strange that no one find a suspicious person like him in the first place.

"Now then, she really died huh. What a useless girl. Um, what a great prank if I may say. Now that the host have died, I really don't want to ruin the fun so I will now summon the Albert family. Please give them a warm and LIVELY welcome."

I could not see it but I am sure that behind that golden mask is a horrendous grin. With a flick of a finger hundreds of bodies and fresh bloods rain from the ceiling, the whole Albert family are now nothing more than cold and lifeless corpses. After announcing a few words, the man vanished without any trace.

"THIS WORLD WILL SOON MEET ITS END. SUBMIT TO ME AND YOU WILL BE SAVED, FOR I AM THE EMPEROR."

At that time, I did not know anything more about the situation but soon after I realize, I am laughing like a madman in the stage where Emma was killed.