It's just soup

Leonard sat on a small metal chair

 Across from him sat one of the instructors who was recording something in the notebook in front of him

 "You can talk." The instructor spoke without stopping writing or taking his eyes off the notebook

 Leonard took a deep breath and said. "We were cooking."

 The instructor stopped writing and looked at Leonard

 "..." The two stared at each other for a while

 " seriously?." The instructor looked at Leonard strangely

 This instructor received a report about some students being poisoned so he rushed to the scene

 As soon as he entered Room 1010, he could understand why the two students were poisoned

 This smell was deadly and made a person suffocate

 He left as quickly as he could because he couldn't stay there for long

 He didn't even dare to touch the bowl from which that smell came

 Who knows what that bowl contains?

 The substance that emits this terrible smell should be classified as a weapon

 Some instructors had to wear clothing and masks designed to handle dangerous chemicals so they could get rid of that bowl

 But the contents of that bowl are still a secret

 All they knew was that the bowl contained a blackish-purple liquid

 Alexander Ford, who ran that room, was investigated

 But the answer he said left everyone helpless

 "Actually, I was thinking of opening a soup business to earn some money to pay my debts."

 All the instructors knew that Alexander had to pay all his debts before the end of the month, otherwise the amount would double

 The idea of opening a restaurant would be a good plan to make some money

 But the soup prepared by Alexander was unfit for human consumption

 Getting close to this soup was enough to make a person dizzy

 None of the instructors who disposed of this soup dared to taste it

 They were sure that one spoonful would be enough to send anyone to the afterlife and organize a reunion with their ancestors

 Some instructors suspected Alexander was lying. So they decided to investigate the other people who were involved with him

 The two students who were arrested were still unconscious so they could not be investigated

 There was a student named Quentin at the scene of the accident. But it turned out that he came too late, so he did not know anything

 The only person left is the Vice President of the Student Council

 Leonard was an example of a model student

 He was from a commoner family, so he had to work twice as hard to get where he is

 He had good fighting talent, but the most important thing was that his reputation among the students was equal to Sylvia's, despite their different backgrounds.

 Leonard was able to gain the trust of most instructors.

 The instructors were sure Leonard would give a convincing answer

 But they were disappointed when Leonard told them the same story as Alexander

 There's no reason for Leonard to lie

 This leaves one possibility

 Alexander's story was true

 Although it was hard to believe, they had to accept what happened

The problem is that the empire opened an investigation into this matter because the smell had spread to the surrounding areas and caused inconvenience to the students and instructors.

 But now that they have discovered the truth, what should they tell the investigators sent by the empire?

 'Sorry for the mess that happened, one of our students was trying to cook but accidentally made this deadly soup.'

 Obviously, no one will buy this excuse

 The instructor sighed as he tried to think of the words he should choose in the report he would send to the capital

 ------------------

 Alexander and Leonard stood before the Academy Council

 Alexander kept a calm face

 While there was an uncomfortable look on Leonard's face

 This is the first time he has been put in this position

 The reason for all this was Alexander, who was standing as if he had nothing to do with what happened

 After the students were poisoned by this substance, Alexander took him to a hidden place and threatened him

 "No one must know what happened, otherwise this will be the end of us."

 Leonard pointed his finger at Alexander. "You mean it's your end."

 Leonard realized that Alexander was trying to implicate him in this case

 He won't fall into this trap

 Alexander smiled strangely. "Leonard, you are an accomplice in the crime too."

 "I did not participate in your plans."

 Alexander took out his phone and showed the screen to Leonard

 There was a video recording Alexander and Leonard moving dirty clothes into Room 1010

 " this!." Leonard's eyes widened

 Alexander nodded. "As you would expect, I photographed everything. You helped me purchase and transport the materials. If you are not an accomplice in the crime, then what are you?"

 Leonard clenched his fists

 Alexander besieged him from all sides

 Leonard did not have the support of a strong family. Therefore, he relied entirely on his academic results to get a job and a good position after graduation

 If he is involved in a case of poisoning students, this will leave a dark spot on his academic record

 This will likely hinder his ambition

 Even if he told the instructors that Alexander was manipulating him the whole time, he still wouldn't be able to get away with it

 He must find a way out of this

 Leonard looked at Alexander who was wearing a relaxed smile

 He must have a plan to get out of this situation

 Alexander was the only way to maintain his clean academic record

 "What will you tell them?" Leonard exhaled and asked

 "I'll tell them I was making soup."

 "..." What?