Chapter 42 Punishment
The day of judgment had finally arrived, the moment she had dreaded most. The Academy Principal had summoned her to his office. Nami had barely slept since last night, constantly worrying about the punishment she would receive when she faced the academy's Principal, Commander Zarius Cristos, who was known for his strictness and severity.
But that wasn't what worried her. If she were given physical punishment, she would accept it bravely, but what if she were asked to pay for the entire damage to the hall? She certainly wouldn't be able to pay for it without Levi's help.
"I'm dead, what should I do?" she thought to herself. She stood in front of Commander Cristos' office door, feeling as if she were standing at the gates of hell.
Knock...knock...knock...
She knocked three times, holding back her trembling hands.
"Come in!" a man called from inside the office. Nami opened the office door carefully and when she entered, she saw a middle-aged man with a stern face and graying hair, One of the Academy's top brass, Commander Pieter Houve, two men and a woman who were also responsible as educators at the academy and Prince Jacob.
Nami was surprised to find the prince already in the room. Prince Jacob gave her a cold look, as if signaling that their problem wasn't over yet.
Nami stepped forward with firm and bold steps, trying to show that she wasn't afraid even though she was certain she would be pushed around.
"Let me introduce myself first!"
"My name is Nami Ziegler, Commander!"
"Very well, Nami, I assume you already know why you were asked to appear in my office this afternoon. This is actually a common occurrence when cadets with special abilities fight to prove who is the strongest. But what happened last night was utter chaos and destruction," said Commander Cristos. Nami swallowed hard; the commander's voice was much deeper than she expected.
She glanced at Prince Jacob, who was standing beside her. This young man remained calm, as if he felt no guilt whatsoever, even though he was the one who started the chaos. Nami was annoyed by his behavior; she couldn't understand how such an arrogant and haughty young man could be the son of the highest ruler in this country. She hoped that Jacob wasn't the heir to the throne, even though in reality, Jacob was second in line to the throne, after his two-year-old brother, Prince Lucas.
"I apologize, Commander. I am entirely at fault for the incident and I was the one who started the fight, so I am ready to accept any form of punishment."
Surprisingly, Prince Jacob said something completely unexpected. He admitted his guilt and was ready to take responsibility, even though throughout the corridors and halls, almost everyone would have supported him and sided with him, so he wouldn't have bothered to admit his guilt, let alone take responsibility.
"Your Highness, do you realize what you're saying?" asked Major Edward Sullivan, one of the educators who had a keen interest in the prince's strength and talent. He was surprised, as he had hoped Jacob wouldn't have to openly admit his mistake, as it would only embarrass him as the king's son.
Jacob remained calm, as if the major's concerns were nothing to worry about. He had known from the start that this was all his fault, and when he had decided to attack Nami and challenge her to a fight, he had been prepared to accept the consequences.
He simply hated losing and being defeated; the sole reason he had decided to join the Yeager Academy was to gauge his own abilities. To see how strong he was on the fierce battlefield against the attacks and invasions of monsters known for their brutality, strength, and cruelty. Therefore, he hated the idea of someone being so powerful that he was even on par with him.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Major Edward Sullivan. But I won't run away from my responsibilities. I will compensate for all the damage caused by the fight I engaged in last night."
"Wait a minute, but Nami Ziegler is also at fault! Commander, I hope you can impose similar sanctions on Ziegler, because she was involved, after all!" Major Edward Sullivan seemed eager to blame Nami. He seemed like a sycophant who didn't want to miss a golden opportunity to build relationships with members of the royal family. While everyone in this office agreed with Prince Jacob's claim that he was ultimately responsible and obligated to compensate for all the damage, Major Edward was the only one who couldn't judge things objectively and neutrally. He was too biased and predictable.
Commander Zarius took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Seeing these two young men and women possess such immense power made him think of an idea that he hoped would bridge the gap between the two great powers.
"Very well, I have decided to give Your Highness and Nami Ziegler a punishment, or should I call it an assignment. I want you two to undergo special training and be formed as a team from now on."