Academy's Second Seat [part 2 Complete]

Chapter 206: Final Exam 2 (4)

In the academy's vice principal's office.

Cromwell sighed while going through documents.

The last image of Astina he had seen flickered before his eyes.

"Was it right to leave her like that..."

Astina was mature.

She had been sensible since she first entered the academy.

She never showed a childlike side to anyone, taking on everything alone, whether it was student council work or other matters.

Certainly, she must be carrying some burden now.

After some contemplation, she must have thought the best way to counter the rebels was to form an Royal army.

As a mentor, he had failed to notice any of his student's concerns.

Even though Astina trained alone at the academy and occasionally visited him, he hadn't noticed even the slightest hint.

Astina was undoubtedly strong.

Whether considering physical or mental strength, this conclusion wouldn't change.

However, that didn't mean Astina was invincible.

She too could feel stress and sometimes fear like any human.

Her decision to confront the nobles of the empire and stand against the rebels must have been influenced by some incident.

She must have believed that facing and opposing the rebels was the best response to the situation.

Otherwise, there would have been no reason for Astina to confront the rebels directly.

It was too dangerous, both politically and for Astina as an individual.

Cromwell didn't think the Royal army would lose, but what might happen to Astina was uncertain.

Having fought Aryandor himself, Cromwell was even more worried.

Astina's speech in the capital had a significant impact.

It gave the commoners, who were receiving aid from the rebels, another chance to rethink, and it raised awareness among others.

The rebels wouldn't just leave Astina alone after she made such a statement.

They could attack her in revenge for killing Jefrin in public or for political reasons.

Since Astina had united the empire again, killing her, the focal point, would boost the rebels' morale.

She was too attractive a target for the rebels.

In this situation, what pained Cromwell the most was that there was nothing he could do.

As the vice principal of the academy, he had influence in the political sphere, but he had to act too passively.

He was always part of the academy and one of its representatives.

He couldn't show his political inclinations or move freely.

Especially in such a significant event as opposing the rebels.

"How pathetic..."

Cromwell lamented his own powerlessness.

Knock, knock.

Just then, there was a knock on his office door.

"Come in..."

Cromwell started to say, but before he could finish, the door opened.