The Academy's Time Looper-Chapter 36: Secrets

Smirking, Athen glanced out the window, entranced by the beautiful array of marshmallow-like clouds.

"You’re not using me as bait, are you?"

One of the conclusions that Athen had come to was that assassins or an evil group were after Kai.

Kai’s father was one of the grand dukes who ruled over one-fourth of the empire’s land, so he had to have many political enemies.

Vehemently shaking his head, Kai denied the Athen’s words immediately.

"Then, why would I be sticking by you?"

If an assassin truly came after Athen, they would most likely see Kai as a friend and use him as bait to lure out Athen.

And, since Athen had arrived at the academy, Kai had always been by him instead of simply giving Athen the role and running away.

Taking Kai’s words at face value, Athen nodded his head and questioned again.

"Then, what is it?"

"Why do you think my parents have hidden my face ever since I was born?"

"To humble you...and give you a normal life?"

Considering Hybris, who was another son of a grand duke, Kai was much more modest and down to earth, so Athen could easily guess which of them had a more spoiled upbringing.

"No...it’s a much deeper reason."

After hesitating for a few seconds upon seeing Athen’s intrigued expression, Kai finally continued.

"Don’t you find it weird at all that, in all the years since the great war, the hierarchy hasn’t changed a single bit?"

"For three hundred years, there has always been just one emperor and four grand dukes below him."

"The world is volatile and has had many new changes, such as the discovery of new magic and combat arts, yet the power structure hasn’t changed a bit."

"How, despite all this time and innovation, has the power remained concentrated amongst the five same families."

"In over three hundred years, there has not been a single large-scale revolution...even an attempted gathering of one."

"I would love to tell you the reason...trust me, but if I did, you’d be dead. All I can leave you with you now is a couple of hints."

After taking in Kai’s words and trying to comprehend their meaning, Athen shook his head and dismissed the idea.

To Athens, the absence of internal strife among the people of the empire wasn’t weird...it was somewhat expected.

There was simply too large of a power gap between the commoners and those who had the ability to use magic.

After seeing magic in action during the professors’ fight against the mercenaries, that ideal had only been solidified in Athen’s mind.

Even weapon majors required magic to strengthen their bodies and deal more damage with their swords.

One warrior or magician with magic could take hundreds of non-magic-using fighters without breaking a sweat.

The very thing holding the empire together was not the common enemy of demonic monsters...but the monopoly over magic users.

Well...realistically, it was more of an oligopoly as there were five places magic users could go: the armies of four grand dukes or the empire.

It wasn’t the education of magic that was monopolized, as there were over ten magic academies around the world, but the place they went to after receiving their education.

"Wait..."

Then, Athen realized it.

Kai wasn’t talking about the lower class; he was talking about the very top members.

Why hadn’t any of the four grand dukes rebelled?

Since Athen was a beggar who lived amongst the worst of the worst, he knew of the selfishness and greed of humans.

It was hard to believe that within three hundred years, none of the grand dukes had tried to take more territory or the empire for themselves.

After all, they had magic users as well, so unlike the commoners, they had the capability to do something.

Yet, there had never been a territorial dispute between any of the grand dukes and the empire.

"It is weird...you would think someone would get greedy at some point and try to take a bigger piece of the pie."

"..."

Seeing Kai not willing to give any more information, Athen decided to just accept that he had a real reason for hiding his identity and move on.

However, to progress the conversation any further, he had to take his own risk.

Kai had given up a secret of his own...so now it was his turn.

Getting up from his chair, Athen walked up to the windows, tracing his fingers along the glass.

Seeing Athen’s pacing, Kai sighed in relief before asking.

"So, you agree to become me for a couple of weeks... Ren? As for payment, we can d-"

"Didn’t I already tell you not to say Ren? It’s Athen."

"...?"

If things were simpler, Athen could use Kai’s favor to get himself a spot in the academy.

The Valorian family sponsored the academy, so if they asked, the academy could just make room for him.

However...Kai had specifically mentioned that he could not use his family or their connections.

But...Athen could force the Valorian family to get involved.

Turning around to face Kai, Athen leaned against the window before finally saying.

"You go by Athen, not Ren. And as for payment, it won’t be a one-time thing...and don’t worry, it’s not something from your family like money."

Athen didn’t need to make a name for himself...he had just to let Kai make one for him.

Then, when the academy eventually found out Athen was a fraud, the Valorian family would have to get involved as Kai had been impersonating him and "helping" the fraudulent student.

Rather than deal with the whole mess and potentially tarnish the Valorian family’s reputation, the academy would most likely just ignore it and make Athen a real student to shut him up.

Nodding his head in agreement, Kai got up from his seat and said.

"So, it’s finished? You’re Kai, and I’m Athen."

As Athen nodded his head in agreement, Kai awkwardly stood up and began walking to the door.

Stopping right in front of the door, Kai paused and looked back with a sad expression.

"Ah, you know, your...no, my room is a b-"

"You can stay here...just take the couch."