Chapter 48: An Answer -> [A Murdering Spy].

[Noble Politics & Academy Laws].

"Welcome class," a short man spoke sternly, his belly pushing against his suit, "to a real man’s class."

The room remained awkwardly silent as Cassien slowly looked around.

’Damn, giving us a human goblin as a professor is new.’

The man slammed a thick textbook onto his desk.

"Politics!" he yelled dramatically, "The true battlefield of nobles!"

A few students immediately straightened themselves while the others already looked half-asleep after the long day they had endured.

"Any idiot can swing a sword, but ruling people? Manipulating economies? Controlling influence? That is what separates rulers from common trash."

Cassien rested his chin against his palm.

’This might actually be entertaining.’

The professor turned toward the board before writing his name in large letters.

[Professor Baldwin Crest].

"You may refer to me as Professor Crest. Former advisor to the eastern territories, negotiator of the Harrow disputes, and one of the few men in this kingdom to ever sue a duke and win."

"No way."

"He sued a duke?" Ren questioned.

’That’s honestly quite impressive. But I don’t remember this occurring in the original plotline.’

"Now then," he continued, "most of you sitting here are future nobles, military leaders, merchants, or political figures. And unfortunately, most of you will die because you talk too much."

Silence spread across the room as Cassien almost laughed out loud.

’This academy really does collect lunatics.’

"Politics is simple," the professor tapped the chalkboard, "the person with the bigger army usually wins."

A few students nodded immediately.

"But," he raised a finger, "the person with the bigger influence controls the army in the first place."

"We all know money creates armies, but then again... fear controls citizens. And reputation?" The professor grinned. "Reputation decides whether people follow you willingly or wait for your downfall."

Unlike other classes, politics affected every route inside the novel. Wars, alliances, assassinations, and even marriages.

Every major disaster usually began through politics.

"Question," the professor asked, "would you rather be loved or feared?"

"Loved obviously," Ren answered.

"No, feared leaders survive longer."

"You need both."

Professor Crest pointed randomly toward a student in the back. "You there, answer."

Ren straightened himself immediately.

"Loved, professor. If people love you, they remain loyal willingly."

"Mhm." Crest nodded slowly before choosing another student. "You?"

"Feared. Fear keeps people obedient."

"Good," the professor folded his arms, "now both of you are wrong."

"Huh?" the student blinked.

Olivia began speaking, "Love fades when people suffer, and fear fades when people become desperate. A starving population will eventually betray the ruler they love, and desperate people eventually stop fearing consequences."

Cassien quietly listened.

"Not bad." The professor declared. "You there!"

Cassien already looked exhausted. "What is it?"

The professor smirked. "Loved or feared?"

"I would rather be useful."

"That wasn’t the question," a student interrupted.

"If people love you, they expect things from you emotionally." He shrugged. "If they fear you, they eventually resent you. But if you’re useful? People keep you around no matter how much they dislike you."

"Interesting," Professor Crest smirked.

"A kingdom won’t execute the general winning their wars. Nobles won’t get rid of the merchant, making them rich. Even corrupt rulers protect talented people if they remain valuable enough."

"Usefulness creates leverage, and leverage is what politics is actually built on," Cassien finished.

Professor Crest laughed loudly. "Excellent answer!"

A few students groaned quietly.

"Why does every teacher suddenly like him..."

"This is getting annoying."

Professor Crest adjusted his glasses before speaking again.

"Then let me ask another question." His grin widened slightly. "What is the easiest way to destroy a noble house?"

"The easiest way?" Cassien muttered. "Make them comfortable."

"Elaborate."

"Most noble houses collapse because they stop adapting." He pointed lazily toward the students. "Once people become rich, powerful, and comfortable, they grow arrogant."

He continued calmly.

"They stop producing competent heirs. Stop training properly. Stop preparing for threats because they assume their status alone protects them."

"So while they enjoy comfort," Cassien continued, "someone hungrier eventually appears and destroys them."

That answer even left Professor Crest smiling for the remainder of the class.

Up until the bell finally rang, which felt like forever.

Ring!

Cassien immediately walked back toward his dormitory, already prepared to make more food for himself.

...

Hours passed by. The moon now hung high above the academy grounds while stars shimmered across the night sky.

"Cassien, I’ve done what you asked me to do. What next?"

Theodore and Cassien stood just outside the academy gates together.

"Yes, very well done, Theo. Just like I expected, Cid Forge reacted exactly as planned." Cassien crossed his arms. "Now then, you’ve gained a couple weeks of preparation time. How do you feel?"

"Like I’m going to get obliterated."

Cassien laughed quietly before sighing.

"The date you improvised was spectacular. It aligns perfectly with an event I unlocked through my points, which will make murdering Cid Forge significantly easier."

Theodore visibly shook. "I tried my best to keep my cool."

"You improved just from reading that note," Cassien admitted. "Well done. Tho—"

Shkkkk!

A noise suddenly echoed from the bushes beside them.

Cassien immediately turned toward the sound.

"Theodore, check that out."

...

Theodore slowly crept toward the bush before glancing around cautiously.

But no one was there.

’Fuck. I have to run. I have to contact the principal. I have to!’

A student from Cassien’s own class sprinted through the forest immediately after being spotted.

Step! Step! Step!

He continued running between the trees, his breathing becoming heavier by the second.

’Come on... almost there.’

"Oh no you don’t."

Cassien suddenly appeared directly in front of him before sweeping his legs out instantly.

Bang!

The teenager slammed into the dirt.

"Now then," Cassien looked down at him calmly, "intrigue me. Who told you to spy on us?"

The boy trembled violently. "It was the Class 1A students! I swear! They forced me to do it!"

Stab!

"Of course it was."

Cassien’s expression remained completely emotionless as the blade pierced through the boy’s throat.

Blood poured outward onto the grass.

"No mistaking it," Cassien muttered coldly. "Cid must be a transmigrator."

Theodore slowly emerged from the forest moments later.

"Cassien..."

Cassien looked down at the corpse.

"Theodore, move the body somewhere deep enough that nobody finds it."

Theodore swallowed hard before nodding.

"Got it."

"Clean the blood too. It looks like these Class-1A kids will need to be dealt with much sooner than I expected."