Chapter 248: King of Blackmail [Part 1] The Student Assembly happened twice every month. It happened every second, and fourth week of the month, and was held during Friday mornings. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦 Usually, the Headmaster or the Student Council President would make a speech. They sometimes commended outstanding students. It was also an opportunity to inform the students about upcoming school events. Theo and the other student councillors walked up to the stage before turning to face the assembled students. They then pressed their hands over their chest and waited for the school anthem to play, which everyone sang together. Theo sang confidently, but deep inside he was wondering what Alex was planning to do. He subconsciously glanced in the direction of the First Years, but he didn’t see the young man among his classmates. ’Just what is he planning to do?’ Theo wondered as the song came to an end. ’I hope he doesn’t do anything too reckless.’ The Headmaster was currently away on a trip, which meant that it was the Student Council’s turn to address the students. This included giving an explanation of what had happened in the Mistral Weave Forest during the Battle Royale. Theo also apologized for not making contingency plans that could have thwarted the Demon Worshipers’ attack. He promised everyone that he would be more mindful when planning future events. The Student Council vowed to prioritize the safety of the students above all else. His face was projected behind him and his voice was magnified so that even students who sat far away from the stage could see and hear him. As his speech drew to a close, something unexpected happened. Theo’s enlarged image behind him disappeared and was replaced by a person wearing a mask. This would have been an intimidating sight if not for the fact that on that person’s head was a little bun who was hiding its identity by wearing gangster sunglasses! While the First Years didn’t recognize the masked person, they certainly recognized Dim Dim! "Ladies and gentlemen, I’m very sorry to interrupt President Theo’s speech, but I need to show you something very important," the masked person—who was obviously Alex—declared. "Please, enjoy the show!" He then vanished from the projection, but a scene of a few people seated on a luxurious sofa took his place. Those people who saw themselves on the couch stiffened. They had a good idea of what was about to happen next. "Guys, I did it!" a young man with dark brown hair exclaimed with a triumphant grin. "I managed to steal Professor Arienna’s favorite cup from the music room. The next underground academy auction will certainly be a blast!" "Wait, Professor Arienna’s cup? The one she always drinks from?" "Yes!" "Did you..." "Yes! I drank from it! It was the best!" "Damn! You are so lucky!" Professor Arienna’s jaw dropped after hearing those words. "Only her favorite cup?" Caspian, who was seated beside the young man, smirked. "I managed to get pictures of Professor Selwin sleeping. Without her glasses too! I can’t believe that our Alchemy Teacher is such a hottie! I will sell these pictures in the auction as well." Professor Selwin blinked a couple of times before looking at the Second Years. Caspian, whose face was already bloodless from fright, practically collapsed when her gaze finally landed on him "T-This is fake!" Caspian shouted. "This thing didn’t happen! I’m being framed!" However, the projection kept on playing. "By the way, I have successfully planted a tracking spell on the bag of that commoner girl from that upstart club," a lecherous looking noble with blond hair added. "How about we have some fun with her after school?" "Are you serious?" Caspian frowned. "What will you do if the Professors find out about it?" "No one will find out," the lecherous noble said confidently. "I have threatened one of her commoner classmates into obeying me just by mentioning her family’s address! She will drug that Endless Horizon girl’s drink so that we can bring her here. It has been a while since I have tormented a commoner. The thrill is the real deal." "I don’t know man, that sounds dangerous," Caspian said slowly. "If the academy finds out, you will get expelled." "The club president is also doing it, so why can’t we? I’m sure that he will approve of it. He might even join the fun. So, are you guys coming or not?" "I’ll pass." Caspian firmly shook his head. "Taking Professor Arienna’s cup and Professor Selwin’s pictures is very different from torture. I don’t have that kind of hobby." "Hah... you’re still too green, Caspian." The pervert cracked an ugly smile. "But that’s fine. I won’t judge you. You can have fun with Professor Selwin’s pictures, but that won’t get you anywhere, man." With that, the scene changed. This time, it was in the private office of the Merchant Alliance. It showed how the members manipulated the prices of textbooks as well as other school supplies to gain a hefty profit. During their conversation, they implicitly admitted that they were price gouging merely because the other students couldn’t fight back! "We are the Merchant Alliance. We control the economy of the academy," the Vice President said haughtily. "Even the ingredients and food supplied to the academy are under our control. "So, why not increase the price a bit? I’m sure that no one will complain. Even if someone asks, we can always say that our meat comes from Everglen City, which has been plagued with a drought." Another member laughed cruelly. "Just remember not to smile too obviously when you tell those nosy people that our hands are tied!" Three more Crest Clubs, who had played no small part in the harassment of Alex’s club members, found themselves in the spotlight as the magical projection continued to play. They started to panic. Like Caspian, they claimed that the videos were faked to frame them. To everyone’s surprise, it didn’t end with the Crest Clubs. Children of Barons, Viscounts, Earls, Marquess, and even Dukes all had their turn on the screen. As more and more Noble students descended into incoherence, Theo’s lips curled up. The people having their moment of fame all belonged to factions that opposed the Student Council. Alex was practically handing Theo the opportunity to investigate and punish them. After the last scene ended, the masked man popped up once more. "Did you see all that?" the masked man asked. "I assure you that everything you just saw is true! But you know what? Those things are just the tip of the iceberg. I have many more pieces of evidence with me that can potentially get you kicked out of your families. "However, I am a kind and merciful person. I won’t want to see you disowned either! Therefore, I will give you a chance to make up for your misdeeds. The Lionheart Society must pay me two million academy points before this day ends or I will use the evidence I have to dissolve your club. "Also, don’t say nonsensical things like ’this is fake’ or whatnot. Caspian, have you forgotten about the artifact that Professor Gareth used? All he needs to do is visit your club room and he will be able to unearth other secrets that will... Hehehe.... You already know what I’m getting at, right? "As for the Merchant Alliance, I’ll just ask you to pay me one million academy points. The same can be said for the three other Crest Clubs, whose names I can’t be bothered to say. "This is what you get for bullying Endless Horizon. You want to fight me? B*tch! You guys are just kids in my eyes." "Dim Dim!" Dim Dim shouted telling Alex not to curse. "Um, Sorry. But, Dim Dim, don’t say anything," the masked man reminded. "We are hiding our identities, remember?" "Dim!" Dim Dim nodded apologetically. "Anyway! Make sure to pass the payment to Alex Stratos before this day ends," the masked presenter threatened. "I have made several copies of the evidence and handed them to two Professors that I trust. "They have already seen it and frankly, if not for me convincing them to let me handle this, you would be talking directly to the Headmaster after he returns! So, don’t do anything funny because I will destroy you and end your careers. You ain’t seen nothing yet. "Remember, all of you must meet with my middleman, Alex Stratos, before this day ends or you will surely regret it!" As soon as the masked man finished his announcement, Theo’s smirking face appeared on the giant projection. "Well then, I believe this warrants an investigation by the Student Council," Theo said calmly. "These are very serious allegations and if found to be true, the culprits will be dealt with accordingly." He then glanced at Caspian, whose ears were being pulled by the Alchemy Professor, Lady Selwin. The teenage boy was apologizing profusely, vowing that he would never take her pictures without permission again. As for the person who had designs on Nessia, Alex would ensure that he got kicked out of the academy without fail. Even if Alex didn’t do anything, the President of the Lionheart Society would throw that degenerate under the bus to save himself. On that day, the academy suffered a shock that they didn’t expect, which made them give Alex a new nickname. King of Blackmail. And from now on, no Crest Clubs, or any other Noble Families, dared to bully the members of his club ever again. ----- A/N: Two more Chapters will be uploaded one hour from now.