Simon knew that his actions today would be frowned upon by the academy for several reasons, but because he had technically not broken any law but skirted around the law to make some benefits, they couldn’t punish him.
Simon also knew that another reason why they might let him go is to use him as a grinding stone to shape these rough diamonds called his classmates.
Difficult times made strong men.
And easy times made weak men.
The academy would want him to be a sort of grinding stone that would force his classmates to have no choice but to get stronger.
A slave being so arrogant?
A slave that was so strong?
A slave that only had a Common Bloodline?
And now, a slave that dared to extort them?
Surely, his classmates would be furious and would want revenge.
As long as Simon did not cross that invisible line, he knew that the clan would be willing to continue in this manner.
However, Simon himself needed more assurance and control.
The academy could stop him at any point in time and they could even tell him to stop extorting his classmates.
Simon did not want that.
He planned on milking his classmates to make some money. How could he stop?
And that was a slight problem for Simon.
How could he make sure that the academy did not stop him or make things difficult for him?
The answer was rather simple.
He needed the approval of an official of the academy to extort, and not just any official, but an official with true authority.
But the issue was, how could he make such an official authorize his extortion?
He wasn’t extorting so much money that he could give a portion of it to the official.
He was making barely over a thousand merits from his classmates. Such an amount would be insignificant in the eyes of any official of the academy.
But the moment Jorra said these words which would have terrified many First Years.
----
"You believe that there’s something you can protect me from? You believe that a lesser hybrid like you can protect me from something?"
----
Simon saw an opportunity.
He had seen Instructor Valdin a long time ago, and now Jorra had just given him the opportunity he needed to rope in their class instructor.
And the best part about everything was that it involved no danger or risk at all.
Instructor Valdin could not kill him or threaten him, and neither could the school.
Everybody thought he made the bet official to make four thousand merits from his classmates. But what they didn’t know was that he made the bet official for protection.
Why?
Because this extortion was not the first and was definitely not going to be the last.
He was not used to being evil. It was not a part of him and he knew that he was far from perfect when it came to doing evil deeds and manipulating in such subtle ways.
But he was learning.
Since the world wanted him to suffer so much, then he would take a pound of flesh or two from the world by learning how to do things he normally couldn’t.
Simon’s eyes flashed with a strange glint, then he bowed at Instructor Valdin.
"Thank you, Instructor Valdin."
Instructor Valdin nodded with an indifferent "hmm".
"Just make sure you don’t take it too far."
Simon merely smiled behind his mask and did not respond.
Instructor Valdin took one last glance at him, then he suddenly vanished.
Those who were close to the Instructor were taken aback by his sudden disappearance.
’The speed of a Greater Demon is way above me even though I’m as fast as a Supreme Archfiend.’
’I didn’t even see him move.’
Simon shook his head softly, then he looked at Jorra.
"I hope you’re satisfied?"
Jorra scoffed, then he turned around.
"Just make sure you’re ready to die in the life and death battle."
Simon’s lips curled up slightly. "There’ll be no need for that."
Jorra chuckled in disdain. "A lowly frog at the bottom of a well."
Without waiting for Simon to respond, he began to walk away.
Simon shrugged slightly, then he looked at Merath and Sunless.
"What about you guys? Are you interested in joining the bet?"
"Don’t lump us ladies into your foolish boys argument. You boys should settle it amongst yourselves." Merath said with a sneer, causing Sunless to give her a glance.
When did they become close enough for her to speak on her behalf?... Sunless wondered.
Despite this question on her mind, she did not say it out loud. Instead, she looked at Simon.
"Is this really what you want? To be hated by all?" She spoke softly, causing the tension in the air to dissipate slightly.
Even Simon’s expression eased up slightly as he replied her.
"A king who is hated is still a king. A slave who is hidden is just a corpse waiting to happen."
Sunless had a dazed expression hearing this, then she chuckled a few moments later.
"I see. I understand now... I guess it’s all about attention, power, and safety."
Simon tilted his head and smiled behind his mask.
"Who knows."
Sunless chuckled softly, then she shook her head. Without saying a word, she jumped down from the cliff wall and landed without making a sound.
Everybody made way for her, and she walked away without saying anything or responding to Simon’s last words.
Simon took one last glance at her before shifting his gaze back to Merath.
However, she was gone.
"Hmm."
He tilted his head slightly, then he shrugged.
He also released his demonic energy, then he fell.
Just like Sunless, he made no sound as he fell to the ground of the balcony of their dormitory.
His classmates made way for him, and Simon walked to his room with an indifferent gaze.
Despite the hatred they had for Simon, for some reason, they felt that touching Simon would be a mistake.
Eventually, they watched as Simon entered his room.
Room 47.