Chapter 97 - 31
The aftermath of House Julian’s instantaneous liquidation echoed through the marble corridors of the Aegis Academy like a thunderclap. Across every department—from the high-tier elemental offensive halls to the quiet, ancient archives of the runic scholars—the narrative had shifted overnight. The spoiled, arrogant aristocratic boys who had previously dominated the social atmosphere were now huddled in tight, terrified groups, whispering in hushed tones whenever Arthur walked past. They no longer saw a low-born provincial commoner; they saw an unfathomable, apex entity backed by the terrifying, invisible hand of the Sovereign Council.
When the afternoon bell chimed, signifying the transition to open practical laboratories, Arthur walked casually along the glass-enclosed skybridge connecting the central lecture halls to the advanced research spire.
By his side, Katherine walked with a newfound, radiant confidence. Her posture was upright, her shoulders back, and though her massive, exceptionally voluptuous chest still drew breathless stares from passing students, she no longer shrank into her threadbare cardigan. She held her leather notebook tightly against her side, her deep violet eyes sparkling with absolute, unwavering devotion whenever she looked at the handsome youth walking beside her.
"Arthur..." Katherine murmured softly, her cheeks flushing a sweet, rosy pink as her fingers timidly reached out to brush against his sleeve. "The entire academy is talking about what happened to House Julian. Do you think... do you think the Central Bank really liquidated them just because of the arena safety breach?"
𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
Arthur offered her a low, captivating smirk, his dark eyes glinting with quiet, amused brilliance. "The Central Bank values systemic stability above all else, Katherine. When a noble house attempts to corrupt academic safety protocols to indulge a petty feud, it becomes a bad investment. My empire—that is, the bank’s leadership—simply pruned a dead branch before it rotted the tree."
Katherine blinked, her heart doing a frantic, fluttering flip at the effortless, commanding calm in his voice. She didn’t fully grasp the grand macroeconomic implications, but she knew one thing beyond any doubt: as long as she stood beside Arthur, no force in this world could ever harm her again.
As they reached the entrance of the Advanced Diagnostic and Anatomical Sciences Wing, the heavy double doors swung open automatically.
Standing in the center of the pristine, mana-illuminated laboratory was Dr. Elena Vance. She wore her crisp white physician’s coat over her dark uniform, her silver-framed reading glasses resting low on the bridge of her nose as she reviewed a series of glowing blue diagnostic scrolls.
When her eyes landed on Arthur and Katherine entering together, a bright, playful smile instantly illuminated her bossy, beautiful face.
"Well, well," Elena said crisp, setting her medical parchment down onto the marble counter and walking over with brisk, confident strides. "If it isn’t my favorite freshman. And you must be Katherine."
Katherine froze, her eyes widening in utter, breathless shock as she realized she was standing before the famous, legendary substitute doctor who had taken the entire academy by storm. Panicking slightly, Katherine bowed rapidly, her face turning crimson. "D-Dr. Elena! It is an honor to meet you! I... I am Katherine, Arthur’s desk partner!"
Elena let out a warm, delighted laugh, reaching out to gently catch Katherine’s hands, preventing her from bowing further. She looked Katherine up and down, taking in her genuine, sweet demeanor, her hardworking aura, and her breathtaking, exceptionally voluptuous figure.
So this is the commoner girl Arthur sat beside on day one, Elena thought, her amber eyes sparkling with immediate, deep approval. She’s sweet, honest, deeply devoted, and possesses a heart of absolute gold. Lyra and the executive girls are going to have a wonderful new sister.
"There’s no need for formal titles here, my dear," Elena said smoothly, giving Katherine’s hands a comforting squeeze. "Call me Elena. Arthur has told me so much about you—how hard you work, how brilliant your runic notes are, and how sweet your homemade berry tarts taste."
Katherine gasped, her head snapping toward Arthur in pure, blushing disbelief. "Y-You told her about my tarts?!"
Arthur leaned casually against the lab workstation, crossing his arms with a cool, handsome smirk. "Quality craftsmanship deserves proper reporting, Katherine. My sister happens to appreciate fine baking as much as I do."
Elena chuckled, winking at the flustered commoner girl whose face was now burning like hot coals. "In fact, Katherine, I’ve reviewed your academic profile. Your precise mana-flow control during the arena incident was remarkable. I’m appointing you as my primary student research assistant for the clinical wing. You’ll have unlimited access to the advanced alchemy suites and a full academic scholarship."
Tears of pure, overwhelming joy welled in Katherine’s deep violet eyes. A scholarship, a high-tier research position, and the explicit favor of Arthur’s legendary sister—everything she had ever dreamed of in her impoverished, outcast life was coming true all at once. "T-Thank you! Thank you so much, Dr. Elena! I’ll work with all my heart!"
While Elena showed Katherine the state-of-the-art diagnostic instruments, Arthur stepped toward the wide glass balcony of the private laboratory, looking out over the sweeping expanse of the academy grounds and the glowing skyline of Aegis City beyond.
Suddenly, the space beside him subtly shifted. A soft, familiar scent of rare night-blooming jasmine drifted into his senses as Madame Vespera materialized from the shadows, wearing a breathtaking, low-cut silk gown that accentuated her sweeping, dangerous curves.
"My lord," Vespera purred in a low, velvety whisper, leaning lightly against his arm, her crimson eyes shining with a mixture of deep romantic longing and absolute reports. "I apologize for interrupting your quiet student afternoon, but the executive council requires your final confirmation."
"Speak, Vespera," Arthur murmured smoothly, without breaking his gaze from the horizon.
"House Julian’s assets have been completely absorbed into the Central Bank’s primary treasury," Vespera reported, her manicured fingers lightly tracing the cuff of his dark uniform jacket. "Furthermore... Sister Elena’s official decree regarding your future marriage treaties has been codified by Lyra and the council. All twelve executive candidates—along with a strategic provision for Miss Katherine—have finalized the continental union framework. We are merely awaiting your final signature to set the grand wedding date."
Arthur turned his head slightly, looking down into Vespera’s glowing, seductive eyes. A low, captivating smirk spread across his lips—the cold, brilliant smile of a sovereign who had conquered an entire continent, built an invincible global empire, reunited with his past, and brought absolute prosperity to his world.
"Let Lyra finalize the diplomatic documents, Vespera," Arthur commanded smoothly, his deep, irresistible voice sending a thrilling shiver straight through her soul. "We will announce the sovereign union when the academy semester concludes. Until then... I intend to finish my lectures."
Vespera let out a breathless, ecstatic purr, bowing low with deep, possessive reverence before melting back into the shadows.
Arthur looked back inside the warm, bright laboratory. Elena was laughingly showing Katherine how to calibrate a mana-resonance lens, while Katherine stole a sweet, breathless glance toward the balcony, her eyes filled with complete, unshakeable love for him.
Down on the stage far below, Director Celeste was concluding her afternoon announcements, her heart hammering with frantic, sweet anticipation for the future they were all building together.
Arthur adjusted his mana-suppression ring, taking a quiet, deeply satisfied breath of the cool afternoon air. His past was honored, his present was absolute, his future harem was sealed, and the realm was completely his. The sovereign of the continent turned back into the laboratory, ready to enjoy every remaining second of his incredible, legendary life.