The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

"FRANKLY speaking, I don't think your 'cronies', as that kid called them, did this.  Not that I'm saying the allegations against you is true.  But if the virtual pod Townsend was in really was tampered, I don't think of any of the students here would be capable of doing it," Wulfric said once he was alone with Cyrus Lancaster.  "Do you get what I'm saying?"

Cyrus bit his lower lip.  He was afraid that if he acted ignorant here, the prince would definitely remember him as someone stupid.  How could he let that happen when he was already painted as a bully?

But if he admitted it, then it's like he was already agreeing to what the other was insinuating.  Before he could even answer, the prince had already spoken once again.

"Never mind.  I'll just say it straight.  If Townsend's virtual pod was tampered, it could only be done by a third party.  And in this case, there's a high chance that they were connected to your family," Wulfric said with a scoff. 

"Your family absolutely hated being outshined by people who they considered as lower than them.  If they knew that you're not getting first place in this week-long training, sabotaging the person outshining you is definitely something that they would do.  Considering your family's connection to the military, I have no doubt that they could bribe one or two personnel from this academy. 

"You know, I hate a lot of things, but one that really irks me is when someone was doing something shitty in my turf.  Let me tell you this just in case I haven't made my point clear enough, I hold grudges.  Especially if I don't like the other side.  And for the record, your family is at the top of the people I dislike.

"So, if I find out that they have something to do with what happened, you will be kicked out and no longer would have a chance to continue to study in this place.  Additionally, if I see your cronies bothering other students again, they will also be kicked out.  Tell them to cooperate, would you?  After all, you are their 'lord'."

Cyrus could hear the visible smirk and sarcasm on that last sentence.  He gazed down, hiding the unwillingness in his heart.  He wanted to complain how the other was being too biased against him.  But it would only make him look even more pathetic.

Besides that, did he even really had a right to complain?  Just as the prince said, if what Townsend said about the virtual pod was true, then, there's a high chance that his family was involved in what happened.  As a Lancaster, that was indeed something any of them would probably do.

He suddenly wanted to curse.  Although he was indeed feeling a lot of frustration from not getting the result he wanted this past week, that didn't mean that he wanted his family to intervene.  Did they not know that the one mostly responsible for the training was the prince?

With the other's attitude towards their family, they should have known that the prince wouldn't just sit back when something like this happened under his watch.  He even wondered if someone was actually sabotaging him. 

Sacrificing Townsend so Cyrus would look bad.  They must have thought that this could get his chance to study at the Imperial Military Academy be taken away.  And when that happened, his standing within the family would definitely be lowered. 

But this was not the time to ponder whether someone from the family really did sabotage him.  Because even if he told that to the prince, the other obviously wouldn't care.  So, what could he do to save himself from this situation?

"You can go now."

After hearing that, Cyrus became panicked.  And he just did the first thing that came to his mind. 

He bowed.

Not just a perfunctory bow, but a 90 degree one.  He had never done something like this.  He even felt a bit humiliated by this action.  But he knew that this was the only way he could show his sincerity.

So, he did not raise his head and said, "If Your Highness discovered that it was indeed related to my family, I would sincerely apologize to Townsend.  But if it's proven that I did not participate in any shape or form to what happened, I hope that Your Highness could still give me a chance."

He was confident in this.  Because he really had nothing to do with whatever that happened to Townsend's virtual pod. 

Wulfric glanced at the back of the teenager's head.  He was a bit surprised.  Because he didn't expect that the other would actually bow.  Considering this brat's training result, he must be pretty treasured within that shitty family of his.  So, being able to bow like this already showed that he's different from the other members of his family.

Or he was just that patient.  And maybe at the back of his head he was already thinking of ways on how to get back at him.  He couldn't help but be suspicious.  Because he hadn't yet met a Lancaster who's trustworthy enough.

"I'll think about it.  Go back for now."

Cyrus clenched his fists.  He was really unwilling to let things end like this.  But what could he do?  If he continued to defend himself, he might just annoy the prince and the other might just directly kick him right here, right now from the academy.  Despite that, he couldn't just let it end like this.

"I understand."  He finally raised his head.  He looked straight at the prince, his gaze unwavering.  "I just hope that Your Highness wouldn't be so bias on your decision just because you hate my family."

He gave one last bow before walking out of the room.

Wulfric raised one of his brows.  Well, at least the brat had spunk and wouldn't just run with his tail between his legs.  That's definitely something most Lancasters didn't have.  Especially among the younger generation.

He no longer thought about that and just contacted Hildred to tell him to do some investigating.  He should get to the bottom of this and punish the people who should be punished. 

After all, Aster's brother almost got seriously hurt under his eyes.  Not being able to give that kid justice would just be too shameful.