Pulling his hand away from Lucy, who only gave him a strange look, Steven waited for the announcement, but the principal let them all wait for a few seconds.
"For the fastest person to ever be recorded in our school’s history, please come forward, June Frostes," Yumoth finally spoke as Steven watched her slowly descend from the balcony.
"She isn’t a Frostes!" somebody yelled from the second row.
’’She is a traitor! ’’Someone far in the back continued.
As the hall fell completely silent and June froze mid-air, her gaze wandered around in something mixed between panic and embarrassment.
But Edward signaled her to come towards them, and as she slowly entered the podest, somebody jumped up from below. It was a young man with dark blue hair, most likely another Frostes.
"You don’t deserve to be here," he yelled, trying to grab June’s arm. ’’Trash like you can’t be diamond class.’’
But before his hand could ever reach the young lady, Steven had already grabbed it, slowly twisting it in an abnormal way.
"What do you want, bastard? This is none of your business." The guy tried to speak, trying not to scream in pain.
"I didn’t hear your name being called up here," Steven answered, twisting it even further as he could feel Edward tapping his shoulder as if trying to stop him.
’’No answer? I thought you nobles were made out of stronger wood.’’ As he heard the young man’s shoulder pop under the pressure and with the pained cry following, Steven finally let go.
Except for the pained scream, the entire hall was completely silent. Not a single student moved, and not one teacher intervened.
Until finally Edward pulled him back, whispering. ’’That’s enough.’’
Only slowly releasing what he had done, hurting a noble was already bad, but in front of everyone and embarrassing him on top could create real consequences for him and his mission.
But now it was too late to think about it, as finally a few people from the crowd climbed up and grabbed the now only whimpering Frostes, bringing him back to his table.
"Like I said, the highest speed ever recorded... Please congratulate Miss Frostes," the principal continued, seemingly not minding the whole situation.
But the applause following was less than hoped for, not even twenty percent of the students contributing. And with each second he could feel June shifting more and more behind him as if trying to hide herself.
As the applause finally died down, everyone seemed to just stand there awkwardly waiting. Until Yumoth finally continued.
"Every person today has shown great courage, but this isn’t enough. It was just the first step for all of you, so expect only more greatness tomorrow. You may all leave and get ready for your first class on Monday.’’
Before he could even turn around, June had been the first person to leave the podest, hurrying away as slowly as the crowd dissembled.
But Steven didn’t move; instead, he waited for most of the students to disappear before making his move. Walking towards the principal who seemed to already await him.
"Mister Bright, what can I do for you today?’’ The old man asked unknowingly, but the giant smile on his face told more than any voice ever could.
"I wanted to ask where the dorms of the diamond students are," he answered coldly.
"Oh, I am not quite sure off the top of my head, but please follow me towards my office so I can find out.’’ Steven simply nodded at his request as they both left towards a small side chamber.
Closing the door behind him, Steven cast a sound barrier around them.
"Are you crazy, old man!? What kind of plan is this to throw me at the back? And this whole situation with the Frostes—normally you would’ve long intercepted them before I ever could." He finally lashed out, breaking his calm and cold demeanor.
But the principal only laughed as, from a shadow, a familiar demoness stepped out. ’’I personally thought my plan went pretty good. At least we are sure now they had noticed you.’’
Staring at the old man, Steven felt like becoming a murderer once more wasn’t that bad all of the sudden.
"Are you sure, my master, you want me to do this?" The demoness spoke, her hand grabbing a dagger from her belt.
As Yumoth turned around with a shocked face, Steven quickly spoke. "No, no, I was just thinking, and also, stop reading my mind." The demoness let out a disappointed sigh.
Yumoth had already gone pale. "You aren’t planning to let me die in the room, right?" He asked, nearly laughing.
’’Don’t worry, you won’t die. Not yet, at least." He answered casually, giving the demoness a small glance.
"I arranged the best dorm we have for a Diamond-class student. It’s isolated and close to the training facilities,’’ Yumoth quickly added. ’’And I also got a bill from a very expensive tailor around the street in my name, but I will forget about that.’’
"Do you think I would forget about all this for a nice room and a new suit?" Steven asked, his voice flat. But the principal could only shrug with his old shoulders.
"Well, you guessed well. Tell me the room number," he continued.
Yumoth handed him a room card.
And Steven finally left the room.
Ready to get some rest, hoping tomorrow will be easier.