Chapter 116: EXPOSED [3]
Chapter 115: Exposed [3]
Two years ago, the frozen account was reactivated this year.
Michael clenched his jaw by this information
Someone revived this account by using my name to create this trap.
Someone who came up with this plan is definitely a mastermind.
He looked up, his eyes hardening.
"Inspector, these records are fake and someone’s forging my identity."
For the first time, Gileard’s lips curled faintly, the hint of a smile tugging at them.
"You seem sure of that."
"Because I am."
"Hmm..." He leaned back in his chair, tapping the paper with a gloved finger. "And yet, everything is checked out by our Law Hall —"
"—Everything was checked under Nova Ai from the signatures match to the mana seal corresponding to your registered wavelength."
Michael frowned as he got knowledge that mana registered wavelength match Of course it will match because it was handwork the real Micheal.
As Michael’s mana would’ve been the same as his body’s; this world recognized him as the same person now.
This was a neat trap made using his past info.
Gileard look at Michael’s who is speaking confidently then he said "You want say that you have been framed by someone?"
Michael replied with full confidence.
"Yes."
Gileard smile hearing Michael tone with full of confidence.
"Interesting."
Then the inspector’s change his tone to a casual approach but his eyes glinted with something else amusement caught in him.
Then, with a calmness that didn’t match the gravity of the situation, Gileard folded his arms.
"In that case, Michael Wilson, I’ll make you a deal."
Michael’s brows furrowed.
"A deal?"
Gileard nods and continues.
"Yes."
Then Gileard lowered voice, rich and persuasive.
"Join the Alliance Army and Serve under the Council of Elders. Seeing your potential, I am confident that you’ll rise quickly to the position of Captain by no time and even to a Commander, maybe even Knight-General one day."
He paused, letting the offer linger in the air.
"Also if you do that, and all of this..." he gestured toward the files, " will vanish like it never existed along with the charges, the complaints, the expulsion threat will be gone."
___________
(Michael POV)
Michael blinked, caught off guard for half a second.
Now Gileard is not interrogating him but wants to recruit him into the Alliance Army.
’So that’s what this was about not ’
’ Moment ago the instructor was showing that he will give justice to the victim and also force me to explain the truth of my power but now he wants manpower for Alliance Army.’
’ I know about the Alliance Army in brief because they were just NPCs who will come at the last of everybig Battle of Heroes and give them a Medal of Honor’.
’ I only know that they are a sprawling military force under the Council of Elders — one of the largest organizations in the world. It had the power to challenge entire nations.’
’But joining them meant losing freedom because they have a rigid structure with endless protocols.’
’Everyone in the Royal Knight was bound by oaths and to defend the world from the demon but they will interfere in internal conflict between Kingdoms.’
’If I join, I’ll be chained by these rules and regulations.I’ll never be able to move freely, investigate, or prepare for what’s coming in the future story arcs.’
’He’d seen this event in the game — the Alliance’s secret recruitment branch. They scouted talented young hunters, molding them into weapons of loyalty toward the Alliance and the Council’
Michael could almost see the invisible chains stretching toward him.
"And if I refuse?" he asked.
"Then you continue as you are," Gileard said simply.
"Facing nobles who’d love to see you expelled as they have already accused you for corruption, branded a delinquent after that stripped of your title of being Rank 1 by cheating in the exam".
He leaned forward slightly.
"But if you accept... you’ll be untouchable."
Gileard smiled faintly, confident as he continues
"There’s no discrimination in the Alliance. Rank is earned, not inherited. No noble lineage, no family connections it upto your just strength. It’s a meritocracy, boy. You’d fit right in."
He folded his hands together.
"So, What kind of life do you want? A life of constant suspicion and persecution... or one of prestige and power?"
Michael didn’t hesitate.
"I don’t accept."
The words came out sharp, final.
For a second, the inspector’s Gileard calm expression faltered.
"...You don’t accept?"
Michael’s shameless answer without any thoughts .
"No deal."
---
Gileard’s just stared at Michael’s for quite a something as he observed him up to down.
’So decisive and no hesitation, no bargaining, just a clean refusal in the face of S rank , this lad is quite bold but bold always does not work if you can’t back up with strength.’
The old soldier studied him, silent for a long moment. His gaze softened slightly to admiration, perhaps this lad will rise as his spirit and then immediately he shifted his voice to cold expressions as before.
"Boy, think again," he said, voice low. "You’ve made enemies. Nobles with more gold than morality. They can hire mercenaries to hunt you down while you sleep."
Michael smirked faintly as he cut between Gileard statements.
"Not in the Academy, they can’t touch me. The only thing they can assassinate here is my reputation."
"You’re safe only in the Academy," Gileard warned. "And right now, you stand one step away from expulsion. After that, the Academy’s protection ends."
"Then I’ll just become so strong," Michael replied quietly, "that they’ll never dare touch me."
The way he said it — calm, but burning with conviction — made even Gileard pause.
The inspector leaned back slowly, regarding him in silence.
’That look... that resolve. I haven’t seen eyes like that in years.The will of fire — unyielding. He’ll either become a pillar of humanity... or a storm that tears it apart.’
---
The old man chuckled softly.
"You’re a stubborn one."
"I get that a lot."
Their gazes locked. One, the seasoned veteran who had seen countless wars. The other, a young man who had yet to step fully into the world but whose spirit already burned brighter than most.
And in that instant, Gileard made a decision.
He would not let this boy slip away.
---
The atmosphere of the room shifted again.
A faint hum began to resonate in the air again — the unmistakable vibration of mana gathering.
Michael froze, his instincts screaming.
’No... not again.’
"Boy," Gileard said slowly, his tone suddenly grave.
"You seem to have forgotten something."
He stood up from his chair, his shadow stretching across the table.
"By rejecting me, you’ve made one more enemy."
Michael’s blood ran cold.
The air darkened. Pressure began to build, the weight of S-rank intent compressing the very oxygen in the room.
’Oh great... Here we go again....Seriously? Is this old man bipolar or something? It’s not like I rejected his love confession!.’
A cold sweat ran down his back, but his expression didn’t break. He stared straight into Gileard’s eyes, refusing to show weakness as his thoughts were full of mess.
’If I survive this, I swear I’ll never reject an old guy’s proposal without pretending to think first....Please, God, if you’re out there, I’ll even start attending morning prayers.’
---
(Gileard POV)
Gileard’s aura surged, golden mana flooding the room like wildfire. His killing intent pressed down, thick and suffocating.
Michael’s breath hitched, but his gaze remained steady.
Gileard’s as another opinion on my Michael now.
’Still no fear in his expression as good in this killing intent he doesn’t not even flinch ... .I will definitely recruit him... what an Incredible youngster.’
He smirked slightly as increase his killing intent pressure.
’Let’s see how long you can endure this, boy.’
"Tell me your final decision!" Gileard’s voice thundered through the room, shaking the walls. "JOIN—OR NOT?!"
Michael’s heartbeat spiked seeing the pressure keep increasing,if he endured more or tried to resist then he would be in the face and injured in his body and now his mind on how to survive as he kept thinking of a way.
’Alright Michael, think of Plan B.’
’ Damn any doesn’t come to mind there is only one solution now: —Is to just lie to buy time, then escape later.
He opened his mouth.
"I will joi—"
He was just about to complete his word.
Suddenly
clang~
Thud~
The investigation door opened. Then he hears someone’s voice that is almost recogniseable.
"Grandpa, why are you threatening my friend?"
The voice pierced through the tension like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
Everything froze.
The air pressure of killing intent vanished in an instant.
The mana dissolved upon him.
Gileard’s killing intent — gone, as if it had never existed.
The inspector’s eyes widened slightly, his entire posture stiffening.
Michael blinked, confused .Then he also slowly turned toward the door.
Michael saw the who might be, as he saw he had a disbelief expression in his face and only one word made out from his mouth.
" HOW CAN YOU BE YOU??"
(To be Continue)