The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Out of thin air, a chain materialized, coiling tightly around Desmond's body and sapping his energy. He keenly observed the onlookers, noting the expressions of disgust etched across their faces. Diana and Elizabeth, overwhelmed by the sight, sank to their knees.

An alert echoed within the recesses of Desmond's mind, as the system detected an unknown energy attempting to invade his body.

[A foreign energy is attempting to breach the host's body.]

[Eliminate? Y/N]

"Stay still, boy," commanded Weston, his imposing figure looming over Desmond, his gaze piercing down upon him.

"I have a question," Desmond calmly interjected, despite being surrounded and subjected to humiliation. "Where is my sister?"

The chains constricted his body, but his hands and feet retained their freedom of movement. The students surrounding him stared, transfixed, as though he were a captured beast.

"Your sister?" questioned one of the white-robed figures, engrossed in the incantation flowing from their lips. Suddenly, a magical circle manifested in thin air, conjuring a stone prison with Alice at its core, impaled by jagged stone spikes.

Her condition was dire, with blood seeping from the wounds, rendering her unconscious. She slumped forward, her awareness fading, even in the presence of her brother.

"While you still possess the ability to converse, your sister proved to be quite obstinate, fighting tooth and nail upon learning of her brother's imminent arrest," the white-robed man taunted, his fingers tapping gently on Alice's pallid hand.

Desmond's eyes fixed upon Alice's anguish-ridden state, inciting a surge of fury that compelled him to envision the white-robed man's gruesome demise. Yet, his ire waned upon realizing Alice still drew breath.

"Ah, and there's also a young lady who appeared to serve her," the white-robed man continued remorsefully. "However, I regret to inform you that she sacrificed herself, shielding your sister from a fatal blow." His face twisted with guilt.

Members of the academy appeared, solemnly carrying a stretcher, enshrouded in white fabric that obscured the person within, save for their head.

"We shall arrange the funeral rites. Death, although a consequence of her misdeeds, was never the ideal resolution. Had she not resisted, perchance she would still breathe among the living," a remorseful voice murmured.

Desmond shifted his gaze towards the lifeless form of Felix's daughter. Though his acquaintance with her was brief, he understood the depth of his sister's grief, the shock of witnessing her closest confidant perish before her very eyes.

A somber hush settled over the scene as regret etched itself upon the faces of all present, realizing that one of their own, a prodigious individual, had met an untimely demise at their hands.

Desmond's eyes flickered to the map nestled in the corner of his vision. Blue dots, symbolizing allies and subordinates from his family, slowly faded away, one by one, within the confines of the capital city.

Moreover, he noticed the remaining blue dots within the city were in disarray, their movements erratic as they scattered throughout the Guild District. Some fled from the encroaching soldiers, while others opted to stand their ground.

Among the younger generation, Edison, Greyson, and an unfamiliar blue-haired boy sneered at him, a smugness radiating from their expressions. Gibson's smile grew wider upon witnessing Desmond's disheveled state.

"Humans can be quite amusing and vexing, don't you think?" Desmond finally broke the lingering silence, addressing the individuals who encircled him. The pointed tips of the soldiers' weapons hovered menacingly, poised to strike him at any moment.

Yet, despite his words, there was no response or retort from the onlookers; they merely regarded him with sealed lips.

"Principal, or Grandmaster Weston, surely you are aware of the history and reasons that led us to align with this kingdom," Desmond continued, noting the furrowed brows of Weston.

"Yes, your family has been relentlessly pursued by the Imperial Empire Assassins," Weston declared with a resounding voice, divulging his background, causing the people to gaze at Desmond in disbelief.

"However, did you also know that these assassins persisted in their attacks, even as I made my way to this city?"

"So, those assassins were targeting you, kid," Vesta interjected, emerging from behind his daughter, Diana, who appeared shaken by the revelation. He placed a comforting hand on Diana's shoulder and regarded Desmond with genuine curiosity. "I never fathomed that the kingdom would conceal such information."

Desmond's eyes widened momentarily upon hearing Vesta's words, then he turned his gaze back to Weston, a meaningful look passing between them.

"*Ahem* I have not concealed anything. As soon as your parents agreed to join this kingdom, I reported the matter concerning your family to the king," Weston declared. "Furthermore, I dispatched the Steel Legion as promised to ensure your sister's safety during her journey to this city. As you can see, she arrived unharmed, did she not?" Weston cast a glance at Veronica, who nodded in affirmation.

Veronica's face twitched upon beholding Alice's grievous condition. However, when she recalled how Desmond had slain her comrades, her countenance turned indifferent.

"Boy, you were also under the protection of the Guardian, Vesta, correct?" Weston continued, as Vesta slowly drew nearer to Desmond.

"Yes."

"See, we have fulfilled our end of the agreement between your family and the kingdom. As for your crimes, your entire family will undergo investigation, and you will be confined until further decisions are made."

Desmond's gaze bore into Weston's, a penetrating intensity emanating from his eyes. He then shifted his attention to the map displaying numerous blue dots that steadily vanished, one by one.

If Weston's words are true, he contemplated, then only Grimm remains. Aside from the sinister organization and the Imperial Empire, his remaining adversary was Grimm. If the soldiers hunting down his subordinates were truly influenced by Weston, it meant he had played a part in orchestrating their demise.

Lost in thought, Desmond's gaze settled on Matson, who wore an evil grin directed solely at him.

"I understand, and I appreciate all of you for looking after my sister," Desmond replied, his expression softening as he surveyed the bloodied Alice imprisoned before him. "Has she caused trouble throughout this ordeal?"

The people appeared perplexed by his question, but suddenly, Jessy stepped forward, her cold gaze fixed upon him. "No, she was a gifted student, but it is unfortunate that she is his sibling," she uttered, her tone laced with regret, as if she were Alice's mother.

"I see, so this is the conclusion," Desmond murmured, casting a hopeless gaze at the ceiling.

"You still have a responsibility to face. You may not meet your demise, but your life will be marred even more than it is now," Quinn, the teacher whom many admired for his courage and courtesy upon his arrival through the portal, spoke with a deep resonance.

However, Desmond merely smiled at them all, choosing not to respond. This is not my end, but yours.

Eliminate.

[The system successfully eliminates the energy restraining the host's body...]

As Desmond issued the command, a wave of change coursed through him. Weston's countenance shifted, his eyes narrowing as he attempted to discern how Desmond had disrupted his spell.

"Attack him!" Weston's disbelief was evident as his spell dissipated, and he fixated his gaze on Desmond, urgently instructing the others to strike.

Initially bewildered by the sudden command, the mages and soldiers exchanged perplexed glances before redirecting their attention to Desmond, who remained motionless, devoid of any further action.

"What are you waiting for?! Kill him!" Vesta, observing Weston's growing panic, applied pressure to those assembled, his voice resonating with a commanding tone.