Reader Mage-Stubbing August 10! Chapter 99: 99-I’m Not A Murderer

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Hakyun’s head hurt. Everything had happened far too quickly and his memories were so hazy that it took him a bit longer than it should have to put together the pieces. He recalled waiting for Nikolai to get done with his reading after his request that they spoke in private—which had taken at least two hours—and they had then proceeded to the Open field at Nikolai’s request. Apparently, that was the most private location in the Academy for them to have their discussion. Hakyun had been skeptical about that at first, but he had seen no need to be cautious. It was not like he had mentioned that he knew of the possibility of Nikolai being on steroids, and he could not for the life of him picture Nikolai attacking him. So he had followed willingly. However, as soon as they had gotten to the Open field, the back of his head had been struck by something hard and fast, and he had fainted. Now, he was awake, and the sky had turned dark. I can’t believe this… Hakyun groaned, his mood despondent, as he shifted slightly where he was seated, back against a tree. He looked up and saw Nikolai seated on a trunk a distance away, watching him with a blank expression. “What’s the meaning of this, Nikolai?” Hakyun asked, well aware of what it meant. He just wanted to hear it from the horse’s mouth. “You’re awake,” said Nikolai, not a single trace of emotion in his tone. Hakyun wondered if this was the same friend he knew. “You slept for almost two hours…” Nikolai glanced at the sky. “And now it’s dark.” “I asked what the meaning of this was,” Hakyun backtracked, his brows furrowing. Nikolai pulled his gaze from the sky and put it on Hakyun. “You know what this is.” “Do I?” Nikolai heaved out an exhale and stood up from the trunk he was seated on. “I saw you three yesterday,” he started. “You arrived while I was leaving.” Hakyun blinked. “You left the Academy yesterday? But—” “...But there was no record? That’s because I snuck out. If I kept putting in the same location in the records whenever I left the Academy, it would become suspicious. The first time was fine as I was unsure if I would be harmed; but it would be foolish if I kept it up. That aside, I didn’t think you were that brazen, Hakyun? Chima and Merlin, yes, but you? Sneaking out of the Academy like that, heading to a club. What if you had been caught? Would you have been able to stomach the repercussions?” Hakyun’s heart skipped a beat as he heard Nikolai go on and on. He hadn’t been given a straight reply, but all his questions were answered regardless. There was no doubt about it anymore… “You really are on steroids?” Hakyun asked. Nikolai tilted his head. “Steroids?” He chuckled. “You guys gave it such a simple name. Well, I’m not allowed to tell you what it really is, so I’ll just let you be.” Hakyun cocked his head, shaking it slightly. “What is going on with you? Do you think this is okay? The Academy will expel you.” Nikolai paused his approach to Hakyun and pursed his lips. “You think I don’t know that?” “Then why?” “Because I’m weak, Hakyun!” he bellowed. “I’m weak. What? Can’t you see that?” Hakyun was caught by surprise. To him, that was such a shallow motivation for what Nikolai had done, considering they had only just been admitted into Prestige Academy. “Everyone is weak, Nikolai,” said Hakyun, his body still far too fatigued to move. “Everyone of us. I see no reason for you to be in such a haste to get strong.” Nikolai scoffed. “What do you know about anything?” he sneered. “I have every reason to be in a haste. My future depends on it. The only reason I’m at Prestige Academy in the first place is so that I can get stronger; that’s the only way I can be useful. But compared to the rest of you, my starting point is completely abysmal. If we all keep growing, there’s no way a D-Class Mage like me can catch up.” “I’m a D-Class Mage as well, Nikolai,” Hakyun chimed in. Nikolai frowned. “That doesn’t put us on the same level. I’ve seen you fight. You’re smarter, sharper, and