Leonard sat on a small metal chair

  Across from him sat one of the instructors who was recording something in the notebook in front of him

  "You can talk." The instructor spoke without stopping writing or taking his eyes off the notebook

  Leonard took a deep breath and said. “We were cooking.”

  The instructor stopped writing and looked at Leonard

  “...” The two stared at each other for a while

  " seriously?." The instructor looked at Leonard strangely

  This instructor received a report about some students being poisoned so he rushed to the scene

  As soon as he entered Room 1010, he could understand why the two students were poisoned

  This smell was deadly and made a person suffocate

  He left as quickly as he could because he couldn't stay there for long

  He didn't even dare to touch the bowl from which that smell came

  Who knows what that bowl contains?

  The substance that emits this terrible smell should be classified as a weapon

  Some instructors had to wear clothing and masks designed to handle dangerous chemicals so they could get rid of that bowl

  But the contents of that bowl are still a secret

  All they knew was that the bowl contained a blackish-purple liquid

  Alexander Ford, who ran that room, was investigated

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  But the answer he said left everyone helpless

  “Actually, I was thinking of opening a soup business to earn some money to pay my debts.”

  All the instructors knew that Alexander had to pay all his debts before the end of the month, otherwise the amount would double

  The idea of opening a restaurant would be a good plan to make some money

  But the soup prepared by Alexander was unfit for human consumption

  Getting close to this soup was enough to make a person dizzy

  None of the instructors who disposed of this soup dared to taste it

  They were sure that one spoonful would be enough to send anyone to the afterlife and organize a reunion with their ancestors

  Some instructors suspected Alexander was lying. So they decided to investigate the other people who were involved with him

  The two students who were arrested were still unconscious so they could not be investigated

  There was a student named Quentin at the scene of the accident. But it turned out that he came too late, so he did not know anything

  The only person left is the Vice President of the Student Council

  Leonard was an example of a model student

  He was from a commoner family, so he had to work twice as hard to get where he is

  He had good fighting talent, but the most important thing was that his reputation among the students was equal to Sylvia's, despite their different backgrounds.

  Leonard was able to gain the trust of most instructors.

  The instructors were sure Leonard would give a convincing answer

  But they were disappointed when Leonard told them the same story as Alexander

  There's no reason for Leonard to lie

  This leaves one possibility

  Alexander's story was true

  Although it was hard to believe, they had to accept what happened

  The problem is that the empire opened an investigation into this matter because the smell had spread to the surrounding areas and caused inconvenience to the students and instructors.

  But now that they have discovered the truth, what should they tell the investigators sent by the empire?

  'Sorry for the mess that happened, one of our students was trying to cook but accidentally made this deadly soup.'

  Obviously, no one will buy this excuse

  The instructor sighed as he tried to think of the words he should choose in the report he would send to the capital

  ------------------

  Alexander and Leonard stood before the Academy Council

  Alexander kept a calm face

  While there was an uncomfortable look on Leonard's face

  This is the first time he has been put in this position

  The reason for all this was Alexander, who was standing as if he had nothing to do with what happened

  After the students were poisoned by this substance, Alexander took him to a hidden place and threatened him

  “No one must know what happened, otherwise this will be the end of us.”

  Leonard pointed his finger at Alexander. “You mean it's your end.”

  Leonard realized that Alexander was trying to implicate him in this case

  He won't fall into this trap

  Alexander smiled strangely. “Leonard, you are an accomplice in the crime too.”

  “I did not participate in your plans.”

  Alexander took out his phone and showed the screen to Leonard

  There was a video recording Alexander and Leonard moving dirty clothes into Room 1010

  " this!." Leonard's eyes widened

  Alexander nodded. “As you would expect, I photographed everything. You helped me purchase and transport the materials. If you are not an accomplice in the crime, then what are you?”

  Leonard clenched his fists

  Alexander besieged him from all sides

  Leonard did not have the support of a strong family. Therefore, he relied entirely on his academic results to get a job and a good position after graduation

  If he is involved in a case of poisoning students, this will leave a dark spot on his academic record

  This will likely hinder his ambition

  Even if he told the instructors that Alexander was manipulating him the whole time, he still wouldn't be able to get away with it

  He must find a way out of this

  Leonard looked at Alexander who was wearing a relaxed smile

  He must have a plan to get out of this situation

  Alexander was the only way to maintain his clean academic record

  “What will you tell them?” Leonard exhaled and asked

  “I'll tell them I was making soup.”

  "..." What?