"...What?"
Fuck! How did he know about it?!
How did he know about the secret weapon art of the Morningstar family?! Just how?!
Despite being widely known and crowned as the strongest polearm weapon art, it's an art that no one outside our family – the Morningstar family, should recognize.
All those individuals who have ever gotten the chance to witness the Dawnbreaker in action either haven't survived to tell the tale about it or are affiliated with Reynold Morningstar himself.
I mean, it's called the 'secret' weapon art of Morningstars for a reason!
While it's possible that there may be other witnesses to the Dawnbreaker technique, such as war survivors, it's highly unlikely that they would be able to recognize it immediately.
Only those within our family or closely affiliated with the Morningstars should be able to do that.
If I were to trust Lucas' memories, even Reynold's own kids, aside from Lucas himself, had never seen the Dawnbreaker.
Yelena knows about it now after all these years since our father wants her to acquire it.
However, even Adel, the designated heir to the Morningstar family, may not know the specifics of what the Dawnbreaker entails.
This only means one thing– Leo Kurogami was bluffing! Yes, there is no doubt about it! This has to be a bluff, I'm sure of it!
"I don't have any idea what you're talking about," I slightly furrowed my brows in a frown, faking a confused expression on my face.
I am the trash of the Morningstar family, or as the public would like to call me– the fallen one.
…Okay, no one calls me that, but it sounds cool.
My mana core rank potential is barely average, and my behavior has been so intolerable that my father disowned me.
Given all of that, it wouldn't be surprising if I couldn't recognize the Dawnbreaker technique when compared to my siblings, Adel and Yelena.
So I'll act like I don't recognize it because, technically, it was never taught to me anyway.
As I gave my response, Leo shook his head in disappointment. "Lucas Morningstar, I brought you here to get the truth from you before deciding whether or not to report this to the academy."
My frown deepened as he continued. "But if you insist on denying it, I'll have no choice but to turn over this footage to the academy."
After a brief pause, he added while pointing his index finger at me:
"However, if you confess now and admit that you are the red-headed boy in the footage, I promise to keep it a secret and ensure that no one else sees this footage."
…Damn!
I have to admit Leo's strategy is effective.
He first presented me with a problem, and now he himself is offering a solution to that problem while also acting as the bigger man.
But it's all right. Regardless of what he claims, there is no concrete evidence to support his accusations.
Without my confession, the security camera footage alone is not enough to prove that I am the red-headed boy in question.
"I still don't–" I started to speak, but Leo cut me off.
"Before you try to deny my allegations, let me assure you that I have a way to obtain solid proof. I will ask Athena to search the dimensional storage of your smart bracelet right now.
"If I find the red spear that was used by the boy in the security camera footage, I will report it to the academy. So why not come clean and confess? If you do, I'll keep my promise to help you keep your secret hidden," he said.
"What?!" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in shock. "You don't have the authority to do that! I don't give you consent to search my belongings!"
Leo's lips curved into a smirk. "I don't have the authority to do that? Are you absolutely certain?"
What? This can't be happening!
Leo Kurogami can't possibly have the authority to search a cadet's belongings without orders from the Cadet Council!
...Or can he? Ugh, damn it! Is this just another one of his bluffs, or is he telling the truth?
"So you have three seconds to decide," Leo spoke before initiating a countdown. "Three."
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
This can't be happening! I should've put my spear in the dimensional ring I got from Reina! Damn it! Arghh!
"Two."
No, calm down. Let's think about this rationally. He shouldn't have the authority to commence a search, I am sure of it!
So this has to be a bluff! Yes, he's bluffing again!
"One," Leo's voice brought me back to reality.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. If he was bluffing, then I had nothing to worry about. But what if he wasn't?
If he found the spear in my dimensional bracelet, it would reveal that I was the one who killed the vampire at the masquerade party using a powerful spear art!
That would ruin my whole plan of deceiving Kai Wiseman and making him think I'm not the guy he's looking for!
I had to make a decision. Do I take the risk and refuse the search, or do I comply and admit to being the red-headed boy?!
"Time's up–"
"Yes, it's me."
Before Leo could finish his countdown, I admitted.
Leo raised an eyebrow in an expected surprise. "So I was right. It is you."
"Yes," I nodded.
"Hmm," Leo took a few steps back and slumped down on the couch behind him.
He crossed his legs and stroked his chin, engrossed in deep thoughts.
"Okay," Leo nodded suddenly, glancing back at me. "I will delete the footage and keep my promise. I won't report this to the academy."
Before I could let out a sigh of relief, Leo continued.
"But before I do that," he raised his index finger. "I need you to answer some of my questions."
Although his face was still emotionless, his tone was filled with what I could only assume to be excitement.
Was he finding this situation amusing?!
Haa, there's nothing I can do, though.
In a resigned tone, I nodded back and answered. "Okay."
