Chapter 28: Signing the Inheritance Papers

Silas left the administration building feeling fly. It was currently Tuesday, and he had been called to a meeting with the Board, which ended... awesomely. If there was one thing Silas knew how to do other than fucking Anna senseless or beating up egoistic teens like his children, it was making hardcore veterans weep inwardly without hiding it.

Silas had always been a mischievous person ever since he was a kid. He was so mischievous that he could calculate the required marks and grades he needed to just pass his exams and be promoted to the next grade, so he wouldn’t bother with learning or garnering attention from bullies.

Now that he had an identity that could make even the President of New Liberty, old USA, move for him, why would he be a good person to the people who made his life hell? He was already proclaimed as a bad guy and a nuisance; he had to live up to it. That was just how it worked for him, and that was exactly what he did.

Earlier in the Conference Room...

"I would like to transfer."

The words were simple, yet the effect they had on the room was akin to a bomb exploding. Principal Theodore and the Board froze in shock and disbelief at Silas’s request. Even Attorney Marcus paused while arranging some documents. Only Andrew and Helene remained composed, though both were suddenly paying very close attention.

"Transfer?" Theodore repeated.

"Yes," Silas nodded. "I would like to leave Valecrest."

The color visibly drained from several faces. One of the board members nearly dropped his pen.

"W-why?"

"Why wouldn’t I?" Silas looked genuinely confused. Nobody had an answer to that question because it was true.

"I am unwanted here," Silas shrugged. "I’ve been unwanted here for years."

"Mr. Ashard-"

"No, Principal," Silas smiled, the sort that made people uncomfortable. "You don’t need to explain. The teachers dislike me, the students dislike me, and the administration dislikes me. I got bullied for years, and nobody cared. I was almost expelled, and nobody cared. I became an S-Rank, now everybody suddenly cares."

The room became deathly quiet. Every sentence struck harder than the previous one, because nobody could deny it. Theodore found himself unable to meet Silas’s gaze. For the first time in years, he genuinely felt ashamed.

"We can fix this," Elena spoke up.

"No," Silas shook his head. "You can’t fix years."

That one sentence almost physically hurt. Andrew secretly nodded. After all, the boy wasn’t wrong. Years of neglect couldn’t be fixed overnight.

"Mr. Ashard," One of the board members forced a smile. "What if we discussed compensation?"

"Compensation?" Silas raised an eyebrow in confusion and surprise, but inwardly, he was laughing like a maniac. This was exactly what he was pushing at. Time to make these people cry. He wouldn’t request anything too unreasonable, but what would be requested will make them cry inwardly.

"Yes. Anything reasonable."

The moment those words left the man’s mouth, Andrew sighed, Helene lowered her head, and Attorney Marcus suddenly became very interested in the ceiling. All three of them had seen it. The smile: a mischievous smile. That was the smile of someone about to commit robbery while technically remaining within the law.

Unfortunately, the Board didn’t notice. Silas thought for a few seconds, as if he was actually considering it. After a few seconds, he nodded.

"Fine."

Everyone immediately relaxed. Good. Negotiations were better than losing an S-Rank.

"First," Silas folded his arms. "As an S-Rank, I believe my living conditions should be adjusted."

"Of course," Theodore immediately agreed. "What did you have in mind?"

"I want an apartment."

"A- an apartment?" The principal blinked.

"On campus. Private and furnished, permanently until graduation."

Several board members visibly relaxed. That was easy. The other S-Rank already had one.

"Done."

"Second. I require new uniforms."

"Done."

"Educational materials."

"Done."

"Personal equipment."

"Done."

The board members exchanged relieved looks. This wasn’t so bad. These were all reasonable and manageable requests. But Silas wasn’t done. He was just releasing the big guys.

"I would also like complete access to the Advanced Training Complex."

The smiles weakened.

"The Elite Combat Facilities."

A few smiles vanished.

"The Rift Simulation Chambers."

Theodore’s eyelid twitched.

"Priority booking privileges."

Vice Principal Elena pinched the bridge of her nose.

"The highest-quality mana nutrition package available to students."

One board member started sweating.

"A private instructor."

"What?"

"A private instructor," Silas repeated patiently. "Twice a week."

The room fell silent.

"A combat instructor."

The silence deepened.

"An academic instructor."

The silence was now getting too loud. The room felt suffocating and hot.

"And an awakened theory instructor."

A board member looked like he wanted to cry, but Silas wasn’t done, not even close.

"I would also appreciate a scholarship."

"Mr. Ashard, tuition is already-"

"No." Silas interrupted. "I mean a scholarship."

The room froze, but he continued.

"A monthly one."

Andrew nearly laughed, while Helene bit her lip. Marcus looked away before anyone noticed his grin. Theodore stared at Silas, and Silas stared back with a blank expression. Theodore lost in the end.

"...Approved," he said with such difficulty that it felt as if his voice had gone on a break. The room felt slightly dizzy. Silas leaned back and acted as though he was thinking. Everyone prayed that he was finished. Even Andrew, Helene, and Marcus felt bad for them. What Silas had just requested would cost the academy millions! Things were very expensive in the world. For instance, a private instructor would cost no less than 10,000 dollars, and that was for a month of tuition. This was without considering accommodation and food. This would take a considerable amount from the academy’s funds.

"I believe that covers the basics."

The entire Board nearly collapsed from relief.

"Wonderful," Theodore’s smile looked painful. "Anything else?"

Silas thought again, and his answer made him regret ever asking that question.

"Actually-" The relief vanished. "I’d like immunity from ordinary disciplinary hearings."

"What?!" Silas shrugged. "I am an S-Rank. Any future disciplinary issue involving me should be reviewed directly by the principal."

The room froze, while Andrew immediately nodded.

"Reasonable."

Marcus nodded too.

"Very reasonable."

Theodore nearly developed a migraine.

"Approved."

Silas smiled as he had gotten a thumbs up from the system, plus some CP. He was satisfied for now. Only then did Marcus slide several documents toward him.

"Your inheritance paperwork."

Silas glanced through them. There were many pages containing properties, assets, investments, compensation funds, trust accounts, and legal transfers. They included everything his parents had left behind, everything that had been frozen for years.

After reading them carefully, Silas signed, one signature after another. Marcus collected the documents after he was done with a genuine smile on his face.

"Congratulations, Mr. Ashard. Everything has been resolved. Your assets now legally belong to you."

"Thank you," Silas nodded and stood. The meeting was finally over. Just then...

Ding.

His phone vibrated. Silas frowned and took it out of his pocket only to face a series of notifications. His banking application had gone insane.

[ACCOUNT TRANSFER COMPLETE.]

[INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSFER COMPLETE.]

[PROPERTY OWNERSHIP TRANSFER COMPLETE.]

[COMPENSATION FUNDS RELEASED.]

[TRUST ACCOUNT RELEASED.]

His eyes widened slightly. More notifications followed. Three luxury residential properties had been transferred, and multiple investment accounts had been activated. Several long-term financial portfolios had been released, plus A Rift Compensation Fund. Educational Trust Fund, family Savings Accounts. The numbers kept appearing and appearing.

Silas slowly looked up, then back at the screen, then up again. His parents had not been wealthy. They had been rich, very rich.

"The houses themselves have not yet been selected," Marcus chuckled.

Silas looked up in shock. Houses?! They lived in a humble home, right?

"Your parents owned three properties before the Incident. The court has approved equivalent replacements. You may choose their future locations at any time."

Silas blinked in shock. Three houses, not apartments or normal homes. Actual luxury estates, and they would be his. The room watched his reaction, expecting excitement, shock, or a celebratory dance. But Silas slowly put away his phone, looked at everyone, and smiled... dangerously. Andrew suddenly felt sorry for everyone in Valecrest.

Silas Ashard was now rich, powerful, and an S-Rank. And somehow, he was still the same mischievous menace he had always been. That combination should probably have been illegal.