Chapter 372: Accusation

Everyone looked confused and shocked. They didn’t know anything about Timothy’s medical condition.

"Timothy?" One instructor tried to stop him to avoid making everything unstable.

However, Timothy simply said, "I don’t really like talking about my medical condition, but you’ve crossed the line. Every night, I was supposed to endure unbearable pain that would knock me out. I had been suffering from something like this for a long time, which was why I had never slept with my roommates.

"Auric treated me and allowed me to get a good night’s sleep after so long. And now he’s being accused of assaulting me?" Timothy frowned. "You guys are really great? Just like how you are accusing him of assaulting me, how about I accuse you guys of trying to get rid of Auric because you’re afraid of him?!"

"Watch your mouth!" One instructor from Dermania glared at him.

"No, you are the one who should watch your mouth. All this time, Dermania has been abusing their authority as the country’s host. Did you even bother investigating the poison incident? All I can see is that the training set for your marathon has been changed.

"Your former Head Instructor had sabotaged other countries in the challenge and almost killed another candidate. You had accused others of cheating just because of your inability.

"And now you’re trying to use a video to take a rival down? Not even one person from Dermania is coming to me to ask for clarification or do anything properly.

"Accusation? Or suspicion under reasonable doubt?" Timothy narrowed his eyes.

Maya sighed. ’This guy can really argue. No wonder people called his tongue sharp as a blade. I guess I can’t make it big this time.’

"You want a clarification? Then how can you prove that you’re sick?"

Timothy snorted. "That’s the best thing you can come up with?"

Timothy simply took out his phone, showing a detailed document. "I do have proof, even a letter from my doctor stating about my medical issue. It dated back to 22 months prior. What about you? You don’t even have proof. What? You’re going to say the video that was uploaded not even 22 hours ago is the proof?"

...

Auric scratched the back of his head. It looked like the trouble had been solved. He originally intended to make it a big mess to pay back Dermania for almost killing him, but it looked like Timothy was such an uptight person that he wanted to solve the problem before it escalated.

"Damn, this guy. I feel like he’s going to have a good time with Tommi." Lindwurm chuckled.

’I bet Eric will have to cover both ears if they start arguing.’

"Aren’t you the same?"

’No way. I would have gone by then.’ Auric was laughing inside.

Katarina turned to Auric, muttering, "It looks like our plan has succeeded. I guess Timothy has confirmed everything."

"Plan? What plan?" Vera asked.

Ellia narrowed her eyes, figuring out the plan they were talking about. "An alliance with the UK?"

"What? An alliance? We’re going to be friends with the likes of Clarice?" Vera rolled her eyes.

Ellia nodded. "Yeah. Most likely, the situation has become a bit too dangerous. First of all, Dermania must be intending to harm us during the survival competition since they’ve moved it from the third week to the last one.

"Then, there’s also a matter regarding the adjudicator. Considering a chief adjudicator is warning him, there’s a high chance that the organization will attack us again.

"Last but not least, the original purpose of this event. Isn’t it because of the movement of the beasts?

"Just look at the place for the survival competition. It’s in the wilderness, near the front line. I don’t know who’s going to do it. Maybe Dermania, maybe that organization... Nevertheless, there’s a chance that the beasts will attack us at full force during the survival competition.

"That’s why an alliance is necessary. If danger comes, we will have a fighting chance, not only against the ones who might stab us in the back but also against the beasts.

"Right now, our relationship with Dermania is at its worst. Granda might be fine, but they’re not particularly friendly toward us because of Nicholas. So, this means there are only two potential allies—the UK and Lech-Aistia."

Ellia turned to Auric. "You’ve learned a lot about geopolitics."

"I don’t intend to make the same mistake, if possible." Auric closed his eyes with a smile, recalling the big mistake where he almost died. He took that mistake very seriously.

Knowing there were only two countries he could ally with, he chose the UK first since he could treat Timothy Wellington.

With his influence, he could definitely convince the instructors to ally with them.

The problem would be Lech-Aistia. He definitely wanted to have another ally to strengthen themselves and prepare for the unknown, but he didn’t have any leverage he could use to ally with Lech-Aistia.

Ellia nodded, happy with Auric’s improvement. This was definitely one of the things she liked about Auric.

Unlike most people, Auric cared about his mistakes. He didn’t put on airs when he knew he was wrong just to save his pride.

Besides, there was one more reason he saved Timothy. They had agreed that Auric would check on Timothy during the closing ceremony, allowing him to ask Timothy to demonstrate battle techniques from Rank 1 to Rank 4. This would allow Auric to secretly copy Timothy’s Rank 2 element without arousing suspicion.

Auric was already aware of the person who took the video from afar. Lindwurm had warned him about the recording, and Auric had confirmed with his own eyes that there was indeed a human energy signature.

The reason he didn’t do anything was this. It would be fine if no one knew about it, but it would also be fine if people knew about the treatment.

This way, Timothy could step up to clear the mess. This would show Timothy’s willingness to become Auric’s ally.

However, Auric expected the process to take some time, considering they had to talk to Merlin before she could use her influence to finalize the alliance. This problem would speed up the process, so he planned to follow the people from Dermania, even if he was taken to the interrogation room. At least the alliance discussion should be over by night.

He just didn’t expect Timothy to clear up the misunderstanding this quickly. It turned out Timothy was a much more decisive man than he originally thought.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. He wanted to see the reactions from the other countries as well.

Granda didn’t do anything, so it was clear that they really wanted to take him out of the equation to protect Nicholas. This meant they clearly couldn’t become allies.

On the other hand, Lech-Aistia actually asked for some support. At the very least, they intended to de-escalate the situation.

That was what Lindwurm told him after he passed through the wall and took a peek at their instructors’ chat messages.

For the time being, Auric set aside his suspicions about Lech-Aistia, but he had to be wary of Granda.

"Anyway, the situation has been solved." Ellia waved her hand. "They are de-escalating the situation right now. I think another video from Timothy will appear soon. We now know that the UK can be trusted. The problem is Auric."

"Me?" Auric pointed at himself in confusion.

"Yeah. Is it fine to show your strength like that? Considering Timothy’s importance to the UK, he must have sought many doctors and evolution masters. With his family’s wealth and his fiancee’s influence, he should have gone to adamantine-grade evolution masters. The fact that you can help a person whose condition couldn’t be treated even by adamantine-grade evolution masters will show them how capable you are."

"Oh!" Auric understood her concern, but Auric simply raised one finger with a big smile on his face. "I’m just giving Granda a chance to save face."

"Ah!" Ellia snapped her fingers, figuring out the reason. "They can claim that Nicholas has been defeated by an evolution master who can treat someone that can’t be treated by adamantine-grade evolution masters. So, it’s only natural for him to lose."

"Yeah. Granda can’t be trusted, but at least I am planning to maintain neutrality."

"Yeah, yeah. I understand. You’re basically telling them, "I’m giving you a chance, so leave me alone.""

"Exactly. At least they won’t ally themselves with Dermania to screw us over later."

Ellia was impressed by Auric’s improvement. After learning about the politics, Auric’s plan had become even more refined.

"That’s good then." Ellia agreed with the entire plan. "By the way, does Supervisor Jacob know about this?"

"I’ve told my teacher. She should have reported it to Supervisor Jacob."

"OK."

...

The video had blown up, but another video cleared up all the accusations. It was a clarification video from Timothy.

He cleared up everything even if he had to reveal his issue. At the very least, people thought that he had been fully cured.

The news immediately shifted.

[Those people are asking where we were? We are here, dumbass. We know our dear Auric is a good person. We’re just waiting for the clarification to slap your ass.]

[Hahahaha. Dirty? You just wish he’s dirty because you feel inferior to him.]

[Seek an evolution master to treat your condition. Oh, wait! You guys don’t need evolution masters. You guys need therapists.]

People from Esfrata rejoiced, but this time, they weren’t alone. Knowing that Auric had saved their ace student, they obviously needed to thank Auric.

[I never knew Timothy was actually suffering from such a condition. I couldn’t imagine how much pain he had endured.]

[Thank you, Auric Elfe. You are good. Thanks to you, Timothy will be able to lead a normal life again.]

[Without the health issue, Timothy can grow even faster. We may have just found a new Merlin, or someone who will surpass the current Merlin.]

[I know, right? Timothy has just become a true Rank 7 candidate.]

...

Timothy’s father, of course, fulfilled his own duty. He had finally sat down in front of the woman who would decide the outcome of the alliance.

The woman before him looked no older than someone in her early thirties. She was completely at the peak of her maturity. Her long hair was tied behind her head, while the rest gently fell down her back. Her slightly loose dress had a hard time containing her breasts.

Even Timothy’s father understood why he almost became a eunuch.

Her brown hair covered one of her eyes, but even with just one eye, her gaze felt like it could see through everything.

Even though he himself was a Rank 6 human, Timothy’s father felt suffocated. Even he understood the difference between a normal Rank 6 human like him and a powerhouse who bore a special name like her.

"So, he has been cured."

"Not yet. It’s only his symptoms. He still needs to periodically treat it."

She paused for a moment, understanding the price that the other party wanted. "I can agree to the alliance, but I want you to arrange a meeting with Auric Elfe."

"That’s..." Timothy’s father looked troubled.

"I want to see a man who can treat that kind of condition. I will be fine if he needs people to accompany him in case they’re afraid that I will do something to him."

"If that’s the case, I’ll ask Timothy about it."

"And one more thing?"

Timothy’s father froze. He wondered if there was going to be an end to her demands. He was just afraid she would end up asking for something outrageous.

To his surprise, her only request was, "I want Timothy to apologize to my granddaughter. Even though it’s only because of his condition, he has hurt and betrayed her. An apology is the least he can do right now."

He was surprised at first, but then he smiled. "Timothy has told me he intends to do that and seek therapy to get rid of all his addictions. He wants to turn his life around. If he can’t do that, I will drag him personally to the therapist."

"Very well."