FMRV | Chapter 14

“Did he accept the reward properly?”

Luke stretched out his stiff body as he stepped outside. After submitting the official suspension document to the administrative office, he was on his way to complete the formalities. From a distance, someone approached, radiating an overwhelming presence.

“Luke!”

It was none other than Mile, fuming as he came to stand before Luke. A cool breeze passed between them, making the atmosphere even frostier.

“What exactly are you scheming?”

“About what?”

“Admitting to your crime so easily, weaseling your way out of the charges with some ridiculous excuse—it doesn’t make any sense!”

“Ah, I see. From your perspective, it must be confusing. You had this grand plan to use one of my powerless subordinates to take me down, but things didn’t go as you hoped, did they?”

“How… how did you know that…?”

Mile’s face twisted as he opened and closed his mouth. Out of everyone involved, he probably suffered the most damage from this ordeal, having been suspended. But the one most infuriated right now was undoubtedly Luke. The man Mile had been so eager to humiliate and oust had, in the blink of an eye, become a hero for exposing a massive corruption scandal.

“Did Veil spill everything?”

“Watch your language when you’re talking about my subordinates.”

“…Then why did you admit to everything if you knew?”

Luke smirked faintly, tilting his head. “Why should I explain all that to you now that it’s over?”

“Don’t tell me… you did it for your subordinate…”

Mile’s brow furrowed deeply, his thoughts aligning with the doubts Veil had voiced earlier.

“Ah, Mile. I’m glad I ran into you.”

Luke’s expression abruptly shifted to a cheerful smile as he raised his fist. Ice crystals began forming around it, crackling as they grew. Without hesitation, Luke swung his fist down at Mile.

Boom!

“W-What the hell?! Are you crazy?!”

Mile barely dodged in time, collapsing onto the dirt ground. The spot where Luke’s fist had landed was deeply indented, evidence of how much power he had put into the blow.

“Hey.”

Luke crouched down to meet Mile’s eye level.

“Let’s end this on a good note. I’m letting it slide that you orchestrated this whole farce with Veil. Isn’t that generous of me?”

Luke’s eyes suddenly turned cold. His usual smirk disappeared, replaced with a steely, piercing glare. Mile felt a shiver run down the back of his neck.

“So you’d better keep quiet too. Don’t breathe a word about Veil’s involvement or anything else from this incident.”

Luke reached out, his shadow falling over Mile’s face. Mile flinched, bracing himself for another blow, but all Luke did was pat him on the shoulder. It was a warning—a silent demand to let the truth of this case sink below the surface and remain there.

“I trust you understand. Good.”

Luke’s expression softened back into its usual carefree look as he stood up.

“L-Luke! How dare you use magic while under suspension?! And within military grounds, no less!”

As if embarrassed by his earlier fear, Mile scrambled to his feet, grasping at straws to regain the upper hand. Luke, however, simply waved a piece of paper in the air.

“Sorry to disappoint, but I haven’t submitted my suspension notice yet.”

Mile watched furiously as Luke walked away, his figure exuding infuriating confidence.

Waking up late, Luke found himself staring blankly at the ceiling. It was already well past 11 a.m. When was the last time he had slept in like this?

Stretching leisurely, he swung his legs over the bed. Normally, as a soldier, waking up this late would be unthinkable unless on leave. Morning drills were the cornerstone of a soldier’s day.

But for now, Luke was under suspension. He had no duties to attend to. No drills, no missions. Even private training was prohibited. All he could do was eat, sleep, and reflect on his “sins.”

“Suspension might not be so bad after all.”

On the first day of his suspension, Luke couldn’t help but think it wasn’t the worst thing. Being temporarily stripped of his status as a soldier, he was free to do as he pleased.

“Man, I’m starving.”

After a quick shower, Luke dressed in casual clothes—not that he had much choice, as wearing a uniform was off-limits. Grooming his hair? Not today. His silver locks fell freely around his face, a rare sight.

Deciding to grab lunch, Luke headed to the cafeteria on the first floor of the dormitory. It was a smaller café compared to the main mess hall, which was always packed with soldiers. Luke wasn’t in the mood to be gawked at like a zoo animal.

Ordering a salad and soup, Luke found a seat by the window. The café wasn’t empty, but it was quieter than the bustling mess hall.

“Suspended, and yet he still comes to eat here?”

“If it were me, I’d be too ashamed to show my face.”

“I mean, seriously. Sure, he resolved the case, but he still committed a crime. And he dragged his poor subordinate into it too.”

“Let’s go. I just lost my appetite.”

Luke could hear the whispers and feel the stares. Ever since the incident, the criticisms had become more open. Even soldiers from other units were talking about him like this, emboldened by their commanders’ disdain for Luke.

“Ha…”

Luke sighed deeply, gazing out the window. The sunny afternoon felt almost mocking.

As he focused on his meal, he heard footsteps approaching. The sound grew closer until a shadow fell over him. Looking up, Luke was surprised to see Theo standing there, looking as composed as ever. Without a word, Theo took the seat across from him.

“…I didn’t invite you to sit.”

“Then I apologize. May I sit?”

“If I say no, will you leave?”

“No.”

This guy… Luke stared at Theo, his presence feeling oddly out of place in this small café.

“Your hair… it’s down.”

“Why do you care? What do you want?”

“I came to find you. The soldiers said you’d be here.”

“Sorry, Commander Theo. I’m under suspension.”

At Luke’s sarcastic tone, Theo’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

“I know.”

Luke put down his fork, irritation creeping into his expression.

“From that look, I take it you haven’t been informed yet.”

“Informed about what?”

Theo explained calmly. Despite Luke’s suspension, the higher-ups had decided to assign someone to monitor him during this period. His act of embezzlement, even if for a greater cause, was still a serious offense. For appearances’ sake, they wanted to keep an eye on him.

“Without my consent?”

“Did you ask for anyone’s consent when you acted on your own?”

Theo’s retort silenced Luke.

“Fine. Who’s the watchdog?”

“What does it matter?” Luke picked up his utensils again, ready to dismiss the conversation.

“It’s me.”

At Theo’s words, Luke dropped his fork with a loud clatter.