It was not just Bloody Chariot and the Deans that are in their respective meetings.

A meeting was held in the Gambler academy as well. This time, Sam was not the center of it.

"We will deal with you later.

"

That was all what he was told and he was left to Dove to take care of, while the Elders and the Dean had a meeting.

"So, are you guys going to abandon me now?

"

"Why would we do that? Even with the interrogation, all that was clear is that you had deeper connections with the managers of the hub. It is not proven that you are involved in the actual plot of the murders.

Even the relationship between the flaming skulls and other stuff… technically the city guard is the only one that has the right to hold you accountable for these things.

And you actually paid the price for it after all.

You went through the twelve labors for you involvement with all these anti-academy region elements only.

So, since you already went through punishment, no one has the right to punish you again.

Now you are but a student of Gambler academy and if they come here knocking on the doors, they have to receive the answer from the whole academy.

"

"Then, what's the warning about? How are they going to deal with me?

"

"Well, we might defend you, but that doesn't mean we will let you off easy for dragging all of us in to it. You might have to compensate one way or the other.

"

"Alright.

"

After some time, Wharton and Ling Tian came to Sam.

"You need to be in protection for the time being. Ling Tian will see to that. Even if a proper academy war was waged and the first graders are also involved, you will not be involved in this mess.

Your job is to just stay safe in the core region of the Gambler academy.

"

Dean Wharton who was usually goofing around, appeared pretty serious at the moment. He didn't even wait for Sam's retort or response, before leaving.

"Dove, you organize the fourth graders, they need to be involved in this as well. We will try to finish this off with negotiations if possible, but if that doesn't work, I want you guys to organize the defensive formations.

"

Dean paused and delivered this order before he left.

Ling Tian and Sam are the only ones left.

"I am actually surprised, that a war is happening for a first grader.

" Sam said while scratching his head.

"Why? You would rather they not fight for you?

"

"Well, I actually believed that would happen and made some preparations. I believed that the Gambler academy would just surrender me to the Olympian academies to deal with to escape from the perilous situation.

"

"Then, I guess you are mistaken. There is no way Wharton will do something like that.

In fact, even if they knew that you are the one who established the hub and made up this elaborate plan to attack the other academies, they would have defended you.

"

"Really? Why?

"

"You are part of the Gambler academy, Sam. That is how it works.

It is one thing if your enemies caught you while you are out in the world. But when you are in the academy premises, you will be defended at all costs. No matter what.

"

"I am very tempted to test that hypothesis.

"

Sam muttered and Ling Tian glared at him before walking towards the designated area for Sam's stay.

"Why go through all this Sam? With your progress, it would only be a matter of time before you could uproot the whole academy realm with sheer strength. I honestly believe that if anyone could do it, it would be you.

Why put yourself through much and risk yourself like this?

"

"There is no big reason for this. I just dont want to play the game based on the rules of the gods.

"

"But you have no strength to resist them. At least not right now.

"

"You are right and that's why I am doing this. This is my version of defiance. If they are going to lock me in a maze like a rat and force me to find a way, even if it takes a lot more effort and even if it breaks all of my teeth and claws, I would rather dig through the maze walls and bore a hole through it rather than running in the predetermined path.

"

Ling Tian stayed silent for a moment.

"Maybe, that's why Gambler insisted on you being his representative. I still can't understand your way of thinking. After all, I have seen millions of people who would kill a million people to get an opportunity to be in your position. In fact,...

" Ling Tian didn't continue and stopped speaking.

"In fact?

" Sam asked.

"Nothing. Why are you so aversive to this? You were about to die a premature death back on earth. Here, you accomplished hundred or even thousand times what you did on earth.

Why didn't you think of it as an opportunity? Why aren't you grateful to Gambler? I can even understand the reasoning behind the other players' attitude towards their respective gods.

They were often treated like pawns. But Gambler gave you a starting line, just like how you like it. He arranged for resources, knowledge and paths instead of just giving you some bonus arts and techniques.

You of all people should know the benefit of it.

I thought you would change your mind, but over the years your hostility only grew. To the point, the whole thing blew up.

You are just in the first grade and you already caused the whole academy realm to be in such a big mess.

"

Sam stayed silent for a couple of minutes.

"I guess we are just different people Ling Tian. I would have preferred that premature death on that seemingly insignificant planet than pursue this path of gods. As you said, I might accomplish enough to shake the gods here, but that's not something that I chose. It wasn't my desire.

In my past life, everything since my birth to the better half of my life, it was decided by someone else. Even the way I breath and the way I eat was controlled by someone. I don't know if you will understand how that feels.

Just when I got my life under my control. Just when I finally started living for others without anyone forcing me to do so, something tragic happened and I dealt with it in my own way. Even that reaction was under my control and so was my final death.

You don't believe those soldiers had what it takes to kill me, do you?

It was my will to die like that and the gods here took that away from me. No matter who it is, if they take something of mine, they have to price. And that something includes my will to live and die.

And all of this…. This is just to make them pay the part of that price and I will not stop until the debts are all settled.

"

That conversation was followed by some long and still silence. Hours passed.

*BOOM*

A loud explosive noise was heard. It was from the direction of the main entrance.

Ling Tian closed his eyes and scanned the area.

Sam on the other hand, opted for a much easier option.

He let one of the bird puppets fly over there and got the live transmission. He even projected it out so that Ling Tian could see it without any effort.

"Your trinkets are really way too handy.

"

Ling Tian said as he opened his eyes and looked at the projection. And the next moment he was surprised.

Because the attackers on who he imagined them to be. They are not members of the other academies. Instead, they are all outsiders. They wore robes with various crests on it and he recognized most of them.

They are people that belong to the prominent Olympian families.

They are attacking the Gambler academy gates like crazy. Nian who is still solely guarding the entrance is warning them while still poking the ground with the harlberd's tail end.

"Why are they here?

"

Ling Tian looked at Sam and asked him. Accusation was apparent in his tone. Sam shrugged and said.

"Trust me, I did have a plan for them to be involved. I thought Gambler academy wouldn't involve themselves with my issue, so put us in the same boat, I did a favor in the past.

I don't if you noticed, but the Gambler academy students are not making payments to the Hub. I planned to reveal that information to the academies and the families. So, they won't believe that the academy and I are not in cahoots.

The academy wouldn't have another choice. They would have to fight with me.

Ling Tian gritted his teeth.

"You…. you have no stops do you? Just how big of a mess have you planned?

"

At that moment, Sam suddenly froze for a moment and projected another screen. It is from the perspective of the hub and another interesting scene is happening there.