Elite Instructor at a Third-Rate Academy

10 – Homicide, Not Suicide (End) ★

Jenoa heard the news from the homeroom teacher.

It had been three days since he refused to go to school, and it had been only a week since he had faced him. Hearing about Amy’s suicide, she couldn’t help but sit in the room attached to the principal’s office for the interrogation, unable to cry due to mixed emotions.

“I called you because there’s something I want to ask separately.”

As always, it was a gentle tone.

After all, who would dare to tease the daughter of Baron Cliff recklessly? If it weren’t for Saint, Jenoa would never have come to Ireland. It was an adventure for her, facing strong opposition from the family and severe criticism from the public.

“Homeroom teacher, there’s something I want to ask before anything else.”

“Go ahead.”

“How did she die?”

Why was more important, but for now, she wanted to know Amy’s last moments.

“It’s said she hanged herself in the dormitory.”

“Where was the rope tied?”

“To the bedpost.”

“A child who would do such a harsh thing… What happened with Velasquez?”

“I left a letter.”

“What did you write?”

“It was just an apology.”

The homeroom teacher approached and asked her to briefly explain what had happened with Amy. She had no reason not to tell him since he was the only one she had been close with. As Genoa spoke, she hesitated whether or not to mention that she had asked him to buy alcohol.

“There was a time when I asked him to buy alcohol.”

“Hmm.”

“I asked him to bring alcohol occasionally.”

“That goes against the rules, so he should be disciplined for that.”

– I’m getting tired of talking about this.

Genoa tactfully revealed the story related to Amy. She mentioned that she knew about her relationship with Velasquez and added that they had different intentions. It seemed unlikely that it would lead to marriage. The homeroom teacher continued to listen, then asked in a concerned tone.

“There was a bruise on your forehead.”

– Damn, that was just a joke.

“We sometimes made bets.”

“What kind of bets?”

“It’s something only girls do, so I can’t talk about it, but Amy would always lose and get a slap.”

“Nothing else happened?”

“No.”

“Did Amy say anything separately?”

“I don’t know. Even if she did, she would have told Velasquez.”

“Anyway, the homeroom teacher over there is conducting a serious interrogation.”

“Why?”

Suddenly, she had a feeling that something was going wrong with the situation.

“Whether you heard anything separately or not, there were no words implying death, right?”

“There weren’t any signs either. Amy’s words were all shallow. Who was better-looking, who had more money, whose family was impressive. I wonder if I need to say why she came here to live with those thoughts. I know she had several men before meeting Velasquez. It’s not like she was just casually close with Octia.”

Genoa spat out, expressing annoyance as if asking him not to ask any more questions.

“Genoa Van Cliff.”

“Yes.”

“As the homeroom teacher of Class A-1, I have a duty to protect our students.”

“Is that so?”

“Since leaving here, you must never say anything more than what you’ve told me.”

“Why?”

“If possible, write a letter to your father.”

“No, why create a family scandal over something like this?”

Seemingly irritated, Genoa, convinced that Ochia must know something because of his friendship with Amy, shouted, “I’m investigating.”

“An investigation for a suicide? What’s there to investigate?”

“The situation is complicated.”

“Complicated?”

“A former officer from the Guards is involved, causing a commotion.”

“Ah, it must be the loser in C-8.”

At this, the homeroom teacher nodded.

“It seems he served in the Royal Guard Investigation Department.”

“Really?”

“Show me your wrist up to your elbow for a moment.”

“What?”

“I’ll explain as we go, but for now, follow my instructions and cooperate. When you have the chance, send a letter to Viscount Cliff as well, letting him know that I, your homeroom teacher, am doing my best. Since there doesn’t seem to be any injury, you can probably go back now. Just be aware that not only us but everyone is being dragged into this whirlwind because of one delusional person.”

─Don’t make me laugh; I’ll never reveal your name to my father.

Genoa just thought that, pulling down his shirt sleeves. No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for Amy to commit suicide. She would have rather survived to fulfill her dream of becoming a lady upon graduation.

Then what was the matter with Velasquez? That was even more incomprehensible. He always resolved things with money. Their relationship was nothing more than a casual one. It couldn’t be seen as a genuinely loving relationship.

“Crazy bastard.”

It was undoubtedly the C-8 instructor who had lost his mind.

[#10 – Interview]

When Kenneth arrived at the scene, the situation was somewhat under control.

Ochia, the witness, was leaning against the wall, unconscious, and Amy’s residence seemed to be sealed off. Beyond the rope, the body of the woman hanging by her neck was there. With bodily fluids pouring down and her tongue hanging out, it seemed she had died a little while ago. Keeping watch quietly, the dean, who heard the news from the back, arrived.

“What happened?”

“It seems like suicide.”

The physical education teacher, Kasen, responded dryly. They had come to inspect the scene together. In any case, it was a death case, so they had to figure out the truth and undergo inspection by the royal authorities. It was a bad omen for Headmaster Halon. It would further tarnish Low Ireland’s already low reputation.

“Call the homeroom teacher of C-6.”

“Understood.”

In the midst of their conversation, Kenneth slipped in discreetly.

“Why though?”

“I think our student in class was the first witness, so I want to see the scene too.”

“You?”

Heron hesitated for a moment and answered.

“As the homeroom teacher, I have the authority to enter, but it’s not a good thing.”

“I served in the Royal Guards Investigation Department.”

As the leader of the western region’s operation department, Kennis has witnessed numerous suicide scenes. Many soldiers complained of physical and mental pain after carrying out missions in the erosion zone. There were people dying. He was suitable to observe someone’s death and document it, so he willingly lied.

“Let’s look around quickly.”

“Thank you.”

“Until the investigator dispatched by the palace arrives, nothing should be damaged.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Kennis stepped inside the rope. The smell of sewage wafted through the air. The limbs were limp, and the skin was somewhat leaden. It’s not poison. It was the characteristic of a natural death. The rope around the beam, No. 13. Commonly used even in the military. It seemed like an ordinary rope that anyone could find, so it didn’t seem like it would be a clue.

“It’s high.”

The beam and the point where the corpse was hanging were both high. On the floor, there was one overturned chair. It had no backrest, and the seat was round. Did they climb onto it, hang their neck, and then knock it down? That could be possible. Kennis straightened the chair carefully, glancing at the school director and Carson.

“Is it long enough?”

It seemed difficult to hang one’s neck relying only on knocking it down, though.

“I should also check the condition of the beam.”

Amy’s room was on the top floor of the dormitory. Kennis stepped on the desk and looked at the beam supporting the rafters. This time, something suspicious caught his eye. The shape of the dust looked strange.

“Only the place where the rope was tied is wiped clean.”

The suspicion grew stronger. If someone hang

When Amy’s suicide turns into a homicide, none of the people involved benefit. Only the deceased herself and her family find solace, while the rest rapidly become exhausted. He himself was no exception. Investigating the death of a student who wasn’t even his responsibility meant enduring all sorts of blame and ridicule.

“Headmaster.”

Kenneth gathered his courage and spoke up.

“Yes, have you brought your report?”

“It’s a homicide.”

“What did you say?”

“Amy was strangled after being suffocated.”

“Hey, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Cassen intervened.

“It means this is a poorly disguised murder case.”

Both men looked at Kenneth. Their glances were not of disbelief but rather meant to ask if he could handle the consequences of making such a declaration. It wasn’t particularly difficult. Kenneth considered that his work hours would only increase from 80 to 90 hours per week. After all, coming to Ryland, he had reaped the desire for success.

“Lieutenant.”

Haylon’s voice became heavier.

“Don’t invite trouble through hasty judgment.”

“Headmaster, I’ve also examined it, but it was clearly suicide!”

Cassen denied the facts.

“Just check the rope and neck area.”

While it was also possible it was a strangulation rather than suffocation, if that were the case, there would be no reason to tie her up in the dormitory balcony. That would be an action taken deliberately to create a false impression and erase any traces. Otherwise, it would be too much trouble.

“There was a suicide note, wasn’t there?”

Haylon politely provided an escape route.

“It was so short that it could have been written under duress.”

“Aren’t you just stirring up trouble with something you can’t take responsibility for?”

In response to Cassen’s comment, Kenneth silently looked at him and asked if he had checked the balcony.

“So what if I did?”

“There is still dust remaining.”

“That’s…!”

Seeing him unable to speak, Kenneth also suspected him. However, the moment he was about to voice his suspicions, he knew what consequences it would bring, so he fell silent. Amy’s death itself meant nothing to Kenneth. He just didn’t want his pursuit of justice to crumble. It was not about relieving the unfairness of a female student, but rather, he couldn’t tolerate the laughter of someone who should rightfully be punished.

“Based on the content of the suicide note, it should be seen as something done to someone who is related to the institution.”

He added that it was likely a woman due to the incident occurring in the girls’ dormitory.

“Lieutenant, rethink it.”

Hailon spoke with a subtle tone. When the royal investigator arrived, uttering such nonsense would cause trouble.

However, Kannis remained unfazed. Corruption among students could be overlooked, but if even the faculty fell into corruption, there would be no hope here. In an academy where murder was disguised as suicide, what one learned was hypocrisy, cowardice, and excuses, not something to be adopted as a curriculum.

“It’s not an assassination without assessing its worth.”

With this declaration, he stated that if there were any students with injuries on their arms, they should all undergo intense interrogation. In an instant, Ochia, who had been collapsed on the floor, woke up. She howled like a beast, offering sincere condolences for her true friend.