Chapter 1229
Caleb grabbed Lydia’s arm, holding her back.
He adjusted his glasses, a sharp, calculating gleam flashing behind the lenses.
Pulling Lydia behind him, he slowly looked up, his gaze locking onto Chief Arbiter Terrence Voss. “Chief Arbiter, I have a question for you p>
“If the person anonymously reported today was a Caldorian or someone from the United Realmon States p>
“Would you still lead a mob to their door in the middle of the night, demanding to break it down p>
Voss stiffened visibly.
The Elyndorian competitors who had followed them upstairs let out cold scoffs.
Double standards.
It was blatant, disgusting hypocrisy.
A flicker of guilt crossed Voss’s eyes, but he quickly masked it with outrage. “Don’t try to change the subject p>
“The fact is, we received a report that Serena Lancaster is hoarding banned substances. Since a report was filed, we must enforce the rules impartially p>
Caleb didn’t blink. He gave a single nod and continued, “Fine. Since you keep preaching about fairness p>
“What happens when you confirm that our Captain doesn’t have a single banned neural-stimulant in her room p>
“Will the Organizing Committee show the same impartiality and severely punish the anonymous coward who fabricated this malicious slander p>
As he spoke, Caleb’s eyes drifted squarely onto Phelps’s face.
Phelps felt a sudden spike of anxiety under that stare, but he forced his chin up and sneered, “If someone reported you, it means you’re guilty p>
“Why else would they target you and not someone else p>
“The fact that you’re blocking the door proves you’re guilty. You’re just terrified we’ll catch you before you destroy the stash p>
Caleb let out a cold laugh. “I see p>
“So by your logic, as long as someone files an anonymous report—without a single shred of evidence the Organizing Committee is obligated to launch a raid p>
“In that case,” Caleb’s tone dripped with absolute mockery, “Can I anonymously report you right now, Mr. Prescott p>
“Since we’re all about fairness, Chief Arbiter, shouldn’t you immediately take your men, march down to Mr. Prescott’s room, and kick his door in for a surprise inspection p>
“After all, reports don’t require evidence, and there are clearly no consequences for filing them p>
“We can just waste official resources whenever we feel like it, right p>
The flawless logic left both Voss and Phelps completely speechless.
The rest of the Elyndorian team instantly caught on.
“Yeah, we’re reporting him too p>
“The entire Elyndorian roster is filing a joint, signed report p>
“I’m reporting Severian competitor Phelps Prescott for using his family’s wealth to
bribe tournament officials and maliciously target our team p>
“We demand an immediate task force to investigate Phelps Prescott p>
“Didn’t you say the tournament is all about fairness? Treat everyone equally! Investigate him p>
The Elyndorian students fired back one after another, their voices echoing loudly down the hall.
“You… you brats!” Voss stammered, his face turning an ugly shade of purple as he pointed a trembling finger at them. “Are you really not afraid of having your qualifications stripped p>
Mr. Ashwell stepped forward, his expression grim. Carrying the crushing authority of a seasoned academic, he stared Voss down. “This is nothing but baseless framing p>