Obviously the noble had no answer for Jonathan's question. If he acknowledges that the students were weak, they might end up getting expelled instead as weak people did not deserve to study in the academy.
On the other hand, if he admitted that Ashton was strong, that would qualify the mutt to get preferential treatment from the king. As it was well known Jonathan did not care able blood and lineage when it came to his soldiers. Sadly, it wasn't true when it came to his family.
Either way, as long as someone could prove their worth to him, their lives were as good as set to drown in a sea of riches and power. Also, judging by the way Jonathan had framed the question, the noble more or less already knew he had taken notice of the mutt's talent.
"The kid... is strong, your highness." The noble mumbled and sat back down.
"For once you are right, this kid has exceptional talent." Jonathan said in a low voice, "That being said, his rampancy can pose a threat to a lot of people around him. That's a fact even I can't ignore."
"While praising the strong is important to the werewolves, protecting the weak is an undeniable duty as well. Thus after thinking about it long and hard, as well as taking the opinions of everyone present here into account. "
He continued, "I have decided to turn the accused's expulsion into an indefinite suspension. The accused is advised to get his powers under control during this time Once it is confirmed that he is in complete control of his powers, he will be allowed to attend the academy."
With Jonathan's final judgement, came smiles on the faces of the nobles. For all they knew and cared, it could take the mutt decades to control a power that none of them had any idea about. In the meantime, their kids would graduate from the academy and will have nothing to do with the mutt.
However, in their excitement, they forgot that the sentencing wasn't over yet. also the noise they made irritated Jonathan beyond any limit. However, before he could do something regrettable, Rick, went into action and immediately calmed everyone down.
Jonathan took a few seconds to calm his nerves before carrying on with the sentencing.
"That being said, it would be unfair to the accused if he was not provided with any assistance at all. Therefore, I would personally handle his case and make him strong enough to be an asset to Lycania. The details of this venture would be discussed tomorrow in private. The court is now adjourned."
And just like that, the trial was over. But the sentencing had left everyone confused and angered. The nobles who were celebrating moments ago now had a defeated look on their faces. However, they weren't alone as the mistress and the director were quick to join them.
They were too late to understand Jonathan's play. He wanted Ashton all for himself because of his special talents and under the guise of helping him, he successfully did that. There was only one winner in this trial and it was the king himself.
***
A few hours later...
"I won't stand for it!" The mistress yelled at the top of her lungs as soon as they got into the 'royal suite' Jonathan had his servants prepared for Ashton and his guardian.
"What are you gonna do then? Fight Jonathan in his city?" The director tried her best to calm the raging mistress.
Ashton didn't know why, but this event had seemed to make both of them put their differences aside and work towards finding a solution. Well, to be honest, he did not care about it at all. After all, who wouldn't want to work under the special guidance of a king?
'I can understand the mistress's anger. I was supposed to be the weapon to take down the king and now she is about to lose me to him. So, it's obvious she would be pissed. But why the hell is the director losing her crap over this shit?'
He couldn't help but wonder why was she behaving like this. Still, this wasn't the first time the director did something like this either. All of a sudden, Ashton remembered all those times when the director had protected him or at least tried to.
Although Ashton wasn't that big of a fan of the director, he somehow knew she always or at least most of the time had his best interest in her mind. Then there was the fact she happened to know his parents.
There were a lot of things he still needed answers to, but for now, there wasn't anything he could do on his own.
"I will do so if that's what I have to do." The mistress did not seem to be relenting but then Ashton had a bright idea of opening his mouth.
'I don't like sucking that bitch's ass, but if I want to get close to the king, I will have to let this bitch allow me to do so. Well, it's not like she can refuse his direct order either. Here goes nothing.'
"With all due respect, I can not allow you to do anything that would cause you harm, mistress." Ashton mumbled in the sweetest and worried voice he could manage to spout, "You are strong, really strong, but even I don't think you can take on the entire kingdom down by yourself. If you could, you would have already done so."
Ashton waited for a bit for the mistress to reply. But when she didn't he continued.
"In hindsight, I think this is a great opportunity for you to get what you wanted in the first place." Ashton's this line seemed to have caught the mistress's interest.
"What do you mean?" She asked him.
"Let me go and work under the king. I'll gain his trust and once he trusts me completely I'll blindside him."
Ashton had a smug look on his face, why wouldn't he? It was the brightest idea ever! Though it would have been better if the director and the mistress were not laughing at him.
"We need to get your intelligence up asap." The director mumbled breathlessly, "You think you're the first one who came up with such a ridiculous plan?"
"I agree," the mistress was still laughing, "but I also agree that we have no other choice. Since father has set his eyes on you, there's no way he would give you up so easily.. For now, let's get some food, we can discuss all this later."