On Friday morning, Professor Arnold's office still appeared very busy. His assistant was organizing folders in the office, while he sat at his desk, staring at a document in front of him. However, his face displayed an anxious expression, as if he was reluctant to open the document and face its contents.
"Professor, may I go now?" Dekan submitted the document and observed Professor Arnold's expression. Since he didn't say anything, Dekan was about to leave.
"Wait a moment," Professor Arnold said. He placed his crossed hands on the desk and furrowed his brow, staring at Dekan.
The last time Dekan submitted a report, he hurriedly left, which left Professor Arnold with no opportunity to discuss the report. This time, Professor Arnold wanted Dekan to stay until he had read the report.
"Whew."After gathering his thoughts, Professor Arnold finally opened the report.
As time passed, his expression gradually underwent subtle changes. He set down the report, took a deep breath, and then opened a drawer to retrieve a pair of glasses. After putting on the glasses, he brought the report closer and continued to read it carefully.
After a while, Professor Arnold finally put down the report and removed his glasses.
"Who wrote this one?" he asked.
"It's still Cornelia," Dekan replied.
"Dekan, promise me, next time you write it. Spare her, and spare me, alright?"
"Alright."Professor Arnold pinched the bridge of his nose. He then took out his seal and approved the report submitted by Dekan and Cornelia. He didn't really mind turning a blind eye to these two.
But if their reports continued in this manner, there might be criticism if the school decided to inspect them.
"Thank you, Professor!" Dekan expressed his gratitude with a bow.
"By the way, Dekan, you two missed three days of classes last week. Is Cornelia finding this week's lessons challenging?" Professor Arnold inquired.
He knew that Dekan wouldn't have trouble keeping up with his studies, even if he missed classes. After all, Dekan was an exceptional student at the Knight College. Professor Arnold was also aware that Dekan had been tutoring Cornelia. However, he wasn't certain if Cornelia could progress solely on Dekan's guidance.
"I've been doing my best to teach her, but lately, I've been questioning whether I should let her learn on her own to avoid misleading her," Dekan admitted.
"Alright then, the Knight College has makeup classes scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, which, of course, are not specifically for you two. However, they might be suitable for Cornelia to attend," Professor Arnold suggested.
According to the rules, students who miss classes due to raiding the Shadow Worlds are provided with makeup classes. However, this rule is not mandatory at the Knight College. Dekan and Cornelia, being the top students in their year, can request an exemption from makeup classes. But Dekan noticed that this weekend's makeup classes were not organized for them, which implied that someone else was being compelled to attend.
"Why would someone be forced to attend makeup classes?" Dekan asked, curious.
In general, unless a student has committed severe infractions, the Knight College, known for its flexible and lenient rules, doesn't impose mandatory makeup classes on its students.
"It's for a problematic student in Class D. I wish she could learn from you two… No matter how you look at it, you two are exemplary students who follow the school rules and study diligently," Professor Arnold sighed.
Even if you two are truly wicked, you two would still be model students.
Dekan thought for a moment. The first-year students at the Knight College were divided into four classes, and exceptional students like Dekan and Cornelia were in Class A. Class D was at the bottom of the hierarchy.
The peculiar student Professor Arnold mentioned was probably in Class D.
"I'll go and inform Cornelia," Dekan said.
"Alright, go ahead."
After bidding farewell to Professor Arnold, Dekan quickly found Cornelia and informed her about the makeup classes.
"Ugh..." Cornelia held her head, torn between not wanting to attend makeup classes and feeling obligated to go. She looked at Dekan with a helpless expression and then tugged at his sleeve.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Dekan asked.
"Uh..." Cornelia had never experienced a cultural class without Dekan by her side, and she felt very uneasy at the thought.
"Then let's go together. Besides, I'm also one of the students who should attend the makeup class," Dekan offered, planning to sit beside Cornelia and read a book of his own.
He was also curious about the peculiar student from Class D.
...
So, on Saturday morning, Dekan and Cornelia arrived early at the makeup class. The makeup class was to be taught by a teacher from Class B, a stern and strict middle-aged man.
Dekan glanced around the empty classroom, feeling a bit bored. He was concerned that the problematic student who was supposed to attend might have skipped the class, which would diminish his enjoyment.
However, just as they were waiting for the teacher to arrive, a girl with flowing chestnut hair bounded into the classroom, brimming with energy.
"Huh?" She immediately noticed Dekan and Cornelia sitting in the classroom.
As soon as she spotted them, her eyes lit up with delight. She hadn't expected to find anyone else attending the makeup class.
Dekan and Cornelia were equally captivated by the newcomer, who had delicate features, smooth skin, and bright red lips that stood out even without makeup. The term "natural beauty" perfectly described her.
For some reason, when Dekan saw her, he felt a vague sense of familiarity, as if she resembled someone he knew, although her personality and aura were completely different.
The girl quickly approached Dekan and Cornelia with a friendly and open demeanor.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Flora. What are your names?"
She introduced herself in a warm and casual tone, as if she were a young girl making a new friend in the park. She didn't seem to be aware of Dekan and Cornelia's reputation as top students or their achievements. In fact, it was as if she had never heard of them.
"I'm Dekan, and she's Cornelia," Dekan replied.
Flora's lively and cheerful attitude naturally earned her favor with Dekan and Cornelia. There weren't many people who would approach them at school in such a friendly and proactive manner.
"Dekan and Cornelia, from now on, we're study... I mean, makeup class buddies! I never thought I'd meet other students during makeup class! By the way, are you both from Class D?"
Flora happily sat next to Cornelia.
Dekan raised an eyebrow. Hearing Flora's simple statement, his mind was already filled with confusion. What did she mean by “are you both from Class D"? It had been nearly two months since the start of the school year. Had she never attended her own class until now? Who was this mysterious person?
