Her surprise was sincere as she looked over her shoulder and saw three students near the steps of the administration building, red-faced and appearing out of breath. Tori furrowed her brows.
Is sothing wrong? The last ti she spoke to Headmaster Laurent had been when they returned to campus from the excursion and he asked about the down vest as her group mates still wore theirs. She had told him that she and Henrik had plans to go into business and would let him know when they were ready to start production.
The headmaster had appeared pleased and said he would be happy to support his students fledgling business. Perhaps he heard that they were going to the rchants Guild recently and wanted to ask. The weather was getting cold; it was a good ti to sell.
He wants to see you in his office. The student in the center was glaring at her and didnt answer her question.
Tori looked over at her friends. Ilyanas eyes were wide and she could see the disbelief in them. Tori turned back to the student calling for her and she gave them a nod.
Ill be right there, she said. She glanced at the others before she moved. Do you want to wait for here or co with ? Youll probably have to wait in the hall.
Well co with you, Henrik said. He turned towards the twins. Can one of you get Ewan?
The two siblings looked at each other and seed to have a silent conversation before JP gave Sonia his equipnt bag and turned around. Tori walked towards the administration building and started to notice the unsettling gazes on her. Earlier, she thought people were just staring at her in surprise since she ranked so well.
But now, there was hostility in their gazes. It was just one exam that barely counted for anything; there was no need to be upset.
Do you know why the headmaster wants to see ? Tori slowed her pace to walk beside Ilyana and leaned in to ask her in a quiet voice.
Her roommate inhaled and exhaled deeply. Soone was complaining that your rank jump is impossible and went to complain.
Tori drew her head back and frowned. To the headmaster? Is it that unbeliev.... Her brows shot up. Did they think I cheated?
Ilyana looked upset, but nodded. Many people didnt believe it, but I didnt think theyd imdiately assu you cheated.
Tori gave Ilyana a regretful look. Ilyana always neglected Toris reputation as a factor in how people reacted to her. Yet, it was touching that she openly rejected and considered it incompatible with the Tori she knew.
It seed that even with her slightly more positive reputation lately, most of their classmates still didnt think all that highly of her. As they walked into the administration building and turned into the corridor leading to the headmasters office, there were nurous students along the walls, watching.
Their judgntal eyes looked her over. A few sneered and others shook their heads disapprovingly.
Cheater! Soone coughed as she passed.
Oh, grow up. Tori walked past without so much as a glance.
Ahead of them, the door to the headmasters office was open and Mr. Legaspi, his assistant, was standing by the threshold, blank-faced as usual. The thin, graying man caught sight of her approaching.
Miss Guevera, he said with the sa enthusiastic politeness as always. Headmaster Laurent is waiting for you.
Thank you, Mr. Legaspi. Her friends could not follow in further and lingered by the door. She gave them a nod. Ill be out soon. She was confident she would be; she just didnt know if shed still be in the mood for dinner afterwards.
Good luck! Sonia mouthed before Tori walked in. She passed the desk and shelves in the antechamber that was Mr. Legaspis office and stopped in front of the wooden door with a neat tal engraving that said Octavio Laurent, Headmaster. She lifted her hand and gave a firm warning knock before twisting the handle and stepping inside.
Directly in front of her, behind a large hardwood desk that scread education administrator of a wealthy school, was the headmaster. There were two chairs in front of his desk and standing just to the side of them were the three top horoom instructors that taught most of the academic students, including her own: Instructor Rosemund, and her electives instructor, Instructor Ignatius.
Good afternoon, Headmaster, Instructors, Tori said as she gave a slight nod of her head and closed the door behind her. I was told you wanted to speak to .
Have a seat, Miss Guevera, Headmaster Laurent said as he motioned towards the seats. Tori sat across from him attentively. Do you know why youve been called here?
I do not. Well, I have a slight idea.
Miss Guevera, there have been multiple accusations that you cheated on the review exams. Instructor Burnett of the science departnt crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her with a critical gaze. They say that your rank jump is suspicious.
I would like to remind the instructors and headmaster that while I entered at rank 78, it was still a near perfect score. Im not stupid. Tori kept an impassive expression.
Instructor Rosemund let out a low breath. Miss Guevera, no one is saying that youre stupid. It is just that the other students are suspicious because you scored far beyond expectations and, coincidentally, sit next to one of the top ranked students of your year.
Tori narrowed her eyes. That's not a coincidence. Ilyana is the only person in our class who is willing to sit with . Instructor Rosemund, you know this. There is an entire empty row between Ilyana and I, and the next students.
Miss Guevera, Instructor Ulrich, the middle-aged math departnt subordinate, gave her an impatient look. Can you prove that you didnt cheat?
She t his eyes with a cold glare. Can you prove I did?
He frowned at once and his voice hardened. Nurous other students have reported it.
Where is their proof? Tori asked. I am being accused and I would like to see what evidence they have to make such an accusation. Otherwise, arent they just defaming ? Have you asked them how they saw cheating?
Instructor Burnett ran a hand down his tired face, as if he didnt have ti for this. What would that prove, Miss Guevera?
Youre a science teacher. You should know about patterns in a data set and probability. For the mont, she forgot she was a fourteen-year-old student and not a 40-year-old calling out soones bullshit. Fuck it, Im being wrongfully accused. This is already polite.
Miss Guevera, the headmaster frowned at her sharp words and Instructor Burnett looked taken aback. We only called you here to talk to you about these allegations.
It is Instructor Ulrich who is telling to prove my innocence, implying that he already believes I cheated, Tori said. Without any actual evidence.
Multiple students making the sa accusation is no coincidence.
Multiple students also have been biased against since the beginning of school and I have legitimate reason to believe that their bias is fueling these accusations rather than actually witnessing cheat. Tori leaned back against the chair. Each student who made an accusation should be interviewed properly and questioned on how they saw cheating, when, and from what vantage point did they see it happen. If the how and when are consistent, and their position allows for them to see such an occurrence, that would be considered telling. However, students should be questioned individually and not allowed to interact with each other until all of them have been seen, to prevent collusion. I am happy to step out and wait while the interviews are done.
That is not necessary and is a waste of our ti, Instructor Ulrich said with a scowl.
Then, what is going to happen? Tori asked, looking at each adult in the room with a demanding expression. If no evidence is provided, does the accusation stand? Do I have to accept it and be slandered and have my fair results questioned? She fixed her gaze on the headmaster. Or will the school punish for sothing I didn't do because a handful of students dont like and believe Im incapable of scoring well by myself? She narrowed her eyes. Is this going to happen every ti I score outside of their expectations?
The academic instructors all looked at a loss, clearly having not expected her to not only not deny the accusation, but demand proof of her guilt from the suspecting parties to show their bias against her to clear her na completely and avoid such a case in the future.
I believe in Miss Guevera. Instructor Ignatius stepped forward and faced the headmaster. She is an excellent student. In my class, she also sits alone in the back row, yet she is at the top of the class. I believe she earned her results fairly and support her request to question the students who accused her.
Instructor Ignatius! Instructor Burnett and Ulrich both called out, disapprovingly.
This is for the benefit of the students and Miss Guevera. If this issue isnt cleared up now, it will likely be repeated and Miss Guevera will carry around the stigma the rest of her ti at Lyce. Instructor Ignatius had an uncharacteristically firm look on his face. Putting her in such a position because she was targeted by other students is incredibly unfair to her and lowers the integrity of the school.
Toris face was still unmoving, but inside, she was praising her electives instructor. He sotis appeared undependable when it didnt relate to crystals, but he was being supportive of his student when she needed him and she respected that. For this, she quietly promised to work harder to et his expectations of her.
I agree. Headmaster Laurent didnt seem to hesitate, as if he had been considering her request from the start. He tapped the desk, a pensive look on his face. Miss Guevera, please go and wait in the outer room and send in Mr. Legaspi. I will have him call in all the students who made accusations to get a better grasp on the situation.
She let out a low, quiet breath of relief and rose to her feet. She did as he instructed and sat on a hard leather sofa in the antechamber. Mr. Legaspi sent in one student at a ti, making sure they didnt interact with any who were waiting to ensure legitimate testimonies.
Each student who ca out looked flustered and awkward, avoiding her eyes as they passed. When the last of the five students who were sent in ca out, he dared to look at Tori and she couldnt help but look back with contempt.
The door opened once more and Mr. Legaspi had her return to the office.
Her first instinct was to look at the faces of the people present to try to figure out what the verdict was. Instructors Burnette and Ulrich had complicated looks on their faces while Instructor Rosemund and the headmaster looked relieved.
Instructor Ignatius was smiling and she knew the verdict was in her favor. She took the seat in front of the headmaster once more.
All five students who accused you had no conclusive evidence that you cheated, especially with Miss Agafonova, Headmaster Laurent said. Four of them wouldve had to turn around to watch you while you took the exam. One of them wasnt in your class. It seems that their only reason for suspecting you was the large jump in rank. His earlier tense expression eased and he sat back in his chair. As the students cannot provide sufficient evidence, the accusations are dismissed and I will have Instructor Rosemund address the class regarding this-
Your Highness, please stop! The headmaster is in a eting right now-
The door swung open and Tori looked over her shoulder. Mr. Legaspi had a frustrated look as a silver-haired youth stord in, scowling, and sending glares at Tori the mont he saw her. She narrowed her eyes and cursed her luck.
Not this asshole. Cmon, I do not have ti for this.
Mr. Soleil. The headmaster rose from his seat, frowning. What is the aning of this?
Gideon seed to unwillingly calm himself as he faced the four instructors and headmaster. He stood up straight and lifted his chin.
I was told that Lady Guevera cheated on the exam and demand that she be punished accordingly.
Every day, Tori felt he beca stupider and stupider. She didnt bother to hide her exasperated scorn. Your Highness, every student who accused has been questioned and none have legitimate proof that I cheated. Their accusations stem from their disbelief that I had a significant rank jump. Im not even going to get into how they think so badly of that they automatically believe I cheated.
Gideon sneered. I saw you cheat with my own eyes. Aside from the exam booklet and writing instrunt, you had another object on your desk at the ti.
She felt her skin crawl and she drew her head back. Why was Gideon watching her? Was he just waiting for her to fuck up?
What did you see on her desk that was out of the ordinary, Your Highness? Instructor Ignatius asked.
I sit in the front row, opposite from her and Agafonova, so I dont know what exactly it was.
Tori snorted and rolled her eyes. Yet you have such confidence..., she said under her breath. He shot her another glare.
It was small and white, about this big. He made a vague shape of a small ball in his hand and Tori couldnt stand it.
She rose to her feet and turned to face him. You an my eraser made from compressed bread? The one that I got permission from Instructor Rosemund to use before the exam? With each sentence, her voice was raising and at this point she didnt care.
Instructor Rosemund looked at her male student with so embarrassnt on her face. Your Highness, Miss Guevera did indeed show her writing implents before class and even asked to check them before the test to assure that they were only tools. There was nothing on her eraser.
And everyone knows that she always writes with a pencil! That eraser is always on her desk! Ilyanas voice ca from the doorway and Tori craned her neck to see Sonia and Ewan trying to hold Ilyana back from running into the room after Gideon stord in.
Tori gave them a slight smile.
Despite his evidence failing, Gideon was not swayed and looked at the instructors. Does no one think its suspicious that she ranked so high after testing in so low?
78 is still a near perfect score! Tori threw her arms in the air as she looked at him incredulously. Why do you cling to the idea that Im stupid? I scored well on my exams because I continuously reviewed the subjects. In addition, a quarter of the exam was an essay portion and just comparing that would make it clear I didnt copy off soone else. Are you upset because I beat you in both horoom and electives? Dont think I didnt see you rank seven in taCrystals!
This matter has already been clarified, the headmaster said in an even voice. The accusations are nothing but defamation. Miss Guevera did not cheat, but rather perford spectacularly well in this round of exams.
Tori looked at Gideon defiantly as she watched his face redden, embarrassed.
I believe you, a soft voice said behind him. Tori looked past her favorite adversary and saw a pretty, youthful face peering into the room with a shadow of determination. Everyones attention turned to Alessa as she stepped forward, holding her arms up and close to her chest. She looked up to et Toris eyes. I believe you, Lady Guevera.
Sowhere in the back of her mind, an alarm was ringing. She tensed as she tried to hold back her suspicion. Oh...thanks....
Im just worried that the entire class wont be convinced. Alessa lowered her eyes, distraught. So many of our classmates think you cheated.
All right, you are treading into gaslight territory here. I do not like it. Tori narrowed her eyes and Alessa let out a little gasp and shrunk behind Gideon. The second prince noticed her reaction at Toris look and frowned. He stepped in front of Alessa to shield her from Toris gaze.
Fabian had entered behind Alessa and his face darkened. He moved closer to Alessa and stood at her side like the faithful knight the ga made him out to be.
Instructor Rosemund, you should address your class sooner rather than later regarding this, the headmaster said in a low voice.
Before Instructor Rosemund could agree, Alessa spoke up.
I dont think simply telling the class will convince the others, she said. Its already gotten out of hand.
Tori didnt like where this was headed. Despite her hesitance, she wanted to know what was going through the protagonists head. Then, Miss Hart, what do you think should be done?
Alessa knit her brows and paused for a mont. I heard the other students talking and thought that during midterms, Miss Guevera should take the test alone in front of the class - to prove to everyone that shes not cheating! She looked up at the instructors and headmaster, earnest.
The corner of Toris lip curled up another sneer. Today was really fueling the reaction. You want to sit there and prove my innocence for sothing Im not guilty of.
I think its fair. Fabian spoke up with conviction. Doing so will ease the classs mind. No one will question her again.
You should do it. Gideon looked haughty. Alessa believes in you, so she suggested this to help you prove you didnt cheat.
At that mont, Tori wanted to lift her soft, fourteen-year-old noble daughters hands, wrap them around Gideons neck, and squeeze until his face turned blue.
Then until midterms, you want to allow everyone to believe that I cheated?
Everyone already does and you havent proven otherwise, Gideon retorted.
Tori took a step forward and Instructor Rosemund spoke up. Thats enough! Your Highness, it has been decided that this was an act of defamation. I will address the class tomorrow.
The class is stubborn, Instructor Rosemund, Alessa said. I really believe that Lady Guevera can convince the class that she didnt cheat if she takes the midterm exams in plain sight.
Convince! Toris hands began to shake. I shouldnt have to convince those bitches of shit. To think, I wrote out an entire essay about excursion safety concerns only to have these little shits call a cheater!
Miss Guevera, Instructor Rosemund looked at her. What are your thoughts?
Tori drew her lips in and bit down. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking at her horoom instructor.
Instructor Rosemund, it is your class, she said. I will follow the procedures you put in place; however, this matter should still be addressed to the class.
Perhaps Instructor Rosemund wanted her to refuse, as she frowned a bit. She inhaled before giving Tori a nod. Then, on the two days of the midterm exams, you will sit at the front of the class.
In addition, I would like you to make it clear that I will take the midterm exams in front of the class not as an admission of guilt, but as a favor to them. She looked over at Fabian with a slight smirk. To...ease their minds, as Mr. von Dorn says.
This is acceptable, the headmaster said. His lips were in a tight line and he didnt look pleased that the situation turned out how it had. He didnt seem to want to single out a single student, but insisting she did nothing with no other action would likely upset the other students. Since Tori agreed, he decided to go along with it to placate both the students and, to an extent, Tori. Do you have further concerns, Miss Guevera?
The students who accused should be held responsible for defaming .
Thats fair, Ilyana said. She had sohow made it into the room and glared at the back of Alessa, Fabian, and Gideons heads. If they made a claim and cant prove it, and it does harm to another student, they should be held responsible for their words and actions.
Miss Agafonova.... Alessa looked concerned. They were just afraid that soone was breaking the rules.
Children are afraid of monsters, too, Miss Hart. It doesnt an they exist. Tori turned her head away and looked back at the headmaster. Is this arrangent acceptable, Headmaster?
He gave her a small, conceding nod. I will arrange their punishnts. Students are dismissed.
Tori turned around and walked out the room. Her impassive expression turned cold as she passed Alessa and her love interests. Alessa shrank back even further and Fabian held her shoulders to steady her. Tori shot them a disgusted look and walked out of the office with Ilyana at her heels.
Tori! Her friends surrounded her as she ca out.
Are you all right? JP asked, searching her face.
Tori was still. Ewan. Is there anyone left in the practice grounds?
The other five looked at each other, uncertain. Ewan nodded. Yes. Most of the upperclassn like to stay later.
Tell them to wait for . Im going to change and get my helt. Her voice was uncomfortably calm.
Despite his worried look, Ewan nodded and rushed off. Tori pulled away from her friends and headed outside.
Tori! Ilyana ran after her. Tori stopped on the steps just outside the administration building.
Ilyana, I need to let off so frustration, she said. And calm down. If possible, I dont want to talk to anyone right now.
She didnt look back to see Ilyana's hurt and worried expression.
Were here if you need us. She heard JPs voice reassure her before she continued forward.
The weather was growing colder and the colder it was, the more he hated leaving the warmth of the indoors. However, he had to eat and Axton had left his comcry in his room, so Piers couldnt call him and tell him to bring him food. He entered through the door of Cafe Fortuna and took a mont to relish the imdiate warmth.
Across the room, the hearth was roaring and keeping the space, as empty as it was except for one other custor reading by the counter, nice and warm. Piers looked across and made eye contact with Tobias. He gave him a small nod; a silent acknowledgnt that he wanted to order his usual.
He then began crossing the room to get to the stairs in the back, to the left of the counter, when he caught sight of a familiar set of dusty black boots hanging off the edge of the chaise. Laid over the back was a dark gray, padded jacket with scuffs. His footsteps were quiet as he walked over and then peered over the back of the chaise to see if it was who he expected.
Axton was laying across the cushions, eyes closed with an arm over them, as the other rested over his stomach. An empty cup of coffee was on the table next to him and the bag with the spare wooden swords and his helt was on the floor.
Piers rested his arms over the back of the chaise and leaned over. Is Tori feeling better?
Axtons arm didnt move and his lips tightened into a line. You ask about Tori when Im the one laying here?
Piers raised an eyebrow. Axton was La Gardas prized alumni and hed seen real battle when he went to the border with his uncle. Why would he worry about Axton?
Then, what happened to you? he asked, but wasnt really curious. I thought you were going to spar with Tori so she could let her anger out. It was Axtons brilliant idea to do so after a call from their esteed senior.
Soone inford Kasen of the situation with Tori over the review exams and since Tori didnt call him about it and had already accepted the arrangent, he couldnt do much except call his two juniors and order them to make sure his precious baby sister wasnt too distraught.
A cold chuckle left Axton. Oh, I sparred with her all right. He lifted his arm off his eyes and narrowed them. Shes fast and fights close. It was difficult to respond with a sword at that distance.
Its because shes small, Piers said. Shes not going to give you a chance to be within your comfortable striking distance.
Axton looked over. I underestimated her. Shes definitely Seniors sister....
Piers rounded the chaise and took a seat on one of the plush chairs on either side of it. He leaned back. Did she beat you up?
No, she's not a monster. But she was relentless and went after all the vital points. Hard hits. Fast and consistent. Its surprising. Axton remained on his back, staring at the wooden beams above them. I wouldnt put it past her that she has fought against opponents larger than her. Thats to be expected since she mustve practiced against larger opponents at ho, but her reaction tis were almost instantaneous, if not already expecting my movent.
Everyone makes telling movents. Its just that the severity often differs. One of the servers approached and handed Piers a cup with a small plate. Thank you. He gave the server a nod to dismiss him.
I didnt expect soone as young as her to be able to read so well.
Piers took a small sip of his drink and let the heat settle into his bones. Is she at least feeling any better?
I think so. We stopped by a pastry shop on the way back and she bought snacks for the Sword Association and her friends. She bought us two at pies, but I was hungry, so I ate them. Piers narrowed his eyes. Axton let out a heavy sigh, not noticing the glare, and continued. This really isnt fair to her. She didnt cheat and yet shes being treated as if she did.
What is the school doing about it?
Axton snorted. Theyre going to make her take the exam at the front of the class, under the teachers nose, during midterm.
Piers frowned at once. He narrowed his eyes. That doesnt sound like sothing theyd make soone who didnt cheat do.
Axton swung his legs off the side of the chaise and sat up. Piers, I talked to that Ewan kid when I went to pick her up. Your brother is one of the people who accused her. Sothing about an eraser.
The corner of Piers eye twitched and he lowered his cup. You know I try not to get involved or influence him.
I know. You dont want to control him or make him feel like hes inferior, Axton said. Piers nodded. It wasnt that he and his brother had a bad relationship. He simply didnt consider himself close to Gideon, who was much more outgoing and had a stronger personality than him. But he cant go around accusing just anyone. Hes a prince. His words have weight.
Why hasnt Tori said anything about him? Piers asked as he crossed one leg over the other.
I dont know. Maybe she doesnt want to cause trouble or upset you. You know how hesitant she was to call about the excursion supplies. She even asked not to tell Senior Kasen about the Golden Cow because she didn't want to bother him. Shes a good girl.
Piers looked down at the dark drink in his hand. I know.
Im just saying that if Gideon gets out of hand, itll beco a problem. You know how he is when he thinks hes doing the right thing. Axton rolled his eyes.
Piers released a conceding sigh. If it continues, I will speak to him.
Good, Axton said as he raised his legs and laid back on the chaise. Because that so-called gifted knight that follows your brother around like a dog cant beat her.
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