Chapter 50: Punishment
"Lara Benett is a prodigy, but she’s temperamental. She won’t be able to become a pillar of House Benett with that kind of personality," Karin commented.
Everything involving Argenor’s prestigious houses was still new to her, but being in Class 1 had forced her to adapt.
Sonny nodded. "The Tower Competition is very important to her as a future pillar of House Benett. Only those who participate in that competition can truly bring prestige to their family."
Being called a family pillar wasn’t just a title. They carried immense pressure and responsibility on their shoulders.
Their actions were a reflection of their family itself. If they achieved something great, their family would also gain glory.
Fifth- and sixth-year students could no longer transfer to Nova City, so their highest possible achievement at the academy was winning the Tower Competition.
If they weren’t even allowed to participate, how could they win?
"Lara isn’t really like that. She’s just... very protective," Noella said solemnly. As one of the young pillars of a prestigious House, she often met Lara at banquets.
The others immediately understood what Noella meant by "protective."
Noella continued, "I think this incident is good for making her more aware of her actions."
"Yeah. At least she realized it before becoming head of the family. The entire Benett House will suffer the consequences if she realizes it too late," Shani agreed.
Sonny suddenly realized something.
"Leah is really going to be in trouble if House Benett finds out Lara received demerits because of her. Her life won’t be easy."
A smile appeared on Sonny’s face. Kiran was delighted too, though she still held herself back from grinning as widely as Sonny.
"The academy can’t punish her, but her life both at the academy and at home will definitely become difficult," Kiran added.
"Looks like she’ll be expelled from the academy after the first monthly test," Sonny remarked. "Do you think anyone will want to become her partner?"
Everyone at the table immediately realized the terrifying implication.
"If a student who has already hatched their egg is willing to become her partner, there might still be enough time," Shani commented.
Sonny shook his head. "The only one who could hatch two eggs quickly enough is probably Garth." Jeryon could do it too, but he was already out of the equation.
"Ella, do you think Garth would become Leah’s partner?" Kiran turned to Noella.
Noella thought for a moment before shaking her head. "I don’t know. Garth is a good person. If Leah begged him, he might agree. But on the other hand, he doesn’t like getting involved in other people’s problems, and Leah is clearly quite problematic."
The others nodded. They felt that this pair of top students really suited each other. Even Noella seemed to understand Garth quite well.
In reality, Noella was simply good at analyzing people. And it wasn’t just Garth. She could analyze the other students as well.
Her friends would never know that, just as Garth’s friends still believed the two were a couple having a lovers’ spat.
They looked toward Shani’s table with solemn expressions. They had to act quickly for Garth’s sake!
The group of boys finished their meal and headed back to their classroom. But two of them went to the dessert counter instead of following their friends.
While eating slices of fresh watermelon, their eyes remained fixed on Noella.
When Noella’s group got up, leaving behind the half-chewed watermelon and a bit of red juice at the corners of their mouths, the two boys scrambled over to her.
"Noella, could we ask you for a favor?" one of the boys asked.
Noella recognized them as two of her classmates. She nodded. "As long as it’s something I can help with."
They looked relieved. One of them then pulled a tablet out of his jacket.
"This belongs to Garth. He asked us to take it to the training hall on the sixth floor, but we have something else to take care of. Could you bring it to him for us?"
Noella nodded. It wasn’t difficult.
After handing her the tablet, they immediately ran off.
"Why are they acting so sus?" Sonny remarked. No one had an answer.
They then went to the elevator and headed to their respective floors.
Shani and Kiran went to the seventh floor. Shani needed to feed her bloodworms. While Kiran had no real reason to go, she simply wanted to speak to Shani in private.
"I suspect Dave leaving the academy has something to do with Jeryon," Kiran whispered.
Shani looked doubtful.
"No one has enough influence to make a family pull their child out of Grand Academy. It seems Jeryon really pressured Dave’s family," Kiran said in a conspiratorial tone.
Shani was silent for a moment before casually replying, "Even if that’s true, Jeryon didn’t do anything wrong."
Kiran stood there, baffled, as Shani entered the classroom.
Then, she quickly followed her.
"Since when did you become pro-revenge?" Kiran asked playfully.
Shani merely shrugged.
"I like you like this, Shani. No ’turn the other cheek’ nonsense. Evil should be repaid with evil." Kiran laughed evilly.
Shani could only shake her head while letting out a small laugh.
...
Meanwhile, on the sixth floor, Noella had just entered the training hall.
The huge room was empty except for Garth, who was sitting alone on one of the benches.
"Your tablet," Noella said as she handed Garth his tablet.
Garth accepted it, looking slightly confused.
"Thank you." Even though he was confused, he still thanked her.
Noella was about to walk away, when she heard Garth’s question.
"You called me here just to give me this tablet?"
She turned around with a confused expression. Now the two of them reflected the exact same confusion.
"I only brought the tablet your friends asked me to deliver..."
Garth immediately realized what had happened. He slapped his forehead.
He knew his friends had misunderstood his relationship with Noella. He just hadn’t expected them to actually come up with a plan like this.
Noella also realized what had happened.
She knew about Garth’s friends’ weird assumptions, but since they weren’t true, she had thought they would eventually stop talking about it on their own.
"Sorry, Noella." Garth bit his lower lip, embarrassed by his friends’ behavior.
"Don’t worry about it," Noella replied, completely relaxed.
"Then let’s go back to class," Garth suggested.
Noella suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right, Garth. After our eggs hatch, if Leah asks you to become her partner, would you agree?"
...