Chapter 37 – You Don't Need to Worry About It
“Who did it—step forward.” Carlis’s voice was calm and steady, with no noticeable emotion. His expression remained unchanged, yet as his gaze swept across the class, everyone felt a sudden weight in their chest. Even those who hadn’t participated directly felt their scalps tingle.
“Defacing school property with insulting language—language that quite possibly targeted a specific student...” Of course Carlis knew that this desk and chair practically belonged to Teresa.
No one wanted to sit under the teacher’s nose at the very front of the class—except Teresa.
“Do you even know what you’re doing? Are you truly aware that you’re students of Coleman Academy?” His tone wasn’t particularly harsh, but that very neutrality struck like thunder in the hearts of Irene and her circle. None of them dared meet his gaze.
Carlis understood. These arrogant young nobles didn’t need him to educate them—there were other “forces” in place that would do so. If they didn’t change in their first year, Coleman Academy would show them the door without hesitation.
“This is how you treat your classmates?” Carlis glanced at the seemingly intact chair, tapped its back lightly, and with a crack, the whitewood chair collapsed into pieces.
The classroom fell into an even deeper silence.
Irene was silently cursing Teresa to high heaven.
That damn Wild Divine Princess—she was nothing like her harmless appearance suggested.
She’d deliberately hinted that she’d be attending class today, tricking Irene into carrying on with her little schemes, exposing the bullying for the teacher to see.
And worse—there were layers to this.
Wouldn’t the teacher now think Teresa had skipped class precisely because of bullying?
One more charge added to the list!
That golden-haired b*tch’s mind was far from simple. She didn’t snitch—she let the teacher discover the problem on his own, turning him into her ally. What a scheming little fox!
But no matter how much Irene resented Teresa in her heart, she couldn’t let it show—otherwise, she’d be admitting everything herself.
“If you don’t want to study, that’s fine—but don’t get in the way of those who do.” Sure enough, Carlis’s words confirmed it. He had clearly associated Teresa’s absence with the bullying. His tone turned noticeably colder.
“Destroying school property—just fix it. The Academy won’t make it hard for you; we’re not short on funds. After all, mischief is one way young people express themselves.”
“But if you start hindering the students who do want to learn...”
Bang! Carlis slammed the textbook onto the podium. His tone remained flat. “Get out of my class. I don’t teach students like you.”
***
A battlefield veteran like Carlis had no trouble controlling a bunch of overconfident first-years. A few words, and the whole class of haughty Divine Princesses didn’t even dare breathe loudly.
“Apologies, Professor Carlis. I was delayed by something and arrived late.” A voice rang from outside the classroom. Teresa appeared at the door, carrying her little worn satchel. She tilted her head curiously at the unusually silent class, seemingly puzzled by the strange atmosphere.
“Teresa?” A flicker of surprise flashed through Carlis’s eyes. He examined her closely. Once he was sure she seemed fine, he gave a slight nod, his tone softening noticeably.
“It’s fine. Just be more mindful next time.”
“Mm. Sorry to interrupt your lesson.”
“No worries, we haven’t started yet.”
Teresa returned to her seat and glanced at the collapsed chair and the desk covered in scribbles.
“Let’s get you a new desk and chair.”
“No need. Just the chair will do. I’ll clean the desk myself later.” Teresa showed no concern. She moved the broken chair aside, found a replacement, and sat down as if nothing had happened, utterly unaffected by the graffiti.
“Mm.” Carlis nodded slightly, a look of appreciation surfacing in his gaze—and he confirmed another fact:
This child had suffered bullying more than once. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be this calm.
“I won’t pursue this matter any further,” Carlis said gravely.
The main reason he let it go was because Teresa didn’t seem affected by the bullying.
Otherwise, he would’ve taken this matter all the way.
“I don’t want to know who did this. But the one who started it had better clean that desk after class. If next time I find even a trace of that paint still on it…”
Carlis pushed up his glasses. The light reflecting off the thick lenses made his gaze glint like a blade. “I will find you.”
***
Irene’s followers all glanced at her simultaneously. Some seemed to be seeking her opinion, others… hard to say.
Irene herself stayed silent, clutching her pen tighter.
“No need, Professor Carlis. I’ll wipe it down myself,” Teresa said softly, as if this whole thing was just a small matter.
“No. You will not.” Carlis’s tone was firm. “Whoever drew it will clean it. You don’t need to worry about it.”
“When class ends, leave the classroom immediately. Don’t linger.”
“But—”
“That’s an order from your teacher.”
“...Understood.” Teresa lowered her gaze, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as it brushed across the page of her book.