"What!?" Evelyn responded with a sense of shock, but she immediately covered her mouth.
The news that she just learned from Rosie and Bianca really shocked her very much. So, all this time... Serena was intimidating her best friend, and the platinum card issue wasn't trivial.
"That's what we just found out during the monthly meeting with the senior teachers and the principal. Therefore, we are looking for Serena Scott to know more details from her." Rosie nodded in confirmation of her explanation a moment ago.
"Atrocious, insolent, how dare that girl to bully Ely to such an extent. Does she think she's great, huh? Let me go find her. I'll teach that girl a very precious lesson." Evelyn was furious and upset. She stomped her feet on the ground and turned around, about to go find the guilty.
"Eve, please be civil. We don't do anything like that at a time like this. It's better if we have a private meeting with Serena. President Rosie, can you ask Instructor Scarlett to find out Serena's whereabouts?" Ella grabbed her friend's arm so this furious girl wouldn't act as a vigilante.
"Oh, all right. Wait a minute." Rosie nodded in understanding and walked toward an instructor who was busy handling notes near one of the tents.
"Ella, why did you forbid me? That rude girl deserves punishment for what she did. So far, Ely has been bullied. Aren't you angry about that?" Evelyn pursed her lips, feeling dissatisfied.
"Well, I also feel the same way as you, but that's not a reason for us to sentence Serena without knowing her defense. And again, it's not us who will punish Serena. Our academy's principal already knows this, remember?" Ella tried to calm her friend.
"Hehe, hold on a moment. When we find out Serena Scott's defense of her actions against Ely. At that point, you can pass your complaint to Serena." Bianca giggled at Evelyn's behavior.
"Hmph! That girl was arrogant and too proud of her platinum grade talent. Apparently, it belongs to Ely. I want to see what her reaction will be when everyone finds out about it." Evelyn snorted and folded her arms in annoyance.
"Serena dared to exploit loopholes in an outdated and unorganized academy system. Breaking academy rules is an offense. Punishment awaits her." Ella nodded lightly. She knew Serena was guilty if only based on the information that Rosie shared.
"Hmm? Serena bragged about what wasn't hers? Then, that's bad for her..." Bianca rested her cheek against her hand, imagining the girl's fate.
The three girls just needed to wait, and they turned to Rosie. The latter was asking Instructor Scarlett.
"Serena Scott? Hmm, the female students are in that row of tents. They are either resting or receiving medical treatment." Instructor Scarlett only answered and pointed the direction without asking anything.
"Okay, thank you, Instructor Scarlett. Then, I excuse myself." Rosie said goodbye, then walked away.
"Mm." Instructor Scarlett nodded lightly. She watched Rosie for a moment, then returned to her duties.
Rosie checked the tents one by one. It only took her no more than a minute to find Serena. The girl was telling a story as if she was preaching in front of 19 congregations.
"Excuse me, can I have a moment? Serena Scott, can you come with me? I just heard about you and wanted to have a little chat with you." Rosie smiled as if nothing was wrong despite her exasperation.
"...So then we defeated a level 20 beast with ease. Hm, President Rosie wants to speak to me?" Serena stopped her story. She looked at the girl who had just entered the tent.
"Yes, please come with me." Rosie nodded in confirmation.
At that moment, Serena only knew one thing. The student council president wanted to talk to her because she was the first student to report the incident. That was the umpteenth time she was asked for information. The first direct eye witness was the most valuable, she knew it, and her merit was significant.
"Fine. That is the end of my story for this opportunity, everyone. You can take lessons from it to broaden your knowledge and horizons. My graceful self needs to excuse myself first ho-ho-ho." Serena covered her mouth with the back of her hand. That was her signature laugh.
"Yes, once again, thank you for sharing your stories and experiences, Miss Serena."
"En, thank you for your enlightenment."
"Blessings are always with you."
"I'm looking forward to our next conversation."
Various grateful responses were given by the other girls as Serena walked towards the exit. They highly valued every word of this platinum grade talent girl.
"Hum-hum, that's easy, take it easy." Serena wagged her hand, delighted by this rain of compliments.
Rosie just smiled slightly at the exchange. Then, she walked ahead to guide the way. Serena followed closely behind. Cora and Nico also left because of their master, even though Rosie didn't invite them.
They walked towards a tent that was open and happened to be empty. Then, Rosie took a seat, and the three girls, who had followed, sat in the chair opposite her.
"What would you like to ask, President Rosie? I, Serena Scott, will graciously answer your questions." Serena unfolded her folding fan and used it to blow a gentle breeze onto her face.
Rosie only smiled in response, waiting for the other three girls. Sure enough, Ella, Evelyn, and Bianca got into the tent and closed the curtain entrance. The student council vice president just stood near the exit, but two other girls sat beside Rosie.
Serena frowned at the sight of this. Was it because of Evelyn? This girl wanted to ask about Elysia one more time? Then, this girl with golden hair and blue eyes... Wasn't she, Gabriella Celestine? What did they want to ask? Serena wondered in her mind.
"Serena, forget the pleasantries. Ely hasn't returned yet... What defense do you have for what you did to Ely?" Evelyn asked with a fake smile, but there were sadness and wrath behind it.
"My condolences... Not back yet? What was she doing there, hmm? What defense do you mean, Oh, Miss Evelyn? Is this still the same as before? I don't know. I'm not Elysia. Is it just that?" Serena rolled her eyes. She thought there was something meaningful because of the student council president.
Evelyn lowered her head slightly and gave Serena an angry look just because of that offensive remark. "I'm not asking about your actions as a group leader who has left your members behind. Do you think no one knows? You took Ely's platinum card, bullied her, harassed her, and you still talk like you are someone extraordinary."
Serena's face turned ghastly pale in an instant, but she didn't want to admit it. Her mind processed the situation frantically and nervously. How did they know?
After gazing at Serena's unnatural expression, Evelyn continued her words in an oppressive tone. "Who do you think you are? You are just a daughter of the Scott Duke Family. How dare you talk to us like that? I know what you used to do. Have you forgotten who is in front of you now?"
Evelyn believed in fate and divination, and her loyal friends who would accompany her life journey were at the academy. Ely and Ella were there clearly with their sincere intentions without guile.
Yet, her first acknowledged best friend was bullied by some random Duke's daughter? She still remembers Serena shouted at Elysia using the term commoner, so because of that?
Serena gulped with anxiety at the sight of Evelyn's dreadful gaze. Cora and Nico were silent with fear and worry. The thing their master prepared was uncovered 11 months earlier than expected.
The countermeasures to dismiss and ward off the risk was not sufficient in value. If this was exposed to the academy this year, their masters would be in trouble... A big problem with stern punishment and penalties.
Bad luck to them, assuming that it was revealed because the student council president and only the girls in this tent knew about it.
"Haha, what are you saying, Evelyn? There may be a misunderstanding here." Serena couldn't bear to see Evelyn's gaze. She realized that she was getting carried away because of the last thing, and she spoke so presumptuously.
The girls in front of her right now weren't just anyone. Also, she was not in Aeddoterra City, where students would be protected from the harm that aristocratic authority could pose.
"Oh, poor and lost sheep. You have no idea what awaits you and how serious the problems will come for you. A suggestion of kindness from me, honesty, and penance is the only way out if you are the guilty one." Ella interlaced her fingers. She prayed silently for forgiveness from the Goddess so that the sinner would repent.
"You can dismiss the accusation at will, not admitting it is natural. But you need to know, our academy already knows what you did. In fact, it was discussed in front of the principal when he brought up the topic." Rosie dropped the bomb for Serena.
Serena couldn't be more shocked, anxious, and pale than that. She was doomed and couldn't do anything if the academy had known before the planned time.
All means and excuses, she thought of the best method to save herself and avoid the current predicament. Not only from the girls in this tent, but for the academy as well.
At that moment, a real explosion occurred from a distance, and the explosive sound reached them. However, the noise did not shift their topic and focus to the current issue.