Chapter 16: This is Already Polite

Chapter 16: This is Already Polite

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 something wrong? The last time 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 Merchants Guild recently and wanted to ask. The weather was getting cold; it was a good time 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 me here or come with me? Youll probably have to wait in the hall.

Well come with you, Henrik said. He turned towards the twins. Can one of you get Ewan?

The two siblings looked at each other and seemed to have a silent conversation before JP gave Sonia his equipment 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 me? Tori slowed her pace to walk beside Ilyana and leaned in to ask her in a quiet voice.

Her roommate inhaled and exhaled deeply. Someone 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 immediately assume 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 seemed 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 numerous students along the walls, watching.

Their judgmental eyes looked her over. A few sneered and others shook their heads disapprovingly.

Cheater! Someone 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 same 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 metal 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 screamed 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 homeroom 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 me.

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 department 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 me. 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 department subordinate, gave her an impatient look. Can you prove that you didnt cheat?

She met his eyes with a cold glare. Can you prove I did?

He frowned at once and his voice hardened. Numerous 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 me? Have you asked them how they saw me cheating?

Instructor Burnett ran a hand down his tired face, as if he didnt have time 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 moment, she forgot she was a fourteen-year-old student and not a 40-year-old calling out someones 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 me to prove my innocence, implying that he already believes I cheated, Tori said. Without any actual evidence.

Multiple students making the same accusation is no coincidence.New novel chapters are published on

Multiple students also have been biased against me since the beginning of school and I have legitimate reason to believe that their bias is fueling these accusations rather than actually witnessing me cheat. Tori leaned back against the chair. Each student who made an accusation should be interviewed properly and questioned on how they saw me 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 time, 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 me for something I didn't do because a handful of students dont like me and believe Im incapable of scoring well by myself? She narrowed her eyes. Is this going to happen every time 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 name 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 time 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 sometimes 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 meet 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 time, making sure they didnt interact with any who were waiting to ensure legitimate testimonies.

Each student who came out looked flustered and awkward, avoiding her eyes as they passed. When the last of the five students who were sent in came 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 meeting right now-

The door swung open and Tori looked over her shoulder. Mr. Legaspi had a frustrated look as a silver-haired youth stormed in, scowling, and sending glares at Tori the moment he saw her. She narrowed her eyes and cursed her luck.

Ilyana, I need to let off some 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.

By the next morning, word had spread that Tori was accused of cheating and would be forced to take the midterm exams in front of her homeroom class. Negative news, as Henrik told her when they first met, always spread fast.

Tori was not reconciled in the least, even after sparing every upperclassman who crossed her line of vision the day before. Because she had been skipping practice lately to deal with her and Henriks business, other students forgot she was a part of the association. A few werent there the day she disarmed the captain, either.

They had no reservations about sparring with her until one after another, they were beaten. No fancy disarming tricks. No showy, dramatic hits to the face. Just a series of practical cuts and thrust that did not end until her stunned opponent yielded.

When she returned to the training grounds the next day, everyone seemed to either look at her in fear or actively avoid her. This wasnt lost on Tori.

Tori, can I speak to you for a moment? Captain Patrick approached her when she arrived. For a while, everyone in the association addressed her as Lady Tori, except for Ewan. Since he was an underclassman and called her by her name, without a title, Tori told the association that they could also call her Tori. So far, it was fifty-fifty and depended on how familiar people felt around her. Captain Patrick removed his helmet and had creased brows and an uncertain frown.

Tori knew what he wanted to talk about and admitted to herself that she did too much the day before. Captain, Im sorry about yesterday. I was very angry and took out my frustrations on the association.

The older student took a deep breath. Ewan told us what happened yesterday, Tori. You have every right to be angry. Its just that the rest of the association is hesitant to spar with you today....

She nodded, having expected that. I understand, Captain. I planned to just go through my forms today.

He gave her a small thankful nod and seemed to hesitate. He thought for a moment and put his hand on her shoulder. Tori, we know you didnt cheat on the exam. I know that you obviously know you didnt cheat, but I want you to know that your fellow swordsmen support you. If you really need someone to spar with...let me know. I may not be your best opponent, but I will try to give you a decent fight.

Her lips curled up with a small smile and her eyes softened. Thank you, Captain. Its been a rough couple of days. I appreciate the kind words. She chuckled and patted the hand on her shoulder. But dont worry. Im still just going to do my forms.

The captain chuckled as well and stepped back.

Tori! They looked towards the voice and saw Ewan rushing forward. His elective was clear across the campus and he was almost always the last person to get to the grounds. Tori, someones at the front gate for you!

She furrowed her brows. Who is it? She ran through a list of possible people; from guild members shed met to the mercenaries she hired to be security guards for her two stores. She hoped it wasnt Auntie Lucia, as shed only come if there was some sort of serious family emergency. Comcrys werent allowed in class, so she left hers in her dorm all day.

Ewan was panting as he reached them. He hunched over, hands on his knees, and looked up. Sir Nassaun!

Several reasons filled her head as to why Axton had appeared. She hadnt seen him since they bumped into him at Cafe Fortuna and inadvertently given him information to pass to her brother. Perhaps he wanted to check in? He couldve just called.

The tall young man was chatting with the guards by the gate when she arrived. He gave a nod and excused himself before turning towards her. His eyes studied her and lingered on the bag that had her helmet peeking out of it. She was dressed for practice and he grinned.

Are you planning on rampaging through the Sword Association again? Connor is the best theyve got and I heard hes no match for you, he said with a mischievous look.

No, Im not going to beat up my fellow swordsmen. Today, Im going to do my forms until I get tired, she replied as she reached him.

She watched him step forward and reveal a bag with the hilt of a wooden practice sword sticking out of it. He tilted his head.

Do you want to try your skill against a La Garda alumni?

She stared at the bag and a small, appreciative smile reached her face. Thanks, Axton.

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 moment to relish the immediate warmth.

Across the room, the hearth was roaring and keeping the space, as empty as it was except for one other customer reading by the counter, nice and warm. Piers looked across and made eye contact with Tobias. He gave him a small nod; a silent acknowledgment 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 helmet 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 esteemed senior.

Someone informed Kasen of the situation with Tori over the review exams and since Tori didnt call him about it and had already accepted the arrangement, 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 home, but her reaction times were almost instantaneous, if not already expecting my movement.

Everyone makes telling movements. 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 someone as young as her to be able to read me 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 meat 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 something theyd make someone 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. Something 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 me 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 become 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.