"Do not forget there is a second reason for your summons today." She had a pleased smile.
"Unless you tell me, I would have absolutely no idea what that reason could be." His words were polite, but his eyes tried to pierce into her. He slowly enunciated his words just to dig the knife deeper.
"The report states that you attacked, seriously injured, and then stole the equipment of a dozen students." Her smile reached her ears.
"This is a serious account, especially this close to the school's dungeon raid. I think proper compensation and being expelled is proper for this offense."
"But-" He started, but she interrupted.
"You could have hindered their futures with those injuries. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
She looked extremely proud of herself, as if she had gotten back at him for everything he just done to her.
"This sounds like a very serious offence," He muttered. The lady stood up in pure pleasure.
"Do you have any evidence?" Cassian looked up at her and smiled smugly.
"Testimony of all twelve students."
"Do you happen to have any idea where this happened?"
"You should know better than I do." She tried to shove it in her face.
"It didn't happen on campus."
"So? That does not change the punishment. I think surrendering your skill stone would be proper as well." She started shouting at him, as if she held the upper hand.
"Don't tell me you forgot? You said the school does not have any bearing or responsibility for the activities of students off campus."
"A dozen students got injured…" She desperately tried to argue.
"Seems like the students involved need to go to the awakened association to report whatever happened."
The old lady looked at him like he had just killed several of her ancestors.
"But then it might get out that a dozen of this school's combat awakened got beaten up by an F-rank."
She clutched her fist until it was pure white, and then pointed to the door.
"Out!"
Cassian knew she could barely control herself. However, he also knew he was invincible in the school. Nobody here could kill him, and trying to make him surrender through pain…
Cassian returned to class with his normal deadpan expression. Earlier, he had just been emulating Cypher; drawing out her emotions was the best way to create flaws.
He could not care less about the consequences, as long as he could enter the dungeon the next day, he could leave the school happy.
Everyone was surprised to see Cassian back in class; they had all gotten their hunter registrations, so the official was not there anymore. However, Mr. Hill had the biggest reaction.
"What are you doing here?"
His arrogant voice caught the attention of all the students.
"What do you mean? This is my class."
He was becoming tired of all the assaults and framing. It just never stopped.
"Should you not be expelled by now?"
His demeanor was immediately supported by the students.
"That's right, he should be expelled."
"Why are we in the same class as an F-rank anyway?"
"Stop insulting us with your presence and leave."
"Expelled?"
The last voice belonged to an exasperated Alizée.
"And why would I be expelled?"
Cassian looked his teacher dead in the eyes.
"You know what you did?"
"I'm not expelled, idiot."
Cassian broke the suspense and walked back to his seat.
"Stop lying, it will do you no good."
Mr. Hill would just not give it up.
"Get your facts straight first. There was no disciplinary action taken against me today."
Mr. Hill finally began to doubt himself.
"I will be back in a couple of minutes. Start discussions about the dungeon."
He then ran outside.
The students immediately broke out into groups, deciding parties, and planning strategies for the dungeon.
Cassian knew nobody would try to talk to him, so he put his head down on the desk.
However, somebody did try to talk to him.
"Cassian."
Alizée's sweet voice caught his attention.
"Yes?"
He raised his head.
"Would you like to join my party?"
"EHHH?!"
Everybody in the room yelled in surprise. While Alizée had pretty much failed her awakening, she was still an idol to the people, beautiful, rich, and, based on the initial test, she was not weak.
While some people in the higher ranks looked down on her, many people still admired her.
To hear that a rich young lady planned to team up with the F-rank failure was too surprising.
"Sorry, I have no plans to be at any party."
He refused her loudly enough so everybody could hear him.
"At least it seems he knows his bounds." Somebody added.
"Why?"
Her eyes opened wide like a puppy's.
"I can not afford to split the experience with a party."
"But, it's dangerous."
Alizée held a look of concern on her face.
"With my regeneration skill, as long as I do not challenge the boss, I should be fine." He whispered.
'In fact, not even the boss can kill me.'
She considered it for a second before sighing.
"Okay, just be cautious. Do not let the skill dull your senses."
"I won't."
He was about to place his head back on his desk when-
"Actually, there is one more thing."
'Could it be…'
"I found a sword for you."
She cupped her hands around her mouth so she could whisper to him. However, this only drew the attention of other people more.
Cassian felt uplifted by the news; with a good sword, he would be able to go much farther in the dungeon.
"Thank you."
He spoke softly, but she captured his meaning perfectly.
"I'm glad I was able to help you."
'But why me?'
The doubt rose in his head. He had a great deal of affection for her, but the same could not be said for her.
While in class 3-A, they never really interacted with each other, and he knew that she didn't remember what she had done for him in the past.
'Why is she helping me?'
"So after school today, will you come with me to pick it up?" She leaned in closer in another attempt to whisper to him.
"Sure." The warmth was removed from his voice.
"I will wait for you by the front gate."
A naive smile filled her face.