The next week, Monday morning...
The science class ended as usual when Ariel, sitting in front of Hazel, turned to look at her. Her eyes, usually sharp and focused, appeared dazed.
"You're awfully quiet."
"Huh?"
Stunned, she looked up at him with an incredulous expression.
"No, it must be your imagination." She retorted, though her eyes trembled faintly.
"Whatever makes you feel comfortable." Ariel remarked dryly.
Realizing that Kaiser was looking at them, he turned to look at him.
"Good morning, Kaiser."
He greeted softly, his voice carrying no emotions. Still, he couldn't help but feel strange whenever Kaiser looked at him.
"Morning, Ariel."
With that, the conversation died like a small flame in a fierce wind. However, just then, their attention was drawn to Liam who stood up and climbed onto the podium, facing the entire class.
With his leader aura oozing out, the whole class quieted down, realizing he had serious information to share.
"Sorry for taking your time, but I think there's a pressing issue about our class. The last time a few upperclassmen came in here, I believe everyone could feel the palpable disdain they had for us. And due to this unjust sentiment, I and a few others did research and realized the reason for the sentiment. The school has a General Power ranking which consists of mostly Class-A and Class-B while the lower rankings contain mostly Class-C, Class-D and Class-E."
"So, what are you trying to say?"
Emily White questioned with a frown. A few others had looks of confusion on their faces, while most seemed to have realized his words.
"What I mean is that since the school ranks its students, it would obviously treat the top ones better." Liam explained.
"But every class receives 100,000 credits per month, and I don't see restrictions on any facility, so I guess it doesn't matter?"
Alisa cut in with a confused expression. She was also a lone wolf and someone admired by all the boys for her bust size.
"Sharp observation, Alisa, but that's probably only for the first month. We don't know how being in Class-E would affect us. So I'll advise us to be ready for any unpleasant surprise by the end of the month."
"Huh? Do you mean that we wouldn't get up to 100,000 credits in the upcoming months?" Joshua asked with a look of horror.
"That's bullshit with no concrete evidence!" Logan shouted with a deep frown, though it seemed even he was skeptical.
"I know, but it wouldn't hurt to be cautious." Liam replied calmly.
"Could you perhaps be mistaken, Liam?"
"That's ridiculous. The better ones are in Class-A?"
"The school told us we would get 100,000 every month. Why would they lie?"
More people began speculating, though most of them knew Liam wouldn't just say nonsense. Thus, the class broke into chatter until a very commanding voice spoke.
"Quiet."
Hazel calmly spoke as she gazed at her classmates' confused expression coldly.
"If you don't listen to him, you might regret it later." she said.
'Oh? Quite straightforward, isn't she?' Kaiser thought, amused.
"H-huh?" Eric stuttered, perplexed. Several others mirrored his reaction. They were puzzled by the austere girl's sudden brash comment.
"If you go ahead and ignore his words, how many of you are willing to take the blame for the consequences? Hmm?"
She asked with narrowed eyes.
The others who were against Liam or half-heartedly resisting, shrunk under her gaze and became quiet.
Even Liam was quite surprised at her words since they seemed like the last thing she would say.
"Thanks." He said quietly. After all, he knew how uncaring this cold beauty could be.
Hazel only glanced at him briefly before looking back at the class.
"Don't thank me. I'm only looking out for myself. So I'll advise you to listen attentively rather than outright reject his claims."
With Hazel quelling their resistance to Liam's claims, he continued easily.
"Another thing I noticed was that Instructor Itou never said anything about receiving a hundred thousand credits every month. Instead, she said the credits would be delivered at the beginning of every month."
His words finally caused the students to slowly realize the gravity of the situation. Indeed, Instructor Itou didn't specify the amount they'd receive per month. Instead, they had presumptuously come to the conclusion that they'd receive a hundred thousand credits every month.
"If-if that's true, what amount are we going to receive?"
Kim asked nervously. She had spent more than half of her points in the past week and was already growing expectant of the next payment. Unfortunately, reality seemed to prove otherwise.
"That's what I don't know yet." Liam lowered his head, conflicted. He really wished he could have found out what parameters could deduct their points. Unfortunately, he had only been able to make some research during the weekend.
"No need to worry yourself. You've done enough." Ysabella said emotionally, comforting him. "It's now up to us to find out a solution."
Immediately, several other girls, including Kiera and Kim supported Liam, echoing Isabella's words. And the boys, seeing their female idol 'Ysabella' support Liam flipped their opinions.
"Yes! We'll look out for clues."
"Ysabella is right! Always right."
"Well done. Leave it to us."
The class echoed in unity as they began praising Liam for his efforts and promising to investigate further. Though, some had other hidden motives.
'Investigating with Ysabella?! I'm definitely in!'
Jose squealed inwardly, his thoughts written all over his face.
Still in his seat, Kaiser quietly closed his eyes.
'Good. I'll let them do the work. Seems they're not so dumb, after all.'
Although he also didn't want his monthly allowance to reduce, he was perfectly fine with letting others do the work. After all...
'... it's a hassle.'
Hazel glanced at him, her gentle eyes flickering with suspicion. She didn't know why but she suddenly felt like someone was slacking off. And Kaiser's peaceful sleeping appearance earned her suspicion.
"You're not planning on slacking off, are you?"
She asked sternly. Kaiser didn't even flinch, entirely unreactive.
Hazel deadpanned. "I know you're not asleep."
He still didn't move a muscle.
Instantly, Hazel's eyes sharpened and she picked a compass needle from her bag.
"I'll prick you in the side with this compass if you don't open your eyes."
Finally, his eyes twitched, a crack in his carefully created facade. Knowing she might really do it, Kaiser reluctantly raised his head.
Satisfied, Hazel spoke. "I'll be investigating after school. You're coming with me."
Turning to her front, she added. "Ariel too."
Immediately, both's expressions turned complicated.
Girl, aren't you being too bossy?
They had no obligation to listen to her, yet they did for their own respective reasons.
Hazel hummed, contemplating. The secrecy and illusion given by the school made her uneasy. Even as the Pegasus Empire's War General's daughter, she had absolutely no clue. What else was the school hiding from them, and why?