18 Punishmen (1/2)

”That stupid mean jerk! It was that Ice Princess who threw the first hit with her water magic. Maria only retaliated 'cause she had too! And when Maria was on the verge of winning-” In the midst of Mai's explanation, Maria couldn't help but think,

'I don't think I was on the verge of winning.'

”That darn Ice Princess unleashed her Bloodline Magic on Maria, who used her Celestial Summon to protect herself. Maria is innocent and that jerk of a prince is lying!” fumed Mai, who wanted to punch a certain Prince in the face. Stepping forward next, Julian, who was usually quivering behind others, stood firm on his feet.

”Both Mai and myself can testify to Snow-san throwing the first hit and starting the fight that happened between both herself and Maria. It was clearly self-defense, so please do not expel Maria!”

Summon forth his small ounce of courage, Julian stood up for the girl, who not only came to his aid during their first day of school but also welcomed him, a timid and cowardly boy, with open arms and a kind smile. The same girl who back in the forest could have followed through with Mai's words and saved herself but ran back towards them and proudly declared,

'Friends stick together, no matter what!'

'I may not have known you guys long, but just talking with you, I feel as if I've known you for a lifetime and just for that... I want to protect you!'

When Julian heard those words, he felt a deep admiration for Maria, which compared to Mai was very different. Mai was energetic, filled with life, and unyielding. Just her mere presence was bright and blinding, personality both daring and filled with courage. Yet there was a difference when it came to Maria.

Yes, both girls were kind individuals. Julian felt a sense of empathy with Maria, seeing how neither of them was truly brave or possessed much confidence.

That was why Julian was so shocked when, instead of running away, Maria rushed forward towards her friends, knowing deep down that she was just as terrified as him. Maria caused Julian to believe that maybe there was a tiny drop of hope for him as well. That maybe... just maybe he could also change and become brave like them, and this was his starting point!

The man said nothing as he stared at the determined and brave faces of those two first-years who stood before him. He stared at them for a while, before pointing his eyes towards the white curtain that shielded another bed that was placed inside the infirmary.

”Hmm, I have reached my final judgment, and that is, Maria Rosendrey will be punished with one month of after-school cleaning starting today. Though your friends have spoken up for you, more than eight students have testified against you. Accept your punishment, and all of you return back to class,” coldly ordered the man.

Hearing this, neither Julian nor Mai was happy, and right before they could speak up, Maria got off the bed and stood in front of the man. ”Thank you for this punishment. We will now be returning to class.” Grabbing her two friends' hands, the small group of three exited out the door. Once out the door, a figure walked from behind the curtain and stood beside the man.

”So were they telling truth?” asked a woman that was of average height and build, dark brown hair with bangs that ran down her shoulder blades while the rest of it was pinned back, showing a braid in the shape of a flower pinned to the side of her head. Both of her hands were stuffed inside the pockets of the white doctor's coat she was wearing.

”They are...” the man calmly answered.

”Then why didn't you just say that from the get-go? Why go and scare those adorable children?” she asked the man.

”Entertainment.” This reply immediately earned the man a hard slap upside the head from the brown-haired woman.

”You cold sadistic bastard. I'm telling your wife!” fumed the angry nurse as the man paled once he heard those words. If there was one person he feared in this world, it was definitely his energetic and mischievous wife. Releasing a fake cough, he quickly regained his composure from before.

”But I also did that for their sake as well. If the wrong person got word of this, such a small incident would soon turn disastrous,” said the man, rising up from out of his seat.