Chapter 117: Changes
"While we can protect you from outside threats, the same cannot be said when students themselves engage in nefarious activities.... actions that harm other fellow students. I must remind you that such behaviour carries severe consequences, far graver than mere expulsion. And, unfortunately, that is precisely what occurred last week."
As Headmaster Charles spoke, Eve’s heart skipped a beat, guessing exactly what was coming next. She felt a flicker of panic at the thought of her name being called out, but Ivan wrapped his hand around hers, giving it a gentle squeeze with quiet reassurance.
She looked at him and gulped as she tried to keep her bubbling anxiety at bay, but he only gave a slight shake of his head, as if telling her nothing that she was thinking was going to happen.
She squeezed his hand back in return and turned her gaze forward, where Headmaster Charles continued, "Last week, some students conspired to harm another student on these very academy grounds. In doing so, they invited dark forces inside the premises, putting every single student and teacher’s life in jeopardy. The names of those two students are...Drake Viremont and Kayla Michael."
The assembly hall erupted with gasps, and shocked whispers flew in every direction.
"Noway! Drake? I knew he was bad news, but this?!"
"I cannot believe that Kayla was also involved?!"
"They actually summoned the dark forces in the academy!"
"Oh my god! Are we even safe here?!"
"Who was the student they tried to harm?"
"If they can enter here, I would gladly go back to my kingdom!"
"Me too! I would rather risk my father’s wrath than stay another day in this place!"
The voices rose into a panicked buzz, fear and gossip mixing until it became almost deafening. Meanwhile, Ivan’s group kept a neutral expression.
"Silence! There is no need to panic. I am not done speaking yet." Headmaster Charles’ commanding voice cut through.
"The perpetrators, Drake Viremont and Kayla Michael, have been immediately expelled from Blood Moon Academy. The royal authorities have taken Kayla Michael into custody to await judgment. Meanwhile, it was found that Drake Viremont is missing and is now considered a convict on the run. If anyone happens to spot him anywhere, you are to report it to the faculty or the authorities at once. He is believed to be dangerous and has fallen to the dark side."
Murmurs erupted through the hall once again, but Headmaster Charles pressed on, "Along with them, Elana Clarks and Gabe Durant have also been expelled for their involvement in using a forbidden potion on a fellow student. They, too, await judgment by the royal authorities, as the matter has now reached the king."
"I am deeply disappointed as the students were sent to this academy to learn, and yet some chose to disgrace themselves with vile practices that nearly cost another’s life. Such betrayal will not be tolerated. From this forward, the following changes to the academy’s rules will be enforced without exception:
1. Curfew will now be at nine o’clock instead of ten.
2. Any student reported for even a minor incident of harming another student will not only be expelled, but also handed directly to the royal authorities for the king’s judgment, as this matter concerns the safety of students from multiple kingdoms and must avoid any political conflict.
3. Any students found breaking any of the rules listed in the academy’s previous regulations will be demoted to servant status rather than a student, or in severe cases, expelled and handed to the authorities.
4. This academy is now surrounded by a protective barrier established by the lumens to prevent any of the dark forces from entering. However, should you step outside the academy grounds during the weekends, your safety will be your own responsibility. So I strongly urge you all to remain cautious and never venture out alone. Furthermore, weekend curfew is now set at six o’clock in the evening for your safety.
5. Rest assured, during any excursion organized by the academy, your safety will be managed by the academy. All that is required of you is to follow the rules."
His red eyes swept across the room before he added in a warning tone, "Keep in mind, you will be watched closely. I will not allow anyone to soil the name of this institution. So conduct yourselves accordingly. That is all."
With that, Charles stepped down from the podium as whispers rippled through the sea of students once again. Amongst them, Leah gritted her teeth, her hands curling into tight fists at her sides. She wanted nothing more than to rid herself of the lumen princess, but now she would have to be far more careful. Evelyn was under Ivan’s protection, which practically made her untouchable. Not to mention, those around her, the Silver siblings and the lumens, were no less formidable.
Jealousy and envy clawed at Leah’s heart, but for now, she could only swallow it down and wait for the right opportunity.
Eve, on the other hand, let out a soft breath she didn’t know she was holding. As she did, she felt Ivan lean over and whisper in her ear, "Dig your nails any further and I’d believe you’re a vampire, not a lumen, baby."
Startled, she looked down and quickly pulled her hand away. She then picked up his hand and saw angry red marks on his pale skin, evidence that she had almost punctured his skin. "I’m so sorry! I didn’t realise!" she exclaimed, caressing his hand with a worried expression.
Damien saw this and commended, "Ouch! That’s got to sting. I didn’t know you were such a feral cat, Evelyn, to be able to drill holes like that into the precious crown prince of this kingdom."
Eve pursed her lips and then looked at Ivan with her big, innocent blue eyes, "Does it hurt?"
Ivan was about to deny it, but seeing her fret over him like this made him lie with a straight face, "Yes, it does."
Cece narrowed her eyes at Ivan, knowing he was clearly lying as those little dents were nothing for a normal vampire, let alone a pure-blooded one.
She pressed her lips together, watching how Ivan continued to act as if he was hurt, while Eve gently rubbed his hand, trying to ease his pain. ’Just look at that...is this what they call how love changes people?’ she thought.
Suppressing a smile, she glanced to her other side, only to meet the pale blue eyes of the man who offered her a gentle smile.
Surprised to find him next to her, she asked, "Edward! When did you arrive?"
"I was running a little late today, but managed to get into the assembly hall before they shut the gates. Later, I decided to join you all when I spotted you from afar."
"Oh! I’m glad you were able to make it in time," she smiled.
"Yes...I am glad I did, otherwise I would have missed all the historic announcements made by Headmaster Charles. Seems like things are about to change around here as the academy is getting serious."
Cece turned her eyes back to the podium and replied, "Yes, about time they got serious, considering the issues we’re dealing with now aren’t simple. Ivan and the king must have had a good word with Headmaster Charles."
"I think so too," Edward replied, his gaze fixed on Professor Dante as he made his way to the podium.
"Thank you for being patient, dear students. As you’ve heard from Headmaster Charles about all the thrilling changes in the academy, keeping that in mind, we’ve decided to spice up your current curriculum. Firstly, we’re adding an extra hour to your Physical Education class, led by our beloved Professor Leo and Professor Seria."
A chorus of groans and dramatic gasps rippled through the hall as students imagined the unspeakable horror of an extra PE hour of torture awaiting them.
Watching this, Dante’s grin stretched ear to ear. "Now now...no fainting, please. I know you all just adore Physical Education. Nothing like running until your legs threaten mutiny, but you still need to maintain those precious grades to keep your student privileges and that’s not all! Soon, you’ll be whisked away on an excursion, personally supervised by your professors. Afterwards, we’ll dive straight into the academy’s festival, which everyone will need to take part in, as you’ll be marked on each activity."
Dante continued in his chirpy voice, "The results of the previous tests are out, and I am delighted to introduce five new staff members of the academy for this semester." He gestured toward the side, where six former students stood, their faces beetroot red with embarrassment in the academy’s staff uniforms, looking like they were about to be publicly executed.
Eve gasped and murmured softly while still caressing Ivan’s hand with her thumb, "So...turning students into staff wasn’t a joke, after all."
Damien smirked, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "Ah, yes, the academy’s idea of fun. Fail in three subjects and voila, you’re serving your former classmate like a personal butler."
The other students watched in horror as the ’new staff’ shuffled awkwardly, while screaming in their minds, "Don’t look! Just treat us like walls!"
