For Ilene, this was much easier than in her previous life.
There were only a few hours of class each day, and even in class there was almost no pressure.
She could even watch the troublemakers fool around while the teachers half-heartedly lectured.
Those who truly wanted to study would always look for extra tutoring after class.
Ilene had been wondering if she should save up money to enroll Roskaya in one of those.
After two classes, time had passed easily.
Ilene was smiling and waving goodbye to classmates when lunch break came.
At some point, Roskaya’s figure appeared beside her.
“Sister, shall we eat together?”
Her green eyes were full of expectation.
This was probably the moment Roskaya looked forward to most each day—eating with her sister.
But… not today.
“Sorry, little Roskaya, I have something to do. Next time, okay? Don’t worry, if anyone dares to bully you, just tell me.”
Ilene smiled and patted her head.
She had to meet Sydney at noon.
About that mysterious church… Ilene was very interested.
“No!”
Unexpectedly, Roskaya, who was usually so obedient, suddenly raised her voice.
It was so loud that people in the hallway jumped, including Ilene.
“If not at noon, then dinner tonight! Sister…”
Seeing how anxious she looked, Ilene could only sigh helplessly and smile, ruffling her hair.
“Alright… I promise, tonight I’ll treat you.”
Like a little puppy, just a pat was enough to make her happy enough to forget everything else.
Reluctantly, Roskaya let go of Ilene’s hand and left the classroom, glancing back three times with every step.
It was time to see Sydney.
…..
After quickly eating a bowl of mashed potatoes in the cafeteria, Ilene used her break to pick up two milk teas at a shop outside and then headed to the school library.
The school library wasn’t big.
There weren’t many real books, just teaching materials.
Dust had gathered thick on the shelves, no wonder someone needed to be hired to clean it.
Ilene had already prepared in her head how to explain her sudden disappearance to Sydney.
But the moment she entered the library, she heard a noisy quarrel.
“I’ll say it one last time, Miss Librarian.
I hired you to protect and organize the school’s valuable books, not to listen to your silly word games.
You know the rules—if the books are damaged, you’ll be punished.
Tonight, in my office.
Either you, or that disobedient brat.”
That was a voice Ilene knew all too well—the principal, Leighton.
A man in his forties who looked cultured and refined.
But from the rumors Ilene had heard, he was human trash.
Idle gossip always had some truth, and more than half of what people said about his harassment, brothel visits, and forcing students to stay late was probably real.
The librarian?
That must be Sydney.
This bastard… what was he doing?
Ilene’s face darkened.
She quickened her pace and pushed the library doors open.
Sure enough, inside was Principal Leighton.
Next to him stood a haughty, well-dressed student, and in front of them was a thin but resolute figure shielding a cowering child.
Ilene recognized the child—it was one from the orphanage.
It was Sydney.
She wasn’t wearing her nun’s habit, but instead a simple, clean white blouse and gray skirt.
Her strawberry-blonde hair and amber eyes made Ilene freeze for a moment…
The girl looked so pure, as if she didn’t belong to this world.
“Respected Principal, it’s true my duty is to protect the books.
But the Lord’s judgment is always fair.
No one should be punished for a crime they didn’t commit.”
“There is no Lord here.
Get lost.”
The arrogant student raised a middle finger at Sydney, spitting viciously.
The situation was obvious.
A rich kid had damaged a book and pinned it on an orphan.
For the rich, it was just to avoid hassle.
For orphans, it was a debt that could ruin them.
Rebe would never tolerate someone failing to pay.
Around them, a crowd of students had gathered, eager to watch.
“You.
Didn’t you agree that if the books were damaged and no culprit found, you’d take responsibility?
There’s no surveillance here.
You claim it was this student, but you have no proof.
The loss is due to your poor oversight.”
Leighton’s disgusting, bureaucratic tone continued.
And now he wanted Sydney in his office?
Ilene didn’t need to think twice—nothing good would come of that.
“…I… I…”
Sydney looked pure, but deep in her eyes Ilene saw fear.
Even a nun understood what would likely happen if she stayed alone after school with such a man.
“Or would you rather explain to your family that you made a mistake on your first day here and were sent home?
You know the rules.”
Leighton narrowed his eyes, calm and unhurried.
His voice made Ilene’s chest boil with irritation.
Sydney’s eyes were brimming with tears.
It was deliberate.
Not only did this give rich kids free rein, it also let him get close to Sydney.
That perverted old man would never let her go.
You filthy insect!
Breathing was a waste of air for trash like him!
Ilene took a deep breath, set one milk tea on the ground, tossed the other lightly in her hand, and raised her voice.
“Hey! You there—move!”
Instantly, all eyes turned to her.
Sydney’s eyes widened, mouthing leave this place, but Ilene only scowled, shaking the milk tea in her hand as she strode forward.
“Are you all deaf?!
Get out of the way, you gawkers!”
Her tone carried a sharp, impatient edge no student should have.
The group instinctively scattered, revealing Leighton, who frowned and turned toward her.
“Student, what are you doing here? This place is not—”
“Shut the hell up!”
BANG!
The milk tea flew from Ilene’s hand.
Sticky, icy liquid mixed with black pearls splattered squarely across Leighton’s pretentious face.
SPLAT!
In an instant, the thick tea streamed down his waxed hair, dripping into his gaping mouth, making him choke.
More spilled across his cheeks and jaw, soaking his neatly pressed suit.
The cup itself, thrown with force, struck his forehead dead-on, leaving a red, circular mark that began to swell.
Time froze.
The library went silent except for Leighton’s sputtering coughs and the drip of tea hitting the floor.
Everyone stared, mouths hanging open.
The arrogant rich student went pale and stumbled back two steps.
Some braver students even burst out laughing.
Sydney was stunned, hand over her mouth.
Her amber eyes reflected the principal’s pitiful state, even her fear forgotten.
“Ugh—cough, cough, cough!”
Leighton gagged, trying to spit out pearls and syrup, only smearing himself further.
His face twisted with shock, humiliation, and rage, stripped of all his fake refinement.
“Y-you!”
His body trembled violently, a sticky finger pointing at Ilene, his voice breaking in fury and shame.
“You dare assault the principal?!
Rebellion! Outrage!
Guards! Where are the guards?!”
He roared, spittle and tea flying, but of course security couldn’t appear instantly in the library.
Ilene only looked at him coldly, stepping closer, her words sharp as knives.
“What? Want me to hit you again?”
Leighton nearly exploded on the spot.
He wanted to lunge at her, but the syrupy mess under his shoes made him stumble.
Even moving risked a fall.
Around him, whispers pierced like needles, and muffled laughter fanned his rage.
His carefully maintained dignity crumbled in an instant, destroyed by one milk tea.
And he knew it.
If he lost control now—argued, fought with a student—it would be over.
His reputation in the school, even the whole community, would be finished.
He had to hold onto a shred of dignity.
“Fine. Very fine. Ilene, was it?”
His voice was hoarse, strangled with suppressed fury, each word squeezed from between his teeth.
“Openly assaulting a teacher, damaging school property… I’ll remember this.
Stay after class today, or you won’t be a student here anymore!”
He turned his glare on the stunned rich kid and the terrified orphan.
“And you two! The book damage will still be investigated.
Everyone will be held responsible!”
He couldn’t stay a moment longer.
Afraid he’d snap, he spun around.
His sticky shoes squeaked absurdly as he staggered out the door, leaving behind a trail of spilled tea.
The rich student scrambled after him.
The crowd quickly dispersed too, not daring to linger.
Inside, silence returned.
Then came gasps and murmurs.
All eyes fixed on Ilene, who stood calmly, even bored, dusting off her hands.