The Principal’s Offer

A strange competitive spirit stirred within him. Yali’s former brother, despite his arduous circumstances, had managed to support Yali to the very doorstep of university. How could he, a dignified God-chosen, allow himself to be outdone?

“Now we’re going to register. I’ll be your guardian!”

Before Yali could voice another objection, Yodel swiftly returned home to gather all necessary documentation, then hurried back to the university. Within a mere few hours, he had completed all the enrollment procedures.

As for the tuition fees, Yodel did not bat an eye. No matter how dire their circumstances, education was not something to be scrimped on. Moreover, Yodel’s family was far from poor now.

As the sun began to set and dusk drew near, all the admission formalities were finally complete, with only the start of classes a week away remaining.

With their tasks concluded, the siblings found themselves in no hurry to return home. They settled onto the stone steps of a flowerbed by the university gate to rest. Yali squinted contentedly, savoring her ice cream with small, delicate licks. Her slender calves swayed gently beneath the hem of her skirt. Yodel offered his shoulder as a makeshift pillow. This idyllic scene stood in stark contrast to the throngs of people in business suits passing by.

“Can the people outside really take good care of Brother?” Yali asked, still a little worried.

“I’m not incapable of taking care of myself. Your brother, I’m an adult now.”

Her flaxen hair brushed lightly against Yodel’s arm as Yali whispered, “Adults still leave their clothes everywhere and fold their blankets haphazardly…”

“Ah, haha, I’ve given you too much trouble…”

Yali was so endearing and capable. Anyone would find it easy to spoil her, and just as easy to be utterly spoiled by her in return.

Just then, a languid female voice cut through the siblings’ tender moment.

“Are you Miss Yali Miller? Come with me, the principal wishes to see you.”

Both siblings looked up. The speaker was a woman dressed in professional attire. Her figure was voluptuous, and her face was adorned with rather heavy makeup.

Having uttered only that single sentence, the woman turned on her heel and departed, without even glancing back to see if the siblings were following.

This disrespectful demeanor immediately irritated Yodel. However, knowing it concerned Yali, he decided to take his sister and follow.

“Um, may I ask what the principal wants to see me about?” Yali asked timidly.

Without turning her head, the woman’s tone was sharp and unfriendly: “Why ask so many questions? You’ll know when we get there.”

“Mmm…” Yali instinctively shrank behind Yodel, falling silent.

‘Is this person missing a few screws?’ Yodel mused to himself. ‘We haven’t provoked you in any way, so what’s with this dismissive attitude? Once Yali’s affairs are settled, I’ll definitely have a serious talk with her.’

After approximately a ten-minute walk, they finally stood before the principal of this kingdom’s top university.

The moment Yodel laid eyes on the elderly principal, the name Dumbledore immediately sprang to mind.

The resemblance was uncanny. His long, grizzled beard and shoulder-length silver-white hair. These white locks were meticulously parted in the middle, forming a remarkably neat hairstyle. His eyes, a piercing azure, held a gaze that was both sharp and remarkably bright.

His demeanor towards Yali, however, was a stark contrast to that of the woman who had led them.

“This must be Miss Miller, I presume? And is this gentleman beside you your brother?”

The old principal’s clear, sharp eyes softened noticeably when they landed on Yali. Indeed, upon noticing Yali’s apparent nervousness, his gaze grew even gentler, resembling that of a benevolent grandfather watching his beloved granddaughter.

“I am Abbas Heliq, the principal of Leicester University.”

He rose from his office chair, bending slightly to shake Yali’s hand.

Yodel noticed the woman who had guided them distinctly register her displeasure, a clear frown marring her face as the principal adopted such a deferential posture to greet Yali.

Yali, however, remained oblivious to this subtle display. Principal Heliq’s kind demeanor significantly eased her tension, though she still retained a certain degree of shyness.

“Um… may I ask what the principal wants with me?”

“Oh, I merely wished to meet the top-ranking freshman from each faculty in this year’s entrance examinations. Miss Miller, it brings me great pleasure to inform you that you achieved the highest score in the History Department. We have prepared a scholarship specifically for you.”

Having concluded the handshake, Principal Heliq waved his hand vaguely in the air, and a chair beside his desk glided out automatically.

“Please be seated, Miss Miller, and the other two as well.”

“Beyond informing you about the scholarship, we also wish to understand more about Miss Miller’s background. This includes details such as your high school academic performance and current physical health, all so that we may ensure a comfortable learning environment for you.”

Yodel felt a pang of confusion. While Leicester University’s willingness to grant Yali special consideration was undoubtedly a good thing, he firmly believed that good fortune rarely fell from the sky without reason. This unprompted benevolence stirred a sense of caution within him.

To his surprise, however, Principal Heliq preemptively offered an explanation for everything:

“Haha, Miss Miller, your expression is precisely the same as that of the preceding top students. You are undoubtedly wondering why I place such emphasis on the top-ranking student from each faculty.

“In fact, as you may have heard, while Leicester University boasts a long and distinguished history, along with formidable resources, it has, for a long time, exclusively admitted students from noble and royal families.

“It is my firm belief that, if this trend were to continue, Leicester would inevitably fall into a state of stagnation and self-imposed isolation. Therefore, I am determined to enact reforms and open our doors to commoners.

“However, encountering resistance is, regrettably, the inherent fate of any reform…”

As he spoke these words, Abbas Heliq cast a fleeting glance, out of the corner of his eye, at the unpleasant woman who had led them. The meaning in his gaze was unmistakable, stopping just short of explicitly naming her.

“Therefore, to garner public support for these reforms, I hope to cultivate a group of exemplary students from among the commoner intake. They would serve as the public face of the reformist movement.

“Miss Miller, your talent is evident for all to see. Might I inquire if you would be willing to lend me your assistance?”

Faced with the principal’s sudden offer, Yali was visibly taken aback, her gaze seeking help from Yodel.

“Cough, cough. Thank you very much, Principal Sir. We will certainly give your proposal serious consideration, but might my sister be granted some time to think it over?”

“Of course, that is perfectly acceptable. And even if Miss Miller declines, the benefits already promised will not be rescinded.”

The elderly principal nodded with a benevolent smile. Yodel returned his friendly smile.

This Dumbledore-like elder had left a profoundly positive impression on Yodel. With such a principal at the helm, Yali’s university life should undoubtedly be both stable and joyful.

Next came a series of other questions pertaining directly to Yali. The old man and the young woman engaged in a pleasant exchange of questions and answers, and the atmosphere in the principal’s office grew increasingly warm and harmonious.

Finally, the conversation turned to Yali’s family situation. As the elderly principal reviewed Yali’s family records, his brow furrowed, as if he had discovered something unexpected.

Consequently, the principal skipped an entire page of questions concerning family members, and instead began inquiring about Yali’s physical health.

However, an unexpected interruption occurred.

That languid female voice, once again, echoed through the room:

“Principal Sir, it appears you’ve overlooked a page of questions, specifically the section regarding Yali’s family members.”