Rot at the Core: Corruption Among the Worst Class and Their Degenerate Homeroom Teacher—A Stark Portrait of St. Eliria's Decline
[Class rankings were created to uphold St. Eliria's prestige—Class A as the ideal, and Class F as the warning. So why does it look like the roles have been reversed?
[Class F, rather than reflecting on their disgrace, seem to revel in illegal drinks and the unearned freedom of reckless youth.
[Worse still—their Professor doesn't discipline them. He indulges right alongside them.
[Will the academy turn a blind eye to this depravity? Will the Dean and faculty remain silent as these misfits drag St. Eliria's name through the mud?
[Where is justice?]
Lucien folded the paper. Morning reading was over.
The coffee still tasted vile. He drank anyway, then stepped out to face the day.
The hallway echoed with sharp whispers.
"Is that really him?"
"What was he thinking?"
"Incompetence is one thing, but corrupting his students?"
"Does he even deserve to be called a professor?"
When he entered the classroom, Lucien raised a brow. All students in Class 1-F were already seated, eyes fixed on him.
Well—every present student. He could see that three seats still empty.
He took a breath. The atmosphere was denser than it had been even on his first day.
"I hope there won't be any more surprises this morning. My spare coat's still at the cleaners."
No one replied. A few turned away stiffly.
Lucien shrugged. "Then, as scheduled, today we'll begin with—"
"Don't you have anything to say about the article those wannabe journalists wrote, Professor?" Reed Corval's deep voice cut through the air.
"Should I?"
"Were you actually there?" Selena Linhardt's arms were crossed.
Lucien offered no answer.
"Why didn't you stop us?" Vin Almeris demanded.
"Would you have listened?"
That question silenced the room.
"Annales Arcanae may be known for explosive stories, but they're also infamous for sensationalist headlines," Lucien said as he opened his textbook. "The academy will respond accordingly. Slander is still slander, after all. Let them talk."
"But still…" Reed muttered, fists clenched. "This reeks of Bellvace. The coward hasn't shown his face today. I wouldn't be surprised if he's the one writing that crap."
"Oh please, this has Crowne written all over it," Selena snapped. "She's always looked at us like something she stepped on."
Vin stood. "Don't you dare speak about Lady Althea like that! She's never abandoned us. She'd never betray us."
"Can you say the same about Rhea Calven?" Selena pointed at one of the empty desks. "Quit pretending, Almeris. Everyone only followed that bitch because of her last name. But after what she did, why keep playing loyal dogs?"
Clarisse stepped in, nervous. "G-guys, let's calm d—"
"HAHAHAHA."
Lucien's laughter shut the class down.
"My, my. What a show you've put on. And before lunch, no less." He clapped lazily.
Selena's voice sharpened. "What, is this funny to you? Or are you working with that bitch too?"
Lucien smiled. "Ms. Linhardt, I believe I finally understand why you've been in this class."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Lucien stepped forward, his full figure framed at the front of the room.
"I'm not here to judge your choices. Not yesterday. Not today. Not ever. You're old enough to know what's right, what's not. But…
"…don't you think you're being just a bit childish?"
"Then tell us, Professor. Would you stay silent if someone spreads your disgrace?" Reed challenged.
"Were you trying to hide it in the first place, though?"
Reed flinched and looked away.
"Exactly." Lucien shrugged. "If you thought this would stay buried, you're more naive than I thought."
Some students looked ready to argue, but Lucien cut them off.
"You want my reaction? Fine. I don't give a damn. Everyone screws up. It happened. Now it's public. Pointing fingers won't change that."
A pause. Then Selena, voice shaking, asked, "So what? You want us to just sit here and pretend it never happened?"
"When did I ever tell you to be cowards?"
She blinked. Others scowled in confusion. Lucien picked up the marker and eraser.
He erased Have a Nice Day from the board.
"Making mistakes is one thing. But in this world, even the worst scum gets to stay—if they're valuable. If they have numbers."
He replaced it with a new message:
Monthly Evaluation.
"So get those numbers…
"… and be a scum who's worth something."