The Rebirth of Evelyn Knox

Rufus and his friends could only grit their teeth and leave for the rear most twentieth compartment. They did not bother hiding their animosity for the ash blonde girl anymore, since she had already gone overboard with punishing them anyway.

Cecilia seemed to relish in their expressions full of depression and hate.

"Oh, and if I hear any 'incident' happening anywhere even near that area, I'll know who it is. Trust me, I'll be very, very happy to show you what the difference is between this community service and a real punishment, alright?"

The bunch of boys wanted to curse and throw a tantrum, but that might end up giving the obviously evil prefect another excuse to punish them, so they could only grumble amongst themselves and leave.

The commoners and Aeron avoided her line of sight as she returned, but Cecilia didn't seem to bother with their presence anyway and headed straight for the seat by Evelyn's side.

"So, how was it?"

Evelyn smiled. "Their punishment? I'd say it was fair. Not too extreme, but not lenient either."

The older girl didn't look satisfied with her friend's response.

"Awww, I thought you'd be happy? Should I go drag them back?"

The pink haired girl giggled. "Honestly? I am happy."

Cecilia patted her chest. "That's good."

The pink haired girl smiled. "It's not because they got punished, though, but because you stood up for me. This won't cause you any trouble, right?"

The ash blonde couldn't help but pout. "Aw, Evelyn, don't mind such little things between us! You're my best friend, after all."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "You didn't answer my question. Will this cause you trouble?"

Cecilia hummed, as if thinking about it carefully.

"Honestly, I'm not completely sure, but probably not. Although you should be careful of anyone from the Terrazyme kingdom while here. That Rufus guy is nothing, but not everyone at the academy is a small fry like him, especially in higher years."

The pink haired girl nodded.

Cecilia's curious eyes settled on the purring little golden pup on Evelyn's lap.

"When did you get this little puppy, by the way? Last I remembered, you had… a pink fox, hm, that one's sleeping in your arms, a red fat hamster, hm, that one is growling at me across the table, and… that's it, right?"

Evelyn burst into giggles, while Amara was trying to prevent her little sister from jumping across the table to bite Cecilia's face clean off.

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As Rufus and his friends got away from Cecilia and into the fourteenth compartment they had been staying in, the others turned to look at the group of boys who had obviously left quite proudly but came back with their tails tucked between their legs.

"Yo, why do you guys look like you got a scolding from your grandma?"

Although the boy who made the inquiry didn't hide the mockery in his tone at all, Rufus didn't dare appear as anything but respectful.

"P-Prince Craig. There's a Lavinian prefect in that compartment, and she showed blatant favoritism and punished us! Please, you have to avenge us, for the honor of the Terrans!"

Craig burst into boisterous laughter.

"Ahahah, that's hilarious! Didn't you guys go by yourselves to have some fun? Did I order you to go? Why should I cover your asses if they caught fire while trying to fart into a fireplace? I say you deserved it. So, fuck off before my mood dips."

As Rufus and his group hurried away into the next compartment, their faces pale, the smile from Prince Craig's face faded.

"Hold on. What was your punishment?"

Rufus's face turned red from shame. Doesn't that mean now all of his classmates and countrymen will now know of it too? But he could only reiterate dutifully, as it was an order from the prince.

"We're forced to clean the commoner toilets for the entire duration of the expedition, your highness."

The serious expression on the prince's face once again turned to a mocking grin.

"A fitting punishment. Clean your character while you're cleaning the toilets, Rufus. Instead of always thinking about petty things, you should use your time at the academy to improve yourself to the fullest, and contribute well to the kingdom!"

The dark skinned boy's eyes were red, but he could only nod, not even daring to make a reluctant expression. His Stonehardt family was one of the branches of the royal family. And the difference in status between a side branch eldest son and the crown prince was just too big.

"I-I understand, your highness."

"Good. As your companions were dragged into this by you, they shall stay while you serve their part of the punishment as well, understand?"

Rufus could feel his teeth groaning as he almost broke them while clenching his jaw. Today was really the most humiliating day of his life! His reputation was completely tarnished, not just in front of the Lavinians, but also in front of the Terrans!

"As you wish, your highness."

The children who had been previously following Rufus bid him 'sympathetic' farewells, but everyone knew they were feeling jovial in their hearts.

"Take care, Lord Rufus."

"Lord Rufus, this is a tribulation! You must hone yourself well."

"The Prince is wise, he sees opportunity for Lord Rufus even in this difficulty, you must not let his wisdom go to waste!"

Rufus glared at his 'friends', making a mental note to never associate with them ever again as he dragged his feet towards the toilets.

Craig turned his sight to the boy next to him once Rufus left and everyone settled down. In contrast to the seven and eight year old children filling the rest of the compartment, it was clear that these two boys were much older.

"Hey, Stanley, how many prefects are there aside from us in this expedition? How come there is someone in compartment thirteen when you're here with me?"

Another thing that stuck out to him as odd was how that idiot Rufus had mentioned a 'Lavinian Prefect', but there was obviously no such thing in the academy.

As there had been no outstanding Lavinian students in the academy from year three onwards, which was a basic requirement to becoming a prefect, the fifth prefect position had gone to his fellow Terran, Stanley.

It was an embarrassing situation for the Lavinian empire, but perhaps they were lucky that as soon as the next session starts, that girl from year two will be promoted, and they'll finally have a prefect again as well.

It was unfortunate that Stanley would lose his position so soon, but once Craig graduated, it would be back in his hands before long.

"Milord, as far as I'm aware, there shouldn't be anyone in there. Shall I go check it out?"

The prince shook his head. "No need. It doesn't really matter, anyway. Just a petty squabble, doesn't matter who punished those kids. Besides, it's disgraceful to bring dishonor to our kingdom like this, so they deserved whatever punishment they got."

Of course, it wasn't the provocation that irked him, but their complete and utter failure.

"When you go to humiliate someone in the name of the Terrans, there should be no reason to come back humiliated instead. Either you don't go in the first place, or don't come back. As for those who dare humiliate the Terrans... well, they shall soon know what it means to suffer the wrath of the rock!"

Stanley bowed with a smile.

"Spoken like a true Terran, my Prince."