55 Failure Was Not An Option

[Kate, it's not your fault,] Stella said from within their shared mindscape. [I'm sure that Mama Andrea, and Ciel will understand.]

'Mmm.'

[It's just our bad luck to have a stuck up teacher as a proctor for the exam,] Stella continued. [I hope she gets hit by a truck.]

'Mmm.'

[Are you even listening to me?]

'I am listening.' Kate sighed and looked at the clear blue sky. 'Do you regret helping that boy?

[No.]

'Then there's nothing more to talk about. Although I feel bad about not being able to take the test, I don't regret helping him as well.'

Kate leaned back on the bench she was sitting on. She was currently inside the famous Garden of Saint Claire Academy. Kate and Stella were not aware that this garden was hailed as the most beautiful garden in the country.

The garden was over a kilometer long where a variety of trees and flowers bloom year-round. Right now it was void of people because everyone was busy with the exams.

The subtle floral fragrance in the air and the beautiful scenery helped Kate calm her senses.

'Let's just wait until the exam ends then pick up Chloe. We can always retake the test next year.'

[Next time, we'll arrive an hour early!]

'Mmm. Let's do that.'

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Back in the Edelweiss Building Room 3B…

Cynthia was arranging the test papers of the examinees who had finished answering that section of the exam. The first period was for the English Proficiency Test, followed by Science, and then finally Math. Each test was to be finished an hour after the answer sheets were handed out.

Forty minutes had passed since Kate had left the examination room and wandered into the academy's garden. Cynthia already put the incident at the back of her head and resumed her role as proctor. She didn't feel guilty, because her feelings of guilt had disappeared years ago.

After so many years of handling 'underhanded deals' from the influential families, it was easy to lose one's sense of shame and only think about profits. Cynthia was waiting for the rest of the examinees to finish their test when a knock on the door caught her attention.

'Is it perhaps that girl again?' Cynthia sneered. 'Even if you cry and beg, the answer will still be no.'

Cynthia ignored the knock on the door. And looked idly inside the examination room. To her surprise, the knock didn't stop and instead became louder.

'Are you that desperate?' Cynthia clicked her tongue in irritation. 'Fine, I didn't want to humiliate you but since you want it so badly I'll give you a lesson you will never forget.'

The haughty teacher walked towards the door and opened it. She was ready to give the pretty girl a piece of her mind and make sure that she would remember it for the rest of her life. However, the person standing in front of her was not a little girl, but a man that was at least a foot taller than her.

"Why did it take you too long to answer the door?" Noah said in irritation. "Are you deaf?"

"P-Professor," Cynthia stuttered in her shock. She didn't expect the University Dean to show up in her examination room. "Sorry, I was arranging the answer sheets of those who have finished. I apologize for not answering and opening the door immediately."

Noah narrowed his eyes and looked down on the teacher in front of him. "Come outside, we need to talk."

"Yes, Professor!"

Cynthia closed the door behind her and gazed at the man in front of her. Noah was a tall man. He was 198 centimetres (6.5 ft) and his presence made Cynthia feel that a mountain was pressing down on her shoulders.

"Is there something I can do for you, Professor?" Cynthia calmly asked.

"Is there a girl named Kate Williams taking your class?" Noah didn't bother replying to answer Cynthia's question and instead asked his own. "I want to meet her. Bring her here. NOW."

"Y-Yes!"

Cynthia immediately went inside the classroom and checked the seating arrangement of the examinees. She found the name Kate Williams and looked at the seat assigned to her. It was empty. For some reason, Cynthia felt a chill run down her spine. She didn't want to think of such a possibility. However, after double checking, it was the only vacant seat inside the examination room.

There was no mistake. The girl that she denied entry was the girl the Dean was looking for. Cynthia's face paled and her breathing became ragged. The haughty and confident proctor was now gone. The only thought running through her mind was to find out why the Dean was looking for the girl.

'She couldn't possibly be related to the Dean right?' Cynthia thought in desperation. 'Unless… unless the one who was backing her was the Dean's family?'

When this realization hit her, Cynthia felt that she was about to faint. She unknowingly kicked a steel plate!

'No, it's only a possibility,' Cynthia reassured herself. 'I need to confirm it first.'

Cynthia mustered all the strength inside her body to walk back to where the Dean was waiting for her. She did her best to maintain her composure.

"Professor, the girl is not here."

"What do you mean the girl is not here? Isn't this the Room 3B?"

"It is indeed Room 3B."

"Then where is she?" The Dean asked in irritation. "I was told that she would be taking the exam in this room. Why is she not here?"

"P-Perhaps she didn't come to take the exam?" Cynthia clenched her fist as she lied with a straight face. "It happens every year. Students are not able to take the exam because of tardiness."

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Noah asked. His question was like a threat that shot through Cynthia's heart. It was as if Noah was holding a shotgun pointed at her head. One mistake and her head would explode like a watermelon. "Where. Is. Kate Williams?"

Noah was looking at her with a cold gaze. If looks could kill, then Cynthia would already be dead. She knew that her job and possibly her life were on the line so she didn't dare to hide things anymore.

"Professor, please hear me out."

Cynthia narrated what happened earlier. She was afraid to see the expression on the Dean's face so she talked while looking at the ground. Noah listened patiently without interrupting her explanation. When she was done talking, she waited with baited breath for the fate that would fall upon her head.

Noah slowly lowered his head until his face was mere inches away from her.

"I'll give you thirty minutes," Noah said. "If you don't find her within the allotted time. You can kiss your job goodbye. Also, I'll make sure that you will never be able to land a teaching job for the rest of your life."

Noah said these words slowly, but every word was like a knife stabbing Cynthia on her chest. Her legs felt weak, but she gritted her teeth and remained standing. She didn't dare pass out now. Her future was at stake!

"I'll watch over the examinees. Make sure to return here before the thirty minutes is up," Noah added as he walked inside the examination room. "There are many teachers who can take your place. What made you think that you were so special?"

The door closed and Cynthia felt that she could finally breathe again. Her body shivered as she took a step forward, and then another. There was only one thing on her mind. She needed to find the girl at all costs. Failure was not an option!

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While waiting for the next chapter of YWCMS, feel free to read my other story "Go! Go! Summons!".

[Fantasy Romance, Female Lead, Comedy, Slice of Life, Adventure]

Warning: This story might give you diabetes! You have been warned!