Chapter 23: A Seat No One Claimed

While the students were busy gossiping, Peter walked down the hallway and stopped in front of a door marked "Principal's Office."

He straightened his clothes, adjusted his collar, and knocked politely before stepping in.

Inside, Rick was savoring a cup of tea, relaxed as ever.

"What a pleasant surprise—Sir Peter, visiting me at this hour?" Rick said, placing his cup on the cupboard with a raised brow. "If I recall correctly, shouldn't you be in class right now?"

Peter offered a faint smile as he walked over to the table, sitting down only after Rick gestured for him to do so.

"Yes, sir. I was supposed to be in Section-A… but a few things came up. I'm here because I need some information," he replied calmly.

Rick leaned back slightly, curious.

"Oh? Must be important. I can't imagine anything less getting you to skip class and come looking for me. Tea?"

He gestured toward the kettle sitting beside his worktable.

"No, thank you, sir," Peter said, shaking his head. "I came to ask about a student. Specifically, the new transfer who just enrolled today."

Rick froze mid-reach. For a moment, a child's face flickered in his mind.

"So? What about him? Did something happen?" he asked, tone neutral but cautious. "Has he misbehaved?"

"No, not at all," Peter replied. "I just wanted to know why he was placed in Section-A. A few days ago, you mentioned the section was full. That even the wealthiest families couldn't get their children in—yet now, suddenly, a new student appears without any prior notice."

His tone was calm, but the suspicion was evident.

Rick's lips curled into a faint smile, his fingers tapping the table once.

"Mr. Peter, some things are better left unasked. But fine. I'll repeat what I've already prepared for situations like this—Evan, the student in question, had been previously enrolled but was unable to attend due to… personal circumstances. Now that those are resolved, he's simply claiming the seat that was always his."

He took a slow breath, eyes cool.

"Every section has a strict seat limit. Odd, isn't it? That one seat in Section-A remained vacant all this time. I never filled it—not for scholars, not for VIPs. And you should know better than anyone: once full, no one gets in."

Peter frowned slightly but remained quiet.

"Now, if that's all, I believe your class is waiting," Rick said, giving the perfect polite dismissal.

But Peter wasn't done. He hesitated. Then—

"One last question, sir," he said, voice more serious now. "After that, I'll leave—even if I don't get an answer."

Rick sighed internally, preparing another well-crafted lie.

"A few weeks ago," Peter continued, "a well-known businessman came here, offering all sorts of incentives just to get his child into Section-A. You rejected him without a second thought. So why now? Why Evan? I doubt his parents offered more."

It was a bold statement—one that could've earned him disciplinary action. But Peter stood by it.

Silence lingered. A full minute passed.

Then Rick, head slightly bowed, finally spoke.

"Alright… If you really want to know, then I'll be honest. Evan is neither wealthy nor poor. His admission wasn't a result of money or influence. That seat was always his. I never offered it to anyone else for a reason."

He looked Peter straight in the eye.

"He deserved it. I didn't want to demote him just because of things beyond his control. You know how things work here—once a section is full, not even a genius gets in. I merely upheld that rule."

Peter stiffened, then slowly stood up. He bowed deeply.

"I apologize, sir. It was wrong of me to imply anything else. I doubted your integrity, and I hope you can forgive me."

Rick waved it off, expression unreadable.

"Return to class, Peter. You've done enough for today."

After Peter left, Rick slumped back into his chair with a groan.

"God, spinning tales of justice is exhausting… Can't believe he actually bought it," he muttered.

A knock at the door snapped him back into professional mode.

Meanwhile, Peter made his way back to his classroom.

"Wait a second…"

Realization dawned.

"Those brats tricked me into thinking the test was canceled!"

His brows twitched.

"Tch. They're not getting away with it."

Just as he reached the door, the bell rang—signaling the end of the period.

"Yayyyy," the students whispered under their breath, celebrating their narrow escape.

Peter's smile twitched.

"Think you've gotten away? Dream on."

He clapped once, grabbing everyone's attention.

"Tomorrow, you'll all take the test—without any extra time to revise. Prepare for an extra session. And you!" he pointed at Evan, who stood up instinctively. "The new guy."

Evan blinked.

"I've already been informed about you. Just because today's your first day doesn't mean you get special treatment. You'll need to work twice as hard to catch up. Go through the first few chapters of Math and let me know if you have any doubts. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Evan replied quickly, nodding.

"Good. Now then—class dismissed. And remember… no mercy tomorrow."

With that, he walked out, coat fluttering behind him like a battle flag.

The students slumped into their chairs, a mix of despair and relief painted across their faces.

They had avoided the storm today—but tomorrow was coming.

To be continued...