Apology

The white moonlight shone down upon the flowers in the garden. Coupled with the constant sound of insects and chirps from the sleeping birds, the view looks very serene. With the artificial bright light, the beauty of the garden was presented to view.

Two figures, both male and female walked down the garden path all the way to the bench under a tree. The two sat on the bench, their gaze admiring the beautiful flowers in the garden.

After a moment of silence, Ian turned to looked at his mother and asked, "Mother, do you have something to say to me?"

A smile appeared on the Queen's lips. "The view is nice, isn't it?"

"It's the garden you've perfectly taken care of. Of course, the view must be nice."

Hearing her son compliment, the queen beam in delight. The flowers were like babies to her. However, she had brought her son out here for a reason; not for sightseeing. "Is there something bothering you? During dinner, you seem preoccupied with something. Are you still worried about Roland academy loss in the interschool competition?"

It was now dawn on Ian that his mother must have noticed his unusual state during the dinner. "No, I wasn't. Perhaps, I just need a rest since I've been quite busy as of lately."

The queen has been studying her son expression and was quick to notice his evasive gaze the moment he replied.

"That's right. Why don't you take a week off from any sort of training."

"I guess I will do so."

Since her son didn't want to talk about it, the queen didn't force Ian anymore and agreed to let him go.

Ian slumped onto the bed the moment he arrived inside his bedroom. He stared blankly onto the ceiling. With his mother sharp intuition, Ian knew that she must have detected the oddness in his words.

"Argh, what the hell is wrong with me?" Ian groaned, covering his face with both of his palm. It all started during the final round of the competition, after Colton unexpected question. Her face wouldn't stop appearing in his mind. No, there were two different faces of her. One was the shy face she had when she confessed to him back then, while the other was her presently cold face.

It was like two different individuals with the same face. Ian couldn't help but find himself drawn to her cold face. What could have warrant her to undergo such a huge transformation.

Whenever he recalls her cold expression, his heart would tremble. It wasn't the feeling of likeness. Instead, it comprises of both the feeling of guilt and fear.

As for why he was feeling guilty, he didn't know either. But he decided to trust his instincts. Which is the reason why he had requested for Xue Yiran contact info. Perhaps to make up for the guilt feeling he had in his heart.

His mind raced with different thoughts before he finally fell asleep.

___

~Hermes academy~

The moment Xue Yiran arrived at the school premises; all eyes were glued to her. Although there was no video feed revealing the content of the match, the students who were opportune to be among the chosen participants had already disclosed the content of the match to the other students.

As a result, there was a lot of discussion going on the school forum. The contents of the gossip were focused on both Xue Yiran and Aviva respectively. But the topic on Xue Yiran seems to cover the headline.

One of the main gossips was the fact that she has a B rank beast king as contract beast. A beast king! How could a tiny person like her have a contract with a beast king.

"That's Xue Yiran. She's the owner of a B rank beast king." One of the students pointed, immediately Xue Yiran was sighted.

"Wow, who would have thought that she was so strong. I hope I haven't done anything to offend her."

"During the final match, I heard that she was able to knocked out the crown prince out of the stage. It was a very intense moment."

"Hey, stop trying to spread some fake rumor. The crown prince didn't even participate in the tournament at all. The one who fought against Xue Yiran in the last round is the crown prince close friend, Colton."

"What's the difference between the crown prince and his close friend. They are all the same."

"Then do you want to tell me that a strawberry flavored nutrient solution and a strawberry flavored yogurt are the same."

"Of course not! Who the hell would want to taste such a bland solution."

"That's right. No one would want to taste such bland stuff. Therefore, the difference between Colton and the crown prince is the same as those two products."

"Oh, so you mean to say that Colton is the nutrient solution while the crown prince is the yoghurt. That's some point you have there."

"Now that our academy is at the top position, we can finally raise our head up high in the midst of those prestigious academies. And if they are not satisfied with the results, then they can go on a second round of fight with us. Ha-ha-ha."

Xue Yiran shook her head when those words fell into her ears. However, before she could get to her class, she was called to the principal office.

"Ms. Xue." The moment Xue Yiran entered the office, the principal stood up and greeted.

"Hello." Xue Yiran bowed slightly in greetings. Looking around, she found that she wasn't the only one in the room.

Seated in front of the principal desk, is a middle-aged man and woman respectively. Standing beside them is a female student who was also wearing the Hermes academy uniform.

Their eyes met, but the female student immediately evaded Xue Yiran gaze and lowered her head.

The female student was none other than Aviva, who had also been called to the principal office. The two people seated before the principal were her parent.

"This is Ms. Xue." The principal introduced Xue Yiran to Aviva parent.

"Hello." Xue Yiran greeted and the two responded with a slight nod.

"This is Mr. and Mrs. Sines. They are here to apologize for Aviva wrongs towards you." The principal said.

"I apologize for my daughter offence towards you. I understand that she might have gone too far with her behavior, but I really hope you can find it in your heart to forgive her." Aviva mother expressed. However, from her facial expression, she didn't look like a mother who was sad about her daughter misconduct.

That was right. As a wealthy housewife, there was no way Aviva mother would have come to the academy to apologize to a student. As for her daughter actions, to her, it was just a battle of the fittest. If Xue Yiran was to lose her life in the process, then she could only blame herself for being weak.

However, the two couple had been forced to come over or else, their daughter's evil deed would be publicized out for the whole citizens to see. Isn't that the same as ruining their own reputation.

Although Aviva isn't Mrs. Sines only child, but if such act about their daughter was to get out, their company reputation would instantly plummet. This isn't what they want to see.

"It's okay." Xue Yiran didn't care about whether their apology was sincere or not.

"Here's a cheque of twenty million." Two voice simultaneously butted in disbelief the moment Aviva father spoke.

"Hubby."

"Dad." Aviva and her mother both look at the man who was holding a paper slip in his hand.

Giving twenty million to a student. Aviva mother was very dissatisfied with her husband action. How could he give her such a huge amount of money. Although such amount didn't hold a bit to their mass fortune, but she wasn't happy about it.

Aviva expression didn't look too good either. Why would her father give Xue Yiran money? She is about to leave the academy, all due to her. Yet, her father was offering her money.

The principal on the other hand was silent, as there was no place for him to butt in.

Seeing the paper cheque that was tendered in front of her, Xue Yiran looked at the man who was seated on the chair.

Unlike the potbellies business men everyone has a view of, the man appearance was very goodlooking. He seems to be a person who cares a lot about his appearance, as his clothes were properly ironed. There were no flaws in his dressing. From up to down, he exudes an aura of authority. His cold eyes stared at Xue Yiran without any fluctuations in them.

Since someone was offering her money, why would she reject such goodness. Xue Yiran stretched her hand and collected the cheque.

"My only request is for you not to spread any rumor about what happened here. As for the video circulating on the web, I'll do something about it." The man spoke again.

Aviva glared hatefully at Xue Yiran, seeming not learning from her lesson.

"Okay."

"Then, we'll take our leave."

Mrs. Sines still want to persuade her husband to collect the cheque. But seeing that he was leaving, she immediately followed after him. Aviva also left, leaving Xue Yiran and the principal alone in the office.

"Well, as of today. Aviva Sines isn't a student of Hermes academy. I hope this is a befitting punishment that fit what she has done to you, Ms. Xue."

Of course, Aviva wasn't expelled but instead transferred to another academy. However, the principal didn't tell Xue Yiran this.

But how could she not know about this. Xue Yiran didn't blame the principal. In front of the higher calibers, things like rules were of no uses. Aviva's father must have given the principal some benefits. But as for whether he would be able to take down the video circulating on the net or not, that's only if he could find a hacker that is up to par with Susu's abilities.

"Then, I'll take my leave." Xue Yiran tucked the cheque into her pocket under the principal watch and left the office.

Twenty million. That's a twenty million cheque. The principal heart ached seeing such a huge amount of money given away like that.