Legendary Rod

Bay Institute

The students anxiously sat in their seats, waiting for the most terrifying teacher they have come across in their entire high school life. Some say they were lucky to be assigned to her, for she was a living legend and had received awards far more than your fingers and toes combined.

Today is their last day with her, and even so, the class was marked with terror, praying to the gods to spare them from their teacher's wrath… and rod.

"Good morning, Teacher!"

The class stood up in unison when a small lady in her sixties entered the room. She had monolid eyes, perfectly defined eyebrows all thanks to her ever-reliable brown eyebrow pencil, and a faint rose lip tint to color her ghostly pale face.

Despite her age, she walked with her back straight and with a steady gait too. She didn't want to report today and just laze around in the faculty room because today was retirement; however, she wanted to savor her class on her record. She taught for four decades non-stop, after her husband died, which only added more terrifying charm to her.

The moment she entered the room, she went straight to the teacher's table and scanned the four corners, looking for her favorite student and sighed when she found an empty seat. Tapping her wooden meter stick on the table, the students sat at attention.

"Since today is our last day, I want you to write your name in brush and strokes using calligraphy and a Chinese proverb that you want to live by."

The students started rummaging their bags but one sat frozen in his seat. Out of all the days to forget his calligraphy set, why did he forget to bring one today?

He looked beside him, seeking refuge from his childhood friend. "Yow, Four-Eyes!" he whispered, yet the guy did not even budge. Four-Eyes knew his friend was in trouble, and today is the perfect day for a payback. The troubled student growled at his friend when he realized he paid his karma today, automatically shifting his face to his left now, where his other neighbor sat. "Hey… Zoweeeh" He kicked his friend's seat then continued, "Have an extra brush?" His big palm went under the table and he motioned for her to give it to him quickly.

However, he was too lanky that he could attract attention even from outside the room. The next thing he heard was a small cough followed by a shadow cast over him. He moved his sight and saw a tiny lady stand tall before him. The corner of her eyeglasses glinting against the light from the ceiling and the smirk on her face made her more frightening than she already was.

"Wan Ruiyan! It's you again??"

Grant knew he was in deep sh*t upon hearing their teacher had called his name. As she tapped her legendary rod on his desk, his scalp started to sweat profusely that it dripped on both of his temples and his forehead too.

"Sai Xinyu, let him borrow a brush," the teacher said before walking back to her podium. Grant let out a sigh of relief after he heard the magical words, it was like sprinkled glitter and confetti in his ears. However, his fantasy was cut short after he heard the teacher continue to speak, "Wan Ruiyan, you have five minutes to finish your work."

Jenny arrived late for school but leisurely walked inside the campus, taking her time to breathe in the quietness of Bay Institute except for the muffled sounds coming from the classroom windows where classes were ongoing. She plucked a leaf from the yellow and green bush shrub that lined on both sides of a cemented pathway that led to the school's main entrance and inhaled its earthy scent. The realization hit her like tiny needles prickling her heart that her days at this place were ending soon.

Another thing to be sad about was her favorite teacher's retirement day. She turned left at a corner and her brows furrowed when she saw Grant kneeling with his arms stretched out outside their classroom. She walked in a fairy-like manner and saw a thin brush balancing on Grant's outstretched, palm-down hands.

She giggled at the shaking figure and felt no pity at him at all. The Giant eyed her and stuck a tongue out to make himself feel better but the girl bumped his shoulder with her hips. The brush made a soft thud sound as it rolled off to the other side of the hallway. The teacher snapped her head to the door's direction, but instead of fury, she felt elated to see Jenny.

"Teacher!!!"

"Huang Qingche!"

The reunion of the master and student relieved the class from their agony and they thanked the gods for their sunny classmate and savior.

Edited by Swaning