Chapter 204

Once Adele conceived that sly notion, she wouldn't be dissuaded. Exploiting Celia's high fever, she insisted on bringing the matter before the school board, even inciting her classmates to advocate for Celia.

However, the outcome fell short of Adele's expectations. Despite their shared classroom, Celia's former bullying left her peers reluctant to speak on her behalf.

At that moment, Riley and several friends intervened. "Ms. Reese," they stated, "the infirmary nurse said Celia is seriously ill. She nearly fainted."

Emma, silently observing in her uniform, nearly laughed; her mouth twitched uncontrollably. Erza outright laughed aloud. The laughter, jarring in the solemn corridor, was audacious.

Adele, witnessing their callous disregard, fumed. "Celia is gravely ill, and you laugh?" she demanded.

Another of Riley's friends exclaimed, "Are you even human?"

Stepping forward, Riley addressed Erza. "Erza, I know you're unruly, but not bad. Apologize to Celia, and we'll forgive you." Her heart pounded; this was her first initiative to speak to him. Nervous, she hoped this appeal would sway him.

Erza ignored her. "Are you an idiot?"

Riley's expression soured. Adele's fury escalated.

Emma, previously leaning against the window, straightened. "We're physically trained," she stated calmly. "Celia, caught in the rain, nearly fainted. Is she competition-ready? Or was she ill to begin with?"

Adele, recognizing Emma's resolve, seethed. "Celia is sick! How can you be so cold-blooded?"

Emma shook her head. "I'm not cold-blooded." Her boots clicked as she continued, "You all know I own the Grail Hero Emblem. Celia's ill, yet you didn't inform me. You tried to expel us. Ms. Adele, are you concerned for Celia, or that our presence hinders your favored student's ranking?"

Standing before Adele, Emma had exposed her true motives. Adele, taken aback, stammered, "What nonsense?"

Chapter 201

"Ms. Reese, you know my words are true," Emma continued. "I wasn't present this morning, but Erza, Lane, and Rielle don't bully without reason. There are security cameras. If you seek justice for Celia, let's review the footage."

Erza interrupted, startling everyone. "No need," he said coldly. "Consider it assault; expel me."

Lane was shocked. Emma remained silent, observing Erza. Rielle protested, "Erza, it's not true! She threw Lane's phone in the sewer."

Lane echoed, "Erza, why admit to something you didn't do?"

Erza shrugged. "I'm tired." Exhausted from the Krot Competition and disillusioned by Lennon, he was ready to sever ties with Charon Military School.

As Lane worried, an elderly man with a cane approached. "Enough," Jerome declared. Finding the crowded doorway, and hearing Erza's resignation, he was angered.

Addressing Erza, he said, "Whether you remain at Charon Military School, demanding truth is crucial. Charon isn't just a school; you can't leave at will. Leaving means expulsion from Hero Rank; you'll be a deserter."

Silence fell. Hero Rank was sacred. Jerome, having calmed them, gently addressed Emma. "Emma, bring them to my office."

Emma nodded, and they proceeded. Surveillance footage, revealing not only the current incident but also Celia's history of bullying, was quickly retrieved. With Jerome's intervention, order was restored. The infirmary confirmed Celia wasn't seriously ill; she'd taken fever medicine.

Adele's actions, however, severely impacted the school. Jerome suspended her, demanding a public apology for falsely accusing students. He also promised to replace Lane's phone.

Chapter 204 (continued)

Lane and Rielle exchanged happy smiles, surprised and pleased by Jerome's kindness.

"Lane, Rielle, you may leave," Jerome said.

Before they could respond, Erza declared, "Mr. Zahn, thank you for your training. But I'm serious about leaving."

Tension filled the room. Lane and Rielle froze; Rielle urged Erza to stop. But he continued, "I've decided. I'm not interested in politics, and never will be." Lennon's actions had disillusioned him; he was weary of the school.

Jerome's kind expression hardened. Rielle anxiously whispered to Emma, "Miss Wilson, persuade him!"

Emma didn't intervene; she'd anticipated this. Erza's return marked an inexplicable shift. She knew he would leave Charon Military School.