Chapter 3

Friday.

The academy held a “New Moon Forum” in the central plaza every Friday at noon.

Any student could get on stage and speak.

I planned to use it to clear my name.

Of course, when I got to class that morning, a document was waiting on my desk.

An official punishment order, stamped by the Enforcer Council: 【Regarding the Permanent Revocation of All Semester Honors for Student Aurora Vance.】

The reason: Gross misconduct reported by the Enforcer Council.

All honors and resource privileges suspended.

It was dated yesterday.

Scarlett worked faster than a shifting wolf.

I took the document to my advising Elder.

“He’s not even back until tomorrow, and I’m already permanently punished? Does the council have the right to do this without a hearing?”

He paused, a piece of ham halfway to his mouth. “Aurora, the fallout has been severe. The academy is just trying to calm things down. For now… negotiate with the Enforcers. Once Julian gets back and clears this up, I’ll help you appeal.”

When public opinion turned against you, rules were just suggestions.

Power was the only thing that mattered.

At noon, I went to the central plaza to sign up.

Unsurprisingly, Scarlett had already tampered with the New Moon Forum’s application form.

My name was crossed out in thick, red ink.

A note beside it read: Student currently under investigation for misconduct.

Public speaking privileges suspended.

I stood at the edge of the plaza, watching Scarlett give a keynote speech from the stage.

“We must have the courage to say no to unwanted advances. Every wolf has the right to refuse harassment and blackmail. Of course, we must also give our peers a chance to repent. I hope certain people will reflect on their actions and stop trying to take shortcuts.”

Her eyes locked onto mine.

Two thousand students followed her gaze, their heads turning in unison to stare at me.

The sun was bright, but I felt like I was nailed to a pillory.

Amelia tugged on my sleeve. “Let’s go. She’s doing this on purpose.”

I pulled away. “Take a picture for me,” I said, pointing at the sign-up sheet. “The one with my name crossed out.”

Amelia took it and sent it to me.

I saved the photo and headed for the academy archives.

The archivist told me that revoking honors required a full vote from the Elders' Council.

They hadn't even met yesterday.

“The academy said they’ll hold a meeting next Monday to retroactively approve the decision. Act now, file paperwork later. It’s a special circumstance.”

A special circumstance.

Translation: We’ll crush you now and make up the reasons later.

As I left the archives, Clara appeared out of nowhere.

Again.

She handed me a printed apology letter. “Scarlett said if you post this online tonight, she’ll have the punishment order revoked.”

I took it and scanned the words.

【I admit to harassing Julian Valerius. I admit to blackmail. I deeply regret ruining his reputation.】

I folded the paper and put it in my pocket.

My voice dropped to absolute zero. “Nice writing. Very creative. I’ll keep it as a souvenir. But I won’t admit to a single thing I didn't do.”

Clara’s face went white.

She snatched out her phone and typed furiously.

Ten seconds later, a public message from Scarlett popped up on her screen.

I saw it clearly.

The malice was undisguised.

【Then don’t blame me for what happens next. When Julian gets back tomorrow, I’ll have him tell the entire academy that he doesn’t even know a pathetic liar like you.】

I stared at the words for three long seconds.

Doesn't know me?

If he dares say he doesn’t know me tomorrow, I’m making an emergency call to our grandmother.

We’ll see who dies of social humiliation first.

Him, or the guy who gets his hide tanned by the Luna herself.