Suspicious Student
As the exam began, Dean Jade Evans strolled leisurely around the classroom, occasionally sitting down to read. Suddenly, she heard a commotion outside the door.
At first, Dean Jade Evans thought it was Jasper Cheng causing trouble again, but to her surprise, it was the academy’s gatekeeper, leading in a well-dressed, affluent-looking middle-aged couple.
The couple didn’t look fierce at all; in fact, they seemed quite friendly, like businesspeople.
Led by the gatekeeper, the couple stood respectfully at the classroom entrance. First, they greeted Dean Jade Evans with a polite nod, then kept glancing at the new students busy with their exam papers, as if searching for someone in particular.
Dean Jade Evans found it rather odd. Just then, she noticed a young student sitting in the third row. When he saw the couple arrive, he looked nervous and lowered his head, desperately trying not to be noticed.
Because of this strange behavior, Dean Jade Evans couldn’t help but glance at the student again. He looked about sixteen or seventeen, with delicate features and rosy lips, but since he kept his head down, his face wasn’t fully visible.
The couple’s gaze finally landed on that odd student. They whispered a few words to the gatekeeper, who quietly approached Lily and murmured, “Dean Jade Evans, those two outside are the parents of a student named Martin Wu. They say it’s urgent and need to see him now.”
Dean Jade Evans responded with a simple “Oh,” realizing it was just a student’s parents visiting.
Most parents know that Valor Academy is a place where etiquette is paramount—they would never act out of turn. This couple clearly knew the proper etiquette, so for them to urgently seek out Martin Wu in the middle of the exam, it must be an extremely pressing matter.
So Dean Jade Evans walked over to Martin Wu, patted his shoulder, and whispered, “You’re Martin Wu, right? Come with me for a moment.”
Martin Wu’s heart skipped a beat, but since Dean Jade Evans called him, he could only follow her out.
Dean Jade Evans led the way, with Martin Wu trailing behind, head down. He wasn’t very tall, about the same height as Dean Jade Evans—average for a man.
Once outside, the couple immediately pulled Martin Wu over and repeatedly bowed to Dean Jade Evans, apologizing. “Dean Jade Evans, we’re terribly sorry. There’s an urgent matter at home and we need to take Martin Wu away. Please forgive us.”
Dean Jade Evans replied, “No problem. If it’s a family emergency, then family comes first. Martin, go home with your parents.”
Martin Wu kept his head down, clearly unwilling to go home. He pleaded softly with his parents, “Dad, Mom, please, let me stay!”
Martin Wu’s father pulled him aside and scolded in a low voice, “Martin, how can you be so unruly! It’s bad enough at home, but now you’re causing trouble at the Valor Academy in the capital! Come home with us before you embarrass the whole family!”
Martin Wu stubbornly lifted his chin. “I’m not going back! I earned my place at the Valor Academy through the selection exam—this is my own achievement, it’s something to be proud of! I fought through every round and passed the final interview. I won’t give up!”
His mother, her face full of worry, exclaimed, “Why are you so stubborn! You’re already seventeen—stop making trouble and come home with us!”
“I’m not going back!” Martin Wu seemed resolute. “I’m just as capable as anyone else—why shouldn’t I be allowed to study here?”