ir beds and talking. Lireal had changed into her paj

hem to the school, right?" Mai said, her voice a mixture of

e to be on the receiving end of that kind of treatment." She glanced at Mai, who nodded understandingly. "Besides," Lireal a

nt of nostalgia. "Can you believe we're already 20 and 21?" Lireal laughed. "Ti

ock on their door. Mai went to open it

" said Mai in a

to the door. "W

s Abigail would like to s

said Lireal, curious

halls until they arrived at the headmistres

Headmistress A

stately office. "Yo

istress formally, gesturing to a chair. L

d to see me," p

afternoon in the dining hall," said th

pologize if I overstepped any rules,

tand you were trying to aid that student, violence can neve

nodded

oldly for those vulnerable. You are developing fine leadership qualities and

stress," Lir

our aunt..." Headmistres

Lireal asked, im

.and she wishes to see you," the He

e get sick?" Lirea

ecently and advanced quickly. I know it's a trying time, but try to stay

s she processed the news, h

exams finish and you complete your schooling here,

ak to the teachers about taking exams early so s

mistress," Lireal managed to get

," said the Headmis

ut she was determined to focus on her studies and graduate with honors. As she approached her room, she saw the four bullies from ea

Margot timidly. "We will never bully anyone again, you have our

g calmly. "It's not me you should apologize to, but th

urmured, their voices thick wit

ey hurried off down the hall, their heads bowed in shame. As they disa

er energy into preparing for exams. During late-night study sessions fueled by coffee, she highlighted notes, practice

wledge. But she couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness thinking about her aunt, wondering how she was faring

elieve four years had gone by so fast. The timid, shy girl rejected by her mate was now a confident, compassionate woman ready to take on