Chapter 18: The Unlikely Partnership
The director finished his speech, leaving the room in a stunned silence. No one knew what to say.
"Normally," he continued, his tone shifting back to that of an administrator, "homicide is punished by immediate expulsion and handover to the authorities. However, the circumstances are... exceptional."fr\eewebno vel .c(o)m
He turned to the other professors. "Let’s discuss the punishment."
While the administration began to debate in low voices, Yoo-Na leaned slightly toward me.
"Don’t listen to his fancy stories," she whispered, her tone full of venom. "You killed five elites. You’re going to be expelled. It’s the only possible outcome. Enjoy your last few minutes in this academy, you piece of trash."
I didn’t answer. I just waited.
After a few minutes, the discussion ended. The director tapped the table to get their attention.
"We have made a decision," he announced.
"First, the ’Ivory Circle’ is, as of today, disbanded. Its unofficial existence has tolerated too much abuse."
Yoo-Na gasped in surprise.
"Second, as punishment for leading this personal vendetta and for failing in your role as a model student, you, Kang Yoo-Na, and you, Kang Ji-Hoon, will be bound as partners for an indefinite period."
"What?!" Yoo-Na shouted, jumping up from her chair.