Chapter 18

Billy raised an eyebrow, searching for any sign of recognition from the class. The name 'Rossi' did not immediately ring any bells, and Billy's dismissive smirk returned. However, the intensity in Desi's eyes made a few students wonder if there was more to him than met the eye.

Billy basked in the attention, enjoying the awed whispers that followed. Leaning against a desk. "And you three? What brings you to this prestigious academy?"

Liam shrugged. "Just here to learn, I guess."

Gazi added, "I'm here to train and become a top footballer."

Desi simply said, "I'm here for the journey."

Billy's smirk widened, clearly unimpressed. "Well, welcome to St. Edward's Academy. Remember, we're all here to make something of ourselves. Some of us," he added, with a meaningful glance at himself, "already have a head start."

The boys exchanged glances but remained silent. The atmosphere in the room was charged with tension, the unspoken competition already beginning to take shape. The undercurrents of rivalry and the quest for dominance promised an interesting dynamic as the school year unfolded.

Leonor, observing from her seat, felt a strange sense of recognition at Desi's surname. She could have sworn she had heard it somewhere before but couldn't quite place it. Her curiosity was piqued further.

The students continued introducing themselves, with the wealthier ones showcasing their family's affluence, while those from less privileged backgrounds were met with scorn and derision. The clear discrimination against the poor set a stark contrast in the classroom.

Finally, it was Leonor's turn. She stood up gracefully and said, "I'm Leonor Ortiz." The room fell silent, and a wave of awe and respect swept through the students as they recognized the name of the Spanish royal family.

As the introductions continued, Princess Leonor stood gracefully, her demeanor poised and dignified.

"My name is Leonor Sánchez," she said, intentionally omitting her royal title in an attempt to blend in with her peers. However, her efforts were in vain as the other students immediately recognized her. Her father, King Fernando, was not only a monarch but also a formidable businessman rumored to soon enter the Top 10 wealthiest individuals in the world.

Desi's heart skipped a beat as he heard her name. Memories flooded back to him, recalling the article he had written about the Royal Family of Spain three years ago during a freelancing job. He had described Leonor in poetic terms, his admiration for her evident even then. But he had dismissed any notion of a connection between them, considering it nothing more than a fanciful dream. Yet, here she was, standing before him.

The system chimed in with a mischievous tone. "Perhaps you have a chance with her," it teased.

Desi rolled his eyes, knowing the system was merely toying with him.

As the other students introduced themselves, a few notable names emerged, including Prince William of England. The diversity of the class was striking, with students from various backgrounds and walks of life.

However, as the hour passed, it became apparent that their homeroom teacher was nowhere to be found. Tensions rose among the students, and one hot-tempered individual voiced his frustration, cursing the absent teacher and heading for the door in defiance.

As he swung the door open, a figure loomed in the doorway, commanding attention with her presence. It was Ms. Hawthorne, their homeroom teacher, her beauty evident even in her stern demeanor. With a single glance, she silenced the unruly student.

"You are expelled," she declared, her voice firm and unwavering.

The door creaked open, and the boy who had been about to storm out froze as Ms. Hawthorne's voice cut through the silence.

"You are expelled," she said calmly.

The boy scoffed, thinking she was joking. But the look in her eyes said otherwise. "You heard me," she repeated. "Go to the student personnel office and fill out your expulsion form."

The boy's expression twisted with anger. "How dare you? Do you know who my father is? He paid for me to be here!"

Ms. Hawthorne didn't flinch. She tapped a button on her shoulder, and within moments, two hefty security guards in uniform appeared at the door. "Is there a problem, Ms. Hawthorne?" one of them asked.

"Yes," she replied. "This student is a threat to the school environment and is to be expelled immediately."

Without hesitation, the guards grabbed the boy by his arms. He struggled and shouted, "You can't do this! My father will hear about this!"

The guards dragged him out, and his voice abruptly cut off, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. Ms. Hawthorne heaved a sigh, then walked to the front of the class.

"I am Ms. Hawthorne," she introduced herself, her eyes scanning the room. "In this school, rules are paramount. You will all be given a watch," she said, pulling a box from behind her desk and distributing sleek, high-tech watches to each student.

Desi, Gazi, and Liam examined their watches with curiosity. "These watches will allow you to communicate with other students. Since your phones have been confiscated, this will be your primary means of communication. Messages can only be sent within the school network."

The boys exchanged relieved glances, knowing they could still reach out to the girls without sneaking into the girls' dormitory. Desi's eyes caught a number displayed on the watch face: 100.

A student raised his hand. "What does the number mean, Ms. Hawthorne?"

She smiled slightly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Those are your school points. Points act as currency here. You can use them to buy items from various stores on campus. However, points will be deducted for any offenses."

Ms. Hawthorne's tone grew more serious. "The reason I expelled the student earlier was because he committed three offenses. First, he lacked patience—80 points. Second, he abused someone of higher rank—15 points. Third, he left class without permission—5 points. His total fell to zero, which is grounds for immediate expulsion."