Chapter 59
1182 Words
Zared's bone was broken, and the pain caused him to sweat profusely.
Having been pampered since childhood, Zared had never experienced such pain, which made him cry with snot running down his face.
Besides the physical pain, Zared also noticed some passing students taking out their phones to record the scene. This added to his humiliation, making him feel even more disgraced.
Zared cried out, "What are you all standing around for?! Beat him up!"
The students accompanying Zared immediately attacked Ethan.
With one hand holding Zared's arm, Ethan swatted the others away like flies.
The sound of slaps echoed, and the students fell to the ground, groaning in pain.
Zared cursed angrily, "Useless! All of you are useless! Get help now!"
Ethan remained expressionless, looking down at Zared. "Apologize!"
Zared refused to back down. "Dream on! I'll never apologize to you."
Ethan twisted Zared's arm harder, causing him to scream in agony, his words choked back.
Unable to bear the pain, Zared begged quickly, "Okay, okay! I'm sorry! I was wrong!"
Ethan asked, "What did you do wrong?"
Zared, crying, replied, "I... I shouldn't have thrown the basketball at you!"
Ethan continued, "Did you do it on purpose?"
Zared explained hurriedly, "I don't even know you. Why would I do it on purpose?"
Ethan smiled and countered, "If it wasn't on purpose, why are you apologizing?"
Zared, frustrated, thought to himself, 'Isn't it you who demanded an apology?'
Ethan raised his hand slightly. "What? Still haven't figured it out?"
Seeing Ethan was about to apply more pressure, Zared quickly said, "I was wrong. I'm sorry! I almost hit you with the basketball. I should have apologized immediately for my mistake. I'm really sorry!"
Hearing this, Ethan slowly released his hand, a faint smile appearing on his face. "See? A simple apology would have resolved this issue smoothly. Harsh words only escalate conflicts. What good does that do for you?"
Zared fumed inwardly. 'Escalate conflicts? What right does a poor man have to have conflicts with me?!' However, Zared wasn't foolish. He had seen Ethan's skills and knew better than to provoke him further at this moment.
Zared put on a contrite expression. "I understand my mistake now. Please forgive me!"
Ethan nodded in satisfaction. "Acknowledging your mistake and correcting it is good. Remember, you are the future, the hope. Your future represents the civilization of humanity!"
With that, Ethan turned and walked towards the school gate without further ado.
Watching Ethan's departing figure, the guilt in Zared's eyes turned into malice quickly.
The other students, still in pain, approached Zared cautiously. "Zared, are you alright?"
Zared snapped, "Do I look alright? My arm was almost broken, and I was humiliated at the school gate. Do you think I'm fine?!"
A fellow student stammered, "Zared, that guy seems pretty tough. We can't beat him."
Zared's face twisted with a sinister grin. "Hmph! Only lower-class people use violence to solve problems. As nobles, we use money to enslave them!"
After a moment of thought, Zared said, "He said he was a teacher, right?"
A student nodded. "Yes, that's what he said!"
Zared frowned. "Hmph! I know all the teachers at Eastern Academy. I've never heard of this guy."
Another student chimed in, "My uncle is the vice principal of the school. He mentioned that a new teacher would be joining this afternoon. Could it be him?"
Zared wore a sinister smile. "Heh, hitting me and still wanting to be a teacher at Eastern Academy? Tell your uncle to kick that poor jerk out of this school!"
***
Ethan arrived at the principal's office, where a secretary quickly stood up and greeted him warmly. "You must be Mr. Lee?"
Ethan nodded. "Yes, that's me."
The secretary's smile widened. "Please have a seat! Principal Stokes has already instructed us to process your hiring. We just need to complete some formalities. You'll need to fill out an application form."
The secretary rummaged through the desk but couldn't find an application form, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, we've run out of forms. Please wait a moment while I print one for you."
Ethan smiled gently. "Alright."
The secretary had been gone for less than half a minute when a portly man swaggered into the office. The man sat across from Ethan, his expression filled with arrogance as he eyed Ethan contemptuously. "Are you the new teacher here for the interview?"
Ethan's brow furrowed slightly. He sensed deep hostility in the man's tone but simply replied, "Yes, that's correct."
The portly man's sneer deepened, and he commanded, "I'm informing you now that you have not been accepted by the school. Leave Eastern Academy immediately."
Ethan calmly asked, "Why?"
With a tone of superiority, the man replied, "Because I'm the Vice Principal of Eastern Academy, and I don't like your appearance. Is that reason enough?"
Ethan chuckled. "Is this how an educator is supposed to speak?"
Bang!
The Vice Principal slammed his hand on the desk and shouted, "Insolent! Who do you think you are questioning? Eastern Academy is the best school in Crownspire. All our teachers come from privileged backgrounds!"
Pointing at Ethan, the Vice Principal continued, "Look at you! You're dressed in rags. You're clearly from a poor family. How could someone like you be qualified to teach at the Eastern Academy?"
Ethan smiled and asked, "Isn't a teacher supposed to be judged by their knowledge and ability to educate, not by their wealth?"
The Vice Principal waved dismissively. "Spare me the nonsense! If you have any sense, you'll leave on your own. Otherwise, I'll have the security throw you out!"
Ethan calmly crossed his legs. "I'm afraid I can't leave just yet."
The Vice Principal's eyes narrowed. "You don't know your place!"
He picked up the phone to call security, but just then, the secretary returned with the application form.
Noticing the tense atmosphere, the secretary asked, "What's going on here?"
The Vice Principal shouted, "Secretary Bear, you're just in time! Who do you think you're hiring? This person is disrespectful and has no manners! Get him out of here immediately!"
Secretary Bear was alarmed. She hurriedly whispered to the Vice Principal, "We can't do that! Mr. Lee is personally recommended by Principal Stokes. He insisted on hiring him!"
The Vice Principal's eyes flashed with surprise. "Personally recommended by Principal Stokes?"
Feeling conflicted, he thought of Zared's instructions. His expression darkened again.
The Wilkins family wielded immense power in Crownspire. With Principal Stokes retiring soon, if he secured the Wilkins family's support, the next principal position would be his.
Determined, the Vice Principal sneered, "So what if Principal Stokes recommended him? I'm in charge here. Even if Principal Stokes comes himself, my word is final!"
At that moment, Principal Stokes's voice echoed through the office. "Vice Principal Woodard, what a display of authority!"
An elderly Principal Stokes entered the office, his face cold.
Vice Principal Woodard jumped in fright and quickly stood up. "Pr-Principal, why are you here?"
Principal Stokes ignored him and walked straight to Ethan with a respectful expression. "I apologize for this, Mr. Lee!"
- Writer
