Brilliance Cannot Be Hidden
1172 Words
The man called Master Julian appeared to be around twenty-seven, his perfectly tailored black suit emphasizing his model-like physique as he walked steadily toward the crowd.
His features were deeply sculpted, thin lips slightly compressed, and his dark eyes occasionally flashed with sharp coldness—silently declaring he was no gentle gentleman, but a strategic mastermind who controlled every situation.
A single glance was enough to make countless girls' hearts race and cheeks flush.
Yet he remained oblivious, his expression utterly indifferent.
"Vice Principal Richard, during my three years studying abroad, you seem to have accomplished quite a few 'good deeds' at Saint Crane Academy." Liam strode toward the platform.
Despite his small stature due to congenital limitations, his presence was commanding. The contrast between his baby face and authoritative manner created a strangely impressive, memorable charisma.
"P-Principal, didn't you say you'd rest a day after landing and return to school tomorrow?" Richard instinctively stepped back.
"I was 'invited' by a certain young master straight from the airport—couldn't really refuse." Liam shot Julian a resentful glance.
Julian responded with a serene smile.
His gaze turned to Catherine.
The girl in his sight wore cheap clothing yet stood with straight spine, proudly positioned at the crowd's center—completely different from the docile, timid image in her file photo.
This version of her better matched someone capable of bare-handedly saving his grandfather.
Actually, he'd arrived at Saint Crane Academy before the assembly began.
Seeing her disadvantageous situation, he'd immediately contacted his old friend Principal Liam—having Liam handle school affairs was most appropriate.
But by the time his friend arrived, she'd already resolved the crisis herself.
Having observed the entire process, he wasn't surprised.
After all, someone who could kill a foreign assassin with bare hands could hardly be a weakling for others to manipulate.
Sensing Julian's examining gaze, Catherine looked up to meet it.
First observation: this man was extraordinarily handsome.
Second: his features bore some resemblance to General Haines.
Combined with his Winter surname, Catherine had already guessed seventy to eighty percent of his purpose here.
So she calmly looked away.
Apart from her missions, she had no interest in unnecessary entanglements.
Julian's eyebrow arched slightly.
She'd simply given him one indifferent glance?
Meanwhile, Liam continued questioning the vice principal: "I recall saying Saint Crane Academy would never open backdoors for any corporation or family—student placement depends solely on academic merit."
He'd only been gone three years, yet his subordinate dared violate regulations by cramming Catherine into the school.
Even ignoring her grade level to place her in the year's second-ranked class.
This displeased him greatly.
"Old Master Harrison begged me so many times, I really couldn't refuse..." Richard's temples beaded with cold sweat.
He couldn't exactly admit the Harrison family had paid him handsomely under the table, could he?
"Student conflicts arise, and you neither investigate the process nor verify facts, directly issuing expulsion orders—did Sandra also beg you too many times?" Liam pressed relentlessly.
"I... I..." The fifty-something vice principal stammered, speechless.
"You're fired." The baby-faced principal showed no mercy, turning to point at the Class 3-2 students:
"All Class 3-2 students suspended for two weeks, ten-thousand-word self-reflection essays required!"
"Sandra, removed from the board!"
"Zack, expelled!"
Finally, Liam approached Catherine, his tone considerably gentler:
"By rights, you're the victim—whether to publish the video is your prerogative."
"But as principal, I don't want the school and other students to suffer criticism for a few people's mistakes."
"Therefore, if you're willing to keep the video private, I can make an exception and let you remain at Saint Crane. But given your past grades, you'd only qualify for Class 3-7. Are you willing?"
"Acceptable." Catherine nodded.
She only needed to stay at Saint Crane to win the monthly exam championship—which class didn't matter.
"Good." Liam nodded. "Everyone except Catherine, disperse and return to your duties."
The crowd gradually scattered. Liam called to his friend: "Julian, come to the principal's office later—I brought some royal pastries from abroad for you to try."
"Looking forward to it." Julian's thin lips curved slightly.
As he strode past Catherine, he offered her a business card, his voice deep and elegant:
"Thank you for saving my grandfather. If you ever need help, contact me."
From anyone else's mouth, such words might seem laughable or presumptuous.
But spoken by the Winter family heir, it was an unshakeable shield of protection.
Catherine didn't refuse, accepting the card before turning away decisively.
Julian watched her retreating figure, unconscious appreciation flickering in his eyes.
Calm under pressure, unflappable regardless of praise or criticism, both intelligent and brave, proud but not arrogant.
Few people possessed all these qualities simultaneously.
"What, taken with her already?" Liam half-joked. "That personality does suit you. Why not repay her life-saving grace with your body?"
Julian gave his friend a look and didn't bother responding.
"I'm putting her in the worst class, and you have no objections?"
He'd expected Julian to arrange her transfer to Class 1 or a better school entirely.
"A sharp blade cannot remain hidden in its sheath." Julian spoke quietly, his dark eyes unfathomably deep. "Class 7 cannot contain her."
"Such high praise? Let's go then."
●
When Catherine returned to Class 3-2, the classroom was empty.
Those students had probably felt too humiliated and afraid to face her, packing up and fleeing early.
She gathered her textbooks and headed toward Class 3-7.
Class 7 occupied a special location, not in the main building—this was related to Liam's management.
Before expansion, the school had been small, but under Liam's leadership, its reputation grew, attracting many new students.
After the new academic building was completed, there were too many senior students to fit.
The administration decided to continue using the older building with slightly dated facilities, located further from the cafeteria and sports fields.
So the bottom-ranked Class 7 was naturally relegated to the old building, separated from the main campus by a small grove.
Catherine walked through the cobblestone path among the trees when her phone suddenly vibrated.
She pulled it out to see "Low battery—automatically shutting down" displayed on the screen.
As a cheap knockoff phone, lasting through the video recording had been its limit.
The screen soon went completely black, reflecting her weary features.
She hadn't slept since rescuing General Haines last night.
Frustratingly, her previous life's chronic insomnia had followed her into this reborn body.
"Need to get some sleeping pills," Catherine murmured, pocketing the phone.
Without pharmaceutical assistance, sleep remained a luxury for her.
Just then, someone brushed past her, the wind carrying a faint, subtle fragrance from their clothing.
The scent was unusual—not floral, nor chemical—easily missed at first but somehow calming and soothing upon closer attention.
Drowsiness struck instantly, more effective than a thousand sleeping pills.
Catherine instinctively grasped the person's wrist to preserve the fragrance, looking up to meet a pair of jade-dark eyes.
- Writer
