The Verdict

"Iromi claimed it was her plan." Naobi laughed at the bewildered trio. Three papers, smeared in ink and the monastery stamp swirled over her table. "Ibo said he forced you both, and as for Korou, he confessed to being the troublemaker."

Korou let out a confused gasp, with the other two following suit. Iromi was figetting, as she tucked his sleeves. It was gentle. Ibo stood with his mouth agape.

Korou's lips parted. He wanted to ask why. But a thump from Naobi's staff stopped him. They were still not off the hook.

"I am impressed." Naobi's hand brushed her lips, as if trying to hide a grin. "This is unprecedented for your year. Honestly," She raised her brows. "If you all had the same story, I would have surely barred you from this institution for three years. But you amused me and showed me something I had forgotten, for that I commend you."

The swirling papers piled into a heap of three. And then flew towards Korou, Iromi and Ibo.

"And as for our prelims, they exist solely to establish a strong foundation," Naobi explained with a yawn. "If you don't know how to crawl, you can't walk, and if you can't walk, you can never run. To comprehend the world, first they must learn to comprehend."

"We understand." Iromi nodded in a rush. "This insolence will never be repeated. We will never let our arrogance-"

"However, you lot are a special case." Naobi brushed past her. "Not only did you understand your modules, but also those of the years ahead. Keeping you in the first year is a waste of potential, and honestly, I would rather have you spend hours decoding Krüstenkind's works instead of the folk tales."

Korou was utterly confused. He peeked over at Iromi; her body quaked as she swallowed her sobs. Ibo, who would usually be cracking a joke, pinched himself.

"This isn't a dream..." Ibo muttered, pinching Korou and then Iromi. "It's not a dream!"

"Celebrations are due, I agree," Naobi swirled her left arm and lowered it. The hovering papers turned and landed in their hands with a quiet shuffle. "But paperwork is risky business, take a good look."

Korou shot her a nod and spread the document open. The instructions were straightforward:

This is to inform the student, Korou Kouburu Kshetriba, first year, Pakhangba Institute, that he has been suspended from active classes in light of his misconduct. This suspension shall last over a month, and the student is strictly prohibited from using the Institute's facilities. As a remedial disciplinary action, the student will be assigned mandatory training under Athongba Nongyak and a trainer of his choosing, in the Martial arts training ground. In case of the penalty's incompletion, the student shall be expelled without further ado.

The Institute also acknowledges the student's merit and would award him direct admission to the fourth year after the start of the next term. In this term, the student will be evaluated under the third year's syllabus, and if he fails to pass the final examination, theory and application combined, he will be expelled.

Hereby, student Korou is relieved from first-year classes, except for A Study in Morals and Ethics, under Athongba Leina. Starting from winter, he will report to the eighth floor, the Void chamber, and the Central Pagoda. The rest of his education will be looked after by Head-priestess Naobi.

"If you agree with the terms," Naobi got you and flexed her back with a click. "Then sign them. These are exclusive orders from the Head-priestess, namely me, so once bound, even the highest authority in Lamphi can't overrule it."

"There must be some kind of mistake," Korou blurted out. "It says that I am to report to you?!"

"These are exclusive orders, Korou," Naobi referred to him by his name. It was oddly soothing. "Errors, unless intentional, don't exist." She shot him a smile. Not amused, or scheming. A genuine one. "I look forward to seeing your rigorous approach in full display, once we start with the advanced modules you were so compelled to steal today."

It was later revealed to Korou that he was the only one with that privilege. His friends, Iromi and Ibo, were both assigned to Yaiphabi. Everything else remained the same. Even the punishment.

"I see this as an absolute win." Korou beamed enthusiastically as he shot down the creeping guilt and an unsaid apology. He bounced up the final flight of monastery steps and landed on the stone path. He swirled, his satchel stacked with the papers from Head-priestess, and then he opened his arms to his friends. He was expecting a hug.

The two, dazed and exhausted, offered a tired smile. The events of the day were still fresh, wounds yet to heal.

"I am happy for you, Korou," Iromi said earnestly. "You can finally pursue knowledge with no bars."

"I agree with her," Ibo added rather lazily. "Though I must say, today-"

Iromi shut his mouth. Her smile strained. "I am sure you are exhausted, Korou. Today has been a long day, and we all have our assignments starting tomorrow. So let's talk some other day?"

Korou couldn't see her expression in the dark veil; the moon was hidden behind the early clouds, and the Cyan trails were further down. But her voice told him everything. He stepped forward, feet hesitantly placed, and parted his lips.

Sorry? He had almost said. But why? He couldn't comprehend. His trembling reality, veined in cracks, shattered, yet he held onto the shard. Unaccepting and unaware of the consequences, his own actions carried. He still didn't know what it was he did wrong.

"I see," He finally managed. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah," Iromi gave a reluctant nod. Her voice is shaky. "See you tomorrow."

That was the last time Korou saw them that season.