THIRD PERSON'S POV
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"Silence."
The chatter died instantly.
Mrs. Marcello's gaze swept across the class before settling on a book that hadn't moved the entire period, shielding the person behind it.
"You. Row five, column seven."
No response.
Her eyes shifted slightly.
"Fiona."
Fiona stiffened and shot to her feet.
"Yes, ma'am."
*How does she even know my name? She's new…*
"Who's that beside you?"
"Ivy, ma'am. She's just really tired, you know she's from the—"
"Did I ask you?"
Fiona paled.
"No, ma'am…"
*Get it together. You've fought monsters for crying out loud…*
She hesitated, then gently nudged the figure beside her.
"Girl, please wake up. This kind of attention is not my thing…" she whispered.
Nathan remained composed, from where he, Donald, and the other seniors sat noticeably farther away.
George cleared his throat softly and tapped Ivy's leg.
Once. Twice.
Ivy jolted awake. The book slipped from her face, revealing sleepy eyes squinting at the dim light.
"What…? I'm present…"
She raised one hand while rubbing her eyes with the other.
The class burst into laughter.
"Miss Vinci," Mrs. Marcello said calmly, "care to share your thoughts on the topic?"
"Hm?" Ivy blinked, looking around before it clicked.
Her ears flushed red—but her expression stayed composed.
"I apologize, ma'am, for my incompetence today. It won't happen again. If you don't mind… could you please restate the question?"
The laughter faded.
Mrs. Marcello studied her, a faint hint of approval in her gaze.
"The attack on Country A. What grade do you believe those supernaturals were?"
Ivy glanced at George. He gave a slight nod.
She stood.
"Grade five, ma'am."
Silence.
A cough echoed somewhere in the room.
"Analysis?"
"They had human features, but their communication leaned toward something more animalistic. I believe they're further subdivided where they come from—each bore a number."
A pause.
"Except the first one. He appeared to be the strongest."
Mrs. Marcello's lips curved slightly.
"So you casually defeated the strongest of a Grade Five?"
"You misunderstand me, ma'am." Ivy's tone remained even.
"I didn't say he was the strongest of Grade Five—only the strongest among the three present."
She held her gaze.
"He released himself and another—number five. He caused the most destruction and targeted the city's power points to weaken resistance."
A brief pause.
"I'm not praising myself. Please take my answer as it is."
Silence.
Eyes lingered on her.
Shock. Confusion. Admiration.
A single clap broke through.
Mrs. Marcello.
"Well done, Ivy. For that, you'll act as prefect in my classes."
A beat.
"And try to stay awake. If you're unwell, report to the infirmary."
Ivy gave a small bow and sat.
The lesson continued—
—but the glances didn't stop.