"Oh? Everyone who violates the rules has to do thirty push-ups, and that includes you. If you want to take on their punishment, that adds up to 120, doesn't it?" Alan looked at him expressionlessly.
"I understand!" Though fear flickered on Joey's face, his eyes remained firm.
"No!" Lumen and Dante, standing nearby, were already guilty that Joey was implicated because of them. Now, seeing him wanting to take on the punishment for them, they felt even more uneasy and quickly spoke up in opposition.
"It was our wishful thinking that made us disregard Joey's inspection. Now, it's only right that we take on the punishment for Joey." The two faced Alan, bravely raising their heads and shouting.
Seeing the two thinking so much for him, Joey felt even more uneasy. At the same time, he saw Lumen's arms trembling from the previous push-ups, and he opened his mouth again, wanting to say something.
"Enough, this isn't a stall in Diagon Alley where you can haggle." Alan coldly interrupted the three's eagerness. He would not relax the standards because of such touching brotherhood.
"Thirty push-ups each, no excuses. Get on the stage and prepare now," Alan shouted at them.
Seeing Alan being so merciless, everyone else also dispelled any thoughts of luck and could only honestly stand on the podium, ready to assume the position and wait for Alan's command.
"One!" "One!" "One!" "Two!"
It was still the same compulsive, strict execution. This scene not only exhausted the young wizards receiving the punishment but also made the young wizards watching them from below feel lingering fear. They saw such an uncompromising standard of execution for the first time. This persistence and strictness also brought a huge shock to their hearts.
Looking at Lumen, who had been punished earlier for being late, his face was now contorted with exhaustion and fatigue. Every time he pushed himself up, it was accompanied by a roar, and his trembling could be detected just by looking at him.
In fact, Alan had secretly lowered some of the standards at this point, because he knew that with the physical stamina of these young wizards, they simply couldn't sustain so many standard push-ups. He was only stricter in supervising the first few repetitions. But Alan still kept a straight face, giving off a ruthless impression.
And as he finally called out "thirty," these young wizards finally let out their last breath. Especially Lumen, who had undergone two punishments, was now unable to even crawl and could only be dragged down the steps by a few people supporting his shoulders.
Once those who received punishment returned to their seats and settled down, Alan continued expressionlessly, "Alright, that was the punishment for those with unqualified attire. Next is the next item."
When Alan finished saying "next item," the faces of the young wizards sitting in their seats grew even more terrified. It wasn't over yet? Was he really going to go through them one by one? Everyone's minds were frantically recalling their behavior throughout the day, fearing that they would be caught off guard. Especially those who had already received punishment before; they had all witnessed Lumen's miserable state. Now, waiting for Alan to call their names was like waiting for the end of the world.
"Improper dining etiquette: Third Grade, Cliff Palmer, loud noise during lunch; Second Grade, yulia Tamer, grabbing food with hands during dinner…"
As Alan read out each name, the young wizards who were called out could only stand up with crying faces. They really hadn't expected that someone would be staring at them so intently just for eating a meal. And when Alan read out the last name, everyone in the hall couldn't help but gasp.
"Fourth Grade, Lumen Haywood, throwing food around during dinner, and wasting more than half of his food."
At this moment, everyone involuntarily cast their gaze towards Lumen, while he himself stood up, on the verge of tears, looking miserably at Alan. This was his third time. The previous punishment had felt like it had taken his life, and now just lifting his arm hurt terribly.
Seeing Lumen called out again, Joey couldn't help himself. After all, it was because he hadn't strictly followed the disciplinary requirements that Lumen had relaxed, which still made him feel guilty. So he quickly stood up and shouted, "Chief…"
"If you have something to say, report it! Who allowed you to stand up?" Alan's face was stern as he glared at him.
Seeing this, Joey could only sit down obediently, then shouted, "Report!"
"Speak!" Alan stood with his hands behind his back, looking at him coldly.
"Chief, Lumen's body really can't take another punishment like this. I think he already knows his mistake, so please, just let him off this time." At this point, both Joey and Lumen looked at Alan with pleading expressions.
"Oh? Lumen, you really know your mistake?" Alan glanced at Lumen with interest.
"Yes, Chief, I won't dare to do it again." Lumen nodded like a pounding garlic at this moment, looking at him pitifully.
"Then what's everyone's opinion, are you willing to waive his punishment this time?" Alan looked around and asked everyone.
"He really looks like he can't take it anymore."
"Chief, why don't you just let him off this time?"
"I think he's definitely learned his lesson, so please, spare him this once."
The other young wizards around them all saw Lumen's miserable state and pleaded on his behalf, including those who were also standing and waiting for punishment. This also made Joey and Lumen feel very touched, and they couldn't help but cast grateful glances to both sides.
"Oh? It seems you've finally learned a bit of unity and friendship. That's something to be praised." Alan nodded with a hint of satisfaction.
Joey and Lumen finally breathed a sigh of relief at this moment. It seemed Alan was finally willing to let him off the hook.
"But!" Alan's expression turned serious after praising everyone, "Although everyone is willing to forgive him, discipline does not allow it."
Upon hearing Alan's words, everyone's faces stiffened. Joey was even more anxious, "But, Chief!..."
"No 'buts'!" Alan looked at the two of them sternly, "When you make a mistake, you have to accept punishment. That's called fairness. If only the first two times are punished, and anything beyond that can be excused away with other reasons, then won't you be able to violate discipline at will in the future? Since only the first two times are punished."
"I, we didn't mean that. The main thing is that Lumen's body really can't take it anymore. How about you let him owe it and make it up tomorrow?" Joey tried to argue for Lumen.
"What needs to be done today, is done today. There's no excuse for delay."
Alan finished speaking and leaned closer to Joey, staring at him sharply, "Do you know what problems you'll have if you always speak up for others like this?"