Everyone Knows (Part 2)

Aspertia Middle School, Class 3-7.

"Have you finished your homework? Let me copy."

"Can't you see that I'm still copying it?"

"..."

"Did you watch the competition in the Archipelagia TV yesterday?"

"Of course, I've been waiting in front of the TV since 7 p.m. Noah's Aurozugon was simply awesome!"

"Yeah, and that Carnivant, it color was golden, I've never seen a golden Carnivant before! It almost blinded me!"

"..."

"I heard that Olivia from Class 3-9 got a direct admission to St. Angela High School."

"Wasn't it rumored to be Stalavia Spirit Beast High School last time?"

"It seems like the quota got has been taken down."

"As expected from Stalavia. Its truly the ace high school in our Verdantia State; not even Olivia could get in."

"Get into St. Angela High School first and show me."

"..."

A tall figure appeared at the classroom door.

As the figure walked in, the sound of discussions suddenly quieted down.

Riley took his seat and noticed that some of his classmates were discreetly glancing at him.

Sensing the strange atmosphere in the classroom, Riley touched his nose and whispered to Samson, "Did you tell the class about my independent awakening?"

Samson, who was diligently copying his homework, only realized that Riley had arrived when he heard someone speaking beside him.

"Bigshot, you're finally here," Samson's eyes sparkled as he leaned closer, "I didn't say anything without your permission. Do you want me to promote you in the class?"

"Please don't," Riley hurriedly shook his head, then asked in confusion, "Why are they all staring at me?"

"Didn't your mom come to the school twice, and then you took a day off, missing a day of school? Everyone's speculating if something happened to you," Samson explained.

Riley was taken aback, "I missed a day of school?"

"Yeah."

Even though he had guessed that his mother might have forgotten to report his absence, hearing the confirmation still make him upset a bit.

Is the head teacher going to give him another lecture in the office?

At this point, Samson added, "And everyone knows that you got a zero on the mock exam this time."

The head teacher didn't directly criticize Riley in the classroom to save his face, but later had the class monitor call him to the office. They also called his parents to the school.

If it had stopped there, it might not have piqued much interest since Riley's grades were poor, and getting called to the office for criticism wasn't uncommon.

However, involving the parents was a serious matter.

Typically, aside from fights and brawls, the head teacher rarely contacted parents.

At that time, when school ended, Riley didn't say anything, the class monitor didn't say anything, and the head teacher didn't say anything, so hardly anyone would have known.

But the next day, Riley took a leave of absence, and on the third day, he just skipped school altogether.

Taking leave and skipping class during such a crucial time clearly hinted that something was amiss. Gossip flared up, and it didn't take long for everyone to find out the whole story.

Riley felt both amused and helpless, but he didn't mind much.

In a school this small, any incident spread quickly.

The fact that he got a zero on his test and that his parents were called wasn't distorting the truth. Kids in his age group might feel ashamed if people found out, but Riley didn't have that kind of psychological pressure.

"By the way, have you done the Analysis of Grass-type Spirit Beasts homework? Let me copy it," Samson nudged Riley's arm.

"I haven't even been here, so I don't know what the homework is. Besides, it's embarrassing for you to copy from someone who's ranked fourth from the bottom in the class when you're ranked third from the bottom itself," Riley replied, slightly bewildered.

"Bigshot, I won't allow you to say that about yourself," Samson scolded, then made a pitiful expression, "I thought your mom was coming to school on Friday to bring your homework. I envy you who don't have to do homework."

Riley: "..."

Ignoring Samson's playful banter, Riley fell into deep thought.

It seemed he still didn't know why his mother had come to the school the last time.