And so our guardians ended up getting arrested. The other students also began going back to whatever they were doing.
Meanwhile, Ashley and I stood by the side and watched, like two lost children, as our guardians were being boarded on a patrol cart. The two still went on with their fight, regardless of the situation, and had completely forgotten about us.
"This is all your fault!" Genevieve spat as the officer handcuffed her.
"Wow! Now you're blaming me?!" Erin spat back.
"Well, this wouldn't have happened if you hadn't been so stupid as to annoy him!"
"This wouldn't have happened if you had not tricked me and stolen my child!"
"She's my child!"
"She's supposed to be mine!"
"..."
Perhaps these two paid their way to become guardians. I don't think they made it through the legal way.
The school president had only been here a few minutes, but he appeared to be done for the day. I can't help but pity him. It must be hard to deal with two women who clash like two opposing waves every single time they meet.
Leandro was about to follow behind the two officers when he noticed two girls standing awkwardly by the side—namely, us. I was stunned, spellbound, and mesmerized when the handsome human's gaze fell upon us. No wonder he won the election for two consecutive years.
One of the things that a politician needs in order to gain people's vote is charisma. And this guy's face gives him a sure 200% boost.
I am terribly jealous! How is a human being so perfect allowed to exist? I feel like crying.
"Are the two of you under Erin and Genevieve's guardianship?" Leandro asked, when he spotted us.
Tongue-tied, the two of us could only nod in response. I mean, aside from having an unfairly handsome face, he also has the highest authority in this world-like school. In a nutshell, he possesses both the face and the power to subdue all lower existence.So who could blame us for getting intimidated.
"Do you two know how to get home on your own?"
Our heads shook in unison.
"Follow me then," he said, and went ahead.
Ashley and I looked at each other for a second or two before following behind. We made sure to maintain a 6-foot distance between him and us.
Even if it was just his back, it's still quite intimidating. Besides, this distance insures that we don't get startled and have a heart attack if he suddenly decides to turn around, just like what he is doing at this very precise moment.
"Are you two okay?"
We hurriedly nodded.
"Do I intimidate you?"
We shook our heads so fast, I heard my neck crack. "You don't need to be intimidated. I don't bite," he said and gave us a smile, I've only seen seasoned politicians use. It has that perfect warmth that tugs at people's hearts and makes one look approachable and friendly. He probably got a lot of votes just for that smile.
I hate that kind of smile, though. I don't trust people who smile like that. I have tragically learned how a smile that promises a better tomorrow becomes poison once it secures the hearts of the people. An extremely biased resentment grew in my heart. Unconsciously, I began to hate him even before I got to know him.
We silently followed him once again. I thought we'd join the officers and ride in their vehicle. The window of the electric cart rolled down, and the officer by the window saluted Leandro.
Erin and Genevieve's heads suddenly emerged from the backseat, causing Ashley and I to back away. "Hey, Leandro!" they simultaneously said. Their heads ended up bumping against each other due to the small space. They glared at each other before continuing, "Take care of my child, okay!"
"Lizelle, my sweet child, I'm sorry you have to see your mother like this," Genevieve said dramatically. "I'll make it up to you when I return."
"Ashley, I am such a bad mother. I shall buy you whatever you want when I return. "
Ashley and I ignored them. We keep staring at the blue sky, as if it were the most fascinating thing we'd ever seen.
From my peripheral view, I saw the officer pushing their heads back. The latter gave us a look of pity, shaking his head before closing the window. I sighed in relief when the patrol cart finally drove off.
"Can someone opt out of a guardianship?" I sighed helplessly. A chuckle broke out from Leandro's lips. My despair seems to have amused him.
"The answer is actually yes. And I am coincidentally a person who has the power to grant you just that," Leandro casually answered.
He began walking once again, and Ashley and I followed like two obedient puppies.
"However, I'd advise you against it."By now, those two airheads have probably already told you about the currency system of our school and the minimum number of bronze coins students need in order to get admitted. You also would've probably known that capable parents would surely amass more coins to secure their children's futures within the academy."
We both nodded.
"Children of those parents will be able to afford to take it easy and take their time fitting into the academy. The same thing could not be said for those who are only provided the minimum amount."
This is really a real-life simulation academy. It never fails to slap me with reality whenever it can.
"The five bronze coins may look like they can last you for a good month, but various things weren't taken into consideration while making that calculation, such as the fact that there are tremendous expenses needed for school requirements and other stuff during the first month. So, realistically, five bronze coins, even if used sparingly, would not, or would barely, last a month.
We headed towards the underground of the 5-story building where the registrar's office was located and into what looked like a private parking lot. There were a few electric carts that varied in design parked there. These electric carts were very expensive-looking, unlike the mass-produced ones I saw on the streets.
They are probably new models or limited editions.
Leandro continued. "In this world, money plays a very important role," he said ambiguously. But I don't think he's talking about the outside world or this academy, respectively. Rather, I feel like he is referring to both. "Without money, you'll surely find yourself in certain dire situations."
I silently agreed. Coming from a poor family, I know exactly how hard it is to have nothing. I even remember turning our house upside down once, to search for a single penny, as I was a coin short for the payment of our school project.
I could hardly express the joy I felt when I found one lying under my grandmother's dresser, just to be utterly disappointed when my groupmate told me that the fee had increased and I needed to pay two more coins. That time, I almost had a mental breakdown.
"With that being said, the ones at the very short end of the stick are those who came in through scholarship. The academy only provides scholars with the minimum amount of bronze coin required to get into the academy. Because of this, most scholar students often have a hard time. Others ended up choosing the least expensive courses and not the ones that they loved and that would've made their brilliance shine the most. One or two succumbed to pressure and ended up getting expelled. Then, there are some who choose to sell their bodies to rich students in order to survive."
I stopped breathing for a second. That's just cruel. This academy is extremely cruel! Those students came here to study in hopes of a better future! How can they just stand by and watch all of that unfold?
"You may think it's cruel, but this is reality," he conjectured, as if reading my mind. "Such things happen in the world outside, and more often at that. You have to drill it into your mind that this place is not a utopia. This place is created to reflect reality and teach students to fend for themselves in a harsh world through experience."
I pursed my lips. I wanted to retort and say something, just anything that could counter his words, but I couldn't.
"And it's not like we didn't do anything. That is why we have created numerous programs to assist students with their financial needs. One of these programs is the Guardianship Program, which prioritizes scholars. Capable seniors with sufficient wealth select a freshman scholar to take under their wing and support, much like a parent does for their child."
"Speaking of the Guardianship Program, how did those two pass the guardianship exam anyway." As I began to feel comfortable talking with the president, I finally found my voice again.
"Those two may be quite extreme, but I assure you they passed the guardianship test through diligent efforts. They are honestly more than capable guardians... as long as they don't meet each other." I could see the annoyance in his face while saying that. "I'm sure the two of you will be able to excel under their care, so don't be too quick to decide on leaving. Soon enough, you'd be very grateful that you have them."
Leandro gave us a smile that seemed fairly genuine. He paused near a car—wait, a car! Ever since I came here, this is the first car that I have ever seen! It's like one of those four-seater, black, luxurious cars I often see rich people ride on TV.
"Get in," Leandro said as he circled around the driver's seat. On the other hand, Ashley and I raced to grab the door handle of the backseat. However, as Ashley was closer, I lost. She gave me an apologetic look as I walked towards the front seat with my shoulder drooping down.
When Leandro placed his thumb on what seemed like a scanner, the engine came alive, like a being waking up from its slumber. I can barely hear any sound except for a very soft tone similar to what I hear when I open my computer.
"Good day, master," greeted a sweet, monotonous voice. I couldn't hide the surprise in my eyes. I've never heard of such a car being released into the world.
Such an advanced car would've already caused an uproar, even among those who couldn't afford it!
"Hello, Hestia."
"Where shall I take you today?"
"Let's go to Rose Street, Mahogany District."
"Scanning possible routes. Please, fasten your seatbelt or you will be punished for being a naughty child. " The automated voice purred her sentences like a girl seducing her lover.
Our jaws dropped to the floor. My body stiffened. My skin crawled. I nearly puked blood!
Across from me, Leandro sighed, while massaging his temple. The car began to drive on its own, like nothing had happened.
"I am so sorry about that. This is the newest technology our students are currently inventing. It hasn't been released on the market yet, and we're still conducting a test run. Their goal was to make Hestia capable of holding a conversation akin to that of a human. Thus, the creation of her Hearth System. They also wanted to ensure that her Hearth could be tailored to a person's nationality, culture, and... specific preferences. However, her system isn't fully developed yet, so this happens from time to time," he explained, his ears red from embarrassment.
Looking at the blushing student government president, I am reminded that he is still a student like me. Although this school has honed him in such a way that he already looks like an imposing politician, a part of him still retains its innocence.