[You displayed your dragon knight's might - even the dark apprentice was no match. For a moment, you reclaimed a fraction of your former world-dominating presence.]
[But because of this, a tremendous crisis approaches, as an ancient presence has noticed you. Yet with this danger comes opportunity.]
In the office.
Lucas faced the young homeroom teacher, Ms. Bennett, wearing a floral dress. The English teacher smiled kindly at him:
"Lucas, next time something like this happens, please tell a teacher first, okay? Fighting isn't the right answer."
She smiled and patted Lucas's head. "But you did well this time, standing up for your classmate. Good job!"
[As expected of you! The ancient presence approves greatly and channels mysterious energy into you. If only she knew you were already a dragon knight - this small power is merely a drop in the ocean, though still a worthwhile gain.]
[Charisma +1]
Lucas: ...
System, whatever makes you happy.
Blake's homeroom teacher was also called in and gave him a thorough scolding.
Lucas saw the boy lowering his head and playing with his fingers, clearly not taking it seriously.
Then Ms. Bennett called in Sophia and the four girls for another round of questioning and confirmation.
Finally, they decided to notify all the parents to resolve this in person.
Nearly two months of receipts totaling over six hundred dollars - no small sum.
The four girls burst into tears, repeatedly crying, "We're sorry, we're sorry!"
Even Blake clearly became nervous, hanging his head.
Lucas picked at his ear.
Indeed, having parents called to school was quite the devastating punishment during student years.
But beside him, Sophia also looked dejected, like a wilted flower.
Lucas quietly asked, "What's wrong?"
Sophia sniffled, looking at him pitifully, "My sister might not have time to come. She's very busy, I don't want to bother her."
Lucas asked puzzled, "Sister? What about your parents?"
Sophia lowered her head, whispering softly, "Mom... went to a far away place."
Lucas understood something and didn't ask further.
Just as Sophia said, while other parents rushed over urgently, they couldn't reach her sister.
With no choice, the parents could only bow repeatedly to the little girl and apologize, paying back the money they owed on the spot.
Holding such a large sum for the first time in her life, Sophia was completely dazed.
As for Blake, when his father learned of his bullying behavior, he immediately pinned the boy down for a beating. Blake squealed like a stuck pig until the teachers finally managed to pull his father away.
Lucas watched from the side, highly amused.
It seemed a generation of class tyranny had fallen.
"Make sure to keep the money safe, put it in the safest place! And if anyone bullies you again, tell a teacher right away, understand?"
Hearing Ms. Bennett's instructions.
Sophia walked out of the office with Lucas, holding the money.
"Parent-teacher conference is the day after tomorrow. Can your sister come?" Lucas asked.
Sophia thought for a moment, then nodded firmly, "She will! She'll definitely make time for parent-teacher conference!"
Lucas nodded.
Seems it wasn't what he thought.
"Lucas."
Suddenly, Sophia tugged at his sleeve, carefully holding out the stack of crisp bills, "The money... it's for you."
Lucas: ?
[Heavens! The young sorceress offers up her treasure freely! This is a great opportunity - with these resources, you could acquire many powerful magical items!]
Lucas's face darkened. "Sophia, what are you doing? Why give it to me?"
"Huh?"
Seeing Lucas's expression, Sophia's face filled with panic as she quickly shook her head, "No, no, it's just... you've been so nice to me and helped me, I don't know how else to thank you."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "So, you think I did it for money?"
Sophia now realized her mistake and hurriedly waved her hands, "No, Lucas, I... I..."
She lowered her head, "But Lucas, you're the nicest person to me besides my sister."
"The teacher said to put the money in the safest place, and I think it would be safest with you."
Lucas fell silent.
After a while, Sophia thought he was still angry and peeked up at him, only to have her cheeks pinched again.
"I'm nice to you because I've already gotten my reward from you, understand?"
"In this world, except for your closest family, no one is nice without reason. You need to stay cautious with everyone, including me, got it!"
Lucas said irritably.
Sophia listened with a confused face, not sure if she understood, but kept nodding anyway.
Lucas released her cheeks and took the money from her hands, looking annoyed, "Fine, I'll hold onto it for now and give it back when I walk you home after school. You kids are such trouble."
With that, he led Sophia back to the classroom.
Sophia was in a complete daze, being guided along like a little duckling, totally under his control.
Only one thought occupied her little mind.
Walk me home?
Ohh, Lucas is going to walk me home!
Soon, school ended.
Sophia had packed her little backpack early and sat properly at her desk, waiting.
Lucas returned from his last water break and picked up his bag. "Let's go."
Outside the school gates.
Lucas immediately spotted his mom waving from the roadside.
Sarah wore a purple sundress with her hair down, and with her pretty face, she looked like a college student in her twenties, quite eye-catching.
Seeing her son, Sarah immediately came over with a bright smile, opening her arms, "My dear Luke! Come give mommy a hug!"
Lucas expressionlessly dodged his mom's iron grip, instead pulling Sophia forward, "Mom, I need to walk my classmate home today."
Sarah's eyes lit up when she saw the delicate little girl, surprised.
"Oh, how adorable! Come here, give auntie a hug!"
Sophia's face turned bright red, extremely nervous, her mind blank.
She thought Lucas would just walk her home, not expecting his mom to be there too.
Sarah hugged her and pinched her cheeks.
Sophia instinctively said softly, "Auntie, you're so pretty."
Sarah beamed with joy, holding Sophia lovingly, touching here and there, her face blooming with smiles.
"Our Luke is so capable, bringing mommy such an adorable little daughter!"
Then she asked Sophia gently, "Sweetie, what's your name?"
Sophia answered quietly, "I'm Sophia, ma'am."
Sarah immediately praised, "What a beautiful name! Sophia, how are you so cute?"
Sophia grew even more shy.
The completely ignored Lucas had black lines over his head and said helplessly, "Mom, she's someone else's daughter. Let's take her home first."
Sarah tried to pat Lucas's head but was dodged again.
"Alright, listen to Luke, let's take little Sophia home first."
In the car.
Sophia was placed in the back seat with Lucas.
Sarah chatted with Sophia while waiting at red lights.
Though Sophia was nervous, she answered questions clearly and very politely.
This made Sarah like her more and more, so she teased, "Sophia, what do you think of our Luke?"
Sophia's face turned red as she stammered, "He's very nice, Lucas is very nice to me."
"Oh?" Sarah deliberately drew out the sound, giving Lucas a meaningful look through the rearview mirror.
"Our Luke is usually quite aloof, doesn't seem to have many friends at school. If he's nice to you, he must really care."
Sophia quickly shook her head, "No, no, Lucas is very popular!"
Sarah smiled, "Well Sophia, how about becoming my daughter-in-law in the future..."
Before she could finish.
Lucas, who couldn't take it anymore, interrupted, "Mom, she's just a kid, and I'm just a kid too!"
Daughter... daughter-in-law.
Sophia's little head seemed to be steaming, feeling dizzy and lost.
Sarah giggled.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you two."
...