My High School Nerd Rival - Chapter 9

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 9
When lunch period arrived, Ibi was summoned directly to the Principal’s Office.
“You understand the situation is not favorable, Your Highness.”
The Principal of the Royal School knew Ibi’s secret. The Royal Family could hardly entrust their only daughter to the school without at least informing someone of the truth.
“Since Miss Carter lodged her complaint, we’ve been receiving an increasing number of messages from students expressing their support for her.”
Though his tone held no accusation, Ibi bowed her head in apology. It was true that she had caused him difficulty.
“I apologize, sir.”
“There’s no need. A school finds its true value when it becomes a place where mistakes can be made and learned from. What concerns me is your reputation.”
“It would certainly be quite the spectacle if the identity of the Class Representative who set the Dormitory into upheaval were to be revealed.”
Ibi spoke as lightly as she could manage, yet the weight of the problem’s essence refused to stay hidden.
She could conceal her identity during her time here, but after graduation, it would become far more difficult.
Especially if she failed to achieve her goal—to marry the “most excellent student.”
She would need to reveal the fact that she, Ibi Underwood, had proven herself to be the most excellent.
Once that happened, the shameful comments on the anonymous bulletin board would spread across social media and travel far.
All manner of media outlets would compile it into news segments for those who didn’t use social media.
Ibi Underwood, it would be said, may have excelled in her studies, but she was arrogant and self-righteous—so much so that she couldn’t even manage her role as the Dormitory’s Class Representative, and was driven out by the other students.
Once such rumors began, someone would inevitably weaponize them politically. The Royal Family was, after all, a gathering of creatures who bared their fangs at each other’s weaknesses.
The Royal Family and Owen would do everything in their power to suppress the rumors, but in a world like this, there was no way to silence everyone’s mouth.
“My relatives in the Royal Family would be delighted to hear this news.”
The power of the Royal Family rested upon the people’s faith. Without that, the Royal Family would crumble into a symbol of wasted taxes, stripped of tradition and honor—a fate that happened all too often in this modern age.
In other words, once Ibi’s name became plastered with disgrace, even her parents would be unable to protect her.
They would install another heir and attempt to quell public opinion.
“I’m glad you understand the gravity of the situation.”
“To be honest, I never imagined things would escalate this far.”
Ibi had only wanted to attend school quietly and study. She’d never imagined that such a simple course of action would bring down a wave this enormous.
“That’s how most things begin.”
“Sir?”
Ibi gazed directly at him across the desk and asked:
“Do you think I should withdraw from the school?”
Slipping quietly away from school before this crisis could be “resolved” was the most “safe” path among the options available to her.
That way, she wouldn’t have to officially acknowledge that she had ever attended.
Even if she encountered the students she’d met here outside the school, most of them likely wouldn’t recognize her.
That included Quinton, with whom she would eventually enter the wedding hall together.
“Well. That could certainly be one viable approach.”
Ibi had been about to say that it would be the only viable approach, but she stopped herself. The Principal couldn’t directly recommend expulsion.
“I was foolish. I shouldn’t have taken on the role of Class Representative at all. If I’d known it meant constantly interfering in other people’s affairs, I never would have done it.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes. What do I know about others? Why should I meddle? As you know, we royals have a chronic condition: a lack of sociability. What am I even saying right now?”
Ibi found herself speaking with unexpected honesty and smiled awkwardly at her own candor.
“I’m sorry, I’m talking nonsense. How much time can you give me?”
“I’d like to give you more, but considering your position, it might be best not to let this linger too long. Shall we meet again in four days?”
“That would be Friday. I’ll see you in the morning.”
As Ibi rose from her seat, the Principal added quietly:
“I hope speaking aloud about this has brought you at least a little relief.”
Ibi regarded the Principal for a moment, then smiled slightly and replied:
“A little.”
Speaking aloud the thoughts she’d been quietly turning over in her mind did seem to have lifted her spirits somewhat.
“Though it hasn’t actually improved the situation.”
“That’s certainly true.”
The Principal simply smiled gently.
* * *
As Ibi emerged from the Principal’s Office, she caught the sound of students passing by, whispering softly at the sight of her.
She knew she was supposed to act as though nothing had happened, but it was far from easy.
The sound of people talking amongst themselves continued to ring in her ears.
It was time she should go to the Cafeteria and eat something, but how many students would be there?
The mere thought made her chest tighten, so Ibi changed course from the path toward the Dormitory.
Choosing the Library had been the right call. Never had she been so grateful for the fact that few students took much interest in scholarship.
Ibi wandered slowly between the shelves, turning over the conversation she’d just had with the Principal.
“Do you think I should withdraw from the school?”
When she’d posed that question, she’d made it seem casual, but her throat had felt so tight she thought it might burst.
There had been an answer she wanted to hear.
Though the Principal had never given it to her.
‘Really, there’s nothing to deliberate about.’
She had to leave this place immediately. There was too much to lose, and in the worst case, her parents would suffer because of her.
‘But if I do…’
She would be bound inescapably to that terrible, predetermined marriage. She already knew how her life would unfold afterward—she’d seen the answer key.
Unable to reach any conclusion, she rounded yet another shelf.
It had always been deserted, but to her surprise, someone was standing there now, and Ibi froze in startlement.
“Quinton?”
He turned to look at her, holding a few books, his brow furrowed—and Ibi decided to deduct ten points from Quinton’s score in her mind.
In her heart, that is.
“It’s you again?”
“Anyone listening would think I came looking for you. I have business here too, you know?”
“Here?”
He gestured with his chin toward the bookshelf. Curious what book could provoke such a response, Ibi saw it was the section devoted to books on pedagogy.
“Yeah, here.”
Ibi moved to stand beside him, crossed her arms, and examined the spines.
Effective Elementary Education Methods—David Coleman
Communicating with Young Learners—James Bradshaw
Developing Mathematical Thinking: Approaches for Ages 7–12—Sarah Pendleton
Ibi selected the book Communicating with Young Learners and glanced through its table of contents.
Cyrus, it seemed, had decided not to pay attention to her anymore. His gaze remained fixed on the book he’d been holding.
For a moment, only the sound of turning pages filled the air. Then, surprisingly, he spoke first.
“You like interfering in things, don’t you?”
“What?”
Ibi turned to face him in bewilderment.
“If I liked interfering, would I be in this situation?”
What had brought Ibi to this crisis was primarily her intense indifference.
Even when Ibi had just spoken to the Principal about her lack of sociability, he hadn’t bothered to contradict her.
“I don’t know what state you’re in, but you definitely like to interfere.”
“Isn’t it strange to call me a meddler just because we’ve crossed paths a few times in school?”
“It’s not because of that.”
“Then what?”
Ibi lifted her chin higher, her gaze so obviously pointed it bordered on rudeness.
Quinton snapped the book he’d been reading shut.
“All the explanations you wrote in the margins—they show it.”
“What do you even—”
Before she could finish asking what he meant, Ibi understood. He was referring to the grading she’d done yesterday.
“You wrote so much commentary in the margins that it was distracting to read.”
“That wasn’t interfering—that was sharing thoughts. If you didn’t like it, you could erase it all and do it yourself.”
“I never said I didn’t like it.”
“But you called me a meddler.”
“Look, I don’t know why you keep trying to pick a fight, but Underwood.”
He adjusted his glasses, his gaze shifting slightly away.
“I was saying I liked your explanations.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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