The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Since it wasn't the Agricultural College and there were no chickens or dogs running around, the department head. Simon, seemed to have been rushed into his position. The university was keen on getting rid of anyone associated with the Garrick faction, so they hurriedly appointed new faces. mainly recruiting from abroad to avoid any unwanted ties with Garrick's teachers. Simon, just back from his international projects, was somewhat out of touch with the local situation and barely knew anything about Noella, except that Garrick’s stepping down had something to do with her.

“What does your family do?” he asked brusquely.

Noella replied calmly, “It's all in my student file, sir. You can check it yourself.”

Simon snapped, “I'm asking you now. Just answer the question!

He couldn't stand students who beat around the bush. He was the teacher: they were supposed to answer his questions without any fuss. “My parents don’t work. My grandfather is old, you could say we're into farming,” Noella answered.

The Schnabel Estate in Emerald County was indeed into farming — if you could call owning the entire hillside agriculture.

“You have brothers too, right?”

“Yes, they run a small business.”

Simon sneered inwardly. Just another student from a family with no real standing, likely causing trouble at the school. He doubted Garrick’s departure had anything to do with her. And as for the incident with Oriana, it probably just proved Noella was a schemer. He despised students like that the most.

“Go back to your studies. I've denied your exemption request. Attend classes on time from now on, or forget about graduating. Do you think this is your backyard? No discipline at all! Is this how your family raised you?”

Calmly, Noella said. “I could always drop out.

Simon's face contorted at her words. He was used to having control over students; this was the first time someone had dared to challenge him like this.

“Who do you think you're threatening? Do you think I'd be intimidated by you? Ridiculous! Whose loss would it be if you don't attend school? As he rambled on, Simon flipped open Noella’s file. The top line made his jaw drop.

“*Noella Schnabel, descendant of Marcel Schnabel, former Admiral of Harmonia Country. Honored with several medals from Harmonia Country, specially invited to Imperial University as a highly prioritized talent. Recognized for significant contributions to the scientific community under the Polaris Star Lab.**

These accolades were beyond anything Simon could achieve in his lifetime! “This...”

“If there’s nothing else, I'll proceed with the withdrawal implications of letting her leave.

Noella said as she shouldered her backpack. unfazed by Simon's dawning horror of the

Thad, passing by and always up for some drama, chimed in, “Don’t drop out! Join my department: I'll offer you a full scholarship. You don’t even have to come to class!”

Ever since he found out Noella was the genius behind Loadstar that rocked the scientific community, Thad revered her.

“If you want, my lab can carry your name!

Noella replied calmly, “Your lab doesn’t meet my standards; it’s a bit outdated. Plus, I prefer lab technicians with hair.”

Thad, feeling the top of his bald head, couldn't believe his research qualifications were being overshadowed by his lack of hair. “What kind of criteria is that?” he lamented.

“Because it's nicer to look at. It helps with the mood of the researchers,” she explained.

Trying to recover, Thad quickly accepted Noella's offer to visit her state-of-the-art lab and the jewelry she designed for him. “Sure, I'll visit when I can!”

Thad then turned to Simon, “Simon, I know you ‘vebeen focused on your research abroad, but you should => realize that decisions from the ‘op are always well thought out. It implies that Garrick's removal \ was duéto his own doing, not Noella’ s.”

Implying that Simon was out of line for questioning Noella’s status or intentions was an understatement

“If you're unhappy at the Design Academy, my Computer Science department would be thrilled to have Noella,” Thad added.

Simon, now-sweating, backpedaled quickly, ‘ “NO, no, I didn’t mean for.” Noella to drop out. Let's stick ta the original arrangements. Come to clags sWhen you can, and don’t worry toe-much about exams!” Content bélongs ~

Noella, already detached from the situation, simply nodded, “I'll come when I have time.” She left without giving Simon, still in a state of panic, a second glance. To her, the dean's thoughts were irrelevant.

Thad chuckled, "Hey, we've got this roundtable happening over here and we'd love for you to come by. How about it? I even checked with your granddad, and he was like, ‘You gotta ask her!"

"That sounds great, actually. I've been working-on anew system focusing sr + companionship for the elderly living alone and end-of- life- care, a8 5 well asa tracking system for maissing kids. It'd be the perfect opportunity to share ideas.“Content ©

Thad was thrilled to have her jain in on the Polaris Star initiative!NôvelDrama.Org copyrighted © content.

He momentarily forgot about Noella's earlier comment that their lab wasn't quite up to snuff...

"I see your projects are all about social care?”

"Yeah, there are plenty of money-making schemes out there, but I'm pretty well-off now. I want to invest in something meaningful.” Only Noella could make such a bold statement about her wealth!

Thad couldn't help but laugh along with her self-deprecating humor.

"Alright, alright. Polaris Star is all about humanitarian efforts. Good on us!"

Elder Horatio stared at the I Ching hexagrams before him, frowning. "This doesn't look too good.” The senior monk was at his wit's end.

"Why are you, a monk, dabbling in divination? It’s like every day, monks are stepping on the toes of us spiritual folk. Got too much time on your hands!”

"Faiths are intertwined."

"Nonsense. If they're so intertwined, why don’t you hand over Dragon Monastery to me then?"