Chapter 376: Making Catherine Drop Out?

The department chair assumed office in a hurry.

The school wanted everyone from Franklin's faction removed. So they hastily arranged new appointments.

To avoid any contact with Franklin's people, Imperial University recruited all new faculty from abroad.

The new department chair, Daryl Fields, had just wrapped up all his projects overseas and didn't know much about the domestic situation yet.

Daryl wasn't even clear about Catherine's specific circumstances.

He only knew that Franklin's removal was somehow connected to this student Catherine!

"What does your family do?"

Catherine replied with practiced composure, "It is all detailed in my student file. You are welcome to review it yourself, Mr. Fields."

Daryl’s irritation flared. "I am asking you now. Simply answer the question!"

He hated students who gave non-answers like this!

He was the teacher. Catherine just needed to answer his questions as required. Where did all these excuses come from!

"My parents are unemployed, my grandfather is elderly, and we are, essentially, farmers," Catherine stated.

The Windsor Mansion in Tranquil County was indeed involved in farming.

In reality, the family owned nearly every acre of land in the county.

"I understand you have several brothers?" Daryl pressed.

"Yes, they run some small businesses."

Daryl felt somewhat disdainful.

Just a student with no family background, probably caused some trouble at school!

Franklin's removal probably had nothing to do with her.

As for the Lyra incident, it proved Catherine was probably just a scheming student.

This was exactly the type of student he looked down on and hated most!

"Go back and study properly. I'm rejecting your exemption application. From now on, attend classes on time, or forget about graduating. Do you think the school is your home? No sense of rules! Is this how your family raised you?"

Catherine remained unruffled. "I can simply drop out."

The expression on Daryl's face twisted.

He was used to controlling students, and this was the first time he'd heard such words!

"Who do you think you’re threatening? Do you truly believe I’ll be cowed by such a ridiculous bluff? If you leave, the only person you hurt is yourself."

Fuming, Daryl snatched up Catherine’s file and flipped it open.

As his eyes scanned the first few lines of her biography, his jaw literally dropped.

[Catherine Windsor, Imperia City, member of the Windsor family, descendant of Stellara's former Navy Admiral Marcus.]

[Recipient of multiple Stellara honor medals, specially invited to Imperial University, key talent for cultivation.]

[Made outstanding contributions to Stellara's scientific research, awarded special contribution medal in the name of Galactic Aurora Collective Lab.]

Just reading these understated descriptions, Daryl could barely contain himself!

"This..."

These honors were things he hadn't achieved in his entire career!

And he'd just said what, that Catherine should drop out?

Catherine slung her bag over her shoulder, her gaze indifferent. "Mr. Fields, if that is all, I’ll begin the withdrawal process."

Daryl could already imagine what the school would do to him if Catherine actually dropped out!

Otis, passing by, was happy to stir things up.

"Don't drop out! Come to my department, I'll give you a full scholarship, you don't even have to attend classes!"

Ever since learning at the research summit that Catherine was Alioth, the big shot who shocked the entire research community, Otis now treated Catherine like a treasure!

"As long as you're willing to come, the lab can even take your surname!"

Catherine spoke calmly.

"Your lab doesn't meet my requirements. It's a bit too outdated."

"Plus I prefer lab workers with hair."

Otis reached up to touch his balding head!

At his age, to be criticized for not having hair?!

The key was it was actually true...

Otis said in anguish, "Having hair is a requirement?"

"Because it looks better."

Facing unattractive lab workers wouldn't be good for researchers' moods.

After taking hit after hit, Otis wanted to cry!

Catherine consoled him, "But if you don't mind, you can visit my lab. The jewelry I promised you last time is already designed."

Who would turn down one of the country's top labs!

Moreover, Catherine was so thoughtful.

Otis immediately put on a smiling face.

"Great, great, I'll visit when I have time!"

Otis glanced at Daryl.

"Daryl, I know you've been focused on research abroad, but you should know that decisions from above are never wrong."

The implication was that Franklin's removal must have been his own problem.

Did he really want to investigate through Catherine, a student?

Some people had academic ability, but their character was somewhat questionable!

"As for dropping out, if you're unhappy in the Design School, our Computer Science School welcomes Catherine!"

Plenty of schools wanted to compete with the Design School for students.

Catherine chose jewelry design, and instead of considering it a treasure for his school, Daryl kept pushing Catherine away?

Simply crazy!

Daryl’s face burned with humiliation. He began to backtrack with desperate speed.

"No, no, I misspoke! There is no need for a withdrawal. Since the previous exemptions were already approved and stamped, we shall honor them to the letter!"

"Please, Catherine—come to campus only when it is convenient for you. Attend at your leisure! Don't worry about the finals; in fact, skipping them is perfectly acceptable!"

Daryl was getting anxious!

Catherine didn't bother to acknowledge his panic.

She attended classes based on her mood anyway. What the school could teach was limited. Truth be told, any member of Galactic Aurora Collective was qualified to teach!

It's just that the school always had that youthful atmosphere that Catherine had never experienced before!

The Windsor family also hoped Catherine would be safe and happy. As long as they could rest assured, coming to school more often was fine.

"I’ll attend when I have the time."

She said, leaving the perspiring Daryl behind without a second glance.

What Daryl thought had nothing to do with her.

Otis said cheerfully, "We have a symposium and would like you to attend. Would you be willing to grace us with your presence? I asked your grandfather's opinion, and he said I should ask you!"

"Sure, I happen to have a new system I want to develop - about companion systems for empty-nest elderly and end-of-life care, plus a tracking system for lost children. Perfect timing to discuss together."

Being able to participate in Galactic Aurora Collective's experiments made Otis very happy!

He completely forgot about Catherine saying their lab's specifications weren't up to par just moments ago...

"I noticed your recent projects are almost entirely focused on social welfare."

"Yes, there are too many money-making projects. Now I'm quite wealthy, so I want to do some money-spending ones."

Only Catherine could say something so extravagantly wealthy!

Faced with Catherine's somewhat self-deprecating words, Otis laughed heartily!

"Good, good, good! Galactic Aurora Collective is a lab with humanitarian concerns, well done!"

Eternal Light Cathedral.

Brad stared at the divination array spread before him, his brow deeply furrowed. "These portents are not favorable, are they?"

The gathered wizards, staring at the unsettling results, found themselves rendered speechless by the gravity of the omens.