Chapter 73 The Final Bottom Line

Chapter 73 The Final Bottom Line

Cecilia Blackwood's POV

I had to admit, I was in a really tough spot right now. I had no idea how to convince Kane.

After all, this wasn't the first time something like this had happened, and he was only trying to help me. Could I really use the same tactics again?

"Listen to me, leave this to me. I'll handle it, okay?"

"Trust me one last time. If I can't deal with it, I'll hand everything over to you. Is that acceptable?"

I looked at Kane with complete sincerity, hoping to move him.

A flicker of doubt crossed Kane's eyes. "You'll handle it? How exactly do you plan to handle it?"

My mind raced, and I quickly came up with a strategy. "Simple. I'll go find her myself and have it out with her."

"Whether through persuasion or threats, I'll definitely handle this and make sure she never bothers me again!"

"What about later? What if other people come after you?" Kane asked.

I cleared my throat. "They won't. Not that many people are out to get me. You're worrying too much."

Kane took a deep breath and spoke deliberately. "This is the last time. If anyone hurts you again, I definitely won't let them off!"

"I hope when that time comes, you won't try to stop me either."

Kane's gaze was intense and sincere. I seriously doubted whether I'd be able to stop him next time.

But I couldn't worry about that now. As long as I could calm him down temporarily, it was worth it.

"Okay, okay, we'll deal with that when it happens. Go back to your dorm for now. I'll head back once I've handled things here."

"I'll go with you."

I shook my head repeatedly. "No, no, you'll scare her to death. How am I supposed to handle things then?"

I could already imagine Rosie's reaction to seeing Kane—she'd probably faint on the spot, and that was no exaggeration!

Plus, what if Kane saw her and couldn't suppress his anger? All my efforts to calm him down would be wasted.

"It's fine. You go back first. This is the medical wing, and she's injured. Even if she wanted to hurt me, she couldn't!"

"I'll wait here for you." Kane's tone remained as firm as ever.

I didn't try to persuade him further, because I knew that waiting here was already his final compromise.

"All right. I'll be back soon."

I stood and walked toward the treatment room. On the way, I ran into Jenny.

Jenny was holding a thick syringe, her face full of anger.

I'd never seen such an expression on her face before. I quickly asked, "What's wrong? What happened? Who upset you?"

Jenny said nothing, simply heading straight for the treatment room.

"What's going on? Tell me! You're killing me with suspense!"

In the entire magic academy, aside from Kane, Jenny was my only friend—at least for now. I didn't want to see her bullied, and I couldn't tolerate it.

Jenny took a deep breath and spoke deliberately. "You're the one who got hurt by Rosie in there, right? Don't worry, I'm going to give you justice today!"

My mind went blank. I realized then that no one had bullied her—she was angry because Rosie had targeted me!

And judging by her current state and the syringe in her hand, I didn't dare imagine what would happen when she saw Rosie.

"Calm down! We can talk things through. There's no need to resort to violence!"

"Since Rosie came to the medical wing, she's a patient. As a physician in the medical wing, you can't lay a hand on her, or you'll be in serious trouble!"

Jenny snorted. "Trouble? I don't care!"

"But I do!" I let out a heavy breath. "I appreciate your concern—yours and Kane's—but we really can't do this. I can't let you two get hurt because of me."

"Besides, nothing really happened to me. Rosie's the one who got injured."

"That's what she deserves! All day long she's scheming against others. Naturally she won't have a good ending!"

I smiled slightly. "Exactly! Since she'll get what's coming to her anyway, why should we bother going after her?"

My words of persuasion came one after another, but then I thought—if Kane or Jenny were the ones being bullied, I'd probably act just like them, consequences be damned!

I took Jenny's arm. "Come on, I know you care about me, but leave this to me. I can handle it."

Jenny sighed helplessly. "Fine. But if you can't handle it, you have to tell me."

"I will."

I pushed open the door and entered the treatment room. Rosie's treatment had ended, and she was alone.

Seeing me, Rosie immediately turned her face away. "Are you here to apologize? Let me tell you, I won't forgive you for this. I'm going to report this to the principal and have you expelled from the academy!"

I gave a bitter smile. "Nice idea, but it won't work."

Rosie frowned. "What do you mean, it won't work?"

"Because the principal pulled up the classroom surveillance footage. The truth is out."

"I won't be expelled. You're the one in trouble, because you attacked me first. You've violated Star Ring Academy of Magic's rules. You're the one who'll be expelled!"

As soon as I said this, the arrogance on Rosie's face completely vanished, replaced by deep terror.

"Cecilia! I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have been so foolish. I shouldn't have attacked you. Can you please talk to the principal and spare me this once? I'll never do it again!"

"I've already received the punishment I deserve this time. Please spare me just once. I'm begging you!"

Watching Rosie cry and plead, I felt no sympathy, only deep confusion.

These kinds of people—when they had the upper hand, they could do whatever they wanted. But once the tables turned, they'd abandon all dignity and pride.

I was genuinely curious—what went through their minds normally? Weren't they exhausted?

I waved my hand gently. "All right, I don't care whether your remorse is genuine or an act. Either way, I've already told the principal I'd spare you this once."

"Remember this—I'm sparing you not because I'm afraid of you, but because I don't want to waste energy on meaningless matters."

"But I'm warning you, this is the last time. If there's a next time, I absolutely won't let you off. Mark my words!"

After saying my piece, I turned and left without lingering.

I'd said what needed to be said and done what needed to be done. If Rosie insisted on being enemies to the death, I'd oblige!

Over the next two days, my mood was hard to describe, bouncing between terrible and happy.

The happy times were naturally those spent with Kane. We attended classes together, ate together, and trained together.

Under Kane's careful guidance, my understanding of Dodge Magic improved tremendously—my speed was even twice what it had been before!

But when I said terrible, I meant the times when Kane wasn't around.