CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 87: APOLOGY

"Lana, I apologize." Betty’s voice helped Mr. Crow snap out of his daze. Remorse- and guilt-laced words might have sounded like a melody to a person wrongly accused.

However, Lana remained indifferent; her face, though, held a mask of fake relief. "Thank you for understanding me!"

Liar. She clearly wasn’t concerned about their opinion. Worse... if they had thought of ignoring her... maybe she would still be indifferent.

Unconsciously, Mr. Crow patted Lana’s head, and he could again feel Lana’s heart pulsing a bit before a genuine smile spread on her face.

At least... she has genuine feelings for him. She wasn’t cold and indifferent. On the contrary... Lana was an emotionally intelligent person.

Picky with her circle of people and genuine and sincere only to a few.

"Lana, I apologize too." Shame flashed in Fay’s eyes. She felt shame for her inability to distinguish right from wrong.

Lana’s explanation showcased her generous personality.

How could they believe a rumor and even doubt her?

The wave of apology that followed made Lana relax. Her future resources depended on the network she had. If she breaks it off now... gathering resources would become a hassle.

Guilt was beneficial. She could monopolize it and use it to her advantage.

As for building a real relationship? It can be done during life-and-death moments. Those with a genuine relationship will try their best to protect her.

Of course, she would reciprocate; however, till then, others could forget about having any real connection.

Just then, the door of the cultivation room was pushed open, and Professor Axel walked in.

"Done with your cultivation?" His deep voice sounded stern, completely lacking the gentleness he had previously showcased.

All of them exchanged looks, unable to understand his sudden demeanor change, but gave a nod.

"Good. Then I would like to address a few things." Axel’s sharp eyes landed on Lana, and he sternly called out, "Lana, come up here."

Lana was baffled before a sweet smile was plastered on her face. Her inner monologue was rich.

’Don’t tell me... he is going to lecture me or cross-question me? Damn it! I should have seen my luck coming the moment he walked in looking like a storm in human form!’

Suppressing her growing unease, Lana adjusted her posture and stood up. "Yes, Professor," she replied, keeping her tone polite and unbothered as she stepped forward.

The eyes of the entire group followed her movements.

After all, Professor Axel was not the kind of man who summoned students lightly.

When Lana reached the front, Axel folded his arms and looked down at her with a calm expression that was, unfortunately, more intimidating than an outright glare.

"Lana," he began slowly, "do you know why I called you here?"

’Obviously not, or I wouldn’t be sweating bullets under your gaze,’ she thought. Out loud, she maintained her poise. "No, Professor."

Axel’s sharp gaze didn’t waver. "I received a report about the injustice Miss Brenda had suffered because of you."

Lana’s body stiffened before she shook her head innocently. "Professor, there might be some misunderstanding. I..."

"No need." Axel interrupted his stern expression. "You are expelled from the mystic cultivator department."

A trace of surprise flickered in Lana’s eyes, and for the first time, she could bring herself to smile, despite her perfect acting.

Her heart was thudding loudly against her chest, and fear started to grip her heart.

’Are the Almond family behind this? Fuck them! How come they are so powerful in this life? Why is their influence so good now that they are able to kick me out...’

In her past life, they needed a hefty sum of time before they got proof against her, and she was finally kicked out, but in this life...

What changed? Was it those reborn Almond siblings?

"Hahaha! Professor, you truly know how to joke..." Lana began; her laughter seemed a bit unnatural, while Mr. Crow felt the anxiety in Lana’s heart growing.

"I am not kidding, Miss Lana. I am serious." Professor Axel’s gaze was firm, and it was certainly devoid of mercy.

’Sh*t! Why the fuck are people around Lana so much worse?’ Mr. Crow cursed in anger and glared at Axel. However, his body reaction was much faster, and he started to pet Lana’s head and whispered through their link.

’Calm down! Calm down! Everything is alright. I am here! With me here, nothing will go wrong! I promise! Take deep breaths, Lana.’

Lana unconsciously followed Mr. Crow’s lead while the soft petting of his wing calmed the rising anxiety.

Lana’s mind raced, and she started to think of how to deal with the situation when...

"Professor, please reconsider your decision! You are unjustly kicking Lana out!" Betty’s voice echoed, cutting through the air.

"Yes, Professor! You can’t just make a verdict against Lana because of a rumor!" Layla supported anxiously.

Richard and Wade chimed in, while Fay proposed, "If you want, we can get proof of Lana’s innocence."

"All of you will receive a heavy demerit." Professor Axel said sternly, his tone filled with reprimand, "If you all continued to protect Lana."

"We are ready!" There was no hesitation in their voice, and Lana was surprised by this united front.

Earlier, she saw these mystic cultivators as confused children, but now... she was uncertain about her own evaluation.

It doesn’t seem guilty. Guilt was a heavy emotion; however, it will never lead a person to sacrifice something they deeply care for.

"Why?" Professor Axel’s calm question stunned everyone.

"What?" Betty voiced their doubt.

"Why are you defending her now?" Professor Axel spoke; his voice was now laced with gentleness.

"We heard her story and..." Betty began, but the professor interrupted her.

"No, it is because of the trust." Axel’s stern expression reappeared. "You trusted her. However, this trust wasn’t there when it was needed. You all started to believe the rumor; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been forced to defend herself in the first place."

Silence followed, so still that even Mr. Crow’s faint wing rustle sounded loud.

Betty lowered her head. "Professor, we were wrong," she whispered. "We believed what others said without confirming it with Lana. But she still forgave us. That’s why we..."