The meeting with Mort, the temple administrator, was rather brief. Bramwell only exchanged a few pleasantries before sending off the members of the research branch.
As such, the onlookers were not able to fish out any information as to why there was this sudden move by the research branch. Even the faculty members do not have any information about this, as Dean Simone and Athena also didn't announce a thing.
Because of the mystery, the departure of the branch became the hot topic of the entire school in the next few days.
"What's happening to the research branch? Why did they suddenly submit themselves to volunteer for temple service?"
"Maybe it is some kind of immersion education for the research branch?"
"Fat hope! The researchers would not be willing to do anything like that if it does not benefit their own research!"
"Maybe the temple finally opened their gates for the researchers to dive into more magic theories?"
"That could be.. But why now, when Great Inventor Eli just entered the branch?"
"I know right?! What could have happened? The day she entered the branch, she didn't have students to teach!"
"I'm thinking maybe it was one of her lessons."
"Oh, by the way… Have you heard that Dean Zeke and Great Inventor Eli have been working on a new curriculum for them these days?"
"The research institute is so lucky!"
"I know right! With the Great Inventor's help, I'm sure they will improve by leaps and bounds!"
"I am starting to think that after I graduate, I'll join the research school just to see my Great Inventor!"
Various speculations rose up from countless discussions that made the students wonder whenever they had idle time.
Of course, because it has been recently announced that Eli would be joining the research branch as an honorary counselor, they couldn't help but include her name in the discussions.
They also kept a close watch on whatever she was up to, which was why her name quickly spread throughout the campus.
Some would speculate rather neutral or positive deductions, while a certain someone couldn't help but spread malice in this situation.
Although Alicia had already accepted the task to get close to the famous inventor Eli, she couldn't help but frown in the past few days whenever she heard the discussions among her colleagues and students.
Research Branch, Dean Zeke, Great Inventor Eli…
These were the hot topics that made Alicia really annoyed big time. What's great with the research branch? What's so interesting about their departure? What's so great about Zeke and Eli?
Every time she heard her students express their desire to experience being Eli's student, she would curse in her heart. Prior to Eli's entrance, she was undoubtedly the most sought after teacher in the institute.
To the students, she was a beautiful, intelligent, talented and magnanimous teacher. No one could compete with her qualities, except for her sworn rival Zeke.
But since Zeke was long promoted to the dean position, she became the sole contender among the teachers.
Although not satisfied with Zeke defeating her, she felt that it was not bad to still be the top among her fellow teachers.
However, this mysterious inventor came out of nowhere and became the apple of the eye of the entire campus.
She couldn't take the blow!
The title of star teacher should only be given to her, who has already taught countless students through the years!
Even if the Empress wanted her to get close to Eli, she couldn't help but be resentful towards her for stealing the limelight.
Alicia couldn't just sit back and allow Eli to dominate the institute in terms of the teacher's popularity! That was why she decided to make Eli experience a little setback.
"For months you have been the talk of the whole empire, won't you even not spare the campus?"
"Since you have been on a victory streak, I think you wouldn't mind encountering a hurdle this time..." She mumbled with disdain in her eyes.
Having thought of what to do next, Alicia strutted towards her next class with confidence.
As she is the star teacher of the campus, as well as a former candidate for the deputy dean position, she is allowed to teach classes on both the Magic and the Academic class.
The Magic and Academic classes were majorly divided into Junior and Senior levels. Junior Level accepts students from eleven to fifteen years old and is considered graduate after passing an evaluation.
After finishing the junior level, they have the option to already go out of the institute to start their life plans or continue their education to Senior level, where they would study for another five years to graduate.
Upon graduation, they are considered cream of the crop, distinguished among their peers.
The class Alicia would be teaching this time was a first year junior class. She will be teaching politics to these kids and she decided to use this time to put an idea to the students.
Entering the room, Alicia smiled gently towards the class who was looking at her with respect and dependence.
She dutifully started the class by discussing certain types of leadership styles, carefully picking historical icons who exemplified these principles.
But upon discussing the last of the leadership styles, tyranny, her example became a little odd.
"Although tyranny would surely bring fear towards the citizens within the jurisdiction, it was specifically effective to subdue rebellious subjects."
"Like what had recently happened in the campus. Tyranny can be effectively used to contain unruly people. It is one of the best ways for a leader to ensure order in a territory infested by subjects who do not recognize authority… Especially when you are a person newly appointed as the leader."
Although the class continued to be silent during Alicia's lecture, upon saying these words, a ripple of confusion and curiosity appeared on the faces of her innocent students.
However, so as to not be too obvious, she opted for the statements to remain cryptic. "Alright, that's it for today. Let's end this discussion and all of you enjoy your lunch! Class dismissed!"
As soon as she exited the room, her lips contained a sinister smile. Surely these students would talk about the last example she just discussed. It was even timely as it was already lunch.
These naive students would definitely discuss it out in the open and the topic will surely spread in the whole campus. She just needed to drop subtle hints, even without telling who the person was with her own mouth.
These students are brilliant enough to be able to deduce for themselves.
Alicia's insight towards the deduction and reasoning ability of her class was terrifyingly on point. Even her prediction that the students would not hold themselves back from such a sensitive topic out in the public, was spot on!
Her years of teaching students proved to be an advantage in terms of understanding their behaviours and thought processes!
Not long enough, these students passionately discussed the intriguing topic in the public cafeteria while eating lunch.
"Hey guys , did you listen well to our lesson earlier?" A bothered student asked.
"Yeah, what about it?" One of her friends replied.
"That one last example that the teacher gave. It was so odd! She mentioned that it happened just lately on campus."
"Tyranny on the campus? Now that you reminded me, she did mention that!"
"Do you believe it though? In this renowned Farauld Institute, there's someone who dared to implement tyranny?"
"Hmm, the teacher didn't give specifics about it. But if you could remember, she said that tyranny is effective for unruly people especially if you are a new leader…"
"Unruly people… New leader… Inside the campus.."
"Aha! The research school!"
"Oh! Then the new leader.." The other student dared not to continue her sentence.
"It was the Great Inventor Eli! No doubt." Another student who was not afraid of name dropping casually responded with a nod.
"Are you sure about this?"
"If they weren't the ones whom the teacher pertained to, then who could these people be?"
"This.."
"You have no other answer right? Then we can only assume that it is the research school and Great Inventor Eli. We all know that the research school was a bunch of unruly and eccentric research maniacs. I could just imagine how hard it is for the Great Inventor to mingle with them."
"It's true… But I don't think that the Great Inventor would resort to tyranny just because of that…"
"Ehh.. did you forget? The research institute suddenly subjected themselves to temple service exactly on the first day of the Great Inventor Eli's reporting in the institute! If that isn't tyranny, then I don't know what it is!"
"Erm.. I don't think it was right to discuss this topic. What if the officials heard this?"
"They might also send us to the temple to serve!"
"Noo.. we better stop then!"
"Yeah, let's stop talking about this.."
However, these students realized it too late. Most of the students who were still interested in the sudden departure of the research school, perked their ears open and heard the entire conversation!
At that moment, the rumor began to spread, one rumor led to another until everyone in the institute sang the same tune.
The Great Inventor Eli was a tyrant! She didn't even consider the researchers' well-being.
Because of a simple case of disrespect, they were all mercilessly sent to the temple!