Thrown Into A New World: Let The Punishment Begin!

While Yvonne had found the solution from the Royal Academy to be unexpected, she did not think that it was too absurd for the issue they were facing.

Therefore, she nodded in approval of the schedule created by these Academies to remedy the complicated situation that had popped up due to the plague.

Not only would the previous year's final year students get to graduate without wasting another year but the next batch would also not have to wait another year to be able to graduate.

The procedure of graduation played a crucial role for the boys as they would have newer and heavier responsibilities to carry once they completed their formal education.

One of the biggest was the responsibility of learning the ropes about the fief which would be in their care in the future.

Most of these boys would start undergoing their Heir training soon after graduation so delaying this important rite of passage for their futures would not be appropriate for either the Academy or their families.

Thinking in this way, the Dean and the rest of his men had found this solution.

"Will they be able to keep up with the hectic schedule?" Yvonne inquired, alternating her gaze between her father and brother.

The lessons worth an entire year would be packed into a meager five months.

Not every student was alike and each one's learning curve was different.

Hence Yvonne wondered if they would be able to complete their assignments and perfect their lessons without succumbing to the stress and anxiety that came with this hectic schedule.

It was easy to cave under pressure and considering that most of these boys lived a carefree and pampered life, she was doubtful if they would be able to cope with the sudden stress inflicted on them.

'She must be worried about that fool.' Howard sighed at how thoughtful his baby sister was.

Surprisingly, unlike Howard's immediate presumption, Yvonne had not added Taylor to the list of boys who she thought would not be able to keep up with the rest of the class and might fail due to the sudden increase in their workload.

She was well aware that despite his lack of effort and lazy attitude, the second son of the Tanner family passed every test.

He was naturally talented and even smarter than most so there was no reason for her to be worried about his academic performance.

If Taylor had known that his sworn sister thought so highly of him then he would surely be moved to tears and strive to be better so that she might be proud of him.

Not aware of his sister's favorable opinion about Taylor, Howard was scoffing at his best friend in his mind, planning how he would make that fool study harder in order to not cause Yvonne any mental distress.

However, his plans would be for naught because right at this moment, Taylor Tanner was drowning in books as he tried to prepare for the upcoming academic year.

He had made a vow to himself that he would improve and become worthy of being called Vonny's 'Brother'.

To achieve this, he had even stunned his father this morning with the baffling request of training with the rest of the squires on a daily basis.

Topher had a smug look on his face while gesturing to their father to accept this request and the Duke had given his approval before his younger son could change his mind again.

The heir then had personally trained his little brother this morning until he was gasping for breath before sending him away.

The letter from the Royal Academy that had arrived at the Tanners as well made Taylor want to spend the rest of his free time in his room, studying until it was time for evening training again.

The St. Claire siblings did not have any clue of the efforts he was putting in to progress to a level where he could properly protect his sworn sister and never let any harm come to her.

Oblivious to what was happening in the Tanner estate, Howard was now busy disclosing what the Dean had mentioned in the letter concerning the doubt which the little girl seemed to have.

"The Academy had decided to lower the cut-off percentile for the passing marks by a little to ensure that everyone has a fair chance during this short term." He added which brought a nod from the rest.

The tight schedule was compensated by lowering the passing percentage, allowing more pupils to pass.

This did not give them an excessive advantage but it at least allowed them to pass so that they might move on to the next grade.

Whether they stayed at the top of their class and passed with honors depended on the effort they were willing to put in and also their natural talent for their studies and physical training.

Yvonne found this to be generous and thus no longer worried about the rest of the students at these academies who might be lacking in their studies.

Howard then explained that the letter which had been addressed to their father contained the instructions for the schedule of the classes for the next two halves of the year along with the fees the guardian had to pay on the reopening day.

On the other hand, the letter addressed to him was meant to provide the pupils of the Academy with the information they needed in order to prepare before their classes began after summer.

A detailed list of the items required for their classes and also the lessons they were supposed to be well-versed in was mentioned in his letter.

This was also one of the reasons why Howard had declared that he would be focusing on his studies from now on.

Yvonne finally understood why he had announced his plans and agreed with his idea of preparing for the hectic academic year ahead of him.

"Will you still be able to come with us to celebrate my birthday at the Valente estate?" She inquired as her big day was just a few weeks away.

If he was going to be engrossed in his studies then would he still be able to make the week-long trip with the rest of the family?

The answer to this question came with a sulking frown from the young boy.

He had already thought of this matter and could only forgo the chance of taking a trip with his little sister this year.

"I'm sorry, Vonny… I'll make it up to you when you return." He promised with a determined expression appearing on his face.

Just as much as she had come to like this elder brother of hers and hoped that he would be with her on her special day, she did not want him to ignore his duties for her sake.

Therefore, the little sister nodded her head slowly before putting on a gentle smile.

"I expect two gifts then!" She exclaimed, bringing chuckles to the room which had just fallen into silence earlier.

"I'll prepare three!" Howard added immediately, wanting to go the extra mile for her.

He could not be with her on her eighth birthday so it was only natural for him to make it memorable for her in his own way.

Deciding that he would later brainstorm what else to get her, he smiled at her before glancing at the two who sat on his side.

His smile soon hardened when he saw the complacent looks on the faces of the twins next to him.

Howard had been trying to keep them away from his baby sister but now he would be unable to do a thing while they spent time together in the Valente fief.

He would be stuck in the Capital and thus could only bear this grievance for now.

'At least they will not appear here again.' He reassured his troubled heart by reminding himself that the twins had no reason to visit the Capital after they returned to the Valente fief.

Thus, once Yvonne and their parents returned to Amarthea after her birthday with the Valentes, they would not have much contact with each other for a very long time.

'That way, they cannot compete with me for her attention.' He soon smirked when this thought formulated in his mind.

Roman and Knox were excited to hear that Yvonne would be spending her birthday with them.

Then to hear that Howard would not be joining them was saddening news but at the same time, their competitive spirit was rejoicing that he would not be around.

The twins had been chiding their inner conscience for even thinking in such a way when they saw Howard smirking at them.

In the next instant, that prick to their conscience had vanished and now they were ready to ensure that Vonny had the best birthday without Howard around.