Maybe I really have cared too little about the students in this class. Since I’m now taking over this class, I shouldn’t just ignore them, nor should I turn a blind eye to those who bully my students.

In the end, Emily didn’t say anything more and left the classroom deep in thought.

However, whether it was Emily’s students or others, everyone felt that the Ethan Brooks before them was different from the Ethan Brooks of yesterday. What on earth had happened to make someone change so much overnight?

They would never know the answer.

Chapter 9: Genius

“Ethan Brooks, how could you be so rude to the teacher!” After Emily left, Ethan Brooks faced the fury of the whole class.

Tch, wasn’t I just speaking a bit more coolly? How was that rude? Ethan Brooks ignored these boring people and headed straight for the door, though he thought to himself: This woman sure has a lot of fans—not only is the classroom full of them, but there’s a huge crowd outside as well.

Generally, fans like these are pretty crazy, especially the guys. If they find out I’ve offended the goddess in their hearts, won’t they all want to skin me alive…

Ugh…

So cold, I can already feel the murderous intent.

Looks like I didn’t think this through enough. As the saying goes, “Better to offend a petty man than a woman.” I’m only now realizing what that really means.

“Ahem, not at all, not at all. My tone was just a bit intense, but we were only discussing a problem. I was just giving the teacher a summary of my duel with Colin this morning.” A wise man doesn’t fight when the odds are against him. If I go up against Emily’s fan club now, it’ll be a huge hassle.

To avoid this unnecessary and pointless trouble, Ethan Brooks started to divert everyone’s attention. He knew that as soon as he mentioned the duel with Colin, these people would immediately bombard him with questions. He could tell from their endlessly curious eyes during his conversation with Emily just now.

Sure enough, everyone became extremely curious and started asking about the morning’s duel, not letting a single detail slip by. But halfway through, Ethan Brooks used the excuse of being hungry and said he didn’t want to talk anymore.

As a result, some people volunteered to treat Ethan Brooks to a meal, hoping he’d talk while eating…

Oh yeah, another free lunch in the bag!!

In the cafeteria, the bustling crowd showed just how booming business was here. Don’t think the food is especially delicious—it’s just passable. In the eyes of these noble students, it’s really nothing special.

But every noon, it’s always this packed. The reason is simple: this is the only cafeteria, and at noon, the school gates are tightly shut. Unless there’s something special, no one is allowed to leave, though people can come in.

Actually, it’s not just at noon. From the start of classes in the morning until school ends in the afternoon, it’s always like this—only entry, no exit. Otherwise, you’ll get a warning.

This rule was set by the current principal, supposedly to help everyone focus on their studies and not think about leaving the academy or skipping class.

But whether that’s really the case, everyone is skeptical. Many say the principal is just greedy and wants everyone to spend money at the academy all day. Apparently, this rule was only set after the principal expanded the cafeteria.

“The principal really is a business genius!” After learning about the cafeteria, Ethan Brooks came to this conclusion.

As everyone knows, the students at this academy are all nobles. Since they’re nobles, they maintain a certain aristocratic air—the most common being that when they buy things, they only choose the expensive, not the right.

It’s the same with the food here. Even though there are plenty of cheap and decent options, very few people eat them. Instead, the overpriced and less worthwhile dishes sell especially well.

That’s one aspect. Another is the dining area. Besides the public area on the first floor, there are private rooms and elegant suites on the second floor, which of course cost extra. The principal is definitely a genius, understanding the principle that rarity increases value. There aren’t many private rooms or suites, so in this academy cafeteria with thousands of noble students, the private rooms and suites are snatched up at exorbitant prices by the wealthiest and most powerful.

It’s said that a private room costs ten gold coins a day, which really just covers lunchtime, while a suite costs a hundred gold coins. In Ethan Brooks’s words, this is basically daylight robbery.

But still, plenty of people fight tooth and nail for them. Ethan Brooks’s comment on this: “A bunch of shameless lunatics.”

Those who don’t get one, those who don’t plan to compete, and those who know they don’t stand a chance just eat in the public area. Here, besides set meals, you can also order dishes like in the private rooms and suites—another way to make money.

Though it’s a cafeteria, it’s decorated very elegantly. After all, everyone here is a noble. If it were too shabby, the students would rather not eat or bring their own lunch every day.

And there’s no need to line up here—there are dedicated waiters to take orders and serve food.

“Give each of us an A-level lunch set—uh, make that two for me! And slice up ten pounds of cooked beef. Also, bring a bottle of white rum. Does everyone think that’s enough?” Ethan Brooks placed the order first, then asked for everyone’s opinion.