As soon as the words left her mouth, everyone crowded around, and teasing voices. filled the room once again.


    “Honestly, we used toin that the school’s rewards were useless and called them stingy, but it looks like they might be worth something after all.”


    “Hey, ss President, don’t we have an ‘Outstanding Student‘ award and a ‘Financial Aid Schrship‘ up for grabs? No one’s ever imed them before, but now that we finally have someone in need in our ss, shouldn’t we put them to good use?”


    “I can’t believe I’m actually witnessing the day Alessia qualifies for financial aid. I finally have something to brag about in front of her!”


    <b>“</b>Alessia, please, be my tutor! I’ll pay you double the market rate–no, five times as much!”


    Everyone’s voices and gestures were so over–the–top that Alessia couldn’t help butugh, though she looked helpless as she tried to rein them in. “Alright, that’s enough out of you. Don’t you already ask me enough questions? Cut it out now, any more and it’ll just be rude.”


    The ss was buzzing with noise, so much so that no one noticed when the homeroom teacher walked in.


    “First day back and you’re already making a racket. What kind of example is this?”


    At once, everyone fell silent and scrambled back to their seats. This might be Aristocrat Academy, but that didn’t mean these students were any different from those at regr schools. Those who feared teachers still did, and no one looked down on the staff or dared to challenge them, no matter how impressive their family background.


    The academy had strict rules against disrespecting teachers or staff. At an ordinary school, students might get away with a bit of attitude, but this school was founded by some of the most powerful figures in the country. Every student had received countless warnings from their parents before setting foot on campus: don’t stir up trouble.


    Of course, there were always a few who thought they were above the rules–but they disappeared without a trace. Once might be a coincidence, but when it happened again and again, it became clear: expulsion was the least of your worries. If you dragged your family’s name down with you, that was the real


    disaster.


    Other schools might imagine Aristocrat Academy was full of spoiled rich kids, coasting through life,


    <i>ut </i>only the students themselves knew just how cutthroat things really were. For most people, grades were their only way forward. Here, students had to master finance, politics, foreignnguages, and more.


    Being top of the ss here meant something very different than elsewhere. It wasn’t just about the standard subjects–horseback riding, aesthetics, economics, and a dozen other disciplines all counted. A city–wide ranking didn’t mean half as much as your standing in the school itself. The graduates didn’t always go to the best universities in the country, but they all became leaders in their fields.


    The fact that Alessia still had supporters, even after her family went bankrupt, said everything. In this school, your ranking mattered more than your bloodline. In this ss, two–thirds of the students were future heirs to their families–every alliance and rivalry was carefully weighed. The more talented friends you made, the stronger yourwork, and the better off your family would be.


    “This is just the first day, so I’ll let it slide. We’ve been together a long time–let’s help each other out through thisst year and make it count, alright?”


    “No problem!”


    “Good. One more thing: we have a new student joining us this semester. Ileana,


    Everyone exchanged nces, curiosity flickering across their faces as they turned toward the front of the room. Ste shot Alessia a look, and Alessia answered with


    a faint, unreadable smile.


    “Hello, everyone. My name is Ileana. I was switched at birth, and I’ve only just been reunited with my real parents.” At this point, Ileana nced timidly at Alessia.


    The way she looked, anyone would think Alessia had bullied her somehow. If Alessia so much as breathed wrong, she’d be branded the viin who picked on the ‘real‘ heiress.


    “I know you’re all incredibly talented, and I… I haven’t had much of an education, so please don’t make fun of me. I just hope we can all get along this year. Thank you.”