She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 732

"You would have met her sooner," Dennis interjected, rolling his eyes. "But your Tier-S department let in an idiot who actually chased my granddaughter away. Are your grading standards getting watered down? It's time to tighten things up."

A heavy silence fell over the video call. The excitement on the professors' faces was rapidly replaced by shock and outrage.

"What?!" Professor Henry's voice skyrocketed, his eyes wide behind his thick lenses. "A Tier-S student should have instantly recognized the solid academic foundation of her analysis! And they had the audacity to sprout nonsense and kick her out?"

Dennis nodded. "That's exactly why I'm telling you to be strict tomorrow. Everyone knows the prestige of a Tier-S ranking from the Royal Art Academy. Let's not ruin our own reputation."

Eirene frowned, her face darkening. "It's true. Lately, we've had an influx of students getting bumped up to Tier-S through special exemptions based on external awards. It definitely dilutes the talent pool."

"Jethro Stanton?" Professor Henry grimaced. "He's the only one we admitted to Tier-S via special exemption recently. He got nominated for one award last year and suddenly thinks he walks on water?"

"Yes, exactly. Him," Dennis confirmed.

"Well then." Eirene paused, her eyes gleaming as she looked back at Loyce. "With Loyce holding down the fort, the standard of this assessment is going to skyrocket! We can finally weed out those who actually belong in Tier-S. The ones who don't can be eliminated immediately. I am thoroughly looking forward to seeing how these arrogant kids perform in front of a true master."

The other professors murmured in fierce agreement, looking at Loyce with absolute trust. It was as if she had already become a pillar of the academy's academic standards.

The video conference went on for another hour until Loyce politely mentioned the time. The professors reluctantly logged off, repeatedly making Dennis promise to take good care of her until they saw her the next day.

The following morning, the atmosphere at the Royal Art Academy's School of Music was charged and solemn for the annual tier assessment.

The auditorium, which held hundreds, was packed to the brim. It wasn't just the students facing assessment; many from other tiers and faculties had come to observe.

The judges' panel sat on a raised platform overlooking the stage, featuring seven seats lined up beneath a massive screen displaying "Tier-S Special Assessment."

In the center sat Chancellor Dennis, Vice Chancellor Eirene, and several other highly respected S-Tier professors.

Just as Loyce was about to find a quiet corner to wait, a grating, familiar voice sliced through the hum of the crowd.

"Well, if it isn't our 'know-it-all' tourist! What, didn't get enough of a free ride yesterday, so you're here to 'observe' the Tier-S assessment today? This place isn't for just any random stray to wander into."

Loyce didn't break her stride. She didn't even look toward the voice, merely tilting her head slightly as if swatting away a pesky fly.

It was Jethro Stanton. He was dressed in an expensive bespoke navy suit, his hair slicked back perfectly. He wore a mask of haughty arrogance, though the tight set of his jaw betrayed his underlying nerves and irritation.

Yesterday, his homeroom teacher had tracked him down, chewed him out over the incident at the noticeboard, and warned him that Chancellor Dennis was furious and considering disciplinary action.

Just thinking about it made Jethro's blood boil. Seeing the culprit standing right in front of him made him want to crush this girl and wipe that sickening superiority off her face.

When Loyce completely ignored him, Jethro's face flushed with embarrassment. He raised his voice.