Chapter 14: Study? What a joke! (UP)
Hannah, who had been chatting enthusiastically with Hera, found herself abruptly silenced by the other party’s declaration. Though she desperately wished to voice her complaints, she resolutely held her tongue.
On the surface, their relationship appeared to be quite amicable. This was primarily due to Hannah’s keen understanding of how to cater to Hera’s whims, tolerating her occasional displays of superiority with remarkable grace.
What Hannah hadn’t anticipated, however, was Hera’s bold proclamation that "Dionysios El Papadopoulos" was her destined one, even fantasizing about marrying him and bearing his child. It was a notion that struck Hannah as rather ludicrous!
Dionysios El Papadopoulos was a prominent figure among the high school freshmen. He had even spoken as a student representative at the concluding assembly following their military training. His appearance, temperament, and demeanor had attracted countless infatuated teenage girls.
Who did Hera think she was, daring to fantasize about such a handsome and rich hunk?
Dionysios was the type of young man with an undeniable presence; it seemed that wherever he went, he was destined to be the absolute protagonist—a harem protagonist at that. Information about him spread like wildfire across the campus.
According to the gossip circulating among students, Dionysios was the most favored scion of the prestigious Papadopoulos familia, referred to as "the little grandson of the tycoon familia." It was said that his grandfather, Chairman Nikos El Papadopoulos, had already taken notice of his excellence.
As long as he continued to excel beyond his peers, it was entirely plausible that one day he would inherit the vast business empire of the Papadopoulos familia.
Normally, one born with a silver spoon like him would exhibit arrogance, looking down upon others. Yet, in stark contrast, Dionysios was known for his high emotional intelligence, being approachable and considerate. He had a knack for uniting those around him, devoid of the typical haughtiness associated with a wealthy lineage, making him a delight to be around.
It was no surprise that he captured the hearts of many teenage girls, yet it was rumored that no girl had yet caught his eye.
Whispers suggested that Dionysios was already engaged and wholly devoted to his fiancee.
Dionysios himself had made efforts to dispel the myriad absurd rumours surrounding him—asserting that there was no preferential treatment, no fiancee, merely a focus on his studies in high school with little time for dating—but these claims had met with limited success.
Due to his immense fame and the attention he attracted, a plethora of absurd rumors seemed to align perfectly with the stereotypical perceptions students had of affluent familias. Had he been arrogant and aloof, he would have epitomized the ideal template for a campus novel protagonist.
In this narrative, it seemed only a matter of time before a lucky Cinderella would capture the heart of this prince charming, ushering in a whirlwind of romantic dramas and familial struggles.
However, in the first-year class to which Dionysios belonged, the students were not caught up in fanciful imaginings; they were well acquainted with him and understood that he was just a normal person. His innate leadership qualities earned him respect, leading to his unanimous selection as class monitor.
At this moment, as Hera observed Hannah’s silence, she couldn’t help but frown and inquire, "Hannah, do you think I’m unworthy of Dionysios El Papadopoulos?"
Hannah quickly shook her head, forcing an awkward smile. "How could that be? Miss Hera, you are so elegant, and your familia is exceedingly wealthy. You certainly match him in terms of background!"
Hera’s eyebrows immediately relaxed, her small eyes squinting with a smile. Modestly, she replied, "While my familia may indeed fall short compared to the Papadopoulos familia, there’s no reason a girl should marry down. Matches are made upwards for the best ladies. Looking around the school, only Dionysios El Papadopoulos meets all my criteria. But the real issue is that I know him, yet he doesn’t know me. Do you have any brilliant ideas to make him notice me?"
Hannah nearly burst out laughing inwardly at Hera’s words. Which girl wouldn’t desire Dionysios’s attention? Yet, the challenge lay in the fact that he was known for straightforwardly rejecting those girls who attempted to force their way into his life, offering no room for ambiguity!
"I think you might start by leveraging the internet. There are a few boys in our class who move in the same circles as Dionysios. They always refer to him as 'Brother Dio' or simply 'Brother Dionysius' and seem exceedingly sycophantic. They undoubtedly have his Synomilia. You could ask them for it," Hannah suggested, a spark of inspiration igniting within her.
"Haha, Hannah! You truly possess the talent of a strategist! I shall send you some high-end skincare products tomorrow. The ones you’re currently using are far too low-grade. As my approved friend, you should elevate your standards!" Hera promised, her enthusiasm palpable.
Hannah finally laughed sincerely from the depths of her heart. Her "flattery" towards Hera was all in pursuit of additional benefits.
Originally, this opportunity should have belonged to Hera’s deskmate, Luciel La Lebrador. However, Luciel’s integrity prevented her from catering to Hera’s whims.
Hannah couldn’t help but think that Luciel was far too rigid, overly concerned about her reputation and principles. Yet, such principles seemed hardly worth much. It was far better to be like her, flattering Hera with words and reaping all the rewards.
Luciel, engrossed in her studies, had naturally overheard the exchange between the two. Her inner world remained undisturbed; she merely found their conversation dull.
Dionysios El Papadopoulos—a figure of significant influence—was a name she had certainly come across. His name frequently emerged during late-night tea parties in the girls’ dormitory, where some shameless girls openly drooled over him, well aware that they could never get close. Thus, what was there to restrain themselves for?
Unlike the other girls who pondered ways to approach such a "campus novel protagonist," Luciel, upon witnessing Dionysios speak as a student representative from the platform, secretly resolved—she could replace him!
Her reasoning was straightforward. Throughout elementary and middle school, Luciel had always been the uncontested "student representative." However, her status had sadly diminished at Thessaloniki First High School, where talent abounded, leading to her fall from grace.
For someone lacking resilience, losing the halo they had always worn might lead to despair and decadence. Yet, for Luciel, it only fuelled her motivation. What she had lost, she was determined to regain through her own efforts someday!
Thus, someone like Dionysios was viewed by Luciel merely as a formidable competitor. One day, she would surpass him; that was her unwavering determination.
While Luciel devoted herself increasingly to her studies, Xanthia was busy enjoying herself.
Study? What a joke!
Studying would only waste her time accumulating happiness points!
With her "Wisdom Root" attribute, Xanthia could grasp the knowledge imparted by teachers with minimal effort. Moreover, having been a problem solver in her past life, while she hadn’t made it to the "dance bar" in the university entrance examination, she still gained admission to a low-accredited university. Now, if she were to endure high school once more, her sole desire was to relish her youth and have a good time.
As Xanthia immersed herself in reading manga she had procured online from Japan, she suddenly felt the urge to visit the restroom. After attending to her needs, she washed her hands at the sink when she heard a gentle male voice behind her, "Xanthia, how have you been lately?"