Near her own seat, Calypso saw Agénor, who seemed to have arrived early.
Their eyes met, and he waved his hand casually.
The people around them were agitated by this casual wave.
“Did Agénor Gongja just greet you warmly?”
“Goodness, even with his siblings, I don’t think he has a good relationship…”
“Pierre’s disciples don’t even exchange words with each other. They’re known for fighting when they meet, even during formal occasions.”
Calypso glanced around the meeting hall but eventually settled her gaze on a familiar face.
Across from her seat, she spotted familiar faces: Bayan and his entourage.
Whether Bayan and his group were already glaring at her before she looked their way or not, their expressions were hostile.
‘They seem to want to tear someone apart with their gaze.’
Calypso chuckled lightly.
She smiled brightly and even raised her middle finger, even though she didn’t know the significance.
Though she didn’t know what it meant, it must have made them feel quite uncomfortable.
Calypso’s gaze shifted from the furious Bayan to the composed lady sitting beside him.
‘As expected, Grandfather didn’t come.’
Her parents said that one of them had to attend, so it didn’t matter who came.
On the other side was Calypso’s grandmother.
‘This is not good. It would have been better if Grandfather had come himself.’
The composed lady with gray hair was her grandmother.
She remained calm regardless of how chaotic it was here, no matter who her son was glaring at. It was as if she was in a different dimension.
Her neatly arranged gray hair.
She, too, was a whale.
A prominent family in the underwater world.
Well, not being able to attend the family meeting alone could have had a significant impact on them.
‘Grandmother loves to flaunt her influence at the family meetings.’
It wasn’t just any gathering; it was a place where all important matters were decided and conducted.
Being excluded from there meant that she would never become a central figure in this aquatic community.
‘I really wanted to go this time, but oh well.’
Since Bayan couldn’t attend, it seemed that his grandfather, Rodesen, was considering becoming her grandmother’s plaything.
Calypso chuckled at the thought.
‘Ah, Grandfather is really good at being a plaything.’
Time passed, and it was time for the disciplinary hearing to begin.
Somewhere else at the same time, the family meeting was likely taking place.
‘Now it begins.’
This was a massive conference hall.
It had a semi-circular table with a chair resembling a judge’s seat at the center.
Apart from the semi-circular table, Calypso, Agénor, the other parties, and their parents were seated.
There were also attendants acting as jurors.
In the chair reserved for the presiding officer, there was not only Laila but also two other individuals, and Calypso easily recognized one of them as the Director of the Intermediate Institution.
“May everyone please be quiet. We will now begin the Supreme Disciplinary Committee.”
As Laila, seated in the highest position, spoke, the room fell silent.
“I am Laila, who will oversee and preside over this meeting. In this place, regardless of your rank or status, I ask that you all remain faithful to the meeting and speak only the truth in the name of the ocean. First, Bayan, who is both the party involved and the perpetrator of this incident.”
“…I swear by the ocean.”
“Next, Calypso, who is both the party involved and the victim in this incident.”
“…I swear by the ocean.”
“Agénor.”
“…I swear by the ocean.”
In addition to these oaths, Laila required all parties to swear. After the oaths of the Bayan family children were completed, Laila calmly surveyed the Chairman.
However, when her gaze fell on Calypso, someone other than Laila opened their mouth.
It was the Director of the Intermediate Institution, who had been quiet until now.
“Before we begin, I am Chair Chaya, one of the presiding officers. I have a question as the presiding officer.”
Raising her hand, Chaya was an elderly woman with piercing eyes.
However, her gaze alone carried an overwhelming force.
“This place is where the conduct of underage students at educational institutions is deliberated upon by the Disciplinary Committee. Therefore… I understand that guardians must accompany them, as it was previously announced.”
She was a senior whale warrior who had come a long way through the ranks with her current head and was now focusing on training the next generation.
“Why are Calypso and Agénor here without guardians?”
Calypso was slightly taken aback internally. However, it was only for a moment.
It had come at last.
Yes, it had finally come.
‘Thanks to Laila, we smoothly transition to the next phase.’
Perhaps this was Laila’s way of being considerate.
She might have found it strange herself, but when it came to greetings, she hadn’t mentioned it at all.
“Is there going to be a delay?”
In a powerful voice, Calypso turned her gaze.
Even in the clear eyes of Chaya, Calypso boldly met her gaze.
While Chaya’s eyes momentarily revealed surprise, it was just for a moment.
“I have no guardian.”
Calypso’s confident statement left everyone in the chamber momentarily stunned.
Even Chair Chaya hesitated at this.
“The reason for having guardians is to receive their assistance due to our immaturity as minors. Is that correct, Chair?”
“…Yes,” Laila nodded. Calypso shifted her gaze.
“Agénor and I will act as our own advocates.”
It would be annoying if there were any, but it was fine without them. I can handle this.
The seats of the three chairs of the presiding officers and the jury seats where the attendants were seated became noisy.
Most of them were discussing whether they could accept Calypso’s opinion.
Except for one person.
“I object! This is a meeting conducted according to strict laws and regulations. What kind of meeting are we going to have with a party that has not even followed the basic rules?”
Clang, the one opposing was Chaya.
While Chaya was impressed by Calypso’s straightforward attitude, she was a staunch advocate of principles.
“Oh, was she a friend of Grandma’s or a colleague? She’s not helping at all…”
Chaya’s argument was so strong that it divided the opinions of those who had been watching, but there was a slight tendency for the atmosphere to lean toward Chaya.
“It’s okay if it takes time. Summon your guardian, Calypso.”
Agénor turned to Calypso with a questioning look, asking what she would do.
Calypso’s eyes narrowed slightly.
In fact, she hadn’t thought this far ahead.
But the solution she had just thought of was a method she didn’t particularly want to use as Calypso.
“…According to the rumors, didn’t you say you were on good terms with Lady Agénor?”
“I heard those rumors too. They said you’re very dear to her…”
“But why aren’t you here, then? Could it be that you’re not feeling well?”
The murmurings pricked at her ears.
If she made a wrong move here, Calypso might find herself in an unfavorable situation, where her lie could be exposed.
Watching, Bayan smirked.
“Why don’t you just do it? Just say you don’t have a dad, what’s the big deal?”
“Hahaha, Bayan is right.”
“Just do it, Chair?”
“Yes, that’s right. Let’s start the family meeting or something.”
Chaya, who had been strongly advocating, had a troubled expression.
If things continued like this, it would start without any regard for the law.
But if the flow was like this, she also found it difficult to argue further.
Calypso sighed inwardly as she observed the turning tide. Even if the disciplinary committee ended well, she wouldn’t be able to avoid rumors about her discord with Pierre.
‘Well, it can’t be helped,’ she thought.
Resignedly, Calypso once again requested to proceed without a guardian.
“In that case, Calypso and Agénor will proceed without guardians…”
“We have no intention of doing that.”
Calypso’s eyes widened. The voice that spoke was certainly not one she expected to hear in this place.
“Law is law.”
Slowly turning her head, she saw Inyoung, who had entered silently through the door, as if she had always been there.
Inyoung had a tall and graceful silhouette, and she always wore loose clothing that set her apart from any other teacher.
“Naturally, we should abide by the law,” Calypso said, her eyes wide open.
“The guardian of my daughter and son is present.”
Inyoung, dressed neatly in blue attire that seemed tailor-made, had a presence that matched Calypso’s outfit perfectly.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
If you like my work please support us in Patreon. Next post will be released on November, 16.
Want to read more?
