The designated time of the assembly came, everyone obediently convened in the main hall and waited for Eli and Zeke to come out.
When Eli scanned through the faces of the branch members, she casted a meaningful glance towards Zeke as if telling, "See? I told you!"
Zeke couldn't help feeling utterly stressed, the research branch really was a handful! Looking at their smug and contented faces, Zeke felt like he was slapped again and again!
Eli chose to retreat three steps behind Zeke to let him announce his verdict to the crowd.
"As everyone of you knowingly participated in an offense of disrespecting the school officials, I deliberated with the Vice Chairman for a rightful punishment for you. Although everyone here deserved to be expelled, I decided to be lenient one last time!"
Hearing that they would no longer be expelled, the faces of the members of the research branch became bright and alive.
Their faces were telling them, "If that's the case we're ready for your punishment! We don't care if it is a suspension!"
Zeke saw through the meaning behind this expression. Luckily, Lady Eli reminded him earlier about what could have happened if he simply announced a suspension.
From the looks of it, these people have already prepared to evacuate into their dorms to continue their research in their sleeping quarters.
His handsome scholarly face showed a sly smile, as he subtly fixed the position of his silver rimmed spectacles. He then slowly announced, "I also decided not to suspend you either.."
"Ehh?" The faces of the research branch members were now filled with confusion.
With how the esteemed counselor was intensely fierce earlier, they mentally prepared to receive a serious punishment such as suspension.
But upon hearing the Dean's announcement, they became more confused. Since not only did they offend the dean but the legendary inventor who was also their counselor, why would they receive a punishment lighter than a suspension?
Little did they know that they were not ready for the next part of the announcement!
"All of you will be sentenced to do community service!" Zeke finally announced with a dignified expression.
"All of you will be sent to the temple for at least a month, depending on the temple administrator's evaluation. Your attitude and conduct needs to be revisited and there is no more perfect place to improve that but in the Holy Creator's place!"
Dun dun!!!
The faces of the researchers, as well as the faculty leads became deathly pale. They stared at Zeke's chillingly smiling face with great disbelief.
Who said that their punishment was lighter than a suspension?
It was even graver than that! It was scarier, only next to the punishment of expulsion!
For research maniacs like them, it was an extremely soul crushing torture to tear them away from their research! Never did they think that the Dean would be able to think of such a vicious punishment!
What does it mean for them to enter the temple? It means that they will never touch anything that was connected to them in the outside world as long as they were within the temple!
It means a month or more without research! Neither could they also review their theories and hypotheses!
What's more, the very first rule that they had to do before entering the temple was to enter without bringing anything, not even their coin purses.
The only thing that they were allowed to bring were themselves and the clothing they were currently wearing!
They would each be performing cleansing rites before entering the temple as servants. After that, all their needs, food or clothing will come from the temple.
As such, it was not necessary for them to bring anything at all! They have no way to smuggle a single research file nor their prototypes for study!
"Dean.. this…" The faculty members were the ones who gathered their courage to speak up and protest.
"Expulsion or temple?" Zeke didn't make any room for negotiations.
He steeled his heart as he reminded himself of what had transpired earlier. He decided to be firm in his way of dealing with the unruly branch.
He had to make use of this opportunity given by Eli to properly reinstate his position as the Dean of the Research School.
If not now, would he still wait until these people spike his coffee with laxatives?
He had to save his poor butt and stomach!
"..." The branch members hung their heads low as soon as they heard Zeke's resolute voice.
They were immediately reminded that their punishment should originally be expulsion, yet they wanted to take a mile after they were graciously given an inch.
"We accept the dean's punishment..." They weakly uttered, looking so dejected as if their souls all flew away to the heavenly gates.
Zeke's heart almost wavered when he saw how pitiful his branch members looked.
However, Wisey intentionally whispered to Eli a question for Zeke to hear, "Eli chan, how does it feel to have your drink spiked with laxatives?"
"Your stomach will violently grumble in uncomfortable pain. You will sincerely wish for the world to end unless you see the shadow of the toilet bowl.." Eli replied in a low yet serious tone.
"Oh, I see… Whew I'd rather not experience it then. Especially here in this facility, there is no bidet spray like the ones we have in the house! So inconvenient!" Wisey replied with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Chills ran down Zeke's spine as he heard the two's conversation. Their conversation was soft enough for only the three of them to hear, however it was impactful enough to refuel Zeke's resolve.
"This decision was already approved by the headmaster and the temple also accepted our goodwill. Now prepare yourselves as you will be entering the temple later this afternoon!" He announced.
"I trust that you will give your best in serving our homeland in the temple. Do not worry, while you are away, the counselor will be working with me and the rest of the deans for a big change in our curriculum."
"If you do well, you will be evaluated earlier by the temple's administrator and come back earlier. By then you will be free to enjoy learning the new curriculum carefully crafted by us!" After giving them punishment, Zeke then announced something that would make them look forward to.
The famed carrot and stick approach was still the most reliable method in dealing with these people. Upon hearing the last piece of news, the life on their faces came back and they replied enthusiastically, expressing their will to do well inside the temple.
"Alright, that's all. Faculty members, go forward and submit your team's papers. After that, all of you are dismissed!"
"We thank the Dean and the Counselor for your leniency!" After the submission of their respective papers, the members gave their final words of gratitude and went on their way to prepare.
Since they would be entering the temple, they helplessly went back to their laboratories and fixed everything they packed on their rightful places. They also ensured that their prototypes and files were properly stored and secured.
The afternoon came and six humble wagons from the temple lined up in front of the Farauld Institute's gates in an orderly manner.
The students from the other schools, along with the onlookers outside the institute were puzzled and curious as to why the temple sent many carriages to the famed school.
As far as they know, the temple never publicly mingled with any institution other than their other branches.
Yet their wagons were quietly parked in front of the school gates. What could have happened?
Then they immediately saw all the members of the most avoided school in the whole institute, the Research School!
The researchers, along with the faculty members marched in a quiet and solemn manner. It must be because of the other students' reflexes to immediately avoid the group, or because of their unusually docile conduct, the onlookers shut their mouths and the whole surroundings became eerily silent.
After the six teams marched, it was Bramwell, Zeke and Eli's turn to step in front of them and respectfully greeted the man exiting the main wagon.
He was a man clad in pure white clothing, his hands were hidden under his cloak. His face was solemn and peaceful, as if nothing from the outside could create a ripple in his clear bronze eyes.
If Leon was present, he would immediately recognize this person.
It was Mort, the undercover roaming blade inside the temple working alongside Julian!
"Esteemed Administrator, thank you for accepting our sudden request." Being the highest of rank among the people present on the institute's side, Bramwell led the greetings toward the temple clergyman.
"The temple always welcomes people with willing hearts." The administrator replied with a serene expression.
He swept a look at all the members of the branch, scrutinizing everyone of them and nodding as if satisfied.
As he did this, his peripheral vision also lingered towards Eli, his future madame.
If not for him being officially part of this mission, he would have long broken his saintly character and cozied to the future Madame immediately!
While his mind was filled with thoughts on how to curry favor with his future Madame, the minds of the research branch were feeling despondent and aggrieved.
"Willing my ass! We are basically thrown out against our will!" The eccentric members protested in their hearts, however, knowing that the man in front of them would be the same person who would evaluate them in the future they didn't dare to show displeasure.
They must be obedient so that the administrator will free them earlier!
