From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23 Thirteen Ways to Solve This Problem

“This boy dares to say such a thing!”

Finthed

The students of Class 4 in their senior year at Ravenridge Senior High stared at Leander with a volatile mix of shock and disdain.

In their eyes, Tim was the epitome of strictness–known far and wide as the strictest teacher in the entire school, even outstripping the principal in his unyielding discipline. Students who were once labeled as hopeless cases were transformed into paragons of virtue under his stringent watch.

There was even the tale of a district leader’s son, who, puffed up with his sense of importance, had dared to provoke Tim, only to be unceremoniously expelled. The incident had become a legend, a cautionary tale that left no student brave enough to challenge Tim again.

Yet today, Leander had done the unthinkable. Not only had he been caught dozing off in the middle of class, but he had also brazenly declared that he was bored–an affront that seemed to flout the very fabric of the school’s rules and expectations. His audacity was almost unfathomable.

“What an imbecile,” someone murmured. “Does he think this is some backwater school? To speak like that in front of Mr. Wells… I can’t wait to see how this unfolds.”

Jade could barely contain her amusement. Leander had previously humiliated her, and ever since she discovered he was acquainted with Yvette, she had been itching for a way to get back at him. Now, Leander had foolishly stepped into the lion’s den by openly defying “Devil Wells.”

Opposing Tim was no trivial matter. Even if one had the principal’s blood running through their veins, it would be of no consequence.

“Hmph,” Victor sneered, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

Amidst the class, only Madeline seemed to show any genuine concern for Leander.

Tim’s eyes gleamed with a frigid fury behind his thick–rimmed glasses. His displeasure was a tangible force, crackling in the air.

In all his years as an educator, never had he encountered a student as brazenly defiant as Leander. It wasn’t merely the fact that Leander had fallen asleep during the lesson–he had compounded his offense by openly declaring that he found the class tedious.

“Mr. Wells, he’s new to our class,” Liam interjected, sensing the imminent storm. He rushed to explain, hoping that Tim might show some leniency given Leander’s newcomer status.

“This is none of your concern!” Tim snapped, cutting off Liam’s plea with a sharp dismissal. The

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Chapter 23 Thirteen Ways to Solve This Problem

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sternness in his voice left no room for further argument, and Liam retreated, realizing that Tim’s wrath was indeed real.

“Very good. Very good. In all my years of teaching, I’ve never encountered a student like you!” Tim’s voice dripped with icy disdain as he continued. “To attend school and show no respect for learning is one thing. But to fall asleep in class and then speak insolently when caught–that is an entirely different matter!”

His words sliced through the air, cold and merciless. “If you find the class so dull, then why are you here? You might as well go home and sleep.”

“You show no respect for your teachers and disregard the very purpose of education. Students like you have no place in this school. As of today, you need not attend classes anymore!”

As the head of the math department and the discipline director, Tim’s authority was absolute, and his declaration was as good as law.

Jade nearly burst out in laughter, overwhelmed by a sense of vindictive satisfaction. Tim’s words were nothing short of a death sentence for Leander.

“So what if you can fight? So what if you know Yvette? You’ll still be kicked out of this school!”

The mere thought of never having to see Leander’s irritating face again filled Jade with immense joy.

“Hmph. He won’t last a day and still thinks he can be in the same class as Madeline?” Victor scoffed internally, feeling that he had overestimated Leander as a rival.

“Sir,” Leander began, his voice steady, his eyes unyielding as he met Tim’s gaze. “I just joined the school today. Sleeping in class was a mistake on my part, and I apologize. But is expulsion justified for this?”

Leander’s composure remained unshaken, even in the face of Tim’s harsh judgment.

“Yes, sleeping in class alone is not grounds for expulsion,” Tim replied, his voice as cold as ever. “But since you claim that you find the class boring, it indicates that school has no meaning for

you. So why stay here?”

Tim emitted a derisive snort, clearly resolute in his decision. “Sir, my reasons for remaining at school are my own.”

Leander’s gaze remained steadfast, his tone calm and unperturbed. “As for the assertion that classes are dull, I have my reasons for that as well.”

“What, in your opinion, is the purpose of attending class?” Leander’s question cut through the tension like a knife.

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Chapter 23 Thirteen Ways to Solve This Problem

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Tim responded with unwavering certainty. “It is, of course, to acquire knowledge, to achieve exemplary grades, to gain admission to a prestigious university, and ultimately to forge a successful career!”

His answer echoed the ambitions of the vast majority of students, flawless in its conventionality.

Leander nodded in agreement but did not let the matter rest. “You’ve indicated that the purpose of class is to gain knowledge. But what if I feel that I am not acquiring any knowledge from your classes?”

As Leander’s words echoed through the room, an unsettling silence fell, thick and palpable.

“Oh my God, what is he saying?”

His classmates stared at him in stunned disbelief. Initially, his comment about classes being boring had been audacious enough. Now, suggesting that he learned nothing in class was tantamount to branding Tim’s teaching as ineffective—a direct affront to Tim’s expertise.

“Are you suggesting that my teaching is so inadequate that you cannot learn anything?”

Tim’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing in their depths.

“That’s not what I meant!” Leander waved his hand dismissively, his voice smooth. “What I’m saying is, no matter how you teach, I have exhausted what there is to learn!”

“In other words, I have already mastered everything you are teaching!”

The sheer arrogance in Leander’s claim was unmistakable. This sentiment was unanimously shared by his classmates. Even Madeline, her lips tightly pressed together and her fists clenched, was at a loss. Despite her top grades potentially giving her a say with Tim, she knew there was no altering Tim’s stance now.

“Is that so? Well then, this will be quite simple.”

Leander seemed blissfully unaware of the impending threat of expulsion. Instead, he offered a confident smile, his demeanor poised and self–assured.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he approached the blackboard, seized a piece of chalk, and began to write with swift, decisive strokes.

“Hmph, all show and no substance,” Jade scoffed. Even the top students, such as Victor and Madeline, had wrestled with this problem for an entire night without success. How could Leander possibly solve it so quickly? To her, Leander’s performance seemed nothing more than a show, a desperate attempt to preserve his vanishing pride.

Victor, uninterested in the spectacle, bowed his head. He focused on solving the problem

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