Joyce Knightly March 3rd, 20XX

Archer hobbled up to the stage with an awkward expression as the adults around him stared him down with corny expressions of pride. Just looking at this scene, one would think that they had all watched Archer grow up from diapers to the fine young man he currently was.

"And today, we are pleased to present the young Sir Warrick with a certificate of honour! And well as a scholarship for the next year!"

Those cheapskates. He was barely a freshman; would it have killed them to at least cover the next three years?

"The young Sir Warrick put his health on the line to fiercely protect his classmates from the horrors that might have otherwise occurred despite only having spent a day at this new school! This is what one calls true school spirit! A young hero has emerged from the ranks of this here North high, and we are ever so proud to have him among our ranks!"

As the superintendent hammed it up and forced the student body and staff to give perfunctory applause to an increasingly embarrassed archer, I clapped along and had Annora take pictures.

Even though I could tell the school planned to use Archer as a poster child to divert attention from the incident, it would still make for some great advertising for Archer's Squire. I'd already collected reparation fees from the school and had invested them into trust funds for the kids, but I was still angry.

The criminal would be locked away for a long, long time, but he wouldn't even be able to go to trial for the next six months as he recovered from his injuries. I tried to feel some form of sympathy for him, but after seeing the bad shape all of the kids and Aaron were in because he decided to come to terrorize a high school, I gave up trying.

That type of individual could barely be considered human.

My phone buzzed crazily as my company tried to reach me, but I ignored it. I couldn't turn it off in case there was something actually serious, but I had to be here for the kids.

All the other kid's parents were here, and I remembered being here and having to come to terms that my parents were just too busy to attend every little ceremony and event. My older brother had never missed any of my events so I hadn't felt my parent's absences much, but I didn't want the kids to feel anything less treasured than they were.

The superintendent kept Archer on stage for a bit longer than necessary to make sure the journalists got as many pictures as possible. Archer's face was frozen into a strained smile, and I could see his knees wobble as he tried his best to put up with the many eyes on him.

Next up was Tillo. The superintendent's speech was much shorter and less grandiose than the one he'd given for Archer, but I couldn't blame him. Tillo had been hurt as well, and his classmates had vouched for all of their cooperation in saving them, but Archer's poor state made it easiest to make him into a tragic hero.

Tillo finished the pleasantries quickly and ran over to help Archer settle into a seat. That inconsiderate old man had really kept a patient up for so long.

Kaja's efforts were the shortest of all, and she only got a few words of acknowledgement before being sent on her merry way. She didn't seem to mind as she skipped over to her brother and Archer, but I could see the many eyes on her.

She did have such extravagant makeup, and she looked like a delinquent with her modified uniform and short hair. I vaguely worried about how they would all fit in at school, but I'd already told them to use my name if anything happened. No matter how I felt about this school, I had faith in its unchanging leech-like nature. As long as you held some form of value to the others, you would be treated well.

The superintendent launched into another long speech about how sorry he was about the breach of security at the school and deflected to Archer at every opportunity to remind all of us about his bravery.

I noticed a pretty young girl and a large male student inch towards the trio. They didn't look close to each other, but the way they looked at my kids made me wonder what happened during the incident.

Eva's eyes bore into the back of my head from her section with the other elementary students, and I could tell that she was angry with me for making her attend her classes like normal. I planned on taking Archer and Tillo right back to the hospital right after this since they were still hurt, but I'd made Kaja and Eva come back to class. At least Kaja got to sit with her brother while he was here, but Eva was all the way on the other side of the auditorium.

From how often Archer used his phone and the occasional flinch from one of the twins, I could tell that they were having a full conversation. It made me happy that they had become so close, but I worried about Destia. She'd shown a bit of anxiety at having to go to a different school from the others, and she'd seemed the most concerned with forming a team atmosphere around everyone.

Maybe I would arrange a day out with Aaron soon, and we could all go out.

Ah, the more I thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed to hire another vice-CEO. Or maybe I should just hire a co-CEO. Volui had done the same, and their business was running great.

Granted, the company's official head was a high schooler and spent most of his time out of the company. The possibility of the two clashing opinions was low, but that didn't mean they were them, and I was me. As long as I put my mind to it and took care in choosing an appropriate employee, I was sure it would all work out.

I made a mental note to set out hiring offers for the position before my mind drifted to Aaron.

He wouldn't tell me what he'd talked about with Anatha, but ever since that day, he'd been off.

The Aaron I knew was the type to see free time as a foe, and while he wasn't a workaholic, he wasn't one to spent time aimlessly.

He'd taken a week off from all of his activities, something he had almost refused to do when he'd gotten superpowers, and had taken the time to travel to see his parents. I didn't know what had spurred the sudden trip, but I knew there was something.

Aaron loved his parents, but he disliked going home for some reason. He would go regularly, but he treated it similarly to his work.

He saw those trips as chores, something he had to do.

I hoped he was alright, but more so, I hoped he would be ready to talk once he returned.