However, once trust is lost, it rarely returns.

The students from the White Tiger Tower, who were carried down on stretchers, glared at Professor Ingardel with betrayed eyes, as if they were puppies who had been tricked into losing their treats.

"Everyone..."

The students sharply turned their heads away from him.

"I apologize, everyone. I misjudged the difficulty level of the exam."

"Understandable."

Lihan replied reflexively, leading the group as they dragged their friends forward.

Gisel shot him a look of disbelief, and Lihan quickly defended himself.

"Sorry, force of habit."

Whenever a professor apologized, Lihan's habit was to respond …