Chapter 1080:
Dennis paused for a moment, then spoke with clarity and authority. “Effective immediately, the Music School at the Royal Academy of Arts will eliminate all special admission and advancement tracks based solely on external music awards. From now on, every student, regardless of previous accolades, must pass the academy’s standardized, comprehensive evaluation of both academic knowledge and professional skill to qualify.
“All students admitted or promoted on the basis of awards will undergo a full reassessment. Those who do not meet the required standard will be reassigned according to their true ability—demoted where necessary, dismissed if warranted.”
The declaration threw the entire auditorium into chaos.
Countless students had entered the academy under the glow of awards. Now, because of Connor, they were not only humiliated but saw their own standing placed at risk. Those who had dreamed an award would lift them into S-tier, or who had entered on that basis, looked utterly crushed. The glances they shot at Connor held no curiosity or sympathy—only raw anger and bitter resentment.
All of this was because of him. Had he not provoked Rylie, had he not been publicly dismantled, how could the academy have acted so decisively, cutting off their easiest path to advancement in one stroke?
To destroy someone’s future was to take everything they had worked for.
“No, Mr. Reynolds! You can’t do this,” shouted a student who had also entered via awards. “Awards are proof of skill, too.”
“Skill?” Dennis said, his gaze cold and unyielding. “Skill like Connor’s? The kind that can’t even answer basic questions? Do you really believe your own skills would survive the scrutiny Ms. Owen just put him through?”
The student fell silent at once, face pale, head bowed in defeat.
Connor had become the collective scapegoat for every award-dependent student. Endless shortcuts and personal ambitions had been shattered because of him. Staring at Rylie, still serene and composed on the stage, he felt a crushing wave of regret.
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He should never have let arrogance grow simply because he entered S-tier, looking down on everyone else. Pride had blinded him, making him forget that the award-winning composition had been a collaborative effort.
Connor did have talent—but compared to true masters, it was painfully thin.
Dennis continued, his tone glacial. “We will examine every aspect of how you earned that award. Now, leave this hall; collect your belongings, and report to the C-tier division. Refuse, and I will personally process your withdrawal. Then you may take your so-called talents elsewhere.”
Expulsion from the Royal Academy of Arts hit him like a gut punch—his entire musical life collapsing in an instant. Connor erupted, screaming in panic, “No, you can’t! I won’t go to C-tier!”
As guards pulled him away, he continued pleading toward Rylie, but she didn’t even glance his way. She simply picked up the roster, calm and detached, like a judge overseeing fate.
“Continue,” Rylie said softly, yet every word carried clearly through the hall.
The remaining S-tier students shifted, sitting taller as a reflex. After watching Connor’s downfall, no one dared meet the music master’s gaze lightly.
Letty stood frozen in a corner, watching Connor being hauled off, her whole body shaking. Fear consumed her completely. Her hands twisted the hem of her dress, and her eyes darted wildly, searching for any escape.
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Message from Noa: Lovely readers, hope you liked today’s chapters, have a beautiful morning. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best.( ─‿‿─)
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