Chapter 197 Ignatius
Hestia said, "This Bronte is something else."
"How so?"
"As soon as I got my graduate admission notice, I joined the freshman group, and the most talked-about person in there is Bronte."
Bronte was a top student at the school. Although her GPA didn't meet the standard for guaranteed admission, she was exceptionally admitted by the college due to having published six SCI papers during her undergraduate years.
She was called a "genius girl" and an "academic rising star."
"So you are the famous Professor Garcia. I've heard so much about you." One of the five, a guy, spoke with a grin, but his tone didn't match his words.
Hestia frowned, "This Noe is the group leader of the freshman group. He chats 24/7 in the group, and he's got quite a mouth."
As soon as Noe spoke, Calliope turned to the other students and said, "What are you all standing around for? Greet Professor Garcia."
Bronte pursed her lips and stayed silent.
She had a big reputation and a lot of pride.
Azalea nodded slightly with a gentle smile and a pleasant voice, "Hello, Professor Garcia."
Clara, on the other hand, felt quite awkward.
She had visited multiple times before, bringing gifts and checking in on Aurora.
But now she was standing with Calliope's group.
Clara knew exactly how she got her graduate spot, and Aurora knew too.
So she didn't dare to face her.
Her eyes were wandering.
At this moment, one student came up and held Aurora's hand then said excitedly, "Hello, Professor Garcia! My name is Irvin! I've read your papers and watched your lecture videos. I can't believe I'm meeting you in person today; I'm so excited."
This "excited" didn't seem fake, as he was breathing heavily, trembling all over, and his eyes were particularly bright.
Aurora was a bit stunned but then smiled and gently shook his hand. "Hello, Irvin."
Irvin scratched his head, revealing a set of white teeth.
He was very tall, wearing a simple T-shirt and shorts that looked a bit worn, and a pair of leather sandals.
He was both strong and honest.
Noe quickly stepped forward, pushing him aside. "Get out of the way, you country bumpkin, you're embarrassing us!"
Irvin seemed oblivious to his rudeness and continued to smile foolishly, still thrilled that Aurora had called his name.
Calliope's face darkened.
Her student showing favor to her rival was nothing short of a public humiliation.
But she quickly adjusted her expression and smiled again. "Aurora, aren't you going to introduce your students?"
Aurora didn't want to engage with her at all.
Noe's eyes twinkled. "Yeah, Professor Garcia, it's your turn."
Aurora's face turned cold, and she said slowly, "We're not in the same research group, so there's no need to know each other."
Before Calliope could speak, Noe jumped in. "Is it unnecessary, or are they not worth showing?"
"You!" Hestia's eyes widened in anger, "A filthy mouth cannot utter decent language!"
Noe said, "Better than you, fatty."
Hestia was stunned.
Though it was true she was overweight, it was the first time someone had insulted her to her face!
Camilla's face darkened. "Professor Ross sure knows how to teach her students. All speaking rudely and even resorting to swearing. Despicable. And birds of a feather flock together! "
This not only insulted Noe but also Calliope and the others.
"You're that older graduate student, right?" Calliope finally looked at Camilla, sneering, "You talk big, but I wonder if your abilities match."
Noe said, "Exactly! What kind of normal student goes to grad school at almost thirty? Either there's something wrong with your brain, or you're not talented. Is the bar for academia this low now?"
Camilla's expression remained calm. "Whether my brain has issues is none of your concern, but yours definitely has a problem."
Royce, who had been silent, suddenly chimed in, "More like rabies, biting anyone in sight."
Then he looked at Calliope. "If I were the owner, I'd get rid of such a disobedient dog early on to avoid getting bitten myself."
Calliope felt a chill down her spine.
Noe screamed on the spot. "Damn it! Say it again if you dare!"
Camilla replied, "Stop barking. Professor Garcia, let's go. There's no need to waste time with people who are just bluffing."
Aurora, who had been fuming, suddenly calmed down. "Alright."
The four of them prepared to leave.
Just then, Calliope spoke up, "The internal research funding has been officially approved. Professor Garcia, you haven't produced a decent paper in years. If I were you, I'd step down and make way for more capable people."
Aurora's back stiffened.
Calliope continued, "Resources should go to those who truly need them, not to those who are just coasting along. Don't you agree, Professor Garcia?"
Camilla turned back and said coldly, "Whether it's a waste or not isn't for you to decide. Academic achievements will prove who truly deserves the resources."
"Well said!" Calliope clapped, "Then I'll be watching to see what academic achievements you can produce."
Camilla and her group left.
Noe sneered. "With Ignatius around, you guys are nothing!"
The next day was the opening ceremony.
Camilla, Hestia, and Royce naturally sat together.
As usual, the school leaders spoke first, followed by the college leaders, and then the freshman representative.
The three of them were dozing off.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the back of the college group, followed by whispers.
"Was that really Ignatius who just passed by?"
"Absolutely no mistake!"
"But shouldn't he be very busy? Why would he come to the opening ceremony?"
"Who knows? Maybe he's here to check things out?"
"Check things out? Do you think the SCI machine has that much free time?"
"What's 'SCI machine'?"
"You don't know!"
"Know what?"
"Ignatius Cross, Calliope's student, started publishing papers during his undergrad. In his senior year, he published three SCI papers in one go and was directly admitted to grad school. Since then, he's produced impressive academic results every year."
"Saying he carries half of our Life Sciences College's academic weight isn't an exaggeration. Calliope values him highly, and even the college leaders treat him with respect and smile."
This was the second time in two days that Camilla had heard the name "Ignatius."
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