Ch. 9
"Yeah, not everyone starts from the same place." Yuna quietly exhaled before stepping forward again.
Lina looked slightly surprised.
"But I still don't believe that success should automatically be treated as a debt."Yuna glanced around the classroom.
"Imagine someone who started with nothing. As you said, not everyone start from the same place. What if that person's family have no wealth, no connections, no advantages. But they worked for years, sacrificed their time, took risks, and eventually built something for themselves. Just to get there!
" Her gaze settled on Lina.
"After finally reaching the top, should we tell them that their success now belongs to everyone else simply because they have more?"
The classroom grew quiet.
"No." Yuna shook her head.
"Helping others should be encouraged. But it should never become something people are forced to do simply because they became successful." She paused.
"Because if we keep telling people that those at the top are responsible for everyone below them, then we might forget something equally important."
"People should also be encouraged to climb by themselves."
A few students exchanged glances.
"Privilege can open a door." Selene's expression hardened slightly.
"But it doesn't mean the person standing behind that door owes the world everything they have."
"Success should not be something people are made to feel guilty for. Social status is something that is earned, not freely given."
Silence filled the classroom. Even Professor Alden remained quiet for a moment. Then he slowly smiled.
"Alright." He looked at both groups. He glanced toward Lina and Ethan.
"Both sides presented strong arguments. Group One made a compelling case regarding unequal opportunities and the responsibility that can come with privilege." Then his eyes shifted toward Yuna and Evy.
"But... Group Two presented a stronger distinction between privilege and obligation. Their arguments were consistent, and their rebuttals directly addressed the opposing side."
"Therefore, the winner of today's debate is..."
The room held its breath.
"Group Two."
"We won?" Evy let out a small gasp.
A few of their groupmates immediately cheered. Yuna simply stood there, blinking.
...We won?
She slowly glanced toward Lina. The girl looked surprised, but there was no anger on her face.
Instead, Lina offered her a small, respectful smile.
Yuna paused for a second before giving a brief nod in acknowledgment.
Then she turned toward Evy. Only to find her co-presenter staring at her with eyes full of admiration.
Yuna immediately looked away. For some reason, that reaction was far more embarrassing than the debate itself. Without another word, she returned to her seat and sat down.Around her, several of her groupmates exchanged glances.
They wanted to approach her. After all, Group Two had won largely because of her arguments.
Their grades had benefited from the victory as well.
But none of them had the courage to start a conversation first.
The rumors surrounding Selene still lingered in their minds.
So instead, they could only watch from a distance.
And silently admit something they hadn't expected.
Selene Valen was frighteningly intelligent. Not because she was intimidating but because she had dismantled the opposing side's arguments so calmly that most of them hadn't even realized it until the debate was over.
After class, as students began filing out of the room, Ethan quickly made his way toward her.
"That was amazing back there!" he said, grinning.
Yuna didn't even glance at him. Her expression remained completely blank as she gathered her things.
"For the grades."
That was her only response, Ethan laughed.
"Yeah, I know. But after debating with you, I realized you'd fit right in with our debate organization."
"I mean, you're good at thinking on your feet. Your responses were organized, and people naturally listened when you spoke."
"I'm not interested." Yuna closed her notebook. Before he could continue, she stepped past him. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she walked away without looking back.
Ethan watched her leave.
"...Ouch." He let out a laugh and rubbed the back of his neck.
"She rejected that faster than I expected. Professor Reyes is going to lose his mind if he sees someone like her." For the first time, Ethan felt a little disappointed.
Yuna let out a quiet sigh of relief when Ethan didn't chase after her or try to convince her further.
Good, at least the male lead knew how to take a hint. Hopefully he finally realized that I don't want to talk to him. Or be around him. Or share the same breathing space, preferably.
She absentmindedly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she walked down the corridor. Then a sudden gust of wind swept through the hallway. The lights overhead flickered.
Yuna's steps slowed, her brows furrowed.
"...Is this school running out of budget or something?" she muttered. "Why are the lights acting like we're in a horror movie?"
She glanced over her shoulder. Only to realize that she was completely alone.The corridor that had been crowded with students moments ago was now strangely empty.
A faint chill crawled down her spine, Yuna immediately frowned.
A romance novel with this kind of atmosphere? Ugh.
For once, she didn't bother thinking too much about it. After the debate disaster-that-never-happened, she had given up trying to predict what the story would do next.
She had already done her part.
She survived another chapter that was originally supposed to destroy Selene's reputation. Instead, she had somehow walked away with a victory. If the universe had a complaint about that, it could file a formal report.
Yuna couldn't care less.
With that thought, she continued walking down the corridor completely unbothered.
Friday arrived, and by evening, Yuna was quietly reading by the window of her room.The phone resting on her desk buzzed every few minutes.
She ignored it.
The school's online forum was still in chaos over the debate. Apparently, half the campus had decided to treat it like a championship match rather than a classroom activity.Most of Ethan's fans were particularly vocal.
According to them, Selene didn't deserve the win. Some claimed Ethan had gone easy on her because he was a gentleman. Others accused her of showing off and stealing the spotlight. Of course, not everyone agreed.
Several students defended Selene, arguing that professor Alden had made its decision fairly and that Group Two had simply presented stronger arguments.
The debate about the debate seemed endless.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, Yuna couldn't care less.
Whether people praised her or criticized her, it made no difference.
Yuna calmly turned another page. The buzzing from the school forum had finally stopped. Just as she was about to continue reading, her phone suddenly rang.
She glanced at the screen.
"...Huh?"
Yuna stared at the caller ID for a few seconds. It was rare for Selene's mother to call this late. Curious, she reached for the phone and answered.
"Hello?"
"Selene, sweetheart! Are you busy tomorrow?"
She hesitated before answering.
"No?"
"Good. Then come with me tomorrow. We'll go shopping! There's a charity gala next month and you'll need something new to wear."
"Gala?"
Ah...That scene...
The event where Lina would receive an award for her contributions to several orphanages. And aside from the awarding ceremony, the gala would also feature a charity auction showcasing several of Lina's paintings.
The event itself was hosted by some of Lina's sponsors, who had supported her throughout her time as a scholar. After receiving overwhelming praise from her professors, sponsors, and several local artists for her work, Lina had decided to put her talent to use for a cause she genuinely cared about.
Instead of keeping the profits from her paintings, she arranged for the proceeds from the auction to be donated to orphanages and children's welfare programs.
The initiative had attracted considerable attention, especially from well-known businessmen and influential guests who saw the gala as both an opportunity to support the cause and expand their connections.
For some, it was philanthropy.
For others, it was also a chance to gain exposure, strengthen their public image, and build valuable connections within business circles. Either way, the event had quickly become one of the most anticipated charity gatherings of the season.
"Yes, so are you going, sweetheart? Help me choose something to wear, okay? You're much better when it comes to fashion."
Yuna nearly choked.
...Excuse me? Me? Fashion?
She stared blankly at the phone. Of all the things Selene was apparently good at, fashion was definitely not something Yuna had expected to be responsible for.
"I'll try my best."