Chapter 274: Chapter 274

Professor Hobb leaned against the desk, looking unimpressed but secretly listening carefully.

"She also makes lessons fun," Drake continued, his voice gaining confidence. "When she teaches about water, she brings a real water bottle and shows us things. When we learn about science, she also shows us how to do experiments. She’s not boring."

"She says we should be brave, kind, and always try again even if we make mistakes. And she said I’m a good boy when I give the right answer, especially in maths," Drake added proudly.

Boo whispered to Sable, "That’s true. Teacher said that."

Drake heard him and grinned, pretending to be serious, though his cheeks turned pink.

He looked back at his notebook and smiled softly. "I like her because she makes class feel warm. Like when the sun shines in the morning. Everyone laughs more when she’s here."

The whole classroom suddenly grew quiet, their tiny faces soft and thoughtful.

Then Drake flipped his notebook to the next page and grinned proudly. "And I made a drawing!"

He held it up for everyone to see. There was a cartoon stick drawing of Miss Alina, smiling with her long hair. Around her were all the small baby stick figures, and he had written names above each one — Drake, Boo, Luna, Sable, Felix, Kelpie, Rocky, Lucien, and Vlad Jr. — standing in a circle holding hands. Above them, in his best wobbly handwriting, were the words:

"Miss Alina is the best teacher in the whole world!"

The class clapped and cheered, even Boo floating higher in excitement. "It’s beautiful! You even drew me with sparkles!"

Drake nodded proudly. "Of course! You look better with sparkles."

Professor Hobb squinted at the page. "And what’s that supposed to be?" he asked, pointing to a small figure standing far in the background.

Drake blinked innocently. "That’s you, Professor Egg. I drew you far away because you were observing from the back of the classroom."

The class erupted in laughter. Boo almost fell out of the air again, and even Luna was giggling while trying to keep her face strict and angry.

Professor Hobb’s face twitched. "Far away, huh? How thoughtful."

Drake smiled proudly, his eyes bright. "See? I didn’t forget you either!"

And though he would never admit it out loud, even Professor Hobb felt his chest warm a little as he muttered, "Not bad, kid... not bad."

The next student who came forward was Boo.

Professor Hobb’s eyebrow twitched as Boo rose higher and higher until his little body floated just below the ceiling. Every head in the classroom tilted up.

"Boo!" he barked, pointing his chalk at the ghost. "Come down this instant!"

Boo crossed his tiny arms, his lower lip jutting out. "Hmmph! Professor Egg always wants to control me!" he grumbled. Then, in the most dramatic voice imaginable, he declared, "My essay is called Why Professor Egg Is Not My Favorite Teacher!"

A collective gasp filled the room. Luna’s ears perked up, Drake covered his mouth to hide a laugh, and even Lucien’s crimson eyes widened in disbelief.

Professor Hobb’s smile turned slow and dangerous. "I said," he drawled, "write about your favorite teacher, Ghost."

Boo tilted his head, pretending to think very hard. "Exactly! That’s why my title starts with not! So you see, I’m still on topic."

The class burst into giggles.

"Let me read it!" Boo announced proudly, twirling once in the air before unrolling his crumpled page like a royal decree. He cleared his throat with exaggerated drama. "Reason number one: Professor Egg never gives snacks. Zero. Not even crumbs."

Drake snorted. "Facts."

"I just came to this class only twice, if we include today," Professor Hobb said with a deadpan expression, but Boo ignored him royally.

"Reason two: Professor Egg doesn’t laugh at jokes. Even when they’re funny!" Boo’s voice cracked as he shouted, "He didn’t laugh at our jokes!"

By now, Sable was giggling into his sleeve, and Luna had completely lost her serious face.

"Reason three: Professor Egg calls me ’Ghost’ instead of ’Boo.’ That’s like calling you ’Gremlin’ instead of ’Egg!’"

"Watch it," Hobb muttered angrily, rubbing his temple. "Kids nowadays have no empathy for old teachers like me... heh."

Professor Hobb was royally ignored by Boo again.

"Reason four: Miss Alina never yells, but Professor Egg yells so much that the chalk shakes in fear." Boo held up his paper triumphantly. "The end!"

The room exploded into laughter. Kelpie was splashing his desk with water, Rocky was rolling halfway under his chair, and even Felix bit back a grin.

Professor Hobb rubbed his temples. "You think this is funny?"

Boo grinned mischievously. "Of course! Teacher Alina always says we should write from the heart... and my heart says, no eggs allowed!"

That did it. Drake slammed his desk, laughing so hard that little sparks flew from his nose.

Professor Hobb sighed deeply.

"Next one!" Professor Hobb snapped, his voice echoing across the room. His patience was slipping fast. These babies were far more mischievous than any class he had ever handled. For a fleeting second, he actually missed his own students.

Kelpie and Rocky looked at each other nervously, both hoping the other would go next. Finally, Felix — composed as always — decided to stand up.

"My favorite teacher is Miss Alina, no doubt," Felix said with a small, confident smile. Sable’s eyes brightened instantly, his little hands clutching the edge of his desk as he nodded along happily. He loved hearing others talk about his favorite teacher — it made him feel all warm inside. Will she give me a hug when she comes back? he wondered shyly, his cheeks growing pink.

"Miss Alina is an excellent teacher," Felix continued with the seriousness of a tiny scholar, "and she knows each student’s needs. For example, she knows I don’t like to be disturbed. I like napping most of the time, and I’m thankful she didn’t disturb me much... unlike my previous teacher used to do." Follow current novels on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡~𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚~𝙣𝙚𝙩

Professor Hobb frowned slightly, confused. "Previous teacher?"

Felix nodded with polite gravity. "Yes. Since I have forgotten her name — respectfully — I had to use ’previous teacher.’ If I remember later, I will add it to the essay."

Professor Hobb’s lips twitched. "Respectfully?" he repeated in disbelief.

"Yes," Felix said with a gentle sigh. "It’s important to respect teachers... even the boring ones."