"I've been here for over a month now, and I've already been reprimanded six or seven times. I'm almost at the point of going to my tutor to complain."
"Hmph!" Hodgson scoffed. "In my view, it's just Mag, that old woman, being jealous of your talent and deliberately picking on you."
"If that's the case, Nancy, you'd better go to Senior Marian," Carl interjected. "Although we are outsiders, we shouldn't let ourselves be bullied without reason."
"Well..." Nancy struggled, speaking in a low voice, "It's... tolerable, I suppose. I've made some mistakes too, and I shouldn't trouble my tutor over such trivial matters. That would make me look incompetent."
Carl shook his head. Seeking help through a complaint isn't a sign of incompetence. On the contrary, being bullied and not daring to speak up is true cowardice and makes one even more vulnerable to bullying. But it was her choice, and as an outsider, he didn't have much say.
