Summary
Highlights
Placido Penitente feels resentful as he walks to the University of Santo Tomas. His desire to stop studying puzzles his townspeople. Upon arrival, he encounters a mysterious carriage and is asked to sign a paper, which he postpones.
Placido enters the physics class taught by Padre Millon. The professor reviews a memorized lesson. He notices a sleepy student, then calls on Juanito to answer a question. Juanito, unsure, covertly tries to get help from Placido, who also doesn't know the answer. Padre Millon, observing, prompts Placido to whisper the answer, causing Placido to exclaim in pain.
Padre Millon hears Placido's cry and understands the situation. He calls on Placido, accusing him of trying to help others. Juanito smugly takes his seat as Placido is questioned. When Placido can't answer, Padre Millon asks for his name and then sarcastically remarks that "Plong" suits him better. The friar then falsely claims Placido has been absent for six days, despite Placido's protestations that he has only missed four or five at most. Padre Millon manipulates his attendance record system, claiming Placido has accumulated 25 absences due to his method of recording.
As Padre Millon opens the attendance book to add another mark against Placido for not answering, Placido argues that if he is being marked for not answering in class, the false absences should be removed. He challenges the professor, saying it's illogical to mark someone absent and then expect them to participate. Placido then, in a fit of anger, declares he will tolerate no more insults, tells the friar to mark as many absences as he pleases, and walks out of the class without permission, shocking everyone.
Following these events, a meeting is held at Macaraig's house with students like Isagani, Sandoval, Juanito, and Pecson. The discussion focuses on establishing an academy for the Spanish language.