Ch.4444. Distrust, and Hatred (7)

The single sheet of paper on the desk in the office was crumpled in Professor Muniher’s hand before being slam-dunked into the trash can.

Though Muniher was drowning in paperwork and had no desire to receive or review any more, this particular document was absolutely unbearable to look at.

No, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that this document should never have been created nor reached him in the first place.

“This is absolutely maddening.”

Due to the beginning-of-term evaluations, he couldn’t personally instruct the student and had even asked Denis to take care of it, much to his regret.

He had been itching with anticipation to teach the student himself once the exams were over, but that expectation was now floating away, filled with nothing but emptiness.

This morning.

What had Junon brought him?

[Withdrawal Form]

These three syllables were utterly absurd to Muniher.

He had sighed so heavily upon receiving it that he wondered if his desk might wear down.

The reason was essentially unquestioned. There was only a half-hearted excuse written about no longer being able to endure the tyranny of the academy students and wanting to leave the academy to live elsewhere.

It was contradictory.

Considering Junon’s abilities, there were few opponents who could defeat him in a one-on-one match.

“I simply cannot understand. Is someone threatening you at this academy?”

Looking at Junon, who somehow seemed to be running from something, Professor Muniher clicked his tongue repeatedly.

***

“Why on earth…!”

I chose the most rational option, and submitting a withdrawal form isn’t that strange.

There’s no reason for me to stay at the academy anymore, and if those guys remember the past, they’ll take care of most issues for me.

I can avoid the Tembris members with my body intact and live my own life.

That’s why I chose to withdraw.

Was it only my opinion that led me down this path of withdrawal? That’s not entirely true either.

Erica came to me directly and warned me not to go anywhere near the Tembris party.

Moreover, I was even threatened by Aris, so there was no reason to stay here any longer, and I immediately went to see Professor Muniher. However.

-‘Denied. Are you abandoning your initial determination when you enrolled?’

He used those academy rules as a shield.

Something about losing my initial enthusiasm for the essential virtues that must be upheld as a citizen of the Empire and my passion for academics.

If I were to summarize those unnecessarily long rules in one sentence, it would be: ‘You may enter freely, but you can’t leave as you please.’

Even if I leave the academy, I could make a living doing manual labor.

In fact, staying here is more dangerous, so I just want to leave on my own terms.

But he said my reason wasn’t valid enough and denied my request, making this an incredibly frustrating situation.

I couldn’t mention that my life was being threatened, so I came up with another excuse, and I think it’s quite reasonable since it’s directly related to my academic performance.

So I thought if I explained what kind of reputation I have at school and how I’m being treated, he would understand.

After all, it’s common for students to apply for withdrawal for such reasons at this time of year, so I thought it would be fine.

But my withdrawal process was still rejected.

Truly, it’s enough to drive me insane.

‘I have no choice now.’

With Lady Ophelia’s help, I somehow managed to get past Aris this time, but there’s no guarantee that luck will be on my side next time.

Moreover, it’s not just Aris who harbors hatred toward me—Erica does as well.

I never know when those two might come after me again.

In the worst-case scenario, they would all appear before me to make me pay for their resentment and blame.

Die by your hands again? I absolutely cannot allow that.

‘So I have no choice but to escape secretly.’

If there are people targeting me, I just need to disappear.

Up ahead, the security guard who recognized me spoke first.

“Oh, it’s Junon. Going out after a long time?”

“No. I just submitted my withdrawal form.”

“Huh? Withdrawal? What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry. I must be going now.”

And then I proudly left the academy with just a little money I had earned.

The meaning being that I would leave on my own feet since I would be noticed by those guys no matter what I did if I stayed there.

But suddenly, a woman with platinum blonde hair gently landed in front of me from mid-air.

With a triumphant expression that seemed to say, “I caught you, didn’t I?”

“Withdrawal? I knew something must have happened yesterday.”

Damn it. Nothing seems to go my way.

***

“Please, have a seat.”

“…”

“I’m just asking you to sit down and have a conversation, not threatening you.”

“…Alright.”

I followed Lady Ophelia to the student council room, but I still hadn’t figured out what excuse to make.

The moment I saw that platinum blonde hair, a storm of chaos swept through my mind, connecting it to last night’s events.

‘She’s determined to extract answers from me.’

A disposable magical device used rarely for interrogation to detect false statements was already activated.

I just need to answer with yes or no, but if I tell a lie, an enormous sound will pierce my eardrums, even if it’s just once.

While I would be clutching my ears, the calm Lady Ophelia would pressure me to tell the truth, having caught material evidence.

“This is tea that calms the mind. Would you like some?”

As if such a thing would matter to me right now.

I remained silent, wishing she would just get to the point.

Lady Ophelia seemed to have guessed my intention, as I heard her take a sip of tea and then exhale softly.

“Don’t you think it’s fair to say you’re withdrawing because you were harmed yesterday?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t think I ever said it was related to that incident.”

“That’s true. But I hope you’re not going to claim that you mispronounced the word ‘withdrawal’ or said it by mistake.”

“That won’t happen. I’ve already submitted my withdrawal form to Professor Muniher.”

“Hmm, I see.”

It wasn’t a lie.

Although my withdrawal wasn’t approved, the fact that I submitted the form remains unchanged. I didn’t lie.

Therefore, the interrogation device beside me doesn’t sound.

After taking another sip of tea, the lady asked again in the same calm tone as before.

“What was your relationship with Aris?”

The dreaded question had arrived. This must be why she had me sit here.

But there is a way to bypass that magical device.

“It’s a story separate from the position hierarchy that you’re aware of, Lady.”

“That’s exactly what I’m asking about right now, Junon.”

“I don’t think I’ve committed a crime serious enough to reveal my personal affairs. Or do you wish to make me a criminal?”

This is just a school, not a place to detain and interrogate criminals.

Even the disciplinary committee, which only exists to assist and guide students’ school life, cannot deeply involve itself in personal matters.

When Lady Ophelia didn’t promptly respond, I could tell my strategy had hit its mark.

“Since you call it a personal matter, I’ll let it pass. But you must tell me the reason for your withdrawal.”

“Isn’t that also a personal matter?”

“A valid reason for abandoning your studies is required to permit withdrawal. If that were the case, your name should be missing from the dormitory list.”

Again without changing her expression, the lady slowly turned toward the indoor storage area, opened some box, and then came a rattling sound.

-Whoosh!

“Wait, what is this…!”

The lady’s whip, which she commonly uses, bound my body, preventing me from moving.

And in her hand, emerging from the storage, was something in the form of handcuffs.

-Click. Click.

Handcuffs encircling both wrists of my restrained body.

And then something begins to whir, about to activate.

“What are you doing?”

The moment the lady put those handcuffs on me, I was shocked.

Those were confession-inducing magical devices. Used only on actual criminals.

“I don’t usually conduct investigations to this extent, but occasionally there are students who aren’t forthcoming. This is to uncover the facts they’re hiding.”

“How is this having a conversation? This is intimidation!!”

“I might get scolded if this becomes known, but I do have the right to do this. In the name of Lady Ardelion.”

It’s possible to avoid a lie-detecting device since it has no coercive power.

But the activation of that confession-inducing device meant she intended to force my confession and extract information.

“Now answer. For what reason are you trying to withdraw?”

A warning fell upon me to promptly confess what happened yesterday.

***

Ophelia could confirm once again that she wasn’t wrong.

Moreover, Hena’s testimony was also verified to be correct.

‘I believe you understand by now.’

If he didn’t voluntarily answer truthfully, his lies would be detected.

She was essentially threatening that if he wouldn’t answer why he was trying to withdraw on his own, she would make him confess directly with the magical device.

‘You answered me in the same way.’

In fact, just using this device would create external problems.

The confession-inducing handcuffs, true to their name, are magical devices that force confessions from their targets. By imperial law, they are prohibited for private use.

However, it’s fine as long as she doesn’t actually use them. Just as he had subtly avoided Ophelia’s questions.

Ophelia merely intended to pressure Junon to extract information, but the person in question was unfortunately caught in a bind and couldn’t stay calm. Everything was going according to her plan.

For students who stubbornly resist revealing the truth, such pressure is necessary to bring out the knot settled at the bottom of their hearts.

Clenching his fists, Junon, who had kept his mouth shut for a while, finally speaks.

However.

“I… am trying to withdraw because my life is being threatened.”

“W-what did you say?”

As a completely unexpected answer emerged, Ophelia’s dignified composure, which she had maintained to pressure Junon, wavered for a moment.

“You expect me to believe such an absurd…”

Even without finishing her sentence, his expression, behavior, and the situation provided the answer.

The interrogation device that didn’t react.

The wrinkles in his uniform pants caused by his tightly clenched fists.

Finally, his black eyes, as clear as a mirror, without the slightest tremor.

They all declared that there wasn’t even a speck of falsehood in his statement about his life being threatened.