Ch.4545. Distrust, and Hatred (8)

“Hah. Let me think about this slowly again, Ophelia.”

I close my eyes briefly and reopen them, reconsidering the answers to these complex questions.

Ophelia’s intuition about the invisible hierarchy and bullying at the Academy has never been wrong.

The battle between Juno and Aris that I witnessed yesterday was clearly a one-sided attack.

So it was a case of the strong attacking the weak. It was Aris, who frequently roamed battlefields as a mercenary for other teams, who attacked Juno.

And the location was a secluded corner of the Academy.

She chose a damp, dark place away from people’s eyes to crush someone weaker.

There was no contradiction in this sequence of events. Except for one thing.

‘But… why did Miss Aris attack Mr. Juno?’

I definitely felt something was off, but there was no clear motive.

All Aris wanted was to join Goden’s party and asked for a recommendation.

That has no connection to attacking Juno.

In the end, I can only assume that there must be some private reason between the two that led to the commotion.

I just heard that reason, but…

-‘I… I’m trying to drop out because my life is being threatened.’

Although Aris attacked Juno, it didn’t seem like it would have been life-threatening.

From what I observed at the scene, Juno wasn’t someone who would be easily defeated anyway.

So this means someone else must be targeting his life.

‘I simply cannot understand this.’

Thanks to the Grand Duke’s wise guidance and policies, people have jobs and livelihoods, and crime is rare.

To put it bluntly, despite being a young duchy, it’s said to have better public safety than even the deeply-rooted Empire.

Yet, to have one’s life threatened in the Ardelion Duchy?

And at Levrant Academy, a key institution of the duchy?

If you stopped someone on the street and asked them about this, they would answer:

That person must be mentally ill.

Each student has their own power, and the uniforms provided have defensive magic circles engraved to protect against attacks.

Moreover, how could someone openly target someone’s life in such a crowded place?

Logically, any crime committed at the Academy would be immediately exposed.

Because of this, there have hardly been any criminals in Levrant, the capital of the duchy, yet he claimed his life was being threatened.

‘But asking more questions might be dangerous.’

Just as victims often respond with anxiety, pressing further would feel like an interrogation and could backfire.

She wanted to help him share his concerns, not corner him.

I need to properly apologize for unintentionally pushing Juno too hard.

To prevent him from making any extreme choices.

“I apologize for frightening you. Somehow, I sensed you were a victim, but I didn’t know it was for this reason.”

I turn off the interrogation magical tool and remove the confession device, putting it away out of sight.

“I understand your anxiety. I promise to keep what you’ve told me confidential. However, could you reconsider dropping out?”

“…”

“If you leave the Academy, you can never return. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Juno shakes his head at Ophelia’s persuasion.

It seemed that dropping out was currently the only way for him to escape the life-threatening situation.

‘Assigning a guard would be like surveillance. Besides, it would attract attention from others…’

Ophelia wanted to find a way for Juno to stay at the Academy without dropping out.

“Since you’ve trusted me and been honest, would you trust me once more?”

“…What do you mean?”

“If you stay at the Academy, I’ll do my best to keep your secret. I’ve also thought of a temporary solution to protect you.”

-The choice is yours.

The benevolent duchess offers this option as she tries to persuade Juno.

***

“I feel like I’ve been seeing student Ophelia’s face quite often lately?”

Professor Muniher deliberately uses the term “student” instead of “duchess” to guide the conversation.

The implication is clear: maintain proper positions.

Currently, Professor Muniher must remain neutral for the class placement exam.

This means he cannot help with political matters on behalf of the duchy while maintaining neutrality.

“I’ve come to see you as the Student Council Disciplinary Committee Head to discuss something, Professor Muniher.”

Ophelia also responds as a student of Levrant Academy, not as the duchess.

If this is a meeting between a student and professor, rather than involving her position as the Grand Duke’s daughter, there would be no formal issues.

Noticing that this isn’t that kind of conversation, Professor Muniher smiles.

“Good. Would you like some tea?”

“I’ll brew chamomile tea myself. You are getting on in years, after all.”

“Hehe. What a polite student. Showing consideration for an old man.”

“Thank you for the compliment. But isn’t it only natural?”

Thus, the two clearly established their positions.

Only after two cups of tea were brewed and the reason for Ophelia’s visit was recorded could the conversation proceed.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I’m here to persuade a student who wants to drop out. I was hoping you could help with this matter, Professor Muniher.”

“Ah, dropping out?”

Upon hearing the word “dropout,” Professor Muniher sighs with evident irritation.

The numerous dropout requests he’d received.

The strangely quick surrender of students choosing to leave.

Having grown weary of caring for students, this wasn’t a particularly pleasant topic.

‘Recently, even that Juno kid did the same.’

While it was tiring to reject each request one by one, having a star student like him request to leave the Academy was particularly unwelcome.

He didn’t want to let go of someone he was trying to nurture, especially when they presented such flimsy reasons.

Muniher looked at Ophelia, as if to say, “Go on, tell me.”

“First of all, this is someone who needs protection.”

“Protection? Here at Levrant Academy?”

“Yes. In fact, it’s precisely because it’s Levrant Academy that protection is needed.”

Both sides agree that a student dropping out is undesirable.

But it shouldn’t cause excessive waste or controversy for just one person.

As the vice principal, some compromise was needed for school matters.

“Hmm. I understand roughly. So, what’s your request?”

“The student requesting to drop out is facing considerable hardship from the eyes of many noble children at the Academy. Therefore, I’d like to borrow an object you created.”

“My object?”

Professor Muniher’s eyebrows twitch, having been unresponsive until now.

Ophelia clearly said “object,” not “artifact.”

While protection might be needed, requiring an object, and furthermore, one he personally created?

‘Of course, if multiple nobles are attacking one person, that could be the case…’

But in such a situation, Ophelia or other disciplinary committee members could intervene.

It implies she’s anticipating what will happen.

There’s only one protective object he’s created.

‘Yet she needs the Bluschuar Arc…’

Using that would mean this was a matter of life and death.

Though he wasn’t sure such a thing could happen at the Academy.

“Well, can I meet this person beforehand?”

“That would be a bit difficult…”

“If they’re going to use the Bluschuar Arc, I need to confirm they have the right character. You know the risks involved.”

Ophelia’s reluctance had its reasons.

To keep her promise of confidentiality about Juno’s secret, it was better to avoid a direct meeting with Professor Muniher.

Like other victims of bullying in the Academy’s shadows, Juno needed to stay away from sources of anxiety.

So she tries a tactic that normally wouldn’t work.

“Just this once, could you lend me the Bluschuar Arc on faith?”

For the sake of a boy trying to drop out because his life was threatened, Ophelia gave an uncertain reason.

While they agreed to maintain a professor-student relationship, she was asking him to trust her position as the duchess.

***

When I first heard it, I couldn’t believe my ears.

-‘I’ll borrow something, so please wait. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.’

-‘By borrow, you mean…?’

-‘Since you said you’re being threatened, I plan to borrow a protective object.’

Most people use artifacts for protection because they’re more convenient.

They’re more suitable for dealing with magical beasts, humanity’s main enemy.

But the duchess said she would borrow an object.

‘While she has the authority to borrow an object… there aren’t many objects in the duchy.’

Objects for academic purposes like simulation rooms and training halls.

Objects for defense against magical beasts.

Unlike commonly used artifacts, objects require legal permits due to their significant impact.

Even for the same purpose, the scale is different, meaning one person’s misuse could cause a major disaster.

That’s what magical objects are.

‘I hope she didn’t go to Professor Muniher…’

Thinking about it, the creator of most well-known objects is right here.

There’s the Talbert Arc, among others.

But I distinctly heard the duchess say she was going to borrow a protective object… could it be…

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

The door opens with a thud, and Duchess Ophelia’s gentle voice is heard.

The duchess, who said she would borrow a protective object, takes out a loaned item from a box storing valuables.

“Let me explain its use. First, this object’s name is…”

I already know without being told.

‘Bluschuar Arc…’

Outwardly, it’s just a pair of bracelets with intricate formulas and circles engraved after meticulous calculations.

An object made from 12 minerals, including lapis lazuli, carefully refined through a complex process.

To others, it might not seem special.

It might even be seen as a troublesome item due to legal complications.

But why do I know this? Why am I reacting as if I know it? Why can’t I hear the duchess’s explanation?

My eyes clearly recognized its shape, and my brain was screaming, “I know this!”

Yes, this is something I knew before my regression, something I never wanted to see again.

It gave me a twisted life in the Tembris party, making me resent the world.

“Do you understand everything?”

“…Yes.”

Duchess Ophelia responded as if she had finished her explanation.

But I’m not sure what I just heard.

Because of this Bluschuar Arc before my eyes, I was reminded of a past I didn’t want to recall.

Like a mindless inanimate object, I couldn’t distinguish whether what I heard was speech or noise.

Meanwhile, Duchess Ophelia, having finished explaining the Bluschuar Arc, gave me a final instruction.

“If you’re in danger with this, that person will come directly, so don’t worry and continue your studies at the Academy.”

I suddenly realized my mistake.

For the Bluschuar Arc to work, I need to know who receives the emergency signal.

I should ask now. Who does the signal go to?

“Duchess, could you please explain again…”

But my words wouldn’t be delivered.

“Duchess! An urgent telegram…! Oh, you have a guest… I apologize.”

“Excuse me. I need to step away for a moment.”

“…”

I suspect this “moment” won’t be brief.

A soldier rushed in, clutching a shoulder that had been mauled by a magical beast, bringing an urgent telegram.

A few minutes later, after speaking with the soldier, Duchess Ophelia sent someone who appeared to be her maid to me.

“The duchess had an urgent matter to attend to, so I’m here to deliver a message in her place.”

I know what’s happening without being told.

Today is the day when the Canolatlal horde, which Duchess Ophelia’s expedition team and the Arcab party had subjugated last year, attacked again.

The Academy’s regular troops, led by the duchess, have likely gathered and departed for Schütt, so it will take time for them to return.

Until the duchess returns, I won’t know who receives the signal if I’m in danger.

***

After the main forces departed from Levrant Academy, I came outside and wandered the empty streets.

‘What should I do…’

My worries are immense.

The Lemtert defense battle must be happening now, so the main personnel have all left the Academy.

It’s the perfect timing to escape.

But the duchess’s warning before lending me the object holds me back.

-‘If you run away, I’ll spread everything and bring you back. And then, disciplinary committee members will take turns watching you. For your safety, of course.’

Clearly… if those people come for me, I won’t be in danger walking at night like before.

But having disciplinary committee members take turns watching just one person… is this right?

In short, no matter how good the timing, escaping from the Academy is practically impossible.

Even if I ran away, I’d be tracked down and brought back to the Academy quickly, making it a meaningless escape.

Because I was caught by Duchess Ophelia, I couldn’t choose anything.

‘The good thing is that at least I have this…’

The only consolation was that the Bluschuar Arc would ensure my safety.

If the Tembris party members come for me again with their resentment and vengeful intentions, I’ll activate this object immediately.

“…Still, it’s better than the worst-case scenario.”

At least, unlike before, my life isn’t hanging by a thread.

They might pour out their resentment at me, but they won’t be able to stab my heart this time.