It was the day before Yulian's release.
Morning came to the Academy without fail.
Under the yellowish-brown Morning sunlight that obscured the City's sky with the Soot belched out by Factory chimneys overnight.
People rubbed their sleepy eyes and walked out into the streets stained with a sickly earthen hue.
However, even in the late Morning, the streets were quiet.
It was because it was still Summer Vacation and the Students had returned to their Main Estates.
In the middle of that quiet street, a boy diligently pedaled his bicycle with a bundle of Newspapers tucked under his arm.
"Extra! Extra!"
The boy's youthful Voice pierced through the yellowish-brown Mist.
Newspapers were skillfully placed in front of each house.
The Saintess of the Lamp— Ayla rubbed her sleepy eyes and picked up the Newspaper placed in front of her house.
Most of the Students had returned to their Main Estates, but she did not leave the Academy Territory throughout the Vacation.
It was because her entire family had moved here anyway.
"Mmm......"
With eyes still half-asleep, Ayla unfolded the Newspaper.
The largely printed headline caught her eye.
— One week has passed since the arrest of Black magic Professor Yulian.
— Hearing from an Expert about the five charges he violated.
"If it's Professor Yulian......"
Ayla blinked her eyes.
She already knew the News that Professor Yulian had been arrested.
It was News one could quickly encounter if they worked at the Meyer Infirmary.
However, she only knew that he had cast Black magic on a Demon Disease Patient, and harbored many Doubts regarding what Taboo he had broken.
'Is this something to react to this extent?'
She was taking Professor Yulian's Black magic Class.
Therefore, she knew the five Taboos of Black magic.
Professor Yulian emphasized it every Time in the first Class of the Black Magic Defense Arts Lecture, so there was no way she wouldn't know.
He emphasized this Taboo every time, even making it the first Question on the exam.
As a Result, Ayla was also well aware of the Taboos.
However, Ayla was weak at applying those Taboos to Reality.
Therefore, she decided to make a Request for help.
"Unnie."
To none other than the reliable honors Student, Valeria.
Unnie Valeria was sipping a steaming cup of Coffee in the Kitchen.
As if she had just finished washing, she had roughly tied up her wet hair into a bun.
Her attire was a loose Shirt and Underwear.
She was an honors Student who wouldn't even show a loosened tie at School, but at home, Valeria was like this.
"Yeah. Why did you call, Ayla?"
"The Newspaper is a bit difficult, so could you let me know about it?"
"Let me take a look."
Ayla unfolded the Newspaper on the Table and pushed it over.
Valeria sluggishly lifted her gaze over her Coffee cup.
Her eyebrows twitched slightly as she skimmed the headline.
"Oh, this person, isn't it Professor Yulian?"
"You know him too, Unnie? His Class isn't a requirement for your Class Year."
"But I can take it as an elective. I've been taking it since last year too."
Sip.
She checked the article while sipping her Coffee a few times.
"How bizarre. He shouldn't be someone sloppy enough to violate something like this."
Before long, Valeria stopped the hand holding her Coffee cup.
"Seeing him in Class, he was so strict about drawing the line. He was someone who constantly preached, 'You absolutely must not do this, you absolutely must not do that.' But now he himself has been caught with 4 charges. Two of which he definitively violated."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Valeria said while pointing at the article one by one.
"You know the five Taboos you heard about in Class, right?"
"It was an exam Question, so I still remember. One, in the Process of researching Black magic, the act of offering a human as a Sacrifice is forbidden......"
Ayla listed the Taboos while counting them off on her fingers one by one.
Two. The act of harming a human with Black magic is forbidden.
Three. The act of violating the Doctrine of the Sun Cult Order with Black magic is forbidden.
Four. All Research regarding Black magic must have a prior Report, and all Research results and contents must be shared with the Magic Management Bureau.
Five. Acts and gatherings plotting the resurrection of the Magic Tower of the 13th Month are forbidden.
"So, which of these did he violate?"
Ayla asked while folding her fingers.
"Two are confirmed. Two are under review."
Valeria put down her Coffee cup and pointed her finger at the article.
"The ones definitively caught first are clauses 3 and 4."
"Clause 3 is...... violating the Doctrine of the Sun Cult Order?"
"Yeah. You know whose Right Magical Treatment is, right?"
"It belongs to the Healers."
"To be precise, it's the Monopoly Right of the order."
Treatment utilizing Magic can only be performed by the order.
This was a Doctrine meant for the order's profit, but there was a Rational Justification for it in its own way.
Historically, a Miracle of healing was the easiest way to gather people's Faith.
For this reason, a Miracle of healing was the most common means for Cults to deceive people.
This was also why the Sun Cult Order designated Magical Treatment as the exclusive Right of a Healer.
Because if it wasn't forbidden by Doctrine, Cults would run rampant.
"They don't necessarily have to be a Healer. If they are a Mage acknowledged by the order, the Magical Healing Act is permitted. This is also why some Potion Makers receive Permission from the order. How can you not know that when you're in the Department of Healing Arts."
"You know it too, Unnie. I'm weak when it comes to Doctrines......"
"Director Schun would be disappointed if he knew."
"(Whimper)."
Valeria let out a Sigh.
"Anyway, that part is the Doctrine the Professor violated, and I probably don't need to explain the remaining clause 4."
"He must have forgotten to get Permission from above."
"Yeah. To think the Professor would also make such a mistake."
There is a Duty to Report everything regarding Black magic from the Time of Experiment until it is used in Actual combat.
However, Yulian did not do so.
"The Professor ignored all those procedures and just cast it directly on the Patient."
"But the Demon Disease Patient survived because of that. Following procedures takes Several days, and that person would have passed away."
"I know. But you can't make an Exception to a Taboo with something like that. That's how the law works."
Valeria was calm.
Before entering the Hero Department, she aimed to be an Accountant for the Merkur Trading Company.
Because she was such a person, she only showed a calm reaction regarding how the law operated.
"So that's two confirmed for now."
Valeria held up two fingers.
"Then what are the remaining two under review?"
"Clauses 1 and 2. This will change depending on what happens to the Patient."
Valeria stroked her Coffee cup, her eyes skimming the bottom of the Newspaper.
"Number 1 is offering a human as a Sacrifice, and number 2 is harming a human with Black magic. But right now, that Patient is perfectly alive. In fact, they say the Symptom has improved."
"Then didn't he not violate it?"
"For now. The problem is 'later'."
Valeria tapped the Table with her Index finger.
"Think about it. No one knows what will happen later to what was suppressed with Black magic. What if that Patient suddenly dies a few months later?"
"Then......?"
"Then number 1 is established. Because as a Result, it becomes a situation where he used Black magic with the Patient as a Sacrifice. Even if they don't die, what if the Demon Disease worsens, or a completely different illness emerges? Then it's number 2. It becomes harming a person with Black magic."
"......"
"These two cannot be judged right now. That's why it's under review."
Valeria casually dropped the Newspaper onto the Table.
"To summarize, two confirmed and two pending. In the worst-case scenario, he could be saddled with all four."
"Uh......"
"Looking here, it seems this is also why they went into Search and Seizure. If he had only violated one Taboo, it would have ended with an Interrogation, but at the point where he definitively violated two and is suspected of the remaining two, there is no other way."
"Still, I wonder if they're being too harsh on the Professor......"
"You have to understand, Ayla. Because of a single Black magic incident, The West of the Empire vanished entirely, and the Imperial Family and Duke who were there suffered Death."
This is also why the Empire has such a Flare-up over Taboos related to Black magic.
"Well, from what I see, the Professor isn't that kind of person. The Investigation will probably end with him Cleared of Suspicion."
Valeria picking up her Coffee cup again.
Then suddenly, she remembered one thing and looked at Ayla.
"Come to think of it, Ayla. Didn't you dislike that Professor? You always badmouthed him when we ate."
"No, when did I ever speak ill of him?"
Ayla trailing off her Words.
Along with that, a certain Senior came to her mind.
Jenny Raylick.
The Senior who stubbornly insisted that Yulian was more of a Genius than Director Schun. She was also the reason Ayla badmouthed Yulian.
However, that badmouthing was a bit different from speaking ill of him.
"I was just...... comparing him to Director Schun."
"If that's not badmouthing, what is."
Of course, in Valeria's eyes, that was also badmouthing.
"Comparing anyone to Director Schun is a discourtesy to them anyway."
"T-That is true."
"Well, I agree with your thought too."
Valeria tended to give Professor Yulian his Acknowledgement.
Because whenever she watched the feast of Ideas and knowledge he showed during his Black Magic Defense Arts Class, she absolutely couldn't keep her mouth shut.
However, that Genius had a sense of fading when compared to Director Schun.
'His Deduction ability is amazing, but even taking that into account, you can't compare him to someone who became a Saint even while changing the order's policy.'
At the point where Director Schun had already become The Black Saint, it was Yulian's loss by decision.
This was a judgment that excluded Valeria's emotions.
It was absolutely not because Director Schun was Valeria's Benefactor, teacher, and reliable Sponsor.
Probably.
"Still, I'm enjoying that Professor's Class too. It helps a lot in many ways. Besides, he is also my Benefactor, so I hope he is innocent."
"That's right. The Professor isn't someone who would do such a bad thing."
At Valeria's assurance, Ayla finally set her mind at ease.
In Truth, Ayla didn't dislike Professor Yulian either.
Of course, every Time she ate, she would compare him to Director Schun and spout badmouthing that wasn't really badmouthing.
Saying the Class was too difficult, that he taught things that were too dangerous, or that Director Schun could do that level of Deduction too.
That was merely a kind of Competitive spirit.
To explain it...... yes.
A cute tantrum coming from him coveting the position of Director Schun, whom she held in Respect.
She definitely didn't hate him.
Therefore, the fact that the Professor could truly receive a heavy punishment felt a little Uncomfortable.
'Besides, they said Miss Freya was locked up together with him too......'
She was also Worried about Freya, who was detained together with Yulian here.
A friend she met in the Black Magic Defense Arts Lecture, whom she naturally became close with while sitting together in the very front row.
Her elegant appearance, befitting a noble, also made Ayla feel Admiration.
Thinking that such a bright Child would be locked up in a cold Holding Cell made her heart Uncomfortable.
'I hope things turn out well. Both of them.'
Ayla silently prayed in her heart.
*
After Breakfast ended like that.
Ayla got dressed in her Training Uniform and headed to the Meyer Infirmary.
There were no Lectures because it was Vacation, but she didn't take a break from on-site Practical Training.
Rather, Vacation was a good Opportunity to build Combat Experience.
Her steps heading to the infirmary were quite light.
'I should help many people today too!'
Befitting her Nickname as The Saintess of the Lamp, Ayla felt rewarded by caring for others.
Recently, she also frequently provided Assistance in the Operating room.
Despite strictly holding the Social status of a Student!
Considering that among the Apprentice Healers doing Training at the infirmary after Graduation, there were many who still couldn't provide Assistance, the word favoritism could have come up.
However, because it was a rightful Qualification earned thanks to building numerous Combat Experience by Director Schun's side, there were no suspicions of favoritism.
'What Surgery will I be able to do Observation for today.'
What Patient will I meet today.
Will I be able to relieve someone's pain, even if clumsily.
With a heart half filled with a Sense of Awe and half with Resolve, she opened the infirmary door.
However.
"Huh......"
Ayla, who had entered the infirmary, soon stopped in her tracks.
The place her gaze headed towards was a Consultation Room deep inside the Consultation Building.
That room, which was always crowded with people, was completely empty today of all days.
Only a Sign reading 'Closed for Consultation' quietly hung on the door.
It was Director Schun's Consultation Room.
'Ah, right. Director said he was taking annual leave.'
Did he say he would be away for about a week.
Normally in front of that room, Patients wanting to receive treatment from the Director would form a long line starting from the Morning.
The infirmary, with that sight gone, felt somewhat desolate and lonely.
Of course, the number of Patients hadn't decreased, but at least Ayla felt that way.
Ayla's Shoulders, which had swelled with anticipation, drooped slightly.
'But for what reason did he take annual leave.'
Worry suddenly seeped in.
He was someone who cared for Patients without even resting like that.
To think such a person would be away for a whole week.
'Could it be...... he's sick somewhere?'
A chilling deduction flashed through her mind.
It was a possible deduction.
Because the Director Schun that Ayla knew was someone who didn't know how to rest.
He forcibly suppressed his fatigue with Refresh, and routinely worked for 36 hours straight if he felt like it.
And even doing New Medicine Research on top of that......
'No way......'
Could it be he collapsed.
If that was the case......
'When he returns, should I lock him up somewhere and forcefully make him rest......'
At the Impiety of a thought that arose for a moment, she shook her head.
No matter how much she was a Saintess, there was no way she could dare do such a thing to the Lord Saint.
Ayla looked at the empty Consultation Room once more, then quietly moved her steps to the preparation room for Trainees.
Opening the door and stepping inside, Ayla discovered a familiar back.
"......Senior Jenny?"
Jenny Raylick was sitting in front of the lockers.
There was just a fact she had been curious about.
How was Shallot, Yulian's Fiancée and Jenny's Roommate, viewing this situation.
Ayla intended to ask Jenny about this.
"Senior. Hello."
"Ayla."
"By any chance, is there any News you've heard regarding the Professor?"
Jenny raised her head.
"My Roommate just told me last night, she said there's absolutely no way the Professor was falsely accused this time."
It was a somewhat Perplexing remark for Jenny, who had thought he must have been falsely accused like last time.
"So when I asked her what she would do if her Fiancé was truly guilty then, you know she said that chasing him down would have its own Romance?"
"Haha......"
Ayla let out a dry laugh.
"It seems she has a Stance that it doesn't matter even if her Fiancé is a criminal."
Jenny let out a Sigh as if she couldn't be helped.
Slide.
Just then, the preparation room door opened carefully, and a small shadow came timidly walking in.
It was their timid cutie, Gwen.
Gwen came scurrying into the preparation room with her eyes half covered by her bangs.
She opened her mouth with a Mosquito-like Voice.
"Y-You two...... did you hear about that by any chance......? The News...... about Professor Yulian."
Ayla and Jenny looked back at Gwen at the same time.
And, as if they had made a promise, they looked at each other.
And then,
"No, I don't really know?"
"Could you tell us, Gwen?"
This was the two's Consideration.
In Ayla and her friends' group, Gwen was always late to the News.
Listening as if they deliberately didn't know so that she wouldn't feel awkward was their Consideration.
The two looking at Gwen with warm eyes.
Gwen, relieved that she wasn't late, shared the News she had found out.
"T-That is......"
Gwen fiddled with her bangs and stutteringly continued her Words.
"This Morning...... I heard the Words our Sect's Elders were saying......"
Gwen belonged to the Mencia Sect.
The Mencia Sect was a Sect that had fallen once, but soared again with Penicillin.
Because it was such a Sect, various high-quality Information would go back and forth among the Adults.
And Gwen, who entered the Sect during its most difficult time, was the Elders' eternal cute Youngest Child.
Because of this, Gwen would occasionally come across News that only High-ranking people would know.
"W-Well...... Professor Yulian and......"
Gwen audibly swallowed her saliva.
"Director Schun...... I-In Truth, they said they were the Same Person......"
"......Yeah, I see."
"That's the first time hearing this...... Huh?"
Ayla's mouth, which was trying to reflexively chime in, froze just like that.
"......"
"......"
Silence fell over the preparation room.
"............What?"
Jenny's jaw dropped.
Ayla's eyes also widened as big as Plates.
Just now, what?
Professor Yulian and Director Schun are......
"T-The Same Person......?"
It took a considerable amount of Time for the two to process that Information.
***
Rumors tend to spread even faster than words.
That speed occasionally even surpassed the speed of the press.
Rather, the more crucial the News, there were Times when rumors were faster than articles verifying the Truth.
The rumor about Yulian and Director Schun's identities was the same.
— "Hey, is this real?"
— "If we publish the wrong article, the Newspaper company will really have to close down......"
The News that the two were the Same Person was a piece of News that Newspaper companies already knew as well.
However, they couldn't publish this as an article in an unconfirmed state.
Even those called Yellow Journalism had no choice but to be cautious this time.
Because if they made a misstep, it might not just end with the Newspaper company closing down.
On the other hand, rumors that bore no responsibility were different.
— "Why are the Heresy Inquisitors suddenly doing a Mass Resignation?"
— "The Board of Inspection is also chaotic as if something happened?"
The beginning was suspicion.
— "A guy who came from there said it, well......"
— "......Isn't that a Secret?"
— "They say the Secret is declassified."
The suspicion gradually turned into Circumstantial Evidence.
— "Wow, Fuck. That's real?"
— "It's real. It's a story I heard while serving Tea to the Cardinal."
— "Seeing how they aren't doing Information Control, it seems it's okay to tell others?"
— "Hey hey, don't tell anyone and let's buy Merkur Trading Company stock first among ourselves."
— "......Fuck...... I think we're a step too late?"
The Circumstantial Evidence began to appear in the form of omens all over the market.
— "Hey, if this rumor is false, why is the stock price like this?"
— "No matter how you look at it, this seems to be the reason for the Resignation?"
— "Where should we profit before the article comes out?"
The omens turned the suspicion into certainty.
And around the Time this News arrived to Jenny and Ayla as a 'rumor only you guys should know'.
Yulian's identity was already no different from a story known by anyone who would know.
Amidst that atmosphere, a Question carelessly thrown by one person caused a massive Repercussion.
— "Hey, but if The Black Saint cast Black magic on a Demon Disease Patient, doesn't that mean it was a real Healing Act?"
— "Right?"
— "But...... of all people, The Individual Concerned is teaching a Black magic Class at the Academy?"
— "......"
As their thoughts reached that point, what they had to do was clear.
The suspicion of Professor Yulian violating the Black magic Taboo?
The commotion of the Inquisitors and the Board of Inspection's Mass Resignation?
That wasn't what was important right now.
— "Darling! Right now is the lowest point! Just trust my Words! I'm telling you it's real!"
— "Are you crazy? Didn't you say it was already too late?"
— "No! It can go up even more!"
Those who were not Students grabbed wads of cash and headed to the stock market,
— "......Are you saying the Lord Saint is teaching a method to treat this disease in the Academy Territory?"
— "You said you are attending the Academy, right? I will give you as much money as you want. Just learn that from there."
— "Is there no way for a graduate to take the Lecture as well?"
Those who were desperate began to seek means,
— "No, Cardinal. Please. I told you it's not possible?"
— "I ask of you like this. Allow me to do Auditing, no, at least hold a seminar for me."
— "I came to make an Inquiry as to why the Black Magic Healing Arts course hasn't been newly established in the second semester Lecture list."
— "This is already the thirtieth Inquiry the Priest has made......"
Healers, whose eyes had rolled back from the desire to improve, even threw away their Pride and knocked on the School gate of the Academy.
Like that, those who were Students and those who were not Students formed a sea of humanity, gathering in the Academy Territory for Course Registration,
and the Academy's Airship Terminal screamed at an unprecedented state of saturation in History.
And at the center of that chaos,
Hero Department First year Erika......
"They say Young Master Yulian is being released today! So today's sparring ends here!"
"Nunim, did you know that Director Schun and Professor Yulian were the Same Person?"
"Of course, did you think I wouldn't know?"
"Then I...... I want to join Dinner too......!"
"Go away. It's a family gathering. Karl, even you can't."
She headed home, shaking off the Students who forgot their Courtesy and pleaded, trying somehow to forge a connection with Yulian.
"But the Tofu is...... Ah, I made it but I ended up eating it for Dinner yesterday."
Regardless of what kind of person the world saw him as, it was a matter that was fine either way to her.
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