Silence envelops the room.

As the space between Anna and me shrinks, I slowly begin to move my body away from hers. The vibe I'm getting from her demeanor and the dull quietude is enough to tell me what the answer is.

Unfortunately—

"I'm too busy…" Anna sighs as she looks at me with a regretful gaze. "I haven't even had time to practice Alchemy in a while, so I'm quite rusty."

"You would have me assisting you…"

"If only it were that simple."

She shakes her head, her colorful irises gleaming with a tinge of sadness. "As much as I'd like to help you, whether it is academic matters or politics… I'm too occupied to add anything more to my plate at the moment."

"I see…"

I slowly nod, a smile of understanding forming on my face.

To be honest, I was counting on Anna for this, but I also knew there was a big chance that she would be busy. In that case, there's simply nothing that can be done.

'I'll have to opt for a contingency.'

Right as I have this thought, Anna speaks up—likely out of some measure of guilt.

"I could recommend a few Alchemists for you to work with, though. I even know a colleague… he's much better than me, and—"

I quickly raise my hand to stop her.

"It wouldn't be the same." My head slowly shakes as I calmly reject the idea. "Besides, this project is quite personal to me. I only want to involve people that I trust."

"Oh? Now I wonder what this could truly be about…" Her gaze flashes with curiosity.

"You'll have to join me to find out." My playful voice leaks out, and I chuckle with much vigor.

"You—!"

After laughing heartily for a while, I casually shrug.

"But it's fine. I'm actually in no rush, and this is just the preliminary test. I should be fine for now, so maybe when you get less busy, we can work on it together."

Upon hearing this, Anna's expression finally eases a little, and she nods with a smile.

"I'd like that."

After we discuss other matters for a little while longer, I finally leave Anna's office and proceed to the administrative building to submit my latest qualifications.

I also visit Dean Balric Wolfshade to once again thank him for his assistance in the matter.

I believe I'm slowly warming up to him.

Another week passes, and something worthy of note is that the Panel was not disbanded. Even though my adversaries should already know of my new accomplishment, it appears they are unwilling to admit defeat.

Or, could it be that they have some kind of plan that renders my preparations moot?

Just in case… I decide to use Clairvoyance to spy on them.

I hear of no such plan.

In fact, it appears as though they are panicking—seeking all kinds of ways to ensure I don't win at the Panel Hearing. Upon further investigation, I quickly learn that they can't dismiss the Panel since the Royal Oversight Committee has already been informed and its members are on their way to the Academy.

This… is good!

If I'm let off by the three Viscounts, it'll be harder for the Noble Faction to call for another Panel on the same grounds. While this could work against me, as they'll likely work harder to look for better ways to get rid of me, it mostly favors me.

After all, it buys me time.

Once the Royal Family approves of my High Rank Knight status, all their planning will go out the window. Ahh… I can't wait for that moment.

The day of the Hearing finally arrives, and both parties make their case.

Nothing of note really happens, as the eventual winner was obvious from the start. Even though I had confidence, I still used Clairvoyance many times to spy on them and observe their movements… just to be safe.

In fact, I knew all their key points before today, and I made sure to bring rebuttals for everything.

They honestly stood no chance.

Naturally, the Hearing ends with the Panel dismissing their case.

I make sure to rightfully sneer at all of them, especially Earl Klaus Gerondester, who actually led this stupid manhunt. He is the leader of the Noble Faction among the staff here, and since both of us have an irreconcilable difference, it makes sense that he's out to get me.

But this isn't like when I was still a helpless student.

I have power now.

Although the Earl is a Dean and even one of the few Grand Scholars in this Academy, his schemes are no longer as effective as they used to be.

For one, the power gap between us has shortened.

I am a Senior Professor here, and although he still has more seniority and status compared to me, he doesn't have it as easy as when I was simply a Scholarship Student who didn't know any better.

Secondly, I am under the protection of the likes of Anna and Count Blake Winchester, and my elimination would go against the best interests of the Royal Faction here.

Finally, I am a Leviathan.

I believe that goes without any need for explanation.

Honestly, I could kill the man before he even blinks an eye, and I doubt I'll get into any trouble since I wouldn't leave any traces.

But—

'I'm not that kind of person. Even though I am a Leviathan now, it doesn't change who I am fundamentally…'

I only kill humans who would kill me or others without my intervention.

That, or if it is absolutely necessary.

Hmm…

Something just struck me.

Isn't this exactly Brad's philosophy—except he applies it to everything else in nature?

Plants… Animals… Magivores…

Unless out of necessity or self-defense, he would never harm another living being. He was a kind man at heart, someone who appreciated the wonders of the world but also wasn't ignorant of the deep ugliness hidden within.

It's odd.

The older I get, the more I realize: the horrors of this world are as vast as its beauty

… Infinite.

**************

It's been a few days since the end of the Hearing.

Now that I have more breathing room, I reckon it's time to resume focus on my nutrition problem, specifically how to brew a Potion to solve it.

Besides Anna, there are only a handful of Senior Alchemists in the Kingdom. Many of them are inaccessible to me, simply based on regional distance or status. Besides, this borders on a matter of trust, so it's not a decision I can make carelessly.

There's also the issue of cost.

Senior Alchemists are quite expensive, and in case you haven't noticed… I'm not very affluent.

Sigh, I'll just come out and say it.

I'm broke.

All my resources are being funneled into my business, but it will still take time before it is fully revived. It's why I haven't even met Leon and Uncle Damon in a while.

They're working hard for all our sakes.

Back to the matter of the Potions, though, it appears I have exhausted all other options.

I'll have to settle for my last card.

'I guess I should write a letter…' I pick up my stationery and sit behind my desk, heaving a little sigh in the process.

What do I even say?

Where do I begin?

Should I start with an apology, or should I ask about her well-being?

The more I think about it, the further this feeling of uncertainty, as well as guilt, seeps into my consciousness. I think back to several months ago, when I just lost my entire family.

I was grieving.

But—

'Her sister and two nephews died as well. She had to also be grieving…' My vision turns dim as I narrow my eyes and smile wryly.

I never even reached out to her even once… what sort of nephew am I?

To my Aunt Leila, I wonder what kind of person I appear to be…

In a strange twist of fate, it appears she has become my only choice when it comes to brewing my desired Potion. After all, she is also an Alchemist, albeit not as accomplished as Anna.

I truly didn't want to resort to this unless I had no choice.

It feels scummy.

Like… I am only reaching out to her now because I want to use her.

My Aunt and I used to be very close, and in my past life, even after my parents died, she was one of the few people I could rely on. She's from my mother's family, and she even got married to a decent Noble, so she was never too involved in politics.

Her passion was Alchemy, and her husband never stopped her from exploring it.

'I remember visiting her many times in the past…' I slowly sigh, shaking my head as I stare at the empty letter before me.

After my family's death, I shut everyone out—including her.

Now, I need her help.

"I'll just be as honest as I can be in the letter." I smile wryly and finally place my pen on the paper.

"At this point, she's my only option."

After I finish writing the letter, I place it in an envelope and decide to deliver it myself. I could have easily called for one of the many assistants in the quarters to help me out, but this is a meaningful venture for me.

It could be hypocritical, maybe to ease my own conscience, but I do it anyway.

Once I'm done, a long sigh echoes from my lips.

'Now I just have to wait for her response…' With this thought in mind, I take another short stroll around campus before returning to my office.

Right in the hallway, standing in front of the office entrance, is a female student.

Her tan skin, innocent appearance, and slightly downtrodden expression ring a bell immediately, and my eyes flash in recognition.

Sasha—the girl who was being bullied back then!

What does she want with me? Could it be that those bullies have returned to harass her?

The moment I step closer to my destination, she notices me. With anxious steps, she begins to shrink back, her gaze low and hesitant.

It appears she has something to say, but is too scared to.

"Sasha, right? It's been a while…" I warmly greet her before welcoming her inside.

She meekly obeys, and we both proceed to my office.

"What's going on? Talk to me…"

It takes a while to convince her to speak, which is strange considering the fact that she came to my office on her own volition. Still, I exercise patience and gently coax her to spill the truth.

Eventually, she does.

"M-my friend… she had her purity stolen by Professor Ludwig. Can you help her?"

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