Ahh…

Professor James Ludwig… a Junior Professor in the Department of Administration & Statecraft.

He is also a member of the Noble Faction, though that factor isn't very important in this discourse. During my days as a student in the Royal Academy, I knew of him, and he was one of the kindest Professors in the Department.

Before I officially sided with the Royal Faction, we had a very close relationship.

Even now, we aren't necessarily enemies.

In fact, I find him to be one of the least problematic people in the entire Academy.

And… that is what makes this case so problematic.

James Ludwig has a high reputation among all the staff here, and even his students only have good things to say about him. He treats them as friends, using a relatable teaching method to disseminate knowledge, unlike many old-fashioned Professors who still cling to outdated ways.

I even heard he hosts private teaching sessions in his spare time.

Such a man…

"Are you sure?" I ask with mild confusion and also wariness, finding it very difficult to fathom my esteemed colleague doing something so unethical.

… So vile.

"Y-yes! I'm sure!" Sasha raises her shaky voice, her eyes flashing with determination.

It's evident that she really cares about this matter.

Or rather, about her friend.

"Hmm…" I wonder what I should do. "This friend of yours, is there a way for me to meet her?"

"T-that…"

"What's the problem?" I cock my head to the side.

"S-she actually told me to keep it a secret. B-but, she has been crying so much, Professor Aditi! We both decided to keep our chastity and join the Elect Maidens, yet… yet he stole it from her! He violated her trust so viciously!"

At this point, I see full-blown hatred and spirals of rage swirl in her eyes.

Sasha is full of spite.

In her eyes, this Professor is nothing but vile scum—despicable beyond any form of redemption.

It is in stark contrast to my view of him.

'Is it the same Professor Ludwig I know? This is…' I sigh to myself, deciding to keep an open mind about the matter before making a decision.

"I need to meet your friend so I can hear her side of the story, Sasha. You can trust me; nothing we discuss will leave this room."

"Y-you promise?"

"I promise."

"B-but, if I do this… will you promise to get justice for her? Mary is scared… she said he told her not to try anything funny or report the matter. He said no one else will believe us even if we do."

The more Sasha speaks, the further my image of Professor Ludwig becomes marred.

Is this really the case?

I have no idea.

However, in the likely case that it's true, I have to do my best to investigate.

"I will do my best, Sasha."

To be honest, I'm a little skeptical about all of this.

For all I know, this could be the start of a deep scheme. It could also be the students playing pranks or trying to get back at their Professor.

But—

'That look in her eyes… how can I simply ignore it?'

"Bring Mary here. We'll talk about it together. You have my word that I will do everything in my power to get to the bottom of this." I tell Sasha calmly.

She still depicts some form of hesitation, but eventually she nods in acceptance.

The next day, the two of them came to my office.

For the first time, I see Mary.

She has silver-white hair, with perfect blue eyes and radiant skin. Many Clergy Students have ordinary appearances, but this girl is an exception. She is indeed beautiful, and her development seems a little faster than her peers.

However, throughout our interaction, she doesn't speak very often.

She also stutters frequently and averts her gaze.

Not good.

Usually, this is done by people who aren't sure of their story or are lying.

Even when I ask questions, she evades most of them, and Sasha answers in her stead. I'm a little stumped on the matter, considering how the two girls contrast in attitude.

Mary seems rather meek and willing to let it go, but Sasha appears furious and determined to get justice. I can tell from the former's body language that she doesn't even want to be in my office and would rather return to her room.

But this is serious.

Professor James Ludwig is a Baron's son, so Mary's accusations could be construed as slander if the matter gets out.

Of course, I won't leak it out.

But with the way Sasha is so passionate about it, I can tell it's only a matter of time before other students catch wind of this. Mary doesn't want this to happen, though, which is why Sasha is still restraining herself.

But for how long?

I also find it a little ironic how Sasha finds it much easier to stand up for others than for herself.

Oftentimes, this is the case with humans.

We can let it go when we are being cheated, especially if it is a humiliating defeat. However, when we see our allies or friends suffering the same, a righteous fury envelops us, and we seek to act.

Even when our friends refuse, we still wish to seek justice.

That aside…

'Honestly, I'm not too optimistic about this case…' I sigh to myself, staring at both girls with a skeptical gaze. 'Mary's story has too many holes and uncertainties. She isn't willing to share all the details, and she also has some contradictions. She's hiding some things, which makes her credibility even lower. There's also the fact that Mary doesn't even appear to believe her own story, and her body language is usually found in liars. Sasha is more confident in her friend, but everything she knows is what Mary told her. Last, but not least…'

Professor James Ludwig has a high reputation and a promising career, with almost no motive to do this to an innocent student.

He also doesn't have a history of unethical activities, and his record is quite clean.

Everything points in his favor.

Still…

What is this unease that I feel? Despite the evidence leading to a logical conclusion that I more or less know to be true, why do I feel an urge to believe these girls?

"You two, I'll be honest…" I intertwine my fingers and stare at them calmly. "The situation isn't looking too good. The evidence simply isn't there, and even if we take your testimony into account, it's clear who the Academy will believe more."

Mary's countenance immediately darkens, and she covers her face, while Sasha stares at me in wide-eyed disbelief.

"B-but you said you'd help us seek justice!"

"I know. And I will… but I need more from you girls." I glance at Mary. "Especially you."

"I-it's fine… Let's just forget all of this. Please pretend it never happened."

She rises to her feet and bows respectfully to me before walking away. However, Sasha holds her hand before she can reach the door.

"What are you doing, Mary? That man hurt you! He—!"

"Stop! Just stop it, okay?! I told you… I told you not to tell anyone…" Mary begins to cry, tears flowing unceasingly down her face even as she tries to clean them off.

"M-Mary, I was only trying to—"

"I told you, there's no use! Do you think he'll do anything to implicate that man? They're colleagues! He said there were others who tried… but nothing ever came of it! I'm not the first, and I won't be the last! What's the point of bringing this up? What will change? Nothing!"

"B-but he deserves to pay!"

"Bah! As if that's going to happen! Just forget it, and let me preserve some of my dignity instead of being interrogated like some kind of suspect!" Mary sharply stares in my direction, and I can see an ounce of anger towards me.

Okay… that stings a little.

I was only trying to help, but it seems I made her feel uncomfortable.

'But it can't be helped. I'm trying to keep an open mind here. If I'm too biased towards her, I'd be more inclined to believe her story, which will affect my judgment.' That's how I thought when I asked her those questions, trying to get to the bottom of the matter.

But that must have had an adverse effect.

"I'm sorry." I apologize to her with a calm expression, slowly rising to my feet. "But please, don't leave. Sit… and I promise to hear you out without judgment."

She remains fixed in her position, unmoving.

"If you'd like… we can introduce a colleague of mine. That would—"

"No! I don't want anyone else to know—!"

"It will be just her. Her name is Seraphina Lindester, and I trust her with my life. She's a woman, like you, and I believe you'd be more comfortable telling her these things. Also, she has more influence in this Academy and will be able to help in many ways that I can't."

"I… I…"

At this moment, Sasha holds Mary's hand, and the two of them lock gazes. Sasha nods encouragingly at her, and I watch their exchange in silence.

"F-fine…" Mary mumbles, her face turning dull. "But only her…"

"Only her. I promise."

The next day arrives, and all four of us are in Seraphina's office this time.

After the girls left, I visited her and told her the whole story, including how I handled it and my thought process throughout. She chided me a little, but also understood why I would think that way. According to her:

"You're a man… what would I expect?"

I know she didn't mean it derogatorily, but I can't help but feel a little offended.

What was that supposed to mean?

In any case, now that I have brought the girls to Seraphina, I hope the matter can be a little clearer.

"Please excuse us for a moment, Professor Aditi."

"E-eh?"

I am a little dumbfounded by Seraphina's hostile tone and my sudden seclusion from the conversation.

"But I brought them here. Surely, this concerns me too…" I am tempted to say, but before I can let out another word, she gives me a glare of disapproval and parts her lips.

"Javier…"

"Fine… fine, I'll leave." I wave casually, pretending to be nonchalant about the whole thing, as I leave her office and wait in the hallway.

But—

'Do you really think you can stop me?' My eyes flash with sinister light as I immediately activate my Fragmented Conception.

—Clairvoyance!

I draw my perception to the office, quickly witnessing everything ongoing there as though I were present in the room. Seraphina's stern face is a lot softer, and I see that the girls appear a little more comfortable than they were with me.

Then, the conversation begins.

"Let me tell you a story…" Seraphina begins with a tale I have never heard from her before.

It's about her childhood.

"… That man, my uncle, even though he touched me inappropriately… he denied it vehemently when I reported to my parents. My father chided me, accusing me of staining my Uncle's name, and my mother supported him." She has a solemn expression as she tells this story, her face oozing utmost sincerity.

I cast my attention to Mary and Sasha, and both of them are in tears.

Seraphina's story moved them, but I'm not surprised.

It moved me too.

'I didn't know she had such an experience…' My gaze lowers mildly as I sink deeper into contemplation.

"Many women have experienced what you have. However, due to the scrutiny of society and the way it operates, we are shamed for reporting it. It's even more dangerous when the man in question has a higher status and reputation than you." Seraphina proceeds, smiling warmly at the two girls and touching their shoulders. "But you don't need to worry. I believe you, Mary… and I want to help you."

More tears flow down their faces, and I feel something within me.

Guilt.

'I never believed them from the start.'

I see… I understand now.

What Seraphina meant by her earlier statement.

Even though I had the best of intentions and tried to balance the conversation, I already had a bias that I remained unaware of.

My bias as a man.

'They're only in their second years… barely seventeen years old, yet I critically examined them throughout…' I sigh to myself. 'Why would a girl who was sexually assaulted be comfortable sharing her story? Why would she easily divulge all the information? How would she be able to describe everything with a straight face and with deep accuracy?'

In the end, I expected too much from them.

The benefit of the doubt… I should have applied that in their favor and not in favor of my colleague. In the end, these are two weak students… and Professor Ludwig is a juggernaut in comparison.

Why did I treat the scales like they were equal, to begin with?

No… they aren't.

As much as I want to remain neutral, I should have extended more good faith towards the girls.

But I didn't.

That's why Seraphina chided me earlier.

And now, as I watch her interacting with the girls and seeing them divulge everything freely to her, I recognize how wrong my approach was. Rather than consider whether they were lying, I should have explored the possibility of them telling the truth.

As a man, I couldn't have thought about it that way… because the accusation was against a fellow man, especially a Professor I respect.

Even without realizing it, I got defensive in my mind and subconsciously sought out holes in her story. I truly did not want to believe her… even though I thought I did.

But now I understand.

'It's only a problematic case because I chose to make it one…' My eyes flash with resolve as I listen to the rest of the story with an attentive mind.

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

By the time I am invited back to the room, there is a serene atmosphere present.

The girls are in a happier mood.

"Please see the girls out, Professor Aditi. I'll be in touch, okay?" Seraphina waves them farewell, and they gladly respond to her with smiles on their faces.

Even Mary, despite still having a sad demeanor around her, looks much better.

Sasha has a more optimistic expression.

None of these surprises me, since I was present for everything they discussed. Even though I feel a little guilty eavesdropping on the conversation, with everything I learned… I am glad that I did.

After seeing the girls off, I return to Seraphina's office, and we discuss.

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