"Sorry for my sudden attitude back then, Javier. I needed to show the girls that I wasn't on your side, but on theirs."

"My side… as in the side of a man?"

Seraphina expresses surprise the moment I say this, before laughing lightly and nodding.

"Precisely! You're catching on fast… I like that."

"Thank you…" I bow with grace. "So now what do we do about Ludwig? Investigate him?"

"That's the plan. The preferable thing would be to find the other girls that he has done this to, so we can build up a case. However, they'll be unlikely to come out without some kind of incentive or guarantee of protection. Even then, the public scrutiny and shame will make it difficult…"

I nod in agreement.

"There's also the matter of evidence. Gathering all these witnesses will mean nothing if we can't prove our case. That's why investigation is important…"

Once again, I nod.

"The problem is… how do we get the proof we need? There's a reason Ludwig is so confident that he won't get caught. The guy has a clean record, and in a panel case it's practically his word against theirs." Seraphina wipes off the beads of sweat on her face as she says this in a distressed manner. "There's also the fact that he belongs to the Noble Faction, which means attacking him would mean drawing in the vitriol of his backers."

This is sadly the case.

Seraphina stays out of politics, but her Lindester Household also belongs to the Noble Faction.

As for me, I belong to the Royal Faction.

Dragging James Ludwig in this case would immediately cause the Noble Faction to defend him, especially if I'm openly involved. After all, it is against their interests for one of their own to be charged with such a disgraceful offense.

Needless to say, the resistance will be quite high.

But I'm not too worried.

"What do you think we should do, Javier?" The moment Seraphina asks this, I smile and finally reveal what it is I've had in mind all this time.

"I believe we should split the roles. I'll handle the investigation and the procurement of evidence. You work on gathering those witnesses. You can coordinate your effort with those two girls, and I'm sure you'll get results."

"Hmm…" She narrows her eyes thoughtfully for a moment before nodding. "Okay, that works well. Yeah, let's do it like that."

I nod.

"Thank you for this, Javier. Truly. I know this won't be easy, especially with how busy you are, but we're counting on you."

I almost laugh the moment I hear Seraphina say this.

Actually, this will be very easy for me—far easier than gathering witnesses.

'As a Leviathan, this is right up my alley.'

"I'll do my best," I tell Seraphina, shaking her hand firmly. "Let's catch this son of a bitch!"

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

The next day, I pay a visit to Professor James Ludwig in his office, and after my insistence, I get an invitation to his residence.

After classes, I proceed to see him, much to his surprise.

He even hesitates to let me in.

Since we belong to different Factions, it is rather unwise for us to meet frequently or even privately. However, I already know that this isn't the reason behind his hesitance.

Because the moment I enter, I see a girl in his residence.

She looks dainty and sweet, with a shy expression on her face, the moment she sees me walking into the room.

"This is Alandra. She's quite inquisitive and studious, so even after academic hours, she comes to see me in my residence to inquire about her studies." James Ludwig introduces us, and I nod without any sign of judgment.

While some might consider it inappropriate, this isn't anything too strange.

In my student days, I also made a few house calls, particularly to lecturers I was familiar with.

Some of them were naturally women.

Also, Professor Ludwig is known to be very friendly to his students, even teaching them privately in his spare time, so none of this strikes me as odd.

Or rather, they wouldn't have… if I didn't already have the knowledge that I do.

'Before coming here, I used Clairvoyance. I know the two of you were engaging in activities that one can't particularly call professional. Even though it appears consensual, this goes against the ethics of a Professor of the Academy, and the blame lies with Ludwig.' I frown to myself. 'He could be penalized severely if this matter were to come out, and his reputation would be seriously affected.'

Professors should never have indecent relationships with their students.

Some might argue that, since they're both consenting adults, there really is nothing wrong going on here. However, I have a different perspective.

Looking at the dynamics of the relationship, it clearly favors the Professor more.

He has more experience than she, and his power is far greater than hers. He can easily dismiss her, but she can't do the same to him. He holds all the cards, not to mention the fact that he is far more mature and can easily manipulate her.

In simple terms—this is grooming.

He is taking complete advantage of this girl, but she has no idea.

'As a Lesser Noble Student, it could be that she's trying to climb the ranks, and she sees Ludwig as a way to advance her status. What she doesn't know is that this man likely has several other girls like her, and he knows exactly what he's doing. He'll discard her once he is done…'

Ludwig is still young, in his thirties, but he is far older and wiser than this young girl.

She can't use him.

'Besides… it isn't strange that ordinary students would fawn over this man. He is attractive, relatively wealthy, has a good status and reputation, and is even kind. His friendliness draws them close, and many of them respect him to the point of not minding being his….' I shake my head internally and hold in my disgust.

James Ludwig should not have let things progress this far if he were innocent.

It's natural for students to be attracted to their teachers. I was attracted to Anna, and I had friends who also had crushes on the staff.

Take Noah Loius, who had a thing for Miss Beatrice, one of our Professors.

This is one of many examples.

However, it is the duty of the Professor to ensure that the relationship doesn't evolve beyond a professional level. In Anna's case, even though we got so close, we never explored anything intimate despite our obvious chemistry.

Even though it would be appropriate for me, given my age, she must have realized how bad it would be if she indulged in such things.

Even with Noah Louis, it seems he was the one who actually sought the Professor out and was serious about marrying her. Even though they were both adults at the time, it's clear Noah was too young to fully understand his actions, yet Miss Beatrice encouraged it.

Why?

Because of her own benefits.

If she didn't die in the Royal Academy Incident, she would have played him like a fiddle to secure as many benefits as possible, but to what end?

Noah would still not marry her, and if the matter got out, she would suffer the most.

This is why I actually viewed her as a sad woman.

She thought she could climb the social ladder by latching onto Noah, but the boy's family would never welcome her. Eventually, he too would grow up and find other women that better suited his tastes, abandoning the Professor he fell in love with.

Now, let's look at this case.

There is practically no disadvantage or even consideration when it comes to Professor Ludwig's actions. He simply satisfies himself with these girls, even going as far as allegedly sexually assaulting multiple women.

His reputation remains intact, because no one would believe these girls.

And, he gets to live a relatively stable life.

Look, I'm no saint.

I recognize that morality is largely subjective here, and this isn't even my business. However, something about this situation irks me beyond description.

I wish to act.

So…

… I will!

After my brief visit, as well as a small tour of the Professor's house, which I personally requested, I leave his residence and proceed to my office for some late-night work.

I even clock in.

Then—

'Clairvoyance!' Using this Fragmented Conception, I watch the Professor for a while longer, holding in my discomfort and disgust until he is finished with his actions.

He then sees the girl off and leaves his residence for a late meeting with some friends.

I already got all of this beforehand, so none of his actions surprises me.

He'll be out for quite a while.

Good.

I stop using Clairvoyance, and after about an hour of recovery… I use Tracing.

In an instant, I appear inside Professor Ludwig's home.

Almost as if I was always there.

Then, I begin my investigation in earnest. Thanks to using Clairvoyance earlier, I already know where to search. It isn't hard to find all the love letters he gets from the students, all of which mention incriminating information about his affairs.

These will be useful, but they're not enough to prove sexual assault.

For that, I look no further than some letters he exchanges with his friends, some of whom are also Professors in the Academy.

In these letters, they brag about all kinds of things—including the innocent students and powerless staff that they 'conquered.' I also get my hands on his journal, which lists all his actions in disgusting detail.

Honestly… all sorts of evidence litter his home.

I don't know whether he is too confident or simply stupid, because he has done a piss poor job of hiding his acts. Thankfully, with the information I found in the Journal, I am also able to get a few names of the other students and staff that he assaulted.

In his own words:

"They should feel honored that someone like me even took an interest in them. So many women desire me! They have no idea! Why would they refuse my advances? In that case, I'll simply take it by force. What will they do then? Hahaha!"

It sounds comical and downright disturbing, to the point where I couldn't even believe what I was reading, but it's true. In fact, multiple other lines are worse than this.

'Looks like I was completely wrong about this man. To think he even did worse, and he also has so many accomplices…'

At the end of my investigation that night, I couldn't help but admit the ugly truth.

Professor James Ludwig… is guilty.

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

The process took longer than expected, but here we are.

We are currently in the presence of the three Viscounts who represent the Royal Oversight Committee, and standing right on the stage are a couple of men, one of whom is James Ludwig.

They all of grim expressions on their faces.

At first, I was satisfied with taking down just Ludwig, but after finding out about his accomplices, I had to investigate them as well, gathering all the information and presenting a list of witnesses to Seraphina, who did a good job tracking them down and encouraging them to testify.

It's actually why we took a little longer to reach this point.

But, regardless of the delay—

"All seven of you will be stripped of your Professor Status and will be dishonorably discharged from this Academy. You will be unable to practice as educators for the rest of your lives, and your Scholar status will be rendered null for a total of twenty years each. A hefty fine will also be paid to all the victims of your indiscretions, per the established laws of the Kingdom. You all should be ashamed of yourselves… Noble men acting as animals: how disgraceful!"

—The verdict comes.

Seraphina and I gleam at each other, handing each other a high-five as we stare at the ashen faces of all those disgusting men with sheer glee.

I can't help but be satisfied with the outcome.

Justice has been served!

All the girls, as well as a few boys, gather around Seraphina and hug her.

I look at this scene and smile warmly, but without warning, they drag me into their midst, and I become a part of the wholesome embrace.

We all laugh and cheer.

Amidst all of this, I take a peek at our opposition—the Noble Faction.

I can clearly see Earl Klaus' ugly expression, as his entitled mug further turns sour at the verdict.

This is what you get when the Panel is unbiased.

With the staggering amount of evidence we presented, and the witnesses we brought forth—both current students and alumni—it would have been too shocking if these men got away with it.

Even so, I feel a solemn understanding within me.

All of these injustices went on for so many years without them getting their just recompense.

How many more…?

How many more people suffer without getting justice?

How many more inflict this suffering without ever getting punished?

We were lucky this time.

As a Leviathan, gathering evidence was easy, and our opponents were too overconfident, making them too sloppy in covering their tracks.

Even then, it still took them this long before they finally got what was coming to them.

'For the calculating predators of this world… justice may never find them.'

As sad as this realization is, it is true.

How cruel…

Still, despite the pangs in my heart about the potential cases that were lost, the unknown numbers of victims suffering in silence, and the perpetrators living in bliss, I choose to indulge in the joy of this moment—in the small triumph we managed to secure.

Naturally, this is sure to deepen the enmity that exists between me and the Noble Faction, but I already burned that bridge a long time ago.

Besides, if this is the price I have to pay to see these little ones smile like this… It's worth it.

Earl Klaus's sour face also serves as a nice bonus.

'Glare at me all you want, you foolish man.' I childishly stick out my tongue at him once I notice him turning in my direction. 'As long as I'm in the good graces of the Royal Faction, there is nothing you can do to me.'

Hehe…

This is my—no, our—perfect victory.

[A/N: SA is a serious issue, and if you have been affected, I recommend you confide in a trustworthy person or the appropriate authorities. Please stay safe. As for this novel, I understand that a lot of slice-of-life aspects are being explored at the moment, but please be a little more patient. In a few chapters, the plot will pick up considerably…]

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