After seeing Regulus off, I walk back to my residence, located among other residences specifically made to house guests from the Academy.

It is a massive building, with more than a hundred well-furbished rooms, exquisite in every way. Its exterior gives the allure of a palace, and the interior does not betray expectations. During my first time inside, I was amazed, but I have long gotten accustomed to it.

It's late in the evening, already approaching night, and I can imagine most of us are already preparing to leave for the Academy early tomorrow.

Tardiness will not be permitted.

As I step into the building's lobby, quickly navigating my way to my room, I feel a certain unease in the air. I quickly notice that the lobby is far less crowded than usual, and a few people seem to be going somewhere in a hurry.

'What's happening?'

Right as I think this, Junior Professor Eugene, one of the staff members in my department, approaches me and explains the situation.

"A-actually, it appears Lady Seraphina is having a dispute with her father, Sir James Lindester. He suddenly showed up here this late evening, and he caused quite a commotion. She eventually stormed out of the building, and he went after her."

'What?!'

"What was the dispute about?" I ask in a hurry, worried that perhaps Klein's secret relationship with her was somehow exposed.

"I'm not sure…" The short, slightly chubby man responds as he adjusts his glasses. "But I heard from a few passersby that it had something to do with marriage."

"I see… Well, thank you. You should return to your room and start making preparations for departure." I pat his shoulder in gratitude, my attention quickly shifting to the exit of the building.

I have to find Seraphina somehow.

"How about you, Sir Javier?" Eugene asks in concern, but I quickly dismiss his worries.

"I'll be back soon."

Without wasting any further time, I rush out of the building.

Quickly casting my sights everywhere, trying to spot as many Academy staff members around, while also delving deep into my mind, several thoughts assail me at once.

'They could be anywhere. The campus is also too large to effectively search like this. I could use Clairvoyance, but it will take too much time to find them without a specified scope that I can limit my search to…' While having these thoughts, I spot Klein.

It seems he also had the same idea of looking for Seraphina, but he doesn't know where to start.

"Javier, did you hear—?!"

"Yeah. Her father caused a scene, right? Something about marriage—"

"He fucking wants her to quit her job and join the University as a non-teaching staff, which she doesn't want to do. Her passion is teaching, but he wants her in research. He also wants to wed her off to one of his colleagues… a man who is old enough to be her father!" Klein cries out, his temper flaring as he trembles from anger.

I have never seen Klein so emotional before… It feels strange.

"How do you know about all of this?"

"She told me about him bringing up the job change a while back. But she didn't realize how serious he was about it, and about the whole betrothal arrangement, until we came for this retreat. That shameless old man is talking about it like it's a done deal. What about what Seraphina wants? Right now, I'm worried about what he might do to have his way. He is a very prideful man and is not used to having his ego hurt. If she resists, then—"

"Calm down, Klein." I hold him by the shoulders, hoping some of his rage settles.

It's very unsettling seeing the man like this.

I'm almost afraid for him.

"Right now, the priority should be finding Seraphina as soon as possible. Do you have any idea where she could be? Even if there are a few guesses?"

If Klein can identify the places, I can use Clairvoyance to check them out in an instant.

We should narrow down the locations in no time.

"I-I have a few places in mind. Throughout this week, she has been taking me on tours around the University, and she showed me places she used to hang out by herself to feel safe and hide from everyone. I suspect she'll go to one of those places to escape him… but where to start?"

"Tell me about them! Be detailed too!" I quickly yell. "Their locations and directions!"

Although I've become somewhat familiar with this University, I don't know my way around every nook and cranny. If Seraphina chose private places to be alone, they would have to be very secluded. Only by getting directions to and vivid descriptions of these locations will I be able to use Clairvoyance more effectively.

Thankfully, Klein is a very brilliant man and retains details rather easily.

He quickly spills out these locations, and I start multitasking—placing some of my attention on Klein's words, while also activating Clairvoyance to locate the places.

I've never pushed myself this far before.

My head pounds and I feel a strong headache take over my body.

But, I endure.

For my friend, Seraphina's sake… I persevere!

Then—

"S-stay away from me, father! I'm not coming with you. I'm returning to the Academy and living life on my own terms!

—I finally locate her.

The image, at first distorted, becomes vivid once I place all my focus on it.

Furthermore, the voices become clear.

I observe Seraphina hiding in a corner, with only a brittle wooden door separating her from her father.

Her body shakes as fearful tears flow down her cheeks.

This must be the first time she has so brazenly defied her father, and she is no doubt terrified.

"You ungrateful wrench! Can't you see that I'm doing this for our family? The job here is far more prestigious than what you have in the Academy. You'll even get to meet foreign envoys and strengthen our connection with international parties. Your future husband is an Earl! He has the same status as I, and he is even well-connected to the Starcrest Household. Don't you know who the Starcrests are! One of the three Duke Households in this Kingdom! Do you know the effort I went through to secure all of this for you? For our family's future? Yet you dare disregard me in public and openly flee from me?!"

"You were the one who stormed into our Academy Staff residential building! Did you think I wouldn't refuse you just because we were out in the open?!"

"Yeah… I thought I raised you better than that!"

"I'm not going with you!" Seraphina screams, although no one else is there to hear her voice. "I love my job, and I already have someone I love."

"Nonsense!"

"I'm serious, Father! Things won't go your way any longer!"

"You little bitch! When I break down this door and get my hands on you, let's see if you can still raise your voice against me. That Academy is a negative influence on you! I should have taken you from there a long time ago. Employing that plebian fallen Knight is just one of their mistakes."

"Don't talk about Javier that way! He's a great person and my friend."

"Shut up! You must be the one who encouraged him to openly disrespect me like that. Ahh… by the time I'm done with that kid, he'll be begging for mercy. And as for you, hehe, I already sent word to my subordinates. They'll be here to drag you off soon."

"N-no…" Seraphina whimpers.

"No one knows you're here, so nothing will get in the way of your punishment. Once I'm done disciplining you here, you'll be taken back to the manor. Maybe a few months of house arrest will bring you back to your senses. That always worked during all your rebellious phases…"

"You bastard!" She screams.

"Calling your own father a bastard… just how far have you fallen? I blame your whore mother and all those 'friends' of yours that got to your head. Maybe I should have never let you out of my sight… else you wouldn't have turned out like this. You… you…!"

At this point, the scene dissipates, and I fall to my knees while groaning aloud.

I clutch my left eye, or rather, the eyepatch that covers it. The throbbing sensation within it makes it feel like someone is prying my eye open.

It is reminiscent of when Zarius plucked it out of my socket.

"J-Javier, are you okay?!" Klein hurriedly reaches out to me, but I stop him while panting heavily.

"Back alley, right next to the Block C Cafeteria… her hiding spot back there… that's where she currently is."

"W-what? But how do you—?"

"Hurry! You have to hurry! Her father is there too!" I shout at him. "He's bringing backup, and he intends to drag her back to his Estate and place her under house arrest. Once that happens, it'll be too late to do anything!"

"Oh no!" Klein immediately understands all the implications.

The territory of a Noble is their secluded domain, and their Main Estate is more or less a fortress.

Unless someone of higher status seeks them out, they have every right to reject an audience with anyone and even ban outsiders from setting foot in their region.

Klein must be aware that if Seraphina is taken away this night, she would have forever slipped from his grasp. Her father's wishes will likely come to pass, and their love story will officially be over—whether he and Seraphina like it or not.

"Go! I'll be fine!" I yell at him once more after noticing his hesitation to leave me.

"Okay… Thank you, Javier!"

I nod, watching as he sprints off into the darkness.

Then, a deep sigh leaves my lips.

'How do I explain this now? Maybe I'll just say it's Divination, and that my old party members taught me a few tricks. Divination is very mysterious, and very little is known about it among outsiders, so he'll buy it… I hope.'

As for my current condition, I'm in no state to exert myself.

My Potions—particularly the Clear Mind Potion—are also not on me, since I didn't want to take any chances with Regulus.

It's a small distance back to the Academy Staff residential building.

Can I make it back alone?

Ah… but what of Klein and Seraphina?

Can Klein handle the situation on his own? What if backup arrives before he gets there? What if they surround him right as he tries to help Seraphina?

Klein isn't a fighter.

He can't handle the situation on his own…

He needs my help.

They both need my help!

'So get up, Javier…' I grit my teeth, wincing softly as I push my body upright.

'Move your body! Move it now!'

My form wobbles with every step I take, and I don't even walk up to ten steps before I slip and find myself falling to the ground again.

But, at this point, I notice someone holding me right before I fall.

It's not Klein.

Rather, it is another Academy staff member.

"Professor Justin!" I exclaim in genuine surprise.

This man, Justin Bieberlake, is a Senior Professor from another Department—Seraphina's Department, to be precise. He's also one of her closest friends, and I already figured he'd be out looking for her.

But what is he doing here?

"I saw Klein, and he told me about your situation, so I hurried over here for you." He explains, quickly lifting me.

"Justin… Seraphina…" I mutter to him.

"Don't worry about that for now. Let's get you to the building first. I'll rejoin Klein once you're all tucked in." He flashes me an encouraging smile, although I can see worry dotting his features.

Justin and Seraphina are childhood friends.

He has known her for as long as he remembers, and he should also be aware of what her father is capable of. He is also one of the few who know about her relationship with Klein.

I can trust him!

"Did Klein… urgh… tell you where he was going?"

"No. But I could tell the general direction…" He looks at me with worry, a bead of sweat slipping down his sideburn. "Take it easy, man."

I shrug, ignoring his concerns as I continue speaking.

"We need… to back Klein up. Once we get… to the building… take me to my room. Then, gather as many Academy Staff as you can find and hurry to the location I tell you. I'll catch up with you guys, or maybe you'll catch up with me. Just don't waste any time and gather competent people with you… We need to hurry!"

"Okay…"

It takes a while before we reach the building, mostly because of my very weakened state.

I reckon it was less than an hour, though.

Upon taking me to my room, Justin hurries out to carry out my instructions while I hurriedly ingest the three Potions.

Only then does the pain stop.

After resting for some minutes, I even begin to feel at ease.

'Good! I'm in an acceptable condition…' My eyes brighten as I rise to my feet. 'Plus, an entire hour has passed since I used Clairvoyance. Which means—'

—Tracing!

In an instant, I vanish from my room and appear in my earlier position.

Right at the spot I nearly passed out from using Clairvoyance!

It took barely any effort at all, and I practically crossed a considerable distance in an instant. Seraphina and Klein are still a distance away, so I can't waste any time.

Justin will just have to meet me there.

WHOOSH!

My body still feels a little sluggish, since I'm not in optimal condition, but this much is nothing.

After sprinting for nearly thirty minutes, I finally reach the location I had told Klein.

It's late at night right now.

The moon hangs eerily above, and the darkness further accentuates its cruel light.

By the time I finally arrive, feeling the chilly wind brush against my skin the moment I halt in my steps, I witness an incredible sight.

Klein… the scrawny scholar who has likely never fought a day in his life, standing right in front of the brittle wooden gate to protect the one he loves. At least a dozen men stand right before him, but he lets none of them pass through him.

It helps that the alley is narrow, but still… he holds a firm position and defends his beloved.

Even from my distance, I can see how bruised his face is. His glasses have turned crooked, with one of the lenses broken and cracks spreading on the other.

He must have received a lot of punishment already, yet he remains steadfast.

Unmoving, like a rock!

"W-who the hell is this guy? Just get out of the way already…" One of the men mutters, displaying a level of hesitance that stems from fear.

I merely laugh at this.

'These men aren't professionals. They're likely lackeys… scholar assistants of Seraphina's father. They were the only ones he could call on such short notice. Yet… they ended up striking a Baron like this. They're in so much trouble!'

As for Klein…

'Seeing him so beat up like this… many might think he looks pathetic, but—'

My smile broadens as I calmly approach the scene, my body no longer feeling a smudge of sluggishness. Instead, it is strengthened by the sight before me.

"Klein…" My lips part as I yell out loud to my friend. "… You look really cool right now!"

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