n

n

n

"Do you see this? I used the weakest water enchantment and that was his second strongest spell. Student Auequas's mana is only two times stronger than that of an average commoner. He doesn't have the strength to overpower even another darkness magician, let alone a water magician.

"

nAfter shaking off the shock that Zoemi's behavior caused, teacher Perserion pointed at the pitiful attendant on the verge of tears and said to the group that accused him.

n

"Now, Sifra, are you telling me that you let yourself be violated by someone so weak? You aren't hurt anywhere, so he clearly didn't actually use his strongest spell on you. With how the evidence is, it is obvious you didn't struggle.

"

nThe blue-haired teacher scoffed and she shook her head in disgust.

n

"Are you telling me that you just allow yourself to be deflowered by another man when you are engaged to my little brother? With no struggle whatsoever? Is my family a joke to you...?

"

nTeacher Perserios's voice was becoming colder and colder.

n

"T-teacher...! Sifra was scared! You can't blame her, j-just look at him!

"

nThe red-haired girl became agitated and dropped the broken-hearted attitude.

n

"You are mean to me just because I'm ugly! But it's not my fault...! It's his fault! HE MADE ME LIKE THIS!

"

nWith big fat tears dropping from his lifeless eyes, Zoemi pointed at Grazio before showing off the disfigured right side of his face.

n

"...!

"

n

"...ugh...!

"

nThe red-haired youth looked away with a troubled expression and the red-haired girl flinched again.

n

"...is what he said...

"

nRoakina reached out her hand towards Zoemi while glaring at the blue-haired Sifra and the red-haired Keriul.

n

"But I saw it! He attacked her! He tore her nightgown...!

"

n

"K-Keriul, n-no..! Stop! Shut up!

"

nEven after that, Keriul wasn't going to let go of her story at that point - and was pushing through even though Sifra next to her was shaking her head to the sides so violently that her hair was making a whistling noise.

n

"Oohh... I see...

"

nTeacher Perserios's eyes became so fearsome that the red-haired girl instantly shut up.

n

"So, student Helterose, you are saying, that you saw your friend here, getting violated - and haven't even lifted a finger to help her...? You just let that happen? You? The fourth strongest fire magician of your year?

"

nShe furrowed her brows and asked the red-haired girl.

n

"I-I...!

"

nThat was the moment that Keriul realized the jarring hole in her plan.

n

"I-I mean, Si-Sifra has told me – I didn't actually see...

"

nThe red-haired girl's eyes ran to the side as she couldn't meet the blue-haired teacher's eyes.

n

"Teacher, these girls are shaken from the traumatic experience, why are you...?

"

nSuddenly, Grazio stepped in front of the girls and opened his mouth to defend them.

n

"Oh? I assure you that the only person going through the traumatic experience here is student Auequas - I just wanted to see how much manure those girls wanted to jump into before I punish them.

"

n

"!!!!!!

"

nRokiana shrugged her shoulders and Grazio blanked out, not knowing how to respond to that declaration.

n

"Because - you see, student Victureo - my family is the most important for me and my younger brother isn't an exception to that. So, of course, I would check up if his future wife stays safe and - in the first place - is she is worthy of him.

"

nShe explained in a calm voice, watching the confusion on Grazio's face.

n

"That is also why I check up on her almost every night. And yesterday wasn't any different. I saw everything that happened – from the beginning of their encounter to the end.

"

nThe blue-haired teacher scoffed and looked at the three girls with disgust.

n

"And things played out exactly as student Zoemi has said – every other accusation except scaring student Ralia was false.

"

n

"!!!

"

n

"!!!

"

n

"!!!

"

nRokiana revealed and the three girls huddled together, their faces pale as ghosts', twisted in the caught-in-the-act expressions.

n

"Huh...? No way...! But I didn't you anywhere, teacher...?

"

nAt that moment, the wobbling Zoemi stumbled forward and asked in a naïve voice.

n

"If my spells were easy enough for even a student to see through, I would be long dead.

"

nThe blue-haired teacher smirked at him and waved her hand dismissively.

n

"Student Auequas, don't you have any of that mana potion left?

"

nShe added looking at the black-haired boy with just a tiny amount of pity.

n

"Yes... I do! Teacher, do you want some?

"

nZoemi, with a big dumb smile, plastered all over his face, reached to his pocket and took out one vial of the blue liquid, and started walking towards the blue-haired woman with his hand extended.

n

"No, thank you. But you should drink it for sure.

"

nRokiana stopped him with a gesture and advised.

n

"...hmmm... should I...?

"

nZoemi tilted his head in confusion but then he suddenly smiled.

n

"Okay!

"

nIt was such an innocent smile that even with his scars he seemed completely harmless at the moment.

nThen, Zoemi slowly raised the vial up to his face and frowned while struggling to open it.

nThe cork soon gave up and the black-haired attendant managed to drink the vial's content in one go.

n

"...

"

nHis body shook as if he was splashed with a bucket of cold water - and then hit with the bucket itself too!

n

"...huh...!?

"

nWith terrified eyes, he looked at the blue-haired teacher, then at the three trembling girls, and finally at Grazio.

nEveryone was looking at him weirdly.

nHe looked at the vial in his hand and then realized his face was wet, so he touched it to identify the source.

n|I was crying...!? Why?!|

nZoemi became stunned and embarrassed at the discovery.

n

"W-what did I do!? I-I haven't disrespected anyone, have I!?

"

n

"No, don't worry, we just explained this whole misunderstanding. There's no doubt that you're innocent so just return to your class, I need to have a word with your classmates though - inform your teacher that they are with me, please.

"

nThe black-haired boy became horrified by the thought of all the possible things that he could have done and say, but the blue-haired teacher just waved her hand and shooed him away.

n|It's good then... I guess...?|

nWhatever may have happened while he was out of it but everything worked out fine somehow...

n

"Yes, teacher Perserios, thank you.

"

nZoemi bowed to Rokiana and quickly evacuated.

nThe blue-haired teacher looked at his back until he disappeared behind the corner and turned to the red-haired Grazio next.

n

"Student Victureo, I think I understand your situation, you are a good student but don't be so easy to manipulate by women's tears. You can go as well.

"

nThe woman didn't share Zoemi's experience and she had a different opinion about Grazio than the black-haired boy did, so he let the red-haired boy off with just a light warning.

n

"I understand.

"

nGrazio nodded and hurriedly left the scene.

n

"Sifra...

"

nIt was the turn of the blue-haired girl - she tried to hide behind her friends but it was useless since all three of them tried to hide behind each other at the same time resulting in a rather miserable scene.

n

"I had doubts about you since the very beginning and thanks to today I can say that you aren't suited for my little brother. He is the next head of the Perserios family, he needs a strong-willed and honest woman, whom he can trust, by his side. And you are not that kind of woman.. Everyone can get scared, but what did today was just shameless. You showed me a manipulative side of yours - do you think we of Perserios need someone who accuses others out of spite?

"

n