The moment Sevis stepped out the door, a wave of dizzying vertigo rushed over him like a tidal wave.
A sharp, tearing pain ripped through the depths of his mind, as if he had been struck head-on by an invisible, massive force. He instantly lost his balance and pitched heavily forward.
“My Lady!”
Witnessing this, Rosalind, who was standing outside the door, felt her pupils contract. She lunged forward, catching the falling Sevis in her arms just in time.
Ain also reached out to support Sevis.
The girl's previous calm and collected composure from inside the office had completely vanished, replaced by an obvious panic, her hands trembling uncontrollably.
“My Lady?”
Ain frowned, looking at her in confusion.
“Please forgive my slip of the tongue. I have been rather dazed lately, and I sometimes misspeak.”
“Is that so?”
Ain didn't think too much of it.
The moment the words left her mouth, Rosalind seemed to realize something. She quickly scanned the hallway, checking every corner.
Seeing that the coast was clear, she urgently whispered for Ain to help her carry Sevis back into the office.
Once they settled Sevis onto the sofa, Ain asked, “What's wrong with him? Why not call a mentor from Persephone?”
Rosalind didn't answer. Her hands frantically rummaged through the desk drawers, producing a flurry of clinking sounds.
Finally, she grabbed a vial of potion, pulled it out, and rushed back to Sevis's side. Holding her breath, she carefully poured the liquid down his throat.
Seeing Sevis cough a few times and his labored breathing begin to ease, Rosalind finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“We cannot call the medical staff.”
“Why?”
Rosalind remained silent. She slowly stood up, took a deep breath, and let all her panic fade away, returning to her usual calm and composed demeanor.
“What are you hiding? Is there something I shouldn't know?”
Rosalind shook her head and let out a soft sigh.
“No. Since you are the Swordbearer personally appointed by the Young Master, I am obligated to tell you everything.”
“It is just that... I do not know where to begin.”
Looking at the still-sleeping Sevis, Ain asked, “Then tell me first why he suddenly fainted. Is it from sheer exhaustion?”
Rosalind nodded.
“Since the Young Master returned to the Prosecution Office yesterday, he has been working non-stop. He hasn't slept a wink, hasn't eaten a single warm meal, and has been continuously channeling his mana to keep a magical tool running.”
“It is only because of that magical tool that he has been able to maintain his focus.”
“I believe his mana was completely depleted, which, combined with his underlying physical condition, caused him to collapse.”
Ain was utterly dumbfounded, his mouth hanging slightly open.
“Why is he pushing himself so hard?”
Just thinking back to yesterday's fight made Ain's entire body ache with a deep soreness.
His own wounds were still throbbing; Sevis must have been badly hurt as well.
Yet this guy had been working non-stop since then without even eating a bite of food?
He would rather overdraw his mana than rest for even a moment?
Rosalind said solemnly, “Because of time.”
“The High Council of the Titan Prosecution Office only gave the Young Master three days. If he cannot root out the threat hidden within the academy by then, the council will charge him with dereliction of duty.”
Ain frowned in confusion.
“Three days? What can anyone find in three days?”
“Isn't this just a trap designed to let him take the fall?”
Rosalind nodded.
“You are correct.”
“They want the Young Master to be the 'culprit' for this incident, giving the public an outlet for their anger.”
“A scapegoat?”
“A scape... goat? What is that? A type of magical beast?”
Seeing Rosalind's bewildered expression, Ain waved his hand to dismiss the question and moved on.
“Isn't Sevis an Arbiter? With such a high status, why would the higher-ups make him the... culprit?”
Rosalind stared at Ain, seemingly weighing her words. After a brief silence, she said softly, “That was only in the past.”
“With Miss Belinda's crimes exposed, her older brother, Young Master Sevis, could not escape the fallout. He is being held accountable under joint responsibility.”
“To preserve the family's long-standing interests and reputation, Lord Wesley has decided to completely sever ties with both the Young Master and Miss Belinda.”
“I fear it won't be long before the Young Master is stripped of his position as Arbiter, and even his right to hold high-tier magical tools will be revoked.”
“Wait, why would Belinda's mess drag Sevis down this heavily?”
Ain felt there was more to this story.
And Rosalind's next words confirmed his suspicions.
“That is because you defeated the Young Master yesterday.”
Ain noticed a distinct tremor of emotion in her voice; she was no longer as composed as before.
“Framing innocent students, abusing authority, shielding criminals, declining strength... rumors like these have already spread like wildfire through the academy.”
“For a student who carried the high expectations of the Prosecution Office to lose to a second-year student with zero achievements—that is the root of the problem.”
“The Young Master's sudden promotion to Arbiter had already drawn resentment from many within the Prosecution Office. They are eager to redirect the blame onto him.”
“If the academy descends into chaos, the Young Master will become the perfect scapegoat for the public, ensuring the backlash doesn't fall on the Titan Prosecution Office.”
“It was a perfect way to kill two birds with one stone. It would preserve the reputation of the Prosecution Office while kicking Sevis out before he could threaten anyone else's interests.”
Ain came to a sudden realization.
“So earlier, you were...”
As if knowing what Ain was going to say, Rosalind nodded frankly.
“Yes.”
“I truly, deeply despise you.”
“My words earlier were simply my way of venting my resentment.”
“Even though I know you are also a victim, seeing the Young Master's life fall apart like this in such a short time... I simply could not suppress my anger.”
“It was you who humiliated the Young Master.”
“Whether it is Belinda or you, I despise anyone who brings harm to the Young Master.”
No wonder Sevis had stood up for him earlier.
“With so many critical things going on, why didn't he mention any of it himself?”
Ain pressed.
“Because the Young Master did not want to drag you into his mess, nor did he want to burden you with unnecessary worry.”
“The only reason he sought your help was to uncover the threats lurking in the shadows and find the truth behind the recent anomalies.”
“To him, protecting the students of this academy from an impending disaster is far more important than fleeting power and reputation.”
Hearing Rosalind's words, Ain's estimation of Sevis rose significantly.
No wonder the Scale of Astral Judgment had recognized him.
If he hadn't received outside help to cheat yesterday, he really wouldn't have stood a chance against him.
“So, I believe you now understand why we cannot let the public know about the Young Master's current state.”
“Aside from the rumors, certain members of the council might use this as an opportunity to frame him with further accusations.”
Ain pondered, “For example, accusing him of putting on a show of exhaustion to win public sympathy, and then labeling him a hypocrite?”
Rosalind nodded.
Ain couldn't help but sneer at the Titan Prosecution Office in his mind.
It was exactly as it had been in the game. They paraded around under the banner of justice, but behind closed doors, it was nothing but a sordid struggle for power and profit.
No wonder someone like Belinda existed.
“Now that you know the full picture, there is no need for you to stay.”
Rosalind did not believe anyone would willingly entangle themselves in a storm of this scale.
Any sane person would stay as far away from these muddy waters as possible.
“I will explain your departure to the Young Master when he wakes up.”
“I will tell him that I forced you to leave. He will only punish me, so you do not have to worry about him harboring any resentment toward you.”
“Is that so?”
With that, Ain let out a soft sigh and turned to walk toward the door.
Although she had expected this, a profound sense of disappointment still welled up within Rosalind.
Her master had fallen to such a low point, yet there was not a single ally willing to lend a helping hand.
And as a mere servant, she had no power to change anything.
Looking at Sevis slumped on the sofa, a wave of bitterness welled up in Rosalind's heart, her eyes filled with pity.
What else could she do for her lady?
“Even if you want to abuse her and throw her into the river to feed the fish, that's fine too.”
Rosalind couldn't help but recall Sevis's words from earlier.
So what if Ain was the person she despised most?
This was the last thing her body could do for her lady.
Without any further hesitation, Rosalind made up her mind. She was just about to call out to the departing Ain when she saw him turn around and ask.
“By the way, which way is the interrogation room?”
Rosalind froze in a daze, completely caught off guard by his question.
“Are you...?”
The corners of Ain's lips curved upward, forming a smile as warm as the morning sun. The sudden radiance of his expression left Rosalind momentarily spellbound.
“I'm going to get some useful information out of Belinda.”
“No! Wait! Why? Why are you still helping Young Master Sevis?”
“Aren't you afraid of...”
“Afraid of what?”
Ain let out a soft, dismissive chuckle.
“Do those specks of silt, swept along by the dirty currents of self-interest, really think they can submerge a lighthouse that guides the way to the light?”
“Until Sevis is officially stripped of his authority, I am still his Swordbearer.”
Ain's words pierced through the gloom like a spear of light, striking deep into Rosalind's heart and dissolving all of her anxiety.
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