“What is this hoax?”

Professor La.s.sen shouted at the room's occupants, and Louise almost said, I want to know too!

"Hoax?"

Ian took his lips off the back of Hesse's hand, and the professor gave Hesse her most venomous glare.

“I don't know who you are, but you are not Mrs. Sweeney. I know her—she was once my student.”

“This is not the time for the professor to retrace her ancient memory.”

“Ian Audmonial!”

“I've already told you. I'm not here as the student council president.”

The professor clenched her fist. The name Lapis was still under the control of the royal family. Any adult member of the royal family could serve as the head of the Lapises, and so Ian presently made himself guardian of the victim, Stella Lapis. 

A role that was not the position of student council president.

“…Your Highness.”

She addressed him in a manner more closely related to his secular position.

“Very good. I expected you to be more attentive.”

Of course, referring to one's outside status inside the Academy was a violation of the rules, but no one took it seriously.

“I'm the guardian of two of the relevant students, and with you as the professor in charge of the case—"

Ian's eyes landed on Louise's face, and he immediately stopped speaking. He stared at her. The silence stretched out uncomfortably long before Louise carefully called out to him.

” …. President?”

As if the call broke him from his reverie, he suddenly began to approach her. Anger grew on his face with every step, and Louise involuntarily backed away.

“P-president?”

He brushed her face with his long fingers, his gaze running along the scratch from her ear to her cheek.

“…Contact the church.”

His voice was dangerously low, and Louise rushed to answer quickly.

“I'm fine!”

They couldn't just call in a priest just for a scratch. Even Ian probably did not enjoy such a luxury.

However, Ian turned around to Professor La.s.sen with a warning glare, as if he hadn't heard Louise.

“Now.”

"We can call in the healer."

The professor answered him dismissively.

“It's much better than the church. Even the n.o.bles have to wait a few days before they can see a priest.”

“It's the n.o.bles that wait a few days.”

Ian brushed the sides of Louise's eyes, and continued on with an air of haughtiness.

“What do you think of someone named Ian Audmonial?”

“That's outrageous!”

“Outrageous.”

His eyes swept over the wound again, and his expression twisting further. Louise sensed he was holding back a tidal wave of anger.

“You don't have the authority to speak to her like that, Countess. Not once when my mother made her decision, and not when—”

President. 

Louise mouthed his name without making a sound. Ian paused, then breathed a long sigh and swallowed the rest of his words. In fact, he was going to say Louise made the decision as well, and that Professor La.s.sen had to get used to it.

However, Louise didn't want him to speak. While Ian was silent, Professor La.s.sen studied the other three carefully, especially the one dressed as Mrs. Sweeney. It was not long before she guessed who it was, considering the people that were around Ian. Professor La.s.sen murmured to herself,

“What an unusual warning.”

She couldn't believe the Crown Prince left his personal knight to Louise Sweeney, but the intention was clear—he was highly invested in her safety.

“Yes. You seemed very interested in Louise.”

“I didn't expect you to overhear. No shame at all."

“Would someone with no shame not notice?”

“Regardless, this is the Academy.”

The professor lifted her chin as she answered.

“The Academy's work is done at the Academy.”

In other words, the professor was not intimidated by his secular threat.

“Louise Sweeney.”

Professor La.s.sen inwardly seethed when Louise Sweeney took a few confident steps forward. This was not the way the world should be. When someone of important status called out to Louise, she should humble herself accordingly.

"You have been called here under the charge that you attacked another student."

Louise shook her head.

"I will not be defeated twice in the same way, Professor."

Louise knew from experience that Professor La.s.sen quickly falsified context. She could not yield even an inch to her.

"Stella is making a new statement for the dean. One that tells the truth."

Professor La.s.sen gave Louise a twisted smile, a reminder that she could simply ignore morality.

“Don't tell me…”

“Stella La.s.sen has already submitted her new statement.”

She held out the paperwork in front of Louise.

“Now everything is in perfect order.”

At the bottom of the paper was the Academy sealed stamped in red ink.

"That's fake!"

“Don't making unfounded a.s.sumptions. I am a countess in this country and an educator who has served in the Academy for generations.”

She straightened her waist and put on solemn airs.

“The La.s.sen name is enshrined in the history of education. I take deep pride in it, and the great king knows that as well.”

She looked back at Louise.

“A little girl cannot scratch me.”

Professor La.s.sen was not equal to the Crown Prince, but the status quo was different in the Academy. There were a number of professors and faculty members devoted to Professor La.s.sen, some of them even her former students. The wealth they currently enjoyed was because of her, and turning against Professor La.s.sen would be equivalent to giving up their work, their position, their honor. Here in the Academy, she ruled like a king. She was even already being considered as the next dean.

There was a knock on the door. Louise wondered if it was the dean. Everyone looked towards the doorway, and a professor burst in, looking harried.

"P-professor La.s.sen! We've got a problem. This is not the time to be here like this!”

He was yelling in a panicked voice.

“Professor Wayne Hill is saying something strange at the forum with the palace researchers! Go to the conference hall immediately!”