Wayne Hill let out a deep breath after he finished speaking. He had left nothing out, and confessed all his dishonesty throughout his days. He finished and looked around, and no one else said a word.

He waited. A young professor slipped out of the room, and he had no doubt that Professor Lassen would come running here soon.

Is it all true?

Wayne Hill nodded.

Then why take it this far

There she is.

He saw Professor Lassen urgently rushing towards them from beyond the open door. Wayne Hill paused for a moment, before confessing the rest.

I didnt have the courage. I thought the truth will be buried no matter what I did. I only thought that as long as I studied hard

Professor Hill scrubbed his sweaty palms on his wrinkled coat.

It was because of my selfishness that I continued to enjoy my position. But now I confess.

Professor Wayne Hill!

Professor Lassen raged at him. Wayne Hill looked straight ahead, striving to keep his gaze fixed on her.

I enjoyed the unearned privilege provided by Professor Lassen. That led me to this position.

An elderly scholar opened his mouth anxiously.

We dont want to lose a young genius, but Professor Hillyour remarks are too big to cover up now. Do you understand that?

I have cheated the innocent and defended lies. And so

He steeled his gaze.

I would be happy to lose everything I had. So, dean.

He sat quietly and turned to the dean who was listening to his speech. Professor Lassens face paled when she spotted him. The dean had never attended a forum in person before.

Please punish me and expel me from the Academy.

He accepted losing all the privileges he enjoyed, maybe forever. As Stella said not long ago, this moment may be the last time he would be lucky in his life. Professor Lassens final advice was correct after all.

This will be a great opportunity for you, as you have strong connections to Lassen.

Indeed a great opportunity, where old lies devoured his pride and integrityyet there was a small fragment of Wayne Hill that hadnt been consumed by lies. It was his conscience. He didnt want to devote himself to those lies or take pleasure in them. He was unworthy to be a scholar, and was deserving of punishment instead.

Also, please investigate Professor Juliana Lassen. And again

He briefly recalled the faces of a few students. One of them resembled his twisted past self, and another resembled the ones he hurt in the past. Every one of them was precious.

there shouldnt be people like me.

Wayne Hill approached Professor Juliana Lassen. The professor, who he had always been terrified of, looked small and old, when before, her shadow towered over him immensely

Wayne Hill took the documents from her hand and looked through them. Then he pulled out a fairly thick stack of papers some wrinkled, some neatly foldedfrom his briefcase.

This is the draft of Miss Stella Lapis statement. She had trouble writing it and so I assisted her.

There were some hasty scribbles on the cluttered paper as they tried to write down all the facts they knew. A divine purpose gripped him as he made correction marks and notes.

The documents had something that could never be found in Professor Lassens papers.

It was the truth.

*

*

*

Ill leave this document with Miss Sweeney.

After Professor Hills speech, the dean gave Louise all the documents which Professor Lassen had made.

Do you mean youll give me the chance to defend myself?

If you want it.

Louise, of course, did not want to miss it, and so she accepted it with thanks.

And so, the Academys business

The dean looked up at the fake Mrs. Sweeney behind Louise and frowned. He seemed to recognize his identity at first glance. Louise quickly completed the deans thought.

The Academys business has to be resolved within the Academy!

Im relieved that you think so. Come to think of it, the fake Mrs. Sweeney has been standing there for a while.

Shes not fake.

Its a compliment.

I didnt say that.

Ill be happy if you can communicate a warning to the Prince.

The dean quickly left the office, informing her that the ethics committee had to be called. Louise turned around and looked up at Hesse.

Sir Hesse!

My sweet daughter!

Hesse opened his arms as tears dripped from his eyes, and Louise backed away about three steps in a panic.

Couldnt your disguise been a bit more plausible? Weve all been caught.

Its a disguise I where was supposed to be caught.

Hesse looked up proudly, and Louise couldnt hold in her yell.

The future count shouldnt be proud of this!

Ohwere you worrying about me?

Of course. What would people think?

Well, they would thinkthat Im very fond of Louise of the Greenhouse. In fact, it was on purpose to let you know.

He added proudly, Im the best-known ally of the Crown Prince.

Ugh

Are you impressed?

A little.

Then give me a hug. It is nonsense that a mother and daughter should meet and not hold each other tenderly.

Sir Hesse really did seem to suit womens clothing, and so she didnt hesitate stepping towards his open arms.

Thats far enough.

The emotional reunion was cut off when Ian pulled Louise around the waist. When Louise looked up, she saw Ian breathing heavily, as if he had ran all the way here. Hesse had a maniacal grin on his face, as if it was his subtle way of teasing Ian.

Good work, Hesse.

Then kiss me on the back of my hand!

Damn, one time is enough.

However, Ian placed a gentle peck on Hesses hand. Perhaps Hesse wouldnt let him hold Louise if Ian refused.

Suddenly, Hesse snatched Louises hand and kissed her there as well. Ian was caught by surprise and didnt stop it in time, before Hesse flashed a grin and quickly disappeared.

Really.

Ian muttered as he rubbed the back of Louises hand.

I dont know if its a good idea to have Sir Hesse around you.

How is Stella?

Louise turned right away and looked at Ian face-to-face.

Everythings fine. Shes staying at the counseling office for a while.

Louise got goosebumps at the words counseling office. She had remembered the time she was locked in there until night.

Its alright.

Ian swept Louises cheek as he continued.

Shes not hurt.

Thats a relief, but

Louise hugged the papers in her arms.

II feel guilty for giving up halfway.

There was no sign of that.

Ian remembered Louises defiant stare at Professor Lassen.

I thought there wasnt anything I could do with the truth.

Firstly

Ian tapped Louise on the forehead.

Professor Lassen is king in this Academy. You cant deal with her alone.

Yeah.

Louises voice came out as a mumble.

I think that my Father has also given up on anything related to the nobles

What are you going to do if you immediately get gloomy like that?

Frowning, Ian held out a book he had left lying on the side.

Louise recognized it at once. It was the plant encyclopedia written by Dr. Rogers. Judging from the slight dent in the corner, it must have belonged to Professor Wayne Hill.

I dont know what the situation will turn out like, so he asked me to give this to you now.

You mean Professor Wayne Hill?

Yes. He said it was repayment to you.

Repayment? Louise wondered what the professor owed her. On the contrary, Louis was indebted to him. If he hadnt revealed his past, Louise would have had to fight Professor Lassen alone. She remembered a conversation she had with him one day.

ImIm not that great. Im not a genius and I cant do anything well. And Im a liar. Its the worst thing for a professor.

She thought deeper.

Their purposes of their sponsorship is becoming strange. They dont care what happens. They will make sure their student is on the top.

And she remembered his ominous warning.

I like idealism, too. ButI dont want Miss Sweeney to be sacrificed to a bad plan

This whole time he had worried about Louise. Perhaps his conscience had been suffering from the diversion of reality from his ideals, and Louise was the one that stimulated his guilt.

Louse accepted the encyclopedia with a heavy heart. As she slowly turned over the thick, dented cover, she saw a note attached inside the book.

This is

Professor Hills handwriting.

I like idealism, too.

His handwriting seemed to smile at her. Louise held the documents and the book tightly in her arms. Its weight was comforting. Truth and facts were sometimes apart, but when they met, they could have the volume and weight to change the world.

Louise liked that idea too.

Even if it would break her and hurt her one day.