Should I just tell him everything? Or should I come up with an appropriate excuse?
While weighing those two options, the other students gradually left the lecture hall.
By the time I reached a decision, only Professor Radvisin and I remained in the room.
That was entirely because of my hesitation.
As though I had intentionally waited for all the students to leave, I unnecessarily glanced around, lowered my voice as if sharing a secret, and spoke indirectly.
"It suddenly occurred to me that she might be getting bullied by her colleagues."
As that opening makes clear, I ultimately chose to make up an excuse.
Perhaps what I said was rather shocking, because Professor Radvisin's eyes widened in surprise.
"Professors, who ought to serve as role models for students, bullying a colleague...? What made you think that?"
"There is no one in this world who wants to be hated, is there? Yet if someone deliberately acts in a way that invites hatred, it is likely a manifestation of self-preservation. It's like inflicting small wounds on yourself before others can inflict a larger one. Behavior like that usually stems from underlying trauma."
When creating a character, trauma is an incredibly important element.
It shapes the character's personality, becomes the driving force behind their actions, and either leaves room for growth or acts as the trigger for their downfall.
Sometimes I would think about what kind of personality a character with such a past would develop.
Conversely, I would imagine what kind of past a character with that sort of personality must have had.
I had analyzed characters created by others and created characters for my own novels.
Based on that experience as an author, I spent the entire night tossing and turning, thinking endlessly.
After coming up with several scenarios, I selected the one that seemed most likely.
So this conversation was not truly a process of gathering new information, but rather one of verification.
"In the past, wasn't there an incident where Professor Skati conducted lectures without revealing she was a criminal, only for things to spiral out of control once that fact became known? For example, did students she cared about express disappointment and betrayal toward her, hurling venomous words at her face? Or did they collectively refuse to attend her lectures and boycott her classes?"
"Is that... really just speculation? Or did you hear it from someone?"
If he had said there was no such thing, it would have been embarrassing.
Judging by Professor Radvisin's dazed, utterly shocked expression, it seemed I had fortunately guessed correctly.
"I've never heard it from anyone. That's why I wanted to confirm with you, Professor, whether Professor Skati is truly in a situation where she needs help, or whether I'm simply worrying for no reason."
Suppressing the urge to sigh in relief, I answered calmly.
Then I continued more confidently.
"Even if the students were not informed of Professor Skati's criminal record, the professors would certainly have known. It may be different now that time has passed, but when Professor Skati was first appointed to the academy, she would have been viewed as nothing more than an untrustworthy criminal. Naturally, someone would have needed to monitor her to prevent any incidents, and that responsibility would have fallen to her fellow professors."
"......"
"Therefore, the person who first leaked the story of Professor Skati's criminal record must have been one of the professors. I don't know whether it was one person or several. However, it's certain that they acted with malicious intent. Perhaps they didn't even hesitate to incite the students."
"......Hoh."
Professor Radvisin stood silent for a long moment, and only after I finished speaking did he let out a breath that was almost an exclamation.
Was that reaction positive? Or negative?
"I wouldn't know about that... At the time, calming the students and parents and explaining the situation took priority. As I recall, the academy administration couldn't even begin an investigation."
Unfortunately, it was neither positive nor negative.
But I wasn't disappointed. In any case, it confirmed that at least one professor harbored malice toward Skati.
And Skati herself probably already knew who among the professors disliked her.
"Indeed, if handled poorly, it could have turned into accusations of persecuting a righteous professor who reported another professor's crimes for the sake of the students... It must have been an unavoidable decision."
I nodded and murmured in understanding.
In this world inside 《NaSE》, Skati had been assigned a favorable role, so the possibility that the accuser truly acted out of righteous conviction was practically zero.
But how could the people inside the novel know circumstances like that?
"As we talked, we've strayed far from the original point, but in any case, the reason I became interested in Professor Skati's situation is... guilt. It's not really something someone who bullied others should say. Or rather, perhaps it's precisely because of that that I can't bring myself to turn away...? Even though Reisir forgave me, perhaps I still haven't forgiven myself... I felt that if I could help someone enduring something similar, it might lighten the burden in my heart..."
I had attached a fabricated excuse.
But the part about not being able to ignore Skati's suffering because of guilt was true.
Even if she hadn't come to hate me, the one inhabiting Karvaldr's body, I still would have wanted to help her.
I didn't want to become like the people who stood by and watched while I was bullied.
"That is not something you should feel guilty about, Karvaldr. Even so, the desire to help someone is incredibly admirable, so naturally I want to support it."
Perhaps because the flesh attached to the story was filled with lies while the skeleton itself was made of truth, Professor Radvisin seemed to completely believe my words.
The expression with which he looked at me was full of satisfaction.
Feeling unnecessarily embarrassed by that, I hurriedly continued to the main point.
"Professor Radvisin, do you happen to know how Professor Skati usually gets along with the other professors?"
"I'm sorry, but I truly have nothing to say regarding that. The personal offices for combat faculty are located in the Combat Building rather than the Research Building, so I rarely encounter them."
The old professor apologized for being unhelpful, but in truth, I felt relieved.
Relieved that he was not someone who knew of another person's suffering and simply pretended not to notice.
"Ah! Now that I think about it, I don't believe I've ever seen Professor Skati in the campus cafeteria. It may simply be that our meal times never aligned, or perhaps I failed to notice her because I was engrossed in a thesis. But I don't recall ever seeing Professor Skati dining together with another professor... Though I suppose a story like that wouldn't really be helpful."
"It was more than helpful. Your memory is excellent enough to recall the contents of academic journals published years ago, Professor. I'm sure things are exactly as you remember them."
Skati was bound to the academy due to her criminal status.
That meant she couldn't freely leave campus to buy food the way Reisir did.
Don't tell me she only visited the cafeteria when there were as few people around as possible, eating alone in some corner while using stealth?
At this point, it was certain that Skati was being ostracized.
"I feel somewhat ashamed. I, a professor who has worked at this academy for so long, failed to notice something that a young student realized in less than a year after enrolling... When it was revealed that Professor Skati was working here under a community service order, I merely found the campus unrest bothersome. I never even considered why things had turned out that way. Perhaps, unconsciously, I never regarded her as a fellow professor, but as an unrelated outsider. Simply a criminal."
The complicated expression on his face did not seem feigned.
My private concern over how I should regard Professor Radvisin if he turned out to be a bystander had been pointless.
Truly, genuinely a relief.
"Professor, I have one final question."
"Go ahead."
"Do you know where and what Professor Skati did before becoming a professor?"
It was merely a question intended to confirm how much the professors knew about Skati.
However, a brief look of confusion crossed the face of Professor Radvisin, who could not possibly know the truth.
"Hmm... Seeing how much you worry about her, Karvaldr, Professor Skati must truly be a good person, yes?"
"I believe she is a good professor who sincerely rejoices in a student's growth."
"Is that so..."
Rather than answering my question, he posed a strange one of his own, then fell into thought before carefully speaking.
"Within this academy, perhaps only the Chancellor knows the details of her personal history. Or perhaps even he does not. In any case, I do not know the specifics. When she was appointed, however, a directive was issued instructing us to remain vigilant and protect the students, as she was once a killer."
That was only natural.
Even if Skati claimed she would rather take her own life than kill again, there would still be lingering apprehension.
No one could have accepted her words at face value from the beginning.
I quietly nodded, thanked him for the information, and then Professor Radvisin asked another question.
"Even after hearing all this, your desire to help Professor Skati seems unchanged. She truly must have appeared to you as a genuine professor, Karvaldr."
"It's rare to find an educator who can still devote themselves so passionately to students after experiencing betrayal from them, isn't it?"
"Hohoho, that is true as well."
The stiffness in his expression relaxed, and a satisfied smile once again appeared on Professor Radvisin's face.
"To be honest, when you first asked about that professor, Karvaldr, I worried that perhaps she had threatened you. I haven't heard of her causing trouble yet, but she is still a criminal, after all. I allowed myself to be swayed by prejudice."
It was fortunate that I hadn't mentioned Skati becoming ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) angry with me.
Thinking that, I obediently remained silent.
However, because Professor Radvisin immediately continued speaking, the silence never became awkward.
"What do you intend to do now, Karvaldr?"
"For now, I think I'll try speaking with Professor Skati directly as well."
"If there is anything I can do to help, please tell me at any time."
"Yes. If I fail to find a clear solution, I will come to you for advice again. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule."
"I should be the one thanking you for clearing my clouded vision, Karvaldr."
Professor Radvisin said that and extended his hand for a handshake.
From that gesture alone, I could tell his gratitude was sincere.
Feeling awkward, I grasped the old professor's hand.
The unfamiliar texture of his wrinkles and the unfamiliar warmth of his skin only made the awkwardness feel even stronger.
