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Chapter 224: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 224



"Never trust a witch."


As Diakonos spoke, Sylvia could feel the atmosphere in the room shift. She furrowed her brow.


Their testimonies had just begun to plant a seed of doubt in the crowd’s minds—Maybe Scarlet isn’t truly evil? But with just one statement, the wavering people were once again thinking, Of course, trusting a witch is absurd.


She felt a surge of frustration.


It wasn’t just the fact that all her efforts to defend Scarlet had suddenly been undone.


What angered Sylvia even more, to the point of trembling, was that deep down, she understood why they reacted this way.


Everyone knew.


They all knew who had caused them to live trapped in this cage, small and insignificant compared to the world outside.


From childhood, they had been taught that witches were humanity’s enemies. Their ancestors and their ancestors' ancestors had believed the same.


This deeply rooted animosity toward witches had been passed down through generations. Changing such a perception wouldn’t be easy, and Sylvia had to accept that.


It made her feel miserable.


Seething with anger, Sylvia spoke to Diakonos.


"So, what exactly are you trying to say? That we were foolish to trust her?"


“If you want to know, then yes. It was a foolish action.”


Sylvia’s eyes flared with anger at being called foolish to her face, but Diakonos continued without a hint of concern.


“But that’s not the point I’m trying to make.”


Sylvia waited to hear what he had to say next, feeling a mix of frustration and curiosity.


“Your punishment will be canceled.”


"...What?”


“You didn’t hear me? I said there will be no punishment.”


Sylvia stood there, momentarily stunned.


What? Hadn’t Diakonos just been reprimanding them, criticizing their actions?


Why, suddenly...?


She felt so bewildered that she couldn’t even feel joy about the outcome she had been fighting for—avoiding punishment.


Sensing her confusion, Diakonos spoke again.


“Judging by your expression, I assume you’re wondering why I said that.”


"...To be honest, yes.”


How could she not be perplexed?


Diakonos had seemed ready to hand down their punishment just a moment ago, and now he was saying this?


With a strange expression, Sylvia muttered under her breath.


“There’s no need to overthink it. It’s quite simple.”


Diakonos waved his hand dismissively, as if it were no big deal.


“There’s no reason to punish the victims.”


Sylvia’s face immediately hardened.


"...Victims?”


“Yes, victims.”


Diakonos nodded, continuing in a calm tone.


“As I mentioned earlier, it’s quite possible that the witch manipulated and used you to escape the city. In that case, you’re victims who were taken advantage of by her. Punishing someone for being deceived is wrong. Therefore, I don’t intend to punish you. While you’re not entirely without fault, you’re students, and I believe an adult’s generosity can forgive such transgressions.”


Diakonos said this so nonchalantly that it left Sylvia speechless.


With a sharp voice, she muttered,


"...Victims? You’re calling us victims?”


Victims.


At the very least, Sylvia and the others had acted according to their own judgment.


It wasn’t someone else’s will forcing them; they had believed their actions were right and had followed through based on that conviction.


Yet, Diakonos’ words completely dismissed their beliefs, labeling them as victims of manipulation.


That dismissal of everything they stood for made Sylvia’s blood boil, and she shouted at Diakonos,


“We’re not...! We’re not victims—!”


“Aren’t you? Then I’ll have no choice but to punish you.”


“Ugh...!”


At the mention of punishment, Sylvia bit her lip and fell silent.


If it had been just her, she would’ve protested without hesitation, regardless of the consequences. But the fate of the other students rested on her shoulders.


Thinking of that, she realized that admitting they were victims might be the only way to protect the others. Yet, it was impossible for her to say the words.


Their goal wasn’t simply to avoid punishment.


With a heavy heart, Sylvia asked Diakonos,


“...If we accept that we’re victims, what will happen to Miss Scarlet?”


“We will proceed as planned. Witches are the enemies of humanity, and we will treat her as such.”


“Ah...”


A sigh escaped Sylvia’s lips.


Their original goal had been not only to avoid punishment but also to convince others to change their perception of Scarlet.


They had risked everything to help Scarlet escape, not just to save her life, but because they hoped for a future where they could see her again and smile.


But now, the situation had turned out like this.


It was a situation where they had to choose one or the other—save the students, or save Scarlet.


The children who were watching her from behind, and the person who owned the ring she always kept close, worn on her left index finger.


Both were precious to her, things she couldn’t afford to lose.


If the choice were between her and something else, she would’ve chosen the other without hesitation.


Caught at this crossroads, Sylvia felt as if she might lose her mind.


Unable to make a decision, she turned to Diakonos, almost begging.


“Please, just this once... Can’t you believe in Miss Scarlet? I swear to you, she’s not an evil witch...”


“There’s certainly a possibility of that.”


“Then...! Can’t you reconsider—!”


“But no, I’m afraid that’s impossible.”


When Sylvia briefly held onto hope from Diakonos’ words—maybe there’s a chance—his final rejection crushed her spirit.


“Why... Why go to such lengths...?” she asked, her voice filled with frustration.


“Given the possibilities, it’s the only logical choice,” Diakonos replied calmly. “Perhaps, just as you say, the witch might not be harmful. But as I mentioned, there’s a strong possibility that she simply used you. And even if you’re right, there’s no guarantee she won’t lose control again, like when she harmed Captain Yoon Si-woo. In that case, it’s better to choose the safer route. Our role in the Central Committee is not to hope for the best, but to prevent the worst.”


Diakonos’ firm stance sapped the strength from Sylvia’s eyes. 


It was clear he wouldn’t change his mind.


Sylvia let out a sorrowful laugh. Perhaps the answer had been set in stone from the beginning.


When considering the choice between one and many, the outcome seemed obvious.


Moreover, since she had vowed to take responsibility, abandoning the students was never an option.


It was maddening. 


The rage that surged inside her felt like it would drive her crazy.


But for the sake of the students, no matter how much she hated it, abandoning Scarlet was the right thing to do.


As Sylvia made up her mind, she slowly turned to look at the students.


And there she saw it—the same expressions of frustration and anger on their faces, as if they too were on the verge of losing it.


She didn’t need to ask why they looked like that.


They were just as unhappy as she was, being forced to make this impossible choice.


Despite being on the brink of madness from their frustration, they all remained silent.


And Sylvia realized why.


Just as she couldn’t act recklessly because of the students, they too were holding back, worried about what might happen to their friends.


They were all in each other’s chains.


It was a painfully ironic situation, and Sylvia let out a crooked smile.


Why must we always be forced to act according to these set paths?


As she thought this, she noticed the students' gazes were now fixed on her.


Their eyes burned with a fierce desire.


What were they asking of her? What did they want from her?


It was then that a soft voice emerged from among the students.


“...Sylvia.”


It was Mei, speaking in a trembling voice as if struggling to contain her emotions.


“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do right now.”


She continued, her voice shaky as she forced the words out.


“I think the others feel the same way, but you’re our representative, after all.”


With determined eyes locked onto Sylvia’s, she said,


“Just do whatever you want. Don’t worry about what we think.”


At Mei’s words, the other students began nodding, one by one.


Sylvia’s expression shifted.


She had been holding back for their sake all this time.


But hearing those words now...


It made her want to truly act as she wished.


With the students nodding in agreement, telling her to do as she pleased, Sylvia turned her head away.


Fine, I don’t care anymore.


You were the ones who told me to do whatever I wanted.


I’m selfish, after all. I can’t give up on either side.


With these thoughts running through her mind, Sylvia stood straight and faced Diakonos and the other adults.


Before anyone could stop her, she swiftly moved in a decisive, precise motion.


Someone gasped in surprise.


But despite the dramatic gesture, it wasn’t an attack.


Sylvia wasn’t reckless enough to resort to that.


What she did was simply kneel, lowering her head to the ground in a respectful bow.


“Please, I beg of you. Reconsider your stance on Miss Scarlet,” she said, her voice filled with sincerity and politeness.


From behind her, a voice muttered in disbelief.


Is that seriously what you decided to do? After all that?


But even as she heard the murmurs, Sylvia let out a small chuckle.


Because, at that very moment, she heard a series of thud thud noises as knees hit the floor throughout the chamber.


“Please, believe in Miss Scarlet just one more time!”


“We beg you!”


“Please reconsider!”


In both the past and present, across cultures and eras, the most effective tactic children have when negotiating with adults is...


“““Please!!!”””


...begging as a group.


------------------------


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