The three academy officials looked as though they had just been slapped with a wet fish. Beyond question, the source of their dumbfounded expressions was none other than the Sleepless seated in front of them.

When he first mentioned having a confession to make, they grew tense, waiting expectantly. Perhaps he had information about Kael's strange disappearance. But instead, he merely admitted to sneaking into the training grounds, hardly something worth confessing.

And to top it off… why was he blushing like a shy maiden?!

It felt like he was messing with them somehow but they were unable to prove it. In the end, they could only stare at him with blank expressions.

...Even so, Sonic's shoulders were trembling.

God damnit. This guy... don't you know your words can cause misunderstandings?!

He wanted to smack the top of the boy's head, and the urge was becoming harder to resist by the second. The Sleepless's bashful expression wasn't helping in the slightest.

Would it really be so bad to hit him just once? No one would ever know!

Sonic drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to regain composure. An indifferent mask settled over his face, concealing the frustration beneath. He was the Head Instructor, after all — showing weakness before his colleagues would only undermine his authority.

Frowning, he demanded with a stern expression,

"Why did you sneak out of the male dormitory? Don't you know that it's against curfew?"

Sonny opened his mouth, then closed it again, as if weighing his words carefully. Finally, he explained:

"It's nothing too serious. Though I understand that the academy has its rules and regulations with the curfew being among them. It's just... I have no choice than to do so. You see, my Legacy Ability is rather weak. For example, not long ago I tried to use it, and it couldn't even damage a towel. So what am I supposed to do? Naturally, I have to make up for that weakness through other means. Otherwise, I'd be completely helpless."

It was a reasonable explanation.

Considering the Sleepless were about to challenge their First Void Seed, it made sense to understand their own strengths and weaknesses. Still, it would be a difficult situation if one had nothing to show for it. From what the officials could deduce, this particular Sleepless possessed an unusually weak ability.

Legacy wielders were generally divided into three categories: Striker, Caster and Specialist.

The immediate future of a Blasphemer depended on the first Sequence Ability they awakened after surviving the First Descent. His role in the upcoming Phrase, and even his broader place within the Soul Realm, would be defined by that classification. If he was a Striker, he would be most valuable on the frontlines. If he was a Caster, he would likely become a powerful ranged fighter, though fragile in close-quarters combat.

And if he was a Specialist, then his Legacy would revolve around utility. Such Legacies were almost useless in direct battle, yet those who wielded them were considered vital to the behind-the-scenes workings of the Silver Void. Utility abilities, after all, were extremely valued, healers and seers being prime examples.

That was not to say Strikers and Casters were valued any less.

However, from what they were hearing, Sonny didn't seem to fit into any of those classifications. To be frank, a Sequence Ability that couldn't even harm a towel was unheard of, and it didn't appear to have any practical utility either. In other words, it was utterly useless.

And yet, in a cruel and twisted way, that very uselessness made him a one-in-a-million talent!

This only deepened their suspicion, even making them wonder if he was lying. But the lie-detecting Echo had remained silent, which meant he was speaking the truth. From the very beginning, he had done nothing but tell them the truth.

He was completely honest.

The three academy officials exchanged uneasy glances. None of them dared to say it aloud, but the thought was clear in each of their minds: what kind of unfortunate soul was this?

Sonic glanced at the seated Sleepless with a look of pity. Even so, he hid his thoughts and narrowed his eyes.

Sonny nodded meekly, scratching the back of his neck.

"That's right. I just wanted to improve myself. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

The bashful tone, the pink flush creeping across his cheeks; why did they feel far too rehearsed? It was enough to make Sonic's temples throb.

"Damn brat…" Sonic muttered under his breath, just low enough for his colleagues not to catch it.

He cleared his throat and straightened his posture before speaking.

"Very well. We've heard your side of the story, and there are no inconsistencies in your statement. You are free to leave."

"Thank you, Head Instructor."

"However..."

Before Sonny could stand up, Sonic continued sternly.

"Leaving your dormitory at such late hours is against curfew. Normally, I would be inclined to punish you. But given your… peculiar circumstances, I am willing to overlook it this time. On one condition; you must promise not to repeat this behavior. In truth, there was no need for you to sneak out at all. You could have simply informed your dorm manager."

Sonny tilted his head, his expression sheepish.

"Ah… I didn't think of that."

The officials nearly coughed blood on the spot. Didn't think of that?!

Sonic's lips twitched, but he forced himself to maintain his composure.

"In the future, you will follow proper procedure. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Head Instructor," Sonny replied quickly, nodding like an obedient child.

The words were correct, the tone proper. And yet, that faint blush lingering on his cheeks made it feel like mockery.

The unease was palpable.

But what could they do? Punish him for something so trivial?

"…Dismissed," Sonic said at last, waving his hand.

Sonny rose, bowed politely, and turned to leave. Just before the door shut behind him, the faintest smile tugged at his lips.

† †

"Well, that was certainly an interesting development."

As I strode back toward the male dormitory, I found myself muttering under my breath, replaying the conversation in my head.

Starfallen's body was proving remarkably convenient.

During that so-called peaceful questioning, the three officials had employed a lie-detecting Echo. On the surface, it looked like harmless inquiry, but in truth, it had been a carefully orchestrated investigation.

Had the Echo exposed a Sleepless as lying, the Instructors would have pressed relentlessly until they extracted the answer they wanted. And if a Sleepless dared to call the whole setup unjust and refused to comply, the Instructors would simply fabricate some convenient excuse to justify their actions such as "helping the investigation" or "nothing you say will leave this room."

It was nothing but veiled manipulation.

That was why Instructor Sonic had mentioned the lie-detecting bell right from the start, claiming he had done the same for the other Sleepless. The real purpose wasn't fairness — it was to project the illusion of it, to lull the questioned party into a false sense of security and make them lower their guard.

Naturally, I wasn't foolish enough to fall for such trickery!

When it came to deception, humans left the other races far behind. In fact, some had even outstripped the devils themselves in that regard.

Even so, who would have thought my initial analysis was correct? They were using a lie-detecting Echo, and it functioned much like the one back on Earth.

Specifically, the kind employed by the police department, which monitored heartbeat and pulse to determine whether a suspect was lying. Here, however, the Echo itself could discern falsehoods by reading the target's emotions.

But it seemed powerless against those who felt nothing. I had confirmed this when I said, "I have nothing to lie," and the Echo registered no reaction.

Fortunately, I had transferred my consciousness into Starfallen, who bore the attribute [Crown of Indifference], rather than appearing in person.

It was a dangerous gamble, but in the end, it paid off.

Mid-stride, I summoned the runes.

Crown of Indifference Attribute Description: [The Mirror Bond passively remains calm in all situations, betraying no emotion. Grants immunity to all forms of mental hexes.]

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