Seraphina is a refined lady.

She had likely never experienced true violence all her life and bloodshed is a rather foreign concept to her.

The deaths of so many—both young and old—before her eyes has surely brought about a lot of complications in terms of her mental health and overall perception of the world.

Klein has told me of the nightmares, but I can also clearly see something else in her gaze.

The brilliance that once shone beautifully no longer seems to exist. I sense a detachment in her mannerisms. Even when she addresses students, there is a certain coldness about it.

Like she is afraid.

Afraid to open herself up to others and lose them. Some of her students undoubtedly died in the Excursion.

As an educator… as a woman… it must be so devastating.

She says she is fine, but that clearly isn't true.

Seraphina is strong, but…

… sigh…

I can only stand by her side as she recovers.

The second issue is the matter of Earl Balric Wolfshade's demise. His death has left a vacant position in the Academy, and I am the most popular choice to succeed him.

If I am to accept the position, not only will I be largely responsible for the courses in the Knight and Chivalric Studies Department, but I will also become the new Dean of Discipline and Conduct.

It is certainly a prestigious position in the Academy, one that has a lot more power and monetary benefits.

But I am certainly not lacking in either of those at the moment.

Perhaps it would have been a tempting offer a while back, but with my current accumulation and connections, it just isn't very attractive—especially if I consider the additional work I have to do and the fact that I will be leaving the Royal Academy soon anyway.

I'm thinking of taking the position temporarily, at least until the Academy's situation stabilizes and they pick a more suitable person for the job.

That way, I can protect the position for the Royal Faction and prevent any underhanded schemes from the opposition.

The third thing to worry about… is Seth.

He hasn't said anything conclusive yet, but it's clear that he strongly suspects me of being Evernight.

With his special existence and the uniqueness of his Divination, I imagine it's only a matter of time before he uncovers my secrets. I have to be prepared for the possibility of him finding out my Leviathan status.

I wonder…

Should I just tell him before that happens, and then hopefully use the opportunity to investigate the church in order to figure out what they know about Leviathans?

No, I don't think I should.

There's no guarantee that the church even knows a lot about Leviathans. Plus, since Ciel is with me and I haven't finished learning from her, I have no urgent need for the church's information on Leviathans.

For now, at the very least, I should not stir the waters.

My fourth concern is Regulus Heathcliff.

The tragedy of the Royal Academy Excursion had certainly reached his ears at this point, and he is bound to notice peculiarities in my own case.

My disappearance and the sudden emergence of Evernight will certainly pique his interest.

There's no doubt that this will strengthen his theory regarding me being a Leviathan. Unfortunately, there is really nothing I can do about this worry.

I can only think of ways to explain myself or bury clues.

But knowing that Regulus… he will find things that even I cannot think of. He will surely dig up the truth faster than I can bury it.

The boy is simply too smart for his own good.

Last but not least.

The fifth matter that requires my attention.

Perhaps the most urgent one yet.

'Leon and Uncle Damon sent a letter. They'll be here tomorrow, and I can already guess the subject of discussion.'

A wry smile forms on my face as a cold darkness courses through my eyes.

'It's about the Dark Guild.'

******

[Meanwhile]

"You bastard! What did you just say?!"

A loud shriek, enough to deafen the ears, fill the room of the fallen Jerome Aditi house.

Everyone is gathered at the moment, and just earlier they were having a peaceful dinner… until one of his two sons shared some rather shocking news.

"Dustin, what do you mean you are quitting your job in the Royal Academy?"

"Father, I—"

"Are you insane? You foolish boy, when did you become so daft? Is it because of what happened on the excursion? Did seeing so many deaths break your resolve? Have you lost your spine because you saw just a few hundreds die?!"

Dustin sighs and shakes his head.

He can see the faces of his immediate family, and none of them are favorable towards him.

His father is enraged.

His mother is frightened, clutching his confused younger sister close to her bosom while staring at him in horror.

As for his older brother, he looks disappointed.

Dustin already expected these responses, but seeing them behave this way before his very eyes drives a sharp sting into his heart.

He tightly clutches his chest, feeling the pain of their disapproving gazes.

He is almost discouraged to abandon all the courage he had managed to muster after so many weeks.

But… he remembers.

A man in a sleek black cloak with a mask on his face and a heroic aura.

—Sir Evernight!

The moment the Knight Shadows, his dark hero, appears in his mind, Dustin finds strength in his despair.

He finds the resolve he needs to part open his lips and address his father.

"I indeed made this decision because of my experience on the excursion. But it's not what you think. I—"

"Shut up, you useless brat! Don't you see that this is the perfect opportunity for us? For our family? With so many competent Knights gone, and you being the only surviving one, what do you think will happen if you remain in the Academy? You will surely be promoted! You even displayed courage and saved so many. You showed great qualities of a Knight and proved your mettle as the only survivor of such tragedy. Your success is practically guaranteed! This is a great opportunity for you, don't you see?"

"For me? Or for us?" Dustin sighs, once again shaking his head.

"Of course, it's for us! We are a family! We stick together, or have you forgotten that? Is that why you have chosen to make such a rash decision when you know how it affects everyone?"

"We stick together as a family…?" Dustin' lips curl up for a moment as he stares at everyone at the table. "Yet why does it seem like no one is sticking with me despite my decision?"

"Because—!"

"Dustin, we have a responsibility to the family." A mature, calm voice echoes in the room.

It belongs to none other than his older brother, Gregory.

"Brother…"

"Listen to father. Don't you wish to revive our Aditi Household any longer? We all need to work together to make that happen. I know things are tumultuous in the Royal Academy right now, and I understand that you might be shaken after all you experienced during that Magivore Beast Tide… but you have to persevere. For the sake of the family, you must pull yourself together, and—"

"You don't get it, big brother." Dustin smiles warmly at his older brother.

He has always respected Gregory, even when he realized he had more talent than him. His brother was always so mature and considerate, putting the needs of their family and the wishes of their parents above his own.

That's why he was able to support Dustin competing for Heir despite being the older one.

Gregory is simply that kind of person.

'But I am not…' Dustin sighs to himself. 'I am a greedy man. I wish for honor, for glory, for fame. I wish to become a Knight that is highly revered through the land. It just so happens that being the Heir of the Aditi Household would give me that. After its fall, I thought reviving the Household would be the best way to accomplish this desire of mine.'

It wasn't really for the sake of everyone.

It was for himself.

He was simply obedient to his parents and followed the family's whims because they aligned with what he thought he was meant to do.

But now?

Dustin knows for a fact:

"I have changed. Meeting that man, Sir Evernight, forever changed me. I saw him fight so fiercely against the beasts and save so many people. It inspired me, and by putting myself on the line… I actually saved them. I saved those people. I can't forget the feeling. I could tell, at that point, that I was a true Knight. I want more of that feeling. I want to continue down the true path of a Knight."

"...."

The entire family stares at Dustin, dumbfounded by his words.

His parents are especially shocked.

Is this truly the child that they raised? They can't help but wonder silently.

"Dustin, you—"

"I have not finished speaking!" Dustin slams his hand on the table and raises his voice, forcing everyone to fall silent.

"You can plot all you like. Conceive schemes and use all your politics, but that is not what being a Knight truly means!"

He rises to his feet, his body brimming with newfound energy.

"A Knight acts! He doesn't lie in the shadows waiting for an opportunity, but makes it happen with his own two hands! A Knight changes the world with his own two hands! I wish to be that kind of person. Protect the innocent, punish the evildoers… I don't care about reviving the Aditi Household or anything else associated with your personal ambitions, Father!"

"Y-you… you dare—!"

Dustin wastes no time and unsheathes his blade. He gently tosses it on the table, towards his father.

"If you wish to stop me… then act. Fight me, as a Knight should. If you win, I will accept my defeat and do as you say… as I should as the loser. But you must also be prepared to do the same if you lose."

"Y-you…"

Beads of sweat appear on Jerome's face as he alternates his gaze between his son and the blade just a few inches from him.

"Pick it up." Dustin urges.

Jerome is paralyzed.

He can only watch in silence as his heart races and more sweat appears on his face.

"Pick. It. Up."

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