Sefina’s reaction, a blend of shock and daze, was almost a perfect replica of an innocent person’s natural state.
However, Headmaster Rofilia had crossed the continent for years and seen too many characters skilled at disguise; the suspicion in her heart still refused to die. She decided to conduct one last, and most oppressive, test.
Just as Sefina was stammering her defense, Rofilia’s aura suddenly became even sharper. She abruptly raised her voice, pressuring her sternly.
“The result is already clear, Sefina. The evidence is right before your eyes. Are you still not going to confess?!”
This sudden, harsh interrogation would have likely caused anyone with even slightly weaker mental fortitude to lose their composure.
But Sefina’s heart was as cold as a block of ice. She knew clearly that this was still Rofilia’s strategy of “knocking the mountain to shake the tiger,” attempting to use final pressure to force out any hidden flaws.
‘Headmaster Rofilia truly is something else; her methods are progressively layered.’
Sefina snorted coldly in her heart, deducing that Rofilia must have already narrowed down the suspects to a very small range and was now testing them one by one using this high-pressure method.
If she really were the Seventh Seat, facing these successive “evidences” and accusations, it would likely be difficult to ensure not a single flaw was shown, no matter how firm her mind was.
While Sefina was perfectly calm inside, her outward performance became increasingly immersive.
She acted as if she were frightened by Rofilia’s stern voice, her shoulders shrinking slightly, her voice carrying the urgency of being wronged and a hint of a tremble.
“Headmaster Rofilia, I really don’t know what’s going on, nor do I know how this magic fluorescent powder got on my hands!”
Sefina even leaned forward slightly in her excitement, her hands clenched tight, vividly portraying someone desperate to prove their innocence.
Rofilia’s sharp, hawk-like gaze locked onto Sefina, not letting any minuscule change in expression escape. However, she found no flaws.
But Rofilia didn’t plan to give up just yet. She returned to her office desk, sat down again, and elegantly crossed her legs. She spoke coldly to the still “panicked” Sefina, her tone carrying the weight of a final ultimatum.
“Since you still haven’t given up, I’ll give you one more chance to prove yourself.”
As she spoke, she calmly took another item from the drawer. It was a demon tool with a black metal base inlaid with an irregular transparent crystal. Its shape was quite strange, emitting an indescribable Magic Power Wave.
“This is a truth stone,” Rofilia said in a flat tone, her eyes still sharp as knives. “An ancient demon tool that can detect the truthfulness of speech. Place your hand on it and answer my question. If you tell the truth, it will remain unchanged. But if you lie…”
Rofilia paused, emphasizing her words, “it will emit a piercing red alarm and a Magic Power Wave. So, Teacher Sefina, for the sake of your own innocence, try it.”
Sefina’s gaze fell on the so-called truth stone, and she understood instantly.
‘A lie detector? Hah… I saw plenty of these in my previous life. The principles were different, but as for the accuracy… let alone in this world.’
She was almost certain that this was another of Rofilia’s bluffs.
If there truly were such a convenient and reliable lie-detecting demon tool, given Rofilia’s personality and resources, it would have been used on a large scale for key interrogations long ago. Why would she only take it out now, and only to test Sefina?
This was clearly a case of her refusing to give up, wanting to apply one last bit of psychological pressure.
In that case, she would play along until the end.
Sefina’s face showed a look of hesitation and struggle. Her gaze lingered between the truth stone and Rofilia’s serious face for several seconds, as if she were undergoing a fierce internal struggle.
Finally, Sefina took a deep breath, slowly reached out her right hand, and with a feigned tremble, lightly pressed it against the cold crystal.
“Fine… I’ll try.”
Rofilia leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed on Sefina, asking in an interrogating tone, “Sefina, are you, or are you not, a member of Black Utopia?”
The air in the office seemed to freeze completely, leaving only the faint breathing of the two women. Sefina met her gaze and answered one word at a time.
“No, I am not.”
Just as she finished speaking —
*Vrrr — !!!*
The transparent crystal on the truth stone suddenly erupted with a piercing red light!
As expected.
Sefina feigned a massive shock at the sudden alarm, abruptly pulling her hand back with a face full of shock and panic. She looked at where her hand had just been, then at Rofilia, her voice trembling slightly.
“Why… why?! Why did it light up?! This shouldn’t be… Is this demon tool malfunctioning?!”
Sefina stammered her defense incoherently, her eyes filled with confusion and the anxiety of being desperate to prove her innocence.
Rofilia watched Sefina’s every reaction. The initial shock followed by the subsequent panic looked very natural. Under the immense pressure she had applied repeatedly, such a reaction was perfectly normal.
‘It seems… it really isn’t her.’
Rofilia let out a long sigh. Seeing Sefina still trying to defend herself, Rofilia raised her hand in a soothing gesture.
“Alright, Teacher Sefina, it’s fine now.” Rofilia’s tone completely softened.
Sefina stopped her movements at the right time, her face still maintaining a look of utter confusion, as if she truly couldn’t understand the sudden turn of events.
She scratched her blue hair in puzzlement and asked, “It’s… it’s fine? Headmaster, what do you mean? What exactly is going on?”
Looking at Sefina’s pure confusion, Rofilia finally dropped her interrogator’s stance completely. She leaned back into her chair, her tone returning to its usual calmness, even carrying a hint of apology.
“I’m sorry, Teacher Sefina. Everything just now, including the magic fluorescent powder and this truth stone, was a test. In other words, they’re all fake,” Rofilia explained calmly.
“Because you didn’t have a clear alibi that night, and you’re also proficient in elemental magic with no small amount of strength, you were placed on the list of potential suspects.”
“From your series of reactions just now, I believe you have nothing to do with Black Utopia. Please forgive my offense.”
Sefina finally acted as if she had come to a realization, letting out a long “Oh.” The tension and confusion on her face gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of relieved ease.
“So that was it. You scared me to death, Headmaster. You were really terrifying just now…”
Sefina even asked with feigned concern, “So, Headmaster, has some suspicious power really infiltrated the academy? Are there… any leads on the suspect yet? Do you need us teachers to cooperate with anything?”
Rofilia simply waved her hand, regaining her dignity and distance as the headmaster.
“The specifics are still under investigation. You needn’t worry too much, Teacher Sefina; the academy has its own arrangements.”
“I hope you won’t reveal anything about today’s events to anyone. Once again, I apologize for taking up your holiday time and for the abrupt test.”
“I understand, Headmaster. I understand your intentions.” Sefina nodded obediently, showing a look of understanding.
“Mhm, you may go now.”
“Alright. Goodbye, Headmaster.”
Sefina bowed slightly again, then turned and walked toward the office door with a steady pace. She gripped the handle, pushed it open, and her figure disappeared behind the door.
Only when that heavy wooden door completely separated the inside from the outside did the tight expression on Sefina’s face slowly relax.
‘It seems I’ve passed.’
Sefina figured her name could be temporarily crossed off Rofilia’s list of suspects.
And the real Seventh Seat, when faced with such an intense test, would likely have a hard time performing so perfectly.
It seemed his identity was about to surface.