Sefina’s voice rang steadily in the silent attic:
“Naturally, you weren’t the only student who didn’t return to the dormitory that night. Roughly speaking, nearly 100 students’ names were recorded. Investigating them one by one is indeed tedious.”
Sefina paused slightly. Finally, she slowly turned around. Her burgundy eyes were no longer like a placid well but pierced through hearts with a sharp intensity, causing Feliel’s heart to tighten for no reason.
“However, I guessed that since that Seventh Seat can skillfully use both elemental magic and summoning magic, would that be reflected in their choice of courses at the academy?”
“For example… taking both of these core courses simultaneously?”
Facing Sefina’s gaze that seemed to peel away all disguises, Feliel’s heart raced in her chest, but she still struggled to maintain her composure.
‘Sefina is still testing me!’ Feliel firmly believed this.
Sefina had not yet produced any evidence that could directly pin her down; everything was just speculation.
‘She’s waiting for me to crack under the pressure and show my hand!’
Thinking of this, Feliel barely suppressed her surging emotions, her brow furrowing slightly as she responded in a flat tone:
“Teacher Sefina, I don’t understand. What does that Seventh Seat you’re talking about have to do with taking two courses?”
“Besides, in Oselenka, while there aren’t many students who take both elemental magic and summoning magic at the same time, it’s certainly not unheard of.”
Sefina responded indifferently to her defense, “True, that doesn’t directly prove anything.”
Her words steadied Feliel’s heart slightly. However, Sefina’s next words tightened her newly relaxed nerves once again —
“But when I tried to narrow down the scope and prioritize this clue, a familiar name quickly surfaced at the top of the list.”
Sefina leaned forward slightly. Though she was petite, she carried an invisible pressure as she enunciated the name word by word:
“Miss Feliel.”
Feliel fell silent, no longer immediately retorting. She could feel Sefina’s gaze landing on her like something physical.
Sefina didn’t seem to care about her silence and continued, her voice remaining steady:
“Of course, none of that is the most critical part. The reason I dare to identify you directly to your face is, naturally, because I am absolutely certain.”
After all, Sefina was not like Headmaster Rofilia, who could let things go after a bit of testing if there was no evidence.
Without solid evidence, this confrontation itself would have exposed her own information.
Speaking to this point, Sefina’s hand slowly reached into the pocket of her coat.
Feliel’s gaze subconsciously followed her movement, the ominous premonition in her heart growing stronger.
***
In the next moment, Sefina pulled something out of her pocket and held it in her palm, displaying it before Feliel.
It was an ancient-looking ring made of a unique material. Complex, unidentifiable Runes were engraved on the surface, faintly emitting a unique and restrained Magic Power Wave.
The moment she saw the ring, Feliel’s pupils constricted to pinpricks, and the blood in her body seemed to freeze instantly.
Feliel’s hands began to tremble uncontrollably, and the forced calm on her face cracked like fragile glass.
‘The mana ring!’
It was the mana ring used by the cadres of Black Utopia to connect for the conscious space meeting.
And that ring… was undoubtedly her own!
‘But how could she… How could she have gotten it?!’
Feliel’s mind was in chaos. The immense shock and disbelief almost collapsed her psychological defenses.
However, just the day before, when Sefina “stormed the student dormitory,” her magic crest had flared up midway, causing a pathetic scene.
But after resolving the magic crest issue, she did not give up on her original goal.
Sefina took out the detection magic tool that Nona had specially made for her.
The function of this tool was very simple: to search for similar magic tools based on the unique fluctuations and aura of the mana ring Sefina herself held.
In other words, to find the mana rings of other Black Utopia cadres.
Sefina deduced that this kind of mana ring used for important communication was relatively eye-catching and would continuously emit faint, specific Magic Power Waves.
A typical cadre would be unlikely to carry it with them, especially in an environment like the academy.
Therefore, the Seventh Seat’s mana ring was likely hidden in a relatively private and safe place — for example, the student dormitory.
Following this line of thought, she used the detection magic tool to patiently investigate the dormitory area corresponding to the list of suspects.
Sure enough, when she passed in front of Feliel’s dormitory door, the needle of the magic tool in her hand deflected and vibrated violently!
After locking onto the target, Sefina did not alert the enemy. She patiently waited for an opportunity and successfully stole a spare key from the dormitory administrator.
During a period when she was sure Feliel was not in the dormitory, she quietly slipped in.
Guided by the precision of the detection magic tool, she finally found this vital mana ring in a cleverly hidden compartment Feliel had prepared.
Facing this irrefutable, ironclad evidence, Feliel furrowed her brows tightly, her face turning pale.
She wanted to speak, but found any explanation at this moment to be pale and weak. In the face of absolute evidence, all disguises and denials lost their meaning.
Sefina still didn’t show any intention of making a move immediately. Looking at Feliel’s completely collapsed defenses, she spoke coldly:
“The trick of pretending to be a student is indeed less risky than pretending to be a teacher. The student population is larger, more fluid, and it’s harder to pin down a specific target.”
“Furthermore, it’s hard to imagine that a student who appears to be only sixteen or seventeen years old could actually reach the threshold of a Sixth-tier Mage.”
Her words were like cold analysis, peeling away Feliel’s disguise step by step:
“If I’m not mistaken, your actual age should be more than seventeen, right? Perhaps early twenties would be more accurate?”
Sefina paused slightly, observing Feliel’s reaction.
Feliel remained silent, but her clenched fists and slightly heaving chest showed the extreme lack of peace within her, as if she might lash out at any moment.
It was only because this was the orphanage, the place where Campbell slept, that she could not easily take action.
Sefina continued, her gaze sweeping over Feliel’s signature braided pigtails and large glasses:
“Although you look young, if one observes closely, the contours of your eyes and your demeanor are slightly more mature than a student truly of that age.”
“And your usual, somewhat childish appearance is likely intended to better hide your true age and blend into the student body.”
Feliel felt a chill rise from the bottom of her heart.
‘This woman… has seen through me almost completely.’
All disguises had been thoroughly stripped away; denial was now meaningless.
Feliel took a deep breath and finally stopped hiding. She looked up, the confusion and softness in her eyes completely fading, replaced by a coldness and sharpness:
“So, what exactly do you want, Ninth Seat?”