Skoll Academy, Upper Division — Faculty Residence.
Hel's Lyco clone held Hiness's small hand as they arrived at Madam Viola's quarters.
With the introduction of Hel's cousin Xixi, they were finally able to meet the lady once again.
The moment Madam Viola saw that the visitor was Hiness, a trace of guilt surfaced on her kindly face.
"I'm very sorry, little Hiness… Granny wasn't able to change the dean's mind."
"It's not your fault, Granny Viola," Hiness quickly moved to her side, gently clasping her hands and whispering in comfort.
"The truth is, I've been far too carefree these past few years. I didn't maintain my relationships properly."
"You needn't say that."
Madam Viola squeezed her hand in return, her voice turning solemn.
"Since you are my granddaughter—Viola SkoLl's own flesh and blood—then it is my duty to protect you.
For the next few days, you will stay here with me.
I can guarantee those brats won't dare lay a finger on you."
As she spoke, there was even a hint of killing intent in her expression.
"I…"
Hiness opened her mouth, then instinctively turned her head to look at Hel.
Coming here today had been Hel's idea.
Hiness was only accompanying her, and she didn't truly understand what Hel intended—so she couldn't agree just like that.
That small movement did not escape Madam Viola's notice.
She followed Hiness's gaze, and only then realized there was someone standing behind her.
Hel.
But the moment Madam Viola's eyes settled on Hel, her brows furrowed slightly.
Because she could not see through her.
By all logic, a powerhouse of Madam Viola's level should be able to discern the depth of a junior with ease.
Simply by sensing the elemental forces gathered around an extraordinary individual, she could quickly determine their strength and affinity.
And yet now…
She could not perceive Hel at all.
That meant one of two things:
Either the girl was an ordinary mortal—
Or she possessed some secret treasure capable of concealing her aura.
As for the possibility that Hel was an extraordinary being far beyond even her…
Madam Viola never considered it.
After all, what kind of ancient monster would be bored enough to disguise themselves as a high school student just to approach her precious granddaughter?
Hel, meanwhile, saw Madam Viola's frown and knew this was the moment to speak.
She stepped forward beside Hiness, performed an elegant bow, and said calmly:
"Good morning, Madam Viola.
I am Hiness's classmate. You may call me Lyco.
I apologize for the sudden visit, but I came today to ask Madam Viola for a small favor."
"Go on," Madam Viola replied.
Instinctively, she felt that Hel's background was anything but simple.
Her composure, her flawless etiquette—
Madam Viola could easily tell that this girl must have come from a powerful noble family.
As for why she had come…
Madam Viola could already guess.
Most likely, she wished to invest in Hiness—to pull Skoll Academy into supporting her.
Only…
Madam Viola sighed inwardly.
Skoll Academy was no longer something the Skoll family alone could decide.
Even if she personally intervened, she could not shake her senior brother's resolve.
Skoll Academy was not what it once had been.
They no longer had the capital to gamble on a doomed cause again.
And just as Madam Viola expected, Hel's very first words cut straight to the point:
"I would like Madam Viola to introduce us to Skoll Academy's dean."
As I thought…
Madam Viola sighed.
Her instinct was to refuse.
It would be meaningless.
Skoll Academy's support for the Second Prince had already begun.
There was no reason—and no possibility—for them to change sides now.
But the moment she met Hel's eyes…
A deeply absurd sensation rose within her chest.
She… felt as though she wanted to comply.
Even though she had never met this girl before.
"Succubus bloodline?"
Madam Viola jolted internally, unconsciously retreating two steps back with her chair.
But she quickly realized—
No, it wasn't that.
She stared hard into those brilliant golden eyes, unable to connect Hel to any known race.
Yet that strange power—one that compelled even her to believe—was terrifying.
She watched Hel for a long time.
Finally, Madam Viola could only sigh in resignation.
"Let me be clear.
Senior Orphis is not as easy to persuade as I am.
You should prepare yourselves for failure."
With that, supported by Hiness, she slowly rose from her chair.
She accepted the woolen coat Xixi handed her, draped it over her shoulders, and led Hel and Hiness deeper into the upper academy.
They passed through the faculty residences, boarded an alchemical tram, and arrived at the central plaza of Skoll Academy.
Across the plaza stood the administrative building where the dean and the academy's senior leadership worked.
As one of only two sixth-tier extraordinary beings in Skoll Academy, Madam Viola's status spoke for itself.
The group encountered no obstacles.
They took the elevator straight to the top floor.
Madam Viola knocked lightly.
After hearing a response from within, she pushed the door open and brought Hel and Hiness inside.
The office was not large.
Directly opposite the entrance stood an enormous desk, piled high with documents—so many that they resembled a small mountain of paper.
And behind that mountain sat a man dressed with impeccable refinement.
A high-collared lace shirt.
An embroidered vest bearing heraldic patterns.
High-waisted riding trousers and polished leather boots.
A pure silver cane rested neatly at his side.
Judging by his attire alone, anyone would assume:
A textbook gentleman.
But as one's eyes traveled upward…
That impression shattered.
Because the face above such careful clothing was deeply unsettling.
It was not so much a human face—as the face of a bird.
The right half of his visage was already covered in dense, fine feathers.
Only his mouth and nose still retained a human shape.