This was crucial for Orphis.
Regardless of whether Hel was truly acting under the Church's banner to help Hiness…
In the eyes of the world, it would still appear as though the Church was testing the limits of the Three Great Empires—an attempt to tighten its control over them even further.
That was why Orphis needed to know Hel's true stance.
He needed to understand whether she was merely treating Hiness as a chess piece…or whether she had seen something in Hiness worth supporting—something that made her willing to give her a helping hand.
As for Hel's claim from the very beginning—that she had come simply because Hiness was her friend—Orphis didn't believe a single word of it.
After all, even the youngest sixth-tier expert would have been at least sixty or seventy years old upon breaking through.
Orphis absolutely refused to believe that someone old enough to be Hiness's grandmother would call her a "friend."
Yet to his surprise…
Hel's answer did not change at all.
"I already told you—Hiness is my friend.
And now someone is threatening my friend's life.
That is something I will never allow.
So I will personally place my friend upon that throne."
"Is that so…"
Orphis stared hard into Hel's eyes.
Even though the sword's edge still made his throat ache with pain, he didn't care.
He looked at her directly, as if trying to determine the truth of her words through sheer gaze alone.
But no matter how much experience he drew upon—he could not find even the slightest trace of deception in her expression.
After a long moment of deadlock…
Orphis finally yielded.
"Very well. As you wish. Skoll Academy will fully support Hiness in becoming the next King of Savant."
"Mm. Good."
Hel nodded.
Then, without the slightest awkwardness about having just held a sword to someone's neck, she calmly withdrew her blade.
Her expression remained gentle as she continued:
"In that case, I would like Dean Orphis to provide written proof—confirming that Skoll Academy will give Hiness its full support."
"…Fine."
Orphis gave Hel a deep look.
Her actions made him regard her even more highly.
He had assumed she intended to rely purely on brute strength and the Church's influence to forcibly subdue the Seven Great Academies.
But now it seemed…Hel had other plans.
Hopefully, it was as he imagined.
Otherwise, rising to power through the Church would bring far too many dangers in the future.
Orphis thought silently.
Then, without hesitation, he returned to his desk and drafted the document for her.
From his suit pocket, he also removed a brooch made of ruby and feathers, handing it to Hel along with the written statement.
"This is a token crafted from my own feathers. When the other academy deans see it, they will understand my position."
"Alright. Thank you."
Hel accepted both items, offered her thanks, and without further pleasantries, turned and left with Hiness and Viola.
Even after they had walked for a long time…
Hiness and Madam Viola still hadn't recovered from the shock.
What had they just witnessed?
Their academy's strongest expert—Orphis, known as the fastest extraordinary being in Savant—had been so effortlessly pinned with a sword at his throat?
Madam Viola's expression as she looked at Hel grew even more complicated.
But she didn't ask anything.
Instead, she removed a ring from her finger and placed it into Hel's hand.
"This is the Skoll family's patriarchal ring. It may prove useful for what you plan to do next."
Hel did not refuse.
She accepted it, and under Madam Viola's watchful gaze, she took Hiness's hand and boarded the alchemical tram leaving Skoll Academy.
Only then did Hiness finally snap out of her stunned daze.
She glanced around, saw that there were few people in the carriage, and leaned close to Hel, whispering nervously:
"Um… caw-caw…I mean, Lyco…Are you really with the Church?"
Her voice trembled.
She looked deeply uneasy, clearly afraid of what Hel's identity might mean.
Hel didn't take offense.
She simply assumed Hiness had a poor impression of Church personnel—and she worried that this false identity might create distance between them.
So Hel glanced around carefully.
Then, using her spiritual power, she constructed a sealed space around them before speaking:
"It was just a bluff to scare people.
Don't worry—I have nothing to do with the Church.
Just like last time, it was all for show."
Hiness clearly didn't fully believe her.
But seeing Hel comfort her so earnestly still eased her nerves.
After all…
This was her precious little Lyco.
Even if she really were Church-affiliated, so what?
She wouldn't actually drag Hiness off to the Church for a reward, right?
So Hiness chose to accept Hel's explanation.
And under Hel's gentle reassurance along the way, the last of Hiness's unease was finally suppressed.
The two of them chatted and laughed as they made their way to the Biology Academy.
After asking around several times, they entered the faculty building and arrived at the dean's office.
This time, Hel did not borrow the Church's authority at all.
Instead, she presented Orphis's written proof—along with the tokens from both Orphis and Viola.
The Biology Academy had always stood together with the Bloodline Academy.
And since the prince they had supported had also died at the Second Prince's hands, some of the old guard within the academy had long been dissatisfied with backing him.
Thus, after only a brief persuasion from Hel…the Biology Academy's dean—a middle-aged man who looked utterly ordinary, save for his blood-red eyes—fell silent in thought.
After a moment…he finally agreed.
Because in his view, supporting the Second Prince had only ever been icing on the cake.
Even if the Second Prince ascended the throne, the benefits Biology Academy would gain would never compare to what the Potion Academy—his true faction—would receive.
And if they lost…they would face brutal suppression from the Fourth Princess's camp.
They might not even be able to maintain their current dignity.
It was like doing the business of selling contraband…while earning only the profit of selling flour.
The risk and reward were completely disproportionate.
If they had any other choice, they would never have sided with the Second Prince in the first place.
Fortunately…now Hel had arrived.