Chapter 90
Xerath repeated the word "deception" in a low voice, "So the second assumption is undoubtedly a form of deceit, and a very low one at that."
"Furthermore, we can't prove or disprove whether the teacher has the first mindset or the second mindset."
Xerath nodded, "Indeed, we can't."
Diego continued, "In that previous point, there is an even more vile inference - a teacher, using grades, honors, or even just school ratings as a bargaining chip, demanding an inappropriate relationship with their students. So, it is very likely that these poor boys and girls will foolishly agree to this indecent request from the teacher."
"Won't they resist?"
"These demands may not be intense, but rather gentle yet deadly. But if you refuse, the consequences could be quite bad."
"Don't these victims complain?"
"Rarely. Complaining means that everyone knows about what you have done, and public opinion often hurts the victims. People will think the victims are 'dirty' or 'enticed the teacher,' which is vile. Don't be upset, little one, it does exist, and you can't change it."
Xerath thought for a moment and narrowed her beautiful gray eyes, "I think we may have overlooked another scenario. Maybe children's thoughts aren't as pure as we think they are."
"Oh, of course, you're right. If the student doesn't truly like the teacher but deceives them, then what she wants is..."
"Anything, vanity, money, relatively higher scores, advantageous opportunities for rewards. Forgive me for being blunt, but these deceiving and exploiting behaviors also often occur among adults. Mr. Diego, why should we turn a blind eye to children? Why should we tilt the scales in their favor?"
Diego smiled good-naturedly, "Do children not have the same discernment as adults? And a teacher's natural duty is to educate them and put them on the right track, not to exploit this vulnerability. Do you agree?"
"Agreed, what you said makes a lot of sense," she admitted, feeling somewhat guilty. "You just mentioned 'boys and girls'... Do you mean that there are also female teachers involved, hmm?"
Diego lowered his voice and explained, "I can't deny that this is confidential. I shouldn't have revealed it to you, but personally, I believe that parents have the right to know. I have seen files related to such incidents, and they cannot be ignored as long as this unequal relationship exists, as long as people cannot fully control themselves with reason... Yes, female teachers are also involved, but this issue is not solely based on gender. Female teachers with female students, male teachers with male students... It's not uncommon. Please keep the files confidential. It's strictly confidential."
"I understand... So, my question is... If I have no improper thoughts towards my students, should I still avoid any close relationships with students of the same gender?"
"Haha, so you're worried about this. In theory, I think it's necessary. Its necessity lies in the fact that neither of you should be misled by actions that might seem suggestive."
"You mentioned 'misled,' what does that mean?"
Diego laughed, "Actions that are too intimate can be hard for others to understand. You wouldn't want to be misunderstood by students or third-party witnesses, would you?"
"...No, I wouldn't."
"Basically, our Oversight Committee's standard is 'not to cause student discomfort,' which includes, but is not limited to, 'no physical contact in prohibited areas,' excessively violating local customs, such as kissing, hugging, or more."
"'Cause discomfort,' 'prohibited areas'?"
She wanted to explain to Diego, but Diego directly reached out his hand towards her chest. A ripple immediately appeared in front of the archmage, and Diego's hand got stuck inside. A water balloon also flew towards his face.
"Ouch!" He covered his nose and said in a childish voice, "It's like this, the combination of the forbidden area that students find irritating. It hurts."
Someone in the room noticed the abnormality here. Xerath waved her hand, indicating that everything was fine.
"...I'm sorry."
"It's okay, it's okay. I expected your reaction. Anyway, you should also make Sylas aware. While Star Song Castle hasn't had any scandals, it's always good to be cautious."
"Of course, I definitely will. Thank you for your advice. Should I introduce Luna to Sylas?"
Diego scratched his head, "Let's just go with the flow. Oh dear, I'm really afraid that Luna will have a bad influence on Sylas. I'll feel guilty, I genuinely think so."
Xerath suddenly burst into laughter. A mischievous little creature, it sounds quite exciting.
Suddenly, there were two knocks on the glass. Both of them turned their heads and Sashara opened the glass door, saying, "What secret conversation were you two hiding? The teacher and Biatris are about to perform a quartet. Won't you come in and watch?"
Xerath and Diego looked inside together. Mage Emerson and his water lord held a clarinet and an oboe respectively, while Beatris held a flute and her water lord Zewineke held a bassoon.
Xerath and Diego walked back into the house and sat in the audience seats.
However, despite the exhilarating philosophical debate coming to an end, Xerath wasn't feeling very good. Perhaps in terms of life experience, she should have fully trusted Diego's advice. Having unfamiliar feelings for Sylas was just a normal part of their adopted relationship, which coincidentally aligned with her very simple criteria for choosing a partner. She shouldn't have had too many worries or thought about it too much. But everyone's life is different, and Diego's experiences may not apply to Aimekotes, just as he had never lived in such a harsh environment before.
But he was right about one thing. The holidays were approaching, and Sylas would soon be going back home.
After the three-day gathering came to an end, Diego also set off for Blue Star Castle to see his daughter who was studying for exams. In terms of purpose, it wasn't much different from Xerath's.
Star Song Castle itself is located in a very steep mountainous area, situated on top of a hill, and the school is on one of the two mountains. As a result, it is quite cool, unlike other areas at the same latitude.
In fact, in terms of latitude, Star Song Castle is even further south than Aimekotes.
Today, Xerath wore only a short-sleeved shirt and a thin grey cardigan. To keep a low profile, she didn't wear her mage robes.
The collar of her mage robes was embroidered with four-colored silk threads, which only advanced mages who had passed all elemental spells tests could use. In short, it was very eye-catching. She hoped that fewer people would know about Sylas's background, so neither Diego, nor herself, nor Virgil planned to reveal the news that "Xerath's apprentice attends school at Star Song Castle". She also didn't want anyone to know about her relationship with Sylas, after all, she didn't have many friends, but the number of enemies shouldn't be underestimated.
Today is the day when the exams end, and there are surely many familiar faces around. She doesn't dress like a wizard, so many people might overlook her, after all, wizards only notice their own kind.
In order to prevent cheating, the school is currently closed. The gates are tightly shut, but there are already many parents waiting outside, some even with their whole family. Some couples have come together with their children's siblings. She doesn't want to be too close to the school gate, or else one or two people might recognize her. So she walks down the slope and ends up sitting in the nearly empty small square next to a café. She orders a cup of milk tea.
It's the place where she and Sylas first came to Star Song Castle. But it's much hotter here compared to spring.
Thoughtful Son of the South Wind and Water Lord create a dark cloud above her head, providing some coolness. And a gentle breeze comes as a bonus.
It's quite conspicuous, but there aren't many people nearby. The archmage herself doesn't even bother asking the waiter for an umbrella. She is hesitating whether to ask Hyectra to get a parasol when the melodious sound of a bell echoes from the mountaintop.
She looks up towards the top of the slope and, after a while, sees the gates opening and many people pouring out from the entrance.
She wonders if she can spot Sylas among all those people, but soon she sees a fast-moving black-haired child.
Sylas.
The mischievous little creature steps on her wind shield and slides down from the top of the slope, so eye-catching that it's impossible not to notice her. Her two friends obviously can't catch up, panting as they run behind her.
She couldn't help but push the chair and stand up.
The naughty little girl also saw her at a glance, and her happy expression couldn't be hidden. She was even happier than when she had just performed her amazing skills. She jumped off the wind shield, stumbled forward for several steps, and Xerath worriedly reached out to catch her, but she rushed into her arms and hugged tightly.
Hyectra quietly supported the archmage from behind to prevent her from being knocked down by the girl. Its body deformed under the pressure for a moment.
"I... I miss you so much!" The innocent face of the girl lifted from her embrace, and her bright emerald eyes were full of longing and admiration. But it was all that made Xerath feel like she was being cut with a knife.
She only held admiration for herself, but she selfishly enjoyed this hug. It wasn't fair.
She even scrutinized Sylas with a critical gaze, and it was... indescribably terrible.
But despite self-reproach, her hand couldn't let go. The little girl in her arms had somehow grown from being so small to towering above her, and her body had become stronger. At least, holding her, she could feel the softness and gracefulness of the girl's body.
But this couldn't continue. She gently let go of her hand, held her waist, and pulled her outside, softly asking in her ear, "Your friends are here, don't you want to go play with them?"
Sylas lowered her head and nestled in her neck, softly saying, "No... I see them every day, but I haven't seen you for a long time."
Xerath patted her shoulder again, "Don't worry, you're growing up, and you'll be an adult soon."
"... But I'm not an adult yet."
