Act III: Causa ad Minus Malum

CK hadn't fully noticed earlier, but the planet where the ship was stationed was chaotic. A better glimpse on the terrains below was possible with the newly rising sun, though it hurt staring at the red light for too long.

The planet was gaseous, and the ground was not visible due to the sheer amount of unknown vapor floating to obstruct the view. Still, there was life on the planet. Large towers stood in the distance, and their shapes strangely reminded CK of the human spine with its lights as neurons.

"What is this place, prof?" CK asked as she approached the glass walls for a closer look at the flying herd of mutant manta rays. Malphas mused.

"The Empire maps registered it as DP-5E21. It was the home of several creatures that developed characteristics to swim in the dense gases," Professor Kitmar replied, "It was also the reason why the Juris managed to sneak close to the armada. Several of their forces had built hideouts in the planet due to its fog and managed to hide until they attacked. It was a good thing we managed to trace them here."

"Are there still any of them left?" CK asked. "No. We made sure of that," Kitmar assured, "The Nonaphrontistery has sieged the planet after wiping every trace of the Juris. I reckon the administrators will build research facilities and use it as a base to retaliate."

"Isn't that a good thing?" CK asked. "It's supposed to be. But expanding our territory too much will inevitably be a downfall. Our human history has proof of that," Kitmar spoke seriously as he walked ahead, "The Nonaphrontistery is first and foremost a school. We should be leaving the 'war' to the Empire instead."

CK did not respond. The Nonaphrontistery stood independently for years and had the personnel and budget to deploy a group of ships merely for expedition across the Expansion. This was the armada's main mission, and the reason why information in the school remains up to date.

After having enough of the new view, she followed the professor. They descended into a lower floor, where they arrived at a leisure hall full of idle people in conversation with one another. CK's eyes sparkled at the sights before she and the professor went to a quieter area.

They sat on a table, and a few floating automatons readily approached them. Glasses were filled and plates were warm with food that was appropriate for the human breakfast diet.

"Yay~! So they do have chocolate syrup after all!" CK clapped happily when an automaton poured the sweet syrup over her waffle cake of cream and chocolate chips, "I thought the grown-ups here would have miserable lunches."

Kitmar was rather concerned. Apparently, the automaton's system has judged CK as a younger child that would favor sweetened food. Judging from her outburst, it doesn't seem too far.

CK snuck a glance at the professor while he tore a tiny strip of paper and poured sugar into his coffee. She cut her waffles with a fork and dipped it in cream. The last time they saw each other was a few days ago during the hearing. What could they possibly discuss over breakfast?

"Madam Yanyan has informed me about the school press breaking into your dormitory a few days ago," Kitmar spoke, his spoon deftly stirring his cup without making a clink against the cup.

"They did. Thanks to them, I learned that I am being accused of using forbidden technology on account of my other violations," CK mused as she took another bite, "It seems the school loves me too much to let me go."

Kitmar said nothing, though his brow furrowed the slightest when he took his first sip. CK leaned her chin on a palm, "I'd like to ask, professor: How do you guys make charges during school trials? Is it unanimous, or like, someone just adds it when they feel like it?"

"When there are grounds for suspicion, charges can be made regardless of evidence. It is during trial when we confirm whether the charge is dropped or not," Kitmar replied. "Ah," CK said and sat up with a smile, "When you put it like that, it seems the rules of school court is made in absolute favor of the school. How disadvantageous for me."

"The rules of our court is made to judge facts of the truth. It is rare for the school to hold charges against its members. But when it does, the school exercises absolute impartiality," Kitmar said, "It doesn't matter whether it is a Core Instructor or a graduating student on trial. The school exempts no one if a violation is made."

"And by 'violation', you mean 'something unsettling'," CK said. "Violations are naturally unsettling, CK," Kitmar responded.

"Hm…If you say so, professor," CK shrugged. Kitmar observed her silently as she ate her breakfast. A strange choice of words…

"On that note, I'd like to ask what your plans are for the upcoming trial. It will be this weekend and is approaching close," Kitmar said. CK blinked in surprise, "The weekend? During the graduation rites?"

"I'm afraid so," Kitmar answered, prompting CK to laugh lightly. "Haha! Ah, you truly intend for me to miss out. I know I've been misbehaving, but this is a little cruel," CK giggled, "Things haven't been going my way lately."

"It must be tough on your side, but we did the best we could. Unfortunately, the administration wants to hold the rites regardless of the current incidents," Kitmar said with a tired sigh. CK was silent. Then, she shrugged.

"Well, there's nothing I can do. I'm just a student, after all," she said. Kitmar stared at her and shook his head lightly, "Nice try, CK. Again, have you been preparing for the trial?"

"Heh. You're really sharp, professor," CK's eyes twinkled mischievously before taking another bite, "Don't worry, I was preparing in my own way. That was until that Juris Enforcer made a scene at the master's office."

"What were you doing in the office at the time?" Kitmar asked. "Looking for clues. Out of everyone I know, Professor Erzem knew sifts best so I thought I could refer to his works. Had I been a little later, the thief could have escaped," CK answered, making Kitmar silent.

CK continued. "You don't look very surprised, professor," she said. Kitmar raised his cup of coffee to his lips, "Erzem is a remarkable scholar in his fields of expertise. It is expected that the Juris would be interested in his works."

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"Yet the timing is quite suspicious. During this entire time, they never made a move. Not only did they manage to find the office without anyone else seeing them, it's as if they also knew the master would not be at his office," CK said seriously. Kitmar looked at her.

"What are you implying?" he asked. "Nothing… Nothing at all, professor," CK raised her fork to look at it, "Now that I think about it, it is nearly impossible that someone inside the school may be cooperating with the Juris. Don't you agree?"

Kitmar's brows twitched. But hearing what she had to say made him think for a while.

"You don't need to answer that. That's not what I wanted to know about," CK finished her plate of waffles and leaned back on her chair, "There has been corruptive energy in the school in the recent months. Were you and the school aware of this, professor?"

Kitmar's brows rose slightly. "Why do you ask?" he asked. "Master and I have been observing and cleansing them during the past few months. However, I still have no idea how they came to be. Then I realized that the professor must not have been the only ones to notice them as they emerged. Surely, the school must have noticed as well," CK said, "Am I correct?"

She stared at Kitmar through the steam. They escaped his cup like slithering snakes, but CK never let it obstruct her stare meeting the professor's.

"So that's what you've been up to all this time," Kitmar crossed his arms, "This is the Nonaphrontistery, CK. We know everything that happens inside it. That includes the issue you and Erzem have been busy with."

"…Am I supposed to assume that there is a valid reason for you to not to do anything about it?" CK asked, her voice toned with displeasure. "Assume however you wish, CK. Erzem was keen on studying it, so the administration gave him freedom to do so," Kitmar said, "We never intervened because Erzem did not ask."

"Then what is causing it?" CK asked. "You've been studying it for the past few months," Kitmar said, "Have you still not figured it out?"

"I wouldn't be asking if I did," CK responded. "Hm," Kitmar's face was unreadable, "Perhaps it is because it has nothing to do with you."

"What—"

"It's my turn to ask a question," Kitmar placed his cup back on the saucer. CK pursed her lips. He avoided the topic.

Kitmar linked his hands together as he stared intensely at the student before him, "Is there anything you need to tell me about the Maiden's Tower?"

"…None that you don't already know, professor," CK replied vaguely. "'None that I don't already know'? Hmph. Yes, that was the case before the tower sealed itself from the inside. Now, it's become a priority of my investigation," Kitmar said seriously, "Erzem entrusted his keys to you, didn't he?"

"He did. But I don't see how this is connected to me," CK smiled, "Why would I want to seal the tower, let alone expend too much energy climbing to the highest floor?"

"…A certain item of value was lost from the tower. From as far as we know, it is the only one of its kind. The tower sealed itself because it no longer holds the one thing it was built to contain," Kitmar said. CK giggled.

"Is that right?" she mused. "Allow me to be blunt, CK. Are you responsible for the tower's sealing?" Kitmar asked directly.

CK's smile curled into a smirk. "What happens if I say 'yes'?" she asked, "Though frankly, it's not me who is directly responsible for it. In an accurate sense, I simply contributed to it. I could never seal the tower on my own with my current power."

"Was it intentional?" Kitmar asked. "No. I wouldn't have gained anything from sealing the tower," CK frowned. It was an after-effect of her taking the [Manuscript], but she couldn't have known that beforehand.

"I see," Kitmar said simply as he regained calmness, "That confirms everything I'm currently concerned with."

CK blinked in surprise. "Aren't you…going to ask anything else?" she asked. Kitmar glanced at her, "Is there anything else I need to know about?"

"I don't know, you tell me!" CK frowned slightly. Isn't he concerned about that one thing inside the tower?!

"Hmph," Kitmar snorted and shook his head, "You truly behave in bizarre ways."

'Drats,' CK thought irritatingly. She was supposed to blackmail the professor with the [Manuscript], but it seems pointless to force it now. Now, her mental script is useless.

Kitmar glanced at CK while she took her glass begrudgingly. Now, he understood why his colleague kept CK around despite her reckless antics. Despite the severity of the situations she gets into, she always comes out unscathed. It takes a great amount of skill and a devious inclination to win a gamble in order to do that.

Madness and rationality are traits that the adherents of the [Maiden of Prayer] possess. To Kitmar, CK was a prime example.

'What if he knows?' CK thought pensively. She didn't know if that was good or not. The only way to get to the key for the [Manuscript] is with the man in front of her, but it's never been this close yet so far!

"Are you finished?" Kitmar asked, glancing at her plate. "Hm? Oh…yes, I am," CK mumbled as she tidied her eating spot.

"Now that breakfast is done, I will need you to return to the Nonaphrontistery. This planet is still a danger zone, and the Juris could plan a retaliation," Kitmar said. CK's eyes widened.

"Ah, but—!"

She paused when Kitmar looked at her in confusion. "Well…I wanted to look around for a little more. This place is interesting and new! It can't hurt to stay a while longer, can it?" CK smiled wryly.

Kitmar stared at her, then got up with a humph. "You can sightsee on the way to the portal. Come, I have plenty of things to do," he said. CK grumbled, "Yes, sir…"

She trailed after him hesitantly, her thoughts crawling all over the place. She stared at Kitmar's back with a firm purse of her lips. Screw the view, she's not interested in that! How does she get the access card she needs to get the key?

Kitmar led the way into one of the elevator tunnels. While waiting for an elevator to arrive, they stood side by side.

"Make sure not to tell anyone about encountering a member of the Juris. It's also for your own good. We don't need any of them chasing after you next," Kitmar said.

"I understand," CK answered. An elevator eventually stopped in front of them, and Kitmar presented a black card with a set of foreign codes before a scanner. The scanner blinked green, and the elevator opened.

Kitmar gestured CK to step in first, which the young woman obliged to. Kitmar followed shortly, and the elevator closed before taking them to the upper levels of the ship.

CK felt more agitated seeing the card in Kitmar's hand. Should she snatch it and make a break for it? Use the puppy eyes and ask nicely? Does the professor even like puppies?

Malphas pointed out. 'You're right, it might not work,' CK thought, 'Dang it, Malphas. What should I do?'

Malphas said casually. 'You're not helping at all!' CK frowned and looked out the transparent walls of the elevator, 'How many levels does thing go before we get there?'

Kitmar glanced at CK, noticing her agitated body language. Was she uncomfortable being too close to him…? No, that's not it. Then perhaps…

'Hm. Still so inexperienced,' Kitmar thought as he flicked the card between his fingers, 'You have a long way to go before you can truly mask your intentions, CK. A long way to go.'

"I'll be getting off first when we reach the next floor. I remember I still have a few reports to send to the administrators," Kitmar spoke, causing CK to flinch, "This elevator will take you to the port. You will find a few unused portals. Hopefully, you will use one to return to the school and not take detour to some random destination."

"Are…Aren't you going to take me there?" CK squeaked. Kitmar deadpanned, "Do you need me to accompany you to the port? You're not a child anymore."

"You don't know that! Maybe I'll run off as soon as you get down first. There's plenty of things I might do here at the ship!" CK insisted. Kitmar looked at her, unimpressed, "Why does it seem like you wish to stick to me?"

CK froze like a deer in the headlights. "Of course not," she forced a smile, "Please, don't let me keep you. Haha…ha…"

"Hmph," Kitmar snorted and began typing on a hologram keyboard projected from his other palm, "I won't make assumptions without evidence. A child cannot be accused of stealing a piece of chocolate if she is never seen, and if there are no chocolate smudges on her hands and face."

"…Sir?" CK blinked in confusion. Kitmar glanced at her, "What I mean to say is that evidence matters. If you do not wish to be accused of anything, make sure there is nothing that can be used against you."

CK blinked again before her face scrunched in confusion, "What?"

Kitmar did not respond as the elevator paused on a floor, and the hologram projected from his palm. "Greetings, Professor Kitmar," a face was projected.

"You're on your own, CK," Kitmar said and walked away while speaking to his hologram, "Please connect me with the main office. I'd like to make an incident report on a Juris Enforcer that had recently infiltrated the ship… No, it's been taken care of…"

CK only stared in defeat as the professor walked away and the elevator closed shut. "Professor…" she whined and slid off the wall dramatically on her back, "I still needed you… Whyyyy—Huh?"

She looked down when she felt something cold and thin touch her palm. Her eyes widened when she looked at the floor, seeing the black card Kitmar used to swipe the scanner. She flipped it front and back, her jaw hanging open. Professor Kitmar's details were etched on it.

This was the professor's access card! She covered her mouth with one hand. He definitely knows about the [Manuscript].

Malphas mused,

"If he has no intention to stop us, no," CK muttered as she waited for the elevator to reach its destination. Malphas pointed out.

"Even if it was, we don't have a choice. The professor is a better choice than reaching the admins themselves," CK said, "But I'm willing to bet he doesn't intend to set me up. He wouldn't have warned me, otherwise."

CK left when the elevator stopped at the port of the ship. The ceiling was a transparent dome revealing the skies, and before her were several portals lined up, each of them deactivated but ready to use.

CK approached the closest terminal, observing the scanner next to it. She used the professor's card to activate the portal and typed the details, watching as the energy converged and snapped to life.

Malphas said. "That seems to be the case," CK said and hid the card safely, "Whether or not I manage to get the key is something that's up to me."

She yawned as she stepped into the portal. The trial is two days away, but a few hours of sleep shouldn't hurt.