The Dean watched Hewinia's silhouette disappear from his view.
But he did not return to the boys' dormitory. Instead, after delegating his subsequent work to his subordinates, he left swiftly.
There was only one place he needed to go.
After quickly traversing the treacherous mountain path, the Dean saw Anita standing in front of the small cabin.
The latter was clearly waiting there for the Dean's arrival.
"...Anita," the Dean squinted, "It seems the Principal hasn't gone to bed yet."
"Such an incident happened tonight, the Principal is very worried," Anita said calmly, "He doesn't want the Master's festival to be affected, so Dean, please resolve these troublesome matters swiftly."
"That's precisely why I've come," the Dean said, "Miss Anita, may I go inside?"
Before Anita could respond, Ulysses' aged voice came from inside: "Let him in, Anita."
With Ulysses' permission, Anita stepped aside and opened the door for the Dean.
The Dean immediately entered and saw Ulysses sitting behind the desk, holding a cane, half-closed eyes, seemingly dozing off.
Although there were many things the Dean wanted to ask directly, upon seeing this scene, he took a deep breath and lowered his head.
"I'm sorry to disturb your rest, Principal."
Upon hearing this, Ulysses opened his eyes slightly, looking at the Dean in front of him, gently spoke: "You are as spirited as ever, Raul, and the notes have not faded yet. Being able to participate in two consecutive festivals is indeed remarkable."
"After all, I was once your disciple," the Dean responded respectfully.
"Ah... is that so? I thought you had forgotten."
"I'll never forget your teachings and kindness in my lifetime," the Dean said, "that's why I came directly to find you tonight."
"If not for your kindness, I would have personally examined Hewinia earlier," the Dean said word for word, "You should know what that implies."
"Oh?" Ulysses asked, "What does it imply?"
"...Please don't joke anymore, Principal," the Dean said, "Considering your age, in this academy... no, in all of Holy Sound, no one doesn't regard you as the greatest Player; you shouldn't let this title be tainted."
It wasn't a mocking laugh, nor did it carry any ridicule; it was just a simple laugh from an ordinary old man.
Yet even so, this laugh made the Dean feel a chill in his bones.
"I understand, Raul, I understand your point," Ulysses tapped his cane on the ground, producing a crisp sound, "You're implying that I condoned Hewinia to kill and take notes in the academy and even let Anita cover up for it. And you didn't expose it on the spot, to save my face, so as not to besmirch my reputation, is that right?"
The Dean dared not respond, but the meaning embedded in his expression was evident.
"Ah, Raul, you are always ," Ulysses sighed softly, "Why can't you be more straightforward? Circumspect, cautious, it was the same twenty years ago, and it's still the same now."
"...I don't understand your meaning."
"No, you certainly understand," Ulysses looked into the Dean's eyes, "You dare not expose Hewinia because you cannot be one hundred percent sure that all of this was truly my instructions. If you're wrong, if you overturn Anita's examination before everyone and then find out that Hewinia had no issues, how would everyone view you, who has always claimed to be my disciple? Admit it, Raul, you don't care for me as much as you say; you care more about yourself."
The Dean's expression stiffened slightly, he bowed his head and said, "Is this how you've always seen me?"
"Did I say anything wrong, Raul?" Ulysses said calmly, "Have you forgotten what you did twenty years ago? If not for your..."
"I did not betray you!" The Dean said loudly, "Never! I've always been by your side, twenty years ago you lacked the Seventh Note, not me!"
"Oh, don't be hasty, Raul, I never said you betrayed me, I know you don't have the guts," Ulysses said, "You're afraid to defy me, but you're also afraid to anger the two families of Taichu. So twenty years ago, even though you knew the two families would act on my Seventh Note before the festival, making me unable to complete the Divine Song, you remained silent, letting it unfold."
The Dean's face turned unsightly, knowing it's an irrefutable fact, yet still gritting his teeth said, "Principal, why are you so fixated on becoming the composer of the Divine Song? You already have everything, why insist on that final step? Is it really that important to you?"
Hearing the Dean ask this, Ulysses smiled once more: "Raul, is your question to me as my former disciple, or as Dean?"
"...Both!" The Dean said, "Both as your former disciple and as the current Dean."
"And perhaps as the future Principal, right?" Ulysses' smile faded somewhat, "Honestly, from a humble origin like yours, to climb step by step to your current position, it's already quite impressive. But you're too obsessed with this path and have forgotten what the essence of being a Player is."