[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-villain-s-path-system":3,"chapter-villain-s-path-system-villain-s-path-system-chapter-22":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Villain's Path System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1138427,1475,"Chapter 22: Partners in Crime Part 2","villain-s-path-system-chapter-22",22,"\u003Cp>They walked in silence for a few more steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Seraphina spoke again, voice more measured. \"You need information. About the girl who accused you and who put her up to it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, I was planning to start at the library. Student records, class schedules, anything that might—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll get caught.\" She said it matter-of-factly. \"You’re the accused. People are watching you. The moment you start asking questions, word gets back to whoever orchestrated this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian frowned. \"Then what do you suggest?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I ask the questions.\" She glanced at him. \"People trust me. They’ll talk to me. You focus on the research side—records, documents, patterns. Things you can do without drawing attention.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frustrating, but sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine. But we share everything we find.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Obviously.\" She stopped walking and turned to face him. \"This is a temporary alliance. For investigative purposes only. We work together until we find the truth. Then we go back to normal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Normal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know. You being annoying. Me ignoring you.\" But her expression softened just slightly. \"And maybe training together sometimes. If you’re not completely insufferable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian offered his hand. \"Partners?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphina stared at his hand like it might bite her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t call it that. It sounds ridiculous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What should I call it then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She huffed. \"Temporary investigative alliance. Nothing more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she took his hand anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her grip was firm. Strong. Calluses from sword training rough against his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s holding on too tight. Overcompensating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian didn’t let go immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let the moment stretch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watched her eyes widen slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re enjoying this,\" he said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I absolutely am not.\" But there was the faintest hint of a smile. \"Now let go before people start spreading more rumors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pulled her hand away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the smile lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[AFFECTION INCREASED]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Status: Protective → Actively Invested New Thought: \"This is purely about clearing my name too. Obviously. Nothing to do with him specifically. ...Why is he smiling like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>West Library - 10:00 AM\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They entered through the main doors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The library was moderately busy—students clustered at tables, whispering over textbooks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The accusation said seven PM. West section.\" Lucian kept his voice low. \"We need to find out if anyone actually saw her here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The librarian would know.\" Seraphina nodded toward the front desk. \"Mrs. Ashworth. She’s been here for twenty years. Sees everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think she’ll talk to me? Given the circumstances?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphina’s eyes flashed with something fierce. \"She’ll talk to us. And if she gives you attitude, she’ll deal with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Protective. Interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that concern I hear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is about getting facts.\" She walked toward the desk. \"Don’t make it weird.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Ashworth looked up—a severe woman with graying hair and sharp eyes that missed nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze flicked between them. \"Miss Ashenblade. Mister Valemont.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mrs. Ashworth.\" Seraphina’s voice was respectful but firm. \"We need your help with something. It concerns the accusation made against Lucian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The librarian’s expression didn’t change. \"I assume this is about the timeline?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, ma’am. I saw Lucian at 6:45 PM on the other side of campus. He couldn’t have been here by seven. But I’d like to know—\" Seraphina met her eyes directly. \"—what you actually saw that evening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Ashworth studied them both for a long moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You believe him.\" It wasn’t a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know the facts don’t match the accusation.\" Seraphina’s chin lifted slightly. Proud. Certain. \"And I don’t make mistakes about things like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s the pride. But also absolute certainty. She’s not defending me out of obligation. She actually believes it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something shifted in the librarian’s expression. Almost... approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was working yesterday evening,\" Mrs. Ashworth said quietly. \"The girl—she came in around 6:30. Looked nervous. Kept checking the entrance like she was waiting for someone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucian’s pulse quickened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Witness testimony. Actual evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did anyone meet her?\" Seraphina asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. A boy. I didn’t recognize him—not a regular patron. Tall. Dark hair. Expensive clothing. Noble bearing.\" She paused. \"He spoke to her briefly. She seemed frightened. He handed her something—paper, I think—and left immediately after.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Instructions,\" Lucian breathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That would be my assessment.\" Mrs. Ashworth’s lips thinned. \"The girl left by 7:15. And you, Mister Valemont, were definitely not here at any point that evening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect. Alibi confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would you be willing to testify to that?\" Seraphina asked. \"If it comes to an official inquiry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it comes to that, yes. I don’t like liars.\" The librarian’s gaze was steel. \"Or people who weaponize accusations. What was done to you was wrong, young man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" Lucian managed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved away from the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphina turned away from the desk, already thinking. \"So someone gave her instructions. A noble. That narrows it down to... what, half the academy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Better than nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Barely.\" She frowned. \"We need more. Her background. Who she associates with. Why she’d agree to this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Student records?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Restricted. You’d need faculty authorization.\" Seraphina’s eyes lit up. \"But I know someone who might help. Come on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She grabbed his wrist and pulled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physical contact. Again. She’s not even thinking about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are we—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Records office. And keep up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s excited. This is the most animated I’ve seen her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Records Office - 10:45 AM\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The administrative building was quieter than the main campus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seraphina led him down a corridor to a door marked \"Student Records.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come in!\" A cheerful voice called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young woman sat behind a desk buried in paperwork. Brown hair in a messy bun. Ink stains on her fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>",918,"2026-06-03T12:08:46.595Z","2026-06-03T12:08:55.308Z",1,"novelbin.me","5f9ca4113e3e6cd695edbbfcd37dbf6f7c1a121af02ce979fa554b89a5bf0e09","villain-s-path-system-chapter-23","villain-s-path-system-chapter-21",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-s-path-system-cover.jpg"]