"Everything we do... is justice?"
Fina murmured to herself, seemingly pondering the words Syl had just spoken.
"Enjoy... the madness?"
It seemed the abrupt rank transition had caused Fina to live in a state of constant confusion.
Her original sense of justice made her unable to commit evil acts, while the powerful ravings of the Potion had quietly altered her thinking over the years.
Thus, some of Fina's actions might appear highly irrational—for instance, holding onto justice in her heart while fanatically worshipping the Joker, and casually killing a soldier who was merely following orders.
To maintain her inner justice, she would be slowly corroded by the Potion she couldn't digest; yet to digest the Potion, she would inevitably have to break her own inner justice.
She was stuck at this step, neither able to digest the Potion nor falling into madness, barely surviving for decades solely on the Potion's power.
But after hearing Syl's words, Fina seemed to have an epiphany.
Previously, she had always pursued justice in action and chivalry, but what Syl spoke of was justice in the outcome.
"No matter how bizarre or cruel the means, as long as the result is right for the majority, is it justice...?" Fina asked, staring blankly at Syl.
"There is no absolute justice in the world, you must know this, Fina." Syl patted Fina's shoulder and said, "For example, the soldier you killed yesterday—do you think your action was just?"
"But by killing that soldier, you indirectly saved the people of Ibiza who might have died by his sword in the future. To the people of Ibiza, what you did was justice."
"So, there is no such thing as justice or injustice. Aside from morality, there are only standpoints."
Fina nodded thoughtfully, a light returning to her eyes.
"Then Mentor... what was the problem with my article?" Fina asked about her assignment. "Even though I applied your method to the Sule District, you seemed to think it shouldn't be that way..."
Syl smiled and looked at Fina, saying slowly:
"Then I must instill a concept in you, and that is—Class."
...After a morning of instruction, Fina finally fully integrated the concept of "Class."
It was similar to the tiers of Holy Medicines and Potions, yet completely different—it was something else, much harder to define.
At the same time, she also thoroughly understood the specific reasons behind the riots in Ibiza.
After understanding, Fina felt a sense of sudden enlightenment, and her expression toward Syl became increasingly filled with admiration.
But many doubts followed. Fina looked at Syl and asked curiously:
"But Mentor, I still don't quite understand. How can we make those 'middle class' people in the Sule District riot? They don't seem to lack anything."
Syl shook her head. "Their thinking has become rigid; you mustn't let your own thinking be restricted."
"Thinking... rigid?" Fina's expression was full of confusion.
"The people currently living and working in the Sule District have been influenced by decades of newspapers and media; it's already impossible for them to stand on Ibiza's side."
"Ah... then what should we do?"
"Child," Syl took a step back and opened her arms, "The youth, the children—those in schools are the most receptive to new ideas. The riots in other districts can start with the students."
"Stu... students?" Fina's eyes widened, seemingly never having expected this answer. She asked in confusion, "But they don't know anything at all, and their parents wouldn't allow them to..."
"Ignorance breeds fearlessness." Syl lowered her arms, leaning on her cane with both hands, and said slowly, "It's too early to say these things. Let time bear witness to it all."
"Mentor..." Fina placed her hands on her chest. She looked up at the beautiful woman before her, whose eyes already held a hint of madness, and felt fear for the first time.
She... her mentor truly wanted to plunge all of Suramar into hell... "What is your goal? What is it?" Fina mustered her courage and asked, "Is it to digest the Potion?"
As Fina asked this, the air went silent for a while.
After a long time, Syl looked up at the azure sky and said nonchalantly, "To escape."
"Es... escape?" Fina's eyes widened; this answer was completely beyond her expectations.
"Yes." Syl lowered her head and looked into Fina's eyes.
Deep within those eyes, Fina seemed to see madness, resentment... and some hatred.
This look made Fina's heart tremble slightly; at the same time, Fina made up her mind.
She took two steps toward Syl, reached out, and hugged Syl's waist tightly. Looking up at Syl, she said:
"I will help you, Mentor!"
"Even though I don't know what difficulties await you... I will walk this path with you to the end!"
In Fina's mind, for something to be difficult enough for a powerhouse like Syl—whose rank was unknown but certainly higher than her own—to want to escape, it must be a major event that she herself couldn't withstand.
But Fina looked at Syl with bright eyes, seemingly truly willing to follow Syl all the way without the slightest hesitation.
Being hugged so suddenly, Syl's body froze in place.
She didn't even try to push Fina away, because Fina's strength was currently very great.
Syl was afraid that if she pushed hard, Fina would discover that her strength was much weaker than hers.
As for what Fina would think then, Syl didn't know.
To avoid having her hands hang awkwardly by her side, Syl slowly raised her right hand, patted Fina's head, and replied, "Mhm..."
"By the way, Mentor, what about that cute little girl? Is she your companion?" Fina suddenly thought of something and blinked. "She said you and she are in the same organization... Can I join this organization too?"
"This..." This time Syl really didn't know how to reply; she hadn't even thought of a name for the organization.
"That depends on your performance. If I feel the conditions are right, I will call an Examiner to evaluate you." Syl temporarily brushed the topic aside.
"Then Mentor, what's next?" Fina reluctantly let go of Syl and asked, looking at her, "What should we do next? Should we go directly to other districts to incite the students?"
"No, now is not the time." Syl looked at the obedient Rank Four powerhouse, Fina, and a bold idea rose in her heart.
"Riots of this scale will surely be crushed quickly under the army's blockade... I must make an appearance tonight."
Tonight, during the curfew, when the army begins to drive away the angry crowds.
Syl would appear on the streets and become the spark for the clash between the Ibiza rioters and the military.