Psellos would not have read the metropolitan's letter if he knew its contents. Psellos had given him complete power over a student, but he returned most of it to Psellos, whilst simultaneously blaming him for all the problems that arose - an illogical position. The metropolitan should punish the guilty student, but not blame his teacher: do we blame Christ for Judas? If the metropolitan followed the agreed course, Psellos would comply, but if not, he would throw the whole guilt on him