The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 110
“Looking forward to it? What do you mean by that?”
Viscount Werner frowned.
“It’s probably nonsense, Chairman, no need to pay it any mind.”
“Tch, do manage your subordinate professors better, Head of the Magic Department, Slayman.”
“…My apologies.”
Professor Slayman, head of the Magic Department, bowed his head.
It was an overly submissive posture for someone of his rank.
However, Diego, the head of the Swordsmanship Department standing beside him, had a different attitude.
His furrowed brow indicated he was following Viscount Werner, yet he seemed to have some dissatisfaction.
‘I need to keep an eye on Viscount Diego. He’s an important figure.’
As I memorized the figures of Head Slayman and Head Diego, Viscount Werner turned his gaze to me.
“Professor Van, you will attend the monthly report meeting in two days, won’t you? It’s your last after all.”
I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.
‘They plan to disgrace me in front of everyone before sending me away.’
I nodded.
“Yes, I will attend.”
“Haha! Good. I’m truly looking forward to that day.”
After Viscount Werner and the department heads left, leaving me alone,
“My Angel, here is the report of the investigation.”
Black Bird Amanda silently appeared, handing me documents.
After reviewing the content, I nodded.
It was perfect.
“Will you make your move during the monthly report meeting?”
“Yes.”
Did Viscount Werner know?
What would happen at the monthly report meeting in two days?
That day, a significant tremor would occur.
Changing the landscape of the Ruby Academy.
* * *
The two days passed in the blink of an eye.
In the academy’s main conference room.
The monthly report meeting where all professors gathered was held.
“What’s the topic today besides the regular work report?”
“There’s a hearing. Seems targeted at Professor Van.”
“Is today the end of his contract?”
“Probably they’re holding a hearing to pin some blame on him before letting him go, to avoid any backlash.”
“Hmm. I’m not sure if all this is necessary. What wrong has Professor Van done to deserve this? If anything, he has contributed.”
“What’s happening to our Ruby Academy?”
Unexpected conversations.
The professors are not fools.
Especially those who have witnessed Van’s accomplishments thus far, there were those who quietly acknowledged him. Outside, the image of ‘Van the Trash’ might still be strong, though.
Yet, they couldn’t raise their voices.
All the power within the academy was in the hands of the Rapalt Ducal Family.
‘Why is former Chancellor Rudolph staying quiet? He seemed to care so much. Are the rumors true about Professor Van’s magic being evil dark magic?’
After the rumors spread that Van’s magic was heretical, former Chancellor Rudolph’s side showed a cold demeanor towards him.
To be precise, they remained silent without any comment, but people thought Chancellor Rudolph had distanced himself from Van.
“We will now begin the monthly report meeting. Professors in charge of various departments, please present your reports.”
The meeting went by without anything unusual.
“Next is the counseling center’s turn, but… we can skip that. It would be meaningless anyway. Professor Van, please come forward. We will start the hearing.”
All eyes were on him.
Van sat back in his chair, arrogantly as always.
Even though it was just a conference room chair, he exuded grace and elegance.
“For what reason are we holding this hearing?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know? It’s for your minimal work performance and to question the heretical magic.”
“I see. And what do you think?”
“What?”
Van’s gaze was fixed on a spot.
A woman was standing there.
She had a sharp presence that seemed more fitting for a courtroom than an academy.
She was dressed in a stark suit.
Instantly, some in the room gasped.
“Inspector Sienna of the Mage Tower!!”
“!!”
The room plunged into astonishment.
It wasn’t just the professors of the Magic Department who were startled.
Sienna.
A name famous across all fields.
‘Once she takes on a case, she’ll use whatever means necessary to find the perpetrator and ensure they face justice. Especially, she’s the leading authority on dark magic crimes.’
Her sudden appearance?
Everyone looked taken aback.
Only Van maintained his calm tone.
“Inspector Sienna. My magic is being called heretical or rather, dark magic, I’d appreciate your input on this matter.”
Sienna frowned deeply then spoke in a cool tone.
“I’m not sure who’s spreading such nonsense.”
“!!”
“To be brief, no. Professor Van has recently visited the Mage Tower himself for verification.”
The turn of events was unexpected for everyone.
“Then, why are you here, Inspector Sienna?”
“I’m here because a report was received about a crime of slander occurring at Ruby Academy.”
“!!”
“Evil Magic slander is a grave offense that can ruin an innocent mage. Those who slandered Professor Van as an evil dark mage will all face consequences.”
The room’s gaze turned towards one direction.
It was the professors of the Rapalt Ducal Family.
“No, it wasn’t us who spread the rumor. The talk of Professor Van being an evil magic user started from Chancellor Rudolph’s side!!”
“What nonsense is that? Us calling Professor Van an evil mage? Can you stand by that statement?”
Professor Burnstein growled fiercely, and the professors of the Rapalt Ducal Family were rendered speechless.
After all, the professors associated with Chancellor Rudolph hadn’t actually said anything.
“We’ve already secured testimonies from the students, so don’t think about escaping. To commit a crime of slander openly in front of students while being a professor. It’s either foolish or audacious. Those who’ve carelessly spoken will not only face revocation of their Mage Tower memberships but should also prepare for imprisonment.”
The faces of the Rapalt Ducal Family professors turned pale.
Few among them hadn’t spoken ill of Van.
“There’s another reason for my visit. Professor Van, you said you have another report to make?”
“Yes. While running the counseling center, I received a report that there is someone at this academy practicing wicked dark magic.”
“!!”
Another evil dark mage?
What was this all about?
The room was in turmoil again.
“Professor Van, what do you mean?”
“You would have heard about the restart of ‘Voices of the Heart’ at the counseling center. We received several anonymous reports claiming that there is someone among the professors here who has practiced wrongful dark magic.”
“Who made such a report?”
“Since it’s anonymous, naturally, I can’t disclose that. I cannot either. However, these aren’t false prank submissions. Every submitter went through a rigorous verification process.”
The room fell silent.
Everyone swallowed hard, their gazes fixed on Van.
Van’s gaze moved.
Among the many professors, it settled on one with a particularly stiff expression.
“Do you have anything to say, Professor Slayman?”
It was the name of the head of the Magic Department.
* * *
‘Good. Everything is going according to plan.’
You must know that all unfolding events are scripted by me.
‘I didn’t expect Inspector Sienna to come, though.’
I had requested Count Armand to send an investigator from the Mage Tower, but someone far more significant than anticipated arrived.
‘It’s troublesome to be marked by the Mage Tower.’
The magical world is divided into several branches.
The academic magical sphere of the academy.
A coalition of magical families led by prestigious magical houses.
The Witches’ Council, the Sky Islands, the Magical Kingdoms of the Seven Kingdoms, among other branches.
And overseeing all these is the Mage Tower.
It could be considered the headquarters of all magicians.
‘Inspector Sienna is a lone wolf with interest only in magical crimes. She shouldn’t be concerned with me.’
But then, I kept silent.
‘Why does Inspector Sienna keep staring at me?’
I thought it was a misunderstanding, but it wasn’t.
I remembered a conversation with Count Armand.
When I asked why Inspector Sienna was coming, he said:
She said there’s something she wants to see with her own eyes.
See? What? Me? What about me?
It was unsettling, but I had no time to dwell on it deeply.
“…What nonsense is that?”
Professor Slayman glared at me as if he wanted to kill me, growling.
I flinched.
‘Though he’s a lackey for the Rapalt Ducal Family, he’s not someone to be taken lightly.’
The position of department head isn’t just handed to anyone for flattery.
A certain level of competence is required.
In fact, Head Slayman was a Level 6 mage.
‘The problem is that his abilities weren’t acquired rightfully.’
I spoke up.
“Under the authority of the Counseling Center Head, upon conducting a separate investigation, there were indeed suspicious circumstances. How did you rise to the rank of a 6 ranked star a year ago?”
“I had some realizations from the theories I’ve long studied.”
“Yes, I trust you, Head. However, an anonymous submission stated this: Viscount Werner, acting for his confidant, the Head, made a deal with the Dark Tower, enabling you to ascend to Level 6.”
“!!”
This time, Viscount Werner’s face hardened.
“What nonsense is that? Me, making deals with the Dark Tower? Such absurd slander?”
“I couldn’t believe it either, so I conducted a separate investigation. It turns out, a year ago, you indeed transferred a part of the academy’s operational funds to an unidentified account for ‘miscellaneous payments.'”
“!!”
“And it just so happens that this was a ghost account of the Dark Tower, and right after, Professor Slayman ascended to Level 6 and secured the position of department head. Quite a coincidence, isn’t it?”
The reason dark mages are punished is due to their methods.
‘They elevate their realm through horrific means associated with dark magic, often involving the Dark Tower.’
For your information, I learned about the transfer through Emily.
It was conducted through the bank of the Rapalt Ducal Family.
This incident meant Emily could no longer stay with the Rapalt family, but she had already braced herself after learning what her family had done.
“Haha! What an interesting story. Did I ever transfer money to the Dark Tower’s account? I can’t seem to remember. But, what’s the problem, even if I did? Perhaps I might have bought an item from the Dark Tower. To push me into the corner with such trifles and accuse me of practicing wrongful dark magic. Displeasing.”
It was the response I had anticipated.
Indeed, conducting legitimate transactions with the Dark Tower wasn’t illegal in itself.
Moreover, the facts I presented were insufficient as clear evidence.
“That’s understandable. I trust the Chairman and the Head. However, I wonder if Inspector Sienna here feels the same.”
Sienna nodded beside me.
“Given the suspicious circumstances, this matter will be formally investigated by the Mage Tower.”
“What? You dare suspect me, the brother of Duke Volman?”
“Who you are does not matter. We will uncover the unblemished truth, so if you’re innocent, you have nothing to worry about.”
The Chairman and the Head looked troubled.
Both had indeed dabbled in dark magic activities. If Sienna dug up the truth, it would be the end for them.
They were in a tight spot.
My preparations weren’t over yet.
‘Given time, the Rapalt side will try to smooth this over. I need to push and end it all today.’
Especially since after today, I’d be out of contract, and I must conclude everything here and now.
“I also oppose a formal investigation. It would disturb the students’ focus on their studies. Instead, so how about this?”
I looked at Head Slayman.
“Let the Head and I have a magical duel.”
“!!”
“Let Inspector Sienna observe the duel and determine on the spot whether the Head’s magic is evil magic or not.”
Head Slayman scoffed.
“You and me?”
“Why? Terrified?”
The Black Flame Dragon curled the corners of my mouth.
“I do have concerns. The duel might be so one-sided that it could be difficult to even properly observe sir Slayman’s magic.”
