The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 12.1
Oh no.
Once again, the Dark Flame Dragon’s snout caused a commotion.
However, Catherine showed an unexpected reaction.
Considering her usual strong sense of pride and filthy personality, one might have expected her to burst into anger and charge at Lich.
“…What are you talking about right now?”
“Huh?”
“Young Van, why are you protecting me? Did you really go insane?”
Still rough in tone, but there was something lacking in the venom in her voice.
Upon closer inspection, beyond her aggressive expression, a faint confusion could be sensed.
‘…Could it be that she took my words literally and is genuinely concerned?’
I realized the reason.
‘Catherine has never been protected by anyone until now.’
From the moment she was born, she was abandoned by her father and mother.
Even after entering the prestigious magical family, no one ever protected her.
Everyone was her enemy.
Catherine has never experienced the protection that every child deserves from adults.
So, that’s why she’s reacting like this.
In other words, ‘this the first time someone’s shown concern for me!’ or something like that?
‘…Should I manipulate Catherine?’
I slyly pondered.
The reason I tried to exclude Catherine was that there was a possibility she wouldn’t simply obey my orders.
Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed like I could manipulate her as I pleased.
“Do you really want to defeat that Lich? If so, follow my instructions.”
“What nonsense?!”
“Or do you think you can defeat that Lich by yourself? Quite an impressive boast.”
Catherine hesitated.
It was the right thing to say.
“Young Van, are you saying you can defeat that thing?”
“Yeah, with my greatness, anything is possible. Trust me.”
“Hah!”
“If you can’t believe it, I’ll handle it alone. Just step aside and watch from behind. Admiring me dealing with the Lich would suit you better.”
In the end, Catherine, grinding her teeth.
“If it’s nonsense, I won’t let it slide.”
Bingo.
I had her.
I extended my hand.
“Take this magic sword.”
“…Magic sword?”
“Yeah, when I give the signal, use all your power to strike down the Lich with this magic sword.”
Catherine frowned.
“I’m a mage. I’ve never handled a sword…”
“Still, swinging this magic sword would be better than your pathetic magic. Surely, you don’t think your feeble spells would work on the Lich?”
Catherine was left speechless.
With that in mind, despite being 17 years old, the age of academy admission, she hadn’t even mastered the 1st rank.
Considering she comes from a prestigious magical family, this achievement was tremendously lacking.
“Remember. After swinging the sword according to my signal, immediately step back.”
I walked towards the Lich after giving strict instructions.
The Lich showed no particular reaction, as if it were in a deep sleep.
‘Because it’s conscious, responding to the opponent’s mana.’
Due to my meager mana, it remained in a perpetual state of slumber.
A gap I could exploit.
‘Still, once I start using my power, it will wake up. I have to shatter the Life Vessel with my Grand Practitioner ability before the Lich reacts in earnest.’
It was a battle against time.
Would the Lich’s counterattack hit me first, or would I break the Life Vessel first?
‘Let’s do this.’
I swallowed hard.
Now that I was about to do it, my heart pounded.
‘Think of the comfortable and brilliant future. You can do this.’
I stared into the Lich’s chest.
Deep within, the Life Vessel, the core, was visible.
Upon concentration, magical symbols entered my sight.
It was a 7th star rank magic spell, concentrated with seven stars.
‘The star in the center is the core!’
My Grand Practitioner ability pierced through the essence of the stars, discerning which one played the most crucial role.
‘The second star protects the entire entity, and the fourth and fifth stars wrap around the core like constellations.’
There was even inherent protection for the core, making it a triple-layered defense.
With my meager mana, I could never break through such a defense.
‘But I can seize an opportunity.’
The second star provided extensive protection with faint gaps.
The fourth and fifth stars moved like satellites, filling those gaps.
In a fleeting moment, the two stars intersected, revealing an opening.
A gap that only I could target.
‘Now is the time!’
I raised my hand.
The charisma of the Dark Flame Dragon seized the opportunity without hesitation.
“Disappear. Foul creature of chaotic spirits.”
The magic was triggered.
It was a 1st-rank ‘Mana Needle.’
A basic offensive magic that pierces the opponent with mana needles.
Though it only caused slight discomfort and had no lethal force, if targeted at the right moment and place, it could have an effect beyond imagination.
[Graaaggghhhh!!!]
Pierce!
The defense star magic of the Life Vessel crumbled.
However, I had only dismantled the defense; I hadn’t yet shattered the core.
The Lich roared in anger.
[How dare…! To me, the Shadow Hermit…!]
The Lich raised its hand.
Paaaah!
Dark mana, ‘demonic energy,’ gathered, and dark magic was about to manifest.
At the moment the dark magic struck, I would be like a fly hit with a fly swatter.
But
“Now is the time!”
“Haap!”
Catherine, who had been waiting behind, swung her sword.
It was a clumsy technique. However, like the future ‘Heroine of Light,’ it was a decisive strike without hesitation.
[Argh! Insignificant humans dare…!!]
The magic embedded in the sword was a Holy Sword of the sacred attribute.
It made the Lich stagger.
A fleeting but golden moment.
‘My victory!’
The Lich belatedly unleashed dark magic, gathering a mist of darkness. However, breaking the core of the Life Vessel would be quicker for me.
But an unexpected event occurred.
“You foolish trash! Acting all high and mighty! Be careful!!”
Thinking I was in danger, Catherine leaped in front of me, swinging her magic sword toward the mist of darkness.
Though I appreciated her intent.
‘Dangerous!!’
The mist surged toward Catherine instead of me.
Everything before me darkened.
