The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 120
The real mission.
As Demon Brain mentioned that, Prince Renius fell silent.
Indeed, from a broader strategic perspective, Demon Brain was executing her mission flawlessly, not deviating by even an inch.
He twisted his lips in a sneer, feeling a mix of irritation and admiration.
“But I wonder why you became an apostle. You’re not like me, aiming for the power of your family. Is it just the whim of a spoiled young lady who has everything?”
It was a provocation, but Demon Brain, Leona Ecclesia, didn’t respond.
Prince Renius clicked his tongue in annoyance but said no more.
Despite her young age, Leona’s capabilities were truly exceptional. Ouroboros didn’t give her the nickname “Demon Brain” for nothing.
Renius turned his gaze to another person seated at the table.
“We’ve seen each other often, but it’s the first time we meet like this. Welcome to our ranks, new apostle.”
The ‘man’ twitched his eyebrows but soon smiled smoothly.
“It’s an honor to be part of this great cause.”
“Haha, spare me the pleasantries. We all know we joined for our own reasons, regardless of Ouroboros’s intentions. As long as we achieve what we desire in the new world, that’s all that matters.”
The ‘man’ silently agreed with Prince Renius’s statement.
“But remember, to obtain what you want in the new world, you’ll need to have made significant contributions.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“Is everything going well with the preparation at Amethyst Academy? You’re in charge of the plan for the Lower Crescent, right?”
A chilling conversation.
The disaster that Van worried about happening at Amethyst Academy soon was part of these Ouroboros apostles’ plans.
“Of course. Everything has been prepared perfectly, so the Assembly will achieve what it desires.”
“Even with Van being invited there?”
“!!”
“Surely, you didn’t invite him out of genuine desire to give your brother an opportunity. I can’t fathom your intentions.”
Inviting Van. The brother.
Indeed.
The ‘man’ was none other than Ron from the Ecclesia family.
He had thrown in his lot with Ouroboros!
“Do not worry about that. I have a plan.”
“Hmm.”
Renius crossed his arms.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but remember this. Your brother, Van, is no ordinary monster. If you try to use him clumsily, you might end up being devoured instead.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“This is your first mission as an apostle, so failure will not be tolerated.”
After the conversation ended, Renius left the café and disappeared.
In the room, only Ron and Leona, the siblings, remained.
“I never imagined you’d be involved in something like this.”
“The same could be said for you, brother.”
“Haha. Is that so? I guess you’re right.”
Ron’s expression grew solemn.
“It might sound like an excuse, but I had no choice. Without this path, I could never take control of the family.”
“That’s true. The odds of big brother winning were never more than 20% to begin with. Recently, it has dropped even lower, below 15%.”
“Haha. Your tone hasn’t changed. Yes, that’s right. I’m driven into a corner with no other choice, but what about you? I can’t understand why you would involve yourself in such a dreadful endeavor.”
“Are you worried about me?”
“We’re family, after all.”
Ron sighed deeply.
“I know how ridiculous this sounds. But Van mentioned something last time. He asked us not to forget that we’re still a family, no matter what.”
Leona tilted her head, puzzled.
“Van seems to have a stronger attachment to family than I expected.”
“Yes, he does. Knowing that two of his siblings have turned into monsters would sadden Van. It’s enough that I become the monster; you don’t have to…”
“How amusing. We were never a good family, were we?”
“…”
With an indifferent voice that felt all the colder, Leona stated,
“You know it, don’t you, big brother? Our seemingly harmonious family is nothing but a lie. The good family Van wishes for has always been an illusion.”
“You…”
Ron started to say something but then closed his mouth. Leona’s words were correct.
The first, Ron, and the second, Mariam, were practically enemies. The fourth, Cal, had some innocence, but the youngest, as evident now, had no affection for the family whatsoever.
No, the youngest Leona in front of him… hated the family, for reasons known only to a very few within it.
He couldn’t bring himself to ask outright, but it was likely her involvement with Ouroboros was related to that reason.
‘Cal, pretending not to know, probably understands it all too well. That our sibling relationship is only harmonious on the surface. Cal doesn’t open up to his siblings either. Though, lately, it seems he’s opened up a bit to Van.’
That’s why Ron was surprised when Van talked about caring for the family.
The original ‘Van’ had no such sentiment for the family.
‘Has he developed an attachment to the family after changing?’
Leona stood up.
“Didn’t you lack any interest in me from the start? Stop pretending to care now and focus on your task. As the second prince said, Van is not an easy opponent.”
“Alright, I understand.”
Left alone, Ron brought the now cold cup of coffee to his lips.
Van’s words echoed in his mind again.
Please don’t forget that we are family.
Was it because he felt the sincerity in Van’s heart?
He thought,
“I owe Van an apology.”
* * *
I prepared for the trip to Amethyst.
Since it was a business trip during the semester, administrative approval was necessary.
I went to Chancellor Karak.
“Ohoho. A special lecture trip, you say? I deny it.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’m worried you might leave us for Amethyst Academy.”
“That joke is a bit much.”
“Hoho, but I’m serious.”
“…….”
Contrary to his words, Chancellor Karak smoothly signed the permission.
“But why would they invite you for a special lecture? We know how great you are, but I can’t imagine those self-important professors at Amethyst recognizing your talents just based on rumors.”
“The director at Amethyst is my older brother.”
“So, why did he invite you? Ohoho.”
“!!”
Chancellor Karak’s gaze sharpened.
“If your older brother is the Young Duke Ron, known as the fox of the political world, it seems unlikely he invited you without any purpose. Even if you are his brother.”
I remained silent.
Her point was valid.
‘Was I too complacent?’
Perhaps I had let my guard down, thinking I had grown somewhat closer to Ron.
‘Although it’s not yet time for Ron’s corruption, it’s unpredictable. It won’t hurt to be cautious. Let’s prepare.’
Still, I wanted to believe.
That Ron would remember what I said.
‘I don’t want to lose the family I’ve just gained.’
I know.
Considering what’s to come, it’s not an easy wish.
It might even be too much to hope for.
But I couldn’t help wanting it.
After all, family was what I longed for most in my previous life.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, what for?”
“Isn’t it because you’re worried about me that you said that?”
“Nonsense. I just don’t want to see one of my professors getting pushed around by those people at Amethyst, not particularly for your sake, you know?”
With a huff, Chancellor Karak turned away, leaving me with a bewildered expression.
It’s strange how little the world knows. To witness the tsundere side of the final boss of the freshman arc.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s cute.
‘I really don’t need to see a fifty-something man in jeweled Duke-like attire carrying a parasol umbrella thingy acting like a tsundere.’
Chancellor Karak wasn’t the only one displaying an awkward demeanor.
“Hmm. Hmmm. Our Professor Van is going to Amethyst Academy?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
It was former Chancellor Rudolph.
For your information, Rudolph Grandpa was almost certain that I was the one who performed the miracle during the entrance exam.
“Our Professor Van isn’t planning on moving to another academy, right? If those from Amethyst have any sense, they’d recognize the greatness of our Professor Van.”
“I don’t have any plans like that. I like Ruby.”
After all, among the four prestigious academies, Ruby was the sweetest deal.
The other three academies were situated in places like the Magic Scenery, the Border, or the Mana Threshold, and so on…
“Ah, but I’m worried. Who knows what schemes those from other academies might concoct to entice you, Professor Van!”
“I don’t think that’s likely…”
“Professor Van, you don’t realize how much of a gem you are! That’s why I have a gift for you, could you accept it?”
“…A gift? I don’t need…”
“The Chancellor spent days agonizing over what gift to give you. You have no idea how much he bothered me about it…”
Professor Burnstein interjected with a sigh.
“Isn’t this putting too much pressure on Professor Van?! It’s just a gift from the heart! Well, I hope you’ll accept it… Unless you dislike it?”
“…Please give it to me.”
Although I didn’t really want to accept it, seeing Rudolph Grandpa’s face filled with excitement and nervousness as if he was giving a gift to his first love made it impossible for me to refuse.
“What’s this?”
It was a monocle.
Moreover, it was a fashion monocle without any prescription.
“Exactly! I’ve always thought it would suit you, so I wanted to give it to you! Professors should have glasses, right? How cool would you look giving lectures with this on? Try it on!”
It was a truly useless gift.
But after trying it on,
I changed my mind.
This monocle suited my appearance quite well.
It created a synergistic effect with the Black Flame Dragon’s pretentiousness, emitting an aura and dignity reminiscent of a legendary professor.
“Ah, it also has a simple crisis detection effect, which will be handy. It can detect imminent dangers to the wearer in the near future, so give it a try.”
I nodded and activated it as a test.
Suddenly, the view through the glasses blinked in dark blue.
“Does the color appearing in the view indicate the level of danger?”
“Yes! Black means a 100% chance of death, red is 80%, purple is 60%, dark blue is 40% danger, and yellow is 20% danger, and so on.”
“…Can those probabilities be trusted?”
“Of course! Do you think I’d give you something subpar? This is a legendary magical tool, so its accuracy can be trusted. But, why do you ask?”
“…No reason.”
It meant that I was soon to face a danger with a 40% chance of death.
Considering the circumstances, it was likely to occur in Amethyst.
‘Why? Even if the tragedy of the Lower Crescent occurs, it shouldn’t be dangerous enough to threaten me?’
It’s the protagonists who are supposed to endure the danger and struggle greatly.
I’m supposed to guide the protagonists so they can utilize their capabilities, at most just providing support.
There’s only one possibility.
Something far worse than I know is going to happen.
As always has been the case.
‘…Maybe I just shouldn’t go?’
