The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 121
I didn’t want to go, but if I didn’t, the Amethyst Academy would fall apart.
It’s not an exaggeration; it would literally collapse.
With the mentally unstable Joanna and Johan alone, they wouldn’t be able to clear this episode.
In other words, if I go, I’m in danger, and if I don’t, the world faces the risk of destruction.
‘Damn it! I’m going to snap!’
Unaware of such feelings, Hans spoke with a determined look in his eyes next to me.
By the way, I gave Lindon a vacation for a while because the heartache from losing money was too great.
“The light of Master Van will finally spread to other academies.”
“I’m looking forward to it too!”
“Student, what’s your name?”
“It’s Theren!”
“Right, Theren. You’re commendable. Watch closely. The person standing next to you will be Professor Van the Legend, a star of history.”
“I’ll keep my eyes wide open and closely watch Professor Van!”
“Haha, I like you! My name is Hans. Remember me as the entity that shines like a constellation next to the star that is Professor Van.”
“I’ll remember! Assistant Hans, the constellation next to the great star!”
“Haha! Theren, if you attend Professor Van’s class, I’ll give you full marks for the practical score with my authority as an assistant!”
…They turned out to be unexpectedly well-matched.
Hans, who was always pestered by Lindon, was thrilled to meet a nice student who responded to him.
Of course, Theren was probably just harmonizing in a socially adept manner rather than sincerely doing so.
‘Maybe he’s laughing inwardly. No, am I just being too harsh on Theren?’
Theren’s personality, um.
It’s not bad. Not minimally evil like Senin, at least.
Rather, it should be said to belong to the kind side.
However, a cynicism was hidden deep beneath a bright exterior.
‘So, that’s why he would eventually become twisted.’
I had to provide guidance to Theren on this business trip.
‘The problem with Theren is that he’s been raised too gently.’
The solution was simple.
Make him endure a harsh experience.
Of course, doing so won’t completely prevent Theren’s eventual ‘wandering,’ but it could serve as a buffer to some extent.
Anyway, that’s a matter to consider later.
Pappa! Master! We’re going now! The light…! To Amethyst…!
It seemed Hans’s nonsense had spread even to Mari.
“Everyone, that’s enough, let’s go now.”
ZZzzzzip
Hans, Theren, Mari, and I crossed through the portal, and a vast expanse reminiscent of America’s Grand Canyon unfolded before us.
The thrilling spectacle of nature’s overwhelming majesty.
‘Is that in the distance the Great Forest, the territory of other races?’
But that wasn’t all.
Woooosh.
There wasn’t a breath of wind, yet it sounded as though a typhoon was howling.
It was a distortion of mana.
‘The pressure is this intense from such a great distance. It won’t be a joke up close.’
Then, an out-of-place scene caught my eye.
On one side of the vast, almost desolate land, a tower soared high with a city oddly situated around it.
“Is that place?”
Pa? Woa?
Hans, Theren, and Mari all had wide-eyed looks.
As if they were facing a famous spot they had seen countless times in photos, in person.
I nodded.
“Yes, that’s the city of the academy.”
‘Elite.’
‘Cradle of scholarship.’
‘Haven for scholars.’
‘The most noble academy.’
‘Barrier of the Great Forest.’
We had arrived at the Amethyst Academy, shining with all sorts of brilliant epithets.
* * *
However, there was a problem.
We had arrived via the portal, but no one was there to greet us.
‘Weren’t the faculty members supposed to meet us?’
I contacted Ron.
Really? I’m currently in the capital for administrative work, so I arranged for the Magic Department to take care of it. Just wait a moment. I’ll check on it.
Soon, there was a return call.
Sorry about that. There’s been a sudden issue at the Magic Department. Can you come over by yourself?
The voice was filled with apologies.
I frowned slightly.
‘Localism.’
It wasn’t Ron’s doing.
It was a scheme from the Amethyst Academy’s Magic Department, irrespective of Ron’s intentions.
‘Even with Ron’s recommendation, they wouldn’t accept me. They probably disliked me even more for being a parachute professor.’
Among the adjectives describing Amethyst Academy, there’s ‘the most noble.’
Translated, it meant ‘the most arrogant.’
The folks at Amethyst thought they were the best.
Especially disdainful were they of the Ruby Academy.
‘There’s a critical difference between the other prestigious academies and Ruby.’
Ruby ranked at the bottom in terms of the quality of the faculty, the level of students, the study atmosphere, and achievements, which are evaluation factors of an academy.
However, it wasn’t merely for those reasons that Ruby was considered the lowest among the prestigious academies.
‘The other prestigious academies all serve as the empire’s shield.’
The ‘honorable’ Peridot Academy plays a role in blocking the demons of the demonic path.
The ‘fighter’ Sapphire Academy has a role in checking the Seven Kingdoms in conflict areas.
The ‘elite’ Amethyst is tasked with suppressing mana distortion while also monitoring the other races of the Great Forest that exist far away.
‘They’re fortresses that support the empire while being academic institutions.’
Accordingly, the pride and snobbery of the other prestigious academies soared high.
So much so that there were frequent claims that Ruby should be dropped from the prestigious four and the academic system should be reorganized into three prestigious academies.
‘And here I am, a rebel. Of course, they wouldn’t easily acknowledge me.’
A sudden question crossed my mind.
‘Why did Brother Ron really invite me? Inviting me as a parachute wouldn’t benefit Brother Ron either.’
Beside me, Hans was bouncing excitedly.
“How dare they treat Professor Van like this! I’ll go and turn everything upside down!”
“I know you don’t mean that, so don’t get heated. When it really matters, you’re always tap dancing in the background.”
“T-That was all out of a loyal heart to secure your retreat, Professor! Don’t you think so, Theren?”
“Absolutely. A retreat is indeed important. As expected of Assistant Hans.”
I glanced at Theren, feeling a twinge of irritation, then shifted my gaze.
“Let’s head into the city of academia.”
Before getting down to business, there was something that needed to be done.
It seemed necessary to enlighten the arrogant folks of Amethyst about my greatness.
* * *
Upon entering the city, Hans, previously angered, now gaped in wonder.
“T-This is the city of academia?”
Pappa! Pa!
“Wow, this is really something. I need to take some certification shots and post them on the Mirror Board and Noble Board later.”
Hans and Mari gawked around like country bumpkins, while Theren, true to his insider nature, took out a photo magic tool to snap a selfie.
For your information, the Noble Board is an imperial nobility-exclusive bulletin board that uses the Philosopher’s Stone of the Noble Assembly.
‘Seeing it with my own eyes, it really is impressive.’
Each of the four prestigious academies is known for a special landmark city.
Amethyst, as seen now, was known for its city of academia.
The entire city was immersed in academia.
‘A city filled with scholars.’
The Amethyst Academy, renowned for its outstanding scholarship, attracted like-minded individuals until it naturally evolved into a city.
As such, the atmosphere of the streets was intellectually rich.
People reading books while enjoying tobacco and coffee, intellectuals in various parts of the street engaging in heated discussions on academic topics.
Even the students seen throughout the streets exuded a sharpness in their eyes.
Sorry to say, but there was a clear difference in level compared to the cute students of the Ruby Academy.
“Stop gawking and let’s go. Theren, stop taking selfies.”
We headed towards the towering spire situated at the very center of the city.
This tower, reaching high into the sky without knowing its limits, was the Amethyst Academy.
‘It was said to have been built in the form of such a high tower to observe the phenomenon of mana distortion.’
For your information, each of the four prestigious academies had its own unique external characteristics.
Ruby was known for its absurdly wide grounds.
Amethyst was characterized by its towering spire.
‘These features relate to each academy’s secrets.’
We entered the tower.
Security was strict, but thanks to Ron’s prior communication, we encountered no problems passing through.
However, the issue arose afterward.
Specifically, it was when we were heading to the Magic Department.
Since the Amethyst Academy is shaped like a tower, each department occupies different floors, with the Magic Department located on the highest levels.
When we attempted to take the elevator, we were stopped.
“Please wait a moment. Are you going up to the Magic Department? You need a pass for that.”
“Here’s the pass.”
“That’s a general academy space access pass. To go up to the Magic Department, you need a separate pass. Otherwise, you should have pre-registered for access.”
“I should be registered? I am Van Ecclesia. I’m scheduled to give a special lecture at the Magic Department.”
“I’m sorry. We haven’t been informed by the Magic Department.”
I frowned.
More tricks.
‘This is quite annoying.’
I crossed my arms.
Contacting Brother Ron would solve this immediately.
Or I could call Cal, the vice student council president.
But I chose not to do that.
A different idea occurred to me.
“Could you wait while I check? However, the professors at the Magic Department are currently busy, so it might take some time to verify.”
“That’s fine. I’ll come back later, so have it checked by then.”
Once outside the tower, Hans and Mari were in an uproar.
“How dare these damned people! To the great Professor Van!! Shall I really turn everything upside down?”
Pappa! I… am angry! Roar!
I just smiled and shook my head.
“It’s okay. This is good.”
“Huh? Huh? Good?”
I was serious.
How many times had I been disregarded as a salesperson?
It felt bad, but this was actually an opportunity.
A chance to hit back.
‘I was already planning to cause a stir, and if they’re going to be like this, it couldn’t be easier.’
To accomplish what I wanted, I first needed to be recognized at Amethyst Academy.
Not an easy task.
Even if I showed them my excellence, those unlucky folks wouldn’t readily acknowledge it.
I had to ’cause a stir.’
Something they couldn’t ignore.
“Let’s go.”
“Where is this?”
Everyone gaped in wonder again at where I led them.
A famous place, indeed.
So much so that Theren discreetly pulled out his camera for a certification shot.
“Yes, it’s the Street of Truth.”
The most renowned spot in this city of academia.
The venue for anonymous academic duels.
