The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 123
In the midst of the chaos, I waited for the administrator in front of the Magic Department office.
“Have you seen the Scholar’s Board?”
“500 points? Impossible.”
“It’s true. All the professors are rushing to check it out.”
“Who exactly is V.L.?”
“He’s not one of our academy’s professors. A high mage from a renowned magical family? Or maybe a top executive from a mage tower?”
“Who are the high mages that have recently arrived in the city of academia?”
As expected, it was chaos.
Why didn’t I reveal my identity immediately?
‘Good cooking requires waiting for the right moment of readiness.’
Then, someone came out from the inside.
It was a graduate student looking rather disheveled.
“Yawn. You can come in now.”
For the record, I had been waiting outside for 30 minutes.
Yet, instead of an apology, they sent out a grumpy graduate student.
It was localism to the end, but I entered without a word.
Finally, I was about to meet the haughty humanities department head responsible for the special lecture.
“Ah, Professor Van? Welcome to Amethyst. Please take a seat here. There’s only one seat available… Sorry, we didn’t have time to clean up beforehand.”
“It’s too dirty for me.”
“What did you say?”
“I have a bit of a cleanliness issue. I fear it might tarnish my integrity, so I’ll stand, thank you.”
“!!”
Professor Kunt, the head of the humanities department.
He was a somewhat important figure at Amethyst Academy, but to me, he was just ‘the uncle from the company next door.’
‘They started this quarrel in the first place.’
Then, a soft laugh came from the side.
“Ah, Professor Van is indeed not ordinary, just as the rumors say. Interesting.”
It was a young man with a sharp aura.
A notable scar by his eye made him stand out.
I recognized him too.
He extended his hand.
“My name is Lanian. I’m a professor specializing in war magic at the Sapphire Academy’s Magic Department. I’ll be co-hosting the special lecture, so I look forward to working with you.”
Despite his words, his gaze was not exactly friendly.
It was filled with hostility.
Grip tightened.
Firm enough to cause a tingle.
With a low, cool tone, he whispered.
“You being recognized by Dame Amanda. No matter how hard I tried, she never even glanced my way. Unacceptable. I will reveal your true colors in this special lecture competition.”
Hmm.
It seems like he might have harbored an unrequited love for Amanda during their time in the Seven Kingdoms’ battlefield.
‘Just a nuisance of a troll professor.’
Lanian.
Not lacking in skill.
Nor inherently malicious.
However, he was impulsive.
A typical choleric war mage with narrow vision.
“Ha, such passion already. I’m eager to see what kind of lecture the renowned Professor Lanian from the battlefield will deliver.”
Professor Kunt, the head of the humanities department, sent me a dismissive glance.
“To match the level of Professor Lanian, Professor Van will have to make an effort.”
The academy was central to imperial society.
Interestingly enough, it made an event out of everything.
One of those was the lecture competition.
This special lecture invited four professors to compete on who could deliver the best lecture.
“The outcome of the competition will be determined by the students’ lecture evaluations. It will be a tournament style, with two professors competing against each other, then the winners facing off in the final round. The winner will be awarded a one-year honorary adjunct professor position at our Amethyst Academy.”
Honorary adjunct professor!
Though it was only a one-year term and merely a title, considering the prestige of Amethyst Academy, it was a highly honorable award.
‘Not that I need it. Should I ask for it in cash instead?’
Then, the door creaked open.
The other two special lecture instructors had arrived.
One was a stranger to me.
Possessing a strong aura, likely another mage who thinks highly of himself somewhere.
But the moment the last person entered, my eyes widened.
“!!”
‘Why is she a special lecture instructor?’
The surprise was mutual.
She saw me and immediately frowned.
“Van… What are you doing here?”
Her voice was sharp with irritation, her demeanor haughty.
The Duchess Beth of the magic nobility.
The Witch of Tyranny had appeared as a competing special lecture instructor.
* * *
The special lectures were to start tomorrow.
After a brief introduction and overview of guidelines among the invited instructors, we parted ways.
“Hmph.”
Duchess Beth shot me a piercing look before disappearing swiftly.
‘I wondered why Joanna collapsed so quickly, and it was because of Duchess Beth’s obsession.’
As a Level 7 witch and the lady of a magic nobility family, there was only one reason for her to be an instructor here.
The honorary adjunct professor position.
She was likely planning to come to the same academy to pester Joanna relentlessly.
‘There’s now an even bigger reason to win the special lecture competition.’
If Duchess Beth joined Amethyst Academy, Joanna would be utterly ruined.
A guaranteed ‘fallen’ ending.
“Professor, what will you do today? We have some time; how about a drink? I’ll treat!”
“Wow, are we going to eat something delicious? A new friend from Amethyst recommended a great place; let’s go there.”
Papa! Ppa! Meat!
We headed towards the bustling area of the city of academia.
As seen earlier, the sight of people discussing knowledge everywhere was truly impressive.
On my second visit, I noticed other aspects.
‘There are beggars here too.’
However, the beggars in the city of academia were different from those in other places.
‘Mostly gambling addicts.’
Knowledge debates were happening everywhere.
Most involved money.
Many were ruined by becoming addicted to what was essentially ‘knowledge debate gambling.’
‘Well, it’s none of my business.’
Just as I was about to look away, the monocle Rudolph, the former chancellor, had given me suddenly flashed, visible only to me.
The glass flashed a purple hue.
‘What’s this? Why is it acting up all of a sudden?’
Originally, the monocle warned of a 40% risk of death in blue. Purple indicated an even higher risk of death.
Something had just happened.
Instinctively, I turned my gaze and my eyes widened.
There was a beggar boy in the slums.
The problem was that he looked familiar.
‘Why is he here?’
His face was grimy and deflated.
He had a similar yet distinct vibe from Libel.
If Libel seemed sinister, this beggar boy appeared timid, as if his spirit was crushed.
Despite his non-threatening appearance, I felt a chilling sense of danger, as if cold water had been poured over me.
‘That’s the villain protagonist of the Magic Department.’
There are four villain protagonists in total.
One for each of the four departments.
The Massacrist Mage is from the Support Department, and the Demon Brain from the Humanities Department.
I hadn’t had any dealings with the villain protagonists of the Swordsmanship and Magic Departments yet, but unexpectedly, I had encountered one here.
‘He wouldn’t be attending Amethyst Academy’s Magic Department. Joanna is there.’
The answer came quickly.
‘He’s come to Amethyst Academy to do his “villainous deeds”!’
Our eyes met.
The boy looked at me, startled, then dashed into an alley.
‘I have to catch him!’
But I lost him.
“Huff, huff. Professor? Why did you suddenly…?”
“Wow, these alleyways really are like a maze. Even more twisted than the Free City?”
‘It feels like I chased him in the wrong direction. If I was close enough, I should have been able to sense him.’
This was not good.
My instincts were sounding alarms, telling me not to let him go.
‘Judging by his appearance, he’ll appear in the slums again. Seems like he’s sleeping rough due to lack of money. Should I stake out?’
It was impossible.
Even now, wary eyes were cast on us outsiders.
Especially, the street kids who grew up here were glaring at me openly.
‘Wait. I don’t necessarily have to find him myself. There’s a better way.’
Just then, Hans spoke.
“Such filthy places are not where someone as radiant as you, Professor, should be. Let’s leave quickly.”
“Hans, you’re naive. My light is precisely meant for such darkness.”
“Professor?”
His expression seemed to ask if I had lost my mind.
I felt guilty for spouting such a blatant lie without hesitation, but I maintained the proud stance of a black dragon.
“I came here to see if there’s any way I can help the people of these slums with my light.”
“Is that to? Just like that?”
“Yes, do you doubt me? Illuminating the shadows is my calling as one who harbors light.”
My real motive was solicitation.
I planned to enlist the help of the slum’s people, especially the children, to find that boy from earlier.
But an unexpected problem arose.
“Indeed… Professor Van. You are exactly as I admired. The true Saint Professor.”
I flinched!
A voice full of infatuation.
“I’ve wanted to meet you for so long. Really, really.”
A beautiful boy with a deer-like smile and eyes full of adoration was looking at me.
It was the demon priest, Johan.
* * *
‘Damn it, to meet like this.’
Encountering Johan was expected.
But the timing could not have been worse.
‘Johan already mistakenly thinks I’m kind (sort of). Now, I’m just fueling that misunderstanding.’
I had no choice with Catherine and Libel since we were at the same academy, but I preferred to keep Johan at arm’s length.
However,
“Indeed, Professor. You’re different from a false saint like me. I’ve only volunteered because of your teachings, but here you are, helping others in places unknown to anyone.”
No, it’s not like that at all.
“I’ve been desperately trying to become a disciple worthy of you, Professor. But seeing you today, I feel I still have a long way to go.”
You’re not even my disciple, you know?
I wanted to say just that, but looking into his bright, earnest eyes, I could only sigh.
‘Anyway, to safely clear this episode, making use of Johan is essential. I should maintain a good relationship and part ways safely.’
“Have you been well?”
“Yes! Though my holy power was cut off, thanks to the teachings you gave me back then, I haven’t given up and have been working hard!”
“That’s commendable. Wait, what did you say?”
His holy power was cut off?
Johan nodded happily.
“Yes, I would have been devastated if not for you, Professor. But I remember the teachings you shared. It’s not the holy power that’s important, but the heart to help others.”
‘No, holy power is the most important, what are you talking about?!’
Even Johan, whom I trusted.
I was left feeling utterly helpless.
It felt like the world was against me.
‘I’m going to snap!’
