The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 127
“How dare you!!”
Duchess Beth, sensing something ominous, was seen preparing thoroughly.
However, she did not use a mana shield.
Currently, we were purely contesting the superiority of ‘body transformation manipulation magic.’
Using a shield would be admitting defeat.
She defended solely through body transformation.
But she shouldn’t have.
If she knew what was about to happen to her.
‘People commonly mistake manipulation magic as understanding and exploiting the characteristics of a target.’
Understanding. Utilizing.
Identifying the target, finding vulnerabilities, and exploiting characteristics for transformation.
This is the conventional method of manipulation magic.
Why?
Because it’s easier.
‘The essence of manipulation magic isn’t that.’
The essence of manipulation magic is subjugation.
Regardless of what the target is, forcing it to submit to one’s will.
Studying and developing methods of subjugation is the path of a true manipulation mage.
‘In that sense, this Moonlight Sonata marks a milestone in manipulation magic.’
Subjugation doesn’t have to mean brutally dominating through force.
Moonlight Sonata moved the moonlight through ‘performance’ and ‘resonance.’
My star began the performance, recalling a scene from the storyline.
It’s not a performance for the ears.
Performance transforms mere noise into music through rhythm and melody, giving it meaning.
I imbued the star with a special rhythm and wavelength, repeating them to grant meaning.
Just as music elicits instinctual responses from people, so did my performance.
Target.
Duchess Beth’s mana core began to respond and move.
“!!”
Realizing the crisis, Duchess Beth attempted to deploy a shield too late.
“Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement, Presto Agitato.”
Seizing the moment for grandiosity, the Black Flame Dragon interjected with the most cringe nonsense.
‘This is different from Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, okay?’
But well, the finale here was somewhat similar.
My performance was also planned to be very fast and intense (Presto Agitato).
My star performed brilliantly as if reaching the climax of the piece.
As the performance progressed, Duchess Beth’s mana core vibrated and then…
Whoooosh!
A part of the mana within the mana core transformed into a different nature.
I had succeeded in manipulating the opponent’s mana!
Simultaneously, the mana that had changed nature caused a collision with the existing mana.
“Uuurrrghhhh!!!!!”
Duchess Beth vomited blood and collapsed to the floor.
“Madam?!”
“Are you alright?!”
“Aaaaahhh!! It hurts!! Aaaaahhhhh!!”
She writhed in pain, and it was clear from her condition that the situation was grave.
It was as if a small bomb had exploded within the mana core.
‘It’s almost akin to a severe blow, a critical strike, like falling into a demonic possession.’
Of course, this wouldn’t be the end of Duchess Beth.
She would recover, drawing upon all kinds of healing elixirs from her magical family lineage.
Still, being bedridden for a considerable time was a significant outcome in itself.
‘Joanna won’t be interfered with by her for a while, at least.’
But then, when I turned my head, I was taken aback.
I locked eyes with Joanna.
She was glaring at me with blazing eyes.
‘…Why is she glaring at me like that?’
I wondered if it was because I had hurt her mother, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
Joanna wasn’t looking at her mother at all.
Her gaze was directed solely at me.
Intensely.
‘Education of a problem child. This won’t be easy.’
A foreboding feeling crept in.
Nevertheless, I had to conclude the special lecture.
Hans stepped in.
“Now, all you frogs in the well of Amethyst, have you seen?! This is the greatness of our Professor Van the Legend! Hahaha!!”
Pappa! Ppa! Legend! Legend!
With their cries, the special lecture came to an end.
It was a victory for me, Van the Legend.
* * *
The matter with Amethyst wasn’t over yet.
In fact, it was just beginning.
The goal of this visit was to clear the episode safely.
However, there was a problem.
‘The episode happens during class. I have no reason to interfere.’
I am merely a guest here.
With the special lecture concluded, so was my official business.
Even if I were to receive honorary adjunct professor credentials as a reward, it would be just that – an honorary position in name only.
I could stay longer, of course, but I wouldn’t have the authority to do anything.
I needed to find a way.
“I enjoyed your lecture today. I’m proud of you. You truly are my brother.”
“Brother.”
Ron sent me a look of admiration.
I felt a heavy weight in my chest.
Doubt crept in.
‘Why did Ron call me here? And why now?’
Just a coincidence?
I desperately hoped so.
Genuinely.
But the unease in my heart only grew.
“Brother.”
“What is it?”
“…Nothing.”
“Hmm? Tell me.”
Instead of the question I intended to ask, I brought up a different topic.
“How about we have dinner together?”
“Dinner? Sure. I know a great place.”
Ron smiled with a twinkle in his eye.
“Actually, it’s a secret, but the restaurants in this scholarly city are all expensive and not very good. I know a tavern, though, with decent snacks, so let’s head there. I’ll treat.”
“You just want to drink, don’t you? You’re secretly a bit of a drinker.”
“Ha? Caught me, hmm? A man needs his pleasures in life, right? Ah, let’s call Cal too.”
“…I need to study for exams, but since Van Brother is here, I-I’ll make an exception. You should be grateful!”
And so, the three brothers had drinks together.
It was a pleasant gathering.
Fulfilling my family fantasy to 120%.
The epitome of brotherly harmony.
That’s why.
After the gathering ended and we parted with laughter, my heart sank even further.
Hmm?
Mari noticed my turmoil and rubbed her head against me, showing affection.
“It’s okay. Thank you.”
‘If Ron is indeed scheming something related to this episode, I must stop him. For the family’s sake.’
It might seem absurd.
Me, not even truly being ‘Van’, clinging to the notion of family.
But they didn’t feel like strangers to me now.
As if I were truly ‘Van’.
This feeling wasn’t just towards the family.
Despite my previous thoughts, ‘Van’ and I didn’t feel like separate entities.
Was it the aftermath of possession? Yet, dismissing it as such felt off.
It was an intuition as a master of magic.
‘Why did I become Van? Why me?’
The questions surfaced.
‘For now, I’ll think about it later. The priority is to resolve the episode. I need to gain the authority to intervene in the episode.’
That’s when it happened.
Suddenly, I felt suffocated, as if a strong pressure was bearing down on me!
‘Who is it all of a sudden?’
I swallowed hard.
However, unlike previous experiences, I didn’t feel a sense of danger.
It meant the other party didn’t intend to harm me.
Indeed.
“May I have a word with you?”
The surly face with a hooked nose.
King Genius… no, Chancellor Karl Gritton revealed himself.
* * *
I grumbled internally.
‘Why make such a dramatic entrance? Can’t you just show up?’
That’s just his character.
Quirky, nasty, and as evident from the nickname King Genius, he also had a strong desire to show off.
In short, not the kind of personality you’d want in a friend.
“Let’s get straight to the point. I’ll offer you a glorious opportunity. Come to our Amethyst Academy.”
“No, thank you.”
“Yes, you must be very moved. Immediately resign from that rubbish Ruby and… what did you say?”
“I said no, thank you.”
Chancellor Gritton’s eyes fluttered.
He clearly hadn’t anticipated being rejected.
“You think I don’t know your dark intentions? You’re playing hard to get to raise your price. Hmph, I’ll give you a residence. There happens to be a spare one, not that I find you particularly desirable, so don’t get the wrong idea…”
“I refuse.”
“…….”
“…….”
‘Are you insane? Why would I go to Amethyst?’
True to the nickname of elite, the workload expected of a professor there was much more substantial.
Especially concerning the Mana Distortion and the Great Forest.
The professors at Amethyst had to fulfill roles akin to being half-soldiers.
“Ha! Fine! Do as you please! Who’s begging you?! The residence will come with a garden! A special bonus will be doubled!”
“No, I mean…”
“Hmph! An unsatisfactory fellow! Fine, the salary will be doubled! The special bonus tripled! The professor’s office will be high-rise with a view of the Great Forest! I’ll even assign you a capable assistant who’s currently idle!”
“……”
For a moment, I almost said, ‘Sign me up then!’.
Seeing this quirky old man act this way, it seems I’ve really caught his fancy.
‘I need to use this.’
“Disappointing. Do I look like someone who would be swayed by such conditions?”
“Then why?”
“I was disappointed by the level of Amethyst Academy during this special lecture.”
“!!”
Chancellor Gritton’s face turned red, but he couldn’t retort.
“However, out of appreciation for your sentiment, Chancellor, I’ll offer Amethyst Academy a special opportunity.”
“Opportunity?! Ha!”
“Grant me professorial authority for a week. I want to experience and evaluate Amethyst Academy firsthand.”
“Presumptuous! Fine! For a month… no, for this semester, I’ll grant you the authority of a professor at our Amethyst Academy!”
“No, just for a week…”
“Hmph! Enough! You’re insufferable!! There’s a high-rise office with a great view available; use it if you want!”
Before I could even respond, he vanished.
It felt like a storm had just passed.
‘Anyway, this worked out well.’
Now, I had to teach two problematic students, Joanna and Johan.
‘The episode happens during class, so the protagonists’ actions are crucial. I need to foster their growth.’
Only a few days were left until the episode at Lower Crescent would occur.
There was no time to waste.
However, the moment I faced them, I intuitively knew this task would be incredibly difficult.
“Ah! Have you decided to come to our Amethyst? I’m so happy. My prayers have been answered.”
“…No, it’s just for a moment. Temporarily.”
“I will pray that this moment becomes a lifetime.”
Johan, ever bright despite the severance of his holy power, appeared completely unshadowed by any sort of gloom, making the situation even more challenging.
‘There needs to be a visible problem to solve.’
It was like trying to find a deeply hidden, asymptomatic disease.
But that wasn’t the only issue.
“You’re noisy. My ears hurt, so could you please shut up?”
“…A-Are you speaking to me?”
“Who else would I be talking to?”
“That’s too harsh…”
“Move aside. I can’t be bothered to talk anymore.”
The future terrifying Demon Saint, currently just a low-level deer, was no match for the opponent’s overwhelming annoyance power.
Joanna looked at me with an even more obnoxious attitude than usual.
Her eyes were full of vivid anger.
“When did I ever ask for your help?”
“…Hmm?”
“I told you I don’t need your so-called help. Why are you overstepping your bounds? It’s annoying.”
Ah.
I recalled a fact I had forgotten.
‘She was the headache-inducing young lady.’
From the start, I felt like facing a slap in the face.
