The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 13.1
‘Why is she like this? Did she lose her hearing?’
I sent her a bewildered look.
“Listen to people properly. You’re supposed to go to Peridot Academy….”
“That’s my problem to handle. Mind your own business.”
Catherine abruptly stood up.
Then, she mounted her horse that was tied outside the cave and swiftly disappeared.
“Uh… What?”
I watched her back with a puzzled expression.
“…Is she going to be okay?”
A chill ran down my spine at the ominous feeling.
* * *
Clip-clop.
As she rode on, her thoughts consumed her.
‘I don’t like this.’
Honestly, Van’s look today was astonishing.
At first, she wondered if he had gone mad, but that wasn’t the case at all.
Defeating the Lich.
‘I can’t even fathom how he destroyed the Life Vessel. Moreover, casting magic using the remnants of mana floating in the air? Even my ‘father,’ the head of the prestigious magical Klein Duchy, couldn’t pull off such tricks. Unbelievable.’
But she couldn’t shake off the discomfort.
I’m saying this for your sake.
She couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose in displeasure.
Having grown up oppressed all her life, she had developed an uncanny ability to discern the sincerity of someone’s words.
His words were genuine.
‘Why bother pretending to worry? What does it matter?’
that wasn’t all.
She recalled the moment when the mist of darkness surged towards her.
Back then, Van had willingly faced the danger for her sake.
Why?
‘Why would he do such a foolish thing?’
It was incomprehensible.
Van’s genuine concern and protection towards her today were things she had never experienced in her life.
It felt unfamiliar and bewildering.
Unable to determine how to react, she could only respond with the same sharp attitude she had maintained in every situation until now.
Like a startled hedgehog raising its quills.
‘But telling me to go to Peridot Academy?’
Catherine tilted her head.
Van had misunderstood something.
‘Practical experience? I’ve already been through it all.’
Of all people, why did she challenge the Cave of Lamentations?
Practical, hands-on learning had been attempted long ago.
‘I should go to the Ruby Academy.’
A tale that would leave Van dumbfounded.
Catherine’s pupils shimmered deeply.
‘There must be a secret to the changed Young Van.’
Perhaps, by attending his classes, she might find some clues.
Any method she tried seemed futile in escaping her dull image.
This was the only glimmer of hope she dared to pursue.
Above all else,
‘I’ll prove that I’m not inferior to Young Van.’
She didn’t know why such a thought crossed her mind.
Van and she had no connection whatsoever.
If she had to find a reason, perhaps it was due to some kind of rebellious instinct.
She imagined Van’s surprised expression upon seeing her transformed.
Somehow, it felt gratifying.
‘I will definitely succeed.’
And so, Catherine’s desired academy was decided.
* * *
‘…I feel uneasy.’
A chill ran through me, causing a slight tremor.
“Are you alright, Master?! Did something happen to your body? Oh! It’s my fault! I should have taken better care of you, master, who is soon to become a magic star!”
“…Noisy.”
I still furrowed my brows at the persistently loud Hans.
“Soon, we’ll reach the Free City of Ruby.”
By the way, the name of the Free City where the Ruby Academy was located was also Ruby.
“Yes, that’s correct. But… are you sure you’re okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well… it’s nothing.”
Hans trailed off.
A face full of worry.
The reason became apparent as soon as we arrived in Ruby.
‘Impressive.’
I admired it slightly.
I had heard that it was enormous, but it was on an immense scale.
Comparable, if not surpassing the Capital where the Ecclesia Duchy was located.
However, there was a problem.
Many people passing by on the main street recognized my face.
“Wow! It’s Young Van.”
“Really? It’s been a few years. I was glad not to see him during that time. Why did he even come?”
‘Van’ was a former student of the Ruby Academy.
During his student days, he was notorious for all sorts of mischief in this Free City.
“I heard he’s here to take the Academy professor recruitment exam?”
“Ha! That noble Van? He must be out of his mind! Or is he up to some mischief again?”
Hushed whispers echoed.
Although they tried to speak quietly, it didn’t entirely lower their voice, and it reached my ears.
Even though he was a duke’s descendant, the attitude was excessive.
It meant they regarded Van with too much familiarity.
Rather than a fearsome villain, Van was more of a pathetic, pitiful ugly piece of trash.
“How dare you!! These…!”
Hans couldn’t hold back his anger and was about to burst out, but I raised my hand to stop him.
“It’s okay. Let it be.”
“But…”
“Ignorant people can shout all they want. Don’t they know they can’t tarnish my majesty with their meaningless chatter?”
Originally, I was indifferent to such insults, living as the second son in a duke’s household.
Above all,
‘Situations where everyone underestimates me like this aren’t bad for me.’
I smirked.
‘Besides, I had to set the ‘bait’ like this.’
As mentioned earlier, passing the recruitment exam in a conventional way was impossible.
So, I had prepared a thorough ‘plan.’
To make anyone recognize my appointment.
“How will we handle this? Should we find an inn first?”
“No, before that, we’ve traveled a long way. How about a drink? Let’s go to ‘Daien.'”
“…Daien? Where is that?”
Hans had a bewildered look.
Daien is the most expensive restaurant in this Free City, famous even in the Capital.
“M-Master? Of course, Daien suits master’s dignity, but… th-the budget isn’t exactly ample.”
In the Ecclesia Duchy, they didn’t provide financial support during the four years of mandatory service in the military, bureaucracy, academia, and other sectors.
“It’s okay. I have a friend who will cover the expenses.”
I took out a letter.
It was a reply I received after applying for the recruitment exam.
I’ll be looking forward to the day we meet. Your friend, Valic.
Valic.
In the setting, he was Van’s evil friend, an early villain in the Ruby Academy storyline.
At the same time,
‘My angel who will help me pass.’
To succeed, I needed Valic’s ‘assistance.’
