The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 130
‘Hearing the howl of what seems of a werewolf, it seems I’ve fallen into the outskirts of the Great Forest.’
I was suddenly struck by the frightening inevitability of the storyline.
‘Normally, getting caught in a spatial distortion sends one to a random location, but I’ve landed precisely in the setting of the episode.’
My heart felt heavy for a moment.
‘Does this mean what’s supposed to happen will definitely occur?’
Because I know what will happen in the future.
‘First, I should join up with the first-year students who’ve become lost.’
The clear condition for this episode was simple.
It was the survival of key individuals until the rescue team arrives.
‘Of course, the protagonists, and the other named students of Amethyst must not die either.’
As can be guessed from what has happened so far, Ouroboros has been trying to bring down the four prestigious academies.
The protagonists, including named students from each academy, had to join forces to stop its advance.
‘But how do I get to where the students are?’
It’s not that I didn’t know the way.
This Great Forest is a place frequently visited during the Amethyst storyline progression.
Although this episode is set in the outskirts, in the future, it will expand to the Dead Sea.
So, I was quite familiar with the structure of the Great Forest and had a rough idea of where the students might have fallen.
Grrrrr.
Werewolves blocked my path.
Level 2 monsters.
As I’ve said several times before, I’m weaker against a number of low-levels than against a few high-levels.
‘Where the heck is Hans? I was planning to leave the mob cleaning to him.’
Even if Hans is a non-combat major, now being a Level 6 mage, he should be able to easily take care of such mobs.
Then, the communicator rang.
Professor, where are you?!
“I got caught in a spatial distortion and fell into the Great Forest. Hans, where are you? Hurry over to where I am.”
I wasn’t caught in it, you see?
“You weren’t caught in it? How? Did you escape on your own by any chance?”
How could you say that about me?! To This Hans?! Even if I die, I would not run away leaving the professor behind, you know that, don’t you?!
“Then why?”
…Well, it’s not that I ran away, but this happened when I secretly went to the restroom without telling the professor.
“…….”
…….
Despite being Level 6, Hans was still of no help.
Ugh! This was supposed to be an opportunity to show my loyalty towards the professor, how regrettable!
“I will hang up. I’m busy.”
I clicked my tongue.
Just as I was about to reluctantly use my tiny and precious mana,
What… a mess…!!
Mari suddenly popped out of the magic pouch and growled.
‘Mari, what are you doing risking yourself?! Get back in here!’
But then, something amazing happened.
Kkkknggg….
The werewolves saw Mari and, tucking their tails, disappeared!
My eyes widened in surprise.
‘What just happened?’
I had a guess.
‘Did Mari just express a dragon’s fear?’
It seemed so!
Although still a baby, being a dragon, it seems she could now manifest fear!
Ehehe! Did I do well?
“Yes, you did well. You’re much better than Hans or Lyndon.”
Of course, I’m better than those fwools!
Mari fluttered her wings with a proud flutter.
I chuckled at the adorable sight.
The tension that had been taut slightly eased.
I looked towards the place where the students were likely to have fallen.
Until I arrived, the students had to survive on their own.
Especially the protagonists.
Theren, Joanna, Johan had to play their parts.
‘I did prepare them somewhat, but I have no faith at all.’
It seemed that I had gotten used to the role of a professor, considering I was worried about the students.
There was only one way.
“Let’s hurry.”
As quickly as possible.
I had no choice but to rescue those baby chicks.
* * *
Screeeeeeech.
With a chilling cry, the boys and girls turned pale.
They were the Amethyst first-year students who had fallen into the Great Forest.
“Really, the Great Forest?”
“What do we do? We’re all going to die!”
“What about the professors?!”
“When the spatial distortion occurred, everyone dodged it. Only we fell on it!”
The students looked desperate.
“There is a professor who didn’t run away.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I saw it. Despite the spatial distortion occurring, he came closer to protect us.”
“Who?! Which professor?”
“Professor Van.”
“…Professor Van? You mean it?”
“Yes, Professor Van the Legend of Ruby.”
The atmosphere rapidly cooled.
Now, even the students of Amethyst knew that Van was not the rumored failure.
However, they were skeptical of his abilities.
“It’s nice that he stayed behind for us, but I doubt he’ll be of any help.”
“No, you’re wrong. Everyone attended the special lecture. Maybe he could save us!”
“He’s only good at theory. How could someone with mana insensitivity do anything in the Great Forest full of monsters?”
“We’re all dead!!”
“Wah, Mom. I miss you.”
Then, someone banged on a tree.
“Everyone, quiet! Who’s dying?! We are all the elite top students of Amethyst! We can handle the monsters of the Great Forest!”
Everyone’s expression turned determined.
Right.
Who were they?
They were the ones who had proudly passed the entrance examination of the Amethyst Academy, which had the highest failure rate among the four prestigious academies, and were identified as the top students in the early first semester evaluations.
Their proficiency was all Level 2.
“Yes, we can do it.”
“Le-Let’s be strong!”
That’s when it happened.
Grrrr.
With a low growl, shadows appeared from between the trees.
Gnolls.
Monsters with the heads of hyenas.
“We can win! Against such low-level monsters, Level 1 at the bottom! Aaaah!”
The Swordsmanship faculty student who stepped forward screamed.
The gnolls were indeed the lowest of Level 1 monsters, but the problem lay with the students.
Even though they were among the top newcomers, this was their first time facing a life-threatening real battle.
They couldn’t possibly respond properly.
“Bl-Blood?! I have hemophobia!”
“When are the professors coming?! Save us!”
“Aaaah!!”
Just before a catastrophe unfolded, salvation appeared.
It wasn’t a professor.
Flash! Whoosh!
In such a situation, a strikingly handsome and radiant young man appeared.
“Is everyone okay?”
“Y-You’re the influencer Theren from Ruby?”
“Yes, we became friends a few days ago, right? Don’t worry. I’ll hold them off.”
Theren smiled reassuringly and swung his sword.
The gnolls fell helplessly.
Despite being in the same year, the difference in skill was incomparable.
It wasn’t just because he was a direct descendant of a renowned swordsmanship family.
‘It’s the effect of Professor Van’s special training.’
Theren narrowed his eyes.
In the past few days, Van had been giving them strange guidance.
He had them endure brute physical training and repeat strange sword stances, among other things.
Curious about what he was thinking, Theren followed along while inwardly scoffing, but what do you know?
His skills improved significantly.
‘He supplemented my weaknesses that I wasn’t aware of in a short period.’
And that wasn’t all.
‘That idiot bald assistant also made some support magic tools. They’re incredibly effective.’
Thanks to this, Theren was thrilled to be able to cut down the monsters.
‘This is what I wanted. Not the protection from my family, but the thrill of real combat.’
Of course, he didn’t forget to manage his image in the process.
After all, Theren was acutely aware that he was part of the elite class that would lead the empire in the future.
Gathering followers was tiresome, but he knew such connections would come in handy later.
“Everyone, follow me! Let’s join up with the other students who fell nearby!”
“Got it! Theren, we trust only in you!”
Thanks to Theren, the Amethyst students regained their composure and formed ranks.
“We can do it!”
“Yes! If we work together, we can make it out of the Great Forest!!”
Their morale skyrocketed.
At the center was Theren.
Theren’s face was brimming with confidence.
But then,
“Everyone, be quiet. Keep it down.”
“Lady Joanna?”
“Do you think it’s over just because we’ve taken down a few of the lowest monsters? What if our noise attracts a higher-level monster? The best course of action is to wait quietly for the rescue team.”
While her point was valid, everyone looked displeased.
Joanna had already earned everyone’s displeasure due to her prickly words and behavior.
“You’re a bit toxic…”
Just then,
Koong!
The bushes vibrated.
“A troll?”
“That must be Level 4!”
Everyone’s complexion turned pale.
But, once again, Theren calmed everyone down.
“It’s okay. We can win if we combine our strength. I’ll face it head-on, so everyone, back me up.”
Flash!
Theren’s sword gleamed.
Though it didn’t deal a significant blow, as expected, Theren felt his heart racing.
The situation of life-threatening danger excited him.
‘I’ve heard enough from my family on how to deal with trolls. We can definitely win.’
He aimed for the vital points he had been taught, but then something went wrong.
‘Why isn’t it working?’
The troll only became angrier and more aggressive.
“Kuh?!”
“Theren?!”
“I-It’s okay. Ah!!”
Theren’s face turned pale.
The recent attack. If it weren’t for the protective magic tool given by the bald assistant, he wouldn’t have been able to block it.
It was like being doused in cold water.
‘No! I’m not afraid. Not of such monsters!’
He finally managed to bring it down properly.
‘I did it! This is the taste of real combat!’
It was the moment he clenched his fist.
Koong!!
The vibration that followed was incomparable to before.
‘Huh?’
Theren realized his mistake.
The troll he had just brought down wasn’t a proper one.
It was merely an undeveloped baby troll.
Now, an adult troll has appeared.
At first glance, it seemed to be at least Level 5.
And it was enraged, having lost its offspring.
Woooooooo!!
Shiver.
Theren’s hands trembled involuntarily.
‘T-This is cheating.’
Theren, who had found everything in the world too easy and boring, faced the fear of death for the first time and realized how naive and arrogant he had been.
‘How can I possibly face something like that?’
Then, stars seemed to burst from Theren’s eyes.
Slap!
He was slapped across the face.
“Idiot, aren’t you going to snap out of it?”
“J-Joanna?”
“As a swordsman, if you can’t even properly play the role of a shield, what are you planning to do? Stop spacing out and hold your sword right! I’ll take care of that troll monster if you just buy me some time.”
“How can you deal with that? It’s impossible!”
“Haa.”
Slip
Joanna grabbed Theren by the collar.
“I don’t know how. But, I will. Somehow, for sure. Got it?”
Theren swallowed hard.
He couldn’t understand how she could be so determined to face a monster that seemed utterly unbeatable.
Moreover, Joanna’s skills were definitely not superior to his.
“Aren’t you scared?”
“What kind of nonsense? Of course, I’m scared too.”
An unexpected response.
Indeed, Joanna’s eyes reflected tension and fear.
But beyond that, an even more vivid emotion was present.
Catching a glimpse of that emotion, Theren remembered Joanna’s social nickname.
Psycho
That was one of Joanna’s names.
“There’s something annoying here, and I need to put it in its place.”
Joanna’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
