The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 132
The magic dragon looked down at us, and the area fell into deathly silence.
“A dragon, suddenly?”
“Why does this keep happening?!”
“I-It’s the Shadow Ghost. The curse of the Shadow Specter has fallen upon us!”
It was one of the names of the Ten Demons.
An entity rumored to exist for hundreds of years.
Having never revealed its identity, its existence was questionable, but it was known to cast a curse of misfortune on unspecified targets.
Thus, when one experiences a series of unexplainable, massive calamities, it’s said to be the curse of the Shadow Specter.
‘Shadow Specter my foot. That’s just a real urban legend. If this is the curse of the Shadow Specter, am I living under its curse every day? This is someone else’s doing.’
I bit my lip hard.
‘Beril lured a magical dragon living in the Great Forest with dark magic.’
The situation became clear.
The plan was likely to unleash the magic dragon at the peak of the practical training to inflict a major blow on the students of Amethyst Academy.
And, by some unfortunate luck, the students designated as the dragon’s prey ended up moving to the Great Forest, leading it here.
‘Damn, what to do? It looks to be at least it’s of the middle tier.’
Dragons’ powers vary by their type.
The types of dragons are divided into lesser, middle, and elder, with the middle tier generally possessing the strength of around Level 7.
For reference, Mari is of the Great Elder type, considered the noblest among elders.
‘It’s unreasonable for me to take on a Level 7 monster.’
Up until now, I could only face a Level 7 if I had some advantages in my favor.
Although I’ve become much stronger, directly facing anything up to Level 5 and at most exploiting the weaknesses of a Level 6 was my limit.
‘Especially since it’s a magic dragon. Engulfed in wickedness, its overall balance might be lower, but it possesses much more vicious power. There’s simply no way…’
I blinked momentarily.
‘Really no way?’
Somehow, it felt like there was!
‘Compared to all the trials and tribulations I’ve been through, this doesn’t seem like much in fact.’
The monocle’s color was purple.
Now, it’s red.
An 80% mortality rate.
‘Thinking about it the other way, there’s a 20% survival rate. That’s a pretty high chance, isn’t it? A 2 in 10 chance of not dying.’
In the past, I would have trembled at a victory probability over 60%, but now I’m different.
I reflected on the past.
Every single day was a disaster and calamity.
If the Shadow Specter really exists, it must have poured all its misfortune on me.
Perhaps that’s why I wasn’t as shaken as I thought I would be.
Sure, I was scared, but I could think calmly without panicking.
‘There must be a way to survive with a 20% chance.’
That’s when it happened.
The magic dragon began to move.
Rumbling, it scrutinized us as if looking at its prey, then spoke.
That is a vessel of a great saint.
“!!”
It was referring to Johan.
The dragon salivated.
Give me that vessel. Give me just that vessel, and I will spare the rest.
“What nonsense?! Do you think we would believe the words of a dragon like you?!”
The students of Amethyst shouted.
Unlike the unsociable Joanna, Johan seemed to have many friends, given his somewhat popular style.
I swear on my soul. If you give me the vessel of the saint, I will not harm even a fingertip of yours. No, I will even ensure you safely leave the Great Forest.
“!!”
The students hesitated.
Of course, I scoffed inwardly.
‘As if a dragon would keep its promise. It’s probably planning to send us out of the Great Forest only to then devour us all.’
Instead, a plan flashed through my mind.
‘We need to restore Johan’s holy power. If Johan can use his holy power, we can significantly increase our chances of survival. Holy power is a force that is greatly effective against dragons.’
It was an unrealistic thought.
Having been in a slump continuously, how could a miracle of recovering holy power suddenly happen?
But then, a method came to mind.
‘We can use the current situation to stimulate Johan.’
That’s when it happened.
“So, if I truly sacrifice myself, will it save the others?”
“Johan! Are you seriously considering?”
“It’s okay. After all, someone like me. I won’t be of any help to others even if I live, so sacrificing myself like this for everyone else….”
Johan’s words were sincere.
The burden. Self-loathing. The responsibility he couldn’t let go of, depression, and so on.
Johan was a bundle of complexes.
“I will give my life…!!”
“Shut your mouth.”
“Pr-Professor?”
I hardened my face and rebuked Johan.
‘Now’s the crucial part. Facial expression acting.’
No, there was no need to act.
I was genuinely displeased with Johan’s behavior.
Who does he think he is, offering to die in their place?
Just a mere child.
“Who gave you the right to offer up your life like that?”
“But….”
“Haven’t I told you? I will protect you all.”
“!!”
I stepped forward in front of the students and faced the magic dragon directly.
“It’s my duty as a professor to protect you students. Don’t be presumptuous.”
I had a reason for doing this.
Pretending to sacrifice myself to stimulate Johan was the plan!
‘…Even if that wasn’t the reason, stepping forward for the students is something I should do anyway. Ah, such is my fate.’
I suddenly wondered if I had chosen the wrong profession, letting out a sigh.
Wasn’t I boasting earlier that a 20% survival rate was worth a shot? Despite my bravado, the truth was, I was scared.
My true nature was just that of an ordinary citizen.
Nevertheless, I had no choice.
I chose to become a professor.
Even though my goal was to have an easy job, that doesn’t mean I can ignore my duties.
Protecting the students is my duty as a professor.
‘So, please awaken quickly and save me from dying!’
With that wish, I spoke as nobly as I could.
“All you need to do is trust me, your professor, and leave everything to me.”
“!!”
Johan. No, the eyes of everyone began to waver visibly.
“Pr-Professor.”
I raised my voice to the hesitant students.
“What are you all doing? Didn’t I tell you to run away and leave it to me? Go on. That’s an order.”
Only then did the students start to turn away.
But not everyone followed my words.
A girl with defiant, noble features and eyes full of rebellion, Joanna, came up beside me, her nose in the air.
“Didn’t you hear what I said?”
“Why should I follow your orders? You’re not even our academy’s professor. Plus, I don’t usually do what others tell me to.”
“This isn’t a place for you, a rookie leveled to 3.”
“What are you talking about? You’re just a lowly Level 2 yourself.”
“…….”
“And, don’t get me wrong, okay? It’s not like I’m doing this for you. It’s just that I find your self-righteousness annoying.”
Me too… here! Can’t leave you alone!
“I will join as well.”
Professor, I’ll be with you in spirit from afar!
Even Theren joined in.
By the way, the last one was Hans’s minuscule encouragement via communicator.
“Theren, how are you feeling?”
“Be quiet. I’ll handle it, so keep your mouth shu… sorry, some words slipped.”
‘…Isn’t this how Theren talks when he becomes a bit of a thug at the start of his ‘wandering’, his ‘fall from grace’? No, it can’t be. It’s just the confusion speaking, right?’
Regardless, now wasn’t the time to ponder such things.
How Dare. You shall die first.
A chill ran down my spine as a strong presence surged towards us.
Kwaaaarrr.
The magic dragon unleashed its breath.
The battle had begun.
* * *
If dark magic deals with the negativity of the world, then holy magic deals with blessings.
The mana wielded by dark wizards is called ‘dark mana,’ and that of holy mages is termed ‘white mana.’
So, what is the holy power that saints wield?
It is used in holy magic as well, but it is somewhat different from ‘white mana.’
White mana specializes in handling blessings but is ultimately a type of mana.
In contrast, holy power is the essence of blessing itself.
Put simply, it’s like concentrated essence.
Therefore, the holy magic performed by saints exhibits a power that is on a different level from that of ordinary holy mages.
‘But, do I really suit such a noble power?’
I want to run away.
That was Johan’s honest feeling.
There is an image that saints are inherently good and noble.
And it’s not exactly wrong.
A less than noble soul wouldn’t be imbued with holy power.
However, Johan knew well that he wasn’t such a being.
Though he acted kind on the outside, he was filled with vile thoughts inside.
He harbored hatred, jealousy, greed, cynicism, hostility towards others, and so on.
He felt self-loathing every time he was swayed by his own ugliness.
‘So, it’s like the demon seed growing inside me. It must be the punishment because I don’t match the holy power.’
That’s why he was somewhat relieved when there were issues with his holy power.
He asked Van for solutions, but truthfully, it was just an excuse to alleviate his sense of responsibility.
You don’t need to force yourself.
He expected such an answer from Professor Van.
‘Such a foolish professor.’
Johan clenched his fists tightly.
He saw Van standing against the magic dragon.
In stark contrast to the terrifying power of the magic dragon, Van’s magic, hindered by his mana insensitivity, seemed utterly pitiful.
Anyone could see it.
Van was risking his life, moment by moment, to block the dragon.
It was a situation so dire that facing death at any moment wouldn’t have been surprising.
‘Telling me to value my own life above all else?’
Johan felt tears well up at the sight of Van’s profoundly noble figure.
He wasn’t the only one moved by this.
Other students, who had turned to flee, also bit their lips hard at the sight of Van.
“…Van the Legend.”
Yes, if this wasn’t legendary, then what was?
At this moment, Van’s figure was etched into everyone’s hearts.
‘I won’t just sit here and do nothing either.’
Van’s words came to mind.
It would be better to think about what you truly want. Walking the path of a saint out of obligation will only lead to failure soon enough
At this moment,
Johan found something he truly desired.
‘Professor Van, I want to become someone like you. Even if it’s hard. I want to at least be half as noble as you are.’
It was the moment Johan made his vow.
Whooooosh!!
A brilliant light burst forth from Johan’s body.
It was his ‘awakening.’
