The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 15.1
‘Conference? Inviting external guests for that?’
He went so far as to organize a conference just for my exam!
And he even invited external guests.
A well-planned scheme to thoroughly disgrace me.
The topic was even more absurd.
‘Unraveling of the interstellar fractal structure? That’s one of the challenges in basic magical studies.’
Hans, standing beside me, had an angry expression.
“What kind of topic is this for a new professor’s exam?! It’s absolutely absurd content…!!”
“It’s fine. In fact, it’s rather good.”
“…Master?”
If Valic had given a typical written exam, I might have been in serious trouble.
Even though I had the ability of a Grand Practitioner in magic, I had only been studying magic for just over a month. My knowledge base was definitely lacking.
However,
‘If it’s this kind of challenge, the story changes.’
I confidently raised the corner of my mouth.
“Hans, you told me yourself. That I would become a star in the magical world.”
“…Yes, I did.”
“Tomorrow, people will witness that light.”
And so, the day of the exam arrived.
* * *
“We have arrived.”
I exclaimed as I got off the carriage.
‘This is the Ruby Academy.’
Seeing the scenery firsthand, which I had only witnessed in the game, felt new and exciting.
‘It’s incredibly huge. But it’s not a city.’
It gave off the feeling of a city within a city.
Comparing it to Seoul National University, which boasts a large campus in Seoul, it was in a league of its own.
‘If you combine the size of the grounds, it’s about 20% of the entire area of the Free City.’
Considering that the Free City is one of the Capital’s top cities, the extent of Ruby Academy could be likened to a small to mid-sized city.
Of course, most of that area was restricted, sealed-off land that was off-limits. Only a portion was utilized by the students.
‘The areas where students study look like a university campus. Well, the structure of the departments is similar to a university, after all.’
The academies in the ‘Hero Academy’ are comprised of four departments:
Knight Department
Magic Department
Humanities Department
Support Department
As you might have noticed from the four departments, each one has one playable protagonist assigned.
‘In each academy, there are four protagonists, and those four are assigned to one department each among the four.’
At Ruby Academy, there will also be one assigned to the Knight Department, one to the Magic Department, one to the Humanities Department, and one to the Support Department, making a total of four.
‘Please, let there be protagonists with a more noticeable presence.’
Anyway, that’s a matter for later.
I applied for the position of ‘General Studies’ professor in the Magic Department.
‘General Studies’ is essentially the ‘miscellaneous department.’
A non-mainstream department that gathers various minor disciplines unable to fit into the mainstream of the magical world.
I am scheduled to become a major professor in the most outsider-oriented field within the General Studies, the ‘Magic Theory’ department.
‘I really like the outsider feeling. I’ll quietly enjoy the life of a carefree professor.’
However, the moment I set foot in the academy, I realized a problem.
Too many people were focusing on me.
“Huh? Senior Van Ecclesia?”
“Did he really apply as a professor?”
“Is he out of his mind?”
It’s only natural.
Van has only graduated from the academy a few years ago.
The current fourth-year students must be those who witnessed Van’s trashy appearance during their freshman year.
“I hope he won’t be appointed as a professor, right? Seriously, I was thinking of going to graduate school, should I just give up?”
“Don’t worry. There’s no way he’d pass the exam.”
“Thanks to the influence of Duke Ecclesia, he might just be appointed as one through a parachute drop.”
“No way. Professor Valic assured that he would definitely make him fail. You don’t have to worry.”
It seemed like rumors about me had already spread.
‘Anyway, it’s just a passing gaze that will fade away if I keep quiet.’
Still, it felt like I needed to calm things down a bit.
‘Don’t worry, everyone. I’ll do well. I’m harmless,’
I opened my mouth with that sentiment.
“Are you guys students at Ruby Academy? Seriously lacking. But it’s okay. From now on, I’ll lead you, so just trust and follow me.”
“…….”
Oh no.
Once again, the mischievous words of the Dark Flame Dragon caused trouble.
I quickly tried to salvage the situation, speaking in the warmest tone possible.
“Are you all from the graduating class? Did I hear that you’re going to graduate school? If you need anything, feel free to come find me. My lab is always open for you.”
“Aaaaa!! We’ll leave now!”
Like slaves escaping from a cruel slave trader, the graduating students turned pale and scrammed.
I awkwardly lowered my hand.
‘…I genuinely meant that I’ll take good care of them if they come to graduate school.’
By the way, when I become a professor, I have to recruit graduate students.
I’ll treat them well.
…Seriously.
At that moment, an oily voice heavily reached my ears.
“Student Van, long time no see. Ah, you’ve become truly splendid in my absence. Your Excellency Van, how have you been?”
It was a middle-aged man adorned with jewels that made his whole body sparkle.
His extravagant attire was as dazzling as that of a duke’s.
Upon closer inspection, he was quite handsome, but due to excessive adornment, he ended up looking rather ridiculous.
I had a surprised expression.
‘Count Karak, the Chancellor!’
That’s right.
The flamboyant man was the chancellor leading Ruby Academy.
‘The culprit who ruined Rubyneus Academy.’
Originally, Ruby Academy wasn’t the bottom of the four major prestigious academies.
There were times when it even competed for the top two spots.
The downfall began precisely after this man took office as the chancellor.
‘The worst chancellor in history.’
