The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 152

I was in the midst of preparing to attend the symposium 

when an unexpected incident occurred.

“…You’re saying I should not attend the royal symposium? Why is that?”

Surprisingly, Chancellor Karak advised me against it.

‘Did father intervene?’

But that didn’t seem to be the case.

“Ohoho, please don’t misunderstand. There has been a request for investigative cooperation with the city for Professor Van. Due to the schedule, it seems difficult to attend the royal symposium.”

“An investigative cooperation request all of a sudden? Can’t that be dealt with after I return from the royal symposium?”

Requesting the cooperation of a magic department professor in a criminal investigation is common.

“The thing is… the request isn’t for your expertise as a consultant. You’re the suspect, Professor Van.”

“What?”

I doubted my ears.

I’m the suspect. Meaning, I’ve been singled out as the criminal.

‘What kind of case is this all of a sudden?’

“I’ll explain, Chancellor.”

The door slid open, and a familiar face appeared.

It’s the captain of the city guards.

He’s always been friendly towards me, so I was about to greet him warmly when.

Click.

Handcuffs were placed on my wrists.

“I’m sorry, Professor. You’re under arrest for colluding with the Three Evils.”

‘…What kind of nonsense is this?’

I looked at the captain of the guards.

He looked as if he knew he was spouting nonsense, his face full of apology.

Following him, the person behind this absurd accusation appeared.

“Don’t even think about leaving the jail until the royal symposium is over, in a week.”

It was my sister Mariam!

I made a troubled face.

“Sister.”

“Quiet. It doesn’t matter what you say, I won’t listen.”

“…….”

“How many days has it been since you nearly died? This time, you might actually die!”

I swallowed a sigh.

Mariam’s eyes flickered with venom.

“You don’t have to worry.”

“Don’t be foolish! You have no idea how terrible our father is, how dreadful the Ecclesia family can be!”

I understood what my sister Mariam was saying.

The Ecclesia family is a political powerhouse.

Their fundamental nature is different from other families.

If swordsmanship families are about honor, magic families are cunning, and commerce families are greedy, then the Ecclesias are ruthless. 

That’s the nature of politics.

“Our Ecclesia family does not hesitate to spill the blood of our own kin. How many heads of the family in our history do you think spared their rival siblings after succession disputes? Father eliminated all his competing siblings. Do you think you’ll be an exception?”

I know.

I’m not an exception either.

That’s why I feel so heavy-hearted right now.

But why?

The moment I saw Mariam’s eyes blazing with rage, I realized something I hadn’t been aware of myself.

‘I’m not afraid of fighting father.’

A sigh escaped me.

‘I’m afraid that this will tear apart ‘family’.’

It was a ridiculous thought.

After all, they aren’t really my family.

But like the dreams I had recently, as if I really became ‘Van’.

The affection I felt for them was so warm that I couldn’t bear to lose it.

“Thank you for your concern.”

“You!”

“I know why you’re the only one who keeps my picture separately.”

An out-of-the-blue statement.

Mariam keeps a picture of Van separately from other family members.

People said it was character-breaking for someone as pragmatic as her to have a brother complexion, but I knew.

It wasn’t because Mariam was a brocon that she kept my picture.

“Because you consider me your only true family, right?”

Having a family photo is common.

But to Mariam, I am the only family. That’s why she only has ‘Van’’s picture.

‘From Mariam’s perspective, it surely doesn’t feel like the others are family.’

Ron is in a life-or-death struggle, and Duke Huam is letting them fight it out.

Though succession disputes are a tradition in the Ecclesia family, it’s inevitable to feel its cruelty.

Cal pretends not to care while hitting a wall, and Leona has already fallen out with the family.

Crucially, it was when Mariam was on her deathbed.

Back then, the only one who truly cried for her was ‘Van’.

‘Seeing it like this, it’s hard to call it a harmonious family.’

I thought bitterly.

‘Still, even if it’s this kind of family, maybe it’s better to stay quiet if I don’t want to lose them.’

I recalled a previous family dinner.

Even though it was just for show, I was happy.

Because on Earth, I couldn’t even hope for this much.

But soon, I shook my head.

‘Staying quietly isn’t the answer. It’s going to collapse eventually, anyway.’

The Ecclesia ‘house’ will continue to thrive.

But if the scenario continues as is, the ‘family’ will completely crumble.

Blood will be shed from one to another, leaving only terrible wounds, becoming worse than strangers to each other.

I had to take action.

‘Not just for my own selfish desires, but avoiding the catastrophe would also give me peace in life.’

The problem is that it’s not the fault of just one person.

From my perspective, knowing the full story, everyone is at fault.

Father, Brother Ron, Sister Mariam. Even Cal, who hides his true feelings.

All of them share the responsibility for the family’s breakdown.

‘Perhaps Leona is the least to blame. There’s definitely a convincing reason for Leona becoming the Demon Brain.’

Since it’s not the fault of just one person, preventing the collapse isn’t easy.

“I might have to take a risky gamble. It’s the only method worth trying.”

“I consider you my true family too, Sister.”

“Ha! What nonsense!”

“Father, Brother Ron, Cal, and Leona are the same for me.”

“…….”

Sister Mariam’s eyebrows twitched.

“So what? You’ve been a naive fool since you were young. It’s not my business how you view the other family members.”

“I’m thinking of causing a bit of trouble for the sake of our family.”

“Ha! What kind of nonsense is that?”

I shared my plan, and Sister Mariam’s eyes widened as if they were about to split.

“Are you insane? There’s no way that will work!”

“No, it will work. Even Father can’t do anything if I cause ‘such a scandal.’ For the sake of the glorious Ecclesia family.”

Yes.

I plan to do something that not even Duke Huam could handle.

Am I afraid of the aftermath?

It’s okay.

‘He’ll be furious, but what can he do? We’re family. Once the incident happens, he’ll have no choice but to move on.’

Above all.

‘The scandal I’m planning might just be the catalyst to break down the walls between our family members.’

Of course, I know.

The walls that have already risen high won’t easily fall.

So, this is a gamble.

I’m not hoping for anything grand.

Just a chance for a small change.

Even if it’s a small change, who knows what miracles it might lead to in the future.

“So, I have a favor to ask of you regarding this matter.”

“What is it?”

“It won’t be anything too difficult.”

And then.

Sister Mariam’s eyes widened again when she heard my ‘request.’

“I’d rather you asked for something more troublesome!”

A natural reaction.

My request was essentially to maintain the charges against me.

Meaning, to continue framing me as a spy colluding with the Three Evils.

 

* * *

 

   

“…What’s this now?”

Was the reaction of those who read the news.

Everyone was baffled.

“Professor Van would never do that?”

How much has Van contributed against those villains of the Three Evils until now?

Especially those who knew Van would never believe the contents of the newspaper article.

‘But Mayor Mariam personally accused him? Something’s off here.’

And a little later.

   

“??”

“??”

What exactly is happening here?

If ordinary people were confused, those who knew Van reacted a bit differently.

“…This has to be it, right?”

“Yeah, seems like it.”

Sighing, they exclaimed,

“200% self-directed drama! What kind of trouble is he planning this time? That troublemaker dragon, Van!”

Their guess was spot on.

Van was leisurely entering the capital.

His destination was the Royal Symposium.

 

* * *

 

“How did you get here?”

“I’m a participant at the Royal Symposium. I, Van the Lege.. no, Professor Van Ecclesia.”

“Yes, Professor Van Ecclesia. Confirmed… ? Huh? Eh?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Excuse me, but aren’t you wanted?”

“Is there a rule stating wanted persons can’t attend the Royal Symposium?”

“Well, that’s not exactly… ?”

“No problem then. I shall go in.”

The Royal Symposium was held in a grand hall adjacent to the royal palace.

The knight checking the attendees bewilderedly made way.

Why am I not arrested, you ask?

‘Because the warrant isn’t nationwide.’

There’s absolutely no evidence for my alleged collusion with the Three Evils.

Sure, in the Free City, where Sister Mariam is the mayor, she might have issued a warrant on her own accord, but making it nationwide was out of the question.

Then, why all this fuss?

‘It’s bait for the scandal I plan to cause.’

As I boldly made my appearance, the symposium hall buzzed.

I was already famous, and the recent uproar made me even more of a spectacle.

Ignoring the murmurs, I looked for a particular person.

‘There he is.’

It was the Demon Blade Mikhail.

The Royal Symposium, being a royal-sponsored conference, required a member of the royal family to act as the chairperson, and this time Mikhail had taken on that role.

However, I frowned.

There was no one around Mikhail.

Usually, the area around the chairman leading the conference would be bustling.

It was as if they were avoiding someone with a contagious disease.

Nonetheless, it was fortunate that it was quiet around him.

I had something to say.

“Your Highness Mikhail.”

Unexpectedly, Mikhail reacted in a surprising way.

“It’s an honor to meet the renowned Professor Van. I hope the conference will be fruitful for you.”

A courteous greeting, yet it erected a wall devoid of any warmth.

“Your Highness.”

When I called out again, Mikhail frowned.

“Do not misunderstand, Professor Van. This is not the academy. You and I have no relation, so do not overstep by pretending to be close.”

I swallowed a sigh.

Mikhail was acting this way out of concern for me.

Worried that associating with him might cause me harm.

“Why worry so much? Given that I’m currently under suspicion of colluding with the Three Evils, associating with me would be more detrimental to Your Highness than the other way around.”

“Absurd! What are you thinking?!”

“More importantly, I have something to discuss.”

I looked straight at Mikhail.

“Do you know what is most important when you’re wrongfully accused?”

“…What are you getting all of a sudden?”

“Never admit to any wrongdoing.”

Mikhail’s expression hardened.

He guessed why I was saying this.

“Do not forget. You, Your Highness has done nothing wrong. So no matter what unjust situation arises, never bow your head. Trust me.”