The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 161
I closed my eyes.
‘It won’t be easy.’
A feat that requires the cooperation of four mage class protagonists.
Originally, it would have been impossible, even for me.
However, my understanding of magic has recently surged.
Thanks to devouring high-level magical texts at the Amethyst Academy and experiencing dark arts at the Dark Art Museum.
Especially, the Dark Art Museum was of great help.
‘The key to activating the Heavenly Fountain is dark magic.’
An unexpected revelation.
‘Despair’s negation must become the joy of hope.’
This was due to the effect of the Heavenly Fountain.
The effect of the Heavenly Fountain wasn’t merely to expel the wicked curses of dark mages.
If that were all, such grand conditions wouldn’t have been necessary.
The Heavenly Fountain is a hidden piece for the ‘Apocalypse’ scenario in the fourth year.
‘It’s a hidden piece intended to give hope to humanity plunged into despair.’
I quietly imagined myself ascending to the caliber of the Ascendants.
A feeling that’s now somewhat familiar.
In that state, I unleashed elemental, manipulation, and dark magic simultaneously.
I created the foundation for activation with elemental defense control and manipulation variations.
And I infused it with meaning through dark magic.
Hope blossoming from despair.
Yes.
It was the same as the content of ‘Joy’ I had submitted to the Dark Art Museum.
Phhaaaaa
A brilliant light burst forth from the fountain.
The last part was Mari.
I, I…! A great dragon of blessing, bless this fountain! Stir to life!
Originally, one had to summon the most noble holy attribute race and have them perform a blessing spell.
I had Mari cram blessing spells for over ten days.
As a result of all these combined.
The ‘miracle’ left behind by the Level 9 Ascendant Saint began to manifest.
* * *
“Huhu, don’t die, sister.”
In a shabby shack in the slums of the capital.
A boy was crying.
It was a feast day that everyone was enjoying, but it had nothing to do with the boy.
His only family, his sister, was dying from a plague that had recently spread.
And it wasn’t just the boy’s family.
Many throughout the capital were shedding tears, losing family members to the epidemic.
‘Oh heavens, please save my sister. Please. If you don’t, I’ll hold a grudge.’
He was praying desperately when suddenly,
Rumble!
The boy was startled, terrified, mistaking his prayer as presumptuous and believing the heavens struck with thunder in response.
But it wasn’t the sound of thunder.
The clouds began to part.
The darkness was pushed away, revealing a blue sky.
So clear and pure it chilled the heart.
‘Ah.’
Tears welled up in the boy’s eyes for a moment.
The clearing sky seemed to offer solace for his plight.
A promise that the current despair would vanish, and a bright future awaited.
And he wasn’t alone.
Many citizens of the capital, witnessing this majestic miracle, felt a similar surge of emotion.
But that wasn’t the end.
“Rain?”
From the clear sky, a fine drizzle began to fall.
It was so light and fine it was almost embarrassing to call it rain, yet the raindrops sparkled brilliantly.
It was rain of holy water.
Amazingly, the rain didn’t distinguish between indoors and outdoors.
The moment the holy water touched those suffering from the plague, miracles occurred.
The aura of death left them, and the energy of life filled them.
“Sister? Sister!! The heavens have answered my prayer. Thank you!”
On the other hand, those participating in the feast day events had somewhat different reactions.
This was due to having witnessed the miracle unfold firsthand.
Three figures enveloped in brilliant light extending from the fountain were visible.
Mikhail, Van, and Mari.
“…Saint.”
Although these people had once called Mikhail ‘Demon Blade,’ treating him like the incarnation of a demon, now they couldn’t entertain such thoughts.
He appeared too noble.
Yet, it wasn’t Mikhail who captured everyone’s attention most intensely.
A mage with an arrogant demeanor, a dragon perched on his shoulder as if receiving the veneration of a great dragon.
Everyone present knew who the mage was.
Once derided as Van the Trash, receiving everyone’s contempt.
Now, he was known as Van the Legend, the one who wrought this miracle.
“The name ‘Van the Legend’ was no lie.”
Expressions of awe and reverence followed.
“It’s even insufficient. The phrase ‘Van the Great Legend’ would still fall short for what he showed us today.”
Thus, “Van-Gre.”
People murmured “Van the Great Legend.”
You have achieved a Hidden Piece!
Your fame increases significantly!
Those who doubted you will repent!
You become the protagonist of ‘Hope’!
A special perk is granted! [Death Avoidance Right]. Once, you have a high chance to avoid death!
* * *
The events of that day caused a tremendous ripple.
[Van the Legend, Once Again Creates a Miracle! A New Sky Opens Thanks to Van the Legend’s Miracle!]
[Van the Legend, Revered by the Great Dragon! How Far Will the Legend of Van the Legend Go? Now We Must Call Him Van the Great Legend!]
[Flood of Members Joining the Van Fan Club!]
[A community battle erupts between Amethyst Academy and Ruby Academy. “Van the Legend is our academy’s professor.”]
[A Ruby student caused controversy during the community battle by threatening another student’s safety! ‘I-If you… dare to challenge… Professor Van… you will die.’]
‘Did I cause too much of a stir? What’s with Van the Great Legend?’
I put down the newspapers with a flabbergasted face.
‘It’s too late to regret now. Maybe it’s better to fully embrace the celebrity concept. No one will dare to mess with me easily.’
I skimmed through the newspaper articles again.
There was something noteworthy: there were no articles mentioning Mikhail.
They were trying to overshadow Mikhail’s achievements.
It didn’t matter.
‘Now, they won’t be able to touch His Highness Mikhail so easily.’
As mentioned before, the Heavenly Fountain is a hidden piece meant to give hope to those plunged into despair at the apocalypse.
But it doesn’t stop there; it also instills a strong affection in the people for the protagonists who activated the hidden piece.
‘In short, the people have become Mikhail’s support base.’
If someone tries to kill Mikhail rashly, they would face backlash from the people, forcing them to be cautious.
‘This won’t be a long-lasting shield, though.’
The fundamental answer is one.
Mikhail must come to a conclusion.
What path he will choose for himself.
‘I can’t force him to do anything. I have to wait for him to find his own answer.’
I glanced ahead.
It seemed Mikhail was also contemplating.
His expression was complicated, perhaps profoundly affected by recent events.
“Sorry. I invited you to the palace and now I’m lost in thought. I don’t know how to thank you for what you’ve done. Truly… I’m truly grateful.”
It was the hundredth time I’d heard his thanks.
Hearing it so much was almost tiring, and Mikhail often seemed on the verge of tears while speaking.
Worried I’d have to see a grown man cry again, I quickly changed the subject.
“Weren’t we going to have a beer? Where is it? Let’s have one now.”
Yeah! Me too! Mari wants to drink!!
My lord… I’m here too. You haven’t forgotten about me, this Dark Heaven’s Destruction Sword, have you?
…Truth be told, I had forgotten about the Demon King’s Sword.
It’s so lacking in presence that I keep forgetting it.
Did you… really forget about me? That’s… disappointing. As the Dark Heaven’s Destruction Sword, I mean to say… this. You know and that…
I put it back into the magic pouch because it was too noisy.
Mikhail brought over the beer he had been keeping.
“Then let’s toast. To your kindness. I will surely repay it. Definitely.”
It was the two hundredth time I’d heard promises of repayment, and I smiled wryly.
‘Now that I think about it, I received a special perk. It’s a very valuable perk.’
The Death Avoidance Right.
It creates a miracle in a certain death situation, allowing survival.
Of course, it doesn’t guarantee 100% avoidance of death.
The chance was about 50%.
But 50% is a very high probability.
It felt like having an extra life, an incredible perk, but,
‘Why do I feel so uneasy? Usually, these kinds of perks or items flag an impending death.’
Then, an unexpected voice interjected.
“The beer looks refreshing. May I have one too?”
I smiled with delight.
It was Professor Burnstein!
‘He’s succeeded in reaching Level 7!’
A much stronger aura could be felt from him than before.
“Congratulations on your achievement.”
“Van, you, ah. Locked us up like that.”
“Since the outcome was good, isn’t it fine?”
“What do you mean good? It was not good at all.”
“You’ve reached Level 7 and say it wasn’t good? What are you saying? Don’t tell me? Were you turned down by Lady Siena?”
“…I wasn’t turned down. I just didn’t have the opportunity to talk.”
“After being together for so long, you didn’t have the chance to confess?”
‘This clueless professor!’
I could imagine it.
The frustrating sight of him hesitating to confess and then sheepishly closing his mouth without saying a word.
That must have been how it was the entire time.
“Van, you’re young and might not understand, but expressing one’s true feelings is extremely difficult.”
“Isn’t it just a lack of courage?”
“Don’t act all superior when you’re a lifelong single yourself.”
“Ahem, sorry to interrupt, but I’m also a lifelong single. How about the three of us lifelong singles have a beer together?”
Myself, Professor Burnstein, and Mikhail, the trio of lifelong singles, solemnly raised our glasses.
But just as we were about to clink our glasses,
Suddenly, my vision in one eye was obscured.
‘What’s this?’
I was startled.
My monocle had turned black!
Then, a fluorescent message popped up.
Warning! Warning! A top-level threat has been detected!
It is strongly advised to evacuate the area immediately!
This is a strong warning to vacate the area!
I was alarmed.
I’ve seen warning messages before, but never with such an urgent tone.
‘And in black? That means a 100% chance of death.’
My first thought was, ‘Could it be malfunctioning?’
After all, this was the royal palace.
And beside me was Professor Burnstein, now a superhuman at Level 7.
But I soon realized it wasn’t a malfunction.
“Haha. It’s been a while. Or maybe not? Since this is the first time we’re meeting like this, should I say it’s nice to meet thee?”
Familiar.
The erratic tone wrapped in madness.
I swallowed hard.
Unintentionally, my body trembled slightly.
‘This is madness.’
The mask with the inverted character for heaven (天).
Duke Alfonso.
No, the arrival of the King of Contrary Heaven.
“Seeing the miracle you brought about this time made me so envious. But I couldn’t bring myself to kill you, Van. Instead, I came to kill one of your friends. How considerate of me, haha.”
Despite the playful tone, the eyes behind the mask were chillingly cold.
He was serious.
