The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 166

It was an upscale fine dining experience.

“So, what do you want to eat? It’s on me, so pick whatever you want.”

I want meat…! Meat…!

“Yeah, our Mari is so cute. Eat a lot. Van, what about you? Should I order the sirloin steak course like last time?”

I looked at the menu and felt dizzy.

Not just because of the prices, but this was a place you had to book at least a month in advance. Despite it being my birthday, I hadn’t dared to think of coming here.

But how did I end up here?

Van, what are you doing?

Emily?

It’s your birthday and you’re moping around alone? Come here. Let me buy you dinner.

I was dragged here by Emily, whom I met on the street.

‘The Massacrist Mage and Alpha Zero must have managed to return safely on their own.’

After seeing Libel’s birthday spam on the forum, the Massacrist Mage seemed to lose interest and vanished.

Then, shortly after,

   

An anonymous birthday greeting appeared on the VanTLLC forum, presumably from the Massacrist Mage.

However, that greeting soon disappeared.

   

…after receiving a barrage of hate comments from Libel.

Alpha Zero disappeared amid the squabble between him and Sylphin.

It was an escape unnoticed by me, and even the Massacrist Mage, which wasn’t surprising considering Alpha Zero’s abilities.

‘For now, the strongest protagonist is Alpha Zero. Stronger than the Massacrist Mage or Bern.’

I was wandering the streets, pondering how to spend my birthday dining alone when I was spotted and taken in by Emily.

“Thanks for being thoughtful about my birthday.”

As I mentioned, this place requires booking at least a month in advance.

Meaning, Emily had been thinking about my birthday well before that.

“Y-You don’t have friends. I just remembered how you always whine about having no one to eat with on your birthday. Besides, I’ve been kicked out of my family and had some time to kill.”

Grateful for the reason, whatever it was, I suggested,

“How about going abroad for a while? Maybe the Ran Republic, or even far to the east, to a teaching country that doesn’t share a border with the empire.”

“!!”

Emily’s face stiffened slightly.

“Are you saying this because of what my father has done recently?”

“Yes. How much do you know about the darkness surrounding the Rapalt Duchy, no, Duke Volman himself?”

“I know it’s not something to be proud of.”

“It’s not just a cute level of disgrace. Being associated with them is enough to be doomed, so keep as much distance as possible. The Rapalt Duchy will fall completely after this incident.”

Emily fell silent, her face darkened.

Even though she was estranged, it must have been heavy to hear that her family, her father, would be ruined.

“I’m sorry for bringing up such unpleasant matters.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Emily smiled bitterly.

“The truth is, he’s not my biological father.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You know that my mother divorced my father, right?”

I did know.

Senin and Emily had different biological mothers.

However, I didn’t know the reason for the divorce.

It wasn’t mentioned in the storyline because it wasn’t deemed important.

“I didn’t know why they divorced. But I found out recently. Before I was driven out, I confronted my father. I asked him why he never loved me at all. Was it because he only favored Senin? You know what he said?”

“…….”

“He said I wasn’t his daughter. That I was the daughter of a man my mother had dated before marrying him. Apparently, she was already pregnant when they got married? Neither my mother nor father knew until after the marriage. That’s why he never loved me. That’s also why he didn’t want to pass on the family legacy to me.”

I was speechless at the sudden revelation of a backstory that seemed straight out of a morning drama.

Emily chuckled.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not at the age where I’m a sensitive freshman at the academy anymore. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

“…….”

“So, what I’m trying to say is… um, whatever happens to my father, it doesn’t concern me. You don’t need to worry about it.”

“…Okay.”

“Come on! Cheer up! This place is expensive, you know? I’m practically broke now, but I made a reservation with a big heart, so enjoy your meal.”

“I’ll take care of the bill.”

“What are you talking about? You don’t have money. Leave it to sister over here.”

“I brought the corporate card of the Ecclesia family.”

“…Then, can I change my order from fries to steak, brother Van?”

We looked at each other and laughed.

Maybe it’s because we’re of the same age?

There was definitely a comfort in being with Emily.

But I couldn’t shake off a certain unease.

Whatever happens to my father, it doesn’t concern me.

Emily’s expression as she said this seemed almost on the verge of tears.

“Are you really okay?”

I asked again.

“Of course. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

Emily just smiled.

It was a smile that seemed forced.

 

* * *

 

“…….”

After parting ways with Van, the smile vanished from Emily’s face.

She muttered with a stiff, expressionless face.

“I’m sorry, Van. I lied to you.”

Emily moved on.

She boarded a public carriage at the station.

“Where to?”

“To Royal Town.”

“Old Town or New Town?”

“New Town, please.”

Old Royal Town is where the traditional aristocracy, including the Ecclesia family, resides.

New Royal Town is where the nouveau riche, like the Rapalt Duchy, gather.

Incidentally, entering Old Town is the ultimate aspiration of all nobles living in New Town, including Duke Volman. No matter how much money they have, Old Town isn’t accessible to them.

Rattle.

Feeling the carriage’s sway, Emily pondered.

‘I wonder if it’ll get a bit more convenient when automobiles, as Van mentioned, are developed? I’m curious. But I won’t see it.’

A meaningful thought.

‘Still, today’s meal was enjoyable. Since it was the last one.’

Yes.

Emily didn’t meet Van today just to celebrate his birthday.

It was her last chance to have a conversation with Van like this.

‘Van, I don’t think I can keep the promise I made with you.’

“Arrived.”

Stepping out, she was greeted by a mansion as grand as a royal castle.

The Rapalt Duchy.

“Welcome, Lady.”

“Does the duchy still treat me as a lady of the Rapalt Family?”

“Of course. His Grace, the Duke, is waiting for you.”

She passed through the familiar corridors.

There was a time when she believed all of this could be hers.

That the glory of the Rapalt Duchy was her glory too.

‘But it was all a misconception.’

The truth she didn’t tell Van.

It wasn’t about the secret of her birth.

What truly mattered was something else.

Why hadn’t Duke Volman discarded a daughter not his own?

Why keep her by his side, especially when he likely loathed her presence?

Emily knew the answer, and it led her here today.

“Been a while, Emily.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Have you considered my proposal positively?”

“Yes.”

Duke Volman, satisfied, broached the subject that would plunge her into despair.

“Good thinking. I believe you would fit well as the chairperson of Shangri-La Academy.”

The offer of the chairperson position!

Considering the dreadful ugliness lurking behind Shangri-La Academy, the implication of this offer was clear.

‘He intends to make me the scapegoat for this ordeal.’

Yes.

From the beginning, the reason Duke Volman raised Emily was precisely for this.

To use her as a sacrificial lamb to cover the misdeeds of the family someday.

Emily was nothing more than livestock raised to be slaughtered.

‘Leaving the country, as Van suggested, would have been best.’

Yet, she returned to the Rapalt Duchy.

Even knowing that accepting the cup handed by her father would lead to her ruin.

“I have one question.”

“Hmm?”

“Did you ever love me, even a little?”

“Of course. Though we are not connected by blood, you are still my daughter.”

Emily wanted to laugh.

That settled it.

With that answer, her decision was made.

“Alright. I’ll become the chairperson of Shangri-La Academy.”

Even if it meant her downfall, she would have her revenge.

For the lifetime she dedicated solely to the Rapalt Duchy.

Against the father who trampled over her entire life.

 

*    *    *

 

‘Emily, I’m worried about her. I’ll have to check on her later.’

But I couldn’t continue dwelling on those thoughts.

I was planning to head back to the academy when I encountered another unexpected figure.

It was Duchess Beth.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“…What do you want?”

Duchess Beth didn’t speak.

She just raised her eyebrows fiercely.

‘Is she here to pick a fight?’

Since her core likely hadn’t recovered yet, there was nothing to fear.

I could probably run away if needed.

Just as I was about to gracefully take a step back,

“…Happy birthday, Van.”

“…What?”

“Do you want to die?! Listen properly when I speak!”

I was left dumbfounded.

I couldn’t guess her intentions.

Then, a cheerful voice rang out.

“No, sister. How can you wish someone a happy birthday like that? Hello, Professor Van. It’s our second meeting, isn’t it? It’s amazing how you’ve become a superstar since we last met! Can I take a photo with you?”

I tensed up instantly.

A beauty with an innocent appearance.

It was the Witch of the Dead Sea!

Two Lv. 7 Master-class villains from Abyss had come looking for me.

If they attacked together, I’d face death without a chance to fight back.

“Ah, don’t be too tense. I’m a fan of yours, Professor. I came today as a birthday gift and to offer you a piece of advice.”

“Advice?”

“Don’t let your guard down during the Academy Battle.”

“!!”

The Witch of the Dead Sea spoke with a somber look.

“You know that the Rapalt Duchy has close ties with our Abyss, right? We have intelligence that says Ruby Academy will lose in every category if things continue as they are.”

Total defeat.

That was shocking news.

“How can you be so sure? My students are not weak.”

“Of course, Professor Van’s students are excellent. Especially Catherine and Libel are considered exceptional talents even in our Abyss.”

The Witch of the Dead Sea smiled slyly.

“But do you think Duke Volman is unaware of that fact?”

“…….”

“You know that if you don’t win this Academy Battle, you’ll be in a lot of trouble, right?”

I swallowed hard.

If Ruby faces a total defeat and becomes a branch, Duke Volman will secure more than 75% of Ruby’ shares.

It would make it impossible to stop the Shangri-La Academy project.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I’m a fan of yours?”

“…….”

“Just kidding. I’ll only say that there are factions within our Abyss.”

It was a vague answer, but I understood.

‘I need to prepare a countermeasure.’

There was only one solution.

‘I must ensure Catherine and Libel grow as much as possible before the battle.’

If the Witch of the Dead Sea herself is warning me, it’s clear Duke Volman is preparing something significant.

The only ones I could rely on were the two top protagonists, Catherine and Libel.

Finally, I returned to Ruby Academy.

But there was a problem.

“You mean to tell me the selection will be open to all grades, not by year?”

Typically, participants for inter-academy competitions are selected by year.

“Yes, it was a request from Shangri-La Academy. Our academy’s board has also approved it.”

Meaning, it was Duke Volman’s will.

The Ruby Academy board was under Duke Volman’s control.

‘Catherine and Libel are the targets.’

I was dismayed.

If the competition is open to all grades, even senior students need to be defeated to be selected.

And the difficulties didn’t stop there.

“I will be the one making the final selection. Your students, especially Catherine and Libel, I will make sure to defeat them.”

Theren unexpectedly challenged me, burning with a competitive spirit.