The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 169

Duke Volman unexpectedly failed to recognize Esmeralda.

“Well then, I entrust her to you. What did you say your name was?”

“I am ‘Emel.'”

“Yes, Emel. I look forward to seeing your progress.”

Doubt filled Duke Volman’s face as he spoke these words.

‘Why did the Demon Brain recommend this child? She doesn’t seem particularly special.’

The reason Duke Volman did not recognize Esmeralda was because she was a princess thoroughly shrouded in secrecy.

From the moment of her birth, she was designated as a sacrifice to the guardian and grew up away from the public eye.

Only a very few individuals had the chance to meet Esmeralda, and Duke Volman was not among those with such privileges.

“Your Grace, a guest has arrived.”

“Who is it?”

“Well…”

Duke Volman’s complexion changed upon hearing the story.

After sending Beril and ‘Emel’ away, he welcomed the guest.

“Haha, it’s been a long time, Your Grace.”

It was a refreshingly handsome nobleman.

Dressed in a neat suit.

Brooches, cufflinks, watches – all were entwined with ultra-expensive accessories.

“Yes, it has been a while, President.”

“Haha, President. I am embarrassed to hear such a term from Your Grace. I thought you had utterly forgotten about our ‘Noble Families Association’ after ascending to the ranks of the Four Great Dukedoms.”

Swallowing hard at the pointed greeting, Duke Volman pondered.

‘Why has this man come?’

The empire is the largest nation on the continent.

Among the nobility, numerous factions exist.

The <Conservative Faction>, a coalition of regional landlords.

The <Middle Class Faction>, a group of successful commoners who bought their titles with money.

The <Urban Faction>, including the nobles of the free cities and other major urban areas, and so forth.

The most powerful among these is the <Central Nobility Council> of the capital’s nobles.

This <Central Nobility Council> holds the majority of the empire’s power and is further divided into three classes within.

The emerging nobles of New Town.

The traditional nobles of Old Town.

And at the pinnacle of all these noble factions sits the Ecclesia family.

“Even though our ‘Noble Families Association’ belongs to the New Town nobles, considered the lowest among the central nobility, it feels slighted to be disregarded too much.”

As can be seen from the case of the Dark Noble House, the empire’s noble families were not limited to just the four duke houses.

There were noble families of music, education, spear mastery, craftsmanship, alchemy, and more.

The leading family in each field was called a ‘noble house.’

It was actually rare for a family like Ecclesia, the noble house of magic, the noble house of swordsmanship, or the dark noble house to maintain their title for a long time.

Due to fierce competition, it was common for the title of noble house to be passed on to newly emerging powers, resulting in the majority of noble houses being located in New Town.

The ‘Noble Families Association’ was literally a gathering of families from New Town nobility that had received the title of noble house.

“Why have you come?”

“I heard you were deliberating over the selection of students for the Academy Battle. Haven’t you been unable to decide on the last student for the death match, aside from the two who left the room earlier?”

“I’ve found the last student. The top student of Shangri-La Academy will participate, a prodigy who has reached the level of <Chief> despite being a student, a remarkable Lv. 4.”

“That’s impressive, but will that be enough?”

“!!”

“Do you not realize how formidable a Van the Legend is? His disciples are not to be underestimated either.”

Duke Volman could not deny it.

He was anxious about this very issue.

“Still, there’s no other way, is there? Unlike professors, it’s not easy to recruit students from outside.”

“There is one student worth recruiting.”

“Hmm. Who might that be? Let’s hear it.”

Duke Volman asked with an expression indicating he held no expectations.

After all, he had already attempted to recruit geniuses from nearly every reputable academy, including the four prestigious schools.

Transferring under disguise often leaves a stain on a student’s record, so unless in special circumstances, students with promising futures are reluctant to do so.

“One of the Ten Demons.”

“…What?”

“There’s intelligence that one of the Ten Demons is currently enrolled as a student in the academy.”

“That’s nonsense!”

Who are the Ten Demons?

The King of Contrary Heaven, the Lord of the Abyss, the Dark Tower Master, the Patriarch of the Order, and so on.

They are truly the most villainous beings of this era, and to say one is enrolled as a student at the academy?

“Why are you so surprised? Aren’t there some of the Ten Demons secretly serving as professors? It’s not surprising that one would be disguised as a student.”

“…Can we recruit them?”

“There’s a fifty-fifty chance.”

If one of the Ten Demons were to participate, the victory in the Academy Battle would undoubtedly be Duke Volman’s.

“However, recruiting a Demon is not an easy task, even with the connections of our Noble Families Association….”

“I see what you mean. So, what do you want?”

“Ah, Your Grace. Should we merge, please fill all professor positions at the Ruby Academy with members from our Noble Families Association.”

It was not a difficult request.

If they won the battle and their share exceeded 75%, they could replace most of the professors without worrying about the Ministry of Education.

“Yes, I am aware of what your Noble Families Association desires.”

“Haha, thank you. I hope the House of Rapalt will reach ascension soon.”

The nobility of Old Town is called the nobility among nobilities.

‘Ascension’ was a noble joke referring to entering the Old Town.

“I’m counting on you. A fifty-fifty chance to recruit, you said?”

“Yes, I will do my best. Expect good news.”

Thus, an unforeseen storm began to brew for Volman.

 

*    *    *

 

It wasn’t just that.

In the hallway of the Rapalt Duke’s mansion, a girl wandered with a faint smile on her lips.

It was Esmeralda, who had parted ways with Duke Volman earlier.

Unlike Bern-Beril, who had left some time ago, she was roaming around the mansion without any particular reason.

“The view is nice here~ Should I explore a bit more?”

New Town is situated on hilly terrain.

The Rapalt Duke’s mansion was located on the choicest plot of land, offering a panoramic view of the capital.

“Since I was young, I’ve always wanted to go outside.”

Esmeralda had always been confined deep within the palace.

It was only later that she learned why.

She was born to be a sacrifice.

The only people she could meet were a handful of maidservants.

That was until a boy happened to enter the palace where she was growing up.

Ah, hello? My name is Van.

After that, her life changed completely.

You, you don’t have friends? Actually, I’m a loner too. No one wants to play with me.

Next time, do you want to come visit my house? I’ll talk to my father so you can come out. I’ll introduce you to my siblings too. Their names are Cal and Leona, both are nice. They both play with me.

With Van, she could be ‘human.’

Did Van know?

What he meant to her?

“But, why did you leave me?”

The smile faded from Esmeralda’s lips.

She slowly covered her face with her hands.

Her hands trembled, and tears leaked out.

“You could have at least pretended to run away with me.”

She knew.

That it was a misguided resentment.

But she couldn’t help it.

She couldn’t bear it unless she blamed someone.

“If you had, I wouldn’t have become this hateful monster.”

Thus,

The genius of the Dark Noble House, Bern-Beril.

Esmeralda.

And perhaps an unknown Ten Demon.

Terrible calamities began to approach.

*    *    *

Clang.

I flinched.

The coffee cup slipped and shattered.

A foreboding mistake before an important battle.

‘I have a bad feeling about this.’

It was fortunate that Catherine, Libel, and Yulia were selected, but that wasn’t the end.

We had to win the final battle.

‘The predictions of the Gambler are also strange.’

   

It was the first time the Gambler had given such an uncertain chance of victory.

I was anxious.

Finally, I sighed and stood up.

“Where are you going, Professor?”

“I’m going to see the kids.”

“If the Professor is going, how can I, Hans the Wings, stay behind! I will accompany you!”

“Old man, you just don’t want to do the assignment the Professor gave you, right? I’ve already finished mine.”

“You brat! Finished, my foot! Do you know how much dust is in the lab!”

“Ah, geez, am I a janitor? Let’s settle this, square up baldy!”

“Today, I’ll do it specially for you. Be grateful!”

Leaving the two bickering amicably behind, I left the lab.

‘Both are talented, so they’ll finish the assignment on time, no doubt.’

What assignment?

Since I can’t just sit back and leave everything to the kids, I’m preparing my own measures.

‘The best outcome would be a clean victory for the kids.’

I headed towards the lecture hall I had lent to the children for magic training.

I was about to open the door when I hesitated.

Voices were coming from inside.

“How about trying to apply this formula in your training? Black Flame Libel, can you do it?”

“I-I can. Even if I can’t, I’ll make sure I do.”

“Try to cast it stronger at me. It needs to be as powerful as possible, so it serves as magic defense training for me as well.”

Listening in on the formula discussion, it was clear that all three were pushing themselves incredibly hard!

It was concerning to the point where I feared they might sustain internal injuries if they weren’t careful.

The kids don’t know the truth about the Shangri-La Academy project.

Yet, the reason they were overexerting themselves was singular.

“Hey, can’t you do it properly?! Don’t you know how important this battle is?”

“Y-Yes, I’m sorry.”

“Everyone, focus. Remember, if we lose, Professor Van will have to leave the academy for good.”

It was all for me.

‘Once the share reaches 75%, someone like a temporary professor could easily be dismissed.’

In the end, I didn’t enter the lecture hall.

The kids were already doing their best.

Saying anything more would only add to their burden.

Still, it felt wrong to just turn back, so I went to the cafeteria instead.

“Do you do delivery here?”

“Oh, yes. It’s possible within the academy.”

“Please deliver 3 pizzas, 3 orders of chicken, and 3 bottles of soda to this lecture hall.”

I wanted to support the kids who were working so hard.

Then, a familiar voice reached my ears.

“Van, it seems you’re having a tough time.”

“Professor Burnstein.”

“I’m placing my trust and support in you for this Academy Battle.”

I nodded in response.

If we were to lose, it would cause a huge uproar.

Everyone at Ruby Academy was paying close attention to me and the kids.

“But has Chancellor Rudolph said nothing? I haven’t seen him at all recently.”

He hadn’t shown his face since my trip to Amethyst.

However, Professor Burnstein’s expression hardened.

“It might be time for you to know.”

“??”

“Follow me.”

Professor Burnstein led me to the old research building.

It had turned into a place resembling an abandoned mansion, unused by anyone.

We entered a room protected by a barrier.

“……”

I kept silent.

Chancellor Rudolph was lying there, enveloped in a strong aura of death.

“After losing the stature of a Level 8 Transcendent, it was a matter of time. Now, that time has come.”

Professor Burnstein spoke in a somber tone.

Then, sensing someone’s presence, Chancellor Rudolph faintly opened his eyes.

Dark shadows lingered in his eyes, but they momentarily sparkled upon seeing me.

“Ha… has our… Professor Van… come?”