The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 171

The audience swallowed hard.

An unexpected scene unfolded before everyone’s eyes.

Tsuk Tsuk. Phhaat! Fwooooo!

Darkness surged forward in a wave.

The depth and intensity of the darkness seemed far beyond what a student could conjure.

The problem was the magic countering that darkness.

‘How is it possible that mere Lv. 2 magic is holding its own against such darkness?’

Bern, the young lord of the Dark Noble House.

He’s a well-known figure.

Predicted to reach ‘at least’ Level 8, he’s the supreme genius of the dark magic realm.

The prowess he displayed today made it clear that his reputation was not exaggerated.

Most junior professors, who were around Level 5, felt a chill down their spine observing Bern’s dark magic.

Yet,

‘What kind of creature is Libel, standing against such monstrous dark magic?’

‘Can that troll fight that?’

Of course, everyone knew Libel was an exceptional talent.

He was the second-highest scorer on the entrance exam and is now the top student of the first-year magic department.

But he was still considered just a regular student, not in the same league as a ‘true monster’ like Bern.

However, today Libel was dazzlingly proving what a brilliant entity he was, right before everyone’s eyes.

“I-Is this all you’ve got? T-To challenge the professor with just this? I’ll trample you more thoroughly.”

…Of course, his troll nature was still intact.

“…Be prepared.”

Bern, no, ‘Beril,’ gritted his teeth.

However, he didn’t use rough language, keeping his dual personality a secret.

“Level 4 Darkness Metal Spear!”

“A student, that level?!”

But it was futile.

Pat. Pat. Pat. Pat.

Water, fire, wind, earth.

Four small shields sequentially blocked the trajectory of the spear.

Water quenched the momentum of the spear, fire countered it, wind shook it, and finally, earth stopped it.

Using merely Level 1 basic elemental magic to defend against a Level 4 spell!

Everyone watched in shock.

“Libel, doesn’t he… resemble someone?”

“…Yes.”

Someone murmured in disbelief.

“He’s like Professor Van.”

“Using lower-level magic to defeat a much higher-level opponent is Professor Van’s style.”

Indeed, it was to be expected.

Libel was destined to become ‘The One.’

Though not quite on par with Van, he was a holder of immense talent.

“You.”

Beril, now wary of his opponent, steadied his gaze.

But only for a moment.

“I-I’m mad.”

“What?”

“A-A nothing like you, dare to insult the Professor.”

“No, are you crazy? What’s with the constant ‘Professor this, Professor that’? Is Professor Van your mom?”

“H-He’s like a parent to me…”

“Shut up! You teacher’s pet!”

“Teacher’s pet? Is that a compliment?”

“Aaargh! Just shut up!”

Unable to hold back any longer, Beril raised his voice.

For your information, it was Van, not Beril, who started the trouble first at the Dark Symposium.

Sitting quietly before exploding in frustration, he still wakes up seething from it, and being further provoked was unbearable.

“I’ll make you regret this, you pet.”

“Calling me a teacher’s pet is a compliment, you know…”

Realizing words were futile, Beril closed his mouth.

Instead, he emitted a fierce aura.

Softly.

Darkness spread.

“Level 5 Mist of Despair!”

“How has a first-year stepped into his path of magic?!”

As stated multiple times, Level 4 and Level 5 are on different dimensions.

Up to Lv. 4, it was possible to overcome a lower level with proficiency and skill differences, but facing Lv. 5, that becomes impossible.

The ‘Path of Magic’ for mages, ‘Sword’s Intent’ for knights.

The difference between having stepped into this realm or not was vast.

For the record, Beril could use spells up to Lv. 6 when revealing his full potential, but he couldn’t do so in this situation.

“Let out a cry of despair amidst overwhelming fear!”

“Danger!”

Libel was instantly engulfed and vanished within the black mist, prompting the professors watching to jump to their feet.

“Stop the duel and save him immediately!”

“Wait a moment, please.”

Everyone looked puzzled.

Unexpectedly, it was Van who spoke.

“What do you mean ‘wait’? Do you not realize how dangerous that dark magic is?! If we delay, he could end up severely injured!”

“It’s alright. Just watch.”

Moments later, everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief at the impossible scene before them.

Within the terrifying mist filled with cries of despair,

Libel stood with a peaceful expression, eyes closed.

 

* * * 

 

Die.

You don’t deserve to live.

A horrendous monster!

The Mist of Despair, true to its name, was a dark curse meant to assail the opponent’s mind and body with all manner of dreadful screams.

The problem was,

‘I am loathsome, a monster, yes. All true.’

It barely made Libel gloomy, proving ineffective in dealing any real damage.

In fact, he was quite accustomed to such curses from his time at ‘home.’

It was merely an irritation.

‘How do I make that insolent fool kneel before Professor Van?’

Libel pondered.

Using the ‘forbidden power’ would have been simple.

But that wouldn’t make Professor Van happy.

If it was revealed that he was a monster, he’d be expelled from the academy.

‘There must be an answer in Professor Van’s teachings.’

Libel recalled an assignment Professor Van had given him not long ago.

Training to manipulate mana underwater in the underground waterways.

That had been terrifying for Libel.

More than anything, he was scared of the little cuties lurking there.

‘Professor Van wouldn’t have given such training without a reason. Achieving the assignment might help me find a way to make him kneel.’

Indeed, Libel had completed the assignment.

What Van had asked for was finer control of mana to sharpen Libel’s magic further.

In fact, Van had even given him a passing grade.

But Libel misunderstood.

‘Professor Van is so kind that he probably gave me a passing grade out of concern for my feelings. He must have hoped I’d realize something deeper.’

He had one reason for thinking this way.

Because Van is kind.

The kind Professor Van wouldn’t have made him train in those terrifying underground waterways just to improve mana control!

‘I need to realize it now.’

Fortunately, the conditions were just right.

Van had sent him into the waterways to train mana control because the wastewater contained various contaminated mana byproducts.

The environment of the Mist of Despair was similar.

‘I think I can disrupt it.’

Since the curse’s screams didn’t bother him anyway, Libel tried with all his might to manipulate the opponent’s mana.

“You?”

Beril was enraged.

“How dare you! Be prepared!”

The dark mana flashed, and the intensity of the curse increased.

This time, even Libel couldn’t remain unfazed.

He had experienced many dreadful things ‘at home,’ but the curse that manifested now was unlike anything he’d encountered there.

Libel, we love you.

You are our treasure.

The only warmth.

And thus, all the more horrific.

Memories of his parents who had abandoned him.

Libel clenched his teeth.

“I don’t need parents. I’m the teacher’s pet!”

“Ugh?!”

Crash!

Fueled by a fierce will, the curse wavered, and Libel seized the moment.

Following what he had learned from Van, he exerted all his strength to take control of the opponent’s mana and completely shattered it.

As a result,

“Kuuuugh!!!”

Beril vomited black blood due to the counter.

But Libel did not stop there.

Flash!

A sharply honed sword of ice.

Libel’s eyes glinted chillingly.

It was a murderous intent.

In a moment, driven by a loss of reason, he truly intended to kill Beril with his magic.

Just as he had done ‘at home.’

To Libel, murder was all too familiar.

Then,

Tap.

“That’s enough. Stop here.”

It was Van.

The unsettling gleam in Libel’s eyes returned to normal.

“Ah… I… Th…”

Realizing his mistake, Libel’s complexion turned pale.

Van didn’t say much.

As always, curtly.

But with warmth in his words.

“You stopped it, so it’s okay. Be careful next time. You did well today.”

Libel relaxed his tense muscles.

He bowed his head deeply and responded,

“…Thank you, Professor.”

Van smiled faintly and ruffled Libel’s hair.

 

*    *    *

 

Afterward, the referee declared Libel’s victory.

“Wowww!! What’s with Libel?!”

“Libel, that troll. We believed in you!”

“We’re going to win!!”

“How dare Shangri-La even try! They can’t even beat our first-year students!!”

Ruby Academy erupted in excitement.

Victory was within reach.

However, what was strange was the reaction from Duke Volman’s side.

Despite being on the brink of defeat, there was no sign of agitation.

‘What’s going on?’

I had a rough idea of who the last representative from the opposing side might be.

The top student from Shangri-La Academy.

Level 4 <Chief> class.

Definitely impressive, but not as formidable as Bern.

Especially since our side hadn’t lost a single match, the opponent would have to defeat Catherine, Libel, and Yulia all by themselves.

But then.

 

 

A guaranteed loss!

‘What?’

I was incredulous.

Who could it be to warrant a 0% chance?

And then.

The moment I saw the face of the individual ascending to the dueling platform, my vision darkened.

Cold and haughty appearance.

Eyes carrying a hint of languor and an inexplicable sense of longing.

I understood why the gambler showed an absolute loss probability of 0%.

‘This is absurd. How can this even happen?’

The spectators’ section became noisy.

“Who, who’s that?”

“Do you know him?”

“He’s the most famous guy from the Sapphire Academy’s Swordsmanship Department.”

“Another one from Sapphire Academy? How many have they sent over on disguised transfers? Aren’t they even ashamed?”

It was indeed excessive.

Not just one but several had transferred under disguise.

Yet, Duke Volman, whose sole focus was victory, remained unfazed.

But the crucial point wasn’t that.

“Is this guy also the top student from Sapphire Academy’s Swordsmanship Department?”

“No, he’s a long-term repeater.”

“What?”

“He’s repeated a year four times already, making it his fifth year as a first-year at Sapphire Academy.”

“Didn’t he get expelled? Normally, you’re out if you repeat more than three times.”

“Well…”

Before anyone could explain further, the duel commenced.

This time, it was Catherine’s turn.

She brandished her sword with a fierce expression.

“A swordsmanship student? Draw your sword quickly.”

“Bothersome. Haaa.”

The ‘opponent,’ surprisingly, yawned and said in a languid voice,

“Let’s finish this quickly; I want to go to sleep. Come at me.”

“!!”

Catherine’s face hardened.

“I’ll teach you a lesson!”

Then,

The student who was explaining earlier continued,

“…Despite being a repeater, he’s incredibly strong.”

Flash!

Catherine’s blue sword unfurled.

Its power, much stronger than when she first mastered it through grueling training.

However,

The ‘opponent’ yawned again and reached out to touch the sword.

And then,

The repeater from Sapphire Academy.

In fact, one of the 16 protagonists.

A villain-type protagonist from the Swordsmanship Department’s assassin class.

Codename: 070 Alpha Zero.

In the underworld, he was known as the Ten Demons ‘Death Saber.’

The boy’s sword flashed brilliantly.