The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 199
The expression of the Abyss administrator, known as the ‘Secretary’, hardened.
“Do you really intend to recruit Van?”
“Is that not possible?”
“Well, of course it’s…”
“I think he would fit in well. After all, our Knight Commander has passed away, leaving an administrative position vacant.”
“!!”
“If that doesn’t work out, we can simply invite him to be a professor at Sapphire Academy. We can keep him close and gradually bring him over.”
“You’re serious.”
“Of course. You know what Abyss ‘really’ is.”
The Secretary inhaled sharply.
Yes, Abyss was a group entirely different from what the public knew.
Even the villains associated with Abyss did not fully understand what Abyss truly was.
Only the administrators, particularly the ‘Butler’ and ‘Secretary’, were privy to its secrets.
“I understand. I will respond to the Department of Education as you instructed.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
Swoosh, the Secretary disappeared, and Schneizer looked up at the sky.
Though the sky was cloudlessly clear, to his eyes that had reached the realm of an enlightened cultivator, he could perceive what was unseen by others.
The celestial mechanisms.
“This should be interesting.”
Schnaizer twisted the corner of his mouth.
A sinister smile, different from before.
“I am looking forward to it.”
* * *
And finally.
Flash!
A burst of light in a secluded forest, and a monster screamed as it fell.
“Wow! Amazing!”
“Typical of Kalvel! Truly our Peridot Academy’s top freshman!”
The boy called Kalvel shrugged.
“This is nothing.”
“Exactly! Kalvel will surely be the top at the summer camp too!”
The other children fussed over him as if they were his entourage.
It was understandable.
Kalvel was a genius of a different level, a freshman already at Lv. 5.
Among the four prestigious academies, perhaps only Bern from the Dark Prestigious Family could match him.
But then.
“I’ve heard there are some tough ones at Ruby too?”
“Are you talking about the Red Five Dragons? Isn’t their top one, Theren, the young duke from a prestigious swordsmanship family?”
“No, even if Theren is an heir of a renowned swordsmanship family, he’s no match for Kalvel. I’m talking about Libel.”
“Libel?”
“You know, the Van the Legend Professor? Libel is his disciple, and I heard they performed incredible miracles together in the Republic recently.”
“Still, against Kalvel…”
That was when.
“Wait, what did you say? Libel?”
“Uh?”
“Is he the one with the timid appearance and a gloomy personality?”
“Yeah, that sounds right. Top of the magic department’s freshmen and also the best troll on Mirror Board. You know him?”
“Oh, I know. Of course, I do.”
While the others shrugged and walked away, the boy left alone, Kalvel, burst into laughter.
“Libel, that horrible monster is still alive? Hahahaha!!”
What started as a chuckle turned into roaring laughter.
Kalvel’s eyes shimmered with a chilling glint.
It was pure venom.
“I will never forgive him.”
* * *
I came to my senses.
I wasn’t sure how much I could trust the monocle’s predictions, but one thing was certain.
Something was going to happen at the summer camp.
Whatever that something might be.
‘Yes, my life is like that. Maybe this is okay? After all, it’s not a life-threatening situation, is it? If it’s not about death, then it’s a breeze. What’s so big about living an easy life right now?’
I considered the positives.
‘Especially since this summer camp is in a scenic resort in the south, it should be a good time to enjoy myself while handling whatever incidents arise.’
“Yeah, that’s good. I’m indeed delighted. Life sure is beautiful.”
Ppa?
Mari looked up at me worriedly.
Ah, thankfully, Mari was safe and sound.
Not only that, but having consumed plenty of malevolent energy, she had grown.
Not physically bigger, but mentally matured.
For reference, a dragon’s growth is divided into two categories: physical growth and mental growth.
Physical growth follows their age, but mental growth varies greatly.
Mari, already a top-tier species, had fast mental growth, but the following event seemed to have given her a significant jump.
Not that she had become more adult-like.
Pa? Are you feeling sick? I’ll heal you…! This Mari… is strong!
Mari fluttered her wings and struck a cute pose.
Yes.
Her charm had increased!
They say toddlers are most charming around four or five years old, and it seemed Mari was at that stage.
‘Yeah, this is happiness. What’s the harm if minor (?) incidents happen?’
As I laughed heartily, Mari looked even more worried, and then the door burst open, and people came in.
It was Hans, Theren, and Libel.
“Professor, sob! I’m so glad you’ve recovered! This Hans has spent nights crying!”
“…when you were nowhere to be seen when it was actually dangerous?”
“I was watching the video with such earnest support! My support could have shamed even the most devoted wife!”
Ignoring Hans’s theatrics, I turned to the others.
For the record, Lindon had gone to handle his debt problems at the mafia office.
Theren spoke up.
“My mother insists that you must visit our Malvern Ducal house sometime later. She’s become even more impressed with you after this incident.”
It seemed Theren had somehow managed to reconcile with the Sword King.
“Ah, and I’ll be attending the summer camp as well.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Got it.”
“……”
“……”
“??”
What’s with that sullen face?
‘Ah, maybe he’s hoping for some friendly banter? We did get a bit closer this time.’
Thinking he was a bit high-maintenance, I responded,
“Theren, I’m looking forward to the summer camp with you. Shall we create some summer legend together?”
“…I’ll be going now.”
What, why? I played the friendly part as he wanted, so why the prickly response?
Such a cat-like fellow.
‘Juliet said she had left.’
Our paths would cross again in the future.
I turned my attention elsewhere.
Libel was looking down, silently staring at the floor.
He should have been making a fuss, at least as much as Hans, but he was quiet.
‘He hasn’t even left any nasty comments on the VanTLLC board recently.’
It was to the point where other students felt his absence and inquired about him.
‘It must be because of Duke Alfonso.’
I clicked my tongue.
I could guess what sort of teachings he had received.
There was a reason I didn’t intervene at the time.
‘Libel needs mental growth.’
Libel’s twisted nature fundamentally stemmed from self-loathing. External support alone is insufficient. While it may be effective temporarily, he would ultimately dig himself deeper into despair.
He had to grow on his own.
Yet.
“Libel.”
“Yes, yes?”
“You did well this time.”
“……”
“As your teacher, I’m proud of you.”
Libel stared at me blankly.
Then, slowly, tears began to well up in his eyes.
“Th-Thank you.”
Libel would face many ups and downs in the future.
From being a ‘monster’ who loathes himself to becoming a ‘human.’
It was my role as a professor to support him, ready to hold his hand when he falls.
* * *
There was another student to look after.
“Why did you bother coming?”
“You act like you’re not pleased to see me, but I know you are.”
“……”
Joanna sent me a sour look filled with disdain.
It seemed like she was just embarrassed.
I watched Joanna as she was packing her things.
“Will you be okay?”
“With what?”
“If you wish, I can intervene to prevent you from having to go to the Monastery.”
“!!”
Yes.
Joanna had ultimately failed to win the competition.
‘If she goes to the monastery, there’s a high probability she’ll fall behind. I have to stop it.’
But then.
“Do you think I’m that inadequate, Professor?”
“What?”
Joanna glared at me.
It wasn’t just an act of being prickly like before, but a genuinely angry look.
“Do you think I can’t even withstand the trials of the monastery?”
‘Ah.’
I realized something I had overlooked.
‘Joanna now isn’t the Joanna I knew.’
The Joanna of this period was supposed to have lost her shine completely due to continuous failures and a plummeted self-esteem.
However, despite facing similar failures now, her spirit still emitted a powerful glow.
‘Perhaps, this could be a blessing in disguise.’
If she can endure the hardships of the monastery, it could be a great opportunity for her to significantly enhance her skills.
Still unable to shake off my worries entirely, I decided to encourage her a bit more, knowing she tends to burn brighter when angered.
“Maybe the monastery will suit you after all. Once you’ve been through the ringer there…”
“Are you trying to provoke me on purpose? Do you think I’m a fool? Your concerned look is even more annoying, so save it.”
I was at a loss for words.
Joanna crossed her arms and lifted her chin.
“What are you waiting for? I’m about to leave, aren’t you going to say goodbye?”
“…Take care.”
Joanna huffed and disappeared.
The scene was truly Joanna-like.
* * *
“You want me to find Black Onyx? And the Everlasting Grass, too?”
“Yes, and please include high-grade elemental magic stones of the four primary elements. Dark and light elements as well. Oh, and we’ll need roots from the World Tree, and there’s more.”
“…Are you trying to bankrupt the Republic’s treasury?”
Originally, I was to be paid in money for purifying the river.
However, having faced greater challenges such as the descent of a Great Demon, I decided to ask for a much larger compensation.
I chose to extract the necessary materials for ‘expansion’ of my core.
The value of the soul stones and elixirs was astronomical, but considering the worth of the work I had done, it was justified.
“…I’ll manage to obtain them somehow. However, it will take some time. These items are quite rare, after all.”
I nodded in agreement.
Attempting to expand the core right away was impractical, so waiting was fine by me.
Stepping outside, the sunlight was clear and bright.
I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.
‘Heh heh, the money’s really piling up.’
Originally, I had planned to use the money earned from this Republic job to acquire materials needed for expanding my core.
But since I managed to extract them directly from the president, the money remained unspent.
‘How much is this all totaling up to now? Woah. Am I becoming rich?’
It wasn’t just a flippant remark.
The upcoming revenue from automobile sales.
The commission for resolving the plagiarism issue.
Plus the future profits that the Vanmily Merchant Group would rake in.
It wasn’t just being rich;
it was beyond that.
‘Young and rich, something I only saw on the internet? I am someone like them?’
Of course, not a penny had been settled yet.
It would take time for the automobile sales to begin and for the money from the plagiarism case to come in, and the Vanmily company was still operating at a loss.
But it’s all just a matter of time.
‘Ha, it’s a ‘certain’ future that I’m becoming wealthy.’
So, should I quit the academy and all that?
‘No.’
Suddenly, a new motivation surged within me.
‘If the world falls apart, being wealthy would amount to nothing.’
It’s already a bit late, but it’s time to accept that the protagonists alone might not be enough.
Even if they are the heroes of the future, they are still young children.
They needed a mentor to guide and protect them.
Especially now, with the summer camp approaching, who knew what complications might arise.
“No choice then. With great wealth comes great responsibility. I must step in. Let’s go make some summer legend.”
Ppa! Summer Legend! Legend of the Summer!
And so, with the beautiful southern resort as the setting, the Summer Camp brimming with dreams(?), passion(?), and youth(?) kicked off.
It was summer.
