The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 216
The Order.
As everyone knows, it is one of the Three Evils.
Arguably the most insane of the three.
Because it worships necromancy.
‘A cult would be better.’
Necromancy, or the art of manipulating corpses, is a field even Dark mages of the Dark Tower avoid.
It’s obvious. Handling corpses is a repulsive act.
Unlike other legally permitted Dark magic, necromancy is strictly prohibited by imperial law.
Furthermore, The Order doesn’t just practice necromancy; it conducts horrifying human experiments under the guise of ‘human evolution.’
It was a place no sane person could accept, yet it surprisingly had a fair number of believers.
Because of its necromancy capabilities.
‘They can revive the dead, even if only through necromancy.’
Count Milo was one of them.
His entire family perished in a carriage accident, and unable to accept their deaths, he turned to The Order.
‘No one realizes Count Milo’s family is undead, which means they’ve received the highest blessing. Likely a Lv. 8 ‘blessing’ directly from The Order’s leader.’
The Order wouldn’t bestow such a ‘blessing’ without expecting something in return.
Count Milo had become The Order’s puppet, causing horrific incidents in Ruby.
“With your profound love for your family, it must have been a miracle that saved them during that accident.”
“!!”
I decided to push a bit harder.
“…What exactly are you insinuating?”
“I’m just expressing my admiration. Oh, did I say something inappropriate?”
“…….”
Count Milo’s eyes turned cold.
But only for a moment.
Then he smiled.
“Thank you for your kind words. I too find Professor Van quite admirable. Truly befitting of the Ecclesia family.”
His voice was smooth, betraying none of his inner schemes.
As expected, he was no ordinary opponent.
No matter.
I had achieved my goal.
‘He’ll be cautious around me now, hesitant to make any rash moves. He’ll be extra careful.’
But that wasn’t all.
‘He’ll likely try to plot something in secret.’
Keeping an eye on me while scheming behind the scenes.
That was precisely what I wanted.
Of course, Count Milo was no easy target.
Despite appearances, he was the head of the Noble Families Association, a major force in the Empire’s political scene.
But that was fine.
I had someone who could help me.
As I walked through the faculty building, I happened to run into that ‘someone.’
“How have you been, Professor Kashien?”
“…Ah, Professor Van.”
He looked somewhat anxious.
It was Count Kashien, a high-ranking noble of the Demon Realm.
I needed to get this extremist to assist with my ‘plan.’
“You don’t look well. Is something troubling you?”
“It’s… nothing.”
“I see. I was just wondering if we might be worried about the same thing.”
“What do you mean?”
I sighed as I spoke.
“The world is quite turbulent these days, isn’t it? I heard there was a rebellion among the Merfolk recently. They say The Order was behind it, and I’m worried The Order might extend its influence to our academy.”
A spark.
Count Kashien’s eyes lit up.
He seemed to realize something from my words.
I continued, suppressing a smile.
“With the cemetery within our Ruby seal, The Order would find it an ideal place to wreak havoc.”
“…Yes, the cemetery… you’re right.”
“Especially with the club festival coming up soon. I’m worried something might happen then.”
“…….”
Count Kashien fell silent.
He was deep in thought.
Perfect.
This much prodding should be enough.
‘Do your best, extremist.’
And so, I moved the pieces on the chessboard, one by one.
* * *
Next, I sought out Professor Burnstein.
“Ah, Professor Van, you’ve come?”
An unusually friendly tone for Professor Burnstein.
There was a reason for it.
“It seems things are going well with Lady Sienna.”
“Ahem, what are you implying? We’re just meeting. Anyway, Sienna suggested we have dinner together sometime. You should bring your girlfriend… oh, you don’t have one, do you?”
Professor Burnstein’s stern face twitched with a smirk.
While some worried about the end of the world, others enjoyed the bliss of romance, which made me a bit envious, but I shook my head.
‘Even as the end approaches, love is important.’
In any case, their relationship going well wasn’t a bad thing for me.
Thanks to my support, Professor Burnstein was grateful to me.
“How is former Chancellor Rudolph?”
“He’s doing a bit better. Thanks to hearing the news about you.”
Former Chancellor Rudolph’s dedication was solely to Ruby.
Thus, if Ruby fell, his condition worsened, but if Ruby stood firm, he improved.
“But there’s a problem.”
“What is it?”
“He keeps babbling nonsense. ‘Our Professor Van, our Professor Van,’ like that. He seems to be holding on by dreaming about you.”
“…….”
I ignored that and got to the point.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it? Just say the word.”
“Can I take on an additional class?”
“Besides the first-year classes?”
“Yes, I want to take on a fourth-year class.”
Professor Burnstein looked slightly surprised.
New professors typically taught first-year classes, but someone like Professor Burnstein had the influence to make exceptions.
“I’d welcome that. There have been requests from some fourth-year students wanting to take a class with you before they graduate. What kind of class do you want to teach?”
I handed him a prepared syllabus.
Professor Burnstein’s eyes widened.
“You really intend to teach this course?”
“Isn’t it acceptable?”
“It’s more than acceptable, if you can pull it off.”
Professor Burnstein shook his head in amazement.
“If this course content is genuine, the graduating students will have quite the extraordinary experience.”
* * *
News of my lecture quickly spread throughout the academy.
While my first-year classes, being very basic, didn’t attract much attention, the fourth-year class was different.
Practical Applications of Magic.
For the fourth-year students about to graduate and enter the world, this was the most crucial course.
“Did you sign up for Professor Van’s class?”
“Yeah, but I couldn’t get in. The competition was fierce. It almost crashed the Philosopher’s Stone server.”
“I failed to register too. I’m planning to audit it at least.”
“Could the class turn out to be underwhelming? They say geniuses aren’t always good at teaching.”
“No way, they say he gave an amazing lecture during the summer camp.”
“Even if the content isn’t great, just watching Professor Van’s awesome presence will be a treat for the eyes.”
“Remember, Van’s cuteness is love.”
“Once we graduate, we won’t get to see Professor Van’s precious cuteness anymore, so I’m going to enjoy it while I can.”
“I even brought a camera.”
“You’re such a stalker.”
For reference, there are about 50 fourth-year students in the Magic Department.
The intake is 100, but due to various reasons like failing and dropping out, only 50 remain.
The class capacity was set at half of that, 25, but over 100 students were packed into the lecture hall.
Not only the entire fourth year of the Magic Department but also students from other departments and lower years had flocked to the class.
‘Hmm. More than I expected.’
I crossed my arms.
This was actually perfect.
‘Everyone gathered here will help with my plan.’
As I’ve repeatedly said, I have a plan in motion.
Given its risky nature, I needed ‘safety officers.’
These students would fill that role.
“Welcome. You all know who I am. Call me Van the Legend, Van the Saint, whatever you like. My greatness is legendary, even sublime.”
“Wow! Professor, you’re amazing!”
“Long live Van Cutie!!”
Raucous cheers.
Even if the Black Flame Dragon fan club is over the top, these students seem just as insane.
“Before the lecture, I’ll assess your abilities. How many of you are Lv. 4 or above? Lv. 3?”
A few were Lv. 4.
Most were Lv. 3.
Even being Lv. 3 is an achievement to be proud of.
You’d be considered a solid asset anywhere.
“It seems you’ve all worked hard.”
“Thank you!”
“But in my eyes, it’s woefully inadequate.”
I looked at the students silently.
As arrogantly and unpleasantly as possible.
To provoke them.
“After graduation, you will each pursue your own paths. But do you know this? No matter where you go, as long as you are a mage, danger will follow you like fate. Especially Lv. 3 and Lv. 4 have the highest mortality rates among all mages. In other words, it wouldn’t be surprising if any of you meet an untimely death anytime, anywhere.”
The students murmured.
“So, he’s really worried about us, huh?”
“It’s so touching that he’s worried about us with such a grumpy face.”
“I have to ask for his autograph after class.”
…These graduating students are tough.
I continued resolutely.
“If you want to survive, you need to become stronger. You there, how do you think you can become stronger?”
“By raising our levels!”
“And how long do you think that will take?”
“!!”
“With graduation only a few months away, you need accelerated training.”
I swiftly drew on the chalkboard.
A white line slashed through the title ‘Practical Applications of Magic,’ and I wrote a new title.
Mastering Ultimate Moves.
“This is what I will teach you.”
“…Mastering ultimate moves?”
“I will tailor a special spell for each of you, one that can be your secret weapon. Something that can save your life in a moment of crisis.”
The reason I’m teaching this class isn’t solely because of my plan.
‘When chaos breaks out, the graduating students will be the first to perish.’
Current students still have some protection.
But graduates will be immediately mobilized and sacrificed before they know what’s happening.
Gulp.
Silence fell over the lecture hall.
“Tailored? Does that mean you’ll teach each of us a different spell?”
“Yes. Each of you has different aptitudes and strengths.”
“Is that even possible?”
A smirk lifted the corner of my mouth.
“Didn’t I tell you? I am a legend. You only need to witness my miracle.”
* * *
After that, things became quite hectic.
The Noble Council professors worked hard to achieve results through club activities, and Count Milo remained quiet, though he seemed to be scheming behind the scenes.
Count Kashien of the Demon Realm also appeared suspicious.
I, too, moved to finalize the last stage of my plan.
“Hmph, a gourmet tour, you say.”
“It’s a club activity, so you have to participate.”
“No choice, then. I am a great being who does not shirk her duties. Lead the way.”
I guided the Demon King.
However, when we arrived at the destination, the Demon King tilted her head in confusion.
“This is the restaurant? It looks like a prison.”
“That’s right, you’ve been kidnapped by me.”
“!!”
