The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 256

A miracle descended.

With the help of the miracles performed by the children, we succeeded in dealing with the ghosts of the Eight Heroes, including the Fairy King and the Gatekeeper.

Had they been the true bodies of the Eight Heroes, it would have been impossible, but our opponents were merely remnants.

The children, empowered by the true blessings of their respective constellations, easily overwhelmed them.

But it wasn’t over.

 

 

At the Demon King’s message, I swallowed hard.

‘If the wave of destruction hits this world, it’s the end. Even if the children manage to stop it, irreparable damage will already have been done.’

There was only one solution.

We had to go to the other world immediately and eliminate the wave of destruction.

‘Can I do it?’

The issue wasn’t with the children.

They had already fully awakened their star blessings.

The problem lay with me.

‘…I’ve overexerted myself.’

I swallowed the blood welling up inside me.

Just enduring had been a miracle in itself.

I had mobilized not only my life force but also the spiritual energy that formed the core of my soul.

I was in a state far worse than mere words could describe.

‘Only those of us who bear the star’s energy—myself and the children—can cross over to the other world.’

It had been possible when the Demon King was a celestial being, but not now.

‘Perhaps this time, I might really die.’

I glanced at my monocle.

It displayed a 100% mortality warning.

…Honestly, this warning had appeared quite often before, but this time it felt different.

However,

“Let’s go. We can do it.”

“W-With you, Professor, we can do anything.”

“I will always remember to follow your light, Professor.”

I read their hearts.

They were trying to appear confident, but they were anxious.

It was my role as their professor to lead them.

“Don’t worry. You have me, Van the Legend.”

I lifted the corners of my mouth into a smile,

making sure they didn’t notice my condition.

“Let’s go.”

*    *    *

The other world looked the same.

A massive wave of destruction was sweeping across the entire land.

“But where do we cut that wave? We can’t cut the entire ocean.”

“Just cut anywhere. That wave is merely a manifestation of the will of destruction. What matters is the will of salvation that resides in the blessings you received.”

The blessings left by the constellations carry the intent of stopping the wave of destruction and saving the world.

Therefore, the star blessings and miracles the protagonists received are all related to salvation.

“If your will to save surpasses the will of destruction, that wave will disappear.”

The level doesn’t matter.

What’s crucial in stopping the wave of destruction is, as I said, solely the will to save.

The children stood before the wave of destruction, their faces puzzled.

‘It won’t happen in one try.’

This is a matter of dividing the end of the world from salvation.

It’s not supposed to be easy.

If the children succeed before the fractures in our world are complete, we’ll win; if not, it’s the end.

‘I believe they can do it. Even if it takes time.’

I believed in the children.

The problem was,

“I’ll leave the wave of destruction to you. I’ll go scout the surroundings for a bit.”

“Professor?”

I left the children and soared into the sky.

In the distant space above, I sensed a familiar aura.

“Guardian.”

The Guardian was not Esmeralda, but someone I had never seen before.

Shrouded in a faint mist.

As expected, you did well. Everything is perfect.

I realized that eliminating the other remnants of the Eight Heroes had been part of his plan.

“What is your intention?”

One magnificently shining existence is enough. I will become the unique star and the true absolute ruler of the new world.

I swallowed a bitter laugh.

Such greed was driving the world to the brink of apocalypse.

But, despite the absurdity, his threat was real.

‘Can I stop him?’

He radiated an aura far beyond what I had encountered before.

An alien energy.

He had absorbed the auras of the constellations of this other world.

‘There are evil constellations in this world as well.’

It seemed he had formed some sort of pact with them.

On the other hand, my condition was the worst.

I stood no chance against him.

At that moment, he said something unexpected.

I respect you, Van the Legend.

“What kind of crap is that?”

If you submit to me, I will grant you the position of the second star.

I let out a laugh.

“Shut up. No professor abandons their students.”

Countless times, I had thought I chose the wrong profession.

But I am a professor.

I will protect those children no matter what.

“Come. I’ll show you the greatness of Van the Great Legend.”

*    *    *

“…….”

The children’s faces grew anxious.

They had a vague sense of what they needed to do, but couldn’t quite grasp it.

‘What exactly is the will of salvation?’

Each of them had completed their vessel through different experiences and realizations.

But that process wasn’t necessarily aligned with the will of salvation.

It was merely the process of completing their vessel.

There was no time for idle contemplation.

‘Professor Van is surely fighting for us right now.’

If they delayed, Van would be in danger.

‘We may not understand the will of salvation, but we must prevent Professor Van from dying.’

Simultaneously,

Flash!

A different kind of brilliance shone from their souls.

The will of salvation isn’t something grandiose.

It begins with the desire to protect what is precious to oneself.

At this moment, all the children united in their determination to protect Van, and a miracle occurred.

Catherine’s sword of light.

Libel’s unified elemental magic.

Johan’s stellar holy power.

Theren’s heavenly sword.

Joanna’s sculpting magic.

Juliet’s sacred song.

Sylphin’s stellar alchemical artistry.

Alpha Zero’s living sword.

Bern’s radiant dark magic.

All these miracles merged into a single will of salvation.

And then,

The wave of destruction collapsed.

It was the moment the world was saved.

*    *    *

The disappearance didn’t just affect the wave of destruction.

The wave, created by the Guardian and the Eight Heroes, had its demise severely impact the Guardian. In the end, the Guardian was vanquished by Van the Legend.

“My greatness incinerates your evil. Repent as you turn to dust.”

With the flamboyant proclamation of the Dark Flame Dragon, everything came to an end, and five years passed.

In the Reinhardt Empire’s royal palace.

“Your Majesty, preparations are complete.”

“Very well, let’s depart.”

Mikhail ascended to the throne after the dire apocalyptic crisis five years ago.

He ruled the empire as a wise king.

The help of Duke Huam was instrumental in this.

Currently, Duke Huam was preparing for retirement, with Mariam poised to take over as the head of the family.

Although Ron did not win the competition for headship, he remained active in politics.

“Did Emel say she wouldn’t join us?”

With the Guardian gone, Esmeralda survived without vanishing.

However, due to past events, she chose to live quietly in seclusion.

“Yes, she feels she still cannot face us. She plans to visit separately later.”

“I see, it can’t be helped.”

“I will accompany you, Your Majesty!! Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty!!”

The boisterous voice belonged to Lindon.

Lindon, having finally graduated from the academy, was now employed as a court magician.

He was a promising Level 7 dark mage, recognized by everyone. His frivolous personality seemed unchanged, though.

“You look tired. Did you go to the casino again last night?”

“No, absolutely not! I was researching magic!”

“Magic research, my foot. I saw you there last night. No wonder Professor Van never let you graduate before.”

It was Catherine.

Amazingly, she bore the emblem bestowed upon the Empire’s top five swordsmen.

Over the five years, she had reached the Level 8 Seeker’s rank.

Catherine wasn’t the only one.

Thanks to their realization of the star’s will, everyone experienced rapid growth and reached high levels above Level 8.

“L-Let’s go. We’re running late.”

A handsome young man with a tall frame appeared.

Surprisingly, it was Libel!

His stutter remained, but his demeanor had completely transformed. Unlike his previously timid self, he now exuded confidence and charm.

“How is life in the Mage Tower?”

“…Better than I thought. All thanks to Professor Van.”

“Indeed, Professor Van made you into a decent person.”

Libel had also reached the Level 8 Seeker’s rank.

What was remarkable was that instead of isolating himself in a lab, he became a mage of the Mage Tower.

This was due to his socialization over the past five years at the academy.

“Hmph, why haven’t you left yet?”

“Duchess Joanna.”

Duke Alfonso had stepped down, and Joanna had inherited the position of head of the prestigious magical family.

She was currently a Level 8 General Transcendent.

Although her progress was slower compared to Libel and Catherine, she would soon catch up to them.

“I’m here too.”

“Saint Johan.”

Johan had continued his efforts as a saint even after preventing the apocalypse five years ago and had become the most respected saint on the continent.

“Everyone seems to be here, let’s get going. We’ll be late.”

Their destination, surprisingly, was Ruby Academy.

Ruby Academy had changed significantly.

It had suffered massive damage during the apocalyptic event five years ago and required extensive reconstruction.

“If it weren’t for the new Chancellor Burnstein, Ruby would have been doomed.”

Incidentally, Chancellor Karak had been critically injured at the time but survived.

He was now enjoying a leisurely life, traveling to popular tourist spots across the country.

“You’ve arrived?”

As the group reached Ruby, they saw other familiar faces.

Senin had become a significant merchant, not quite among the continent’s elite but still notable. He often found excuses to donate, which slowed his accumulation of wealth. Yet, he was determined to become the greatest merchant in the world someday.

Then there was Theren. His once twisted demeanor had completely disappeared as he dedicated himself to becoming the next Sword Saint.

Sylphin, after the apocalypse, delved deeper into alchemy and exacted her revenge on the Gem Clan. It was a true revenge, free from hatred. She now lived in seclusion, continuing her alchemical studies and anonymously submitting art pieces.

Muse Juliet regained her former glory after overcoming many trials.

Bern had become a leading figure in dark magic, and Alpha Zero had returned to his clan, living as a carefree noble.

Everyone had gathered in one place.

“Is everyone here? Then let’s go.”

Where were they heading?

Of course, it was obvious.

As they neared their destination, familiar sounds of commotion could be heard.

“You can’t resign and leave me here, Department Head!”

For the record, Hans had become a chief professor, assisting the new Chancellor Burnstein.

Hans surprisingly had a talent for administration, and now he was considered one of the most powerful figures at Ruby Academy.

“No, you can’t! Our Ruby, and I, Hans, need you, Department Head!”

The children exchanged glances.

Familiar expressions as they watched the commotion.

“Is the professor resigning again?”

“How many times has it been? He must have handed in his resignation at least a hundred times before we graduated.”

“He’ll just find some excuse to retract it because he can’t leave the students behind.”

So, who is this department head who keeps resigning?

Catherine and Libel opened the door.

Van the Legend, the department head of Ruby, looked at the children with wide eyes.

“What are you all doing here?”

“What do you mean? Everyone, get ready.”

The group stood in front of Van.

And then,

“Professor, thank you for everything.”

The reason they had gathered.

Today was Teacher’s Day.

The students, now adults and graduates, began singing a song of gratitude for their teacher, Van.

After the apocalypse, the students went their separate ways, each carving out their own paths. Yet, there was one thing they never forgot.

They would always be the disciples of Van the Legend.

Forever.

<The End>