The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 29.1
My proposal has been accepted.
However, it wasn’t simply acknowledged without a hitch.
“Keep this in mind. If any problems arise due to your mistakes, you’ll be held responsible. Your appointment might even end up unsuccessful.”
Professor Alif spoke with a stern tone, making it clear that he wouldn’t tolerate any slip-ups.
Even if there were no issues, the intention to catch any possible loophole was evident.
‘Well, it’s fine. I’m not trying to do anything grand, anyway.’
Despite boasting here and there, I had no profound intentions for this academy.
I had no intention of being reckless.
‘If I subtly intervene in the exam and make Catherine and Libel fail, that should do it.’
However, there was a possibility of an unforeseen incident occurring.
Since there couldn’t be any issues, I devised a plan.
I went to find the captain.
“You want civilian support for the practical entrance exam at the academy? Haha! Well, it’s your request, I’ll gladly assist however I can.”
Gordon, the captain of the Guard who I had recently made acquaintance with, nodded enthusiastically.
It wasn’t an unreasonable request to ask the Guard for support during large-scale events for safety.
‘Other prestigious academies sometimes receive military support during practical exams.’
“However, why the sudden request for assistance? The entrance practical exams at the Ruby Academy take place in an artificial dungeon, and there isn’t much danger, is there?”
I casually made an excuse.
“Well, there have been recent incidents, and it’s deemed wise to prioritize safety as much as possible.”
“Indeed! Impressive. My eyes didn’t deceive me. Even without that, I’ve been keeping an eye out due to recent reports of suspicious individuals appearing.”
…What’s this sudden turn?
“Haha! Don’t worry too much. Is it unusual for unknown individuals to appear in the Free City for a day or two? We should check if any assassins have come in to kill someone.”
I furrowed my brow.
Like Gordon said, the Free City was a place where incidents and accidents happened frequently. There was no need to be overly concerned.
‘But it feels uneasy for some reason.’
Could it be because of the recent Puppet Abyss incident? I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease.
‘It might be an overreaction, but if there’s any problem, I’m doomed.’
In times like this, it’s better to have an exaggerated response.
I decided to add an extra layer of precaution.
“…Send our side’s troops? As security personnel?”
Emily looked puzzled.
“Is there any chance they’ll agree to your request from our family?”
“It’s not the Duke Rapalt, it’s a personal request from you. Besides, aren’t all the top-tier guards you were managing free after the bankruptcy of your operation?”
Emily sealed her lips.
Then she said something unexpected.
“…Are you, by any chance, looking out for me?”
“??”
“Isn’t this an attempt to improve my image through this incident? With numerous people watching the practical exam.”
…No, absolutely not that intention?
To avoid any troublesome flags, I cut in.
“Not at all. I just want to make use of you.”
“Fine, Van. It’s embarrassing how your reaction is the same as before. I understand your feelings well.”
“…I didn’t say it in that tone.”
“Sure, got it. Understood.”
A tone completely beyond my comprehension.
Whether I frowned or spoke, Emily continued with fervor.
“Since you cared, I’ll do my best to provide thorough support with all my capabilities. So that not even a speck of dust of a problem arises during the practical exam.”
“…Okay.”
I nodded with a sense of awkwardness.
And finally.
“Lindon, have you finished your graduation exam?”
“Yes, yes, I have!”
“Good. Welcome to my graduate school.”
“What?! We haven’t even had the graduation ceremony yet, and what’s this about a graduate school?!”
“It’s an early start before graduation. If you don’t want to, pay 100,000 Penas.”
I handed over the resignation letter, and Hans added a comment from the side.
“Alright, Lindon, this rascal! Consider it an honor to be used by Master Van!”
“Hans, don’t talk like you’re narrating someone else’s story. You have things to do too.”
“M-Master? I’m a non-combat mage?”
“Don’t worry. I have a task perfectly suited for you.”
Lindon and Hans paled at my instructions, and I maintained a resolute expression.
‘Preparations are now complete.’
Finally, the next day.
The long-awaited entrance exam for the academy began.
* * *
The Ruby Academy was a bustling scene with a multitude of people.
It resembled a marketplace.
‘With an admission capacity of 400 and over 1,000 applicants.’
And here, the 400 slots weren’t just for the magic department.
It included various other departments like the swordsmanship department, humanities department, and support department.
With numerous departments and a large number of applicants, the exams were scheduled to take place over a week.
‘Come to think of it, I wonder which protagonist applied to the other departments?’
Being part of the magic department, I couldn’t intervene in exams for other departments.
‘Even if they’re in different departments, there are many common classes, so I hope a quiet protagonist came.’
Being a knight didn’t mean just practicing swordsmanship or studying books for the humanities.
The capital’s education aimed for versatile individuals who excelled in various fields.
As a result, there were many common classes and projects across departments, leading to constant encounters.
‘Please, avoid the humanities department’s ‘Yodo (mystical sword).”
It wasn’t just the mystical sword.’
There were numerous bomb protagonists to avoid in the combat and support departments as well.
‘At least it’s fortunate that we managed to delay the main protagonist of the support department, the ‘Devil Priest’.’
I shook my head.
Now wasn’t the time to worry about other departments.
I had to focus on the most dangerous nuclear bombs among them—Catherine and Libel, the top-tier protagonists.
‘No need to worry much about the written exam. Joanna will probably take first place.’
However, an unexpected change occurred.
The written exam results, which were scored using magic tools, were announced on the same day, and they were as follows:
[Written Exam Results]
First Place: Catherine
Second Place: Libel
