The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 30.1
‘Beyond simply boosting morale, I need to enhance Joanna’s skills as well.’
Improving skills in just a few minutes during the exam?
It was an unreasonable story, but it was possible.
“This time, I’ll showcase 1st-rank star light magic.”
With a resolute expression, Catherine stepped forward.
Focusing, she closed her eyes and took a moment to inhale, then unleashed the magic.
Poooff!
A cluster of light emerged.
However, it was ambiguous.
The professors’ words were vague.
“Hmm. It’s not bad.”
“The brightness seems a bit lacking.”
Brightness was the most crucial factor when evaluating 1st-tier light magic.
However,
“I give it a score of 10 out of 10.”
“!!”
Everyone wore expressions of disbelief.
“No, Professor Van. Why do you keep talking nonsense?”
“Joanna’s Shine Dust only received 3 points, and yet you’re giving this weaker light magic 10 points?”
I looked at Joanna whether the professors agreed or not.
“Joanna, what do you think?”
“!!”
“Do you also think Catherine’s light magic looks lacking?”
Joanna clenched her fist tightly.
Arrogant villainous character as she may be, she wasn’t dull-witted.
On the contrary, she possessed talent that could be counted among the top 16 protagonists. There was no way she couldn’t recognize the true potential of the magic Catherine had just displayed.
I extended my hand.
Paat!
Lines of mana representing stars appeared.
“Please observe. This is the star displayed by Catherine just now.”
“!!”
“Although the brightness may be lacking, this is merely due to a relative shortage of mana. The shape of the star is incredibly solid. A star meticulously refined through relentless honing of fundamentals. Isn’t such a star the ideal form demanded in entrance exams?”
The room fell silent.
Catherine’s ability to draw such a star was because she wasn’t dull-witted.
Without talent, she practiced the most basic light magic over and over again.
Countless times.
To an unimaginable extent.
‘On the other hand, Joanna, intoxicated by her own talent, rushed to achieve success without properly building the foundation.’
That was Joanna’s problem.
It posed a significant obstacle to her future growth.
Nevertheless, as a protagonist overflowing with talent, once she realized the problem, she should be able to improve her skills quite well.
However, the issue is,
“…Van trash.”
With a snarl that seemed like she would kill me, she glared at me before slamming the door shut with a bang and storming out.
Completely crushed.
‘…Uh, hmm. I-It should be fine, right? I’m the professor here. I’m the boss compared to Joanna, who’s just a student.’
Drenched in cold sweat, I realized that I had a bigger problem than Joanna.
It was Catherine.
‘…Why does she have that look again?’
Catherine’s stare was suffocating the heavens out of me.
It wasn’t animosity.
On the contrary.
Catherine was biting her lips tightly.
To suppress her tumultuous emotions.
I then realized my mistake(?).
‘…The praise I just gave was probably the first praise Catherine has ever heard in her life.’
Catherine practiced light magic over a thousand times.
Even at a young age before she matured.
Simply because she wanted recognition from her family.
However, all she received in return was contempt and disdain.
But now, for the first time, I acknowledged her efforts.
“No, don’t misunderstand. I…”
But I couldn’t finish my sentence.
I felt another intense presence beside me.
“Now… my turn.”
It was Libel!
He growled as if igniting a competitive spirit towards Catherine.
“I… will also receive Professor Van’s praise.”
I hesitated and took a step back.
‘…Is this really going as it should?’
With a chilling foreboding down my spine, the day of the fateful battle exam approached.
* * *
The practical exams were held on different days for each department.
It was the day of the practical exam for the magic department.
It took place in the old research building located on the outskirts of the academy.
In the newly built research building, most rooms were empty, giving the building a desolate feel like an abandoned mansion.
A middle-aged man with a cold demeanor was walking around.
It was Professor Burnstein.
As the head professor of magical theory, who had praised Van’s demonstration of fractal structures, if Van were to be appointed as a temporary professor in the future, he would become Van’s direct supervisor.
However, Burnstein’s demeanor seemed odd.
Standing in front of a shabby laboratory, he spoke with polite manners.
“This is Burnstein. May I come in?”
It was a perplexing sight.
As a head professor, he held a prominent position within the academy.
Yet, why such a cautious attitude? Who was inside?
“Please come in.”
Creak.
As I entered, I found a figure amidst the cluttered scene, resembling a junkyard.
It was a hunched old man.
Though he had a gentle demeanor, his deep-set eyes hinted that he was no ordinary person.
Indeed, an unbelievable conversation ensued.
“How is your health, Chancellor?”
“Tsk tsk, haven’t I told you I’m no longer the Chancellor?”
“To me, you will always be the only Chancellor, sir.”
Rudolf, the former Chancellor of Ruby Academy.
Now an emeritus professor.
That was the identity of the old man!
But that’s not all.
“Your health seems to be holding up. You challenged the Ascendants without knowing anything, so there’s nothing to be done.”
The Ascendants
It means reaching Level 9.
It meant that this old man had challenged the realm of the absolute beings in this world!
“It’s inevitable when one dares to reach for the sun recklessly. I consider myself fortunate just to be alive.”
The old man, Rudolf, spoke with a tinge of bitterness.
Once the Chancellor of Ruby Academy and a Level 8 Archmage who commanded respect throughout the capital, but all of that was in the past.
Having lost much of his power from his prime, he now lived out his days, clinging to life day by day.
“I’ve lived long enough, so I wouldn’t regret dying, but it’s a shame that Ruby Academy still draws so much attention. If I were to leave, how fiercely the wolves would tear into Ruby…”
Refers to Duke Rapalt and Chancellor Karak.
The only reason they haven’t crossed the line yet is because of the shadow of Rudolf, the former Chancellor.
“It’s fortunate to have someone like you, Burnstein, but I worry that the wolves’ greed is growing too large. Are there any decent newcomers among the professors?”
It’s a time not only for new students but also for the recruitment of new professors.
Rudolf asked a similar question every year, and Burnstein always shook his head.
There wouldn’t be any decent professors coming to this rotten academy.
But this time, it was a little different.
“Some noteworthy individuals have applied.”
“Oh?”
