The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 30.2
“Yes, quite a few individuals with impressive backgrounds applied, and honestly, I don’t know why they chose Ruby Academy.”
It was an unexpected turn of events.
Apart from Van, it meant that several remarkable individuals were expected to be hired as new temporary professors!
“It’s good to hear. Among them, who are you most excited about?”
Burnstein recalled the profiles of the new temporary professors.
This time, there were particularly many impressive individuals who applied to the Magic Department.
Those who shook the academic world with their theories and became quantum figures in the world of magic.
And those who received the highest honors on the battlefield as war mages, among others.
None of them seemed particularly promising, but why?
Why was it that the person with the most pathetic background, and who hadn’t even been officially hired yet, came to mind?
“It’s Van Ecclesia.”
“…Van? Could it be the Van-trash I know?”
“Do you know him, Chancellor?”
“Of course I do. Isn’t he the most worthless student in the history of Ruby Academy? If I were still in charge, I would have expelled that brat during his first year.”
Rudolph looked incredulous, but Burnstein responded with a gruff voice, offering no further explanation.
“Even you will understand once you see him in person, Chancellor.”
“Hm?”
Rudolph wore a bewildered expression.
No matter how unbelievable Burnstein’s story sounded, it was hard to believe.
“But why did you summon me today? Is it because of the battle exam?”
“Yes, come with me. It’s time to select the new talents of our Ruby Academy.”
Rudolph secretly attended the practical exams every year without fail.
Burnstein nodded as if resigned to the situation.
“Understood. But if you start feeling unwell, you must return immediately.”
“Hehe, got it. Your nagging seems to be getting worse. Is it because you’re a lifelong old bachelor? You’ll to be single for life.”
“…Let’s just go.”
Thus, the two of them headed to the exam hall unnoticed by anyone else.
Where the exam room for the class was located.
* * *
‘Here is the artificial dungeon of the Ruby Academy.’
I couldn’t help but admire.
It wasn’t just a maze dug underground.
It was a magical reverie.
‘This is almost at the level of Lv. 9 teleportation magic.’
The existence of such a high-level artificial dungeon was due to a being dormant within the Ruby Academy.
‘The Great Ones from another world, the Lords of fantasy.’
Beings from another realm known as the ‘Great Ones’ invaded this world.
A terrible war ensued, and thanks to the heroes who rose to defend the world at that time, the Great Ones were all but annihilated.
It’s like the creation myth of this world.
Although the Great Ones have vanished, they left various traces upon the world:
The magical rifts, mana distortions, fissures of chaos, and so on.
All are remnants left behind by the great beings as they perished.
At this place where the Ruby Academy was founded, there were also traces left behind.
‘A fragment of the Lords of Fantasy lies buried here.’
In other words, this artificial dungeon was created from the remnants of the Great Ones’ power.
‘Manipulating it artificially is impossible for an ordinary human, so it keeps repeating the same illusion over and over.’
It wasn’t a grand illusion.
It was an illusion of a dungeon where only the lowest-grade monsters, like slimes, that ordinary people could easily handle appeared.
‘It’s an illusion that’s indistinguishable from reality, so if you get hurt here, you’ll get hurt for real. Since only the lowest-grade monsters appear, there shouldn’t be much of a problem, but I’ll stay vigilant.’
It was a common understanding, but I wasn’t alone in this exam.
A considerable number of graduate students and junior professors were mobilized to oversee and ensure the progress and safety of the exam.
In addition, there were Guards and security personnel provided by the academy placed throughout the illusion, so the likelihood of any issues arising was minimal.
‘Now, if I pass Joanna and send Catherine and Libel to another academy, it will be a success.’
By the way, it wasn’t difficult to drop Catherine and Libel. It was enough to just keep them out of the top two positions.
‘If they fall outside of the top two, according to the tradition of the Magic Academy, Catherine will have to apply to another academy. Libel, too, will aim for another academy since they need to be within the top two to receive a full scholarship.’
I had already planned everything out.
First, Lindon and Hans will be running around among the monsters, bothering the students.
They should hold back as much as possible.
‘Joanna will probably break through the fastest. After all, she’s the most accomplished among the applicants.’
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before it happened.
With a sharp clang and a stern voice, the sound echoed.
“…Professor Van-trash, prepare yourself.”
Joanna had already arrived, breaking through all obstacles!
The ‘love charm’ I casted during the practical exam seemed to have an effect, as Joanna’s progress exceeded expectations at a terrifying speed.
‘If she broke through this quickly, her score must be top-notch.’
I wore a relieved expression.
“Prepare yourself. I’ll make you kneel before me as I show you magic.”
With a powerful surge, she advanced.
She seemed to be fighting an enemy as she advanced with determination.
I watched her with satisfied eyes.
‘Good. That’s the spirit befitting a top scorer. 10 out of 10. Seeing your passion, this professor is more than satisfied.’
Now, it was just a matter of engaging her appropriately to ensure Joanna’s skills could be fully utilized.
But then, unexpectedly, something happened.
Tremor.
“?!”
I was taken aback.
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine.
‘What’s this? Why all of a sudden?’
I wondered if it had something to do with Joanna, but of course, that wasn’t the case.
A distant fear washed over me.
‘…This feels similar to the last Puppet incident.’
No, it was even worse.
Even the fear continued to grow.
It felt like something terrible was happening.
‘Is this even more dangerous than the Puppet incident? What could it be?’
But Joanna, oblivious to any danger, continued to roar defiantly.
“What are you doing, standing there like a fool? Do you think I’ll go easy on you if you slack off? It’s too late for regrets. Kneel before me and speak your piece.”
