The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 37.1
“Even if she’s an ally, she’s too scary to appear even in someone’s dreams.”
“What’s the point of receiving the highest honor as a War Mage? It’s so ominous.”
As evident from the soldiers’ conversation, the woman was a War Mage who had made remarkable contributions on the northeastern frontlines, yet instead of being hailed as a hero, nobody found her endearing.
It was instinctual hostility.
Like ominous crows circling a corpse, she was called a Black Bird and shunned.
“Still, I heard she’s leaving the battlefield soon? Said she’s going to become a professor at the Ruby Academy.”
“Black Bird as a professor? Doesn’t really suit her. Sometimes when I see her, I can’t help but wonder if she’s a demon.”
“You thought so too? I have had the same thought. Of course, it’s unlikely, but still, you know.”
Demon.
It refers to the evil race born in the Abyss.
The greatest adversary of the Empire alongside the Ran Republic.
“But why is she standing there blankly below the corpses? Is she offering sacrifices to the demons, by any chance?”
“If she’s the Black Bird, she might actually do that. Ike, better steer clear before attracting unnecessary attention.”
The surroundings grew quiet.
Alone amidst the corpses, Amanda continued to stand with a vacant expression on her face.
Contrary to what the soldiers speculated, she wasn’t offering the corpses as sacrifices.
It was because of something she had heard recently.
Go to the Ruby Academy.
The instruction from her benefactor, a medicinal expert.
Find the “Master of Magic” there.
Master of Magic.
It was an absurd notion.
Could there be any human in the world who could be the master of magic?
Since the advent of magic to humanity, numerous mages had ascended to become transcendent beings and champions, but not a single one had ever attained the title of “Master of Magic.”
However, she couldn’t ignore the medicinal expert’s words.
If it weren’t for that expert, she would have become a dreadful monster long ago.
Only the Master of Magic can lift the curse that’s been placed upon you.
Even that person didn’t know who the actual Master of Magic was.
However, fortunately, there was a clue.
“…The Master of Magic. It’s likely to be a newly emerged ascendant.”
But it wasn’t exactly a hopeful clue.
No matter how much people inquire, that ascendant remains a completely mystery, not even a shadow in sight.
“But we’ll find them no matter what. By any means necessary.”
With that determined vow,
They began to gather in the Rantzel Plateau.
* * *
As time approached my scheduled training, I thought to myself,
‘I need to prepare.’
The most important preparation was one thing.
‘I need to become stronger.’
I reached into my pocket and retrieved a specially crafted gem.
Ssshhh.
A beautiful jewel containing a cold chill emerged.
The Heartstone of the Frozen Sea.
A while ago, I had requested an S-grade potion from my former fiancée, Emily.
‘I am strong yet weak.’
I objectively evaluated my abilities.
‘My theoretical knowledge is at a 4-ranked star, but my mana is only at an intermediate level of 1-star.’
The Grand Practitioner with mana insensitivity.
Due to the extremes of these characteristics, I could sometimes exert absurd strength depending on the situation, but at times, I could become extremely weak.
‘Still, objectively speaking, I am weak.’
The reason I’ve been able to defeat strong opponents so far is that I’ve been lucky enough to uncover their weaknesses each time.
If we were to fight without any tricks, I’d probably only be able to face opponents at a level of 2 to 3 stars at best.
‘The problem is that overcoming my limits in a short period of time is impossible.’
So, what I prepared was precisely this “Heartstone of the Frozen Sea.”
‘It can greatly enhance my combat abilities.’
As I gestured, Fwuu! Symbols appeared, and the Heartstone of the Frozen Sea trembled.
The Heartstone of the Frozen Sea was an extremely dangerous potion that only advanced mages of at least level 5 or above could handle, but I paid no heed.
It was time to become stronger.
* * *
Finally, the day of the training arrived.
The mansion set up in the desolate Rantzel Plateau was bustling with activity.
The crowd far exceeded the number of participants in the training.
It was because of the influx of journalists from magical media outlets.
“Who would have thought that a mere training program for new professors would attract such attention?”
“Yeah, it’s surprising. To think that such remarkable individuals would be appointed as new professors at the prestigious Ruby Academy, in which the academy was declining.”
“Indeed, especially Lord Balas. He could have gone to any of the four major prestigious institutions.”
“Just Lord Balas? We have the Black Bird, who received the highest honor, the heir of the Swordsmanship Clan, and the other one is the apprentice of the Elder of the Sky Island. There’s not a single unremarkable person among them.”
“Well, not everyone is remarkable.”
The journalists fell silent at someone’s remark.
Indeed, there was one.
A seemingly insignificant figure who had slipped in among the swans.
“Young Van.”
“We haven’t had any articles about Young Van recently, I wonder what interesting story he’ll provide this time.”
In the past, Van was a favorite subject for journalists.
His unremarkable appearance adorned various newspapers and magazines as the day went on.
“I wonder why Ruby Academy decided to appoint Young Van as a professor, and as a special recruit outside of the regular quota.”
“But I heard there have been some changes recently. There have been a few articles about it.”
“Oh, come on. You’re a seasoned journalist, do you really believe those articles? They probably took bribes and published fake news, just like we received ‘support’ from the prestigious Klein Duchy as well.”
“Shh, it’s starting now! The new professors are about to begin!”
Balas, the quantum of the magical world and the giraffe of academia.
Kansir, heir of the Swordsmanship Clan.
Blackbird, the War Mage.
Rune, the best apprentice of the Sky Island.
As each one revealed themselves in turn, applause erupted like wildfire.
Finally, it was Van’s turn.
‘Will he…?’
‘How much of a sorry sight will he show this time?’
As sneers spread throughout the venue,
Thud.
The sound of hesitant footsteps echoed, and people’s expressions subtly changed.
The atmosphere as Van stepped onto the platform was entirely different from what they had expected.
‘…What’s going on?’
And then,
“I am Van Ecclesia.”
“!!”
ゴゴゴゴゴゴ!! (menacing)
The imposing presence of the Dark Flame Dragon enveloped everyone in the venue.
It was the beginning.
