The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 37.2
Meanwhile, at that moment.
There was a village near the training grounds.
It was a remote village, but the atmosphere was unusual.
The gaze of the village guards standing watch was anything but ordinary.
Their demeanor was as imposing as elite knights.
But there was something even more surprising.
“What’s on your mind?”
A middle-aged man with the most intense presence politely asked a young boy, bowing his head.
“Priest Johan.”
He was the saint of the rebel army that Van had treated before!
Coincidentally, there happened to be a settlement of rebel forces near the training grounds.
“I was just… thinking about this and that.”
Johan blinked his deer-like eyes and replied.
The demonic aura that Van had seen when he treated him before was nowhere to be found; instead, he appeared innocent.
“Oh, I heard you’ll be enrolling in the academy soon. You must be nervous.”
Johan chuckled lightly.
“A bit, yes. I’ll take a walk around before heading in.”
“Understood. Just be careful. Lately, it seems like the monsters have been more sensitive for some reason.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Oh, but it’s probably nothing. This Rantzel Plateau is where the dragon sleeps, so sometimes the monsters get a bit rowdy. Still, be cautious. Saint, you’re our hope.”
At the mention of “hope,” Johan’s expression darkened slightly.
But he didn’t show it and just smiled brightly.
“Yes, thank you.”
‘I’m not that great of a person.’
Everyone around him worshiped him as a saint.
But Johan knew himself well.
He was just like everyone else, with selfish and despicable tendencies.
‘Perhaps the seed of the devil is within me, to punish my hypocritical appearance.’
Johan thought bitterly.
‘Who saved me back then?’
Ryan complied with Van’s request to spread the word that Johan had rid himself of the demonic energy, but Johan clearly remembered what had happened back then.
I declare in the name of…
The voice that echoed from beyond the oppressive darkness at that time.
I will not let you die under any circumstances.
‘Who on earth are you? I want to meet you.’
Johan sighed.
It wasn’t just because they had saved his life.
The nobility embedded in that voice.
The selflessness that sought to save others despite the danger.
It was clear that there was a true nobility different from the fake ones like himself.
‘Perhaps I could find the answer to my dilemma if I meet that person.’
Johan turned his gaze.
‘Probably a mage… Maybe not the one at the training grounds?’
Johan hoped as he looked at the brightly lit training grounds near the settlement.
He wished fervently to meet the one who had saved him back then.
* * *
After the training commenced, everyone inside the hall chuckled.
It was because of Van’s next remarks.
“I have been appointed as a professor specializing in magical theory, currently ranked intermediate among the first tier.”
“… “
Intermediate among the first tier.
There had never been such an individual appointed as a professor in any academy’s magical department.
‘As expected, Van is truly Van’
And the surprises from him didn’t end there, leaving people bewildered.
“My goal for this training session is to become the top student.”
Eventually, laughter erupted.
A journalist quickly raised their hand to speak up.
“Young Van, are you serious about what you just said?”
“Why would you ask such a question?”
“W-Well, YoungVan, becoming the top student… that seems unlikely…”
“What a foolish question. I’m actually more worried that my competitors will be too dull and boring.”
“!!”
The room fell silent.
Though met with incredulous stares, Van didn’t flinch.
With an expression that seemed to say, “Believe it or not,” he looked down on everyone with boundless arrogance.
‘Van has gone from being a worthless scoundrel to a delusional narcissist, and it turns out the rumors were true.’
‘Not content with being trash, he had to go and lose his mind too.’
And then, it happened.
Tup!
Amidst the clamor, someone stepped forward.
“Van, have you finished insulting us with your arrogance?”
It was Kansir, the newly appointed professor and a master of combat combining swordsmanship and magic, hailing from the renowned swordsmanship lineage.
“From the Malvern School of Swordsmanship, we shall not take insults lightly. You better apologize on your knees right now for your statement.”
Clang!
Kansir drew his sword as a warning.
“If you don’t apologize, I’ll challenge you to a formal duel right here. Don’t think for a moment that the name of Eclesia will protect you in combat.”
It wasn’t an empty threat.
Kansir had been preparing for this moment to confront Van.
‘Van as his opponent? That’s laughable. Should I intervene?’
‘Van will probably back down on his own and beg for mercy. He’s always been a notorious coward.’
However…
“No, we won’t engage in a duel.”
“Are you scared? Then kneel and beg for…”
“Aren’t duels supposed to be between opponents of equal skill? You’re not on par with me in terms of magical prowess.”
“!!”
Van raised the corner of his mouth.
A face full of unlucky misery.
“Let’s not duel, but educate instead.”
“…What?”
“Well, isn’t it training time now? I’ll teach you what real magic is, since you’re just a mere swordsman. Be grateful.”
The atmosphere in the room chilled.
Kansir burst into laughter.
“Haha!! I misunderstood. You didn’t just miss my point; you are truly just insane.”
Kansir’s gaze flashed fiercely.
“There’s a saying among Ran Republic folks: ‘Giving a stick to a crazy dog is like giving medicine.’ I’ll make sure to teach you a proper lesson.”
Thud!
Kansir stepped onto the platform where Van stood.
With impressive displays of skill rivaling that of any seasoned fighter, admiration flowed from all corners.
“Prepare yourself.”
Suddenly, as the duel unfolded, journalists’ eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Regardless of the predictable outcome, this would make for a good story.
Everyone loves to see Van being put in his place, after all.
‘How embarrassingly will he lose this time?’
A headline like “Van, the Insane Asylum Patient, Receives a Treatment of Blows!” should be good.
With keen interest, everyone watched the duel unfold.
