The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 44

This incident didn’t really cause a significant stir in the world.

‘It happened in a remote place, after all. We managed to contain it early on.’

Perhaps that’s why the professors in charge of training were too busy to pay attention to my achievements.

“Haha, it seems we were mistaken about something.”

“I thought it might have been related to the evil dragon Ashtat, so I hurriedly reported to the tower, but thankfully, it turned out to be nothing.”

Well, it didn’t bother me.

There’s no need to draw attention to myself for no reason.

‘I’ll pass on becoming a hero or something.’

My training scores confirmed my position as the top student, so I was satisfied with that.

However, something unexpected happened contrary to my wishes.

“This was no ordinary incident.”

“Professor Kansir?”

“Did everyone not see that something unusual occurred? Especially Professor Balas and I personally went into the dragon’s nest and witnessed the problem with our own eyes.”

My heart began to race.

‘Why is he suddenly saying this? Just shut up and keep quiet!’

But things took a strange turn.

“Wow, does that mean Professor Kansir resolved the situation?”

“…No, it wasn’t me.”

“Then, Professor Balas?”

Valas, when pointed out, frowned.

“I was not the one either.”

“Then who?”

They both remained silent for a moment before dropping the bombshell.

“It was Professor Van.”

“!!”

Everyone was shocked, and I was petrified.

I tried to pass it off quietly, but it was a disaster!

“Professor Van?! Are you both serious?!”

“You stopped the evil dragon’s rampage; please share your thoughts!”

Reporters swarmed in, and I pondered my response.

‘I should handle this carefully. Just downplay it as no big deal.’

“I merely mentioned not to make a fuss over such trivial matters. It’s nothing but a nuisance to me.”

…This little adorable Dragon Charisma caused another incident, and the next day, my name was plastered all over the magical realm.

 

Professor Van strikes again!

Professor Van, stopping an evil dragon’s rampage is nothing compared to his greatness.

There’s something alluring about Professor Van’s arrogance. Is it delusion? Or is it truly the beginning of a legend?

 

‘…Damn, I’m screwed.’

I returned to my solitary cell and tore at my hair.

‘No, it’s fine. They’re all still skeptical of me. I just need to lay low from now on.’

But slowly, doubt began to creep in.

Can I really lay low?

‘…I shouldn’t lose heart. The new semester is starting soon, and when the protagonists take center stage, I won’t need to step up. The spotlight will be on them.’

In truth, there was a separate, serious problem at hand.

‘What should I do with this egg?’

I sighed deeply, staring at the large egg.

Ashtat, that damn dragon.

Curses slipped out involuntarily.

‘I can’t sell this.’

In reality, I could fetch a hefty price for it at the black market.

But it was impossible.

It wasn’t a matter of conscience.

‘This is the egg of the ‘legendary evil dragon’ If left unchecked, it could bring about a terrible disaster.’

In one of the scenarios, this egg falls into the hands of greedy humans.

The baby dragon, suffering from the greed of humans, sells its soul to the devil and exacts bloody revenge on them.

‘One of the academies is wiped out randomly, making it impossible to clear the scenario.’

There was only one solution.

‘I will entrust it to someone trustworthy.’

Time was running out.

I needed to find the right person before the egg hatches and imprints on a ‘parent.’

‘They need to be trustworthy and capable of handling this egg.’

Professor Bernstein came to mind, but it felt like something was missing, about 2% short missing.

‘It would be even better if it were a more remarkable individual.’

Suddenly, the perfect person came to mind.

It was former Chancellor Rudolph.

‘…He’s someone I’d rather not get involved with, but I’ll just drop off the egg and get out quickly.’

But something seemed off.

“Hello?! Who’s this? Isn’t it our Professor Van? I’ve been wanting to have a drink with you. Come on in!”

Damn it!

My spine chilled with discomfort.

‘Wasn’t that kind of dialogue usually directed at the protagonists? Why me?’

It didn’t feel right.

I quickly resolved to handle the matter and leave.

“I have something to discuss. Please take care of this dragon egg.”

Former Chancellor Rudolph looked even more surprised.

“Wow! What? And not just any dragon egg, but the egg of the Great Elder Dragon, one of the utmost superior breeds? Van, how did you come by this egg?”

“I obtained it while resolving the incident at Rantzel Plateau.”

“Indeed, Professor Van! Impressive! I always thought you’d cause trouble someday.”

‘…When did I become ‘Professor Van’ and not ‘Trashy Van’?’

Former Chancellor Rudolph repeatedly calling me ‘our Professor Van’ was incredibly unsettling.

“I believe it’s more suitable for you, Chancellor, to be the owner of this egg.”

“Hmm.”

It was an offer that any magician would not refuse, but Former Chancellor Rudolph unexpectedly dropped a bombshell.

“No, it would be better for you, Van, to take care of that egg.”

“Hmm? What was that?”

“It seems more fitting for you to be the owner of that egg than me.”

“Are you joking?”

…I shot him a skeptical look, but Former Chancellor Rudolph’s expression was serious.

“From the fact that you brought me the dragon’s egg out of concern, I can see your sincerity. Ah, I’ve misunderstood you all this time. I truly apologize. I promise there won’t be any more doubts about you in the future.”

‘…What kind of promise is that?’

I was dumbfounded.

I hoped against hope, but it was clear.

I had fallen into Former Chancellor Rudolph’s trap!

‘No! I have to disappoint him.’

“It seems there’s a misunderstanding. I’m not handing over this egg out of pure goodwill. Naturally, I expect compensation.”

“What kind of compensation are you seeking? Just name it.”

A face willing to entertain any request.

But even after hearing my follow-up, maintaining that calm demeanor wouldn’t be possible.

“Give me the Amulet of Oakwood.”

“!!”

Former Chancellor Rudolph’s eyes widened.

‘It’s a legendary item that increases mana conductivity within the body, reducing mana consumption when casting spells.’

It was exactly what I needed.

The problem was that this was an item Former Chancellor Rudolph held in high regard.

He was sure to show his anger…

“Haha! Indeed impressive. Demanding the item you need the most. If it were the old you, you would have asked for some flashy treasure just to boast about it.”

“…”

“Of course, it’s something I cherish, but I shall give, for Professor Van’s sake. Take it.”

“…No. In that case, Chancellor, would you take this dragon’s egg instead?”

It wasn’t working.

Since words weren’t getting through, it was time to offer even the dragon’s egg.

Suddenly, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

 

Crack!

 

The dragon’s egg began to hatch!

‘Thank goodness. If it wakes up here, Former Chancellor Rudolph will be imprinted as its father.’

After hatching, a baby dragon imprints on the strongest individual present as its parent.

If things went as planned, even if Former Chancellor Rudolph refused, he would be forced to become the baby dragon’s father.

 

Crack, crack!

The egg fully cracked, and a baby dragon the size of a palm popped out.

 

[Kyuu?]

 

The baby dragon tilted its head.

It was so cute and adorable that anyone would fall for its charm.

‘According to the story, it’s supposed to be a girl, right? Congratulations on having a daughter at your age, Rudolph.’

I watched the first motherly (?) reunion with a pleased expression.

Now, when the baby dragon approaches Rudolph and kisses him, the imprinting will be complete.

However…

The baby dragon started toddling towards me.

…Towards me.

‘What’s going on?’

I stared blankly at the scene, then belatedly jumped back in horror.

‘Why is it coming towards me? It should be going the other way!’

Former Chancellor Rudolph exclaimed in astonishment, 

“Van, it’s recognizing you as its parent. Incredible!”

“No, there must be some misunderstanding.”

But the baby dragon continued to toddle towards me relentlessly.

I deliberately tried to evade towards where Rudolph was standing, but it didn’t even glance in his direction.

It’s really imprinting on me!

 

Yuu!

 

With a cry that seemed like it was chasing after its mom, the baby dragon flapped its tiny wings and flew into my arms, licking my face.

‘…This is bad.’

I wore a bewildered expression.

In the end, I ended up with a dragon daughter.

 

*    *    *

 

I walked out of Professor Rudolph’s laboratory in a daze, the magic pouch cradling the baby dragon in my arms, peacefully asleep.

‘…It’s kinda cute. No, that’s not the point.’

Objectively, it wasn’t a bad thing. Dragons were top-tier pets that few could ever hope to acquire. Once she grew a bit, she would become a formidable ally.

‘But dragons are solitary creatures. Even when they’re young, they grow up on their own.’

The real issue, as always, was the trouble that came with it.

A professor raising a dragon as a pet? That rumor will spread across the empire and beyond.

‘Damn it, Professor Rudolph has been completely impressed by this.’

 

To have been chosen by a dragon, especially one of the Great Elder species. I’m convinced my eyes didn’t deceive me.

 

It was all very unsettling.

‘…Dear protagonists, hurry up and enroll. Come and steal all the attention of the world.’

With such hopeful thoughts, I was walking the academy’s back paths when an unexpected figure called out to me.

“Could I have a moment of your time, Professor Ban?”

“You?”

It was Amanda the Black Bird!

‘She looks fine now. The curse seems to have completely disappeared.’

By the way, no one knew about the time she became a Beast of Chaos. Neither Kansir nor Balas noticed her transformation.

“What is it?”

Amanda blinked her eyes.

Even though the curse was gone, she still seems dazed. It seemed to be her usual style.

“I have something to ask of you.”

“Ask?”

“Please accept me.”

“Hm?”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

Amanda suddenly knelt before me!

“Oh, Master of Magic. You are my angel. I will dedicate everything to you, so please accept me.”

“!!”

It was an unexpected bombshell.

Suddenly, I felt like I had been slapped with a surprise attack, but I tried to remain calm.

“What’s this all about?”

“You’ve eradicated the curse of chaos that plagued my body. This act not only saved my life but also redeemed my soul. In our clan, it’s our law to repay the kindness and enmity. I offer everything I have to you,” 

“No…” 

I was taken aback by her words.

The clan that always repays its debts. 

It sounded familiar.

“…Are you perhaps from the Sun and Moon Clan?”

Amanda’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

“As expected of the master of magic. You’re familiar with our clan. Yes, that’s correct. I am born from the bloodline of the Moon Clan blessed by the Sun,” 

I felt a sense of unease.

‘The Sun, the Moon, and all that nonsense… They’re a clan of murderers, aren’t they?’