The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 53
Despite them being his children, his words were merciless.
The problem was that it was sincere.
Not a speck of affection was visible in his eyes for his daughters, neither for Catherine nor Joanna.
“……”
“……”
Their reactions were divided.
Catherine didn’t flinch, accustomed as she seemed, while Joanna tried not to show it but appeared hurt.
‘…In reality, Catherine is just as hurt. She’s just forcing herself to be okay.’
It wasn’t really my place to get involved.
After all, such wounds would eventually become the fertilizer for their growth.
Is this maybe from the influence of the Black Flame Dragon’s meddlesomeness?
I found myself saying something I didn’t necessarily have to.
“That’s not true.”
“Hmm?”
“I believe both of your daughters are shining talents, destined to become stars.”
Joanna and Catherine looked at me in surprise.
It was true.
‘Both have the potential to grow into Ascendants. Well, that’s if Joanna doesn’t fall behind.’
Not all of the 16 main characters could become Ascendants. There were protagonists whose growth limit was at Level 8 or even Level 7.
In that sense, Catherine, being one of the two top jewels among the protagonists, was a given, and Joanna too could be considered a remarkable talent.
“Kuku, after such a long time, you’ve become good at flattery. However, I think the boy beside you seems much more exceptional. Though there is something annoying coiling inside him.”
It was about Libel.
Greed filled Duke Alfonso’s eyes.
“Boy, Will you become my adopted son? If you wish, I shall make you my ‘real son.'”
The room buzzed with murmurs.
It was a custom among magical noble families to adopt outstanding talents as ‘adopted children’.
However, it was merely a symbolic inclusion into the noble magic family, not actually becoming the child of the head of the family. It was a groundbreaking offer.
‘It might not be bad for Libel.’
Sorry to say this, but they, being ‘kindred spirits’ with much in common, might unexpectedly get along well.
Yet, Libel showed an unexpected response.
“I-I refuse.”
“Hmm? Becoming my child means you could directly receive my teachings.”
“I don’t need such things.”
Libel said firmly.
Without his usual stammering.
“The one to teach me is Professor Van.”
A faint madness flickered deep within Libel’s eyes.
‘…I mean, I’m just a temporary class professor for two months? After that, it’s goodbye to each other.’
Ignoring my shocked heart, Duke Alfonso nodded as if he understood.
“Having met Van first, it’s fully reasonable to think that way.”
“You flatter me.”
“It’s not flattery. Even now, jealousy towards you surges within me, making it difficult to contain. I even want to tear you apart right here and now.”
The atmosphere, which had softened a bit, suddenly became sharp and tense.
Duke Alfonso smiled with madness in his eyes.
“One day, I might actually come to my senses and attempt to kill you. Ah, that’s a serious statement. But at this moment, I should say that what I said was just but a joke. Haha.”
“……”
“So, how about this? In order not to kill you, we become family. You are Huam’s son, so I can’t make you my adopted son…”
Then Duke Alfonso uttered an insane proposition.
“You become my son-in-law. Marry Joanna.”
“!!”
Astonishment spread, incomparable to earlier.
But it was no joke.
The feigned smile on Duke Alfonso’s lips vanished.
“Marry Joanna, and I will offer you the position of the next head of the main family. Since it’s impossible for you, being the third, to inherit the Ecclesia family, it’s not a bad proposition for you.”
Joanna, who was listening, turned pale.
The words Duke Alfonso was saying negated her entire life’s struggle to become the head of a magical noble family.
“Or, if you prefer Catherine, seeing as you seem to like her, choosing Catherine is also fine. Isn’t the age difference just perfect?”
For reference, the freshmen, both 17 years old.
And Van, who had recently graduated from the academy at 23, indeed fit the suitable age difference for marriage partners.
“If you refuse, who knows how I might react. I might just decide to cut your throat right here and now. Hahaha!”
My voice laced with madness, I pondered what to do.
‘I must reject Duke Alfonso’s offer politely, without offending him.’
Had it not been for his next words, I would have tried to do just that.
“Merely marrying would make one of those worthless children a great asset to the family.”
“!!”
Their complexions changed.
Not just Joanna, but Catherine couldn’t pretend to be unaffected this time either.
I ended up making a statement I would regret.
“Stop it.”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t take out your inferiority complex on your children.”
“!!”
Everyone gasped at my explosive statement.
The most shocked of all was myself.
‘What was I thinking?! Have I truly been influenced by this charisma?’
To clarify, this wasn’t the Black Flame Dragon’s doing.
It was my own blunder.
And my reckless behavior didn’t stop there.
“Your failure to reach the level of Ascendants isn’t the fault of those children. Stop taking your frustrations out on them.”
The king among magicians.
That was how Duke Alfonso was referred to.
But that title always came with qualifiers.
‘Of the earth’, ‘among humans’, ‘under the heavens’, etc.
He was not one who had ascended to the heavens.
His claim to kingship was only valid among magicians grounded on earth.
It was his inferiority complex towards the truly great magicians who had ascended that twisted him so.
‘Damn it, what have I done by causing such a scene? Of course, looking at the bigger picture, taking a stand like this might positively impact Joanna and Catherine in the long run, contributing to saving the world…’
No, it was clearly a loss no matter how you looked at it.
The disheartened and pitiful state of the two, no matter how much it reminded me of my past self, was a reckless act that should never have been done.
‘Now that it’s come to this, there’s no choice but to clean up the mess.’
One silver lining was having prepared a contingency plan for when things went south.
‘It’s about time for that.’
“Truly, you surprise me. To speak so boldly to me. I’m impressed. It makes me even more envious, the jealousy to kill you, the desire to possess you. I’m not sure what to do.”
It was at this moment, as Duke Alfonso murmured ominously without a trace of a smile, that my ‘insurance’ arrived!
“Haha. Alfonso! My friend, it’s been a while since you’ve descended to the surface, and it seems your jokes have improved. Did you practice humor instead of magic in the Sky Island?”
A laughter that disrupted Duke Alfonso’s imposing aura.
Turning around, a man with a sharp appearance, dressed in an official’s uniform, stood there.
It was my father, Duke Huam!
Despite his hearty laughter, Duke Huam’s face bore no smile.
“Moreover, a marriage proposal. My friend, such joyous news should be discussed through me. Don’t tell me! You’re disregarding me, no, our Ecclesia family?”
“!!”
With a burst, Duke Huam’s presence spread out.
His level, a solid Level 7, might have been less than Duke Alfonso’s.
However, the pressure he exerted was in no way inferior to Alfonso’s.
‘Truly the head of the empire’s most prestigious family.’
The Millennium Ancient Tree.
A nickname that befits the Ecclesia family.
Among the four major ducal families, Ecclesia is not the strongest.
In terms of honor, they lag behind the swordsmanship houses; in force, they are behind the magical houses, and in wealth, they are behind the Rapalt ducal family.
It has always been this way throughout history.
There have always been families that have overshadowed the Ecclesias, but it was always Ecclesia that survived.
While other ducal families were replaced over time, Ecclesia alone remained, proudly maintaining its dignity.
When asked who the strongest ducal family in the empire was, the answer might vary; but when asked who the ‘greatest’ noble family was, the answer was always Ecclesia.
“Let’s hope the words spoken today were just jokes learned from Sky Island. I wouldn’t want to fall out with an old friend like you.”
“…If I have been rude, I apologize. I was envious of your son. To have grown so admirably. I am envious of you.”
Remarkably, Duke Alfonso took a step back!
Duke Huam smiled.
The frosty air softened.
“Envious? He’s still lacking in many ways. But thanks for looking at him favorably.”
Duke Huam gestured to me.
“What are you doing? Haven’t you thanked him for his hospitality?”
“…Thank you for your hospitality.”
In this exchange, Duke Huam did not offer an ‘apology’.
He drew a line, suggesting that the responsibility for the commotion lay with the magical house’s side.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Duchess too. I was saddened to hear about your brother’s situation.”
“…No.”
“Truly, you are a lady of high repute. Your brother will gladly accept his punishment. Thank you for your broad understanding. .”
It was a bluff, warning not to interfere in the punishment of her brother.
Duchess Beth clenched her fist but did not raise her voice at me, unlike what she had done before.
“You are very welcome.”
“Haha, it seems we have caused too much trouble. Then, we shall take our leave.”
“Wait a moment, Father. I have yet to receive a proper apology from the head of the magical family.”
All eyes turned to me.
My heart raced, but I held back.
‘I have something in mind. An opportunity like this is rare.’
Indeed, Duke Alfonso did not show anger, thanks to my father being there.
“So, how should I apologize?”
“Allow me to visit ‘Whirlwind Island,’ owned by the magical family, later on.”
“Hmm? Very well. Will that suffice?”
“It’s enough.”
‘Done!’
I silently celebrated.
Whirlwind Island held a hidden piece that could be of great help to me, suffering from mana insensitivity.
‘It’s dangerous, but I must clear it. It holds a clue to reaching Level 2.’
Level 2!
A stage easily reached by almost anyone, even students, but for me, suffering from mana insensitivity, it was a significant achievement.
‘Reaching Level 2 would make me much stronger than now.’
Duke Huam concluded the matter.
“Then, we’ll truly be on our way. Alfonso, we’ll see you next time. Don’t just stay on Sky Island, come down to the surface more often.”
“Sure.”
Our party left the Klein Ducal Residence.
Everyone was cautious of Duke Huam’s reaction.
“Van, can you spare some time? Let’s have a chat.”
“…Understood. You guys head back to the Free City through the portal.”
‘I’m in for a scolding. I did cause a mess, after all.’
I had been prepared for this since the beginning of the incident.
However, Duke Huam brought up an unexpected topic.
“Do you drink these days?”
“…Occasionally. Why do you ask?”
“Then, let’s go. Get on the carriage.”
“??”
Duke Huam took me to a tavern in the capital’s city center.
A very normal one at that.
Neither noisy nor luxurious.
“I come here sometimes. Ron and Mariam have both come with me a few times. It’s the first time for you.”
As I sat down bewilderedly, Duke Huam poured whiskey into my glass.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Well done.”
“…Pardon?”
“I brought you here to give you a drink as a sign of praise. It’s been a tradition since your grandfather’s time.”
It felt like I had heard it wrong, but I hadn’t.
Duke Huam, no, ‘Father’ was looking at me with an evidently pleased gaze.
“I’ve been keeping up with all your news, without missing anything. You’re doing well. I’m proud of you.”
Suddenly.
Hearing that, my heart involuntarily stirred.
Praise from my ‘Father.’
Something I had never experienced before.
