The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 68
“Yes, that’s correct. I went to great lengths to have the original professor removed, only for that good-for-nothing to take his place.”
“Aren’t there two sections for the <Basic Understanding of Magic> course?”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s a fundamental course for all freshmen, split into sections 1 and 2 due to the number of students. He’s in charge of section 2.”
“Switch the professor of section 1 to Baron Aiden.”
“!!”
The butler’s face registered shock.
“Baron Aiden, as in one of the most renowned professors from Ruby? An A-fessor certified by the Ministry of Education?”
The Ministry of Education conducts an annual evaluation of professors.
It considers various aspects such as expertise in their field, research achievements, and contributions to society, among other criteria.
One of these criteria is the quality of teaching.
An A-fessor signifies a professor whose teaching ability has been recognized as grade A.
It’s worth noting that above A-fessors, there are S-fessors, though Ruby Academy doesn’t have any professors of this rank.
“You mean to compare his lectures to those of Baron Aiden, one of the finest professors?”
By conducting the same course as an A-fessor, the deficiencies in his lectures will be starkly exposed.
But that wasn’t the only trick up Duke Volman’s sleeve.
“Call a board meeting and designate the <Fundamentals of Magic> he’s teaching as a course under quality control.”
According to the guidelines of the Department of Education, each academy must select certain courses for internal quality control checks.
Being selected often leads professors to prefer taking a vacation, as their course undergoes intense scrutiny.
‘Quality control evaluations are considered a legal means for demotion.’
The butler clicked his tongue.
If even a minor flaw is found in his lectures, he will face various disadvantages.
‘This course will likely be his last before expulsion.’
However, the butler suddenly felt worried.
“…What if, by some chance, he delivers a perfect lecture?”
“What do you mean?”
“…It’s unlikely, but if he surpasses even the A-fessor Baron Aiden in teaching…”
The butler trailed off.
The Duke’s action might inadvertently end up giving wings to the very man he sought to clip.
As had always been the case up until now.
“…You make a valid point. It would be wise to prepare another net. I’ll contact Senin.”
An unexpected name came up.
The protagonist of the commerce class that he had considered not long ago.
“Is Lord Senin currently a freshman at Amethyst Academy? Could it be?”
“Yes, the student council is likely already under our influence, right? Arrange for Amethyst’s student council audit team to be dispatched to his course.”
The four major academies’ student councils maintain close exchanges,
One aspect of which is the ‘audit team’ dispatch system.
Originally, the student council is a group that represents the interests of the students.
However, as members of the academy, the student council members themselves are wary of facing disadvantages, making internal whistleblowing a challenge.
Thus, when there’s an issue within an academy, the practice involves dispatching an audit team from another academy’s student council to act as whistleblowers on their behalf.
“With Lord Senin’s capabilities, we can trust in his effectiveness.”
“Indeed. Senin is the one to follow in the footsteps of Volmon.”
This time, the butler shook off his worries and nodded in agreement, as if convinced.
Senin was an incredibly adept strategist, unbelievable for his young age.
‘While Lady Emily is also exceptional, she doesn’t compare to Lord Senin.’
Senin wouldn’t hesitate to use any means necessary to achieve his goals.
Burying Van through an accusation would be a piece of cake for him.
* * *
Placement of a rival distinguished professor.
Selection of the course for quality control.
Dispatch of a student audit team.
Thus, Duke Volmon deployed no less than three schemes to expel Van, and those commanded to act began to target Van.
“You want me, Aiden, to take charge of a freshman course? And all that to deal with Van, of all people?”
Aiden was a young professor.
With a sophisticated urban image, he shared a similar style to the temporary professor of the magic nobility, Balas.
“You shouldn’t underestimate Professor Van. Even Professor Balas, considered to be your successor, couldn’t handle him.”
“Don’t compare me with a novice like Balas. I am an A-fessor, certified by the Department of Education.”
“…My apologies.”
Aiden showed his displeasure.
Refusing to be placed on the same level as Balas, let alone being asked to deal with someone like Van, was a blow to his pride.
“I have my honor to consider. I can’t just do this.”
“Of course, Duke Volmon will ensure you are compensated in a manner that won’t leave you feeling shortchanged.”
“It’s not about the money. Grant me the participation rights to the ‘Royal Symposium’.”
“!!”
The butler flinched.
It was, as the words implied, a symposium, a convention discussion hosted by the royal household, targeting the professors from the four prestigious academies.
Merely attending it was considered a great honor.
“If the board recommends me, wouldn’t it be possible?”
“However, we can’t just offer you a participation spot outright. Chancellor Karak’s side will oppose it.”
“Why not make a wager on this course? The side that receives higher scores in the lecture evaluations could attend the Royal Symposium.”
It was a reasonable suggestion.
Van was currently aligned with Chancellor Karak.
It would be a fair bet, and if lost, Chancellor Karak’s side would have no grounds for objection.
“Understood. I will propose to the board that among the two professors, the one who scores higher in lecture evaluations will attend the next session of the Royal Symposium.”
Thus,
A reward Van would have never desired was put at stake.
But troubles for Van didn’t stop there.
In the southeast, far from the Free City,
In a harsh environment where deserts and canyons met,
An imposing city stood out, not fitting in with its surroundings.
The calm atmosphere of its streets,
People drinking tea and reading books in an intellectual manner.
It was the city of Amethyst.
Named after the Amethyst Academy around which the city had developed.
For reference, each of the four prestigious academies had its own city, each with its unique character.
Ruby was the Free City, Amethyst the Scholarly City, Sapphire the Fortress City, and Peridot the Sacred City.
“Another beautiful day today.”
“It’s all thanks to Amethyst Academy for shielding us from the twists of mana. There’s no place better to live.”
“The students are all exceptional as well.”
The citizens of the Scholarly City took great pride in Amethyst Academy.
This pride often translated into disdain for the other academies.
Especially Ruby, the last among the four prestigious academies, was frequently the subject of their scorn.
“Students from Ruby are said to be so dissolute. And their faculty is much inferior.”
“To think such a place is considered a sibling academy to our Amethyst.”
“Did you hear about who became a professor at Ruby Academy? None other than Van, of all people!”
“Really? Even for Ruby Academy, that seems too much.”
“And he’s even in charge of a mandatory course. Makes you wonder what kind of misconduct got him that position.”
“Poor students of Ruby.”
Located far from the empire’s center, this Scholarly City was slow to receive news.
Few knew of the recent achievements of Van.
However, there was a reason why such unfavorable rumors about Van spread so peculiarly.
“As such, with students’ rights being infringed upon at Ruby Academy, I propose dispatching an audit team.”
In the Amethyst student council room,
A young boy was raising his voice confidently.
It was Senin!
The successor of the Rapalt dukedom and the protagonist of the humanities department.
The spread of bad rumors about Van throughout the Scholarly City was all Senin’s doing.
The student council room fell silent.
Surprisingly, the senior students were all wary of Senin.
Considering Senin had only just entered his first year, it was an astonishing situation.
He had bribed student council members or found leverage over them even before enrolling.
His prowess was unnervingly beyond his years.
However, not everyone had fallen for Senin’s machinations.
“Based merely on rumors? Without any concrete evidence, you propose dispatching an audit team?”
“!!”
It was a third-year student.
And somehow, a familiar face.
Senin identified the individual’s identity.
“Disappointing, Vice President. Are you perhaps covering for him because he’s your brother?”
Cal Ecclesia.
He was the fourth among the five Ecclesia siblings!
Cal served as the vice president of the Amethyst student council.
“It’s not personal feelings, but the procedure I’m discussing.”
“We’ve already received a request for cooperation from the Ruby student council. Ignoring it would be neglect of duty, in my view.”
‘…This damned kid.’
Cal gritted his teeth internally.
It wasn’t just because Senin was targeting his brother, Van.
Senin had commandeered the student council, effectively reducing him to a puppet.
‘To think I can’t even handle someone like him. Why am I so inadequate?’
Ron, the eldest brother, Mariam, the second sister, and even the youngest sibling were all exceptional.
Van, once derided as Van the Trash, turned out to be dazzling once he shed his shell.
Only Cal seemed ordinary.
‘It’s okay. Not everyone has to be a star. But I do want to land a blow on that guy.’
The anger boiling up today more than usual wasn’t just a matter of feeling, nor was it solely because the kid was slandering his brother, Van.
If you ever need my help, reach out.
Suddenly, Van’s voice echoed in his mind.
I’m your big brother
He remembered the time Van had confronted the Lord of Darkness on his behalf.
It was the first time he had relied on Van.
Though he hated to admit it, Van had been the most reliable support anyone could ask for.
Cal made a spontaneous decision.
“Fine. We’ll dispatch an audit team to Ruby. But if your claims prove to be wrong, you’ll take responsibility. Resign from the student council.”
“!!”
Senin flinched, but soon smirked.
“Understood. In return, if I’m right, I expect you to take responsibility and step down from your position as vice president.”
Cal nodded.
He decided to trust in the image of Van he had seen back then.
Trusting one’s brother was a privilege of being the younger sibling.
‘If you told me to trust you, then be prepared, Brother Van. If you show me a poor side, I’ll give you a piece of my mind.’
Subsequently, the specifics of the procedure were discussed.
When determining the members of the audit team, an unexpected individual volunteered.
“I’ll go too.”
Everyone turned with puzzled expressions to the one who had raised their hand.
Even Senin, who found few difficult to oppose, cautiously voiced his objection.
“It’s okay. There’s really no need…”
“Why? Is there a reason I shouldn’t go?”
“No, it’s not that… Just thought it might be bothersome for you.”
“Pretending to care when you don’t really mean it is annoying, you know?”
“!!”
To speak so bluntly to Senin, the successor of a ducal family?
Yet, no one seemed surprised by the familiar spectacle.
And for good reason.
“Whether I go or not is for me to decide, so mind your own business.”
Phaaat!
A girl of splendid appearance spoke in a subdued tone.
The noble lady of a magical lineage, Joanna, said,
“I owe Professor Van a debt of gratitude.”
