The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 77
“…Am I seeing things?”
Even after rubbing my eyes, the situation remained the same.
“…Why?”
When I asked someone nearby, they told me that during my hospitalization, there had been a fight over noise between the residents of the studio apartments.
A mercenary mage, in a fit of rage, had cast a fire spell that started a fire, and in an instant, the building was completely consumed by flames.
‘Have I become a victim of disaster overnight? Wait, what about my security deposit?’
In a rush to find out, I learned that both the mercenary mage and the landlord had fled in the middle of the night.
I had become penniless and homeless overnight!
Wham! Wham!
As I stood there, stunned and desolate, Mari flitted around me energetically, trying to cheer me up with her antics.
The jesting power of the great dragon was tremendous; I barely managed to regain my composure.
‘…Anyway, I was planning to move because of the noise between floors, so let’s think positively. The security deposit was a small amount anyway. So, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay, sob.’
But where would I get the money from?
‘I’ll earn it.’
Fortunately, I had a week’s vacation.
“…Could I look for a short-term job for you?”
“Yes, find me something that suits my grand stature, preferably a high-paying job.”
Even amidst disaster, the Dragon Charisma maintained its dignity.
One of the lords of the Dragon Stronghold and a commander of the rebels, Watcher Lyran blinked in surprise.
Lyran, known for her connections, often arranged high-level commissions.
“I do have a suitable job in mind. Have you ever heard of the Dark Auction?”
I flinched for a moment.
Of course, I had heard of it.
It was an auction organized by the Dark Mage Tower, a haven for dark mages.
Along with the Abyss, ‘the Order’ was one of the most notorious villain groups in the world.
Naturally, it wasn’t a regular auction.
It dealt in illegal items, and
‘It’s the most dreadful auction in the world, run by demons.’
Dark mages manipulate the world’s negative energies through magic.
As a result, they are easily tempted by demons, and most end up making contracts with them.
The real purpose behind these dark mages organizing the Dark Auction is for the amusement of demons. Hence, the auction is designed to incite all sorts of vile acts.
However, because such incredible treasures are auctioned off, many seek to obtain an invitation by any means necessary.
“Are you asking me to become a representative?”
“As expected, you are quick to catch, Benefactor. Yes, that’s right. Given the nature of the Dark Auction, many find it difficult to attend in person. They often look for trustworthy representatives.”
I fell into a moment of contemplation.
The request itself wasn’t bad.
It was merely about purchasing items on behalf of someone else.
‘The Dark Mage Tower guarantees the safety of the attendees.’
Attacking participants would mean making enemies of the Dark Mage Tower, so there was no need to worry about danger.
But it wasn’t so simple.
The purpose of the Dark Auction wasn’t money, but the ‘amusement’ of demons.
In other words, an ‘event’ that pleases the demons is bound to occur.
‘Although the nature of the event varies each time, it inevitably involves schemes that provoke the attendees’ vilest nature.’
Seemingly sharing my thoughts, Lyran also said,
“Personally, I do not recommend this Dark Auction job. Perhaps you should consider other work, even if the pay is somewhat lower,?”
“What other work is available?”
“Just a moment, please.”
She rattled off a few options, but none seemed suitable.
They either involved too much effort, offered too little pay, were excessively dangerous, or required a long commitment.
‘Earning money isn’t easy, after all.’
I found myself asking about the Dark Auction job out of necessity.
Not that I was agreeing to it, just inquiring.
“Let’s talk about the Dark Auction job.”
“Are you sure?”
“I will make the judgment, so just explain.”
The moment I heard what Lyran had to say next, I couldn’t help but be shocked.
“The task is to purchase the Gray Ritual Tome and verify its authenticity.”
The mention of such an unimaginable item was the cause.
‘The Gray Ritual Tome is at the Dark Auction? An item that could plunge the world into destruction?’
The Hero Academy isn’t all about happy endings.
There are several bad ending routes, one of which occurs because of this Gray Ritual Tome.
Suddenly, the appearance of another dimension’s breach brings about a bad ending.
‘Wait, then who commissioned this task?’
I asked cautiously.
“Who is the client?”
“Normally, I shouldn’t tell you, but since you’re a benefactor, I’ll give you a hint. The reason I hesitated to assign this task to you is because of the client’s identity. It’s a dangerous entity whose identity must absolutely not be revealed.”
I swallowed a groan.
‘It’s definitely the King of Contrary Heaven, one of the Ten Demons.’
The Ten Demons.
They are the most dreadful, the worst ten villains. For reference, in the story, the Massacrist Mage and Lindon become two of these Ten Demons later on.
The King of Contrary Heaven is one who has reached the pinnacle of Level 8, the state of a Seeker, and is among the most formidable of the Ten Demons.
The Lord of the Abyss.
The Dark Tower Master.
The Patriarch of the Order.
He was considered the most powerful villain, even worse than these three.
For reference, the Abyss, the Dark Tower, and the Order are villain groups independent of Ouroboros.
‘As Lyran said, this is a task that must absolutely not be accepted.’
But then.
“This is a bit troubling.”
“Yes, you’ve thought it through well. The pay is high, but it’s best not to take on such tasks.”
“…How much is the pay?”
“50,000 Pena.”
“……”
My head spun for a moment.
‘50,000 Pena could buy a house in the free city, couldn’t it?’
A home of my own!
It was truly a dreamlike desire.
Even as a sales king in my previous life, I never managed to own my home.
At best, I lived in a decent rented house.
‘No, but still, it’s dangerous. We’re talking about the King of Contrary Heaven!’
Greed and fear waged a relentless battle within me.
Soon, a conclusion was reached.
Greed won.
“I will take on that request.”
“Benefactor? It is dangerous!”
“Nonsense. I am Van Ecclesia, the creator of miracles. Do you not know that I do not flinch, no matter what danger approaches?”
“Ah.”
Even someone as ordinary as me could muster the courage if it was for the sake of securing my own home.
However, I couldn’t proceed exactly as the request was made.
‘If the Gray Ritual Tome really ends up with the King of Contrary Heaven, a bad ending could occur.’
I had to prevent the tome from being delivered to the King of Contrary Heaven while securing the commission fee.
In essence, I had to pull off a kind of scam.
The problem was the risk involved.
‘If he finds out I interfered, the King of Contrary Heaven will tear me to pieces.’
The mere thought made me shudder, but I steeled my resolve.
‘For the sake of securing my own home, fighting!’
* * *
After accepting the task, I realized there was no need to view it entirely negatively.
It seemed like it might be resolved more easily than expected.
‘After all, it’s impossible to sneak the Gray Ritual Tome away from the eyes of the King of Contrary Heaven.’
I devised a different strategy.
A realistic and straightforward one.
I would purchase the Gray Ritual Tome as planned at the auction, then secretly tamper with its contents before handing it over to the King of Contrary Heaven.
The Gray Ritual Tome ending happens when the protagonists are in the latter half of their second year.
Meaning, even if the King of Contrary Heaven obtains the tome now, it would take nearly two years to decipher it.
It’s so complex that if I use the abilities of the Grand Practitioner to subtly alter it, it would be hard to detect.
‘If I do this well, I might even ensnare the King of Contrary Heaven in delusion. It would be like taking down a powerful villain without lifting a finger.’
Moreover, this plan had a significant advantage.
Since it fulfills the request, I could also keep the commission fee!
‘I can secure my own home!!’
Whoosh! Whoosh!
I crossed the portal, firming my resolve.
The location of the Dark Auction is unknown to everyone.
Activating the ticket received in advance when passing through the portal manipulates the coordinates, transporting me to the auction site.
Fwoosh!
After passing through the darkness of subspace, my vision cleared.
The bright sunlight stung my eyes.
‘An island?’
It wasn’t one of the empire’s islands.
Tropical plants like palm trees from the south.
It was as beautiful as a vacation spot on Earth.
Something that could decorate a computer Windows wallpaper.
‘It looks like places like the Maldives. Of all choices, they went for such a bad taste.’
The vile acts that would unfold in a paradise on earth.
It showed the taste of demons.
[Welcome. May I check your invitation?]
A figure wearing a mask approached.
‘Dark mage. An associate of the auction.’
The aura of demons was palpably felt.
Not all dark mages are contractors with demons.
Some study the world’s negative energies purely for academic purposes, as dark mages.
However, the majority of dark mages were contractors with demons, especially those associated with this auction, without exception.
[Please wear this mask to maintain the confidentiality of all attendees.]
I complied without objection.
[The auction starts this evening. The portal back will open in 5 days, so please enjoy the festival until then.]
“Can’t we return before then?”
[Yes, it’s the rule of our auction.]
It was a scheme for the amusement of demons.
‘Over the course of 5 days, events that provoke ugliness in people will surely occur here.’
It didn’t matter.
I just had to quietly mind my own business and then leave.
Having 5 days was actually fortunate. I could use that time to tamper with the Gray Ritual Tome.
The dark mages led me to a mansion in the center of the island.
It was the mansion where the auction would be held, and upon entering, I found that a considerable number of attendees had already arrived.
‘Just by feeling the aura they give off, they’re all significant figures. Who exactly are they?’
I swallowed hard.
So much for confidentiality.
The mask did not perfectly conceal one’s identity.
‘If someone is of a higher realm, they can see through the magic. It’s a demon’s trick to deliberately induce conflict.’
Therefore, as soon as I appeared, all attendees tried to discern my identity with their gazes.
‘How dare they. No chance. I won’t lose to anyone in this kind of battle.’
I used the abilities of the Master of Magic to obstruct their gazes.
No one could identify me, and a subtle surprise spread among the attendees.
“He blocked my sight?”
“You couldn’t recognize that guy’s energy either? Seems like a significant figure has arrived.”
As I mentioned, if the other is of a higher realm, they cannot see through the mask.
Thus, all attendees mistook me for a being of a higher realm than themselves!
‘To avoid unnecessary trouble, I absolutely can’t let them find out I’m a nobody.’
The Dark Mage Tower may ensure the safety of the attendees, but that doesn’t mean it prevents ‘legitimate’ transactions between them.
In other words, as long as it doesn’t harm their safety, ‘extortion’, ‘robbery’, and such are all technically permissible, leading to all sorts of terrible deeds.
To ensure more certain safety, I spoke up.
‘Help me, Black Flame Dragon.’
“Remove those unworthy eyes from my presence. Unless you wish never to see the light again.”
“!!”
Fwoosh!
The complexions of the attendees hardened.
The intense intimidating presence of the Black Flame Dragon deepened their misunderstanding towards me.