The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 85
Originally, Catherine was supposed to awaken her aptitude after struggling in solitude and reaching the brink of despair.
But I had become a pillar of support, preventing her from experiencing loneliness and frustration.
‘No, it’s not like I’ve done anything particularly special for Catherine.’
I wore a troubled expression.
A passing thought struck me.
It might be wise for you to keep a proper distance from that child. Misplaced sympathy will only serve as poison.
Duke Alfonso might have been aware of Catherine’s situation and warned me.
‘What should I do?’
I spotted Catherine walking by in the distance.
Our eyes met, and Catherine frowned and quickly turned her head away.
Her reaction was prickly, but I didn’t feel any hostility.
It seemed more like she was embarrassed and avoiding my gaze.
‘At this point, Catherine should be filled with anger and venom.’
It was a serious problem.
Moreover, an urgent situation had arisen.
The magical lineage had requested Catherine’s withdrawal from the academy.
It was the start of Catherine’s personal character scenario <The Hero’s Despair>.
* * *
Dormitory at 2:30 AM.
When all the students were asleep, a faint light leaked from one of the rooms.
It was Catherine’s room.
“Lady Catherine? Hmm, still not asleep?”
Catherine’s roommate frowned at the light still on.
For context, Catherine was living in the cheapest 6-person room in the commoners’ section, receiving no support from her family.
Her roommates knew she was the neglected illegitimate child of her family and subtly ignored her.
“What time do you think it is? Go to sleep already.”
Irritated by the nagging, Catherine reluctantly closed her book.
“…Sorry. The library was closed for repairs today.”
‘I still haven’t fully grasped today’s lesson material.’
Catherine swallowed a sigh.
In fact, the content wasn’t difficult.
It was just the beginning of the new semester, after all.
Other students in the magic department easily understood and moved on, but she was struggling alone.
‘It’s okay. If there’s something I don’t understand, I just have to study it more.’
She was well aware of her lack of talent.
She had always been called the worst dud in the magical lineage.
However, after coming to the academy, she realized.
She wasn’t just the worst dud in her magical lineage but in the academy as well.
‘Stop the useless thoughts. It’s better to read one more line of the book during that time.’
She was reading the book, lying on the bed, depending on the moonlight when it happened.
Drip.
‘Ah.’
Maybe because she hadn’t been sleeping well recently, a nosebleed started to trickle down.
‘I can’t let it stain the book.’
Then, another snide comment came.
“Always making such a fuss. Anyone would think you’re the only one studying in the academy.”
“Even though she’s a lady from a magical lineage. Of course, seeing her skills, it’s clear why even her lineage disowned her.”
“How did she become the top scorer? Was it a fraudulent admission?”
“She must have just memorized the entrance exam syllabus. Now she’s making a big deal out of nothing like this.”
The mockery was loud enough for her to hear, but Catherine showed no reaction.
She was used to it.
Why were you even born?
Why did the previous head of the household even pick you up?
You’re worthless and don’t deserve to live.
She had always lived hearing such things, so the roommates’ snide remarks were merely laughable to her.
‘So, it’s okay.’
But suddenly, her heart felt blocked.
Is it really okay?
‘…Maybe it’s better to just give up.’
Her struggles were all for one goal.
She desperately wanted to become a great mage to crush the pride of the magical lineage that had looked down on her.
She forced herself to shake her head, gathering her will.
‘Don’t think weak thoughts. I can do this. I must.’
But why then?
Why did one voice suddenly come to mind?
You have me.
It was Van.
‘…The professor I dislike.’
Catherine sighed.
Honestly, Van wasn’t the ‘teacher’ with whom she had the best compatibility.
Van’s lectures were too deep, making it difficult for Catherine to follow.
‘He’s not even kind. Just prickly and always putting on airs.’
And yet.
‘…He always becomes a source of strength for everyone when needed. Annoyingly so.’
That was why.
Without realizing it, she had started to rely on Van.
It was a new and disconcerting experience for her.
‘Pull yourself together, Catherine. Relying on someone only makes you weaker.’
Catherine steeled her resolve and turned her gaze back to the book.
The nosebleed flowed again, but she ignored it, pressing a cloth against it.
* * *
The exam results were out.
‘Thankfully, I’m first.’
Catherine sighed in relief.
All the effort of studying the incomprehensible content until blood seemed to pour from her nose had paid off.
‘I need to go back and review again.’
As she walked down the corridor, someone bumped into her shoulder on purpose.
Someone was picking a fight.
“Hey! Who do you think you are? Looking for trouble?”
She snapped angrily, but a smug reply came back.
“Long time no see. How have you been?”
“You are…?”
Catherine’s expression hardened.
The other person wore a second-year name tag, a face she recognized.
“Shouldn’t you properly greet your cousin?”
Davit.
He was a son from a branch of the magical lineage.
“Shut up. I don’t want anything to do with you. Now get lost.”
Catherine gritted her teeth.
It wasn’t her stepmother, Duchess Beth, or Joanna who had tormented her the most during her time in the magical lineage.
Unexpectedly, it was the elders, members of the branch families, and vassals.
Such filth cannot be allowed to tarnish the lineage of the great magical family.
Davit shrugged his shoulders.
“Still as arrogant as ever after all this time. But it would be in your best interest to curry favor with me if you wish to stay at the academy even a day longer.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Haven’t you heard? The council of elders decided to send you to the ‘Monastery of Magic.'”
“!!”
It was an institution where ‘magic monks’ isolated from the outside world solely studied magic.
It was also used to exile the offspring who committed crimes or were disowned by noble families.
“What good does it do for a dud like you to attend the academy? It’d be slightly beneficial to our magical lineage if you entered the monastery to study magic in obscurity for the rest of your life.”
“Ha! Who decided that? You think I’ll just go?”
“And if you refuse? Do you think you can go against the decision of the council of elders?”
Catherine was at a loss for words.
No one was there to protect her.
Her father, Duke Alfonso, would rather she disappeared right away.
“Who knows. If you manage to show some remarkable achievement at the ‘Exchange Meet’ this weekend, maybe the elders will reconsider their decision. Of course, the likelihood of you achieving that is practically non-existent, haha.”
Catherine watched as Davit walked away.
‘How could I possibly stand out at the Exchange Meet.’
Compared to before she enrolled at the academy, her skills hadn’t improved at all.
Just as she was clenching her fists in frustration.
Trust me.
Van’s voice echoed in her mind.
‘…No. I can’t rely on that.’
She knew exactly why she was stagnating.
It was because her spirit had weakened.
It wasn’t about blaming Van.
It was just regret that she had become weak.
‘I need to become tough again.’
There were a few days left until the weekend of the Exchange Meet.
She planned to do whatever she could in the meantime.
But then,
“What’s the matter?”
“!!”
It was Van.
Always with that annoying gaze that seemed to look down on others, but why?
Why did her heart feel weak again?
“What’s the matter? Did I have a bad breakfast or something? No, I’m fine.”
“Catherine.”
Van looked directly at her.
As if he could see right through her.
“I’ll ask again. Are you certain there’s no problem?”
“!!”
Catherine realized Van already knew everything about her situation.
Of course, as her homeroom teacher, he would have been informed first.
‘Should I ask for help?’
Catherine knew.
That this annoying-looking professor actually had a warmer heart than anyone else.
That if she just reached out, he would do whatever it took to solve her problem.
But,
‘No, I can’t.’
It wasn’t just stubborn pride.
She was scared.
Scared that she would crumble from her weakness.
And that she might never be able to stand up again.
“There’s no problem, okay? Don’t bother me unnecessarily and go about your business.”
“…Alright, I understand.”
Fortunately, Van didn’t press further.
Instead, he changed the subject.
“Catherine, what did I say at the beginning?”
“…….”
“I said you’re my student, and I’m your professor. So, no matter what happens, just don’t forget that. That you are my student.”
Catherine felt a surge of emotion well up inside her unexpectedly.
Perhaps it was the accumulated grievances that finally burst forth.
“…Your concern is unnecessary meddling.”
Feeling like her emotions might overflow if she stayed any longer, Catherine bit her lip hard and turned her back on Van before he could say anything, then ran away.
‘This is the worst.’
She had no idea how the next three days passed.
The day of the Exchange Meet arrived, and as usual, Catherine ended up looking like a monkey trapped in a cage.
Everyone laughed and scorned her.
The highlight was the magical duels between the offspring of noble families.
“Lady Catherine defeated!”
“Lady Catherine defeated!”
“Lady Catherine defeated!”
In various events, against various opponents, she never once secured a victory.
‘…I don’t know what to do.’
She numbly listened to the surrounding conversations.
Such a disgrace to the family should be sent to the Magic Monastery immediately.
Just as her exile to the monastery seemed certain.
“Isn’t this decision too hasty? It hasn’t even been approved by the head of the family.”
Unexpectedly, it was Duchess Beth!
“In a week’s time, there will be the second half of the Exchange Meet. Let’s decide then.”
“If the lady says so, we will follow her decision.”
Catherine looked at Duchess Beth in surprise.
“Don’t get it wrong. It wasn’t my idea. I was merely asked to make a request.”
“…Who asked you, Mother?”
“Who else would make such a request? I don’t wish to discuss it further. Go hear it from the person himself. He seems to be waiting outside.”
It was Van!
Catherine turned and ran out of the assembly hall.
Outside, she saw a figure standing behind a mansion pillar.
Elegantly, like a figure in a fine painting.
Though she usually thought of him as pretentious, right now, she didn’t feel that way at all.
Her heart just swelled with emotion.
To suppress her feelings, she spoke even more rudely.
“Didn’t I say I didn’t want your unnecessary help? I don’t need… from you, Professor.”
“You can cry if you want to.”
“!!”
It was then that Catherine realized she was on the verge of tears.
“It’s normal for students to whine to their professors. So, go ahead and cry comfortably.”
Those words shattered the fragile walls around her heart.
Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
