The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 9.1
It was when I wore a bewildered expression.
I heard a sound that made me doubt my ears.
“Sorry.”
“!!”
I looked at the Duke, wondering if I had misheard.
But no, I hadn’t.
The Duke was smiling warmly.
Despite his forehead being scorched by fire, he seemed infinitely pleased.
“As your father, I couldn’t trust in you. But you were making efforts and progressing like this…”
“…”
“I apologize again. Can you forgive me for not believing in you all this time?”
With those words, I once again realized a certain truth.
‘In various ways, the Duke genuinely loves his son.’
Even when he was angry, it was because he loved his son.
Maybe because he never properly received love from his parents when he was young, my heart strangely itched.
At that moment, another voice interjected.
“Father!! It was brother who banished the Lord of Darkness at the family tomb!!”
It was Cal!
He woke up from mana depletion just in time to appear.
“I accidentally awakened the Lord of Darkness, but brother banished it!”
“!!”
Everyone looked at me as if they couldn’t believe it.
The charisma of the Dark Flame Dragon naturally manifested, and an awkward silence followed the unfortunate revelation.
“It was nothing extraordinary. I simply did what needed to be done as a member of the Ecclesia family.”
Inside the hall, everyone fell into a mixture of confusion and astonishment.
Faces that no longer knew what to say as their conventional wisdom crumbled.
“Ignorant knights, what are you doing? Can’t you all pay respect to Master Van properly?!”
“Uh, um?”
“Quickly!!”
Upon Hans’s shout, the knights, with bewildered expressions, awkwardly chanted, ‘L-Long live Master Van?’
You have emerged victorious in the duel against the Duke!
You have been recognized for the defeat of the Lord of Darkness!
The Duke’s gaze towards you changes!!
The gaze of the Duke’s family and supporters towards you changes!!
Your honor has slightly increased!!
You can claim a “Wish Token” from the Duke!
I instantly focused on the term ‘Wish Token.’
Just then, the Duke spoke.
“Could it be that you really banished the Lord of Darkness? I want to apologize for misunderstanding you all this time. Even though this won’t completely ease your feelings, do you have a wish?”
I swallowed hard.
This was the moment I had been waiting for.
“Please use the recommendation voucher from the Ruby Academy that you, Father, possess on my behalf.”
“!!”
The Duke widened his eyes.
The Ruby Academy was one of the four prestigious academies.
The Ecclesia Duke was one of the academy world’s most significant patrons.
He was providing substantial support to the four prestigious academies and held a ‘recommendation voucher.’
‘It’s just a recommendation, but you can pretty much choose the professor you want.’
In other words, my request was for him to parachute me into the academy!
I grinned at the thought.
‘To become a professor through the official route would require tremendous effort. Parachuting is the best way.’
The Duke looked perplexed.
“A recommendation voucher… that’s…”
No matter how much he had a recommendation voucher, it couldn’t be used recklessly.
If he recommended an unqualified person as a professor, it would bring disgrace to the Ducal family.
If he recommended someone infamous like me as a professor, it wouldn’t just be a matter of disgrace.
Everyone will point fingers at the Duke, saying he’s gone mad.
‘That’s a problem the Duke will have to endure.’
“Do you not believe in me?”
“Mm.”
The Duke let out a bewildered sigh.
Having just expressed trust in me, it was now difficult for him to refuse.
At that moment, a supporting voice was heard.
“Do not worry, Your Grace! Master Van will become a shining star, not just for the Ducal family but for the Empire, no, for the entire world! Doesn’t the scorched forehead of Your Grace prove it?”
“…Just be quiet.”
It wasn’t just Hans.
“…I agree.”
“Cal?”
Cal avoided eye contact, his face turning red.
As if embarrassed to make such a statement.
“Perhaps my brother has an innate talent for being a professor. The guidance you gave me when we fought the Lord of Darkness was incomparable to any professor at the academy.”
“…Really?”
The Duke looked perplexed.
While he admitted my abilities, the prospect of parachuting me in seemed daunting.
At that moment, the eldest son, Ron, who had been silent, stepped forward.
“How about this? Recommending Van as a temporary professor.”
“Temporary?”
“Yes, not a permanent appointment, but a temporary one to assess performance before making it official. It will cause fewer waves.”
The Duke nodded as if approving of the idea.
‘Hmm. It’s not ideal, but does it really matter?’
With my Grand Practitioner’s abilities, there would be no lack of achievements.
A permanent appointment was just a matter of time.
‘I can casually get by and achieve magical success with my Grand Practitioner abilities.’
Moreover, being of the Ducal family, who would dare criticize my less-than-diligent attitude?
‘I’ll enjoy the life of a professor while sucking up the benefits!’
However, there was one catch.
‘To think I have to become a professor at the academy at the same time as the protagonists.’
Currently, it is the vacation period before the start of the new school year.
So, when I become a professor at the academy, the protagonists will also be starting their first year.
‘…Well, I’ll just keep a low profile. I’ll steer clear at the mere sight of those protagonist hairstyles.’
It’s a grumble, but it’s a thousand times, ten thousand times better than going into the military or taking up an official position in the bureaucracy.
At that moment, the Duke asked a question.
“Why specifically aim for the Ruby Academy? Wouldn’t it be better to aim for one of the other four prestigious academies?”
In my mind, I answered.
‘The other places are too rigorous.’
The four prestigious academies each had their own characteristics.
To sum up Ruby Academy in one phrase, it was something like this:
An outdated academy that’s embarrassing to call one of the four prestigious.
Located in the free city known for its indulgences and crimes, perhaps?
It had a lax academic atmosphere, and among the four prestigious academies, it was the least favored in terms of accomplishments.
‘But it’s the perfect environment for me.’
