Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: How to Steal the Protagonist's Woman
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Weekend was over, and first period was about to start.
The students in the classroom were wandering around like zombies, groaning from Monday blues.
It was a scene that proved Monday disease was the root of all illnesses in every world.
I had it too...
But the real problem wasn't something like Monday blues.
I glanced to the side.
Luna still hadn't arrived at the classroom.
'Damn... what do I do about Luna...'
'That's not as easy as it sounds...'
Last night, while I was waiting on the terrace, Luna overheard me muttering over comms.
It was exactly the kind of line that would cause a misunderstanding.
...Not a misunderstanding, but the truth, though.
This damn mouth of mine is always the problem.
After that, Luna bolted back to the dorms, and I never got to see her.
And behind me, the glass I'd been holding—filled with a drink—had shattered.
She'd brought two glasses, so it looked like she'd come intending to drink together.
'First, I need to ask Sonya for a favor.'
Someone entered the classroom during comms and headed to the podium.
It was the TA.
"Ah, due to circumstances with the professors today, the schedule has changed. First period will be Special Magic Studies, followed by Magic Circle Application."
The announcement came right before class, changing the schedule out of nowhere.
The students started murmuring.
'...Argh, nothing's going right!'
The TA left the classroom, and after a bit, the Special Magic Studies professor entered.
And at that exact moment, Luna dashed in through the back door and sat next to me.
She must have been waiting outside and timed it with the professor's entrance.
'...I'll think about it during class. There has to be a way.'
As Armonia said, Luna had her head down, completely unable to focus on class.
She stared blankly at her book, her eyes unfocused.
Luckily, from a glance, it looked like she was studying, so the professor didn't notice.
The elderly professor at the podium smiled as he spoke.
"Some of you must be confused by the sudden schedule change, but that's life. You wait for a pretty professor, and an old man shows up instead—that's part of it too."
The students laughed along with the professor's joke.
"Today's lesson will cover golems based on mana drain, building on what we did last time."
Golems existed in this world too.
They were created by linking magic circles like circuits into a mana stone, and had been used as war weapons in the past.
"A golem isn't good just because it's strong and sturdy. If it crumbles to a single disassembly spell, no matter how tough it is, it's defective."
True to his age, the professor had eloquent speech and a clean teaching style.
Each lesson linked to the next, efficiently building new knowledge.
The professor explained various golems.
They were ones I already knew about.
Made of fire, ice, or pure rock.
And at the end of the explanation, he mentioned mana golems.
"Mana golem... The name sounds grand, but it's nothing special. It was made targeting certain mages back then—a byproduct of mana drain research."
The mana golem, made purely of sand, hid its core in a pile during normal times and posed no threat to regular people, he explained.
"But the moment it detects a mage nearby... it immediately absorbs mana and starts transforming into the golem form you're familiar with."
Moreover, the transformed golem used the absorbed mana to form an outer shell wrapped in a mana barrier.
"So, does anyone know who the mana golem was designed to target?"
All the students went silent as if their mouths were glued shut.
Even Louis, with his curiosity streak, stayed quiet.
'I just heard about mana golems today too.'
'Ooh, but I'll stay quiet.'
I didn't want to raise my hand.
"Haha. Most of you probably heard about mana golems for the first time today. It's not even in your textbooks."
Everyone sighed in relief. Since no one knew, there was no shame in it.
But the professor, enjoying their relief, flashed a mischievous smile.
"Still, since we started, I should pick one sacrificial lamb to wrap it up, right?"
Everyone awkwardly laughed and avoided his eyes.
The professor slowly scanned the room, then smiled as if spotting someone.
Toward me. No, toward the seat next to me. He spoke up.
"You there, student. You've been studying hard—did you find the answer?"
"..."
Luna just blankly stared at her book, unable to respond.
No, she hadn't heard the professor at all.
I lightly nudged her arm.
"!"
Luna startled and looked at me.
I nodded toward the podium.
She panicked and looked around, then blankly stared at the elderly professor.
"You were studying so intently—did you figure out the mana golem's target?"
"Uh, that is..."
She hadn't been listening to class at all.
'This won't do.'
I scribbled Armonia's answer on paper and tossed it to Luna.
"!"
Thanks to my aim, the paper landed on her desk unnoticed by others.
The flustered Luna read it off verbatim.
"Um... it was probably made targeting... students like us, whose mana is still immature."
"Ooh!"
The professor looked surprised and stared at Luna.
His usually serene face broke into a wide grin.
"Impressive. Inferring something not in the curriculum on your own—excellent."
"Th-that..."
"I'll give you 10 extra points."
Everyone started clapping.
Luna was a natural top student, so the others clapped admiringly.
"..."
Luna glanced at me cautiously before sitting down gingerly.
She kept peeking at me but said nothing.
The professor at the podium spoke.
"If you're wondering why I brought up mana golems today, it's because your greatest predator isn't an old mage like me—it's the mana golem."
He explained that students' immature mana was disorganized and turbulent.
That's why they'd been given bracelets for magic circle use early on.
"If you ever see a mana golem, run without hesitation."
It sounded insulting, but everyone fell silent.
"It'll suck up your mana in one go, activate instantly, and you'll hurt yourself with your own mana."
The professor, now serious, added one more thing.
"Especially you all—never accidentally visit the training grounds in the forest east of Schutra. It's the third-years' practical field, the only place in the world where a mana golem remains."
He warned that entering by mistake could cost your life.
It was that bad a matchup.
The professor switched back to his gentle smile and continued class.
"Now, let's cover how to deal with mana golems if you encounter one later..."
Today's Special Magic Studies began and ended with mana golems.
"Then, have a pleasant lunch everyone. Class dismissed."
Class ended with the professor's calm voice.
I immediately turned to Luna.
"Hey..."
Tatadak!
Luna had already peeled out of her seat, drifting out of the classroom like Initial D.
'...Damn it.'
Armonia sounded like she'd thought it over carefully.
'...Got it. From now on, no more pointless flirting with women.'
Relieving Sonya's pent-up frustration to keep her from falling for Louis was a brilliant move.
I hadn't even thought she'd stray since Luna wasn't playing with him.
But it was pure coincidence at best. Our goal is to lead Louis down the path to ruin.
I'd judge the next mission carefully.
'...Guess I'll go grab some food.'
'Yeah?'
As I prepared to leave, Sonya was beckoning me from afar.
'...'
'Thanks then.'
I grinned and approached Sonya.
Students headed to the cafeteria in groups, and soon the classroom and hallway quieted.
A few chatted among themselves.
"What's up?"
"Ah, something important. Got time?"
"Sure."
"The thing is..."
Sonya's story was simple.
She wouldn't be teaching for a while, and club activities were on hold too.
"Huh? Something wrong?"
"Well..."
Sonya hesitated, glanced around to confirm no one was nearby, and whispered.
"You absolutely can't tell anyone."
"...? Of course. I won't say a word."
"...They're filling an assistant professor spot with a temporary hire, and I'm one of the candidates."
"Oh... congrats."
"Thanks. It's not official yet. But that's not the issue."
"Huh?"
"Suho, you had bad blood with the previous assistant professor for Magic Circle Application, right?"
She meant that sexual harassment TA.
"Yeah, I said he was bugging me like a fly, and he threw a fit."
"Pfft... Ahem. I called you to warn you to watch out for him."
"...?"
"The open spot is his."
"Oh! ...Isn't that good?"
I nearly cheered but checked around and lowered my voice.
"Right, it's good, but the problem is he's still an assistant professor."
Schutra Magic School protected its professors fiercely.
They shielded their own until they left.
And the assistant professor's authority remained...
"If he runs into you, he might nitpick and dock points."
"Would that actually stick?"
"Yes. That's why I'm warning you. Oh, and no Luna today?"
Sonya had assumed we'd lunch together.
"Well..."
I explained yesterday in detail.
Kwang!
"Ow!!"
She flicked my forehead hard—really hurt.
"Why'd you do that!"
"Didn't know you'd be behind me."
"Sigh... I'll talk to her separately. And don't say anything dumb!"
"Uh..."
"...?"
Sonya eyed me like, What did you do now?
I asked what'd been bugging me.
"Why are you helping me so much, Professor Sonya?"
"..."
I'd wondered for a while.
Casual help made sense, but this active support was odd.
Especially sending away a man close to her.
"I like you, Suho."
"..."
"But our relationship leads only to despair. I... don't want that future for you."
A married woman and her student could never be happy.
'Yeah... I'm really lucky.'
Sonya patted me, leaving final words.
"I'll explain to Luna somehow. For now, don't approach her and wait."
"Okay... Professor."
"Yes?"
"...I love you."
"Hehe... Save those words for someone else now."
Sonya gave a bittersweet smile and walked away.