Chapter 75
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 75
Professor Martelzier entered the practical lab, strolling between the tables as she scanned the students' results. Her gaze soon fixed upon Group 1’s crystal ball.
“Oh? This is quite lovely, isn't it~? I think I'll grade Group 1 first, since Miss Beatrice is there~”
Swoosh—.
With a wave of Martelzier's hand, our group's beautifully glowing crystal ball floated up and drifted into her grasp. After infusing the sphere with mana, Martelzier spoke.
“Upon inspection, this crystal ball can currently store a total of seven spells—and that's for high-level magic of the 7th-tier or higher. For low-level magic of the 3rd-tier or below, it can hold over thirty. The retention period for stored magic appears to be over ten years~ These are truly incredible numbers, wouldn't you agree, Miss Wayne~?”
As Professor Martelzier glanced her way, Assistant Professor Wayne picked up the explanation.
“Yes. A crystal ball with this level of performance doesn't actually exist in the real world. These are figures that can only be realized using the simplified data provided in this lab.”
Assistant Professor Wayne's eyes gleamed as she examined the black disk circuit we had submitted.
“Furthermore, the real world doesn't have convenient materials like the [Concept Gem] used in this practical. In reality, one must mix and recombine all sorts of materials, placing them in the exact right spots according to their properties. You can imagine the difficulty.”
“…”
“And yet, this work—which is close to a piece of art—is by no means the result of a typical undergraduate-level effort.”
As Assistant Professor Wayne finished with a smile, Professor Martelzier nodded in agreement.
“That's right~ When brilliant students put their heads together, such a beautiful result is born, isn't it~? I'll be giving Group 1 the highest possible score for this practical~ Everyone, a round of applause!”
Clap, clap, clap—.
Amid the students' applause, Assistant Professor Wayne turned to the four of us.
“Is there a student among your group members who you believe made the most outstanding contribution? The professor would like to offer a special reward.”
“Well, obviously it was Bea—”
Just as Yuliana shot her hand up to name someone, Beatrice stopped her.
“Yuliana.”
After silencing Yuliana, Beatrice looked at me.
“I believe Student Roen's contribution was the greatest. Right, Yuliana?”
“Well… Yes, that's right.”
At Beatrice's prompting, Yuliana reluctantly nodded, and Bell agreed without hesitation.
“That's right. Thanks to Roen, we were able to focus solely on the assembly without any trial and error.”
As my group members named me the top contributor, Professor Martelzier smiled brightly.
“Mister Roen, you say? I see, I see~ Your grades have improved significantly recently, and it seems you've distinguished yourself in the practical as well~ Student Roen, please follow me after class~”
*
After the lecture ended, I found myself in Professor Martelzier's office, which was filled with the fragrant aroma of coffee.
“Please, make yourself comfortable~”
No matter how good the reason for being summoned, facing a professor-in-charge is never a relaxing situation. However, I leaned back comfortably on the sofa and enjoyed my tea, likely due to the effect of Roen's trait, [Thick Skin]. This was undoubtedly why I could handle high-pressure situations smoothly without getting nervous, no matter who I was facing.
When Professor Martelzier sat on the sofa, Assistant Professor Wayne, who had been attending to her, also took a seat across from me.
“Please, drink up~ To be honest, there's been some talk among the professors, you know~ About how sharply your grades have risen, Mister Roen~ Is there some secret to it, perhaps~?”
“…I've recently started to enjoy studying. Seeing tangible results has given me more momentum.”
“Oho? I'm so glad to hear you're finding it fun~ I was a bit worried at first that you might not be able to keep up with the lectures, you see~ In any case, I hope you'll continue to apply yourself~ This is a gift.”
Clink—.
Martelzier handed me a leather pouch tied with a string.
“This is…”
“They're Intermediate Enhancement Stones~ Since you're an aspiring alchemist, Mister Roen, I'm sure you'll have a use for them later~”
Enhancement Stones are consumables used in alchemy. The higher the grade, the more exponentially their price increases. An Intermediate Enhancement Stone is worth roughly one million Krone, though the market price fluctuates. The leather pouch Martelzier handed me contained a dozen or so, easily exceeding ten million Krone in value.
“Something so expensive…”
As I spoke as if it were difficult to accept, Martelzier waved her hand dismissively.
“I came across them by chance, you see~ I don't use them myself, so I thought it would be perfect to give them to you, Mister Roen~ Please don't refuse~”
“…I'll accept them gratefully.”
Even for a Union professor, who would be quite well-off, ten million Krone was by no means a small sum. I made a mental note to repay her later when my investment funds came in.
‘But are these enhancement stones the reward Martelzier intended for me?’
They were useful to me as an alchemist, but to any other student, they would just be an expensive item. I wondered what she would have given if it had been another student in my place.
Just then, she spoke again.
“The enhancement stones were just something I thought to give you since you were here~ The real reward is this~”
At a look from Martelzier, Assistant Professor Wayne took out a sealed letter and placed it on the table.
Slide—.
The shape of seven brilliant stars was engraved on the letter with mana. My eyes widened as I murmured quietly.
“…The Magic Olympiad.”
“That's right~ It's an invitation to the Magic Olympiad, where mages from every Magic Tower and the most renowned intellects from across the continent gather to compete with their knowledge~ Normally, it's difficult for a Union student to participate, but with this invitation, it's possible, you know~ Please, take it~”
I looked at the letter on the table and asked cautiously.
“…Professor, is it really okay for me to accept this?”
No matter how much I might have changed recently, the original Roen wasn't just someone with rock-bottom grades; he was a scoundrel infamous across the entire continent. This was like casting pearls before swine. He was not qualified to participate in the Magic Olympiad, where the continent's most prominent intellects gathered. Martelzier must have prepared the invitation for Beatrice or another outstanding student.
At my question, Martelzier shrugged.
“Well, I certainly didn't expect it either, but your group said your contribution was the greatest in this practical~ I'm simply giving the opportunity fairly, that's all~ Congratulations on seizing such a fine chance~”
“…”
I looked at the smiling Professor Martelzier. She could have just given me the enhancement stones and been done with it, yet she insisted on giving such a precious opportunity to a guy like Roen. Should I call this the attitude of a true educator who doesn't discriminate against students?
After dealing with a man like Zimmer, receiving Professor Martelzier's favor was genuinely moving. But favor was favor, and this reward was another matter entirely.
‘The right to participate in the Olympiad is too great an opportunity for me to accept.’
There had to be someone who needed this more than I did. As I hesitated, Assistant Professor Wayne spoke up.
“The professor says you should accept it for now instead of refusing. She also said you are free to transfer it to someone else later.”
“…Transfer it?”
“That's right~ You're welcome to use the invitation yourself, Mister Roen, but if there's someone you'd like to give it to, you may transfer it~ I'll trust your judgment, yes~”
“…”
To not only give it to me but also allow me to transfer it... Any other professor would have welcomed my refusal with open arms and immediately passed the opportunity to another student. This wasn't just a matter of educational efficiency; it was also deeply tied to a professor's personal gain. They could use this invitation to strike a deal with the child of a high-ranking noble or leverage it for a better performance review.
But she forsook all those potential benefits and offered the invitation to me. She even permitted me to transfer it. It was a moment that revealed Martelzier's deep consideration. Her way of speaking was a bit grating, but she was a true educator.
“I understand. Then I will accept it with gratitude.”
I bowed my head deeply to Martelzier and took the invitation. I would repay this kindness later.
“Excellent~ Ah, there's one last thing I'd like to ask~ You don't have to answer if you don't want to~”
“Yes.”
As I nodded, Martelzier let out a deep sigh.
“Mister Roen, by any chance, do you know anything about my former assistant, Demer~? Anything at all would be fine~”
*
“You've returned?”
After my conversation with Professor Martelzier, I returned to the Student Council President's office. Ciel greeted me as always, accompanied by the scent of black tea. I handed her my coat and flopped down onto the sofa.
“Huuuh.”
As I let out a deep sigh and covered my eyes with my hand, Ciel spoke.
“You don't look too well.”
“Well, you're not wrong.”
I lay there for a moment before taking out the letter I received from Martelzier and placing it on the table. Ciel's eyes widened at the sight of it.
“…The Olympiad? Where did you get this?”
“One of the professors gave it to me. I'm not the one who'll be going, though.”
“I'm aware of that much. The one who should go, should go.”
“…”
Pour—.
Ciel sat demurely across from me and poured me some tea.
“It seems you have something on your mind. I can at least listen.”
I accepted the teacup she offered with both hands, feeling its warmth. The gentle heat spread through my palms.
“…”
I closed my eyes without a word. Just a dozen or so days ago, I had killed someone with these hands.
Of course, there was nothing to be bothered about. The bastard had come at me to kill me, and I simply fought back. Besides, the opponent was an NPC. I was prepared to bloody my hands with more of them if necessary, so I felt no guilt whatsoever. Even if he was the assistant Professor Martelzier cherished.
“…”
According to the professor, my name had been written a few times in his lecture notes. Furthermore, the time of his disappearance coincided exactly with the practical combat class where the strange phenomenon occurred, so Martelzier had asked about him just in case.
Of course, I told her I knew nothing about it. As long as I keep my mouth shut, no one will ever know the truth. But what was this complicated feeling?
“Huuuh.”
Letting out a sigh, I brought the teacup to my lips. The flavor of the tea rolling over my tongue and the warmth spreading through my body woke me from my contemplation. Having roughly sorted out my thoughts, I opened my eyes.
“Not really. I have no worries.”
It was already in the past. There was no need to dwell on it or overthink it. To reach a happy ending in this game, I had to do whatever it took. I would continue to do what must be done, and anything could happen in the process.
“Is that so.”
With those words, Ciel didn't probe any further. She simply sat quietly across from me, reading a book and waiting. As I drank the tea, my complicated emotions began to settle.
“Hah.”
I got up from the sofa, walked over to the desk, and sat in the president's chair. Ciel watched me and asked in a gentle voice.
“Have you calmed down a little?”
“I was calm to begin with.”
“Of course. I'm sure you were.”
Ciel shrugged with a smile and handed me a letter.
“A message from Lady Sheika.”