Chapter 15
Chapter 15
“It’s almost time for the academy to reopen, isn’t it?”
Time passed, and the new semester of the Imperial Academy was approaching.
Yuri Roseshill had previously attended the academy once, but that had only been a single-day attendance during the vacation period for class placement. This time marked the true start of the new academic term.
“I’m a bit nervous since it’s my graduation semester.”
“More importantly, Your Highness. Sir Damien is now your exclusive bodyguard. Shouldn’t he be attending the academy as well?”
Now that was true.
The problem was that the academy strictly enforced a rule that all students must start from the first year.
“Since Cecilia enrolled with me under special circumstances, Damien will need a different approach.”
If handled poorly, his position as an exclusive bodyguard could conflict with graduation requirements, interfering with his duties.
So a different method was needed.
For example—
“I’ll speak with Father and arrange for him to serve as an acting academy professor for one year.”
That was it.
An acting professor.
The academy employed many professors, and it was not uncommon for some to take leave due to unavoidable circumstances. Because of that, there existed a system for temporary faculty appointments.
Of course, not just anyone qualified.
For knight-related departments, only those who had reached at least intermediate Aura mastery could be appointed.
Other departments required proven expertise.
“Damien is at intermediate Aura level, so he might be accepted immediately, right? Cecilia?”
“That’s likely. And if you include his mercenary experience in the application, it’s basically guaranteed.”
So it seemed I would be entering the academy under another identity again.
Since I had already been a four-year top student and was currently serving as an imperial knight, my presence would likely raise suspicion. Clever students might assume there was a disguised royal somewhere in the academy.
“…Well, it can’t be helped.”
And so it was decided.
“From today onward, I will serve as Acting Professor Marco of the Knight Department for one year. Let’s all get along.”
“Welcome, Professor Marco!”
“Nice to meet you! Let’s have a good year!”
“Marco. Pleased to meet you.”
◈
The identity I would use for the next year was “Marco,” a middle-aged mercenary who had roamed the battlefield for twenty years before retiring.
Of course, it was a fabricated identity, meticulously prepared by Emperor Phercio Roseshill himself.
My mission was simple: infiltrate the academy under a false identity and protect Yuri Roseshill, who would graduate in a year.
Because of this, I was assigned to the fourth-year class.
Coincidentally, the previous professor had taken a one-year leave of absence due to personal reasons.
Clearly, the Emperor’s influence was at work.
‘I should probably apologize to that professor…’
It would have been enough to assign me elsewhere.
But I understood the reasoning.
Click.
I opened the classroom door and stepped inside.
“Eh? That’s not Professor Klein?”
“Who is that? I’ve never seen him before.”
“He looks kind of scary…”
The students began whispering.
My current appearance, transformed using an artifact, was that of a rugged, battle-worn mercenary.
To inexperienced students, I probably looked like a threat.
But I wouldn’t accommodate them just because they were students.
I intended to clearly distinguish public and private matters.
‘Watch closely, Your Highness Yuri… and Cecilia.’
THUD.
I placed the attendance ledger sharply on the podium.
“I am Marco. I will be substituting for Professor Klein for a short period. I have twenty years of mercenary experience, so my lessons will be highly practical.”
“Mercenary background!”
“Twenty years?!”
“He’s terrifying!”
“Let me make one thing clear. Do not attempt to use your noble status on me. I have no intention of being bound by authority.”
A faint surge of Aura spread through the room.
“I am not someone who can be bought with money. If anyone tries, I will personally show you what hell looks like. Understood?”
Silence followed.
Even the arrogant nobles fell quiet under the pressure.
Good.
“If you follow instructions properly, I will not be unnecessarily harsh. I don’t intend to break your spirits—only to shape them.”
Thus ended the orientation.
Later, discreetly—
“Your acting was incredible, Damien.”
“You really looked like a seasoned mercenary.”
“That’s a relief.”
“But are you sure about this? The noble students have already started talking…”
That was expected.
In fact, that was the point.
“The academy has long had issues with noble students targeting commoners. So I’m redirecting their attention toward me.”
I was the decoy.
As a fellow commoner, I would naturally become their target.
That would reduce pressure on Yuri.
“I’ll be fine. I’ve survived four years as top student and ten years as a mercenary. Ordinary attacks won’t matter.”
“Still, don’t push yourself too hard. I don’t want anyone getting hurt for my sake.”
“Ho.”
I knelt slightly, looking up at her.
“Your Highness, telling a bodyguard not to get hurt is quite rude. It’s almost like questioning their entire purpose.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“I know. I also know how many died protecting you before.”
A brief silence.
“…Yuri is weak until adulthood. Without us, she would have died long ago.”
“That’s why I will not die.”
“I will stay by your side until the end.”
“…Okay.”
A soft smile formed on her face.
◈
“Wait, that artifact is real?”
Yuri stared at her reflection after using the disguise artifact, poking her cheeks in disbelief.
‘She looks kind of cute.’
I was used to her usually intimidating expression, so this reaction felt refreshing.
“Damien, that form of yours… have you used it before?”
“Yes. During a raid on an illegal slave auction.”
Currently, I looked like a middle-aged man with a scar over my right eye.
A form designed for infiltration.
“It suits you.”
“Don’t compliment me like that…”
Then—
“Come out, old man.”
A voice echoed.
Six students appeared, holding wooden sticks.
‘So this is it.’
The infamous “professor correction incident.”
So the rumors were real.
“I see. So this is the so-called professor correction violence incident.”
“You knew? Thought you were new.”
“I listen to rumors. It’s part of being a mercenary.”
But I wasn’t really one anymore.
I was a retired mercenary now.
“Arrogant old man… you’re going to regret this.”
They approached.
“…I’ll return that line to you.”
And I moved.
◈
“W-what is this retired mercenary…?!”
One by one, they collapsed.
Too weak.
“Now. Tell me who sent you.”
“I-I can’t…”
Crack!
“Aghhh!!”
“Talk. Or I’ll increase the pressure.”
“W-we’ll talk!! Please stop!!”
Names filled my notebook.
Mostly noble sons of barons and viscounts.
‘So the heads are conveniently absent, huh?’