Chapter 16
Chapter 16
“So the students written in this notebook are the instigators of the so-called ‘professor punishment’ incident?”
“Yes, Head of Department.”
“Hm…”
The head of the knight department quietly stared at the notebook I handed over, then placed it back on the desk.
“First, let’s treat this as confidential.”
“Why? They ordered an assault on a professor in broad daylight.”
“Among the names listed here are students backed by marquess families, Professor Marco.”
He suddenly changed how he addressed me, using “Professor Marco” instead of “temporary professor,” as if measuring distance.
That alone was enough to infer something. No, it was basically confirmation.
So that’s how it is. Professors taking bribes from nobles.
The academy probably didn’t have a single clean professor left.
No, there might be a few, but they would be rare and powerless. That kind of structure would naturally form when noble students and bribed faculty built their own cartel.
“You’re aware of it, and still pretending otherwise.”
“Twenty years as a mercenary, you should understand. The world runs on power, money, and authority.”
The head of the department stared at me quietly, as if inviting me to continue.
So I met his gaze head-on, eyes sharp enough to cut.
“Quite the temper you’ve got.”
“I didn’t survive twenty years of mercenary work by being polite, Head of Department.”
“Interesting. You pass.”
“…Yes, I’m quite… wait, pass?”
What?
Pass?
He leaned back slightly.
“I suppose I should explain.”
“You didn’t explain anything in the first place.”
“Simple. I also dislike the current rotten state of the academy. Not that I’m completely innocent either. I’ve made plenty of compromises to sit in this position.”
“You took bribes too?”
“I can tell you this much. I’ve never taken money. If it was offered, I returned it immediately. For leverage later.”
He removed his glasses and slowly wiped the lenses.
“Professor Marco, as you said, the academy has deteriorated. Especially the knight department. It’s beyond excessive.”
His words were correct. During my four years here, it had been less like a knight training ground and more like a den of thugs.
“But for the past four years, it had been relatively quiet. Thanks to one commoner student who appeared out of nowhere.”
“The student’s name is Damian. With overwhelming skill, he restored order. Not completely, but enough to function properly again.”
Right. I did end up cleaning up the mess.
But that was just me snapping and beating the hell out of people who tried to stop me from getting top rank. Thinking about it now, it was pretty much a dark history.
I never trained to show off strength. I only wanted to become an imperial knight and support my family.
The head of the department clasped his hands together.
“During that time, I and several professors thought, ‘This is our chance.’ The problem was that someone like you, a wildcard, didn’t exist anymore.”
“After Damian graduated, the noble students’ tyranny started again. It’s only the beginning of the semester, and already several professors have been attacked. Including you.”
So I wasn’t the only one.
Figures.
“Professor Marco… I can see you’re someone who doesn’t bow to power. Will you cooperate with us? Not alone, but together.”
“I already know this place is corrupt. Fine, Head of Department. I’ll cooperate.”
That was exactly what I wanted anyway.
I had already been thinking about how to tear this academy apart properly.
For the sake of the Emperor’s orders, it was better to have reliable allies.
◈
“Soon, the academy will reopen for the new semester.”
Time passed, and the start of the Imperial Academy’s new term was approaching.
Yuria Roseshill had already attended once before, but that had been during the admission selection period. This was the real beginning of the semester.
“It’s my graduation semester… I’m a little nervous.”
“More importantly, Your Highness, Damian is now your personal guard. Doesn’t that mean he has to attend the academy too?”
Right. That was the issue.
The academy strictly required all students to start from the first year.
“Since I enrolled with Cecilia as a special case, Damian will need a different approach.”
If mishandled, his duties as a bodyguard could be disrupted if he couldn’t graduate properly.
“For example…”
“I’ll ask Father to appoint him as an acting professor for one year.”
That was the most suitable solution.
The academy frequently had professors take leave, so there was a system for temporary hires.
Of course, not just anyone qualified. For the knight department, only those who had reached Aura were eligible.
Damian had intermediate Aura.
“With his mercenary background, he’ll pass immediately,” Cecilia added.
This would require a disguise.
I was already a top-ranked student for four years and currently serving as an imperial knight. If I entered the academy openly, people would immediately suspect a hidden royal presence.
“Guess I don’t have a choice…”
Thus, I became—
“From today, I will be your temporary professor for one year. Call me Professor Marco.”
“Welcome, Professor Marco.”
“Nice to meet you!”
“Marco. Pleased to meet you.”
◈
My identity for the next year was Marco, a retired mercenary in his forties who had spent twenty years in the field.
Of course, he was fictional, carefully fabricated by Emperor Persio Roseshill himself.
My mission was to protect Yuria Roseshill, who would attend the academy disguised as a commoner for her final year before graduation.
Naturally, I was assigned to the fourth year.
A certain professor had conveniently taken a one-year leave. Definitely not a coincidence.
The Emperor’s influence was obvious.
As expected.
I sighed internally.
The moment I entered the classroom, students began whispering.
“Wait, that’s not Professor Klein?”
“Who’s that guy?”
“He looks kind of scary…”
Their reactions were expected.
My current appearance, shaped by a transformation ring, was that of a rough veteran mercenary.
“Silence.”
I placed the attendance book on the podium with a sharp slap.
“I am Marco, your temporary instructor, replacing Professor Klein. I’ve spent twenty years as a mercenary, so my lessons will be practical.”
“A mercenary?!”
“Twenty years?!”
“He looks dangerous!”
“Don’t expect to use noble status to influence me. I’ve retired, and I’m not anyone’s servant. Try bribery, and I’ll show you what hell looks like.”
A thin aura pressure spread.
The chatter stopped immediately.
“There will be no special treatment. If you follow instructions, I won’t make things difficult. But break the rules, and I will not hesitate.”
That was enough for orientation.
Later—
“Your acting was amazing, Damian.”
“Perfect mercenary vibe,” Cecilia said.
“You’re worried, aren’t you? The nobles are already talking behind your back.”
“I expected it.”
That was the point.
I was the target now, which meant less attention on Yuria.
“Don’t worry. I’ve survived four years at the top of this academy. Ten years of mercenary work. I can handle anything.”
“Still, don’t push yourself,” Yuria said softly. “I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.”
I knelt slightly.
“Your Highness, telling a bodyguard not to get hurt is disrespectful. It’s like questioning their duty.”
“I didn’t mean it like that…”
“I know. But I will not die. I will stay by your side.”
“…Okay.”
Smiling faintly, I stood up.
Then—
Someone stopped me in the hallway.
“Are you Professor Marco?”
Six men.
Not students.
“Looks like the rumor is true. The ‘professor correction’ incident.”
So it wasn’t just gossip.
“Ah. That one,” I said. “I’ve heard of it.”
“You’re not surprised?”
“I’m a mercenary. I listen carefully to rumors.”
And then—
They moved.
A few minutes later.
“Ugh… this is an ex-mercenary…?”
“Ghh…”
“Impossible…”
I stood over them calmly.
“Now. Who sent you?”
One refused.
I broke his leg.
“AGHH!”
“Next time, I break worse. Speak.”
“…I’ll talk! I’ll talk!”
Names began filling my notebook.
Quite a few.
Mostly minor nobles. Barons and viscounts.
The real head was missing.
I clicked my tongue internally.
So the head is hiding, huh.