It's Okay to Break - 1
Late Bloomer Level Up
2 → 3
The text I had confirmed with my own eyes was the one I saw when I last checked on Charlotte in the staff room. She had been growing vigorously, skillfully dodging every death flag along the way.
...But the path ahead still stretched far too long. Before the Magic Total War festival at Rahal Academy, I needed to push the Late Bloomer level all the way to 10.
And Michelle...
I felt a trace of guilt toward her.
There was no malice in my heart. If anything, it was affection. I had acknowledged several times how extraordinary she truly was.
She possessed an entirely opposite personality to Charlotte. Early on there were few death flags, but they exploded after the middle act.
So I needed to prune her branches now, to ensure she would face the coming storms with slightly less pain.
Michelle’s legs would eventually heal, that was the problem. They would knit back together and begin to drag her down.
She had to overcome that final obstacle to reach the happy ending. It would be grueling, but she would have to try. Both she and I.
Still, I had given her extra self-study for three days. After the quarrel between Charlotte and Michelle, the sessions had turned into genuine self-study.
One day I observed the students’ tendencies, and the next two days I simply slept.
Welcome to Rahal Library
F-Class Professor: Adrian
Happy reading.
The moment I stepped into Rahal Academy’s library, those were the words that greeted me.
Not the F-Class student advisor, not the F-Class professor—some kind of F-Class professor...
Anyway, today’s visit was to prepare class materials and organize the scenarios for each character.
I had wanted to handle everything in the professor’s office, but that had been impossible.
The professor’s room, which occupied half the entire floor, was every professor’s dream. Only those above the chief professor could claim such a space.
Moreover, preparing materials for sixty-four students meant hundreds of reference books. Bringing them into my office would be unreasonable. Besides, I couldn’t even borrow that many volumes at once.
Forty-nine students were already done...
Only fifteen remained. I would finish them today and begin lectures tomorrow.
Isabel and Rotin.
The learning materials I was creating this time would focus on Isabel and Rotin.
Isabel had clearly excelled in protection and healing, while Rotin belonged to the transformation category.
I moved toward the section where the relevant books were shelved.
You Want Protection?
If You Learn, Even Your Parents Will Be Deceived - Transformation Type
Why were the original books and papers these days so provocative in their titles?
Still, through the Lord’s Red Eye trait, I confirmed that the materials these students had compiled were the most useful.
“Isn’t this better?”
A familiar voice sounded from somewhere.
I reached out to pick up the books, only to find someone pressing another volume into my hand. I examined the book first.
Protection Category Basic Theory
Transformation Category Basic Theory
“What is this?”
I hadn’t asked because I couldn’t identify the title. I simply asked because I felt no sympathy for the words “Isn’t this better?”
She placed the two basic theory books in my hands and stood beside me. Then she smiled brightly and looked up at me.
Thanks to the open beret, her two-tone lavender hair gleamed with unusual luster. She was Violet Ruabrinse, the academy president.
“It looks like you’re looking for class materials~ The books I was about to pick up were far too difficult. F-Class students can never learn them.”
While speaking, she casually plucked the attendance list from my hand.
“Let’s see… Yeah, that’s right. Except for one or two, there isn’t even one student who can actually understand the material.”
I offered no immediate reply.
Instead, I flicked my fingers and reclaimed the attendance list.
“Hm?”
Violet tilted her head, clearly surprised that someone would take back something she had just handed over.
She stared at me for a long moment, then burst into laughter.
“As expected, Adrian-ssi is different.”
“I will prepare my own lectures.”
“Of course, of course. You should.”
Every second counted. I busily flipped through the original books, trying to figure out how to weave their content into the lessons.
Take Isabel, for example.
Her photo on the attendance list showed black hair and blue eyes beneath a small mole. Simply from the image, her gentle nature was unmistakable.
Although she was still F-Class level, her origins were clearly those of a swan. If nurtured properly, she would become an elegant swan and cast protection magic.
Charlotte, the protagonist, was overly swayed by emotion. If Isabel could temper that flaw, she would be perfect.
‘Then…’
I cut this section and that section. It would only burden the young girl’s mind further.
I boldly omitted the core of protection magic, content that could be understood naturally later.
“The Heavenly Guardian” was too difficult. Compromising at “Prayer of Protection” would fit perfectly. Mastering this spell required only five lines—
“Hey, Adrian-ssi.”
Damn it, the timing had been perfect.
My focus shattered and irritation flared, but I kept my face blank. I was already expressionless by nature, so maintaining that was easy.
“Is there something else?”
“Of course, of course.”
Violet tilted her head again and smiled.
“I would also like to hear about Adrian-ssi’s mission~ And the direction you plan to guide the F-Class students~”
“It is too long to discuss in the library. I will format it properly and submit it as a report.”
With that, I bowed deeply, hoping the conversation would end here.
But when I turned, Violet stood in my path. When I turned the other way, she blocked me again.
‘...Teleport.’
It was an unnaturally smooth spatial shift. Using such a technique for something so trivial felt absurd.
“Indeed. It is long to talk in the library… But as president, I want to hear that story right now… So there is a good way!”
“What is it?”
“Haven’t you eaten lunch today?”
As a vampire, my heightened senses made my lips twitch instinctively.
This… If I got entangled, it would swallow several precious hours.
“I have—
“I already know.”
I had been about to offer a casual lie, but I simply shut my mouth. Violet laughed again, clearly amused by my reaction.
“I have reserved a good restaurant. Let’s eat together and walk while we talk. The report format will be sufficient with that~”
“Thank you for the suggestion, but I must decline.”
Surprisingly, the most polite refusal was the firmest one.
Vague hedging only left both parties with lingering discomfort.
“As I mentioned, the students’ skills are not excellent. On top of that, even I, who am supposed to teach them, am not excellent. Therefore, I will have to devote myself to material production all day today.”
“How long could that possibly take? Basic theory books would be enough.”
“It is not enough. I will fulfill each student’s aspirations.”
“If it is the aspirations of F-Class students, it would probably be nothing more than promotion. It would be fortunate if they simply avoid expulsion.”
“If that is their aspiration, I will gladly promote them.”
“Huh…”
Violet’s expression hardened.
She looked as though she had heard an absurd story. She probably thought I was lying because I didn’t want to spend time with her.
“If it is refusal, it is refusal, but lying makes me feel bad.”
“It is not a lie.”
“You said everyone would be promoted, right?”
“Yes.”
“Unless they win the Magic Total War, that is impossible.”
“Then I will win.”
Violet’s shoulders trembled. It was not from surprise but from fury.
She stared at me with complete sternness. Her pink eyes were ice-cold.
“Adrian-ssi~ I hate boring pranks more than anything in the world. Those kids are the kind who can’t do anything no matter what. I think re-admission would be faster than promotion.”
Killing intent seemed to radiate from her. If she wasn’t afraid, it was a lie.
Still, I forced myself to stay calm and did my best not to show it.
“Fortunately, I have never done anything the president hates.”
I neatly organized the slightly disarrayed materials.
“So I will boldly say this. I hope you never do what I hate the most in front of the president.”
“...What?”
“Do not ignore the F-Class students in front of me. Again.”
It was terrifying to push further. With every passing second, Violet’s aura grew heavier.
“Why?”
Violet simply asked that.
“What… It is simply affection.”
I answered vaguely and quickly left the scene. As fast as possible...
By the time Adrian’s retreating figure had vanished from sight, Violet still stood rooted in place.
“Hm.”
I thought about it once. Twice. Three times.
“Puhuhu, huhuhuhuhu.”
Then I burst into laughter, a satisfied smile on my face.
“How could she be like that. She was surrounded by nothing but sharp mana.”
Indeed. How could she be like that.
She had emitted only mana that sent chills down anyone’s spine.
It was not because Adrian was disliked. It was simply that in such moments, humans naturally reveal their true feelings. She had only wanted to confirm his sincerity.
-Then I will win.
“Interesting~ Interesting~”
...Wait a second. I really reserved the restaurant. Is this my car?
I should have sent the assistants to eat something good. That was the thought in my mind when I took a step—
“Hm?”
There were more welcoming faces than usual today. Violet stopped again.
“Michelle-ssi. Michelle-ssi! Studying here?”
“......”
Because Michelle Maynans possessed exceptional talent, Violet knew her well.
Perhaps soon she would study magic under Violet’s guidance.
Yet the girl called by name looked strangely troubled.
She had too many thoughts, far too many. The president’s greeting barely reached her ears.
“Michelle-ssi?”
“...Ah, yes. Hello.”
Waves crashed in her green eyes.
The truth she had taken for granted was crumbling. She staggered as if she had received a blow.
“I will go…”
I greeted her roughly and disappeared into the distance with quick steps.
“Was it that day?”
Violet wondered what had happened.