Chapter 13
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 013
Chapter Title: The Petite Assistant
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‘I thought I’d gotten used to her.’
Lately, spending time with Isel had made me feel quite comfortable around her.
I figured external activities wouldn’t be much of an issue either…
‘But one… no, one person versus a group is different.’
Truth be told, even I could muster some hostility toward a single one.
But what if they suddenly poured out from under the fridge?
Dozens crawling around the living room.
Of course, you can’t put them on the same level.
The mere thought of that scene playing in my mind made me shudder.
Praising myself for wisely limiting the garden to just forty, I headed to the seventh floor.
“Professor Prezel, you there?”
“Who is it?”
“Toskantana Aiden Pisvolt. The new professor who just arrived.”
The assistant panicked at the sudden visit but still opened the door.
My gaze gradually lowered in response.
‘…’
Small.
Correction.
Extremely small.
Curly white hair, slightly elongated ears different from an elf’s, and small sheep horns sprouting from her head.
Overall, she evoked the image of a gentle lamb.
What impressed me most was that she took a human form.
Four limbs! A torso! Distinct facial features!
…Somehow, getting emotional about that didn’t feel right.
An awkward silence settled in, and the assistant snapped.
“I can guess exactly what you’re thinking right now, so stop staring!”
“A beastkin.”
“What about it? First time seeing one?”
First time… Well, I’d only seen them on screens before, so this was my first in person. Fair enough.
I nodded briefly, and she cupped her horns with her palm.
Trying to hide them, no doubt, but her tiny hands left the tips poking out.
Aware of it herself, she pursed her lips and let out a small sigh.
“So, why are you looking for Professor Prezel?”
“As I mentioned earlier. It’s about Elin. You two seem close.”
“You mean Eones Elin? The top first-year student?”
“That’s right.”
The assistant tilted her head.
“We teach Elemental Magic here, which is second-year material. She’s a first-year, still in the Magic Department, isn’t she?”
Bielle pointed with her small hand.
Elemental Magic Department, Natural Elements Studies.
The course: Elemental Magic Application.
I swallowed silently.
Some universities start with majors, but others begin with departments and let students choose specialties later.
Magic fields are so vast that starting with a department is standard.
First-years learn various basics, then advance to specific majors.
“Someone mentioned Professor Prezel during a conversation. Thought she might be her advisor, so I came by.”
Even then, the assistant shook her head.
“First-year advisors are assigned from first-year professors, not second-year ones.”
You could check the communication orb if you’re curious.
I couldn’t admit ignorance, so I stayed silent.
As my silence dragged on, she sensed something off and asked again.
“Um, are you going to wait?”
“If it won’t take long.”
“She stepped out to make a call, so she’ll be back soon.”
I glanced at the assistant as she turned away, saying she’d bring some tea.
Cute tail. She just leaves it out like that?
Same with those sheep horns. Beastkin or not, adapting to human lifestyles couldn’t have been easy.
Must be inconvenient in many ways.
“Professor?”
Above all, that tiny stature… As an assistant, she had to be over twenty at least. Was that her full growth? Or could she grow more? Differences between male and female beastkin…
“Professor!”
The sharp voice snapped me back.
I looked at the assistant, her face half-flushed, and narrowed my eyes.
“What?”
“T-The tea… is ready.”
“I see.”
Then I stared at her blankly again.
The tea was ready.
So what?
She’d yelled, so there must be more to say.
As I kept staring, she fidgeted and averted her gaze.
“Um… Professor. Your stare is a bit… intimidating?”
My stare?
“Ah, sorry. No ill intent. Just thinking about beastkin for a moment.”
“Then just ask… Staring like that with your face is kind of…”
What’s wrong with my face?
Pushing that aside, I pulled out my prepared excuse.
“I heard there’s one beastkin Master. A White Tiger, they said. Ever seen him? Supposedly a giant wielding a greatsword…”
“Uh… um.”
The assistant froze, at a loss for words.
“Normal Masters aren’t seen by just anyone. Professor Aiden. The state protects them fiercely.”
Though there are exceptions like you.
I let that slide.
Before I knew it, Professor Prezel was there, speaking in a soft, amiable tone.
Her speech carried a hint of bewilderment, though.
Seductive womanly poise.
Her voice, rich and matured like a rose darkening at dusk, enchanted my ears.
Turning to look, there stood a voluptuous red-haired woman.
“Professor Prezel. I’m…”
“I know. Professor Aiden. No need to stand. So, what brings you here?”
She asked her assistant to pour her tea and settled onto the sofa.
If she was going to sit properly, why emphasize her figure like that, smiling seductively?
Especially certain parts.
‘To each their taste.’
Definitely not because I couldn’t be bothered to point it out.
“One question before we get to the point?”
“What is it?”
“Witch hybrid? Or full witch?”
I had my reasons for asking.
For starters, she didn’t look human enough—not like a chitinous insect, but close.
Seductive aura visible to the naked eye? Not human.
Not elf-like either.
Elves are famous for long ears, so short ones rule them out.
Unless half-elf.
That left witches as the prime candidate.
High mana, magic experts, mostly female lineage.
Prezel let out a small sound of admiration, slightly surprised.
“As expected of a Master. Your senses are sharper. Few spot it right away. Witch hybrid. Does that answer your question?”
Not senses—just a hunch.
…But since she assumed, I didn’t correct her.
“I came about Elin.”
“Oh my.”
Her eyes widened in genuine surprise.
She looked at me as if asking what the issue was, then shook her head.
Instead, her gaze deepened.
“So you’re the nest that child found.”
“Nest?”
I demanded an explanation for the cryptic words, but all I got was the witch’s signature sly chuckle.
She seemed content to enjoy it alone, so I gave up prying early.
…If only she wouldn’t make it so obvious.
Dropping the seduction, she beamed.
“What is it, exactly?”
“No, just… I thought that girl had high standards. Wonder if it’ll be tough. Hehe.”
“…Enough chit-chat. Did you tell Elin that coat belongs to me?”
“Well, I just inferred from the brand and size. Didn’t know it was yours, Professor Aiden.”
I nodded emphatically.
That made sense.
“Elin’s been following me around a lot.”
“Oh my oh my.”
“Even though she doesn’t need to attend my lectures. So, about that…”
“Obsession!”
Curious body language.
Her face lit up with excitement, lips parting slightly.
“…I worry a Magic Department student is wasting time. Off-topic chatter in class isn’t ideal either. If you’re close, could you talk to her?”
“Off-topic? Like what?”
I held my tongue.
Couldn’t say “runes” no matter what.
This professor would flip at the mention.
Better to prevent trouble upfront.
I averted my gaze slightly and mumbled.
“Nothing for you to worry about. Ahem.”
Embarrassed, I cleared my throat fake, and Prezel’s face flushed bright red.
Like she’d witnessed something fresh and naughty.
What?
“R-Really? Well, sure. Couples have private talks. Yes. Mhm.”
The conversation felt off-kilter…
Hoping it was my imagination.
“This might be a stretch, but I heard you interviewed Elin at orientation. Any records?”
“Like her personal statement?”
“Yeah.”
Normally, against professional ethics.
Shouldn’t peek at a non-advisee’s.
But Prezel grinned mischievously and asked.
“Is this… out of interest?”
‘Interest?’
It was interest.
No interest, no visit.
‘The problem is that interest threatens my lifeline.’
She was pressing, so denying it would be worse.
“Something like that.”
“Wow…”
Prezel trailed off and quickly turned away.
Why’s she been like this since earlier?
Coughing dryly, avoiding my eyes.
“…You know this is irregular, right?”
“Yeah. Sorry to ask such a favor.”
“A f-favor? Well, if it’s a favor, no helping it.”
She slyly slipped a document from the drawer.
Glancing around, she whispered meaningfully.
“Professor Aiden, you’re naughtier than I thought.”
I was speechless for a long while.
Plenty of retorts, but
Asking for a female student’s personal statement left me no ground.
Naughty, lecherous—any label, no defense…
Though my intent was entirely different. To a third party, suspicious.
For now, glad Elin was over twenty.
Body-wise, not at all.
“It’s fine. It happens. I understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Possessiveness is like that.”
“…”
I shut my eyes and gave up clearing the misunderstanding.
This professor was Elin-obsessed too.
Denials wouldn’t work.
Pointless to argue.
“I’ll make it up to you later. Thanks.”
“No need. Have a good day.”
Leaving the beaming Prezel, I exited the lab.
Mind and body weary, but gains aplenty.
Her neatly arranged lab was reference-worthy.
‘Gotta fix up mine too.’
That barren space needed changing.
After Aiden left.
Prezel kept smiling.
The sheep-hybrid beastkin Bielle let out a soft breath.
“Why so pleased?”
“My prized student seems well-settled?”
“Eones Elin? All the Magic Department professors talk about her lately. That impressive?”
“Yes. If a mage’s ideal is purity in all things, their practical pinnacle is a form like Elin’s.”
“Spirit affinity and vast mana in harmony?”
Prezel nodded.
“A monster born absorbing witch and elf strengths, with mana control beyond genius. She works hard too. Smooth sailing, she’ll be the next Archmage.”
Bielle looked shocked briefly, then composed.
“Impressive.”
“Jealous?”
“I’m no battle mage. Theory side.”
Different fields. She gazed out the window.
A blond man exited the building.
Normally blurred by distance, but his aura made him unmistakable.
“…And the real genius is over there.”
“True that.”
She chuckled, her usual sultry smile, and closed her eyes.
Savoring the storm to come.