Chapter 32
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Filtering the Weak
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While saving the receptionist at the first-floor desk, I glanced at the flames spreading on the second floor.
‘Did I miss it?’
If they were going to break through, now was the perfect time.
Even if Professor Prezel found infiltration easy, they couldn’t breach the magic tower’s defenses with the main gate locked tight.
With the imperial investigation team dispatched over the practical training incident, they were busy with truth-finding and hearings right now—a moment when security would be slightly lax.
After that, with reinforcements bolstering the guards, the tower’s defenses would rival a fortress lit day and night.
Professor Prezel alone couldn’t pull off her old tricks.
‘Which leaves few options for a botany professor to take naturally.’
Hunker down outdoors… or bulldoze through with brute force like this.
The fact that they acted the instant they learned I’d stepped away suggested Professor Prezel had relayed my movements.
Surveying the chaotic first floor of the Snowfield Magic Tower, I let out a deeply regretful sigh.
‘The tower master must’ve taken a hit too.’
Focused on containing what was inside, they hadn’t anticipated something breaching from outside.
Scattered monster corpses, and countless students who’d laid eyes on them.
No amount of silencing could contain this.
What was seen was seen, and rumors were inevitable.
I etched the scene into my mind and smirked.
“The new chancellor might have a rotten head on their shoulders.”
The professor who should’ve appeared after Aiden retired as temporary professor.
In this mess, that professor might end up as the new chancellor.
An academy sensitive to safety would surely opt for that post-tunnel incident.
* * *
Isel stared at me, slumped in my chair, with a look of exasperation.
Elin and Charlotte hadn’t shown their faces lately, tied up with Spirit Mountain business.
Charlotte was swamped writing reports on the demons, while Elin sweated over purifying each contaminated tree one by one.
‘I taught her the purification method, and she’ll get the knack with practice. Time’s the answer, then.’
Before actively deploying her for the magic tower issue, I needed to give her time to adjust.
Otherwise, she might burn out on her own again.
Call it petty, but Elin preached perfection and occasionally crashed hard.
She needed proper rest to advance, but she couldn’t regulate it herself.
Someone had to step in and manage it.
‘I wonder how the imperial side will react to Charlotte’s report.’
Having received word of demons, the palace—wary of saintly intervention—would likely cover it up and test the waters.
That fit the scenario progression, but realistically, it was just scrambling to hide a swelling tumor.
‘They’ll play it cautious.’
I undid my clasped hands and brushed back my lower chin.
Problems still littered even the unseen corners.
“You drag trouble everywhere you go, Professor.”
Isel set down her teacup with a small sigh.
“On the contrary, I want to ask what’s wrong with this university.”
Feigning ignorance, I shrugged it off, and Isel let out a deep sigh.
“Professor, I know you did a good thing, but I’m a bit worried…”
“You think the timing of my arrival coincides with the academy’s troubles.”
“……”
Isel fell silent.
Her averted eyes confirmed it.
I knew it well enough.
One sharp word of reproach outweighed ten praises in terror.
Especially if it sowed suspicion.
‘Even without hard evidence, mere suspicion can brand someone a criminal.’
“So you’re pinning the blame on me?”
“No way! I’d never!!”
Isel shot up, shouting.
I waved her down to sit.
I didn’t think she’d do that to me.
“It’s fine. Really. Unnecessary worry.”
“But your reputation might suffer…”
“I can’t just stand by.”
Isel’s head drooped slightly.
I didn’t know what irked her so, but no need to fret.
This place might not show it, but it was a status-driven society.
No one would conspire without evidence unless they valued their life cheaply.
‘Unless a power player backed them.’
And the palace would rein in any such power player. I faced zero real danger.
Eyes closed, I spoke nonchalantly.
Maybe show some devotion here.
“I can’t ignore visible threats. Even if misunderstood and forced to resign, I would…”
Huh…?
I cracked my eyes at the words I’d uttered thoughtlessly and trailed off.
Resign?
Me?
‘No way!?’
Professorship! My lifeline! My canon survival method!
“…have no choice but to accept it.”
I started devoted, ended with a shit-eating grimace.
‘Am I self-destructing in real time?’
Forget worrying about Elin or Ladia—I might be the one in peril.
My hands trembled twelve times a second under the desk.
Isel couldn’t see from her angle, but I knew!
‘Just tunnel-deep, just tunnel-deep involvement. No more, no less. Tunnel-deep only!’
I steadied my breath, schooled my face to indifference.
But regardless of my inner turmoil, Isel’s lip quivered with emotion.
“I’ll make sure nothing like that happens.”
What could you even do?
Sigh…
“Thanks for the sentiment.”
As I nodded, she brimmed with resolve, vowing more than words.
My gut said that’s when danger peaked—usually tied to my social standing.
‘Whatever.’
Interfering seemed exhausting.
As expected, strolling the halls revealed the plaza incident had spread like wildfire.
With monster corpses and all exposed, containment was impossible.
Yet the university hummed with normalcy amid the unease.
Attending lectures, shuttling classrooms, wandering club areas between classes.
Save a few incidents, just another day.
As if someone deliberately smothered it.
But those few incidents couldn’t be ignored, amplifying suspicions.
Why no coverage despite the outcry? Why silence on the magic tower breach?
What the hell was going on?
It fueled conviction of a cover-up.
‘No protests yet, but…’
Only a matter of time.
After greeting students in the halls, I stopped before a classroom.
‘If time’s the issue with this quiet before the storm, solve it.’
If calm unnerves as storm’s prelude, turn it back into daily life. That’s my sole answer now.
“Apologies for the late hour. Unavoidable announcement. I know you have classes, so forgive the summons.”
The students who’d signed up for combat practicum.
I’d called them all together.
Even if others didn’t know, those heading to the magic tower deserved a choice.
“The combat practicum is nearly upon us. You all know that.”
My calm statement stirred murmurs.
It settled quickly, but the tension lingered.
They were heading into the magic tower—now site of an alleged raid.
Even calmed, it wasn’t truly quelled, just like the current hush-hush atmosphere.
Nothing fundamental changed.
Someone raised a hand.
I nodded for them to speak, and a male student stammered.
“The plaza incident yesterday—was that you, Professor? No other profs will say.”
‘All they managed was gagging the professors.’
I paused, then slowly scanned the room.
“Yes, that’s why I called you.”
“You know why everyone’s covering it? The university’s lukewarm attitude is…”
“I’ve nothing to say on that. Only this: practicum’s imminent, a monster entered the magic tower, confirmed…”
How many would remain if I spoke truth?
“…and I see it as a culprit in the practicum disaster.”
Shock rippled through gasps.
“Then cancel it?!”
“Correct. Official notice advised against.”
“Then!”
“So those who want out, leave.”
The student mid-rant froze.
“…Pardon?”
Confirming he heard right, I affirmed.
“Drop if you want. No blocking. No academic penalties, but high injury risk.”
Someone grumbled displeased.
“You’re pushing ahead?”
‘Pushing ahead…’
Yes. This was pushing ahead.
Not malicious intent, but necessity.
‘Gotta raise Elin, after all.’
I glanced at Elin glaring venomously from across.
Far from hesitant, she bristled for revenge—quite the sight.
I blinked.
“That phrasing stings. No need dragging unwilling students.”
A student opened to retort—what’s that mean?—but I cut in.
“Ever pondered why I became a professor?”
“…Changing the subject?”
I smiled faintly instead.
“…To teach students, right?”
“Exactly. To teach. Well said.”
My easy agreement narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“My standards may be high, but the academy runs fine. Riding coattails, I wouldn’t whip you to draw aura.”
“What’s your point?”
Too fixated on the bullseye.
‘Might blow if I dodge again, so spill it.’
“Know the environment that forged me into a master?”
He started to answer—why ask?—then clamped his mouth.
Publicly, Aiden’s training was unknown.
The palace gathered geniuses for imperial academies, but Aiden wasn’t listed.
‘Even imperial academies don’t birth all masters.’
They produced elite knights and mages, but masters? No.
He’d assumed top-tier education, hence the silence.
‘If obvious, no need to ask.’
“You guess right. Hothouse flowers wilt outside. Sword Saint, Magic Emperor, me—all masters forged beyond greenhouses.”
That’s what genius fading means.
“No hobby growing frost-wilted weeds. Same for students. Fine filter, no? Let quitters quit. Won’t stop them.”
Better to nurture many potentials.
But if not, focus on select few.
“Note this: even that golden-hyped Elin’s roadside weed to me.”
“Professor? Why drag me in?”
Elin huffed indignantly.
“You’d wilt in the cold too.”
“At least call it a flower…”
Weed or flower, same.
To the shaken students, I declared flatly.
“If truly dangerous, I’ll intervene for your safety. But expect injuries, unlike your safe past. Scared of wounds? Get out.”
They clammed up, and students filed out steadily.
As predicted, most bailed.
I closed my eyes, silent, waiting.
Until utter silence reigned—no footsteps, no breaths.
In that long hush seeping back, I cracked my eyes.
“More stayed than thought.”
From over seventy, barely twenty remained.
But more than expected.
‘I figured a dozen tops.’
All victims of the practicum disaster, it seemed.
Ladia had reason to join, but others? Revenge, beyond that.
Which made them truly…
‘Hm…’
“Good eyes. Better than riffraff.”
No need to rally spirits then.
“Welcome. See you at the magic tower next.”
With that, I left the classroom.