Chapter 9
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Enrollment Quota Blues
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Right after class, Isel lost her energy upon witnessing the nobles' relentless invitations and displays of authority.
The result was her looking like a wilted vegetable, her breath shallow and listless.
‘I'm a noble too, but...’
Because she held an honorary title without any territory, she still had to work just like commoners, so her mindset was closer to that of a commoner.
Even among nobles, she couldn't help but feel distant from those who flaunted their authority.
They wanted her to put in a good word, and part of her wanted to snap at them for even thinking of such a thing...
‘But my actions don't just affect me alone.’
Because of the morning incident, she couldn't focus on class due to all the stares.
They weren't blatant, but the flirtatious glances were the same.
So she could only make a miserable face, thinking that today's class was basically a waste.
“I really hate this.”
She let out a sigh at the sadness of having no one to complain to even if she wanted to throw a tantrum.
Isel straightened her slumped shoulders and started walking.
Only after entering the familiar lab door did she see the blond professor sitting leisurely.
“Professor... haa. I'm here.”
“You're here?”
Seeing his nonchalant demeanor, Isel fell into thought.
* * *
“What's the commotion?”
He was the same professor as always, but those sharp blue eyes held an unusually chilling aura.
Was it because she was showing a side she didn't want him to see? The professor felt far more intimidating than the male student yelling right in front of her.
‘I want to crawl into a mouse hole.’
What if he was disappointed? What if he thought she couldn't even handle something like this properly, or why was she picking fights, or that she couldn't even manage herself...
The male student, who grasped the situation first, twitched the corner of his mouth as he protested.
“Professor Aiden, this isn't what you're thinking... it's just a simple—”
“Isel, you explain.”
Aiden cut off the male student as if he had no intention of listening.
The male student was suddenly silenced, but he only bit his lip and managed his expression without saying much.
“Um... well.”
Telling the truth scared her about the repercussions, but not saying it made her worry the professor would see her strangely.
“So, um... yeah.”
As she bit her lower lip hard, thinking to just let it slide,
Aiden asked again with conviction.
“Tell me the truth only. I'll handle the rest.”
His tone was flat, but she could feel the subtle anger within.
It was a subtle difference that only she, who had been watching him closely, knew.
His steadfast gaze, as if he had heard everything from the start, suddenly burst the dam holding back her emotions.
Tears welled up.
“...They asked to be added to your lecture, and when I refused, they flipped out like this.”
She brought her hand to her eyes, and her vision blurred.
“You...!”
“Is that so.”
Before the male student could say anything, Aiden cut him off again.
“Then it seems you have no qualification to attend my class.”
“Professor, no! It's this maid! She's lying to you...!”
“Enough.”
The male student froze under the icy stare.
“Do you think I asked because I didn't hear?”
“Uh, well. That's.”
“I'll speak to your family separately.”
“But!”
Aiden turned his back on the protest, his eyes gleaming.
“I heard the academy has a rule to somewhat eliminate status gaps. If you're overturning that and shoving your status in my face, you should expect my protest as well.”
Aiden declared it like a stern and solemn auditor.
“Otherwise, you wouldn't have even gotten a word in with me.”
If the protest about touching his household staff became official to the family,
The ripple effect might not end with a simple reprimand.
The male student paled like a criminal being led to the slaughterhouse.
“To avoid discomforting my student, leave today's class without attending. Any objections?”
The male student bit his lip raw before painfully squeezing out words.
“...None.”
“Then get out.”
After confirming the male student left, he turned back with a reassuring look.
All his actions seemed so refreshing and cool.
He didn't even ask if she was okay on purpose, and even comforting her with his eyes was probably the professor's own subtle consideration...
‘Haa...’
She took in the scene for a long while before lowering her eyelids.
‘So cool.’
But now, that aura was completely gone, leaving only the usual languid professor.
That puffed up Isel's cheeks.
She wanted to ask how he handled it, but his vibe screamed not to.
She clutched her forehead, thinking it was a headache.
So many things she wanted to say, but couldn't.
While Isel stewed inwardly, I glanced at her too.
To my eyes, it looked like one of my six legs was on her forehead, but inferring her mood, she seemed like something was bothering her.
I unclenched my hands and asked Isel.
“What's the problem?”
“What problem? Don't you know what's wrong... No, you might not. Yeah...”
“The dean stopped by earlier, so I can guess. It's about the enrollment quota, right.”
Surprised eyes.
Eyes asking how I knew.
More than that, the dean came by, but she didn't think he'd tell me what the issue was?
‘Maybe she thinks I don't even know the root cause, including that...’
...She's treating me a bit too much like an idiot.
“So what did he say?”
“Impossible.”
“...Why.”
She glared with her mouth set like a duck's.
The vibe was she'd grill me if there wasn't a good reason.
“First, 40 is already a lot. I don't want to waste time lecturing in a large hall for my own vanity with low-level content.”
“Are you an educator...?”
“More like a practical issue.”
His words sounded plausible, but his real motive was different.
‘That time with... Professor Paulo's [Pure Magic Theory], right? When the students all turned to look, it was just...’
Exaggerating, I nearly died.
No matter what, I didn't want to go through the unpleasant experience of chitinous insects being interested in my every move again.
“I wanted to cut it more, but they said 40 is mandatory. It's the minimum for one-on-one guidance. No compromises.”
“Is it about lecture quality?”
“Yeah, and since it's a liberal arts course, we only get 3 hours a week. Terrible scheduling.”
Why are liberal arts courses liberal arts? Students take required major and liberal arts credits first, then fill the rest with these.
“On top of that, occupying a large hall for it is out of the question. Disrupting the large hall schedule for 3 hours isn't good.”
Even pretending to be considerate, it was purely for my comfort.
With high foot traffic... I might spill.
To prevent that mishap, small elite class was mandatory.
Hearing my reasons, Isel groaned like "kuuuuh" and let out a breath with force, as if expelling all oxygen from her lungs.
She staggered to the sofa like her energy was drained and sat down.
“Got iiiit. Haa.”
“So back to square one. What's the problem, Isel?”
“...Uguuuuh.”
She rolled her eyes evasively before sighing.
She still had breath to spare? Impressive lung capacity...
I stopped my stray thoughts and focused on her words.
“I don't know where they heard I'm affiliated with Professor Aiden's lab, but everyone kept asking if I could put in a word.”
“Did you take bribes?”
Isel jumped up in horror.
“As if!”
“Don't yell. If you did, I was going to tell you to return it. Not scolding you.”
“No... what kind of image do I have to you...?”
“No particular image.”
If I had one, it'd be cockroach.
Isn't that even more insulting?
Ignoring the last remark, she sank into thought.
Stubborn about the 40-student quota.
Since I took a firm stance, I need to prove something.
I closed my eyes.
‘What do I need to do.’
Assuming the rehearsal succeeds, the goal ahead and the shortcut to living comfortably.
The academy will be attacked multiple times going forward.
No matter who leads the attacks or if they happen unintentionally.
One thing's certain: I must not get involved.
‘These are trials the protagonists must face.’
Interfering rashly could halt their growth by skipping events.
That would make things worse.
‘Take Elin—even if she fails the upcoming chapter, her growth stalls.’
So, touching protagonists and their events is off-limits.
And another policy to set.
‘I'm not here to save everyone. I'm securing my own survival.’
No unnecessary meddling.
Thus, achieve decent results for temporary professor renewal without touching protagonists or their party.
Bonus if it lightens the protagonists' load.
‘Most students will drag the protagonists down. So, train the rest besides protagonists.’
That'll ease things for the protagonists.
‘Decided.’
Raise some talented side characters.
Just enough not to drag them down.
“So how will you fill the quota, Professor?”
“They said first-come or random would cause controversy. So, we'll cut by grades to avoid that.”
“Among applicants?”
“Yeah, but excluding top ranks like first and second... those geniuses, hoping they don't apply.”
Isel looked puzzled as she asked back.
“You're cutting by grades, so why exclude first and second?”
Because they're highly likely protagonists.
‘Can't say that.’
“I want to teach students with uniform talent, not outliers. Mix in a genius, and progress gets uneven.”
I moved my hand to grab the documents.
“And even if I teach the famous ones and they achieve, they're the ones who would rise anyway. Not my achievement.”
Thus, teaching with aura as a clear benchmark.
Nothing beats visible results.
Isel nodded as if convinced.
But she looked a bit regretful.
‘Managed to excuse it somehow.’
As she started to look downcast, I added that there's an exception.
“You're excluded.”
“Huh?”
“Were you planning not to take my class? No veto, so apply.”
“I'm... second year second place too?”
“By my standards, you're not a genius.”
She looked dejected yet oddly pleased. Why?
‘Anyway.’
My achievements? Yes, achievements matter.
For next semester's temporary professor role, need results.
But not protagonists.
Routes stick.
Even if Aiden rarely loses, if they cling and a route attaches.
“A role in events assigned to me too?”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
If a role's assigned to me, it's at Aiden's level.
Meaning, no matter how the route twists to reach me, it's not strange.
Without knowing what harsh storm a butterfly's wingbeat brings, better not interfere.
Even if I do, no guarantee of shining.
‘No way I have rapier proficiency.’
Move as the body remembers? Ridiculous.
Better to block the source than rely on uncertainty.
Haa...
“Hope it works out well.”
“Yeah... me too.”
Isel sighed beside me.
So... my first class now should've gone smoothly too.
“Professor, if that's the case, shouldn't a mage's body reinforcement be on par with a knight's?”
I stopped writing mid-note.
Turning, there was Elin boldly attending my class.
‘Auditing openly.’
Suddenly my head throbbed, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
My head feels heavy today.
God abandoned me.
* * *
“Isn't that my coat? Where'd you get it?”
At the female professor's words, Elin feigned a dumb expression, then tilted her head sideways.
“Professor Prezel, it's not yours? But... this is definitely.”
Female professor Prezel picked up the coat and shook her head, saying she'd never seen it.
“After the entrance interview viewing, I went to my lab, and left at night. No point of contact with you... and it doesn't look like something students would wear either.”
She stroked her chin thoughtfully, then checked the label and swallowed hard.
“High-end stuff. Very expensive too. Someone covered you with this?”
“Yeah... and canned coffee.”
“Probably a male professor. Tall one.”
As Elin eyed her questioningly, Professor Prezel explained.
“This label here is a men's brand, and it's big. To wear it properly... late 180s? Around 190 cm maybe.”
But why are you looking for it? At that question, Elin swallowed her words and looked down.
“I can't tell you that.”
“Hmm... okay?”
Prezel fiddled with the coat, as if she'd speculate wildly if not told.
“If you just wanted it returned, lost and found could handle it, but asking me means you want to find them yourself?”
Probed subtly, Elin shrugged as if unable to resist.
“Yeah, since they showed kindness. Want to meet and thank them... and ask something else.”
Prezel rested her chin, smiling warmly.
Not long after saying it'd be lonely and hoping this becomes a new home, she's already finding connections.
Proud that she's adapting well.
Elin knew what Professor Prezel was thinking but judged it better to let the misunderstanding stand.
“Alright, for a can of coffee's grace. Look well. If stuck, tell me, I'll help.”
“Yes, got it. Thank you.”
Door closed, Elin took back the coat.
She clutched it tight and buried her nose in it.
The mana residue no longer lingered.
Once purely wondrous, it faded with time.
But the memory remained vivid.
Elin mulled over the word like chewing, breaking the sentence.
“That was definitely rune language.”
Magic using a rune thought obsolete.
A professor who uses it is somewhere here.
Tall, wealthy, new professor never seen before.
Elin glanced at the department bulletin board notices in passing.
[Understanding Aura Cultivation Method: Organic Utilization of the Body by Mana]
Professor: Toskantana Aiden Pisvolt.
“...Aiden?”
Was there such a professor? More than that...
“The professor who answered in Pure Magic Theory.”
Tall, newly appointed professor not there before.
Knowledgeable enough to answer Professor Paulo's surprise question.
Heir to a ducal family.
Of course wealthy.
Enough to wear expensive coats.
Glancing at the bench again, it was right next to the large hall where Professor Paulo lectured.
Elin grinned, unable to contain her joy.
“...Found you.”