Chapter 025: But the Hypothesis Was Rejected in One Second
"You clearly said it, right? To ask for anything?"
But my hypothesis was shot down in all of one second.
'...That doesn't make sense.'
There were too many variables. If she had the meticulousness to fool me with that kind of acting, she wouldn't have created today's situation in the first place using that acting skill. She would've just thoroughly hidden herself, blended quietly into the background, and lived without catching anyone's eye except Professor Iris's.
The fact that Kasian was honest meant his regret was genuine, reconfirming it.
'What a cute kid.'
Muller Viscountess climbed the stairs to the second floor, recalling the name Kasian had just mentioned in her mind.
'Lily, was it?'
A talent recommended with such sincere regret couldn't possibly be a dud. She'd missed out on Kasian, the top prize in the bidding war, but she'd snagged Lily, the hidden gem disciple. At least she'd salvaged some pride.
'Better than Professor Wilhelm going home empty-handed, at least.'
Chewing it over, it was hilariously balanced. Professor Wilhelm, who could laugh it off with a hearty "Haha! Next time!" even empty-handed. Her, securing minimal gains and pride—not first place, but not last. And finally, Professor Iris, who'd protected her disciple.
'This development probably wasn't what that student intended...'
Making things flow smoothly without upsetting any of the three professors couldn't just be coincidence. This was Corinth del Parne's genes at work. Innate talent manifesting unconsciously.
"Fun. Real fun."
Back in the office, two men and one woman anxiously awaiting her turn sat inside.
Iris von Evergarden. Her face, already pale, had gone ghostly white, as if nausea gripped her from the tension.
The moment Muller entered, Iris shot her an uneasy glance.
'Oh my.'
Young herself, facing the crisis of losing an even younger disciple—her face honestly screamed, 'No way... she didn't steal him, did she?'
Seeing that desperate look sparked Muller's mischief.
Winners should show courtesy to losers, but...
'Right now, I can afford to be a little mean, can't I?'
Muller Viscountess curved her lips into a meaningful smile and addressed the three.
"All done. Now, Professor Iris, you're up last."
Professor Wilhelm's face lit up in surprise. Misreading her bright expression, he'd jumped to a big conclusion.
"Oh! That cheerful look—you got the approval?!"
"Who knows."
Muller shrugged.
"Wouldn't it be proper for Professor Iris to hear the results directly from Kasian himself?"
Vague deflection. Enough to amplify Iris's anxiety.
Then Professor Wilhelm landed a finishing blow on Iris with a reluctant mutter.
"Ah... true enough."
He tsked at Iris.
"Sorry, Professor Iris. Couldn't hold back my curiosity... tsk tsk."
That pitying gaze shattered Iris's composure.
'Hmm. Didn't mean to torment her this much.'
Feeling a twinge of guilt, but then Corinth set down his teacup and wrapped things up.
"Professor Iris. Shall we?"
"...Yes."
Iris rose weakly. She trudged out after the young butler.
Click.
The door shut, and Corinth immediately chided Muller Viscountess.
"That was a bit mischievous, Viscountess."
"Right? She's already losing her disciple—too much hope-torture, isn't it?"
Wilhelm chimed in.
But Muller sensed it.
'The Palace Count knows.'
Unlike Wilhelm, Corinth had grasped the situation perfectly. Like father, like son. Context-reading instincts on another level.
"Got a bit heated. Your son was such a tempting talent—I couldn't suffer alone."
"Hm? What? You got rejected?"
Wilhelm blinked.
Corinth chuckled softly, lifting his teacup. He tried hiding his mouth, but Muller caught the sly uptick of his lip just before.
Cold intelligence chief, my ass.
'This family's got some romance to it?'
Parne family. The more she learned, the more intriguing they seemed.
* * *
After Muller Viscountess coolly departed, in the drawing room.
I sank deep into the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
So this is what a soul leaving the body feels like.
Before my eyes flickered the lottery ticket—the number one prize I'd just let slip away.
Farewell... my state-of-the-art greenhouse.
Goodbye... my unlimited black card.
We had good times... veteran farmers in my imagination who treated me like a field marshal.
Internally holding their funeral, when the door creaked open cautiously.
Screech.
Professor Iris. Gone was her usual arrogant, confident genius vibe. Shoulders slumped, red eyes trembling in vibrate mode.
'...What the?'
Why's she so spooked?
Iris didn't even sit on the opposite sofa, standing awkwardly as she spoke in a sunken voice.
"I guessed from the Viscountess's expression, but..."
She swallowed dryly.
"You've really made your decision."
Ah. She figured it out.
Auntie Muller didn't spill the results straight.
'That sister's such a tease.'
I'd bet my toenail clippings she did it on purpose.
But this reaction.
'Too delicious.'
She's the type where rejection hits with perfect feedback. Sadism sprouted wildly.
I nodded gravely, face deadly serious.
"Yeah. I decided."
"...No room to change your mind?"
"Probably not."
I'd rejected with blood tears. No take-backs. Words already spoken.
Despair spread across Iris's face. A bit more teasing, and she'd cry.
'Time to stop.'
She's my teacher, after all. Push too far, and I'd regret it later.
But just a tiny bit more. Real tiny.
"Would you... like me to change my decision?"
"...Probably?"
Iris looked up. Desperate eyes grasping at a thread of hope.
I smirked, clearing the sweet misunderstanding.
"You'd regret it."
"...Huh?"
"You'd regret it. Still want me to change?"
"...!"
Instantly. No 0.1-second delay—her face bloomed radiantly.
You'd regret it = it'd be you if I changed = so I chose you.
This twisted logic? The professor before me decoded it faster than a blink.
'Fuck, head's sharp as ever.'
They say intuition and empathy are intelligence domains. Doesn't apply to her.
Smart, yet dumb.
"Then...!"
"Yeah. We're sticking with it—no loose ends, all sorted."
"Ah...!"
Her red eyes crinkled in laughter—lethally charming. So that's an eye smile.
Seeing her beam, I had to admit: as pretty as Lily or Elisia.
For reference, high praise. In this world, no one's prettier than the heroine or villainess.
'Face genius, magic genius, body genius...'
Last one's trashy for a disciple, but fact. Not my fault. Teacher wearing this is wrong.
But admiration ends here. Reality check time.
I channeled a fictional hustler into my soul.
'No, elders! Buy this or you're off the bus! No sightseeing?!'
Okay. Thug soul, come to me.
I straightened up, flashing the greediest smile imaginable.
"Alright, Professor. Put joy on hold."
"Huh?"
"Negotiation time. I kicked away Muller Viscountess's blank check. Time to claim the opportunity cost."
Iris blinked, then laughed.
"Fine. Name it."
Sucker. Total mark.
Normally I'd feel guilty fleecing her, but blank-check day? Zero remorse.
"You clearly said it? Ask for anything?"
"...Uh-huh?"
"No 'uh-huh.' Yes. No flip-flopping today."
"...Yes."
There we go.
* * *
Leaving the drawing room, her steps to the office felt like walking on clouds.
Her private talk with Kasian moments ago. His conditions were pretty hardcore.
Most focused on laziness and sloth, of course.
The rest would empty her wallet.
'Doesn't matter.'
Who cares. He's my disciple now.
Money sat unused anyway. Magic research guzzled funds, but academy grants were massive for her.
Her school poured unlimited support if she asked.
Personal savings? He could strip them bare—no issue.
Moments later.
Click. Screech.
Back in the second-floor office, her smile still wouldn't fade.
The day's anxiety depth had flipped to manic joy.
Muller Viscountess tossed a jab at the sight.
"Infuriating. Her pure joy like that."
"...Pardon?"
"Not for a loser to say, but congrats. You got the talent."
Muller shrugged.
Iris snapped to.
'No. I'm the teacher now. Be dignified. Show authority.'
She hastily schooled her face, replying solemnly.
"Thank you. I got anxious today—laughed inappropriately in front of you three. Sorry."
Corinth, at the head seat, set down his cup and concluded.
"My son's decision seems firm. Hope neither of you feels slighted. Kid's got strong likes and dislikes."
Professor Wilhelm boomed a laugh, rising.
"Haha, magic path it is. Regrettable, but what can you do. Wherever he goes, he'll be a national asset."
Muller Viscountess grabbed her hat, standing.
"I'll take my leave."
"Me too..."
Iris moved to bid farewell with them, but Corinth raised a hand.
"One moment."
"Yes?"
"If not rude, Professor Iris—I have separate words for you."
Corinth's gaze fixed on her.
"Mind if you two go first? You came in Viscountess Muller's carriage. We'll send Professor Iris home properly in ours after."
The Palace Count's tone was gravely serious.
As Iris replanted her hovering butt.
Wilhelm nodded.
"Of course. Teacher now—parent-teacher talk's natural. Curriculum or whatever. Got it. We'll head out."
Muller agreed.
"Sure. Me first."
"Thank you for understanding."
*
With the two gone.
Office held only Corinth and Iris. Tense air hung heavy.
Alone now. Iris clenched her hands on her lap. Heart pounding.
'What does he want to say?'
Her genius brain spun, listing expected questions.
Expected Q1: Magic education curriculum.
'Systematic plan? From basic mana sensing to advanced theory—perfect outline.'
Q2: Specific analysis of son's genius.
'Kasian's potential? Praise his formula dissection skills honestly.'
Q3: Post-graduation magic career.
'Court mage? Academia? Father's worry natural.'
Though Corinth, overseeing imperial household and personnel, knew better than most mages.
Anyway, ready for perfect answers. This was parent-teacher conference.
"Professor."
Corinth paused, then spoke carefully.
"Yes, go ahead."
Iris straightened tensely.
Corinth cleared his throat awkwardly, scratching his brow.
"As a father defending his son, it might sound biased—please don't misunderstand."
"Of course. I'll listen carefully."
"By any chance..."
Why the long pause?
'Don't tell me he disapproves of me?'
Normally unthinkable, but today her self-esteem hit rock bottom.
But soon.
Corinth's words were utterly unexpected.
"No balls or banquets in the capital today, as far as I know."
"Pardon?"
Kasian's question from recently. Before she could ponder, the next came.
"That outfit... surely not everyday school wear outside banquets?"
"...Pardon?"
Iris's mind blanked. Outside expected range.
Not magic, education, future... clothes?
She blankly eyed her dress.
Not yesterday's red one, but still—curves blatantly exposed, the one making Celia scream "succubus?!"
Now she got Corinth's serious gaze. Distrust as father toward son's educator.
"...Ah."
Suddenly, burning shame surged from her gut.
'I'm screwed...!'