Chapter 6: In Front of the Blackboard with Chalk Dust Flying
I stared blankly down at the white stick in my hand. The blackboard was crammed full of twisted scribbles—ancient incantations mixed with modern equations, the kind of nightmare formula that would make any normal student puke on sight. But to me, it was just a Problem Solver waiting to happen.
If I hadn't gotten this ability when I possessed this body—a power with the absolute worst naming sense ever—I probably couldn't have lived my peaceful potato-farming life. Three times a day. It hands me solutions to any magical issues. Thanks to it, my magic tutors back in childhood would lose their minds.
"You have a brilliant, genius-level intuition!"
Of course, expectations were a huge pain, so I stayed firmly in the eternal-prodigy-in-waiting position. Which is why, even now, with a problem I could clearly solve right in front of me, I was agonizing over it fiercely.
"Wouldn't it be faster to just pretend I can't solve it, get expelled, and wash my hands of this hellish school life?"
Expulsion. What a sweet word. It meant heading home, and home meant getting back to potato farming. Professor Iris's penalty had nailed exactly what I wanted, tempting me.
Yeah, did I really need to struggle here? Just say, "I dunno? Cut me open and see." And I'd be free.
"Go for it?"
Yeah? Should I? As I fiddled with the chalk in silence, Professor Iris's icy voice sliced in from behind.
"Are you staring because you can solve it, or are you just spacing out with an empty head?"
I didn't need to look to know her pose. Arms crossed, glaring at my back with that tilted stance.
I answered without turning. "I'm in the middle of a life-or-death dilemma here, so give me a sec. My whole future's on the line."
"Hah."
Her scoff echoed, followed by murmurs rippling through the classroom. They were whispering just loud enough to gauge if they'd get chewed out by Professor Iris—delicate little things.
"That lunatic's talking back to the professor?"
"Just give up. Stalling won't make the answer appear."
"Figures the barbarian's got an empty skull."
Bark all you want, dogs. Your big bro's painting a picture you can't even dream of.
I closed my eyes and ran the simulation. The world line of expulsion crystallized in my mind.
Step 1: Declare failure on the problem.
Step 2: Professor Iris sneers, instant expulsion.
Step 3: Pack up and stroll home.
Step 4: Arrive at the mansion. Reunion with Dad, Corinth.
Perfect so far. The problem started at step 5.
Step 5: Corinth flies into a rage. "This worthless rice-waster finally screwed up for real?!"
Step 6: Crystal ashtray hurled, family registry shredded.
Step 7: Potato fields confiscated, back-mountain fishing spot closed, cornfields burned in effigy.
Step 8: "You're no son of mine. Even the front-line beast subjugation unit wouldn't want you. Off to the mines."
Step 8 might be overkill, but... with my dad? Yeah, he might actually do it.
Dad's the type who follows through.
Beep beep.
Red warning lights blared in my head. Simulation result: Hard mode life unlocked. Survival odds: Slim to none.
"...Ah, fucked."
I can't lose the potatoes. My precious fields burning, me swinging a pickaxe in the mines? After "Parne barbarian," getting slapped with "disowned" would have Dad socially burying me for real. He doesn't bluff.
"Shit, my golden expulsion shot..."
I swallowed bloody tears and steeled myself. Farewell, my freedom. Not the time yet.
I sighed deeply and gripped the chalk tighter. "Professor."
"No excuses. Can't solve it? Get out."
"Nah, this chalk's too short. Got a longer one? Feels like it'll scrape my nails."
"......"
I felt her brow twitch. But I ignored it, snatching a fresh piece from the chalk holder on her podium.
Deep breath.
Problem Solver
*Whirr—
A mechanical ring echoed in my skull. My vision blurred, the world's colors desaturated. My body felt half-numb, floating—familiar yet alien. An invisible force yanked my wrist, like a puppet master pulling strings. My right hand danced across the board without my input. My brain, freed from thinking, just watched.
Tap, tap-tap tap!
The chalk's friction rang through the silent room. White dust snowed down. The messy, nauseating equations crumbled under my touch.
Unnecessary calculations? Deleted. Inefficient mana circuits? Shortened. Meandering logic? Straightened.
I didn't know the processes or principles. My hand just went, "This is right."
Tap!
The final dot landed, and the floaty sensation ebbed away like a receding tide.
Problem Solver
"Whew."
I exhaled shortly and stepped back. Glanced up at the board. What had overflowed onto the next panel was now neatly three lines.
"...What?"
I tilted my head inwardly. "Did this sis throw me an easy one out of pity for expelling me? Why's it so short?"
Usually, these humiliation problems eat two or three boards. This ended quicker than boiling ramen water. Felt like a waste of chalk.
I dusted off my hands and turned. "Done."
"......"
Professor Iris said nothing. She stared holes through my answer, her blood-red eyes darting across it nonstop. Eyelids fluttering behind her glasses.
"...Huh?"
Bad vibe. Not admiration. She looked ready to snap, "What's this half-assed answer?"
I got chills. "Ah, shit. Too sloppy?"
I just followed the ability, but skipped too many steps. Yeah, condensing her wall of writing into three lines would piss anyone off. It's an effort issue.
But I didn't want to do it this way. Offering to redo it properly? Doubtful she'd add detailed annotations this time. Round 2 same shit? That'd confirm insubordination.
I cleared my throat, sneaking a peek. "Um, Professor?"
Why's she clamming up? Making me anxious. Not gonna say, "Correct, but too sloppy and rude to pass," right?
No way. Math's done. Can't get expelled.
"......Correct."
"Can I sit then?"
Wanna wrap this and never look back.
Gasp echoed around. "That scoundrel..." "Professor passes him, and no thanks?!"
What, sue me?
But. "......Sit."
"Pardon?"
"I said sit."
She nodded blankly, eyes still glued to the board.
"Ah, yes. Thanks." I bolted from the podium.
Footsteps echoing, the stares on my back felt off. Normally, "Watch it next time" or "Docking attitude points" would fly. Silence was worse.
Before sitting, I glanced back.
"......"
Knew it. Professor Iris had turned just her head to me. Glasses flashed coldly. Those red eyes gleamed like a predator's in a wildlife doc. Creepy as fuck.
"...What? Not over?"
Why that stare? Grudge? Then just dock points or yell.
That sticky gaze chilled deeper than her threats. I did what she asked, nailed it, yet the creepiest look yet.
"Screw it... Hide all semester."
Crossing the hall out of the main building, warm afternoon sun greeted me.
"Haa."
This is life. Clean air filling my lungs. Escaping that hellhole felt like breathing again.
Why's that professor so unsettling? I just wanted to nap facedown.
In a Korean uni? Professor'd be like, "Good, not sleeping up front—quietly snooze in the back. Live and let live."
Hate this academy bullshit. Head to the carriage stand, crash in Thomas's ride for sweet sleep home—perfect day.
I started humming.
Shiii...
Spine chilled. Clear day, no wind, yet nape prickled like winter balcony wide open.
"...What? Sunny, but cold?"
Imagination? Nah. My gut's never wrong. Felt this from Dad once.
Someone's watching. Like Dad-level.
"...Shit?"
"Why a Dad-type at the academy..."
A few suspects.
Couldn't shake it, turned instinctively. Second floor, terrace hall window.
And there.
"...Gasp."
Silver hair gleaming blindingly in the sun. Violet eyes below pierced me coldly.
Empire's certified villainess. Elisia von Rosenberg.
Arms crossed, leaning on the sill like a painting. But eye contact hit like a brick—head buzzed, breath caught, time froze.
"...Why's she staring?"
Just two floors up, her poker face was clear but unreadable. Nobles and their annoying masks.
Escape classroom, now her bullshit.
Brain supercomputed options.
Wave? -> "Oh, that trash daring to greet the lady? Don't act familiar." 99% public execution.
Bow politely? Hate it. Like greeting boss on way home.
Wink? Instant death. Imperial insult add-on. Fiancée of the Crown Prince.
Answer clear. "Pretend not see, bolt. That's it."
I stretched naturally, like stiff neck. Cracked it loud, eyes to sky.
"Achey neck. Nice clouds."
Whipped around, sped up 1.5x.
"Hey! Thomas!"
"Oh, young master! Already?"
I flew into the carriage. Nape burned like laser.
Magic? Thud! Door shut, peeked window.
Second floor. Elisia still there. Not aloof now. Gripping sill, fan to mouth, staring as I receded. Violet eyes blazed from here.
"Eek, that glare. 100% pissed. Properly fucked."
Why? We ain't close enough for hellos. When?
Cold sweat down my back.
* She pressed her fan tight to her mouth. Otherwise, her expression would broadcast everywhere.
Blue veins bulged on Elisia's pale hand. She couldn't close her jaw at the unbelievable scene.
"That... that guy just."
Lips trembled.
"Ignored me? Right now? Eyes met?"
Unimaginable. She was a Rosenberg.