Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Lecture Preparation
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“Hmm?”
Aria, who had been sighing next to Elenoa, diligently sketching away, looked puzzled at the professor entering the room.
A beauty with long golden hair neatly tied back and casually draped over her shoulder.
It was Professor Erika Bright, the professor's fiancée who irritated her just by existing.
“Wow, it’s Professor Erika.”
“I was bummed I couldn’t sign up for her class last semester. Glad I can take it starting this semester.”
“I heard rumors she’s engaged to Professor Deus. Is that true?”
“If so, that’d be huge. She’d be the only one in the royal family married to a black mage they officially recognize.”
The more talk about Deus floated around, the more it grated on her. They weren’t saying anything bad—in fact, they were marveling at his greatness.
But Aria didn’t want to hear other people chattering about Deus like that.
“Whew.”
Clutching her throbbing, ringing head, Aria closed her eyes for a moment. Lately, her head had been hurting strangely often.
Just then, a male student’s concerned voice came from beside her.
“Are you hurting somewhere?”
Surprisingly, it was a familiar voice.
- Don’t worry, I’ll handle it for now.
- Actually, it started from the first time we met. I liked you.
- Aria, run!
His voice spread through her ears like tinnitus. To snap out of the past memories, Aria’s eyes flew open.
And sitting next to her was a handsome boy with striking blue hair. Leorus, master of water magic and spear arts.
First playthrough.
One of her companions.
The boy who had confessed his love to her.
‘Ah, it was Leorus.’
Aria, who hadn’t even noticed he was there, caught her breath and nodded.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
In the previous playthrough, she had received quite a bit of help from Leorus. Not just him, but along with other talented students, they had overcome countless adversities.
For example, the princess right next to her now, sticking out her tongue while doodling.
The memory of forming a separate squad with Leorus and a few students in this classroom to stop Elenoa Luden Griffin’s rebellion was still vivid.
But.
‘I don’t need them now.’
Aria wasn’t so fragile that she needed their help. Back then, fighting alongside her companions had felt natural and fun.
But because the process was enjoyable, the outcome hit even harder.
She didn’t want to repeat the same experience, and her old companions wouldn’t be able to keep up with her pace of growth anyway.
“I heard starting this semester, we’ll form groups and head out a lot.”
“Ah, right.”
That reminded her of getting caught up in various incidents outside the academy. But so what now? She’d just swing her sword a few times and be done.
“So, about that.”
“Um.”
As Leorus shyly opened his mouth, Aria pressed her forehead with her hand and spoke.
“Stop talking to me.”
“……”
“My head hurts.”
Aria rudely brushed off Leorus and turned her gaze to the blackboard.
But she didn’t want to look at Erika starting the lecture either.
So she lowered her head again.
She made eye contact once with Elenoa, who was watching her with a subtle gaze, then closed her eyes.
Lately, her head had been hurting more than usual.
‘How was it last time?’
Did she have these headaches around this time?
* * *
A week after the semester started.
The rumor that I, the Necromancer, had returned to the academy spread far and wide.
The dean thanked me for coming, even if late, and the other students wondered how we’d make up for the week of missed lectures.
And I.
“Whew.”
As usual, I was flipping through books late into the night.
[Do you finally get it? That I’m a more capable teacher than you thought?]
I shut my mouth for a moment at the Black Necromancer’s chatter from beside me. I thought of saying something, but decided to ignore her.
Teaching was a whole different concept from learning, even if what I was learning didn’t matter.
I felt I was receiving undue attention for my abilities, but I just worked to live up to it.
‘It’s tough.’
The real difficulty was not teaching actual black magic.
What I had to teach was theory, countermeasures against black magic, and the ability to detect invisible spirits.
If I taught black magic right away, the bishop waiting to bite me at the slightest mistake, or the parents who disliked me, would come stabbing.
I hadn’t planned to teach black magic anyway.
“Hmm.”
It occurred to me that it’d be good to teach someone first before the lectures to get a feel for it.
“I see.”
I immediately summoned the people I could call right away.
“What is it?”
Pindenai, still wrapped in bandages from incomplete injury treatment.
“Something I can help with?”
Owen, who had been playing the melodica until late evening.
I didn’t bring Iluania since she was pregnant and her belly was swelling—she needed absolute rest.
I told her not to do maid work for a while, gave her a separate room to rest.
“……”
And for some reason, Erika Bright in pajamas.
“Why are you here?”
When I stared down and asked, Pinden A answered for her.
“Ran into her on the way here.”
“I-I thought maybe I could help with something.”
Erika peeked up at me shyly. After a moment’s thought, I nodded that it was fine.
“Actually, perfect timing. Everyone, sit on the bed there.”
I hadn’t expected three, but I could at least pretend to lecture.
Plus, Erika was a professor, so she could check if students would understand my words and give advice as one.
“I’m going to try tomorrow’s lecture now. Listen and give feedback after.”
At my words, Owen’s eyes sparkled as he shot his hand up.
“Got it!”
But the other two looked puzzled.
“Lecture? Ah, crap. Came for nothing.”
“Is this practice?”
Pindenai, bored, crossed her legs and propped her chin; Erika purely curious.
“Yeah, even if I know it, teaching is different.”
Hearing that, Erika smirked and assumed a polite listening posture.
“Fine, as a professor, I’ll watch too. Honored to hear the most anticipated lecture at Robern Academy first.”
Everyone seemed ready, so I slowly drew lines in the air with mana.
Normally chalk and blackboard, but none here, so a simple air version for now.
“Then, to start……”
Since I’d be teaching students with zero knowledge of black mages and souls, basics first.
I planned to skip things like soul repose since it tied to religion.
But before I could speak.
“Professor, this is boring as hell. Tell us about your first love.”
Pindenai cut in lazily.
[Whoa, sounds fun?]
The Black Necromancer, who had slyly sat next to Pindenai, clapped in delight.
Owen looked intrigued too, and Erika flinched her shoulders, waiting silently.
Where did the woman who just said it was an honor go?
“Soul doesn’t just mean simple ghosts. Surprisingly, this is……”
“Hey, Master. Is it okay to ignore students like this?”
“……”
Pinden A suddenly stood, shrugging her shoulders and starting to lecture.
“Shouldn’t professors handle baffled questions or sudden outbursts from students?”
“……I never asked for that.”
“It’s basic! Right, fiancée?”
“Huh? Well, yeah. During lectures, you get weird questions surprisingly often, or students more interested in other things, or even trying to disrupt.”
Caught off guard but handed the baton, Erika calmly explained as she spoke.
“A professor’s response in those cases is part of their discretion. Maintaining other students’ focus naturally even amid disruptions that could ruin the lecture.”
“Whew.”
With a deep sigh, I chin-gestured Pinden A to sit.
Signaling a restart, she grinned, sat on the bed, and prepared to raise her hand again.
If she was going to interrupt anyway, did I need to pretend to lecture?
No, was this time even meaningful?
Amid such doubts, Pinden A shot her hand up and asked.
“Professor, when was your first time having sex?”
“Pfft!”
Owen flushed beet red in shock and covered his ears. Erika stared blankly at me; the Black Necromancer waved excitedly, saying something about snacks.
“I heard Professor likes having his asshole licked.”
Wondering if such a situation could really happen mid-lecture, I imagined what I’d do if it did.
Slowly opening my eyes, I asked the innocently smiling Pindenai.
“What’s your name?”
“Pardon? Oh, Pindenai.”
“Right, Pindenai.”
Tensing my whole body, I glared at her.
Since coming to this world, I hadn’t clearly defined killing intent within me.
But surely, for a student disrupting my lecture like this, I couldn’t help but pour hostility.
“Just shut up and listen.”
“……”
The room turned icy in an instant.
After meeting the eyes of the three staring in shock one by one, I resumed in my usual tone.
“Alright, now for real……”
“Professor.”
Pindenai raised her hand again.
Getting annoyed, I exhaled and looked at her; she said with a bewildered expression.
“I think I just pissed myself from Professor. Bathroom?”
“……Go.”
“Wow, damn. That was scary as hell.”
She probably didn’t actually lose control, but Pindenai stuck out her tongue and left.
Of course.
She didn’t come back.