Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Academy Professors (1)
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Erika had left, but I didn't bother chasing after her to stop her.
She'd figure out it was a misunderstanding eventually anyway, and even if she didn't, I didn't feel the need to explain myself.
Erika wouldn't go around spreading weird rumors about Aria and me having some strange relationship.
[It's fine to just leave it like that, right?]
I assured the Black Necromancer that it was okay and started walking.
Truth be told, what bothered me more was what Aria had said about Erika.
—It's just her keeping an eye on things. She won't let it get taken away this time.
'This time?'
Did that mean in the previous loop, I'd ended up with Erika?
We were engaged, but all I could recall was that it ended in a broken engagement.
From what Aria said, though, it seemed like we'd gone as far as marriage.
'Did I love Erika Bright, then?'
I had no idea.
No matter how I tried to imagine it, I honestly couldn't picture a future where I fell for her.
'No.'
It wasn't just Erika. I couldn't easily imagine myself falling in love with anyone and developing a romantic relationship.
"Hoo."
There was no point dwelling on questions without answers, so I headed to the lab.
Right now, it was Professor Per Petra's lab. As I opened the door and stepped in, a pungent deodorizer smell assaulted my nose.
The overpowering scent made me slightly uncomfortable, but the moment I saw the inside of the lab, I understood.
[Whoa.]
It looked like something out of a Corpse Sorcerer's magic research. An elongated medical bed held all sorts of body parts in various colors.
The gory sight made me grimace and nearly summon mana on reflex, but standing in front of it was Professor Per Petra, with her pink hair and violently curvaceous figure, smiling at me.
"Ah, Professor Deus! You're back!"
How could she smile so casually with dismembered limbs right there?
For a moment, I even wondered if she was actually a Corpse Sorcerer.
She must have noticed my odd reaction because she turned around in surprise and picked up one of the arms on the medical bed.
[Well....]
Even the Black Necromancer couldn't help but frown as she swung the dangling arm around.
But what came out of Professor Per's mouth was unexpected.
"Th-this is a model I made! It's not real!"
"Hm?"
I'd thought the blood was cleaned off pretty well, but it was even cleaner than that.
Curiosity piqued, I approached to inspect the body parts, and sure enough, they were fakes, not real flesh.
"They're for testing, but once they're complete, they'll be super useful for so many people!"
Professor Per proudly introduced her creation. When I infused a bit of mana, the hand really started moving like the real thing.
"Impressive."
I had to give her honest praise.
There might be limitations based on mana consumption or cost for the user, but this was a groundbreaking invention that could drastically reduce disabilities across the continent.
The game never covered stuff like this, and Professor Per didn't even appear, so it was a pleasant surprise.
Professor Per tidied her messy pink hair and gave an awkward smile.
"I've prepared a spot for you over there, Professor."
The far end of the lab.
A large desk, surrounded by potted plants and an empty bookshelf.
It was equipped with surprisingly high-end furnishings.
"They weren't originally that great, but after you declared yourself a Necromancer, the Dean replaced everything."
"Ha."
The Dean's flattery skills were on point. Maybe he had a talent for it.
"By the way, when do you start your lectures, Professor Deus?"
As I sat in the chair getting used to the space, Professor Per sidled up and asked.
From what I remembered, she wasn't this friendly with people. Had something changed in the short time?
I glanced at her, meeting her eyes, and she looked back at me with sparkling interest, not looking away.
In that moment, I knew exactly what was up.
Her intellectual curiosity had overwhelmingly surpassed her innate shyness.
As the kingdom's only officially recognized Black Mage, I'd naturally have to teach related lectures.
The Griffin Kingdom was still in the midst of reforms. Right now, my classes were the only legal way to learn about Black Magic in the kingdom.
For Professor Per, who leaned more scholar than mage, this was an opportunity she couldn't miss.
Especially since Black Magic included fields like Corpse Sorcery, closely tied to her anatomy research.
"Next semester."
"Aah, got it! Um, could I audit as a fellow professor?"
"Sure, as long as you don't have another lecture at the same time."
"I see! That's great!"
Who knew shedding her shyness revealed such a chatterbox. Her subsequent musings on academics were interesting, but my ears were starting to hurt a bit.
Bang!
"Master, we're here... Holy shit! What the hell is this!"
Pindenai burst through the lab door, spotted the body parts on the floor, freaked out, and spun around.
Pindenai then covered Iluania's eyes as she followed in.
It had been about two months, but since she was dressed, Iluania's belly didn't stick out much yet.
"Wh-what's going on?"
"Pregnant ladies shouldn't see weird stuff!"
Pindenai was trying to be considerate by covering Iluania's eyes with her hand, but the person in question didn't seem to grasp the situation.
"Ah...."
And as the third party appeared, Professor Per immediately reverted to her shy self. She hurried away from me and started gathering up the body parts.
"I-I'll clean it up!"
She fussed around tidying them, then dashed to her seat, stealing glances at us.
Pindenai finally deemed it safe, removed her hand from Iluania's eyes, and approached me with her.
"You've arrived, Master."
Iluania greeted me skillfully despite the time apart. I nodded in acknowledgment.
Her face was spotless, her skin smooth. She didn't look fatigued at all. She must have been resting comfortably, putting on just a little healthy weight.
"I'll only handle paperwork as an assistant for a while. Help Pindenai with anything she can't manage, but I won't have you doing any physical labor."
"...You don't need to be considerate."
Surprisingly, Iluania bowed her head and objected.
"I'm being paid as a servant to work. Honestly, staying at the hotel made me feel uneasy the whole time."
She insisted on earning her keep properly.
But I shook my head.
"You're my servant. Obey me."
"But...."
"It's not just for your sake."
The reason I was looking after Iluania wasn't purely for her. Sure, her past of drifting through brothels, doing drugs, and sleeping with random men was pitiful.
But that alone wasn't reason enough for my pity.
"I'm just keeping a promise to a certain man. It's not for you, so accept it quietly."
"...Understood."
She might strain herself if she worked. That would make me the one breaking my promise to Deus.
"Good. That's settled."
As I nodded slightly to end the conversation,
"Maybe I should do the same sometime...."
I heard Pindenai muttering some pointless worry beside me.
* * *
Late evening.
Pindenai and Iluania had gone to rest in the servants' quarters. I was in my room in the faculty dorms.
[Do it like this.]
I didn't need to study Black Magic from books on my own. The Black Necromancer, who had top-tier skills in Necromancy, was with me.
It was like getting one-on-one lessons from a master instructor.
"Like this?"
[Yes, exactly! You're doing great!]
The Black Necromancer clapped in praise. She seemed a bit more relaxed than before, but it didn't feel bad.
As I continued practicing mana circulation with her, a knock interrupted us.
Knock knock.
The careful knock didn't reveal the face, but I already had a good guess who was outside.
[Hmm.]
The Black Necromancer crossed her arms, annoyed at the interruption, but I slowly opened the door.
There stood Erika Bright in her pajamas, fidgeting awkwardly.
"C-can I come in for a bit?"
"...It's late."
I hinted at refusal, but Erika didn't back down.
"Just for a really quick moment."
Unable to resist the strange plea in her eyes, I sighed and slowly opened the door wider.
Erika stepped inside without looking around the room.
I didn't have much luggage anyway, so it was just basic furniture.
"Tea?"
"Yeah, sure."
I offered casually, and she nodded eagerly.
I boiled water and poured her a cup. She blew on it gently, took a careful sip, and smiled naturally.
"It's warm."
Something in the tone made my brow furrow slightly. Erika's cheeks flushed pink as she slowly spoke.
"Um...."
Knock knock.
"...."
Our eyes both turned to the door. Another visitor?
I was puzzled, but Erika looked dejected for some reason and hung her head.
"Someone else besides me...."
She seemed lost in her own turmoil, but anyway.
I opened the door to check the new uninvited guest.
"N-Necromancer."
There stood Gideon Zeronia, the one who'd greeted me at the gates earlier, with a haggard expression.