Third Year (2)
No matter how you sliced it, the start of the school year was always a word that brought joy. A day to hang out with friends and gain new knowledge. Even though the freedoms they'd enjoyed so far would vanish, a huge number of students still looked forward to it.
But somewhere in Tianis Academy—specifically, in the waiting room of the Craft Department building—the atmosphere inside was starkly different from the bustling excitement outside due to the new semester. It was deathly quiet.
And for good reason. Today was the day when weeks of effort would finally bear fruit. The tension was palpable.
There were nine people in total. All of them sat in silence, spanning a wide range of ages. Some looked barely adults, while others were middle-aged or even elderly. Men and women were evenly mixed.
It was a bizarre scene, to say the least. Anyone stumbling upon it might have tilted their head in confusion.
Tick-tock, tick-tock. The sound of the clock hands echoed through the room. They'd already been waiting for an hour. They'd arrived early in the morning, but still, no word from the other side.
The uncertainty gripped their hearts.
In truth, these nine weren't the type to be kept waiting like this. Some were so famous that their names alone rang bells, while others might lack renown but had skills that spoke for themselves.
There was only one reason such people were enduring this: the professorship in Tianis Academy's Craft Department. Today was the announcement for the three spots available.
How much had they poured into proving themselves for this? It was unimaginable under normal circumstances. They were treated like royalty wherever they went.
Yet they endured what could feel like a slight insult. That was how alluring a Tianis professorship was. Not just the money and prestige, but the massive budgets, personal labs, and freedom in lecturing. The academy provided professors with perks that other places could only dream of—often skimping on funding elsewhere.
That was why they were so desperate for it. And even now, with numbers down, there had been over 200 applicants. Competition for a Tianis spot was that fierce.
Anyway, with all sorts of people gathered for this final stretch, they couldn't help but eye each other—regardless of the heavy mood.
Among them, one woman drew endless furtive glances, the object of overwhelming attention.
Ruina Lindel. The youngest in the room and the recent talk of the town.
Just two months after graduation, she'd published dozens of papers and inventions that shocked everyone. It was hard to believe they came from the mind of someone just reaching adulthood.
Ruina had been famous even as a student. Her unique alchemy had earned nods from professors and top active experts alike.
So why would this rising star, at the peak of her career trajectory, go for a professorship? The other eight couldn't wrap their heads around it. She could soar even higher just leveraging what she already had.
Rumors swirled, but no one knew the truth. Ruina was just too quiet.
Bang! The waiting room door flew open. A Tianis staff member entered.
The staffer called one name. "Mr. Raymond, please come this way."
He swallowed hard and followed. It had begun, the others thought. Once inside, results would come, and joy or sorrow would split them.
Ruina, however, remained impassive, sitting quietly as ever.
One by one, they were called to the other room. None returned to the waiting area—to avoid spoiling who passed.
Finally, Ruina's turn. "Ms. Ruina, please come this way."
She stood, smoothed her rumpled clothes, and headed next door.
Inside sat five people: the Craft Department professors she'd seen constantly over the past three years.
Ruina took the center chair. Eyes converged on her. It didn't faze her; she accepted it calmly.
The professor in the middle spoke. "Ruina, or rather..."
Realizing his slip— she'd been a student just months ago—he corrected himself. "Looking forward to working with you."
Honorifics as equals, not student-teacher. The meaning was clear.
"Professor Ruina."
"Yes."
Her flat response hid clenched fists.
'It's done...'
She was a professor now. She could protect her disciple, Kyle Arden.
Now, just one task: keep him close so her father couldn't touch him.
After that, she heard the details of her new role. Her heart raced steadily, reassuringly—just like always when she thought of her disciple.
Ruina loved that feeling.
'I want to keep feeling it.'
Yeah, it was really good.
"I'm a professor here now."
She flashed the badge marking her status. Thrusting out her hand proudly like that made me smile despite myself.
I grinned back. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"Looks brand new. Just got it?"
"Literally just now."
I nodded. Right—today was professor announcement day.
"Which year are you teaching?"
"First-years."
Made sense for a newbie. They wouldn't dump heavy responsibilities on a fresh hire.
"Congrats. Starts in three weeks?"
"Yeah."
"Should I call you Professor Ruina now?"
Her face scrunched up. "...Call me senior."
She clearly hated hearing "professor" from me. Fair enough—our dynamic made it weird. We'd been senior-junior just months ago.
"Got it, senior."
"Yeah."
Only then did she look satisfied.
"So..."
"Why beat around the bush?"
"Huh?"
"You're dodging my question."
True. I'd been avoiding it on purpose. No escaping now that she'd called me out.
"You want me as your assistant?"
"First time as professor. Need help. Teaching assistant required."
"Just hire someone."
A grad who became professor? Students would flock. No need for me—plenty of applicants.
Hell, foreign grad students might drop everything to come to Tianis for the gig. Young or not, Senior Ruina was a professor with a bright future.
"I need someone who knows me best."
"That's me?"
"Yeah. My disciple, learned my alchemy, spent tons of time with me. Only you."
It sounded like a confession. Clutching my sleeve like that? Straight out of a romance scene.
I smiled and replied. "Sorry, but no."
"...Why?"
Her face screamed disbelief. I explained.
"Not right now. Got a lot on my plate. Lectures too."
"You have time. Can skip lectures."
She pushed. Sure, as TA, I'd get exemptions. But my mind was set.
"Sorry."
"......"
Her shoulders slumped, mood darkening. Disappointed, clearly.
Yet she didn't let go of my sleeve—gripped harder.
"I'll... do better. Pay more."
"Senior. Do I look like the type to fall for that?"
She shook her head. "No. Won't work."
"Exactly."
We knew each other too well after all that time together.
"And senior."
"Yeah."
"Is that really the only reason you want me as TA? Nothing else?"
"......"
Hit the nail on the head; she went silent.
I wasn't blind to the obsession in her intent.
I knelt to meet her eyes, coaxing gently. "Wanna tell me the real reason?"
"......"
She hesitated, but soon answered.
"Dad... he's got his eye on you. He'll do something, for sure."
"Me?"
"Yeah. So I need to protect you. You're my only disciple."
Her hands trembled as she spoke. Pitiful, but admirable—standing against an absolute father figure for me.
I took her hand. "Senior. Do I look like someone who needs protecting?"
"......"
"You know my strength."
Everyone knew now, but before Monster Season, few did. Senior Ruina was one.
"And what they call me."
"Yeah, the Saint. But Dad... urk!"
She collapsed, clutching her chest, face twisting in pain.
Trying to spill on Jeras Lindel.
I cast pain relief magic immediately. But that was it—no more I could do.
A soul-bound curse. Only killing the caster lifted it.
"Senior. Don't say more."
Once calmed, she stopped. Pain gone, face relaxed.
"Better?"
"Yeah..."
"Don't push yourself."
"Not gonna ask anything?"
I smiled. "Want me to?"
"...No. Better if you don't."
"Then we're good."
Prying into secrets wasn't cool. Time to wrap up. Crowds were gathering anyway.
"Anyway, sorry about the TA thing."
"It's fine."
She shook her head but didn't give up entirely—slipped me a note.
This is my professor's office location. Recruiting until the entrance ceremony. Come if you change your mind.
I hesitated, but she forced it into my hand.
"Gotta go. Professors are busy."
She spun and left. No time for goodbyes.
Watching her go, I glanced at the note.
"Haa..."
What to do with this? Couldn't toss or rip it.
Tricky. Left a sour taste.
But I had to decide—and acted on it.
"Guess I'll hold onto it for now."
I slipped Senior Ruina's note into my inner pocket.