Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: In the Room with the Cat-Eared Professor
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The once confident and arrogant stride was nowhere to be seen. Kanf, shuffling along with her head hung low and eyes fixed on the ground, looked utterly pathetic to anyone who saw her.
-Murmurs, murmurs
-You know what happened earlier...
-I'm terrified of the first-years...
-Shh! If they hear us, we could end up like that too!
'Sigh...'
It seemed even the rumors spreading outside hadn't been fully contained by Lea.
Rubbing my throbbing head, I spoke to Kanf.
"Princess, I hope you'll explain today's events properly to the kingdom."
"Y-...Of course!"
"Answering like that will just fuel more rumors around us, won't it? Are you doing it on purpose?"
"Eek! Hohoho..."
Kanf forced a laugh, her face drained of color... She was terrible at acting.
Anyone could tell it was straight out of a 'Pretend we're buddies' scene.
I was getting annoyed at Kanf, who had ended the conversation on good terms but was acting like this on purpose.
"Argh... I barely squeezed, but it snapped right off like that."
"..."
"Are all elves that fragile?"
"....."
"Come on, if you're that upset about it, at least change your expression..."
Kanf looked like she wanted to say something but was holding back. I decided to shut my mouth.
We had arrived at the classroom door. Standing right next to it was the agent who'd delivered splendid despair to the heretic.
The agent's hand moved discreetly, tossing a cube that Lumié snatched mid-air and tucked into subspace.
I gave a nod of approval, and the agent turned and went on their way.
-Creak!
"Alright, let's review the material we'll cover this semester..."
The professor with light purple hair and cat ears, who had been boldly about to mark the two late arrivals on the attendance sheet, froze with pen in hand upon seeing our faces.
"..."
"It's fine to just mark us as tardy..."
"Ah, yes..."
-Murmurs, murmurs
'Fuck, I want to drop out.'
If this kept up, even my eventual ascension to the throne would give me headaches.
I'd expected sidelong glances, but these were definitely not the good kind.
For now, with class in session, I headed to the seat beside Lea. When Kanf tried to sit on the opposite side, I whispered softly.
"Sit next to me."
"Y-...Yes!"
We needed to at least look friendly. If she sat way over there, what would that make me?
As I sat beside Lea, she gently wrapped her hand around the back of mine.
Warmth spread through me, and from her benevolent smile came these words...
"Give up..."
"......"
"By the end of class, the rumors will have spread through the entire academy..."
"Ah..."
"Unless you kill them all, there's no other way..."
Surprisingly cold words.
How could she gut a person with such a warm face...
'I... need an image makeover.'
The lesson wasn't even registering anymore.
I sat there with a serious expression, lost in thought. The professor glanced at me and trembled slightly but quickly continued the class.
"N-Now! We've covered the explanation of mana, but the key point is how to release it properly, right?"
The professor held out her hand, and a sparkling red orb formed in her palm.
The students all marveled at her elegant mana control.
"Simply drawing mana from the circle is inefficient. The answer lies in the release process. Does anyone know?"
Puppy raised her hand at the professor's question.
Belial Orphis, who'd been thoroughly thrashed by me not long ago.
"Yes! Belial, would you care to explain?"
Puppy stood with an arrogant smile.
"If we're focusing on creating a magic circle... there are other methods, but for simple mana control..."
Black mana poured from Puppy's hand, swirling elegantly into an orb.
"I personally believe emphasizing speed and rotation is the way to go, Professor."
-Whoa...
-How'd she do that? Geniuses are just on another level...
-So cool.
'That's it!'
Seeing Puppy's smug look snapped me out of it.
The one path to becoming the model student—I'd tasted a glimpse of it.
"Excellent! That's an efficient method! Anyone else want to share their thoughts?"
The beaming professor—I raised my hand high.
"Heh heh... It's pointless... So cute."
I ignored whatever Lea muttered while eyeing my blazing gaze.
"L... Liam stu... Ahem! Would you like to share your thoughts?"
I nodded to the professor, ever professional, and stood.
"In my view..."
I held out my hand, drawing out bundles of mana threads in various glowing colors.
Beautiful multicolored mana streams flooded the classroom.
I'd added colors to make it easier for the students to see.
"Rather than flowing from a single point, I think creating multiple paths and managing them appropriately is better."
The threads from my hand twisted thickly at times, spun at others.
Eventually, the mana filling the room compressed repeatedly, forming a spool-like orb in my hand.
"The key is adapting the mana's form to the situation. For example..."
I raised the orb high, and the threads unraveled rapidly into a magic circle.
Everyone in the room gaped at the massive circle.
"The circle you're seeing contains 32 incantations."
Mana threads flew to various sections of the circle, adding brilliance.
"And if you resonate them..."
As the colors blended within the circle...
"You can manifest multiple effects simultaneously and efficiently."
The classroom plunged into darkness, only for beautiful stardust to swirl about.
The students stared blankly into space, eyes dazzled by the sparkle.
-Snap!
Darkness lifted in an instant, the glittering dust gathering in my hand and vanishing.
'How's that? Pretty badass, right?'
I looked at the professor, expecting awe and applause from the students.
'Praise me quick and make me the model student!'
From the professor staring blankly at me came...
"Um... Liam? I did read your paper 'Reflections on Mana Manipulation'... but right now..."
-What... was that...
-I... have no idea... I could see it but feel nothing...
-If it touched me, I'd die in seconds...
Turning around, I saw Puppy's eyes trembling, Ella looking ill, and the other students quaking in fear.
"Pfft...! Khk! Khk! Heh heh heh..."
Lea was clutching her stomach, head buried in her desk, barely holding back laughter.
"It was an honor to witness such a splendid demonstration... but this might be a bit much..."
[Owner... idiot... total moron.]
"...No, it's fine."
The mood shattered in an instant. I withdrew my mana and sat down.
'How... do you even make friends...'
From terrifying crown prince to monster—I swallowed tears and took my seat.
Farewell, my school days...
This was the academy, a place of learning to fill one's shortcomings.
"Ah, come in! Shall we talk while seated?"
After class, the professor who'd requested a private meeting with me—I nodded obediently and had now arrived at her office.
"Wait outside, Lea..."
"Pfft... Okay..."
[Owner, me too?]
'You're invisible anyway, so do what you want.'
Lea, still stifling laughs, got an annoyed glare from me and burst out openly laughing.
"Heh heh heh heh..."
"Haa..."
"Crown Prince?"
"Ah, yes."
At the professor's puzzled look, I quickly opened the door and closed it softly behind me.
The office was filled with wooden furniture holding various books and potions, a faint herbal scent in the air.
On the desk: 'Claire Persia.' Finally, I knew her name.
"Um... Would you like something to drink, Crown Prince?"
"Feel free to speak casually here at the academy."
"Ah! Then, Liam? Do you know why I called you?"
Probably for ruining the learning atmosphere...
Snapping out of it, embarrassment flooded me.
"I... haa... didn't mean to. It was the first class, so I got carried away and messed up."
"Mm... I didn't call you to scold you."
She looked at me like she wasn't sure what to say.
"Honestly, I thought you'd go to a different department. Your level surpasses the faculty's, so I figured there'd be no point in attending classes..."
"Personal circumstances I can't discuss..."
The others had talked me out of weapons training, and I'd just wanted combat studies. But on day one, I'd grabbed and snapped the elf princess, then flexed in class.
"Mm... I don't know the details of your situation, but I'm not blaming you. It's the student's choice what classes to take."
"Yes..."
"Still, going too far ahead can confuse the other students, you know?"
I'd aimed to show off, but now it just seemed like childish bravado.
A wave of massive embarrassment hit me.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"The students can't draw mana that thin yet..."
Seeing my downcast face, the professor smiled warmly.
"Still, thank you for participating so actively. I meant it when I said I'd read your papers."
Her white tail swayed gently.
"I'd love for you to share your knowledge with the class. How about helping with demonstrations sometimes?"
'Ah...'
She was a good person. I could see her intent to help me blend with the students.
"Knowledge has no owner... I want all eyes to shine brightly. Can you help, Liam?"
A true mentor's warm words—I nodded.
"Of course. Call on me anytime you need help."
The professor nodded, smiling contentedly.
"As expected, so mature. It's an honor to have such a bright student."
[Wanted to see you get scolded...]
'What kind of talk is that...'
I nodded back at the professor, who smiled warmly before suddenly flicking her tail and asking me a question.
"Then... could I ask for your first bit of help now?"
With her favor maxed out, I smiled and replied.
"Of course, anytime."
The professor's ears perked up, eyes sparkling.
"Ah! In that paper you presented last time..."
Watching her transform into an enthusiastic mage, I thought the empire's future was bright.
This was the academy—knowledge truly has no owner.
I smiled contentedly at the professor, whose tail swished with every explanation, and taught her meticulously.
Her tail, gazing at the paper, suddenly went rigid.
"Ah! Sorry, I've kept you too long."
"It's fine. I learn a lot from teaching too."
"Um... Could we do this again sometime..."
Her face flushed with embarrassment.
The heartwarming sight, like a mage from the Magic Tower, made me chuckle as I nodded.
"Of course, Professor Claire."