Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: I Became the Academy's Mad Professor - 2
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The lighting illuminating the podium flickered unsteadily.
Under the vertically pouring light, deep shadows draped across the mage's face. Yet his eerie red eyes, glowing as if emitting their own light, and the faint smile tugging at one corner of his mouth stood out in stark clarity.
Some saw it as a sneer, others as delight, and still others as a bitter grin.
The mage was quite tall. His forearms, visible through the flowing sleeves, were pale and slender. There were no traces of training. Perhaps due to his lifeless skin tone, he looked even gaunter compared to his build.
As the academy students' gazes fixed on this bizarre mage in response to the question about their dreams, he remained utterly composed even before the piercing stares of hundreds. Shrugging his shoulders and sweeping his hand across the lectern—every motion was natural.
As if no one was there before him. Or as if such gazes meant nothing at all. After the chilling silence had fully ripened, the mage finally spoke his first words.
He did not introduce himself.
"I stand here with two goals: strengthening defenses against Illusion Magic... and supplementing practical combat experience."
Instead, he spoke of his objectives. Even without using a magic tool to amplify his volume, the mage's voice reached their ears as clearly as a whisper.
"But to achieve these goals... I needed to convince you all. Why we must prepare for Illusion Magic. And whether the mage before you has the skills to warrant it."
He spoke in a formal yet soft and friendly tone, as if addressing a longtime friend.
But precisely because of that.
"So I gifted you dreams... though about 30% of you don't look too pleased. That's fine. Even if you didn't realize it was an illusion, there's no need to feel disappointed in yourselves. We'll improve quickly if we work together."
Combined with his oddly off-kilter manner of speaking, it created a strange sense of dissonance, like forcing mismatched puzzle pieces together.
Saintess Tara shot up from her seat. She glanced around. The students in the lecture hall all wore similar expressions. There was no doubt everyone had seen a 'happy dream.'
Was he confessing that he had unleashed dream demons upon the academy? Recalling her unpleasant dream, Tara furrowed her brow and spat out her anger.
"So... you're saying you showed us that damned dream? To everyone attending this lecture?"
"That's right. It was a little event to spark your learning enthusiasm. Ah, as for the empty seats in the lecture hall... no need to worry. It's not because the magic went wrong and trapped them in dreams. They're under investigation for suspected black magic."
"That's not what I'm talking about! Releasing dream demons in the academy—are you insane?!"
"A misunderstanding. It was Illusion Magic."
"Unbelievable. You think you can brush it off with that lame lie...? Hiding a demon sword in the academy—you planning to make some crude excuse for that too?"
The students buzzed with murmurs.
At the saintess's denunciation, unrest spread among the students. But the mage, as if relieved, let out a sigh and extended his hand into empty air as if receiving something.
The air rippled, and a ponytail woman in a suit appeared, handing him a thick stack of documents before withdrawing. The mage used Telekinesis to send it floating toward the saintess.
With Saintess Tara's insight, she couldn't discern if the pile of documents was genuine or fake. One thing was clear: the Second Prince's authorization. The thick authority of the imperial family protected the mage.
"Is that explanation sufficient?"
"...Even if we assume everything's legal. Even if you somehow pulled it off by some unknown method! That doesn't change the fact that you toyed with the students' minds. Because of what you showed me, I had the worst morning ever!"
"I distinctly designed the magic to let you experience your most desired moment... I sincerely apologize. Could you perhaps tell me what happened?"
"...!!"
The students' gazes converged on the saintess. She flinched, her body trembling.
"There's no way I could say that...!"
"I see."
The mage nodded as if understanding. The saintess, at a loss for words, stammered before biting her lower lip in frustration and sitting back down. Niole patted her shoulder helplessly.
Bennett thought: The saintess must have dreamed the 'ardently desired dream' just like him, wounded by the gap between that happy dream and harsh reality. The fault was clear. But.
The mage's cunning ploy had sealed the saintess's lips.
Most students, unaware it was an illusion, had simply enjoyed the happy dream. They'd be baffled. To publicly condemn the mage for insulting them, one would need to reveal what happened in their dream for any persuasiveness.
Mere claims of 'feeling bad' wouldn't carry weight.
But they couldn't speak. In Bennett's case, last night's dream contained his most fatal secrets and weaknesses. If the saintess was in the same boat, she couldn't possibly say it.
It would be like ripping out one's own heart and laying it bare.
Even attempts to pressure him using the saintess's position were nearly impossible. Her reputation was already tarnished by her eccentric behavior, and behind the mage loomed the Second Prince. Plus, the demon sword issue was countered by the Violet Magic Tower Master's name.
The mage surveyed the auditorium, as if asking if anyone else had anything to say.
As it quieted, he calmly continued.
"Illusion Magic can be fatally dangerous like this. You will explore ways to build stable mental barriers by experiencing various illusions with me... Everyone convinced? Good."
Clack. Clack.
The mage walked to the center of the podium. From his bosom, he pulled vials of various reagents and spilled them on the floor. He was about to cast a spell.
Bennett gripped his sword hilt, ready to draw. He was the professor, Bennett the student. Professors teach students, they don't harm them... But that mage's actions were far too suspicious to trust such common sense.
His premonition was correct.
As the incantation continued, chaotic colors oozed from the puddle of spilled reagents, then exploded outward in all directions.
Space was being overlaid. Students murmured, looking around. The auditorium building had transformed into a bizarre otherworld before they knew it.
Doors densely covering the ceiling, floor, and walls. Under desks, inside textbooks, on someone's whiteboard—even.
"...Doors on the chairs?"
"What are you looking at?!"
Hundreds of doors sprouted indiscriminately within the area, regardless of location.
A feast of doors. Yet the original building's entrances and exits were nowhere to be found. Curious or impatient students grabbed and opened doors at random.
-KIIIEEEEEEK!
"GYAAAAH!!"
The doors led to unexpected places or spat out monsters—traps galore. For the students, it was like being suddenly thrown into a dungeon. Watching the panicked students, the mage quietly said,
"Find the exit and leave, and class ends."
Crimson Tower mage Selvier shrieked.
"What the hell are you doing?! From the first class! And what's with that weird speech?!"
"You have no time. My role is to create time for you. Didn't you wish for trials and tribulations?"
"Ugh... That was just, somehow, in the heat of the moment...!"
Bennett unwittingly glared at Selvier. The content wasn't special, but the Crimson Tower mage wore the guilty expression of someone who'd unwittingly triggered a massive trap ensnaring everyone.
The students grasped the rules. The mage wanted them to conquer this labyrinth. Faced with the sudden crisis, they responded in their own ways.
"Let's pool our strength and break through together!"
"Killing the caster dispels the magic, so attacking the professor is the answer!"
"Doors might be traps. Break through the walls instead...!"
Bennett surveyed the chaotic space, quietly organizing his thoughts. He didn't know the mage's exact goal. But considering his speech, refusal to reveal his name, Alexon's testimony of his swordsmanship... and turning the lecture hall into a labyrinth.
He was undoubtedly a madman teetering on the edge.
Hidden from sight, I smiled contentedly as I watched the students enthusiastically navigate the Illusion Magic. Glad they seemed to like it.
I'd cleared up the misunderstanding with the saintess too. I thought it might take longer, but luckily the paper and order arrived right on time, letting me submit evidence successfully.
Soon, students would flock saying 'I want to learn Illusion Magic.'
My checklist was all checks. The only flaw: the saintess didn't like the happy dream I showed her. I skimped on capacity when crafting the spell, skipping the recording function.
So I don't know what dreams the students had. Where did I go wrong? Maybe visit the saintess separately and ask.
Hmm. I was a bit lacking in consideration. If her dream featured something like short-pants shota, it'd be embarrassing to mention in front of others.
Regrets are fertilizer for tomorrow. Grow. For an objective evaluation, I asked Pingbalrez beside me.
"Pingbalrez, how was today's class?"
"You seemed like a madman."
"Where?"
"Why not just speak normally like always?"
No, but. First class of my life, I was nervous, embarrassed. Without the concept, I might've stuttered several times.
Besides, every academy has its share of shady professors, right?
Moreover, thinking deeply, it wasn't that shady. Hadn't he rounded up a bunch of black mages? That makes him a good guy.
"Hmm..."
But I'd heed the advice. Maybe I overdid the acting and short-circuited my brain. Next class, approach friendly in my true self.
Class thoughts done.
Now for the most important: Otherworld Exploration. Only three applicants. I'd left it open for anytime sign-ups, so more might come.
For now, three.
Scenario ready. Exciting basic Call of Cthulhu. Previous sessions lacked intros and went freestyle. This time, with ample time, proper setup.
Start with intro.
"Pingbalrez, one favor."
"Chest up is fine."
"Wh-what. I'm sending applicants to the otherworld. Not sure how much to explain. Mind going first?"
"Recon mission?"
"More like tourism. Nothing dangerous, just tour around... and write a report for latecomers."
"Sure. Expect rewards."
Pingbalrez, back briefly from the simulation, looked utterly exhausted. After tag with socialites and filming a hardboiled movie, understandably drained.
"You're sending students here?"
"Yeah."
Pingbalrez Yuri Lanster cursed with her eyes. Seemed she had a lot to say, but sighed it away. Then, as if it just occurred to her.
"The, participants. Is the Crimson Tower mage among them?"
"Didn't apply."
"She stirs it up and slips away alone...?"
Clenching her fist, she looked deeply wronged.
Meanwhile, I beamed. Thanks to dipping Pingbalrez briefly in the simulation, I finally remembered my friend's name.
Thought of startling her with 'Yuri,' but 'Pingbalrez' stuck to my tongue, tickling a corner of my heart, kinda embarrassing. So I dropped it. Pingbalrez suited Pingbalrez.
It was long. Time to open the third session.