Episode 347
Episode 347
"Still, wouldn't it be okay to drop by just once..."
Professor Garcia pretended not to hear Gainando muttering beside him and turned his gaze to Lee Han.
"If everyone wants to explore the shopping district, I'll treat you."
"Is that really alright?"
Lee Han looked at Professor Garcia with puzzlement.
Given Einrogard's atmosphere, it wasn't common for professors to buy things for their students.
Was this really okay?
"Normally, no. But exceptions can be made occasionally. I'll treat you just this once."
When Professor Garcia gave him a look, Nilia nodded in understanding.
"Is it because he's an exceptionally outstanding student that he gets an exception?"
"No. It's because he's an exceptionally pitiful student that he gets an exception."
"......"
Lee Han gloomily followed behind Professor Garcia. Feeling unnecessarily guilty, Nilia patted his shoulder.
Even amidst the bustling streets of Granden City, teeming with people of countless races, Professor Garcia stood out conspicuously.
Of course, the residents of Granden City—being from a major metropolis—didn't flee in shock or scream, "A troll! A troll has appeared in the city!" at the sight of Professor Garcia.
Instead, they calmly nodded their heads.
"Hmm. A walking troll."
"Probably a magician who underwent a magic experiment or transformed into a troll."
"You're not scared, are you? Your legs seem to be shaking."
"What are you talking about? You're the one avoiding eye contact!"
Even if they didn't run away or scream, there was no helping how stiffly their bodies froze.
"Professor."
As Lee Han whispered, Professor Garcia reassured him.
"Lee Han. You don't need to worry. I'm used to people reacting like that."
"Ah. Well... I wasn't worried. I was going to ask if I could shut those people up."
Perhaps a true disciple wouldn't worry about the professor but instead silence those who insulted him.
But Professor Garcia didn't let it slide.
"...No, you can't."
"I can't?"
"No. Take your hand off your staff."
Professor Garcia spoke sternly.
He was worried—though he didn't know who exactly (certainly not Boll)—that his student was becoming overly reliant on force.
"But those people won't stop yapping."
"I already said it doesn't matter. Here, this restaurant's steak sandwich is really delicious. I'll treat you all, so let's go in."
Professor Garcia pointed to a three-story building beside the main street.
The sturdy red-brick building had an old brass sign engraved with food illustrations hanging at its entrance, with a long line stretching in front.
'Must be a famous place.'
And when Professor Garcia stood at the very end of the line, the people ahead suddenly began politely stepping aside.
"Ah, oops... I just remembered an appointment... Please, go ahead."
"I owe a debt to a mage, so I've made it a habit to give up my spot whenever I meet one."
"......"
"......"
The students were speechless at the absurdity.
What kind of nonsense...
But Professor Garcia just shrugged. He'd seen it so often that he wasn't even surprised anymore.
"How kind of everyone. Well then, shall we go in?"
'Guess the professor really does have that Einrogard vibe sometimes.'
Lee Han stepped forward, thinking that the professor might be hurt by such reactions.
True to the professor's word, the steak sandwich was delicious. Between crispy bread lay thick, perfectly grilled steak, onions, tomatoes, and sauce, delivering a deep sense of satisfaction with every bite.
Gainando gazed at Professor Garcia with deep admiration—after all, he had effortlessly gotten them into such a popular restaurant without even waiting in line.
"Professor. You're amazing."
'This bastard has no tact.'
Lee Han considered splashing his drink on the guy in front of him.
Fortunately, Professor Garcia didn't get angry and instead answered with a laugh.
"One of the few advantages of being a troll hybrid."
"Can I become a troll hybrid too?"
"If you practice Transformation Magic diligently in the future, it's possible."
Professor Garcia cheered on Gainando.
No matter how odd the motivation, Professor Garcia always supported students who wanted to study magic.
"But I don't plan to learn Transformation Magic."
"Then it might be difficult?"
"Is there really no other magic possible?"
Professor Garcia fell into brief thought.
He was trying to recall what magic Gainando had learned.
Eventually remembering it was Black Magic, Professor Garcia spoke again.
"Even if you're not a troll hybrid, Black Mages tend to avoid peop— Ah. Never mind."
Professor Garcia realized he'd misspoken.
There was no need to explain the sad reality of Black Mages to a student learning Black Magic.
Gainando didn't notice, but Lee Han had already caught on.
'I understand, Professor.'
Lee Han gave a knowing look. Professor Garcia felt terribly apologetic.
"...Eat your sandwich. Lee Han. Drink something too. Want vanilla egg cream? Or soda ice cream?"
"I'm really fine."
Lee Han felt bad about making Professor Garcia feel guilty.
Other professors were at fault, so why was Professor Garcia like this?
Of course, Professor Garcia wasn't completely blameless, but compared to other professors, he might as well have been an angel.
"I'm having so much fun right now. Right, Nilia?"
"Huh? Uh. Y-yeah. Fun? Wow. Really fun."
Nilia, who had been drinking a milkshake, floundered in her reply. She nearly spilled her glass in the process.
Suddenly, Professor Garcia's expression changed.
"Everyone, keep eating. I'll step out for just a moment."
"?!"
As Professor Garcia quickly walked out of the restaurant, the friends turned to Nilia.
"Why did you answer like that?!"
"H-he asked so suddenly! I didn't think!"
"Do you think the professor is mad?"
"...Y-Yoner. Switch seats with me. I want to sit next to Lee Han."
"Stop talking nonsense and stay put, Gainando."
Lee Han grew curious.
Why had Professor Garcia suddenly walked out?
'Did he spot someone he knows?'
But his expression had been unusually stiff for that.
"Professor Kraer. Hurry. Huh? Faster."
"Ah, if you keep yapping, I'll shove tree bark down your throat, deal or no deal, so watch it!"
Professor Kraer, who taught Divination Magic at Einrogard, spoke in an irritated voice.
He wasn't particularly close with Professor Verdus even normally, but right now, Professor Kraer's foul-tempered personality was at the surface. He had no patience left to endure Professor Verdus's whining.
But Professor Verdus wasn't one to back down either.
"Fine, fine. Shove it if you must, just hurry up and find it already."
"......"
Suppressing a curse, Professor Kraer tried to pull divination sticks from his counting tube.
Judging by how the range had been narrowing since earlier, they were almost there.
Just one or two more tries...
"What kind of nonsense are you two up to right now?"
"......"
"......"
Even Professor Verdus flinched at the voice that came from behind, shrinking in place. At the sound of it, Professor Kraer's foul-tempered personality quickly retreated below the surface.
The timid personality, forcibly dragged out, cursed the other one internally and began making excuses.
"P-Professor Garcia..."
"Are any other personalities going to pop out right now?"
"......"
The foul-tempered personality resurfaced again.
Professor Garcia glared at the two and asked.
"What were you doing here?"
"We were doing a divination..."
Professor Verdus answered hesitantly.
"What kind of divination?"
"Fortune Sticks Divination..."
It was a method of divination where one drew bamboo sticks from a container to read the future. Skilled Divination mages could interpret all sorts of omens through Fortune Sticks Divination.
If it was Professor Paselet Kraer—a master among masters—he should have been perfectly capable of locating a single student.
"I was wrong! I admit it! Professor Garcia! Please forgive me just this once! Aren't we friends?"
"My friend is your other personality, not you, so shut up."
Professor Kraer clamped his mouth shut. Professor Garcia's tightly clenched fist was terrifying.
"Were you two trying to find a student in exchange for payment just now?"
Professor Garcia had already pieced together the situation.
Professor Verdus was one of the people at Einrogard who possessed an exceptionally large number of Artifacts, so it was entirely possible he'd wagered one to request Professor Kraer's help.
While Professor Kraer's sane personality wouldn't accept such a dangerous proposal, his other personalities weren't so restrained.
That foul-tempered personality had undoubtedly jumped at the offer.
"Yeah..."
"What did I say when I sent you away last time?"
"To meet after the semester starts..."
"Then why?"
"I couldn't help it..."
"......"
Professor Garcia was at a loss for words at Professor Verdus's shameless reply.
Well, what was the point of threats against a madman who spoke his mind even in front of the Skeleton Principal?
The fact that he was even pretending to listen to Professor Garcia now was a blessing in itself.
"Go back. You can meet after the semester starts."
"But then the others will try to split the time."
"They're not 'others,' they're other professors, and splitting time is only natural, isn't it?"
"But my magic is more important than those other guys'—"
"Please, for the love of god, shut your trap."
Professor Kraer's foul-tempered personality whispered desperately.
While Professor Verdus might not value his life, the foul-tempered personality cherished his dearly.
"I'm begging you both. Please just go back."
As soon as permission was granted, Professor Kraer quickly turned to leave with Professor Verdus in tow.
His expression clearly showed his fear that Professor Garcia might change her mind and unleash her wrathful iron fist at any moment.
Professor Garcia sighed as she watched them leave.
She had expected Professor Verdus to be disobedient, but she hadn't thought he'd act up again so soon—within just a few days.
'...Surely the other professors aren't like this too, right?'
"Ah. You're back, Professor Garcia. Did something happen?"
Under the students' worried gazes, Professor Garcia lied.
"I ran into someone I know and talked for a bit."
"Wow. You really do have a lot of friends, Professor."
Nilia marveled.
At the professor level, did every passerby on Granden City's main street turn out to be someone you knew?
"Not that many. If everyone's finished eating, shall we get going? What would you like to drink? Alcohol? Coffee? Tea?"
"Tea sounds good."
"Perfect. I know a nice teahouse."
Professor Garcia led the students to her regular teahouse.
Unlike the earlier restaurant, this one was tucked deep into an alley, exuding a relatively quiet atmosphere. Beyond the ivy-covered wooden walls, the rich aroma of tea leaves wafted out.
"I like the oolong tea here. Everyone should try— Wait. Everyone, keep eating. I'll step out for just a moment."
"???"
As Professor Garcia stood up again and headed outside, the students exchanged looks of confusion and bewilderment.
What on earth was going on with her?