Chapter 69
Chapter 69
69th Episode
DLC [Professor of the Heroic Tale]: Mid-Term Summary (2)
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Scene # 1 - Kaiser
Scene # 2 - Assistant ◀
Scene # 3 - How Did It Come to This
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Before long, Academy District 9 began to be developed into a tourist attraction.
Dozens of Earth-Construction Mages were put to work, and buildings and facilities were erected in a flash.
Among them, a large sign appeared.
「 Cain's Christmas Tree 」
Its abbreviation is 'Cain Tree'.
For the past few days, the department had been showing me branding symbols and merchandise for approval.
Since the royal decree was issued the day before yesterday, numerous domestic tourists have been flocking in over the past few days.
“Wow, there are so many people?”
“Indeed.”
Adele and I headed to District 9, observing the tourists. From the airship terminal to the buses, crowds disembarked from countless vehicles to see the tree, then headed to nearby restaurants, and enjoyed themselves by buying merchandise.
“It’s amazing, the person called Professor Cain, the Head Professor… How did they create something so grand?”
“Indeed.”
“But the name seems to have some relation to me. ‘Cain and Adele.’ Ahaha. They must know what they’re doing!”
“…Indeed.”
Adele did not know that I was the owner of this tree.
Everything from the research to the final presentation had been done in secret,
and I had kept it hidden even after that.
Meanwhile, as per my plan, numerous Illusionists appeared in District 9. They entered [Fantasy Land] and added decorations to the Christmas tree with their Illusion Magic.
Thus, giant decorations were being created on the Cain Tree in real-time.
Ornament balls (red spheres symbolizing apples). Candy canes. Symbols of the stars they each worshipped (like star decorations). Ribbons. Garlands. Bells. Snow decorations. Stockings. Gift boxes, and so on…
Christmas had already passed, and I wondered what the meaning of this was, but seeing the tree slowly being completed made me feel good.
The Academy, which until recently was filled with an atmosphere of death. But how is it now?
The tourists are enjoying themselves. Some of the students from the Magic Department were also drafted as part-time workers and were showcasing their skills here and there, so smiling faces could be seen everywhere.
Vitality is blooming.
At Hiaka Academy.
“Wow, this tree is huge? Up close, it’s really…”
“Hiaka made this? Professor Cain? Khhh…”
“My child is also in District 0. I was so worried when I heard about the war not too long ago. They say an Imperial noble is visiting tomorrow.”
The tourists chatted amongst themselves.
Adele watched them with curiosity beside me.
It was truly an unexpected tourist spot.
There were groups of elderly people, couples laughing as they watched their son spread his arms to gauge the size, and couples walking hand in hand. Adele’s gaze lingered particularly on the couples.
“Oh, you handsome young man!”
At that moment, a tourist approached me and held out a crystal ball.
“Could you take a picture for me?”
“Ah, yes…”
I handed it to Adele.
“Huh? I’m taking it?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not very good at taking pictures, though.”
I handed it to her, thinking she might be better than me.
“Is… is this it? Hmm~ Like this?”
Adele took pictures diligently.
The results were disastrous.
“Ugh? What is this! Ahaha!”
“What is it, what is it? Wow! Ahahaha! Young lady, you’re taking pictures like this to make us laugh, right?”
“I… I took them diligently…”
Adele laughed awkwardly, having provided great amusement to the tourists.
So, I had to take the pictures again.
“By the way, are you two a couple?”
“Yes? Us?”
“You’re pretty and handsome, you look good together.”
“Ah, no, no! This is the Professor, and I’m the assistant…!”
“Ah. That’s funny, though?”
“Yes?”
“Kyaaha! Sister, what are you talking about~!”
“Oh dear, my wife is being silly. I’m sorry! Come here, dear. Stop bothering these perfectly fine young people…!”
After they left, Adele chuckled.
“They must have thought we were on a date.”
“Perhaps so.”
“It’s fun. Experiencing things like this… I’ve actually never held a man’s hand before.”
That was surprising. I thought there would be many people who would follow Adele around.
Adele sat on the railing of the high observation deck.
As the wind blew, her hair fluttered.
“Professor, do you have a girlfriend?”
“Do you think I do? You know my schedule well.”
“Ah. Right, we’ve been busy continuously. But Professor, is there a reason you’re not dating?”
“You just said it. Because I’m busy.”
“What if you weren’t busy?”
“…This place really is a tourist spot. You’re saying all sorts of things. If I weren’t busy, well. I’ve never even considered dating or marriage.”
Come to think of it, that was true.
I had never once in my life.
Perhaps dating or marriage seemed like a luxury for those who had something to spare.
People who have something to share,
can they not share their hearts as well?
There weren’t zero opportunities.
Not many, but thankfully, there was someone who told me they liked me.
But, well…
When was the right time?
My teens, when I’d lie down and sleep at school, trying to hide bruises?
My early twenties, when I’d make steamed eggs by mixing an egg into the ramen broth I’d saved to make two meals for 1,500 won?
My late twenties, when I was called to my advisor’s house and got my hand cut on a grater while making kimchi, only to be scolded?
‘…Geez, I’ve lived a pathetic life.’
At that moment, Adele said with a smile,
“But, actually. I hope you don’t date if you’re not dating, Professor.”
“Why?”
“You shouldn’t waste your time on such things. Your talent is too precious for that.”
“That is true.”
“Oh my? How arrogant~”
Adele giggled.
“And if you had a girlfriend, wouldn’t she be jealous of us?”
“Because of the shared residence?”
“It’s called shared residence, but it’s actually cohabitation, isn’t it? Professor, you’re actually living with a woman. And not just any woman, but a capable, confident, and charming one.”
Adele poked her cheek with her finger.
Then her expression suddenly stiffened for a moment.
I turned my head.
“Well.”
“…Oh my, oh my? Well? Charm aside, isn’t the capability accurate? I’m an S-class assistant, after all.”
“Well.”
“You can’t deny it, can you? You know it too, Professor. I’m the best among the assistants. I work well. I’m quick-witted. I drive well. Honestly, you won’t find another assistant like me. Admit it?”
“…Well.”
As I kept deflecting, Adele pouted and shook her head.
“Or not? Honestly. Some people try so hard to get your approval. Others try all day and can’t even get a word of praise…”
Adele began to grumble incessantly.
“Still, you are the best assistant I’ve seen.”
“Oh. Really?”
For those words, Adele was truly delighted.
It was such a moment.
As I was about to suggest we leave,
Adele’s expression had become a little stiff.
“Why?”
“Then, Professor…”
She said in a subdued voice,
“You won’t abandon me, will you…?”
“What?”
Adele’s gaze lowered slightly.
“Um, well… You’ve already had several senior professors in just two or three months, haven’t you? If, by any chance, you become even more successful…”
At that moment, the [crystal ball] rang loudly.
It was an urgent summons from Dean of Assassination Shaman.
* * *
Shaman and Ezekiel were in the Dean’s office.
“Hohoho. Come in. I’m sorry to call you on a holiday?”
Thick jowls. Round glasses and a cute mustache.
But his build was not like that.
Dean of Assassination Shaman Kreutz.
He offered a friendly smile.
“It’s alright. But what is the matter?”
“Professor Dante, you submitted the application for Head Professor the other day, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I did.”
‘Head Professor’ and ‘guidance’ mean that a professor creates their own Assassination Squad and nurtures them intensively.
Students belonging to the Assassination Squad learn from the professor and are deployed outside for numerous assassination requests and operations.
In the process, the students’ achievements are simultaneously recorded as the professor’s achievements, and the student’s success is recorded as the professor’s success.
Naturally, this is the main story of the Professor’s Tale, and I had applied yesterday to create my own Assassination Squad.
And now.
┃ Main Quest [Head Professor]
┃ Reward: Star Fragment (Can be greatly increased or decreased depending on the students’ reputation.)
A main-class quest appeared.
‘A main quest that synergizes with the [Betting Table].’
This is the event where one can collect the most Star Fragments.
At the same time, it is also the riskiest.
If a student dies or their reputation as an assassin is ruined, I, as the professor, will also face significant disadvantages from [Systematicity⧉].
Of course, I had made some preparations for this.
“……”
However, Shaman’s expression was not good.
His eyes behind the round glasses were filled with worry.
“What is wrong?”
“Can’t you not do it?”
“…What?”
“Can’t you not do it? Head Professor.”
“Is there a reason?”
“What if you go out there and die?”
“……”
Dean of Assassination Shaman is like this.
He is a monstrous assassin who has reached 100 years old, but
his face looks like a 50-year-old neighborhood bakery owner,
and his personality is indeed like that.
“Dean, I fully understand your concern, given how much is at stake for me.”
“Let’s not do it. Okay?”
“I appreciate your considerate words, but I am not someone who dies so easily. Furthermore, there are many things I must do outside.”
“No, don’t go.”
“I am aware that Hiaka Academy is in a rather dangerous situation. Please trust me and leave it to me. I can take the lead and achieve good results in the academic exchange and student exchange programs with the Empire—”
“Don’t go! Just stay here!”
“……”
There was nothing I could say when the old man threw a tantrum.
This person is also somewhat like Galua, the Head Professor.
“I don’t want to.”
“Ah, seriously!”
Shaman burst into frustration.
“What if you die then? Cain won’t be here! What about Hiaka’s [Illusion Magic]? What about the peace talks?”
“I will not die, Dean.”
“That’s easy to say. If I swing my sword right now, you’ll die here!”
“The reason I came here is because I am confident that the Dean will not kill me.”
“I won’t, but what about Ezekiel? Ezekiel might kill you!”
“What nonsense are you spouting. Old man Shaman. Even with my magical clairvoyance, this friend won’t die easily—”
“You be quiet! What does a shield stand know!”
“…That’s too much.”
“You don’t have to worry, Dean. I will not die.”
“……”
“……”
As I kept resisting, Shaman became a grumpy bakery owner.
It felt like thirty Jean Valjeans had visited.
“……”
“……”
“You know, you remind me of my younger days.”
“…Do I?”
“I was also brave and had a lean physique, not fearing the world like you.”
“…Even now, you are, quite….”
“…I’m sorry.”
“……”
“……”
“……”
“……”
“…Still brave.”
“So. Have you picked out any students?”
“Yes.”
“Who? The list.”
“Balmung, Gray, and Elise.”
That’s right.
It was time to guide the Hidden Dragon Society.
“It’s getting more interesting the more I see it. Even a rat like you has appeared.”
At that moment, Ezekiel, who was standing next to me, said something that was hard to distinguish as praise or not. I couldn’t say that a shield stand was evaluating an assassin.
“Alright, for now. Tsk! You may go.”
With an expression dripping with displeasure, Shaman waved his hand.
His thick jowls swayed left and right.
“Yes, then.”
But as I was about to go outside, a mana unique to Archmages, called [Telepathic Whisper], flew to my ear. Ezekiel had initiated a private message to me.
< Professor Dante. >
< Yes. >
< Do you know that? >
A question without explanation.
However, I nodded.
< I know. >
< ……. >
Ezekiel’s eyes narrowed. His posture, crossing his arms in bewilderment, was elegant.
I had seen the [Script], so I knew what he was about to say,
and before he could even harbor such thoughts, I had already grasped the truth of the situation he was about to mention.
There is a ‘spy’.
Very close to me.
< How much do you know? >
< As much as the department has grasped, I should know as well. >
< What do you plan to do? >
< I plan to watch and see, but what does the Dean plan to do? >
< He wants a disposal. Old man Shaman does. >
< ……. >
I pondered for a moment and replied.
< It is too early. >
< Too early? >
< May I ask one thing? To what extent has the department identified the spy’s information? >
< Nothing has been identified yet. Whether they are Kreutz’s spy or not. However, it was information from the [Register⧉]. What about you? >
< I know about the same level as the Dean. >
Whether a spy or not, it is certainly an ‘anomalous existence’.
There is no evidence, and their whereabouts are unknown.
Such was the situation for me and the department.
< Instead of rashly killing them at a time like this, it would be better to watch a little longer and investigate the spy’s base, objective, accomplices, and the reason for their prolonged inactivity. >
Archmage Ezekiel’s lips twitched subtly.
< You said you were thirty? You are a monster. In many ways. >
< You flatter me. >
< Then, I will leave this situation to you. However, if the spy poses a threat to you, I may intervene first. My [Curse] has just been cast upon the target. >
After that, Ezekiel added,
< Kill them at an appropriate time. >
I bowed my head and went outside.
“Oh, oh! Professor!?”
Then, my loyal assistant, who had been waiting in the hallway, greeted me.
“What happened, suddenly? Was everything alright?”
Adele asked with a slightly frightened expression.
“Nothing happened.”
“Really?”
What I said to Ezekiel was sincere. The need to identify the objective and find accomplices was all true.
However, I could not deny that a small fragment of emotion was mixed within it.
“Hoooh… I was so surprised.”
“Surprised?”
“Of course! A sudden summons from the Deans, a 1:1 meeting in the Dean’s office! I thought something happened to you…!?”
“You worry about trivial things.”
“Yes?”
Then Adele put her arm on her hip as if angry.
“It’s not a trivial worry! What if you were to resign from teaching or receive disciplinary action…! Especially since many professors have already left…!”
“It’s fine. Even without me, it doesn’t concern you much.”
“Are you serious?? Of course not! We haven’t been together for just a day or two. If you disappear, I’ll really cry…!”
Adele’s cheeks were flushed as she spoke angrily.
Was it because the early winter air was cold?
I looked into her brown eyes.
“That won’t happen. Put your worries aside.”
“Yes… Then shall we go eat? We’re starving after wandering around District 9 since morning.”
“Yes. Let’s eat.”
Then Adele started walking cheerfully.
● Assistant Adele [Curse]
Staring blankly at her retreating back, I also started walking.
“What do you want to eat?”
“Whatever the Professor wants to eat~”
Adele said that and then laughed sheepishly, because she knew that even though she said that every day, she would be the one to pick what she wanted to eat.
“……”
How should I kill this one.