The Professor's Challenge
Schud Rapens gasped for breath as he opened his eyes.
The bedsheets were soaked through with cold sweat from the night.
"H-help us!"
"Senior! Run away!"
"No! You run! Hurry!"
The screams still echoed in his ears.
Their faces no longer came to mind, but those final cries were impossible to forget.
The professor pressed a hand to his forehead and let out a sigh.
'That dream again. So damn tiresome.'
Even the pounding headache that followed was familiar by now.
He slowly rose and approached the window.
Beneath the curtains still heavy with predawn light stretched a vast forest.
—The Eternal Forest.
The ancient cluster of vegetation, older even than the Kirchheis family, had changed not a whit.
And the incident he'd faced deep within it lingered in his mind, undimmed by time.
The tragedy where those who propped up the academy vanished without a trace, not even their bodies found.
Eternalism, hungering for revival, had plummeted like a bird with broken wings.
"Damn it……."
Schud shook his head, trying to steady his emotions.
It was ancient history now.
He had to let it go.
'The opportunity has come. A chance to restore our academy's prestige.'
The children who had chosen Eternalism over higher-ranked academies to become its disciples.
Through them, he had to raise the academy anew.
A deep breath, and one face naturally surfaced in his mind.
Among the new disciples, the boy poised to become the family head's eldest grandson.
"Kirian Kirchheis……."
The child's brilliantly sparkling blue eyes had left a profound impression.
Eyes brimming with confidence, as if nothing in this world was impossible.
'If that boy truly possesses such extraordinary talent, reviving the Eternalism academy isn't a pipe dream.'
But doubt lingered in his heart.
Was it really that remarkable a talent?
Was there some mistake in the Tomb of Books and Swords?
'I want to confirm it myself.'
Gauging their mana levels was crucial for future instruction.
So he'd scattered Gray Butterfly Wing Dust in front of the children's dorms.
A medium that conveyed pure mana, even in trace amounts.
A material dozens of times more expensive than its weight in gold, but he hadn't skimped.
'I need to check before they wash up.'
Confirming the sun rising outside, Schud headed to the room where Kirian was staying.
But moments later.
"……?"
He couldn't help furrowing his brow.
The silver powder he'd so carefully sprinkled was completely gone.
Not a single grain in sight?
'What? How is this possible?'
As he rolled his eyes in confusion, the door suddenly burst open.
Blue eyes appeared.
"Good morning, Professor Rapens."
"Kirian."
"What brings you to our dorms so early in the morning?"
The professor narrowed his eyes at the boy staring straight at him.
His thoughts tangled, leaving him speechless for a moment.
He subtly drew up his mana to probe around the boy's feet—
"……."
Almost every particle clung to Kirian.
No, it was as if he'd dumped all the scattered dust on himself.
A state so absurd it beggared belief.
'This level of talent? Really?'
Professor Rapens fell silent, at a loss for words.
The silence was broken by Mihaden emerging behind Kirian.
"Professor? What brings you here so early? Ah, are we doing endurance training on an empty stomach today? Excellent. I'm prepared."
He had no intention of endurance training.
But it gave him an out.
"Yes, that's right. Endurance training on an empty stomach today."
"Is that all you came to say?"
"……And this afternoon, there'll be a lecture on magic theory, so prepare your writing tools. You'll need notebooks too."
Managing his expression, Professor Rapens turned away.
Kirian smirked at the sight.
"Shall we start with the essence of mana? Mana is the power that fills the universe and nature, accumulated by mages……."
Professor Rapens stood at the podium, conducting the class.
As he'd forewarned the dean, it was a foundational theory lecture.
The explanations were clear and systematic—not bad in that regard.
"Now, how many types of mana are there? Mihaden, care to answer?"
"……Currently discovered are red, blue, green, yellow, purple, blue-green, white, and black—eight types. Based on last year's papers. Our family uses six, while two are taboo for various reasons."
"Correct. Very well-informed. Today, we'll cover just two of them."
The problem was how easy it was for us.
That explained Mihaden's faintly bored expression as he rattled off the answers.
'A real stickler for the basics.'
I pretended to focus while recalling the earlier incident.
When we'd met at the dorms, Professor Rapens hadn't hidden his fluster.
Because I'd been covered head to toe in Gray Butterfly Wing Dust.
He wasn't a bad person, anyway.
Just stubborn and rigid.
'If only I could soften that attitude a bit.'
And as the dean had instructed, advancing to practicals would benefit me far more.
But how?
Nothing came to mind right away.
'He even declared to the dean he had no intention of changing the curriculum.'
Why did Professor Rapens insist on basics so fiercely?
What had happened twenty years ago?
Right then.
"Haa……."
Libiel, seated beside me, let out a deep sigh that seemed to cave the earth.
Professor Rapens had just paused while explaining blue mana to catch his breath—
Libiel's emotionally charged sigh rang clearly through the entire classroom.
The professor's gaze shot over instantly.
"Is there a problem, Miss Libiel?"
A gentle but firm voice.
Libiel hesitated before speaking.
"I'll be honest. We already learned basic magic theory before entering Eternalism—thanks to the disciplinarians. I question if repeating such fundamentals is efficient."
Quite the bold statement.
But her trembling fist betrayed her nerves.
Tension rippled through the classroom.
After staring at Libiel for a moment, Professor Rapens spoke softly.
"I understand your enthusiasm, Miss Libiel. But my teaching method has its reasons."
"Wh-what reasons?"
Would we finally learn?
About the incident twenty years ago?
But the professor gave a different answer.
"Because you all are the talents who will shape our academy's future. The dean entrusted you to me repeatedly, emphasizing your importance. That's why I stress the basics."
"Pardon?"
Libiel looked utterly baffled.
In that instant, Professor Rapens's eyes changed.
"Without solid basics, handling emergencies is impossible. I remember the tragedy from such a situation. They were truly exceptional trainees……but the end was not good. Far from it."
The mood sank heavily.
Gripping the edge of the lectern, he spoke in earnest.
"I won't let history repeat. Talent that may bloom unpredictably? Better to trust me and shed blood and sweat first. I'll make you the best. Without fail."
"……."
It was more passionate than expected, silencing everyone.
Professor Rapens gazed at us steadily.
"Of course, it might be boring. But I hope you'll follow along. Understood?"
His voice carried a faint warmth, but unyielding resolve.
He intended to stick to his way to the end.
At this rate, we might spend a full year on 'basic endurance training' and 'basic theory lectures'.
'Trust and follow?'
I raised my hand right then.
"Professor, if I may make a humble suggestion?"
"What is it, Kirian?"
Professor Rapens tilted his head.
I opened with maximum politeness.
"I believe trust is mutual. We must trust each other. So, Professor, trust us and give us a chance to prove our worth."
"……How, exactly?"
I saw his eyes darken slightly.
The words about mutual trust had gotten through.
"Assign us a practical task. If we perform well, could you advance the lessons a step? According to our confirmed level."
"Hmm."
Professor Rapens stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"Somehow, it seems he's listening to you a bit?"
It would.
He'd confirmed the Gray Butterfly Wing Dust at my feet.
For others, maybe not, but for me, it was a waste of time.
Professor Rapens surely knew that.
Meanwhile, the children's reactions varied wildly.
"Well done, Kirian!"
"What are you doing? The professor just explained plenty—why butt in? As first-years, know your place."
"I dunno…… This is awkward……."
Libiel pumping her fist.
In contrast, Mihaden frowned, and Lorang looked lost.
Having finished thinking, Professor Rapens spoke.
"The practical task idea is intriguing. I agree we must trust each other. But for now……."
Was he refusing?
I quickly added,
"If we fall short of expectations, we'll do twice the basics from now on. No complaints."
"……!"
Shocked gazes pierced me like arrows.
It was unconsulted, and failure would mean chaos.
His eyes shifted at the promise of double basics.
"Interesting. Then I'll reconsider. But I should check the other students' opinions. Miss Libiel, do you agree?"
"Uh……."
Libiel hesitated slightly.
I poked her side and whispered,
"……You don't trust me?"
"I-I think it's a good idea!"
Simple persuasion success.
But Mihaden and Lorang—
"No. I believe we should follow the professor's curriculum……."
"N-neutral! I declare neutrality……."
Neither wanted to back my proposal.
I lowered my voice again.
"Scared to face me, huh? Mihaden?"
"Wh-what!?"
"Lorang, I can spread word you whined to your parents about tough classes?"
"Eek!"
Instead of persuading, I stabbed at their weak spots.
Their pitifully twisted faces were quite the sight.
Eventually, positions flipped.
"Upon reflection, Kirian's proposal isn't bad, Professor."
"Fr-from neutral to slightly in favor……."
Unanimous approval.
Professor Rapens, lost in thought, finally nodded.
"Very well. We'll have the practical as you suggested, Kirian. But if results fall short—"
He paused, staring us down piercingly.
"For a month, not double, but triple the basics. To punish your arrogance."
"……!"
A silent stir rippled through.
The children swallowed dryly.
Triple training wouldn't be easy for me either.
"The practical will be 'hunting.' Hunt as many magic beasts as possible within the time limit."
I'd expected terrain challenges or maze escapes, but beast hunting?
'Pretty tough.'
"Seems like he plans to throw you into hell?"
Not quite.
Descending from the podium, the professor's eyes held an oddly warm glint.
"First place gets a prize, so give it your all. Detailed rules tomorrow. Class dismissed."