Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Wow. The Professor is a Slit-Eyed Character
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The voice belonged to a single boy.
The boy's face, covered in freckles, was extremely familiar.
It was Cromhel Barker, the one who had deserted from his own group.
'How the hell did that bastard get in?'
It was truly baffling.
Was there some reason he had broken off on his own?
At that moment, Alice murmured softly.
"Backdoor admission."
"Huh?"
When Tail asked back, Alice continued in a hushed voice.
"Looks like he took a bribe."
Tail immediately understood what Alice meant.
Well, sure.
Even on Earth, where there was no class system, people brought bribes and gifts to schools.
'No reason it wouldn't happen here.'
Besides, that guy was the second son of the Barker Count family.
The Barkers were a family of some renown.
That's why he sat arrogantly in the center of the nobles in this class, like some kind of king.
Especially while shooting Tail glares.
Staring Tail down with intense eyes, he shouted loudly.
"Hah. I wondered where I'd seen that face before, and it's that mana-hole-less commoner."
A cruel smile spread across his lips.
As if he'd just seized a weakness.
"Wow. The world's really gone to shit. A commoner without a mana hole topping the academy entrance exams."
Cromhel's words carried massive impact.
The class erupted in noise instantly.
"That guy doesn't even have a mana hole?"
"Wow. A mana-hole-less commoner as our class rep? This is nuts."
"Does that even make sense?"
"I can't even say hi to my upperclassmen. Too embarrassing."
"Isn't this the academy screwing up the selection?"
Amid the murmuring voices and the flood of cold stares, Alice grimaced, while Edan's smile deepened.
'Hah.'
Tail let out a small scoff.
It'd be tough to pipe up here with, "Nah? I actually have a mana hole?"
Even if he did have one, what good was it?
He hadn't learned any cultivation techniques yet.
Might as well not have one at all.
Cromhel smirked, clearly having orchestrated this vibe on purpose.
But then—
"Doesn't that make it even more impressive?"
A warm voice rang out loud and clear.
The students' gazes shifted behind Tail.
There stood Edan.
"He pulled off top entrance scores with pure martial prowess, no mana hole. Isn't that right?"
Edan spoke gently.
"Anyone here confident they could ace the entrance without a mana hole?"
His words held a peculiar power.
Silence fell over the room in an instant.
Then Cromhel, grinding his teeth, pressed on.
"That's exactly why the academy screwed up—"
"Cromhel Barker."
Edan's face hardened in a flash.
"You wouldn't be dismissing the academy professors' judgment, would you?"
Cromhel flinched hard.
"Th-that's..."
He couldn't find the words.
Acknowledging it would mean defying the professors.
Denying it would mean admitting he was wrong.
As Cromhel faltered, Edan flashed a bright smile.
A victorious grin that crumpled Cromhel's face.
"Wh-what the! How dare a fallen noble runt!"
Edan's expression turned frosty.
"Fallen noble? You insulting the Philoff family now?"
"Why? Mad about it? Come at me then."
The two locked fierce glares.
The atmosphere turned savage and razor-sharp in seconds.
Just as their killing-intent-laced auras were about to clash—
Clunk!
The front door swung open, and one man entered.
A man with light green hair and eyes curved into thin slits.
His eyes curved alluringly as he spoke.
"Oh my. Surely not fighting on the very first day?"
Anyone could tell he was a professor. Cromhel tsked and reined in his aura, while Edan did the same.
Tail eyed the professor and thought,
'Wow. The professor's a slit-eyed character.'
He'd heard you never mess with slit-eyed types unless you wanted big trouble.
'Gotta stay off his radar.'
As that thought crossed his mind—
'Huh?'
He felt the slit-eyed professor staring right through him.
Not hostile, not friendly.
As he puzzled over the gaze, the slit-eyed professor smiled faintly, turned to the students, and introduced himself.
"I'm Jade Pennell, your homeroom professor for Class 1 this year."
The kids buzzed instantly.
The Pennell family.
A count house that had churned out more prime ministers than any other across generations—and Jade was its current head.
Their homeroom prof was the Pennell patriarch.
The students' eyes lit up.
Jade smiled gently at them.
"Alright then. Let's start with dormitory assignments."
Pharaoh Academy's highest floor, one room.
The interior was furnished in warm tones, with one wall entirely glass.
A man stood facing the pouring sunlight.
The man by the window fixed his gaze somewhere outside.
Below, a commoner boy, an elf, and a fallen noble boy walked while chatting.
Joking around in what looked like a fun mood.
At the bizarre trio, the man let out a short hum.
"Hmm."
His cold eyes zeroed in on the commoner boy.
Then—
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
The man's voice was deep and resonant.
At his approval, the door opened.
In walked the light green-haired man.
Jade Pennell.
First-year Class 1 homeroom professor.
His eyes curved narrowly as he spoke.
"I've come to report."
The man gave a short nod.
Jade dipped his head slightly and continued.
"Tensions arose between the noble and commoner cliques, centered on Cromhel Barker and Edan Philoff. Full integration looks unlikely for now."
The man stayed silent at Jade's report.
In the heavy, quiet stillness, Jade waited without a word.
"That student?"
Jade knew exactly who he meant and pressed on.
"Ah. He seemed to spark their clash, but his reaction was milder than anticipated."
The man kept his gaze locked outside, unmoving.
He'd just seen the commoner boy laughing below.
Then Jade spoke hesitantly.
"The backlash is too fierce. Frankly, I'm questioning if pushing ahead like this is wise."
Jade continued deliberately.
"Edan Philoff was originally the top candidate, but you didn't switch it."
"..."
The man didn't budge or speak.
Jade kept addressing him.
"I don't get it. Will this really reshape the academy's—no, the empire's—future...?"
The man's lips parted slowly.
"Then keep watch."
Jade cut off immediately.
"See what kind of student that boy is. And how he'll change this world."
Not taking his eyes off the now-distant commoner boy, the man murmured low.
"Witness it yourself and judge."
Jade smiled faintly and bowed.
"Understood."
Jade soon exited, and the door shut.
Click.
Alone now, the man murmured softly.
"I'm expecting great things."
A student's name escaped his lips.
"Tail."
"Tail! We're roommates!"
Yujin spotted Tail, waved wildly, and came running.
Seeing Alice and Edan beside him, Yujin's eyes went wide.
"Huh?"
Yujin beamed.
"Edan-nim?"
"Fancy running into you here! Great to see you!"
Then, from behind that beaming Yujin, someone stepped out.
Familiar short orange hair and huge, clear green eyes.
Paired with porcelain skin and beauty so stunning it was hard to believe she was a girl.
"Huh...?"
Tail's eyes widened.
Riki...
"Riki?"
Riki Gord.
The student who'd been on the same team as Alice and Cromhel.
Riki smiled brightly at Tail's words.
"Long time no see, Tail. Had no idea you were buddies with Yujin."
Yujin's eyes rounded in shock.
"Whoa, really? Tail, you know Riki?"
"Yeah. Same team."
The two were clearly thick as thieves already, speaking casually.
"You drop the formalities too, Tail. We'll be living together—keeps things comfy without all the honorifics."
Fair enough.
"Sure."
But one thing in Riki's words bugged him.
"Living together?"
Tail echoed, and Riki grinned.
"Yup. The three of us are roomies."
Yujin lit up.
"Sweet! Rooming with my best buds!"
As Yujin bounced around thrilled, Alice spoke up first.
"Then I'll go scout the dorm spots."
"I'll check my room too. Catch you tomorrow, Tail-nim!"
Edan dipped out as well.
Yujin, Riki, and Tail headed straight for the dorms.
"Brought some glass candies, just in case."
At Riki's words, Yujin's eyes sparkled.
"Whoaaa! Glass candy! Can I snag just a nibble?"
"If Yujin's asking, obviously."
Riki smiled softly, sending Yujin hopping mad with joy.
"Still, I'm so glad you're my roommate, Riki."
Riki burst into giggles at that.
"Same here. Total relief."
They gazed at each other and grinned wide.
Oblivious to their vibe, Tail chuckled and quipped,
"Hey, Yujin. Keep chowing down on that junk, and your teeth'll rot out."
Yujin's face scrunched up.
"You little shit!"
Thwack!
His back burned like fire.