Chapter 124
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Professor Rommel's Dilemma
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"At this rate, we won't even be able to run the exam properly. It's like all the colleagues in an office deciding to help each other out."
"It's fine."
Even in this dire situation, he had no intention of telling her the truth.
Many cadets had already prepared diligently for the exam. He absolutely had to prevent Professor Rommel's inadequate preparations from turning the test unfair or a complete farce.
He knew full well that joining hands with Professor Vivien carried a high risk of the former scenario.
"Well, if you're not interested, no helping it. But Professor Rommel, the academy's higher-ups are voicing concerns. If the exam gets delayed or turns into a total mess, you'll have to handle all the complaints pouring in from every direction yourself."
She flashed a sly smile, left word that he could contact her anytime, and departed.
"Damn it..."
Professor Rommel crumpled the documents on his desk with a crunch.
"At this point, the only option left is... to request personnel from a skilled guild..."
The downside was they were outsiders, not entirely trustworthy.
That was when it happened.
Bzzz... bzzzz!!
Someone was calling through his personal communication artifact.
"This is Professor Bismarck Rommel. Who might...?"
Activating the artifact, he flinched at the voice that followed.
The caller was once his student—one with excellent grades, fair and kind despite her eccentricities.
But to him, that student was also a somewhat burdensome figure.
-Professor, you need help, right? In return, I have a favor to ask.
"...I don't take bribes."
-It's not a bribe. Professor, there's a student on the verge of expulsion. If you could pull some strings, they could return to the academy.
Should he join hands with this devilish troublemaker of a former student...?
On the surface, it sounded like something he ought to grant without any deal.
Rommel's brow furrowed.
"The Imperial Academy really has an air of prestige to it."
"It does. The imperial family spares no support for it. Come this way first. That path is only for students, so outsiders like us use this one."
Through the grand main gate, academy cadets in their uniforms came and went.
They ranged mostly from mid-teens to late teens.
The Imperial Academy allowed enrollment at any age within limits.
Aurora, Melissa, and Melissa's friend Lilia Verne had entered a bit earlier than average, from what I knew.
"Lord Cascadia Count was a top student. Even here, juniors and seniors alike acknowledged her."
There were plenty of geniuses on par with Melissa in the world.
But she had stood out in this academy of prodigies through sheer bloody effort.
"Of course, one professor helped her a great deal in that process."
"Ah, I've heard the story."
"Professor Bismarck Rommel. He's a bit strict... but honest and a good man."
Isna spoke plainly as she led Luna and me to a small building.
"Melissa's leave of absence is currently under Professor Rommel's discretion."
"Then let's go meet him right away."
"You sure? We could look around a bit first..."
"Better to handle business first, then play."
At my response, she smacked her lips and led us to the research annex nearby.
Professor Rommel's private lab was a bit removed from the main academic building.
It wasn't lavish or bustling with visitors.
"Professor~ It's me. Long time no see."
Had she already told him we were coming?
Isna knocked, and the door creaked open to reveal a weary-looking man.
"Hoo... Lady Isna..."
"Come on, you'd think I was about to devour you. Call me like old times. We're teacher and student, after all."
"...I don't want to hear that from anyone else but especially not you. Do you think the incidents you caused were just one or two? When you graduated early, I popped champagne. Big time."
He sighed deeply, but Isna just beamed innocently.
That was pure chaos.
She acted like she had no clue right from wrong.
Of course, judging by Rommel's demeanor alone, faint smile lines betrayed his words.
Thinking about it, despite her antics, few seemed to truly dislike her.
"By the way, who are these two?"
"Ah, late on introductions. This is Leon Cascadia, brother of Melissa Cascadia. And this is my healer, Luna Basilyn Raphaelria."
At my introduction, his eyes widened.
He seemed startled at first glance at me, then properly noted Luna as she pulled back her robe's hood—and looked quite shocked.
Luna's appearance certainly drew eyes, for better or worse.
Her eyes especially, regardless of age or gender.
"Ahem! Hm."
Knowing it wasn't polite to stare, he cleared his throat awkwardly and averted his gaze.
Luna, oblivious, just grabbed a handful of snacks from the table and stuffed them in her mouth.
"Melissa's cadet's big brother? Ah, so that's why you mentioned that."
He shot Isna a gleaming look; she averted her eyes and whistled innocently.
"What... did I do?"
"Nothing much. Just thought contacting you first would avoid schedule issues."
Ah.
Of course, it was necessary.
"I heard. Melissa the cadet inherited the countship. In that case, she won't be returning to the academy..."
"Normally, she'd focus on territory duties, but things have stabilized, and Father left a dying wish. I want her to resume studies if possible."
My answer brought a complicated expression to his face.
A sister who became count, and her brother.
At a glance, it could look like a jealous brother scheming to oust her and seize the house.
The professor seemed to harbor faint suspicions too.
"But... a countship means busy affairs. And commuting from Bata Kingdom to the academy—teleport gate regulations here..."
"We already have a solution for that. It doesn't harm anyone."
Rommel eyed me skeptically; Isna nodded.
"You can trust it. He's got real talent. Though he pulls off some pretty unconventional stunts."
"Hmm... Still, she needs to come in person for me to help."
"Just so you know, I'm not interested in the countship. Quite the opposite—having Melissa take it suits a layabout like me just fine."
"My apologies. I didn't mean to suspect."
"No issue. Handle the paperwork, and I'll have Melissa visit soon."
Seemingly convinced, Professor Rommel stood.
"Paperwork repairs should take a day. No worries. If Melissa resumes her studies, it's good news for me too."
"Anything I can assist with?"
Not oblivious, I offered casually, but he shook his head.
"No. A professor can't rely on personal favors. Then."
He cut it cleanly and exited the lab.
"Hmm..."
"Something wrong?"
"Nah. Let's head to the dorm first. I'll explain there."
The Imperial Academy had countless dormitories.
And each was meticulously maintained by numerous servants.
Most dorms reassigned rooms quickly upon vacancy, but special top-tier rooms stayed reserved until the occupant dropped out, was expelled, or graduated.
[Student Council][Melissa Cascadia]
Melissa's dorm room was one such case.
Her name still prominently hung on the door.
Top-tier rooms were few, assigned to a select few with top honors, so vacancies were common.
"Our junior was more of a model student than you'd think. At first, people dismissed her as from a small nation, but eventually, no one could ignore her."
It showed not just talent, but her ferocious effort.
Of course, unspoken, but considering Heavenly Demon Sword she was mastering—nearly impossible without insane grit—it spoke volumes.
The dorm belonged to Melissa now, so the management office held the key solely for her.
As Luna fumbled with the door, I pulled her back.
Crack!!
Something shattered loudly; Luna blankly held up the broken doorknob.
"That has tons of protective spells... can't open normally... Huh? It's open?"
Isna stared blankly at the dorm key she'd pulled out from somewhere.
Does that count as open?
Amid the absurdity, I held out my hand; Luna returned the knob.
"Can you control your strength?"
"I can."
She said so, but didn't look practiced.
From experience, controlling power was harder than gaining it.
I pressed the broken knob to the door and manifested the Machine God's Heart.
Vast data flooded my mind, circulating like crafting an electronic blueprint.
Grind...
By my power, the knob and door reverted seamlessly to original form.
A slight discrepancy maybe, but fine for opening and closing.
"Let's go in."
No need to lock during restoration, so I opened it lightly; Isna grinned and pocketed the key.
"After you."
The interior was clean and spacious.
Larger than most noble heirs' rooms.
"It's one of the academy's best, after all. Though top spots go to valedictorians. So, what're you planning here?"
"Hmm... Where to..."
Tough choice, many options iffy.
I approached a flat, wide wall.
"If none fit, make one. Luna, pull some wood planks and iron bars from your pouch."