Chapter 134
Chapter 134
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Clash of Titans (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rumors spread that the utterly vile Derek Minster was coming to the Imperial Academy.
The academy students trembled in abject terror at the news.
"Did you hear...? The giant serpent from the north is coming."
"Yeah, I heard he's been invited as a part-time instructor?"
Students dressed in elegant white uniforms whispered among themselves. The ornate golden lion emblem on their chests attested to their noble status.
"The Imperial Academy isn't what it used to be. How did they end up hiring someone with no pedigree?"
"He took down that massive monster called 'Corpse Tree' all by himself. He's more than qualified."
The creature in the newspaper illustration was indeed monstrously huge. By achievements alone, it wouldn't be strange if the Emperor himself praised him.
However, the one who slew it happened to be from the problematic Minster family.
And not just anyone, but the most suspicious, notoriously cunning man in the family.
Derek Minster.
"My father, who's an Imperial minister, says Derek's feats are all part of an elaborate act."
"I heard that too. The monster corpse? It died in a turf war between their own beasts, but the warden pretended he killed it himself."
A black-haired boy and a golden-haired girl clicked their tongues at his lack of morals.
"He even carved his own chest with a knife to fake the wound."
"Gives me chills. But that's the kind of ruthlessness that built his massive northern empire."
"There's talk he's using this stunt to break into the capital."
"And our lecture is his first step?"
The boy swallowed hard at the girl's question.
"Yeah. He's using us as a stepping stone to success. That's why even the professors are furious."
"Ugh... let's be careful. The professors are scary enough as it is."
The boy and girl, both around eighteen, were murmuring when a massive shadow fell over them.
"You lot. Class is about to start. What are you doing in the hallway?"
A middle-aged man with a piercing, owl-like gaze asked coldly.
The two students jumped in fright and hurried toward the classroom.
"S-Sorry, Professor Doiter!!"
Professor Doiter Aldeum adjusted his metal-rimmed glasses, his brown hair neatly combed.
He was deeply displeased by the academy's agitated atmosphere caused by one man.
"Irritating."
Once a frontline monster slayer, he had risen to Central Army Vice Commander.
But he never vied for the commander position.
The commander at the time had been wary of the prestigious Doiter.
Disgusted by the sticky political games, Doiter passed all his knowledge to his subordinates and retired from the military. Now, he taught the next generation at the academy.
To such an upright, noble owl of a man, the existence of 'Derek Minster' was like oil and water.
How could a lofty owl coexist with a sly serpent?
He was irked by Derek's moves to use the academy and its students as a springboard for his political ambitions.
"A mere bounty hunter... really took down a monster all alone...?"
Doiter wasn't the only professor harboring such doubts.
After sending the students to their classrooms, he headed to the conference room.
Just then, the academy's heavyweights were gathered, discussing the Derek Minster issue.
"Professor Doiter, come on in."
A frail old man with snow-white hair and diminutive stature welcomed him.
"Sorry I'm late. I had to chase some wandering students from the halls."
"Good call. If the kids overhear, it'll stoke their anxiety. Better they don't."
Dean Percival.
The newly appointed dean had once held the towering position of Magic Tower Lord.
"Now that Doiter's here, let's begin. The agenda is, of course, Derek Minster."
For the freshly installed dean, this was like a debut battle. He launched into discussion with a grim expression.
"Monster subjugation lectures have a long, venerable tradition. Instructors have always been honorable knights."
"Indeed. The previous one was the current Imperial Knight Commander."
"But Derek Minster... he's just a young lad of twenty-one. No notable achievements to speak of."
"If we must, his victory over Stillman in the Northern Supreme Sword Tournament. Though Stillman was just an up-and-coming talent himself."
The professors evaluated them with icy precision.
To them, even the Holy See's Silver Hope was merely a promising prospect.
What of Derek Minster, then?
"And the subjugation circumstances are highly suspicious. A massive monster attacks remote Berryhill right before his duel with Tutton Grand Duke's daughter?"
"Anyone can see it's a staged act to dodge the duel. The corpse only had one wing, after all."
Doiter voiced his skepticism first, backed by the department head.
"The North Times that reported it is suspicious too. Feels like they've swung pro-Princess lately."
"Well... Her Highness Camillia is stunning, but beating Miss Eri in the July Woman poll was a bit dubious."
The professors stared at the dean.
Percival coughed awkwardly, having accidentally revealed his fangirl side for the author Eri.
A sixty-year-old grandpa being a romance novel fanatic wouldn't do.
"Ahem...!! In any case, we can't tolerate him using our academy for his personal schemes."
Percival narrowed his brown eyes, reverting to his stern sage demeanor from his Magic Tower days.
"So, I expect you all to do your utmost to expose his ugly underbelly."
"We will."
The empire's most capable educators replied in unison.
But the prickliest one, Doiter, added a question.
"What if Derek's rhetoric is so sharp we have no counterarguments?"
This middle-aged professor could have vied for Central Army Commander.
"He's only twenty-one, yet he's mastered vicious politics to become the north's giant serpent. His eloquence must be no joke."
The professors murmured at his sharp query.
A valid concern, indeed.
"Don't worry. For such contingencies, I've prepared a 'practical lecture'."
Percival chuckled slyly, gulping his coffee.
He only drank decaf, which he'd pioneered in his own Magic Tower.
"My disciple—the current Purple Magic Tower Lord—developed a summon spell."
The dean held out his palm.
A small sandworm apparition materialized in the air, drooling slime.
"Thanks to Imperial Prime Minister Aintz's sponsorship, we can now summon secured imperial monsters."
"You're planning a practical where Derek fights the monster directly."
"Exactly. History has precedents for hands-on learning."
"True. The tale of Sir Veil Michael taking students to slay a giant earth dragon two centuries ago is still famous."
But that was ancient history.
These days, taking kids into a dungeon would incense the parents.
"We won't go to a dungeon. Install a magic circle in the arena, and the monster will summon itself there."
Percival clenched his fist, and the apparition vanished.
"The Purple Tower Lord herself will observe, so safety's assured."
"As expected of the Dean."
The professors marveled at Percival's meticulous plan.
Doiter alone remained dubious.
'Purple Magic Tower Lord...'
The current one he knew was quite young.
Just twenty-one, same age as Derek Minster.
No matter her magical prowess, was it right for her to meddle in academy classes? A concern.
Especially with her reputation for a gloomy personality.
Heard she was so antisocial, she stayed quiet even in Tower Lord meetings.
Holed up in her tower corner, crafting sinister spells as a hobby.
"I hate to say it to Her Highness the Princess, but we bear the sacred duty of nurturing future generations."
Percival rose from his chair with resolute eyes, hands behind his back, gazing toward the Bakar Mountains where the north's giant serpent lurked.
"Thus, we must treat suspects harshly. Who knows what lies and stunts he's plotting now? Prepare thoroughly."
Doiter wondered if another entity as shadowy as Derek was getting involved.
But since it was for the academy and students, he acquiesced.
The top priority enemy here was 'Derek Minster'.
He might be weaving some terrifying scheme even now.
Berryhill Prison warden's office.
A silver-haired man sat in his chair with a wicked grin.
His cunning eyes intently scanned a document.
As if double-checking a nefarious plot.
But...
The document actually read:
「Prisoner Anonymous Wish Fulfillment Form.」
"Hoo... these guys."
One wish written in adorably casual speech.
Anyone could tell this was genuine.
I wrote a reply with a sour expression.
I flipped past Francka's wish form.
Said that, but I'd get it to go anyway.
Truth is, I'd been craving it too.
No soju's a shame, but whiskey might pair well?
Time for a bowl with Francka.
This one's Nix.
Fred, huh. Berryhill knight exam's right around the corner.
I flipped past Fred and Nix's forms with a pleased smile.
These two might soon become proper Berryhill residents.
Anje, obviously. Her handwriting's lovely every time.
They say personality shows in handwriting.
Hers seems opposite. Or maybe not—monsters adore her, so she's kinda cute.
I stuffed the mailbox letter from Miss Eri into a drawer for private reading later.
This clumsy imperial script is Myoran's. Handwriting's improving bit by bit?
As I pondered praising her steady strokes, a chill hit me.
My seal's always in my inner pocket. How'd it end up on the floor?
Suspicious, I replied slowly.
Aw, come on.
Stop summoning the empire's pillars to our remote prison!!
I finally finished replying to even Grand Elder's form.
'Anonymous' my foot—everyone's obvious!!
I flung off my uniform cap; Clea, entering, caught it deftly.
She set the coffee she held on the desk.
"Over the wish forms?"
"Yeah. Warden gig's no joke."
Clea gently hung the cap on the rack.
"Don't indulge them so meekly. Spoils the prisoners."
"I want to, but... gotta give 'em something while I'm lecturing in the capital to keep 'em quiet."
I stretched, sipping the coffee.
'They'll be fine... Clea's here.'
I set the half-drunk cup down with a clunk.
Good thing my vice warden's the only normal one here.
"........."
Clea stared fixedly at the cup I'd set down.
A faint lipstick mark, matching her lips, lingered where mine had touched.
"You worry too much."