In a dimly lit room, sunlight struggles to peek through the blackout curtains.
The extinguished lights are anxiously waiting to shine.
I, too, haven’t been this messy while living alone…
With a deep sigh, I shook my head.
The gloomy room’s owner, Bell, avoided my gaze and finally spoke up.
“You’re here again…?”
It felt like I could hear an echo in her tightly shut mouth screaming, “Why did you come here?!”
Her blatant dislike made me feel a bit twinged, and I narrowed my eyes at her.
“What, are you dissatisfied or something?”
“N-no…”
Bell shook her head timidly, mumbling and curling up a bit.
If someone saw this, they would think I was bullying her.
“Ha.”
Ignoring Bell as she moved slowly towards the corner, I picked up a book from the shelf to kill some time.
Ugh, still can’t read it.
I closed the book again and shot a glance at Bell.
“…!”
Feeling my stare, Bell jumped slightly and her eyes darted around.
At this point, I felt a bit sorry, but I just couldn’t leave.
I also didn’t want to be alone in this dark room.
Besides, the room felt ominously eerie, like a ghost might pop out at any moment.
Who in their right mind would want to stay in a place like this for long?
Yet, here I am.
Letting out a small sigh, I entertained the thought.
“…Have you made any progress?”
It was all because of that stick in Bell’s hand.
Elia told me to consult with a professor at the Academy, and the head of the Academy said that Bell was the best among the professors on this matter.
So here I am…
Bell briefly glanced at the stick in her hand and shook her head.
“Ah, I’m still not sure…”
“I see…”
There was absolutely zero progress on the investigation.
To be honest, since Bell is in charge, I didn’t have high hopes, but considering it’s about the Nameless’s health, I felt disappointed.
“Just now, I feel like I’ve really… been hurt.”
“Um?”
“Oh, nothing.”
I awkwardly patted Bell, who seemed down, and started to leave.
“I’ll come back tomorrow, so hang in there.”
“Again…?”
Listening to Bell’s whiny voice trailing off, I opened the door.
“Ah, I’m really… regretting this…”
Clunk
Hmm, I didn’t hear anything.
Upon leaving Bell’s personal workspace, I was welcomed by a massive library.
I was startled the first time I came to Bell’s room, but now I’ve gotten used to it.
“Professor, hello!”
“Ah, good to see you.”
I smiled back at a student who greeted me and continued walking.
“Have you finished your business?”
As I smoothly exited the library, the Nameless reached out, and I nodded as I took his hand.
“Right, let’s go.”
“Yes, Master.”
*
“Hmm, something feels off.”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Suddenly, I felt like my life had become surprisingly diligent.
After waking up in the morning, doing some breathing exercises, and a light warm-up, I went straight into lectures.
After that, I’d check in with Bell to hear about the investigation, and before bed, I’d guide the Nameless in his training.
…How did it come to this?
I surely came down to explore this vast world, right?
With a bit of leisure and relaxation in mind.
Yet here I am, being the epitome of diligence.
Feeling a wave of crisis wash over me, I started to sweat.
…How long do I have to be an academy professor again?
Upon thinking carefully, I realized I never heard any specific timelines from Camilla or Anna.
I remember Camilla introducing herself as a “one-day” guest lecturer…
Isn’t this going on too long?
Has it already been over two weeks?
At this rate, I might actually become too attached to the students learning under me…
In a surge of anxiety, I turned quickly and called out to the Nameless.
“Hey, Nameless, do you remember how long I’m supposed to be this professor?”
“…?”
The Nameless tilted his head with a strange expression and shook his head gently.
“I don’t know. You should know, Master.”
“…Hmm, I need to ask around.”
At this rate, I might actually end up as a lifelong academy professor.
I immediately got up and headed towards Anna’s office.
Once I reached the door to the principal’s office, I knocked and called for Anna, making sure to avoid the misunderstandings of the first day.
“Anna, are you in there?”
Having sensed her presence inside, I expected a response shortly.
As anticipated, after a loud crash inside…
“…Professor Harang?”
Anna quickly opened the door, panting as if she had rushed.
“What’s the matter…?”
“Hmm, Anna, do you have a moment?”
I asked as she tilted her head.
And upon hearing my question, Anna checked her wrist for the time, then flung the door wide open.
…Yikes.
I caught sight of the messy room through the open door.
“Come on in.”
“…Alright, it’s not going to take long anyway.”
When talking to Anna, it always seemed to go off-topic, so I waved my hand lightly.
“Could I ask, until when do I need to do this professor job?”
I spoke quite seriously.
“…Huh?”
“…What do you mean?”
Anna frowned, tilting her head as if she didn’t understand my question.
Feeling an uneasy sense about asking again, I saw that Anna seemed puzzled as to why I would ask such a thing.
“…It should have been mentioned in the contract. Didn’t you check?”
“Um?”
Oh, I see.
I didn’t check because I couldn’t read the text.
I scratched my head awkwardly and asked.
“Umm, I don’t remember. Could you tell me?”
“Yes… it should have been stated in the contract.”
Without any sign of displeasure, Anna thought for a moment, then answered me.
“It should say ‘as long as you’re willing’ for Professor Harang.”
“…What?”
My voice trembled in shock.
…Is that why the Nameless said he didn’t know?
Anna nodded and continued.
“Yes, actually, I was planning on asking you about the class schedule.”
“…”
“When are you available?”
While I’d prefer if it lasted longer, I looked at Anna, who added that short phrase.
What luck is this!
I smiled brightly and declared,
“I guess I’m leaving the Academy tomorrow!”
“…What?”
I quit being a professor.
*
Glistening columns of gold rise up, flanked by golden lion-shaped corners and entrances.
At the end of this, a man sits on a splendid throne encrusted with brilliant jewels, proudly displaying power.
“Such a person is currently at the Academy…”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The man felt an unfamiliar curiosity, perhaps for the first time in years.
“And she threw herself to rescue my son…”
“Indeed.”
The man smirked and asked his servant.
“Has he gotten married yet?”
The only eligible women around were far from suitable for his son.
And yet, here came an excellent candidate to walk right up to him!
He was very pleased.
It was just the right time for his son to start thinking of marriage.
In fact, it was a bit overdue.
It was unacceptable for a capable young man to remain unengaged until now.
However, the man couldn’t help it.
The only capable unmarried woman he could think of was Camilla from the north…
“That will not do since Camilla, that spoiled brat, is about my age!”
His old friend Camilla was far too old.
And surely, if his son did not have any peculiar tastes, he wouldn’t like Camilla’s excessively youthful appearance.
When asked if his son was married, the servant shook his head apologetically, and the man waved his hand as if to say it was fine.
“I really don’t know about that.”
“Find out for me.”
A woman with that level of ability must have high standards.
Surely, his son would be satisfied with a wife who resembled him in appearance.
Besides, he wasn’t lacking in power either.
With a grin, the man couldn’t resist further questioning his servant.
“What did you say about her appearance?”
“They say she has a rare and exotic beauty that’s hard to find around here.”
“A beauty!”
The more he heard, the more he craved it.
Moreover, according to his servant, their ages didn’t seem all that different.
No, in fact, the woman appeared younger.
‘At such a young age, she holds such power and works as a professor…’
The man’s smile widened with satisfaction.
If only he could make her his daughter-in-law…
“The empire’s future looks bright.”
The emperor, Leonidas Duke, smiled contentedly.
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