13
‘What’s wrong with this one? Has something gone wrong with her ears?’
I sent a bewildered look.
“Listen to people properly. You’re at Peridot Academy…”
“That’s my problem to handle; you mind your own business.”
Catherine stood up abruptly.
Then, she mounted her horse that was tied outside the cave and disappeared swiftly.
“Uh… what?”
I stared at her retreating figure with a surprised expression.
“…Is she going to be okay?”
Cold sweat formed with a sense of unease.
* * *
Thud.
Catherine spoke differently, lost in thought.
‘I don’t like it.’
Honestly, the appearance of the class today was astonishing.
At first, I thought it was crazy, but it wasn’t at all.
Capturing a lich.
‘I can’t even guess how she destroyed the Life Vessel. Moreover, manifesting magic with the remnants of mana floating in the air?’
Even her ‘father,’ the head of the prestigious Klein family of magic, couldn’t pull off such tricks.
Unbelievable.
However, Catherine didn’t ease her displeased expression.
-This is what I say when I think of you.
Catherine frowned deeply.
Having grown up under constant scrutiny, she could discern whether someone’s words were sincere as if she had a ghostly ability.
Those words from Ban were genuine.
‘Pretending to worry. What does she think of herself?’
It didn’t stop there.
She recalled the time when the mist of darkness had surged toward her.
Back then, Ban had taken risks for her sake.
Why?
‘Why did he do such a foolish thing?’
It was incomprehensible.
Ban’s pure concern and protection towards her today were things she had never experienced in her life.
It was unfamiliar and bewildering.
Unable to figure out how to react, she could only respond with her usual prickly demeanor, as she had done in every situation so far, like a frightened hedgehog raising its spines.
‘But telling me to go to Peridot Academy?’
Catherine tilted her head.
Ban had gotten one thing wrong.
‘Practice? I’ve already tried everything.’
Would she even venture into the cave of lamentation?
Studying with a practical focus was something she had never attempted before.
“I have to go to the Rubiness Academy.”
A shocking statement if anyone were to hear it.
Catherine’s pupils shimmered deeply.
“There must be a secret to Ban Gongja’s transformation.”
Perhaps she could find a clue by attending his classes.
It was the only hope for her to break free from her dullness, no matter what method she used.
Above all,
“I will prove that I am not inferior to Ban Gongja.”
She didn’t know why she had such thoughts.
She and Ban had no relationship at all.
If she had to find a reason, it was probably due to her rebellious spirit.
She imagined Ban’s surprised expression upon seeing her changed self.
Somehow, it made her feel better.
“I will definitely succeed.”
And so, Catherine’s desired academy was decided.
* * *
“…I feel uneasy.”
A chill ran through me, making my body tremble slightly.
“Are you okay, Master Kong?! Did something happen to your health? Ah! It’s my fault! I should have taken better care of Master Kong’s precious body, about to become the magical star!”
“…Noisy.”
I still frowned at the noisy Hans.
“Soon, it will be the Ruby Venus Free City.”
By the way, the name of the free city with the Ruby Venus Academy was also Ruby Venus.
“Yes, that’s right. But… are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well… never mind.”
Hans trailed off at the end of his words.
A face full of worry.
The reason became clear as soon as we arrived in Ruby Venus.
‘Impressive.’
I marveled a little.
I heard it was big, but it was on an enormous scale.
Even compared to the imperial capital where the Eclesia Duke was.
However, there was a problem.
Many people passing by on the main road recognized my face.
“Wow! It’s Master Kong.”
“Really? It’s been a few years? I was glad not to see you all this time, why did you come?”
‘Master’ refers to a graduate of the Ruby Venus Academy.
During my school days, it is said that I engaged in all sorts of mischief in this free-spirited city.
“Did you come to take the academy professor appointment exam?”
“Ha! That clumsy Confucius? He must be out of his mind! Or what other mischief is he up to?”
A rustling sound could be heard.
Although I spoke quietly in my own way, I didn’t completely lower my voice, so it reached the ears.
Even though he was of noble descent, an excessive attitude.
It meant that he looked down on the class by that much.
Rather than a fearsome villain, Ban was more of a pitiful, pathetic trash.
“Dare to! These…!”
Hans couldn’t stand it and was about to burst into anger, but I raised my hand to stop him.
“It’s okay. Endure it.”
“But…”
“Ignorant people, no matter how much they clamor, they know they can’t leave a scratch on my dignity, don’t they?”
I was generally indifferent to insults like that, especially being in the midst of the nobility.
Above all.
‘The situation where everyone looks down on me like this is not bad for me.’
I smirked.
‘Besides, I had to play the ‘fishing’ game.’
As I mentioned earlier, it was impossible to pass the appointment exam in a conventional way.
So, I prepared a thorough ‘plan.’
For anyone to acknowledge my appointment.
“How will you handle it? Shall we seize the inn for now?”
“No, before that, you’ve come a long way, would you like a drink? Let’s go to ‘Daien.'”
“…Daien, you say? Where is that?”
Hans gave a perplexed look.
It was the most expensive restaurant in this free city.
Famous even in the imperial capital.
“Well, sir? Of course, Daien is a place befitting your grace, but… the budget is not generous.”
Slightly, in the aristocratic circles, they do not provide financial support during the four years of mandatory service in the military, government positions, academia, etc.
“It’s okay. I have a friend who will cover the expenses for me.”
I took out a letter.
It was the response that came after I applied for the appointment exam.
– Looking forward to the day we meet soon. Your friend, Valic.
Valic.
Setting-wise, a sworn enemy.
The early villain in the Rubiness Academy scenario.
At the same time.
‘My angel to help me pass.’
To succeed, I needed Valic’s ‘help.’
* * *
Diane.
It was, as mentioned just now, the Empire’s finest luxurious tavern.
‘…Am I allowed to be in a place like this?’
I’ve been to upscale bars on Earth.
No, I’ve been to many for entertainment.
But even someone like me was taken aback by how extravagant it was.
‘If I swiped my corporate card here, the accounting team might strangle me.’
“…Strawberry ju— Uh, wait a moment.”
As if by instinct, I, a commoner, unconsciously tried to order the cheapest fruit juice, but I hesitated when a deep voice resounded.
“Master Ban, it’s been a while.”
Well-dressed like a butler.
He seemed like the manager.
Overflowing with dignity, just like the manager of the most expensive tavern, I involuntarily flinched.
‘…Don’t be intimidated. I’m a diamond spoon now too.’
I cleared my throat and spoke.
“Sure, nice to see you. Will you bring a bottle of ‘Tears of the Ice Dragon’?”
“…Tears of the Ice Dragon, you say?”
A whopping 6,000 penas.
A super-expensive wine that rivaled three years of earnings in an average household.
A price that even nobles would pause at.
“I apologize. The Duke has instructed not to offer high-priced liquor to Master Kong any longer, so obtaining it will be difficult.”
“Don’t worry. I have a friend who will take care of the payment today. Vallic will be coming.”
“…Professor Vallic?”
“Yes.”
The steward wore a suspicious expression.
I maintained a confident expression, despite being momentarily stunned by the expensive price.
I had enough wit to deal with a steward like him.
The charisma of the Black Flame Dragon assisted me, imbuing my voice with a powerful sense of authority.
“You might want to be a bit more careful with your expression. If this is truly the empire’s finest dining, that is.”
“!!”
From Noble mtl dot com
The steward’s expression changed abruptly.
It was disrespectful for him to openly doubt me, no matter how much of a troublemaker I may be.
“…You’ve changed.”
“I’ve merely rediscovered my original dignity.”
The steward greeted me smoothly.
“I will bring the Tears of the Ice Dragon.”
Hans, the only other person remaining, looked shocked.
“Why are you so concerned if Professor Vallic doesn’t come?”
“He will come.”
…Truth be told, I was a bit nervous.
If the plan didn’t go as expected, I would end up with a debt of 6,000 penas even before starting my professorial career.
But I believed in Vallic.
“If it’s the Vallic I know, he wouldn’t miss such a great opportunity to insult the class.”
Indeed.
Before the first glass was emptied, someone’s voice echoed.
“hahahaha. Who’s this? Isn’t it my friend from class? Long time no see! How have you been!!”
A loud greeting, but eyes that were chillingly cold.
It was Vallic.
* * *
The Ecclesia I possessed was a peculiar character.
An extra that didn’t affect the scenario at all, but strangely entangled with many characters.
In a not-so-good way.
‘A feeling like everyone’s intertwined fate?’
Vallic was one of them.
‘He harbored inferiority towards the direct descendant of a duke during his school days and subtly harassed him from behind.’
Well, such past matters are probably for the best.
What matters now is manipulating Vallic according to my plan.
“Do you know how surprised I was when I heard the news? Professor appointment. As expected, my friend Vallic! Still not grasping the topic as always.”
A friendly remark blatantly laced with mockery.
Not thinking about Edo even once is because of underestimating the half.
“But did I say I would calculate the Ice Dragon’s tears? That’s nonsense…”
“If it’s a burden, it’s okay. Even if you are a mere puppet of the Rafaat Duke, it must be difficult for you to bet such a large sum. I will understand with an open heart.”
“!!”
Nice Black Flame Dragon.
Balik’s face stiffened at the story that usually touches his inferiority complex.
“…Have you finished speaking?”
Especially irritated by the fact that I, who underestimated him, touched his pride.
“Marquis Huam, I really don’t understand what you’re thinking. Making you take a professorship exam. You’re still in your prime, so it’s not like you’re senile. Does the Eclesia Duke not even know about honor?”
Bingo.
I was caught off guard faster than I thought.
I deliberately rose from my seat with a rough gesture.
“Can your words just now be considered as an insult to our Eclesia Duke?”
“…What?”
“Enough witnesses, I’d say.”
Belatedly realizing his mistake, Balik looked around.
Everyone was listening with great interest to our conversation.
This place, Dyan, is the best tavern.
Everyone present is nobles, influential merchants, or scholars, so they couldn’t interrupt.
“I didn’t mean it that way…”
“That’s something to be judged in court. Since there’s a sense of justice, I won’t specifically ask Father for a small compensation. But be prepared for the duel. Our family’s knight will soon come looking for you with a white glove.”
Valic’s complexion turned pale.
The crime he committed was insulting the family.
In a noble society that values honor, it’s an extremely serious offense.
What’s even more frightening is that the insulted party can challenge the other to a ‘duel’.
Valic found himself in a position where he had to duel with the knight of the Eclesia Marquis.
“Wait, just a moment. I, I…”
“Sorry. Father never held you in high regard to begin with. It seems you won’t listen to me. Hans, let’s go.”
As I tried to leave, Valic desperately grabbed my arm.
“Oh, didn’t I say it was a misunderstanding?!”
A complete turnaround from his confident appearance at first.
‘…But inside, he’s seething.’
I shook my head.
Even as he clung desperately, I could sense the fury behind his eyes.
It was clear that he was determined to overcome this crisis and seek revenge on me.
That was my intention.
‘For my own success, I need Valic to lose his composure as much as possible.’
I further provoked Valic.
“Let me make a proposal.”
“What…?”
“Let’s have a ‘magic contest.’ If you win, it’ll be as if nothing happened.”
I clicked my tongue.
“But if I win, I’ll kneel in front of everyone here and confess my sins, saying ‘I respect Lord Ban and the Eclesia aristocrat.'”