17
I delivered the closing statement.
“There’s nothing to be surprised about. It’s something anyone can do with a simple reverse calculation.”
The audience wrinkled their brows in disbelief.
Well, saying it now, even I felt a bit helpless.
Well done, Black Flame Dragon.
“What will happen if we do this?”
“Shouldn’t we give a rating of 0 for the lecture?”
“He solved the magical conundrum, how can we give him a 0?”
Confused voices with puzzled faces echoed.
That’s when it happened.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Resounding applause.
It was Professor Bernstein!
“My lecture deserves a perfect score of 100.”
“!!”
The same blunt gaze.
But the following words were completely different.
“Bahn, I never would have guessed you had such remarkable talent. Excellent. It was a perfect demonstration. What you showed today could easily be preserved in the Hall of Fame records at Matop.”
I was astonished.
It was the highest praise.
“However, it seems that your method is rather impractical for other sorcerers to use. Let’s discuss how to make it more universal in the future.”
My heart fluttered.
It felt like I had already passed the professorship exam.
“But, Professor Bernstein? That’s… a bit premature. Bahn hasn’t passed the appointment exam yet.”
Bernstein turned abruptly to the stammering Vallic.
“So, are you saying that even after seeing Bahn’s performance just now, you would still fail him? Professor Vallic, are you blind as a sorcerer?”
“….”
Vallic’s complexion turned pale.
It was a sinister, chilling gaze.
But Vallic didn’t back down easily.
“…The appointment of Professor Bahn Gongja is within the authority delegated by this council. Even if you are the head professor, it is beyond your jurisdiction to question this.”
“!!”
Vallic sneered at Bernstein, ignoring him, and turned to the audience.
“The evaluation score for Professor Bahn Gongja’s lecture is 0 points.”
Ridiculous scores.
The audience displayed bewildered expressions, but Valic remained unfazed.
“Please provide evaluations as well.”
The scores were extreme.
Those unrelated to the Duke Laft’s faction, like Professor Bernstein, gave a perfect 100 points to everyone.
However, such individuals were extremely few.
Most gathered here were the lackeys of Duke Laft.
As Valic glanced around, some began to speak up one by one.
“…I also give 0 points.”
“I, too, give 0 points…”
“Me too…”
A cascade of 0 points poured out.
Professor Bernstein, who had given 0 points, glared at the professors affiliated with Duke Laft.
“Aren’t you all ashamed?”
The professors who gave 0 points avoided eye contact and offered no response.
“Ha. Can you call yourselves professors qualified to teach students even after doing this?”
“Enough, Professor Bernstein.”
“What?”
“I’m fine with it.”
“What’s fine about this? This unreasonable…! Valic, you rascal. Come out now! Let’s settle this with a duel!”
“First, please calm down and come out.”
I was shocked as I dragged Professor Bernstein outside.
“Why is this professor suddenly like this? Well, he always had a choleric personality.”
Professor Bernstein appeared gruff and cold on the outside, but deep down, he was a type with a hidden kindness.
“But still, causing a scene here might get me into trouble!”
Professor Bernstein was the head professor of the General Studies and ‘Magic Theory’ departments, the very person who should support me in my academic pursuits. I couldn’t afford to be driven away from here.
“Damn those guys.”
Even after stepping outside, Professor Bernstein couldn’t easily contain his anger.
“I’m fine.”
“Why do you keep saying you’re fine? Those rotten guys won’t let you pass.”
“Nevertheless, I’m fine.”
Professor Bernstein couldn’t understand my repeated response, his expression filled with incomprehension.
“Are you planning to go to another academy? Well, if it’s your talent, it might be better to go to a different academy. I know someone at Peridot Academy, I’ll write you a recommendation. No, I’ll contact them right away.”
I urgently shook my head, as if I were about to take out a communication magic device.
“No, I will become a professor at Rubyneus Academy.”
“What does that mean? As long as those rotten guys exist, you won’t pass…”
“Didn’t I say I’m fine?”
“!!”
Professor Bernstein was taken aback.
Sure.
I wasn’t just saying ‘it’s okay’ as empty words.
It really was okay.
Even if the scoundrels of the academy, including Valic, tried some trickery.
‘Rather, I like it.’
Actually.
Expecting to pass right here, no matter how impressive I may seem, was too naive.
Because there’s no way they’ll let me pass so easily.
‘What’s important is that I showed an impressive performance that no one can deny in front of everyone.’
In other words, Valic’s attempt to disqualify me is without justification.
The meaning of these words is,
‘Now the justification has come to me.’
Now the question.
Even if I become a professor, can I enjoy the sweet life I desire?
It won’t be easy as long as the Raphat aristocracy is in power.
They will bother me with all sorts of excuses.
‘I have to use this opportunity to give a blow to the Raphat aristocracy. Don’t let them easily mess with me.’
I wasn’t just hoping for a professorship.
Becoming a professor, of course, I was planning to deal a significant blow to the Raphat aristocracy.
‘Help me until the end, Angel Valic!’
The final stage of the operation has begun.
* * *
“Go, Master Gong? Where are we heading?”
Hans looked around with a puzzled expression.
“Isn’t this the slum district?”
“Why? What’s the problem?”
“Of course, it’s a problem! Don’t you know how dangerous the slums of the Free City are?”
The four prestigious academies that serve as the background for the “Hero Academy” all have dangerous settings.
Makyeong, border disputes, harsh environments.
While Rubiness Academy is adjacent to the glamorous Free City, there is a reason for it.
“The slums of the Free City are as dangerous as Makyeong.”
This Free City is the most vibrant place on the continent.
Where there is light, there is also darkness.
The scale of the slums was also unprecedented.
Criminals from all over the continent gathered, making it unimaginably dangerous.
“The outskirts are relatively okay, but the deep inside is like a giant dungeon. Criminals appear as monsters.”
There was even a nickname for it.
From Noble mtl dot com
Saryongseongchae (Four Dragon Strongholds).
“…Of course, I have no intention of going there.”
To fulfill the duty of a dragon, one had to go near it.
“Isn’t this going too deep?! Just a bit further, and it’s the Dragon’s Fortress!”
“Why are you so scared? You’re a 5th-tier mage.”
“…I specialize in non-combat magic.”
“…Weren’t you an elemental implementation mage? Specialized in combat.”
“…Even among elemental implementation, my expertise is in practical artifact development, not combat.”
“……”
“……”
“…I should have mentioned that earlier!”
I had entered the slums without fear, all because I trusted Hans.
“…It should still be fine, right? We’re not going into the Dragon’s Fortress.”
But then, it happened.
A voice that sent shivers down my spine.
“Dear noble with the noble blood of blue, what brings you to such a humble place?”
“!!”
I turned my gaze to find a beautiful woman with a radiant demeanor smiling at us.
‘Oh no.’
I recognized her face.
One of the notorious villains even in these slums.
‘Damn it. Why is that woman here?’
At that moment, Hans, not understanding the situation, blurted out with a faltering voice beside me.
“You! How dare you address the young master with such rudeness?! Can’t you see the great dignity he exudes?! Understand this and lead us inside at once!”
Hans has a personality similar to mine, strong yet weak.
Since he feels no energy from the woman, he underestimates her.
Knowing the woman’s ‘true identity,’ my heart shrinks in apprehension.
“Shut your mouth, Hans.”
“Young master?”
“Don’t you feel it around you?”
“!!”
It was then that Hans’ face stiffened.
“Why can’t I hear any sound?”
The entire surrounding area was eerily silent as if enveloped in the quiet of death.
The air was sharp as a blade’s edge.
Upon closer inspection, from alley corners to inside buildings, numerous eyes were spying on us.
They were all waiting for a signal from the woman.
At her mere gesture, no one in this alley would survive.
‘Damn, I just came here to mind my business, why did I have to encounter such a notorious villain?’
Fortunately, it seemed the woman had no immediate intention of shedding blood.
“This place is unsuitable for someone as noble as the young master. Light and darkness cannot mix, so please, just go back.”
A clear dismissal.
But, I felt troubled.
“…For my ‘operation,’ I must definitely go to the slums.”
There was no turning back.
“If we talk nicely, won’t it be fine? Those villains wouldn’t want to fight with the Eclesia Duke, right?”
That’s right.
I don’t have a background to be taken lightly either.
Let’s try talking nicely for once.
“But first, I can’t appear too easygoing.”
The first step in business is understanding your opponent.
If I act timid, that woman won’t even bother listening to me.
On the contrary, it will be the opposite.
I have to assert myself strongly.
“How arrogant. Are you trying to command me, no matter who you are? I decide where my steps will lead.”
“!!”
Because of the Black Flame Dragon, stronger words came out than expected.
My heart was pounding, but as I anticipated, the woman didn’t get angry.
“Ahahahaha! How amusing! The rumors of your change were not false.”
An intriguing tone.
However, the friendly response ended there.
The smile disappeared from the woman’s face.
“You came here because you want to use our slums in the conflict with the Raphart Dukedom, didn’t you?”
“!!”
Surprisingly, the woman seemed to have guessed my purpose.
A cold voice followed.
“I don’t see why we should meddle in the petty squabbles of filthy nobles.”
I remained silent for a moment.
There was a way to persuade the woman.
I hesitated for one reason.
It was dangerous.
“Oh well, I don’t think she’ll kill me anyway.”
With a gambler’s heart, I spoke.
“You have to help me.”
“Hmm? And why is that?”
“Because I know who you really are.”
The woman let out a mocking laugh.
“What’s so impressive about that? Is there anyone who doesn’t know that I’m one of the lords of the Dragon Fortress?”
That’s right.
Surprisingly, the woman was one of the four lords of the Dragon Fortress.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
“My lord.”
The moment those words were uttered.
In a moment, the battlefield was enveloped in an almost deathly stillness.
Thunk!
Countless swords were aimed at my throat.
It happened before I could react.
It was so swift that there was no room for surprise.
“How do you know that name?”
The woman, Rian, stared at me with eyes that could kill, unlike before.
A gaze filled with sincere vitality.