Chapter 15: Princess Maker (1)

A talent possessing both integrity and nobility. Who exactly is Ryan, the Imperial Academy's new professor?

My hands trembled as I held the feature article.

Never in my life have I been so dumbfounded.

[What surprised this writer most when visiting the Academy for an interview was the new professor's cold attitude.

Normally in such situations, everyone tries to show their best side and welcomes the writer warmly. Yet this professor cursed at me and drove me out.

Being human myself, I couldn't help but feel offended.

Looking back now, it's truly embarrassing, but I had even planned to meticulously document that discourteous behavior and expose it to the public.

Fortunately, I was saved from making such a mistake thanks to a student named Karen.

Not only did he respond swiftly and alone to the sudden attack during the entrance ceremony, but he also threw himself before the mythical beast without a moment's hesitation to save another student.

Upon hearing that heroic tale, I couldn't help but let out an "Ah" of realization.

Come to think of it, I had only focused on the professor's cold attitude, never once considering why he might have acted that way.

With class starting in 50 minutes.

If such a dedicated professor was put in a situation where he might break his promise to his students because of an interview?

Of course he would angrily drive me out. It would have been stranger if he had welcomed me gladly.

Upon realizing this and reviewing the situation again, I felt chills run down my spine. I had finally grasped the true essence of this new professor.

Had I not coincidentally met that student, I surely would have written an article criticizing the new professor's arrogance.

His reputation would have certainly suffered.

Perhaps his path to advancement might even have been blocked.

The new professor didn't try to flatter me. He acted according to his convictions without caring about public opinion.

He cares not for others' evaluations.

He simply does what he believes is right. What does it matter what the world says about you if you can be true to yourself?

That was the kind of person the new professor was.

Therefore, there was no hesitation in the man's actions.

And thus, this new professor was more noble than anyone.

Among the Empire's officials, many claim to be people of integrity. But how many of them could truly look up at the heavens without an ounce of shame?

How many could act according to their firm convictions without getting entangled in petty matters?

...I could stake everything on this certainty.

That Ryan would surely make the Empire greater.

That this professor's existence was surely a blessing from the Heavenly God.

-Cromwell Edelvelt, Monthly Empire Journalist]

I threw salt at him and told him to get lost, yet what came back was an article full of praise. At this point, it would be more accurate to classify this as fiction rather than an article.

But unfortunately, its credibility is considerable.

This is a famous press outlet equivalent to TIME magazine in modern terms.

Moreover, that terrifyingly meticulous journalist even added evidence to counter any suspicions of bribery, worried his article might seem too favorable towards me.

"Meeting that professor changed my life."

"That professor never fails to amaze me with his talent."

Though the phrases sound like snake oil salesmanship, they can't be ignored when the speakers are the Empire's Iron-Blood Duke and the great Primordial Dragon respectively.

The Demonkin who tried to infiltrate the Academy.

The attack that coincided with the Academy's entrance ceremony.

True, I resolved both incidents, but since they were both matters related to the Academy's shame, my reputation had never spread this publicly before.

But that's over now. Thanks to the previous incident and that article, my fame was spreading throughout the Empire.

'This is driving me insane, seriously.'

Being human, I don't dislike fame. I don't dislike it, but I absolutely refuse to die for the sake of becoming famous.

Genius professor of the Imperial Academy. The more such an image sticks, the harder my escape becomes. This kind of attention only tightens the noose around my neck.

That journalist Cromwell. Next time he visits, I won't stop at just throwing salt.

I'll make him write a 5800-character curse about me by any means necessary. Grinding my teeth in frustration, I crumpled up that accursed stack of papers and threw it away.

It drew a beautiful parabola into the trash can.

Watching that helped me regain some mental stability.

'At times like this, I should look at the bright side.'

The important thing is maintaining an unbreakable spirit. No matter how desperate the situation, I mustn't give up halfway.

Though I've lost much from this incident, I've also gained something. Instead of despairing, let's focus on the harvest and plan for the future.

Coming to that conclusion, I take out the crystal ball from my chest.

The Advising Crystal Ball. A reward given along with thanks by Director Karin and her subordinate. Apparently their most precious artifact among those they possessed.

Its effect is simple yet broken.

The crystal ball's power is to provide optimal advice for achieving the user's desired future.

'This is basically like peeking at the answer sheet.'

If the world keeps playing tricks to prevent my firing, I'll fight back with equally dirty tactics.

With that resolve, I place my hand on it.

Soon the crystal ball shatters and smoke rises.

That smoke quickly forms into letters.

≪The Empire's royal family is destined to fall, so if you desire a peaceful life, keep your distance from the imperial clan.≫

But the content was far too ambiguous.

In a situation without even original story knowledge as a cheat, learning roughly what would happen in the future was certainly good. But wasn't the content rather random?

When I need a perfect plan to get definitely fired from the Academy, it tells me to avoid getting involved with the royal family.

I was told this item gives the most needed advice, but how exactly is this what I need most right now?

As I was pondering this in confusion.

There was a knock at the door.

Before I could even grab the handle, the other party casually ignored the security measures and flung the door open.

Silver hair, black eyes, and large horns.

The Empire's Primordial Dragon declared with a bright smile:

"Prepare for an audience right away! The Emperor himself wishes to personally commend your achievements."

...Only then did I begin to understand the meaning of that advice.

*****

Let's go for exactly middle ground - no more, no less. That was the conclusion I reached in the carriage heading to the palace.

'Nothing good will come from acting strangely.'

Sure, I threw salt while cursing at that Cromwell journalist. But no matter what, I can't show such disrespect to the Emperor.

Leave no impression.

Act completely normal.

Let's hold off on the self-sabotaging behavior for today.

Going before the Emperor and saying 'All my achievements were just luck. Someone incompetent like me deserves to be fired rather than rewarded'?

I can clearly see the future where he'd praise my humility and I'd catch his eye. I'm not amateur enough to fail to predict that much.

'Just thank him appropriately, show appropriate happiness, leave appropriately, and be appropriately forgotten. That's the best course.'

Avoid getting involved with the imperial clan and get out of here quickly.

With that goal set, I prepared for the audience.

Though there was much to prepare and many procedures to follow when meeting a nation's ruler, I didn't need to worry about such things.

That's what the palace servants are for after all.

They take care of everything even if you just stand still.

After being thoroughly bathed, changed into appropriate clothes for an audience, and having my appearance perfectly arranged by dozens of people, I sat on a soft sofa waiting as instructed.

Soon a servant called for me.

A magnificent corridor. A massive golden door at its end.

The throne started becoming visible through the gap.

All that's left is to listen appropriately for a while then withdraw at the right timing. I decided to skip the self-sabotage today so there should be absolutely no room for problems.

There should be absolutely no room for problems.

There absolutely must not be any room for problems.

"...Well, it's been a while."

An unexpected statement reached my ears. My head, which had been bowed to observe proper etiquette, rose involuntarily.

My face filled with shock as I met the Emperor's eyes. What I felt upon seeing the Emperor's visage was neither respect nor pressure, but a strange familiarity.

"I'm glad the job I recommended seems to suit you."

The mysterious bigshot who had helped me without much thought.

The unidentified VIP who had suggested the Academy professor position as repayment was now right before my eyes.