Chapter 23
A half-destroyed building engulfed in flames.
Looking down at the scene from above, Gamigin, the fourth-ranked demon, smiled with interest.
The Imperial Academy, which should have been their target for this attack, was completely empty, as if taunting them.
'There shouldn't have been any way for our plans to leak.'
A place guarded by that great Primordial Dragon.
There's no point trying to hide large-scale spell formulas - they can't fool her eyes. That's why they chose primitive means.
Using science instead of magic.
They had hidden bombs throughout the Academy, set to detonate simultaneously at a predetermined time. The Academy's security tended to be weak against internal threats, after all.
Students who had made contracts with demons after being cornered.
Using the Demonkin made planting the bombs easier than expected.
'Information couldn't have leaked from them... After all, I burned their very existence once they served their purpose.'
Using weapons that operate on scientific principles rather than detectable magical power. They believed this would surely prevent anyone from discovering them.
But the result was a complete defeat.
This outcome, defying all common sense, raised questions.
Though those questions were about how the attack was detected, not about which human had prevented it preemptively.
After all, who did it was painfully obvious.
'This must be the work of that mysterious new professor.'
He was the only one who had seen through Amon's identity, despite having disguise abilities capable of fooling even the Primordial Dragon's eyes.
He had effortlessly eliminated Marbas, who was skilled enough in illusion magic to casually infiltrate the Imperial Family.
A human who overwhelmed the 7th and 5th ranked demons.
Who else could pull something like this off?
'Either he somehow remembered the students whose existence I erased, or he possesses some form of future sight.'
Either way, it's equally astounding.
This means the opponent can at minimum access the Akashic Records or is a prophet who can see the future.
When you consider the power of that Archmagic he used to kill Marbas, it was incomprehensible where such a monster had come from.
However, what rose within wasn't fear, but fighting spirit.
Achieving the predetermined destruction. Just when the suffocatingly boring task was underway, an unexpected variable suddenly appeared.
Isn't it always the unexpected developments that make things interesting? As a hedonist, Gamigin felt like welcoming this interference with open arms.
'Is that professor arrogant as rumored, or surprisingly cautious? What beliefs drive him to fight against us, and what is he trying to achieve?'
A smile naturally forms at the rising curiosity.
Of course, that doesn't mean he's forgotten his mission.
Satisfy his interest while achieving his objective.
The Child of Prophecy who would be with that professor. Definitively deal with the only girl who could potentially prevent the destruction.
'I should request support from Malphas.'
A simple-minded battle maniac.
While it's a flaw that he only thinks about fighting, his bestial senses are reliable enough.
Finding where the students are and holding them down until Gamigin arrives - even the 39th ranked demon should be able to handle that much easily.
Having reached this conclusion, the demon immediately spread his wings.
It seemed today would be quite an enjoyable day.
*****
My head is spinning from this sudden situation.
This world that's determined to screw me over. I expected things might go wrong, but isn't this too much?
However, unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury for complaints.
Once again, my evaluation has soared beyond measure.
While it's problematic that everyone is looking at me with shocked faces after hearing about the Academy's explosion, there were more important matters at hand.
"Where are Professor Scott and the Primordial Dragon right now?"
I urgently asked the security officer.
The man, who had been panting heavily, regained some composure and assured me not to worry.
"I already sent word to both of them. They headed straight to the Academy, so the situation should be under control soon."
Whoever the attackers are, with those two there, nothing can go wrong. The security officer tried to reassure everyone with those words.
But there was no way I could be reassured.
Confidential information received upon becoming a professor.
Deep underground beneath the Academy. Something mysterious sleeping there that would determine the Empire's fate in the future.
The Primordial Dragon and Professor Scott, knowing about that, would have judged that the Academy was the enemy's target.
They would have thought it best to leave the students to me and the other professors while focusing their efforts there, but...
Only I know.
That this is a world inside a novel.
The center of this world isn't the great Primordial Dragon or the Demon King Getia, but the suspiciously pretty boy in our class.
The world is designed to revolve around that boy. Whatever is buried beneath the Academy cannot be more valuable than our class's little brat.
Therefore, what they're after isn't the Academy but...
[To think you'd evacuate the students to a deserted island. Even I had some trouble finding them.]
The protagonist of this world.
Therefore, the demon had no choice but to come here.
I'd hoped my bad feeling would be wrong for once, but bad feelings never seem to miss. The demon who revealed himself before us with a thunderous sound, cutting through the air.
He looks at me with a smile full of fighting spirit.
With so many professors and students here. Yet he was staring intently at only me while smiling.
A situation where the world couldn't screw me over any harder.
But complaining won't change anything, so I immediately went into action, meeting his gaze.
Whether this should be considered fortunate or unfortunate.
At least one usable plan came to mind.
"You seem quite uncomfortable. So even demons can't help but be affected by the Primordial Dragon's barrier."
I ask that while walking confidently toward the demon.
Even in her tight schedule, Zion had prepared at least temporary safety measures for the students. The barrier she deployed was weakening the intruder's power.
[...How unpleasant. Are you trying to provoke me?]
The demon spits out exactly the response I expected.
But provocation wasn't my aim.
"I'm just a bit disappointed. Finally meeting a worthy opponent, but if they can't even use their full power, there's no satisfaction in defeating them."
Maintaining an arrogant attitude, I pretended to think for a moment before throwing a pill to him.
The students' faces fill with shock as they guess what that pill is. It would be stranger if they weren't shocked.
"It's medicine that lets you escape the barrier's effects. A spare from what we gave the students, so take it."
Not only does it nullify the barrier's effects, but it even heals critical injuries.
The students have all already taken these pills prepared as safety measures for the survival training. Seeing me helping the enemy in every way possible, they must think I've gone mad.
The other professors are also in panic, shouting at me asking if I've lost my mind, or if I was actually a demon spy all along.
But spilled water can't be gathered back up.
The medicine is already in his hands.
The demon looked at me and laughed heartily.
With an expression suggesting he'd never seen such a madman before.
[The rumors about the new professor being incredibly arrogant were truly correct. I wondered what kind of human killed Marbas, but to think he'd be this mentally broken.]
Being that mentally broken. Even for someone like you, it must have been impossible to control your mind.
The demon laughs, saying he now understands why Marbas was defeated.
He draws a smile and swallows the pill.
With this, my plan is perfectly executed.
Though it deviated from expectations, getting fired is now certain.
A worthless professor who helped the enemy to maintain his image, then immediately fled abandoning his students when the opponent showed their full power.
After pulling such an epic trolling, no one would be able to defend me. That demon will be handled by the remaining professors and students, so I don't need to worry.
If everyone works together, they'll manage somehow.
There might be quite a few casualties, but why should I care about that.
I immediately turned tail and ran without looking back...
Is what would never happen.
'Though it's true I desperately want to get fired.'
At least I can distinguish between situations and places.
I'm not some crazy sociopath who would push everyone off a cliff just to save myself.
The demon who swallowed what I gave him suddenly turned deathly pale. He was writhing in agony.
Unable to endure, he vomited blood.
With a "Kuhek" sound, blood fountained spectacularly. He staggered for a moment before falling to his knees before me.
The demon showed great shock, seemingly unable to believe that a professor known for being noble and proud would do such a thing.
I looked down at him and smiled wickedly.
"It's poison, not medicine, you fool."