Chapter 29
Inside a luxurious office.
Reflecting its owner's taste, a man frowned in a room wallpapered with glittering jewels and gold.
[Report on the Demon Attack Incident]
The document in his hand.
Another familiar name caught his eye there.
'Ryan, huh. A name I've been hearing quite often lately.'
Even though the other party was an Academy professor, he was the Golden Duke.
Normally, he wouldn't have paid attention to a mere new professor. But this time, things were a bit different.
There's a limit to how often one should hear about someone. Every incident that had occurred lately somehow involved this person. And apparently, they'd accomplished great feats each time.
'From the rumors alone, they sound like some kind of monster.'
Single-handedly stopping all attacks and acts of terror.
Though the specifics were classified and couldn't be disclosed, creating a lecture that would overturn the Empire's history.
The Iron-Blood Duke and Primordial Dragon were desperate to win their favor. Even receiving the Imperial Family's favor, with knights being mobilized to find those spreading rumors about them.
'But there's no way all of that could be true.'
Common sense would tell you as much.
Investigation showed their magical power was so weak it wouldn't even match a 4-year-old's average. Rapid-firing Meteors to save students from danger would be absolutely impossible.
'The Iron-Blood Duke is famously stubborn, and while the Primordial Dragon appears lively, they're rotten inside with dulled emotions.'
Making those two fall head over heels in just a month, let alone winning over the Emperor - there's no way that could be possible, so clearly this too was just a baseless rumor.
'The Knights' Order's visit to the Academy must have been related to the Demon King's remains buried underground.'
Rather than wasting military power to catch someone spreading rumors, it made much more sense that they went to check on the condition of what slumbered below.
Therefore, the only believable one was the second rumor.
Just the story that Ryan had made an innovative discovery and created a lecture worthy of going down in history.
'Something keeps bothering me about this.'
Creating one great lecture doesn't explain this level of mentions. Can't explain why these rumors are spreading.
Can't shake the feeling something's being hidden.
Their influence rising suspiciously fast. It would be dangerous not to nip it in the bud at this point.
'Well, there's a perfect opportunity. This works out nicely.'
One must always be thorough in judgment.
While he saw no chance of them being the genius professor the rumors claimed, he didn't want to ignore even the slightest possibility.
So he'd use his subordinate.
'Who would have thought the Director getting caught up in the student dormitory explosion would help like this.'
The Director currently fighting for their life.
The person acting in their stead was the Golden Duke's person.
Persuading the fallen elder's niece. After various justification battles and behind-the-scenes maneuvering, they'd succeeded in installing her as temporary Director.
'Though she's authoritarian and dim-witted. But the lacking have their uses too, as they say.'
The foolish act of picking a fight with a well-regarded professor.
But she would accept it without much hesitation.
As a vicious commoner-hater, she wouldn't look kindly on Ryan. And he hadn't given her the authority to refuse his orders in the first place.
'If that professor really is the genius the rumors claim, I can just cut ties immediately, so there's nothing to lose.'
The Golden Duke wrote out his instructions without hesitation.
Why was it?
Though something kept nagging at him uncomfortably. He was the type to trust thorough logic-based deduction over inexplicable intuition.
A simple matter of testing the waters using a pawn.
What possible problems could arise?
Too much worry becomes an illness. Clearly his nerves were frayed from being swamped with work lately. Taking a break with some refreshments would surely resolve the issue.
He ignored his unease and casually sipped his tea.
*****
Finally grasping her chance at success. The woman who had become temporary Director of the Imperial Academy thought to herself.
'What? Things worked out much more easily than expected?'
Seems she had worried needlessly.
As someone who had come out of nowhere. She'd been concerned about what problems might arise from messing with a professor with a good reputation and high standing, but absolutely nothing happened.
The containment work went incredibly smoothly. The appearance of an unexpected ally changed everything.
'To think the person themselves would cooperate this much.'
This may sound foolish, but Professor Ryan seemed to almost want their own downfall.
The hiring irregularities that had been swept under the rug before.
Rule violations like opening new courses mid-semester. The plan to use those to create justification for disciplinary action.
She had carefully prepared her justifications but faced stronger pushback than expected. She'd been agonizing over how to resolve this when...
Ryan declared to those defending him.
"Please, everyone stop. Isn't it true that I violated the regulations? Using personal connections to avoid punishment is something that I, more than anyone, cannot accept."
Don't try to protect me. Getting appropriate punishment is my wish, so please respect that.
Of course, not everyone was convinced by those words.
"Hiring irregularities?! The one who chose you as professor was..."
"Speaking further would trouble that person. I'd rather die than do that. Iron-Blood Duke, do you truly wish for me to take my own life?"
Ryan single-handedly subdued all opposition.
Brutal persuasion using their own life as hostage. Thanks to that, she was able to discipline the new professor without issue.
The black marks of hiring irregularities and abuse of power.
Not only admitting to it themselves but leaving a disciplinary record would naturally hinder future advancement. The mission was thoroughly accomplished.
Why Ryan had been so cooperative.
That was something she couldn't figure out until the end.
Well, this wasn't worth pondering too deeply.
'He must have realized his place. A gutter-born commoner lucky enough to become a professor has no right to defy the orders of a Director with real power.'
Those born lowly crawl on their bellies submissively.
Why question something that follows the natural order?
When fortune smiles upon you, you simply accept it gladly. That professor foolishly tightened the noose around his own neck, so she might as well celebrate.
'Should I indulge a bit tonight?'
Though she'd been saving that 50-year aged whiskey, when else would she drink it if not now? A grin naturally spread across her face, threatening to split it.
Though it was only a temporary position, her uncle would die soon. Whether his condition improved or not was irrelevant - that fact was already decided.
That was what the Golden Duke had promised, after all.
Before long, she would truly become Director of the Imperial Academy and leave her name in history.
Since she handled her first assignment so cleanly, he would surely continue to protect her. All that remained was walking the path to success and continued prosperity.
'It's like the world is on my side.'
Luck follows her in everything she does. At this rate, no one could stand in her way. Isn't that how the world works - the lucky ones take it all?
A smile naturally forms on her lips. She'd bet today would be the best day of her life.
It was sure to be the best day of her life.
"I have something to say to everyone."
A voice from somewhere made her turn her head.
Coming into view is a white-haired man.
After receiving disciplinary leave, he'd been holed up in his room for days. Suddenly appearing now to call everyone.
"Though my week of suspension is ending, I still cannot forgive myself for my crime. Therefore, I wish to declare before everyone now."
Naturally all eyes turn to him.
But there was no hesitation in the man's eyes.
"Even after the disciplinary period ends, I will delay my return until I can forgive myself. And if after a month I still cannot accept myself..."
Ryan swallows hard.
Before countless students, he proudly declared:
"I will step down and resign from my professorship."
As soon as those words ended, the students turned their heads.
As if rehearsed, they all turned at once to look at...
"...Huh?"
...The cause of this situation.
Hundreds and thousands of gazes fixed upon her.
Seeing those bloodshot eyes, she realized.
Something seemed to be going rather strangely.