Chapter 32: Old friends and new rivals (4)
‘What do I do now?’
The weight of mana endlessly pressed down on Beruz.
Watching this, Isaiah stood at a crossroads.
Should he quickly step in and stop the rampage as much as possible?
Or should he pretend not to see and hide to save his own life?
It was a very difficult choice, but the time given was not very long.
With every second he hesitated, Beruz was collapsing in real-time.
“Gah… Ge-hek…!”
“I-is she really trying to kill him?”
“He’s going to have trouble breathing at this rate. Is her goal to suffocate him?”
Marie and Merlin, watching Beruz, also expressed their anxiety in turn.
The terrified assistant professor was foaming at the mouth and convulsing.
If they left him like that, he would die of shock without anyone laying a finger on him.
‘Damn it, I have no choice!’
Isaiah gritted his teeth, preparing the unique magic of the Midrash people.
‘Just a little bit of intervention…!’
It was at that moment.
“Professor!”
The clear and resolute cry of a woman.
Saintess Antiopea had quickly stopped Anastasia.
She stood between Anastasia and Assistant Professor Beruz and shouted decisively.
“Stop it! He’s really going to die!”
“…”
Swish!
A soft sound like rustling silk.
Along with it, the tremendous release of mana smoothly ceased.
Thanks to that, not only Isaiah’s group, who had been timing their forced intervention, but also…
“Ugh, something was really bothering me. It felt like when I ate spoiled pudding and my stomach churned.”
“My… temples are throbbing a bit.”
Alber and Krimhild, who were standing nearby, were also able to escape the influence safely.
But the man who had been most directly exposed to her mana…
“Huu… ughhh…”
‘He’s completely lost it.’
Antiopea gave a bitter smile, looking at Beruz, whose eyes had lost their focus.
He had been seized by an unbearable fear and had half-lost his mind.
‘Well, it doesn’t seem like there will be any major problems.’
He was certainly scared out of his wits, but in the end, it was just a scare.
After a good rest, he would return to normal, and there would be no major impact on his life.
Of course, due to the ingrained fear, he would probably be terrified just by seeing Anastasia from now on.
By the way.
‘The professor must have done it in a fit of anger…’
Glancing at the two frowning girls, the Saintess was quietly impressed.
‘…And yet, she managed to control it so that the students weren’t greatly affected?’
Unlike the scolded Beruz, the Hero and the Princess were not particularly affected.
Although they were strong because they were the golden generation, it was decisively because Anastasia had controlled the amount of mana she released.
She had sincerely suppressed only the impertinent assistant professor, and had only given the rest a slight sting.
‘Then she could have prevented them from being affected at all.’
The fact that she had applied a small amount of pressure despite being capable of delicate control…
‘Is it a kind of reprimand?’
A small reprimand to not act rashly without her permission again.
And a small reprimand to not cause accidents recklessly, buried in a competitive spirit.
It was then.
“…You three students over there.”
Anastasia, who had been glaring at the dazed Beruz, opened her mouth.
“Come out now and take the assistant professor to the infirmary.”
“Huh? Were there other people?”
“!”
At Anastasia’s words, Alber and Krimhild’s gazes flinched and turned to the other side.
At the same time, the three golden generation members who had been hiding in secret were also startled and froze.
‘She already knew we were here?’
The black magic defense professor who had given the order without even turning around.
Isaiah broke out in a cold sweat, looking at her crow feather cloak.
Although he couldn’t match that monster, he was also an outstanding talent in his own right.
And hadn’t he undergone rigorous training with magical beasts like sandworms since he was a child?
No matter how skilled a hunter his opponent was, he was confident he could hide his presence without any problem.
“Students, I’ll say this for the last time.”
As he was standing there blankly, Anastasia’s blunt voice brought him back to his senses.
Unwrapping a new candy, she emphasized each word with force.
“Come out now and take the assistant professor to the infirmary. Or I’ll get really angry.”
‘Tsk!’
Isaiah clicked his tongue, revealing himself with no other choice.
Hiding without leaving as the professor had ordered was itself an act of disobedience.
Since he had been discovered, stubbornly refusing to back down would only make things worse.
“Let’s go, Miss Marie.”
“…Alright.”
Merlin and Marie also seemed to agree, and they reluctantly started to walk.
As the three students hesitantly revealed themselves.
“Merlin Mc’Cool of Carnelian, Isaiah Sadugai of Jade, and Marie von Ludenberg of Topaz. The 4th to 6th ranked of the golden generation, right?”
Anastasia finally turned around and asked.
As a member of the academy, she recognized them, who were famous figures, at a glance.
But it was clear that she had not called them to praise their talent like other professors.
“I believe I ordered you to disperse. Even if you’re the golden generation, shouldn’t you obey a professor’s order?”
“…”
Her yellowish pupils, like a round full moon.
At her gaze, Merlin, Isaiah, and Marie became speechless.
For a moment, the eyes of an owl looking down at a field mouse came to mind.
They were terrified that they might suffer the same fate as Beruz.
“Five demerit points for disobedience. I will impose it on each of you without exception.”
Fortunately, there seemed to be no sign of that.
Professor Anastasia, who had imposed the penalty, bit into a hibiscus-flavored candy and drove the point home.
“Don’t ever act like this again. A dismissal order is a dismissal order. Understood?”
“Yes, Professor. I’m sorry. We won’t act like this in the future.”
Isaiah spoke up on behalf of Merlin and Marie, who couldn’t bring themselves to answer.
Fortunately, Anastasia didn’t reprimand them further and turned around.
Then, she strode towards the duelists, Alber and the princess.
“Hmph! I just used my right to duel! I didn’t do anything wrong!”
“…”
Whether it was the boldness of the next Hero or just plain foolishness, the half-dragon Alber did not shrink back even in front of Anastasia.
On the other hand, the princess stood with her hands behind her back, quietly waiting for her punishment.
The stark contrast between the troublemaker who hated rules and the woman of iron and blood who was accustomed to them.
Watching them, Isaiah secretly swallowed dryly.
‘How is she going to deal with those two?’
Although they were young students, they were also the clear culprits of this incident.
She had already dealt with Assistant Professor Beruz, so it seemed unlikely that she would let the high-ranking students off the hook.
“Hmph.”
Sure enough, a deep sigh escaped Anastasia’s lips.
Then, she raised both her arms towards the two girls’ heads.
Isaiah, who was watching this, felt his heart sink and muttered.
‘Don’t tell me… she’s really going to crush them like Beruz?’
But if she attacked a student, not only the faculty, but also the board of directors would be in an uproar.
It was at that moment.
Thwack!
“Ack!”
“Kya?!”
The sound of a skull and a finger colliding violently.
Then, Alber and the princess rubbed their foreheads in pain.
The punishment given to them was, funnily enough, just a single flick on the forehead.
“One demerit point each for you two, student Alber. Student Krimhild.”
Anastasia, whose face had softened somewhat, said in a chiding tone.
“It’s fine to use your right to duel, but from now on, be mindful of the time and place. Causing harm to others through carelessness is not a right, but a clear wrongdoing.”
“Geez, so petty…”
Alber, who was pouting because she had received a demerit.
But perhaps because the Saintess was glaring at her, she clearly had no intention of rebelling further.
In the end, she just grumbled, “Then just give me a duel quickly,” and stuck out her lips.
“…”
In contrast, the princess was stiff and motionless.
It seemed she was surprised by the unexpectedly light punishment.
She was so stiff that she almost looked like she had fainted while standing.
‘What’s wrong with her?’
As Isaiah was wondering about the princess’s strange behavior.
“Saintess Antiopea?”
Anastasia suddenly called the Saintess.
Then, she licked her candy and made a calm request.
“From now on, please control the situation in advance so that no accidents happen. Aren’t you here to protect the students’ safety?”
“…I’d like to do that too, Professor.”
At the professor’s remark, the Saintess gave a bitter smile.
Then, she pinched the bridge of her nose self-deprecatingly and replied.
“But as a mere observer, there’s not much I can do. Controlling students arbitrarily without the permission of a faculty member is…”
“I’m a faculty member, aren’t I?”
“Pardon?”
“As a faculty member and a housemaster, I am personally requesting this, Saintess.”
Anastasia narrowed her eyes, looking at the dumbfounded Saintess.
Then, she repeated her words with force.
“So, if it’s difficult with students from other dormitories, at least look after our Obsidian students. After all, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ranked students are all there.”
Antiopea, greatly surprised by the unexpected remark.
She blinked her eyes and asked back in a tone of disbelief.
“Does that mean… you’re delegating your authority to me? Your unique authority as a professor?”
The Saintess was not the only one who was puzzled by Anastasia’s sudden proposal.
The three golden generation members, who were supporting Beruz and listening intently to the whole conversation.
They too were astonished by the development that was far beyond common sense and began to exchange glances.
‘A magician… giving power to a clergyman?’
Even at the cost of damaging her own reputation and authority?
It was a natural law that magicians and clergymen had a difficult relationship.
The conflict between the two forces was a matter of pride that could not be backed down from, regardless of the practical benefits.
Therefore, it was an unconventional action that a normal magician, and especially a dormitory housemaster, would never take.
“Is it a particularly difficult request? I don’t think so.”
But Anastasia’s attitude was firm.
She glanced at Alber and Krimhild and added.
“Just think of it as fulfilling your duty as a Saintess. I just want peace in the dormitory, and I’m not asking for anything more.”
After finishing her words, Anastasia turned her back on them.
Then, she strode towards her office and made a casual request.
“I’ll go prepare for my lecture in two days. Please take care of the rest. And students, please return to your dorms.”
As if to prove her words, Professor Anastasia left the scene without looking back.
As if the series of events that had just happened were just an illusion or a mirage.
“Ugh. This guy peed his pants.”
Marie, who was about to support the assistant professor, backed away in disgust.
Assistant Professor Beruz, who was still in a daze and muttering incoherently.
A large puddle of water was spreading from under his pants, soaking the floor.
It was a bizarre sight that made one wonder if he would seriously need diapers for a while.
“Ugh, I hope it didn’t get on my hands. I hate dirty things.”
“Hehe, my.”
As Marie was irritably shaking her hands, Merlin crossed his arms and let out a hollow laugh.
Then, he muttered in a tone of great admiration.
“Perhaps I chose my dormitory too hastily. The ocean was right in front of me, but I jumped into a well like a frog.”
For once, he could agree with this unpleasant guy.
The boredom of the academy, where he felt no interest except for Housemaster Javir’s alchemy.
That had turned into a throbbing excitement because of the monster he had just met.
Then, Merlin stroked his chin and grinned.
“My, my. I should have known from the moment I saw her attire. That she was a noble person, different from ordinary people in every way.”
“Her attire?”
“Look, Mr. Isaiah. Isn’t it a very sophisticated and elegant cloak?”
At Isaiah’s question, Merlin’s lips twitched as he pointed at Anastasia’s coat.
He rambled on in a voice close to admiration.
“To have an aesthetic eye that knows the subtlety of feathers. Such an elegant sense is truly rare in this world. I’d even like to learn fashion from her if I have the chance.”
‘…You crazy bastard.’
It looks like she picked up a dead crow and wore it whole.
As expected, this guy is definitely not normal.
Merlin, the sinister face with whom he had felt a sense of kinship for a moment.
Isaiah had once again distanced himself from him, perhaps even further than before.
Meanwhile, while the three golden generation members were struggling with Assistant Professor Beruz.
“Alber? Miss Krimhild? Let’s go back to the dormitory.”
Saintess Antiopea approached the two girls with a fresh smile.
Her complexion was much brighter than before. Seeing this, Alber asked with a bewildered expression.
“You seem to be in a good mood all of a sudden, Pea. Did you think of something fun?”
“Hehe, there is something fun.”
Replying so, Antiopea secretly glanced at the trace of the departed Professor Anastasia.
‘She really existed.’
A peculiar professor who would readily allow intervention.
An excellent educator and a heretic who would bow her pride even to a dog of the Holy Kingdom for the sake of her students.
‘Five extra points. No, ten points, Professor.’
She, who did not know Anastasia’s true intentions, was only moved by her outward actions today.
She inwardly scored her as an inspector and turned her head towards the princess.
“You’ve had a hard time because of Alber, Miss Krimhild. Please go back to the dormitory and rest.”
“…”
“Miss Krimhild?”
The princess of Vǫlsunga, who was silent.
She was still clutching the spot where she had been hit, frozen like a plaster statue.
The woman of iron and blood, who maintained her immobility, hardly even blinking her eyelids.
Only one thought was echoing in her head.
‘She hit me?!’
Me? This me? How dare she? Me, the princess?
My father has never hit me! My older brother has never hit me!
Even the fool Ferdinand wouldn’t dare to lay a hand on me!
She had expected a reprimand or a written apology as punishment.
She had never imagined that someone would resort to physical violence, however minor, against her, a member of the royal family.
‘I-I can’t forgive her-!!’
Tremble. Krimhild gritted her teeth, her shoulders beginning to shake.
‘Professor Anastasia! I will definitely bring you to the court as a court magician, even if it means dying!’
And I will personally discipline you right under my nose!
So that you become an obedient loyal dog who will do whatever I say!
In a slightly different sense than before, her obsession with her had grown stronger.
‘Is it because she’s a bribe saintess?’
When I asked for a little help, she started with excuses about being a faculty member. Is she that annoyed with taking care of the kids?
I sighed softly, gripping the lollipop stick.
‘Well, since I drew a clear line, she can’t say anything else.’
I even asked her directly as the Obsidian housemaster.
At the very least, she’ll have to cover for freshmen like Alber, Silvia, and Krimhild in my stead from time to time.
If I’m going to be around the Saintess anyway, it’s better to entrust her with the troublemakers’ messes so she won’t have time to pay attention to me.
I’ll have less work, and she’ll be busy.
Then the probability of her sniffing around and finding out my identity will be significantly lower.
‘The princess won’t have any complaints either, right?’
I wanted to give her a proper scolding, but since she was who she was, I decided to let it go with a flick on the forehead.
She is a sharp, iron-blooded swordswoman who ranked 3rd.
I didn’t want to give her a chance to investigate me out of resentment and find out that I’m a witch.
And isn’t she ‘friends’ with Eve, who has a developed investigator’s sense?
Since Silvia already held a grudge against me for humiliating her, it was best not to make an enemy of the princess as well.
‘By the way, to think the first class was canceled.’
I’m not interested in teaching students, but I was worried about getting bad reviews or complaints.
Wouldn’t they file a complaint saying I’m insincere for a new professor, or that the tuition is a waste?
“Tsk, I don’t know.”
I clicked my tongue and stopped worrying.
Arguing about what had already happened wouldn’t change anything.
‘I just have to hope nothing bad happens.’
With so many unexpected things happening, it was a day where I couldn’t help but worry unnecessarily.