Chapter 45: Oh! my professor
“W-what on earth happened?! Everyone, where did you all come from!”
Dietrich, flustered by the sudden ambush.
His subordinates also stood there, unable to do anything, not knowing how to respond.
Thanks to that, the protesters were able to push them back even more forcefully.
“Go away, Magic Tower! Don’t infringe on the rights of students!”
“Klomes is a place of education and learning! Don’t oppress its members for political reasons!”
“The student council opposes the unjust tyranny of the powerful! Show a good example to the next generation, Magic Tower!”
“Damn it! What nonsense have you been spouting since earlier!”
Dietrich exploded, swatting away a flying bell pepper.
The Magic Tower’s special forces had only come to summon Anastasia to a hearing.
He had never even uttered a word about firing a professor.
Wasn’t their presence here a secret that shouldn’t have been known to the students in the first place?
In terms of timing, it didn’t make sense for the student council to come to Anastasia’s rescue.
However, the moment he spotted a girl at the head of the protest.
‘…Don’t tell me!’
His face, covered in egg yolk and flour, contorted.
“Silvia de Garcia…!”
Grind, Dietrich gritted his teeth and looked back and forth between her and Anastasia.
The daughter of Forte, who was in a close relationship with the warlock, and the 2nd-ranked student who had personally chosen to enter the Obsidian dormitory.
The exquisite timing of Silvia’s intrusion meant only one thing.
‘Was this all a setup from the beginning!’
It would be different for ordinary students, but Chairman Forte must have been aware of the Magic Tower’s movements in real time.
It was clear that as soon as the special forces moved, she had sent her daughter to support the professor.
“What are you doing, members of the special forces?”
While he was seething with anger, Anastasia crossed her arms as if to show off and sneered.
“The students are protesting, aren’t they? Are you going to give the impression that the Magic Tower is trampling on the opinions of the young sprouts?”
“Kuh…”
The composure of a victor who had won even the public opinion battle.
Dietrich clenched his fists, letting out an angry groan.
After glaring at her for a moment, he turned to his subordinates and gave an order.
“Withdraw. We’re leaving the academy.”
“A-as you command!”
“Ugh, if we’re going, let’s go quickly! I accidentally swallowed some!”
“Ugh, it smells. I don’t think this will come out even if I wash it.”
The grumbling of the members covered in food waste.
For an elite legion under the Council of Elders, and an organization where competent elites were gathered, it was an unimaginable humiliation.
But the problem was that there was no way to complain about it, nor was there any way to properly counterattack.
‘Cunning thing! To think she would use the students!’
Dietrich thought to himself as he looked at Anastasia, who was getting farther away.
The special forces were a unit created to suppress dangerous magical beasts and corrupt criminals.
In terms of practical experience and combat power, ordinary students couldn’t even compare.
However, the majority of the students were noble sons and daughters from famous families of various countries.
Even if their status was somewhat low, the fact that they were promising talents with outstanding abilities was the same.
And for the Magic Tower to show a biased attitude of ignoring the voices of the young people when they were acting in a group?
On that day, arrows of criticism would pour down from all over the country like a carpet bombing.
“A-are we really retreating like this, Captain? If we can’t escort the warlock…”
“Are you blind, you fool! Now that the student council has come, dragging that b*tch away will only tarnish the honor of the Council of Elders! And look at the members of the protest!”
A subordinate who was restless because he had failed his mission.
Dietrich reprimanded him fiercely and pointed to one side of the line.
“Hahaha! I don’t know why you’re shouting instead of fighting with strength, but this is also quite fun!”
The next Hero, Alber, laughing innocently while holding a stained picket.
Her emerald eyes, full of mischief, and her cutely shining fangs were very impressive.
“Hey, you there! Silkie Sausage promised to duel with me all semester!”
The excited Alber suddenly pointed her right hand at the special forces.
“So if you fire her on your own, I’ll quit the academy and follow her! I’m not that interested in an academy without Silkie Sausage!”
“Didn’t you promise to duel only on Fridays, Hero? The professor has other schedules on other days…”
“When Friday passes, I’ll apply again! I won’t stop until I defeat her with my skills!”
“Hmph.”
The red-haired classmate who sighed at the foolish Alber’s stubbornness.
Then, her flame-like crimson eyes flashed as she glared at the special forces.
The princess of the Vǫlsunga Empire, and the 3rd-ranked student of Obsidian, Krimhild von Hohenlaufen.
She was also conveying her intentions with her sharp gaze.
If they dragged away Professor Anastasia and imprisoned her, the princess, who was the next Sword Saint, would not stand by and watch.
‘The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ranked new students are protesting side by side?’
Although he didn’t know the faces of all the golden generation, Dietrich had a firm grasp of the identities of at least the top 3.
The next generation’s Hero, whom the Magic Tower was desperately trying to get on their good side.
A future Sword Saint candidate, and a woman of iron and blood who might one day inherit the imperial throne.
Now that they were involved, forcibly arresting Anastasia was a self-defeating move.
‘The Council of Elders will never forget this, Forte!’
He vented his anger on the chairman as he distanced himself from the protesters.
The constellation was given to her as a sign not to defy the elders, and she had stabbed them in the back like this?
‘I’ll report this immediately and have her constellation revoked!’
Did you think we wouldn’t take follow-up measures if you put the students in front? Not a chance!
Your daughter will live her life in disgrace!
He quickened his pace, vowing a petty but certain revenge.
And so, the Magic Tower’s special forces left the Coral Hall area and disappeared in the direction of the Magic Tower.
And as soon as the special forces had completely disappeared from the vicinity.
“Yeah, we won!”
“It’s a victory for the student council, everyone! Let’s go back and celebrate!”
“Even the Magic Tower can’t defeat the students! The academy belongs to the students!”
The students who had achieved their goal also cheered and high-fived each other.
To have stood up against the higher powers and finally achieved their will was an accomplishment worthy of being proud of as students of Klomes.
“How do you feel, Professor?”
Antiopea, who was watching this, approached.
She poked the professor’s shoulder and asked playfully.
“The students came running to save you. It seems you’ve gained a lot of popularity in a short period of time.”
“I haven’t gained any popularity, Saintess. They just didn’t like the Magic Tower abusing its authority.”
Tap, tap. Anastasia replied nonchalantly, dusting off her cloak.
“The student council is always sensitive to such issues. It seems they happened to hear about the situation and gathered.”
“Hehe, is that so?”
Pretending not to know?
Hiding the warm smile that was forming, Antiopea looked at her warmly.
At their first meeting, she had seemed like a dangerous variable with an inscrutable heart.
But now, she was like a hamster with its cheeks puffed out.
“Professor? Are you okay?”
Just then, the four students who had led the demonstration also approached them.
Anastasia, who had spotted them, smiled and called out the name of the student who caught her eye first.
“You came, Eve.”
“Of course I had to come. You’re the housemaster of the dormitory I’m in.”
Eve Vellam replied with a gentle smile.
At this, Anastasia also gave a small smile and asked.
“Thank you for saying so. But how did you know?”
“Ah, well…”
Instead of answering, she gave a subtle glance towards Silvia.
At this point, Professor Anastasia would surely understand the situation.
It was all Silvia’s credit for informing the students, including Eve, of the special forces’ appearance, and for proactively organizing the protest.
“…”
Indeed, Anastasia looked at Silvia with a meaningful expression, as if she had understood the meaning.
At this, Eve shrugged her shoulders lightly and offered a word of congratulation.
“Anyway, I’m glad it ended without any major incident, Professor. Congratulations.”
“Hehe, of course it is! Silkie Sausage can’t go anywhere until she duels with me!”
Alber’s declaration, who had thrown away her picket and gripped Gáe Bolg again.
She said with a boisterous smile befitting a troublemaker.
“So get ready and wait for me, Silkie Sausage! Since I helped you today, it’s only right that you return the favor!”
“Alber, please don’t be rude to the professor. How many times have I told you not to use that nickname?”
The bold half-dragon and Antiopea, who was reprimanding her and touching her forehead.
Glancing at them, Princess Krimhild also calmly stepped forward.
“You’ve been through a lot, Professor. I’m glad we were able to resolve it safely.”
“Thank you, student Krimhild. You’ve gone through a lot because of me.”
A calm voice devoid of any particular emotion.
But a clear sense of gratitude was deeply embedded within it.
Sensing this, Krimhild secretly gave a triumphant smile.
‘A trivial action, but she must have felt my sincerity.’
Not only the princess herself, but also Eve, who was known to be her close friend, had rushed over.
A normal person would be greatly moved and feel an unconscious sense of debt.
If she continues to accumulate such emotion and debt, and a definite opportunity to gain the upper hand comes someday?
‘I’ll put a leash on her and make her mine.’
The forehead where the warlock had flicked her.
She vowed, stroking the spot that evoked both shame and a fighting spirit.
‘When that time comes, I’ll be sure to repay this humiliation, Professor Anastasia.’
Krimhild was the greatest heroine of the empire, famous for her iron will.
Choosing a dog of excellent breed and ‘disciplining’ it herself was her specialty.
Thus, the golden generation of Obsidian, each with their own hidden intentions.
But what Anastasia was currently paying attention to was not the gently smiling gunslinger, nor the boastful half-dragon, nor the iron-blooded princess dreaming of sweet revenge.
“…”
The new black magic defense professor, who was just observing the four students who had gathered.
She nonchalantly singled out one person who was particularly quiet.
“Silvia?”
“…Yes, Professor.”
The purple-haired girl, as quiet as a scarecrow.
Silvia, who was standing with a sullen attitude, cautiously raised her head.
Looking at the girl with her bright yellow eyes, Anastasia let out a faint sigh.
After a moment’s pause, she said in a somewhat subdued tone.
“Follow me to my laboratory. Let’s talk for a moment, just the two of us.”
“Have this, Silvia.”
About 30 minutes later, Professor Anastasia, who had sorted out the situation and returned to her laboratory.
She said, taking out a cold drink from the refrigerator.
“I-it’s okay. You don’t have to give me something like this…”
“You’ve seen a lot of unpleasant things today. Just have a drink to quench your thirst.”
“…Yes, Professor.”
With no other choice, Silvia took it and drank it down.
Thanks to that, her stomach felt much better, but her heart was still as heavy as if it were covered in old dust.
‘What exactly does she want to talk about?’
Glance. A monologue as she glanced at the nonchalantly standing Anastasia.
Although she had brought the student protesters for the professor, she honestly didn’t expect to be forgiven.
Even if Silvia were the professor, she wouldn’t be able to like a child who had done so many bad things.
‘I was rude at the test site, I blew up the Coral Hall with magic, and I even tried to get her fired through my mother.’
The last one was, of course, a misunderstanding, but now she didn’t even have the will to explain.
Even if she did, the professor would just think she was lying, trying to get out of it with a shallow trick like the Silvia of the past.
The rising star girl who had always stood on top of the teachers’ heads and played them for fools.
She would think that she had done all those things in a row because she held a grudge.
‘…Don’t cry, you fool.’
Didn’t the professor say so? Not to show tears if you haven’t done anything good.
Anyway, no matter what I hear now, it’s all my fault.
Because I was wrong… I lost the first teacher I wanted to learn from right in front of my eyes.
Barely holding back the tears that were about to fall, she threw the empty drink into the trash can.
Then, with her hands politely clasped, she quietly waited for the professor to speak.
“…Phew.”
A heavy sigh. Hearing this, Silvia flinched and hunched her shoulders.
It felt like the professor’s furious scolding was about to fall.
But when the professor finally opened her mouth.
“Are you feeling a little better, Silvia?”
The words that came out were of a completely different kind.
“Pardon? My body?”
“You were attacked by the Magic Eater.”
After a moment of bewildered questioning, Anastasia pointed at Silvia and said.
“I’m asking as a housemaster if you’ve been to the infirmary and if there are any abnormalities in your health. Because you are a student of my dormitory.”
“Ah, yes… that’s right.”
Right, she’s just saying that as a housemaster.
Clutching her heavy chest, Silvia forced a faint smile.
“There’s nothing particularly wrong. I wasn’t seriously injured, and I protected myself with a barrier when I was attacked.”
“Good job, Silvia. I’m glad you’re not hurt.”
Anastasia gave a formal encouragement and took a slow, deep breath.
It felt like she was gathering her anger to be unleashed, and fear crept in.
Still, she resolved to accept any outburst with humility.
“You have a lot of bad feelings towards me, don’t you, Silvia?”
The professor said something completely unexpected, in a gently softened tone.
“Pardon?”
“You don’t have to make excuses. It’s not always because someone is good or bad that you have hard feelings. It’s human nature to get hurt over trivial things.”
“Ah, well… that is…”
“Of course, I have no intention of apologizing for my actions. Scolding you and publicly humiliating you was something I had to do as a professor and a supervisor.”
Tap, tap, tap. Anastasia drew a line, tapping the laboratory desk with her index finger.
For a moment, the conversation was cut off, and an uncomfortable silence enveloped everything.
“…But I am your housemaster, and you are my student.”
A few seconds later, Anastasia narrowed her eyes and said in a stern tone.
“No matter what you were feeling when you chose Obsidian, this relationship cannot be broken. If we keep fighting with bad feelings, we’ll just build up stress. In the end, both you and I will just get tired.”
No…!
I want to shout that it’s not like that, that I don’t have a single shred of ill will towards the professor.
I want to confess that it’s all a misunderstanding, that all she wants is to be by the professor’s side.
But not a single word could come out, as if her vocal cords were blocked.
She could only helplessly follow the professor’s gaze, the next sentence that would come out of her mouth.
‘Is she… going to urge me to change dormitories?’
Tremble, she thought to herself, her lips trembling.
Changing dormitories after choosing one would be a complicated and cumbersome matter, but it wouldn’t be impossible.
Of course, if she really forced it, only dishonor would remain for both the professor and herself, but if she was going to say something like that, she must have already made up her mind…
“So.”
The stream of thoughts that followed one after another.
Anastasia cut it off and asked a question.
“Can I take what just happened as a gesture of reconciliation from you, Silvia?”
“…Pardon?”
A gesture… of reconciliation?
“You gathered all those protesters, didn’t you?”
Anastasia said quietly to the dazed Silvia.
“It must have taken a lot of effort to gather so many students. It must have been a hassle to get each one to participate, but you managed to do it.”
…It wasn’t that much of a hassle.
It was her role to gather the protesters, but she hadn’t made any special effort in the process.
As soon as the news that the professor might be fired spread, the students’ fighting spirit had reached its peak.
‘Ah, no! Professor Bishop can’t come back! We can’t relive that nightmare!’
‘No more C-sprinkling!! Let me get an A in that class for once!!’
‘Let’s protect the best honey lecture ever! Let’s protect the peerless beauty Anastasia!’
The cry that had exploded at the news that the professor might leave.
As she was smiling bitterly at the memory, Anastasia suddenly added a word.
“So let’s start a new from today.”
“Start a new… you say?”
“Both you and I, let’s forget about the past friction and reconcile.”
The smile Silvia had so wanted to receive, but had given up on ever receiving.
With a faint but clear smile, she concluded.
“Because we are a teacher and a student who have to live together until graduation.”
Stiff. A stiffness as if she had been struck by lightning came over her.
She couldn’t utter a single reply, nor could she move her body to express her will.
Silvia, literally frozen like a plaster statue.
Looking at her, Anastasia sighed softly.
“So what I’m saying is…”
Just as she raised her hand to stroke her head.
Hug!
Anastasia’s body was suddenly pushed back. Then, the scent of two people overlapping.
Hugging the professor with all her might, Silvia’s shoulders trembled.
The tears she had tried so hard to hold back finally began to pour out.
“Sob… sob…”
It felt like she was having a dream, a supremely happy dream at that.
To be forgiven when she thought she wouldn’t be, and to be acknowledged as a student.
Hiccup, she prayed as she shed a flood of tears.
If this is truly just a fleeting dream, may she never wake up from it.
Like a sinner cursed by God to sleep forever, may she wander in a dream until she dies.
‘Is this really something to cry about?’
She must have been scared that she would be severely scolded for destroying the Coral Hall.
Although I still had some resentment, my heart softened a little when she cried like this.
The troublemaking girl who was burrowing into my arms and sobbing.
After fumbling with my hands, which had nowhere to go, I finally extended both arms and hugged her back.
‘…Rice.’
The nickname of my younger sister who had died of an incurable disease.
I thought to myself, recalling the name that came to mind when I smelled the iris scent from Silvia.
If she were still alive, she would be about the same age as this child.
She would have played pranks on me like Silvia, and in the end, she would have cried and begged for forgiveness when she was scolded.
Is that why?
No matter how resentful I was, I couldn’t seem to hate this child.
Whether in the realm of the unconscious or the conscious, my younger sister, the only one I had loved among my damn family, was strangely superimposed on her.
How long had it been like that?
“Sniff… Professor… Professor Anastasia.”
Finally, Silvia pulled her face away from my arms and smiled.
Her tears and smile overlapped, making her look a little grotesque.
“Here. Wipe your face first.”
“Yes, hehe.”
Silvia, who was still giggling even while hiccupping.
She moved away from me and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief embroidered with flowers.
To think she would get so emotional over a simple offer of a draw.
‘She should have just caused less trouble.’
I was grumbling with a wry snort.
“…?”
“Hehe, I’m all done. I’ll wash the handkerchief and return it to you later, Professor.”
Silvia de Garcia, speaking with her usual bright expression.
But I couldn’t bring myself to answer her.
“Professor? What’s wrong?”
“Heuk… sob…”
Suddenly, the space inside my ribs became tight.
Then, a hot energy rose up my throat.
The moment I coughed it up and leaned on the desk.
“P-Professor!!”
Silvia’s terrified scream rang out, and my vision began to blur.
Only then could I realize what the liquid I had just vomited out of my mouth was.
‘Blood…?’
At least a bowlful of bright red blood.
It was splattered on my palm and the laboratory floor.
‘Suddenly… why all of a sudden?’
Without even having time to find an answer to my question, the strength in my shins gave out and I collapsed.
Then, unable to even support my body, I hit my head on the hard stone floor.
“Professor! Professor Anastasia-!! S-someone help-!!”
Silvia’s cry as she shook me and wept.
Hearing this, I slowly closed my eyes.
Then, fade to black.
Feeling a sensation similar to when I was dying in the sewers of the imperial capital, I lost consciousness.