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Scene #1 - Kaiser
Scene #2 - Teaching Assistant ◀
Scene #3 - How Did It Come to This
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Soon, District 9 of the Academy began to be developed into a tourist zone.
Dozens of construction mages were mobilized, and buildings and facilities popped up like magic.
In the midst of it all, a large signboard appeared.
“Cain’s Christmas Tree”
Its abbreviated nickname was “Cain Tree.”
Starting a few days ago, the department had begun showing me branding symbols and merchandise mockups for inspection.
And ever since the royal order was issued a few days back, domestic tourists had started pouring in.
“Wow, there are so many people!”
“So there are.”
Adele and I were on our way to District 9 to observe the tourists observing the attraction. From the airship terminal to the buses, people poured out of every vehicle to see the tree, visit nearby restaurants, buy merchandise, and enjoy themselves.
“Cain the Chief Professor... He must be amazing. How did he make something so massive?”
“So it seems.”
“But the name kinda sounds like it includes me. ‘Cain and Adele.’ Ahaha. They must really know what they’re doing!”
“...I suppose so.”
Adele didn’t know that I was the one behind the tree.
From research to the final exam announcement, I had kept everything secret.
And I had kept hiding it since.
As I’d hoped, countless illusionists appeared in District 9. They entered [Illusion Realm] and used their own illusions to add decorations to the tree.
The Cain Tree was constantly being adorned in real-time: ornament balls (red spheres symbolizing apples), candy canes, symbolic stars for the various celestial bodies they worshipped, ribbons, garlands, bells, snow decorations, stockings, gift boxes...
Christmas had long since passed, but seeing the tree steadily come together still made me feel good.
Not long ago, the Academy was drowning in the atmosphere of death. But now? Tourists were smiling. Students from the Department of Magic, some hired as part-time workers, were showing off their skills here and there. Smiling faces everywhere.
Life was returning.
To Hiaka Academy.
“Wow, this tree is insane! Up close it’s really...”
“Did Hiaka really make this? That Cain professor guy? Damn...”
“My kid’s stationed in District 0. Just a few days ago, I was terrified hearing war rumors. Now I hear imperial nobles are visiting tomorrow.”
The tourists chatted busily.
Adele watched them with wide, curious eyes.
It really was an out-of-nowhere tourist destination.
Groups of elderly folks traveled together. Couples laughed as their children stretched their arms to measure the tree’s size. Couples walked hand in hand.
Adele seemed to linger on the couples a bit longer.
“Hey, handsome young man over there!”
A tourist approached and held out a Crystal Orb.
“Would you take a photo for us?”
“Ah, yes...”
I handed the orb to Adele.
“Huh? Me?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not good at taking pictures though.”
Still, I figured she’d do a better job than me.
“Is it like this? Hmm~ like this?”
Adele snapped the photo earnestly.
The result was tragic.
“Uhh? What is this? Ahahaha!”
“Let me see! Whoa! Bahahaha! Miss, did you take it like this to make us laugh?”
“I-I did my best...”
Adele gave an awkward smile, having accidentally gifted the tourists a good laugh.
So I ended up having to take the photo myself.
“But are you two a couple?”
“Huh? Us?”
“You look so good together. Both pretty and handsome.”
“Ah, no, no! He’s a professor, and I’m just his assistant...!”
“Ohhh. That’s even better, huh?”
“Excuse me?”
“Kyaaha! Sis, what are you even saying~!”
“Ah, my wife’s being ridiculous. Sorry about that! Come here, honey. Don’t go bothering nice young people...”
After they left, Adele let out a giggle.
“They thought we were on a date.”
“Seems that way.”
“It’s fun. I’ve never done this kind of thing before... To be honest, I’ve never even held a guy’s hand before.”
That was unexpected. I figured there’d be plenty of people who liked Adele.
Adele sat perched on a high observation platform railing.
The wind stirred, and her hair fluttered.
“What about you, Professor? No girlfriend?”
“Do you think I’d have time for one? You know my schedule.”
“Ahh. That’s true, we’ve been super busy. But is there a reason you don’t date?”
“You said it yourself. I’m too busy.”
“What if you weren’t busy?”
“...This really is a tourist spot now. You’re saying all kinds of things. If I weren’t busy... Well, I’ve honestly never even thought about dating or marriage.”
Now that I thought about it—
Not even once in my life.
Maybe love and marriage just felt like luxuries for those who had things to spare.
Only people with something to share—
Can also share their hearts.
It wasn’t like I’d never had a chance.
Not many, but I’d been lucky enough to hear “I like you” from someone before.
But still...
When would have been the right time?
Back in high school, hiding bruises by napping face-down on the desk?
In my early twenties, surviving on 1,500 won, beating an egg into leftover instant noodle broth to make fake steamed egg?
In my late twenties, getting my hand grated while making kimchi at my advisor’s place—then getting scolded anyway?
‘...God. What a miserable life.’
That’s when Adele smiled and said,
“But actually, Professor... I kind of hope you don’t date.”
“Why.”
“You shouldn’t waste time on that kind of stuff. You’re too talented for it.”
“That may be true.”
“Ugh, rude~”
Adele burst into giggles.
“And what if you did have a girlfriend? Wouldn’t she get jealous of us?”
“Because of the cohabitation?”
“It’s not just cohabitation. It’s living together. You’re technically living with a woman. And not just any woman. A capable, proud, extremely charming woman.”
Adele poked her cheek with her finger.
Then her expression hardened slightly.
I turned my head.
“Who knows.”
“...Excuse me? ‘Who knows’? Charm aside, I am capable, right? I mean, I’m an S-grade assistant.”
“Who knows.”
“You can’t deny it! You know I’m the best one. I’m great at my job. Quick-witted. Good driver. Honestly, you won’t find another assistant like me. Admit it?”
“...Who knows.”
As I kept dodging, Adele pouted and shook her head.
“Fine, whatever. Some people try so hard just to get a little recognition from you. Others work for ages and don’t even get one compliment...”
Adele started to grumble.
“You’re the best assistant I’ve ever had.”
“Oh my. Really?”
That one line made her light up with genuine joy.
It was that kind of moment.
I was about to say we should head out soon—
When Adele’s expression hardened a bit.
“What is it?”
“Then, Professor...”
She spoke with a quiet, sunken voice.
“Yes?”
“You won’t... throw me away, right...?”
“What?”
Adele’s gaze dropped slightly.
“I mean... You’ve already become a chief professor just in a couple of months. If you keep rising even more...”
Just then, the Crystal Orb rang loudly.
It was an urgent summons from Shaman, the Head of the Department of Assassination.
***
In the Dean’s Office were Shaman and Ezekiel.
“Hohoho! Come in, come in. Sorry to call you in on a day off?”
Thick jawline. Round glasses. A cute little mustache.
But his build said otherwise.
Shaman Kreutz, Head of the Department of Assassination.
He gave me a kindly, squinty-eyed smile.
“It’s fine. But what’s this about?”
“Professor Dante, you submitted an application to become a supervising professor, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.”
A ‘supervising professor’—or ‘supervision’—meant forming one’s own assassination unit and focusing on their specialized training.
Students belonging to the assassination squad would learn from the professor and be deployed for various assassination missions and operations outside the Academy.
Their achievements would simultaneously count as the professor’s achievements. The students’ success would be officially recorded as the professor’s own.
Naturally, this was a core part of the professor-style main storyline, and I had submitted the application yesterday—to form my own assassination unit.
And now—
┃ Main Quest [Supervising Professor]
┃ Reward: Star Shards (Gain or loss will vary greatly depending on student reputation.)
A main quest had appeared.
“It’s a main quest that synergizes with ‘Betting Table.’”
It was the event where I could earn the most Star Shards.
But at the same time, the risk was highest.
If students died or their reputation as assassins was ruined, I, the professor, would suffer severe penalties from the ⧉System.
Of course, I had been preparing for this to some extent.
“......”
But Shaman’s expression didn’t look good.
Behind his round glasses, his eyes were filled with worry.
“What’s wrong?”
“Do you have to do this?”
“...Excuse me?”
“I said, can’t you not do it? The supervising professor thing.”
“Is there a reason?”
“What if you go out and die?”
“......”
This is just how Shaman is.
A monster assassin well past his hundredth year.
But he looks like a fifty-year-old {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} baker.
And honestly, his personality matches it.
“Headmaster. I fully understand your concern. It’s because I have a lot at stake.”
“Don’t do it. Please?”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m not someone who dies that easily. Besides, there’s much I have to do outside.”
“No. Don’t go.”
“I understand that Hiaka Academy is in a precarious position. Please trust me. I believe I can lead academic exchanges and cooperation with the Empire to—”
“Just don’t go! Just stay here!”
“......”
I had no idea how to respond to an old man throwing a tantrum.
This guy was a bit like Chief Galois, in that way.
“I don’t want to.”
“Argh, dammit!”
Shaman fumed.
“What if you die? No Cain! What about Hiaka’s [Illusion]? What happens to the peace conference?!”
“I’m not going to die, Headmaster.”
“Easy for you to say! If I pulled a knife right now, I could kill you right here!”
“I came here precisely because I’m sure you wouldn’t do that.”
“Not me, but what about Ezekiel?! What if he kills you?!”
“What nonsense—Shaman, old man. Even with my magical eye, I can tell he’s not someone who would—”
“You be quiet! What would a glorified shield stand know?!”
“...That’s harsh.”
“You don’t have to worry, Headmaster. I will not die.”
“......”
“......”
As I stood firm, Shaman’s face soured like a grumpy bakery uncle.
Like thirty Jean Valjeans had walked out on him.
“......”
“......”
“You remind me of myself in my youth.”
“...Is that so.”
“I too was once fearless, just like you—lean, sharp, fearless.”
“...You still, uh... are quite...”
“......”
“...Sorry.”
“......”
“......”
“......”
“...Still quite brave.”
“Anyway. Got any students in mind?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“Balmung, Gray, Elize.”
That’s right.
It was time to start supervising the Dormant Dragon Cadets.
“The more I see, the more curious it gets. Even vermin like you end up crawling out of the cracks.”
Ezekiel, beside me, said something that might’ve been praise or an insult. Not like I could complain about a shield stand trying to evaluate an assassin.
“Alright, fine. Tsk! Go on, get out of here.”
Shaman waved me off with a face full of regret.
His thick cheeks jiggled side to side.
“Yes, then.”
Just as I turned to leave, a surge of magical power—『Whispered Arcane Voice』, a spell reserved for high mages—touched my ear. Ezekiel had sent me a telepathic message.
< Professor Dante. >
< Yes. >
< You know about it, don’t you. >
He opened without context.
But I nodded.
< I do. >
< ...... >
Ezekiel narrowed his eyes. He crossed his arms with elegance, puzzled.
But I already knew what he was going to say, having seen the 【Script】.
Even before the thought had fully formed in him, I had already pieced together the truth of the matter.
There is a spy.
Very close to me.
< How much do you know? >
< Likely as much as the Academy has identified. >
< What are you going to do? >
< I plan to observe for now. And you, Headmaster? >
< The old man Shaman wants them eliminated. >
< ...... >
I thought for a moment before answering.
< It’s too soon. >
< Too soon? >
< May I ask—how much has the Academy confirmed about the spy? >
< Nothing. Not even whether they’re Kreutz’s agent. The intel came from the ⧉Roster. And you? >
< I know about as much as you do. >
Whoever it was—spy or not—they were alien to this system.
But we had no proof. No pattern. No name.
Both the Academy and I were in the same place.
< At times like this, it’s better to wait and identify their base, their objective, their allies, and the reason they’ve remained inactive so long—rather than killing them prematurely. >
Ezekiel’s lips curled faintly.
< You’re thirty, right? You’re a monster. In every way. >
< That’s high praise. >
< Then I’ll entrust this situation to you. But if the spy so much as raises a finger against you, I’ll act first. I just laid a [Curse] on them, moments ago. >
And then Ezekiel added:
< Kill them when the time is right. >
I gave a slight nod and stepped outside.
“Ah—ah! Professor!?”
Waiting in the hallway was my ever-loyal assistant, rushing to me.
“What happened? Everything okay?!”
Adele asked with a worried expression.
“Nothing happened.”
“Really?”
What I’d said to Ezekiel had been sincere. That I didn’t yet know their goal, that I needed to assess the situation, identify their allies—it was all true.
But even so, I couldn’t deny that a small sliver of emotion had crept into that logic.
“Haaah... You scared me so bad.”
“Scared?”
“Of course! You got summoned by the department heads out of nowhere! A private 1:1 meeting! I thought something had happened to you...!”
“Such useless worries.”
“What?”
At that, Adele propped her elbow into my side.
“That’s not a useless worry! What if you had to resign? Or were punished? You know how many professors have already quit lately...!”
“Wouldn’t matter much. Even if I were gone, you wouldn’t be affected.”
“What the hell?? Of course I would! We’ve been together for ages! If you disappeared, I’d cry, okay?!”
Adele’s cheeks were flushed.
Maybe it was the chill of early winter.
I looked into those brown eyes.
“That won’t happen. So keep your worries leashed.”
“Yes... Then, wanna go grab something to eat? We haven’t had anything all day, running around District 9.”
“Sure. Let’s eat.”
Adele cheerfully started walking ahead.
● Assistant Adele [Cursed]
I stared blankly at the back of her head for a moment, then followed.
“What do you want to eat?”
“Whatever you feel like, Professor~”
She said that with an embarrassed smile—knowing full well she said the same thing every time and then picked what she wanted anyway.
“......”
How am I supposed to kill this one.
This freew(e)bnovel.(c)om