episode_0047

– Love Potion.

If such a thing exists, it would be really convenient…

Like an app pulled out of a pocket, being able to captivate someone’s heart without any effort… There would be nothing more convenient than that.

….

I don’t need that kind of thing…

The fun of human relationships comes from the uncertainty of where they will lead.

Bouncing back and forth, not going as planned, yearning, and being unable to make up one’s mind is the fun of interacting with people…

I don’t want to deny the dream of becoming a professor, but weak people might want to rely on such things. Those who don’t know the joy of challenging themselves.

I am different.

I don’t need that kind of thing.

– Skin care!

No need for words. I’m confident about my skin, but on particularly tough days due to nightmares, my skin seems to worsen a bit. Just like how even a slight blemish stands out on a pure white canvas, even a small trouble bothers me at least in my eyes. That’s why it’s necessary.

– Condition recovery!

Even before possession, I always took comprehensive vitamins. These days, there are many particularly tiring days. That’s why it’s necessary.

– Vitality enhancement!

This is also nee… No, it’s useless now…

– Insomnia treatment!

There’s no problem falling asleep, but nightmares are the issue. But what if there were insomnia treatment that could prevent nightmares? If it could be made with a miraculous combination of magic and herbal medicine? My quality of life here would be incomparable to what it is now.

Yes…

These are necessary. They’re definitely necessary. They’re things that will definitely come in handy if you keep them in mind. The day will surely come when they are needed. So, they’re necessary. It’s not because I want to learn for impure reasons, like a pheromone perfume to captivate someone or the ultimate potion that the professor aspires to. I’m doing this because I really need to…

I don’t need something like a love potion.

….

“Professor, your perfume is also a masterpiece.”

I flatter.

“The potions would be even more amazing, right!?”

“….”

Praise makes even whales dance.

The professor rubbed his chin and fell into contemplation.

“Now, here’s a student who supports your research. Hurry, take them to be… no, not a graduate student… no, as your disciple!”

The professor, who had just been flustered, slowly opened his mouth, and the flustered look disappeared.

“But wait, you.”

“Yes!”

“…Your face looks unfamiliar, what’s your name?”

“I’m Beatrice de Dalia, Knight Studies Department.”

The professor transformed into a shrewd negotiator, exuding an air of competence and brightness.

“Knight Studies? Then, how do you plan to interpret difficult ancient texts? Do you have knowledge of symbols and metaphors written in ancient runic language? Have you rearranged mana based on subtle formulas other than drawing a sword? …Do you have plenty of time to spare? The Magic Potion Research Lab has a place to rest, but you can only take a short nap there. Moreover, even if you’re a knight, it’s quite taxing to devote yourself solely to experiments without taking care of your health day and night.”

He was no longer in a position to refuse.

“Oh, seeing that you don’t have a golden shoulder patch… You’re not first class, are you? Do you have any close professors? I should check your reputation first.”

“Oh, and above all…”

Being a professor at the Imperial Academy is no easy task. It’s hard to get the position, and even harder to maintain it. Instead of a friendly middle-aged man from the night market, he showed the appearance of a magician who constantly strives and competes to maintain his position.

“If you’re from the Knight Studies Department, you’ve never taken my class. How did you recognize me?”

He was recalling the time when he intruded into the Magic Potion Lecture Hall as an unknown.

“What if I had arrived about 5 minutes late?” He was having such a mischievous thought. Then, he came to his senses at the professor’s pointed question.

“Well, that’s… I’ve been holed up in the research lab all this time.”

The professor, who had been rubbing his chin, gave him a sharp look.

The confusion that arose from encountering students at the night market disappeared, only to be replaced by suspicion. Human suspicion is a remarkable thing; when combined with imagination, it can conjure all sorts of possibilities.

A knight undergraduate student interested in magic research, a student who sensed mana in the fragrance and questioned, and a student who recognized himself without attending classes.

By adding a few more conjectures to these facts, one might reach the truth.

For example… that student had seen the professor while disguised in helmet and armor…

I didn’t show any signs, but I became extremely sensitive since enrolling in the academy, fearing that my true identity might be revealed. Even the smallest possibility, even the slightest seed of doubt, must not be left behind.

I quickly said,

So that the professor wouldn’t think further.

“Le, Letitia…!”

“…?”

“Do you know my roommate Letitia? She’s in the Second Class of the Department of Magic.”

“If it’s Letitia, she’s a student who always sits in the front row and actively participates in practical exercises.”

It seems like I found a way out.

“Yes! Letitia admires the professor so much, I’ve heard her talk about it a lot. She even put up the professor’s portrait and newspaper interviews in our room. She said she wants to become an excellent research magician like the professor someday…”

“Ohh….”

“And didn’t she buy two copies of the books the professor wrote, even though she’s not even in the Department of Magic, just a Second Class student?”

When I went to the library to look into teleportation magic, I suddenly remembered the professor’s book. Right now, I’m desperately trying to come up with a plausible excuse by racking my memory.

“And then today, seeing someone who looked exactly like the portrait, I just…”

“….”

“I’m sorry! I’m not even in the Department of Magic, I’m just a Second Class student, and I don’t even understand the professor’s great research.”

I have to lower my eyes and make the most apologetic expression possible. It’s best to stimulate the professor’s authority and mercy as much as possible to forgive the student who was previously enthusiastic.

“Still, even a roommate like me was amazed by the passion for magic and research I heard from Professor Leticia.”

“…I see. Now I understand!”

The professor shouted as if he had discovered something, snapping his fingers.

“Beatrix, the world is a cold place…”

“P-professor?”

“Just as you reap what you sow, not everyone can attain the qualities of a magician…”

He spoke with a dignified and arrogant expression, speaking as a proud magician.

“I respect your passion, but aren’t you already a talent for the Knight Department?”

“Y-yes.”

“There’s a path for knights, and there’s a path for us magicians. Please understand and accept that I cannot take you as my disciple.”

“…Yes.”

In summary, it meant ‘Not a magician, nor qualified for the prestigious First Class.’

Slightly annoyed. How dare he discuss the qualities of a magician with the descendant of the Green Emperor! Even if it takes time to self-study in the library, it doesn’t seem too difficult to surpass the professor… Just bothersome.

Still, it’s better than revealing my true identity.

Tap-

The professor patted my shoulder.

It seemed like I was deeply dejected.

Whether she had talent for acting or Beatrix’s face naturally made various expressions, it wasn’t so difficult to hide her true feelings and wear a mask according to the situation.

“Thank you for understanding.”

“…”

“Oh! I should have a separate meeting with student Leticia.”

“Eh?”

The situation is getting a bit strange.

“The enthusiasm you showed in class, and the passion and respect that even your roommate has for my research, make me want to give a chance despite being a Second Class!”

“Oh… um.”

“Yes! You might have been too focused on your research within the confines. It’s time to change the direction of your research with the bold wisdom of a Second Class freshman!”

The professor was touching his chin again, contemplating the future. From Leticia’s perspective, it was a very daunting future.

Sorry, Leticia.

I think I might have betrayed you.

I’m really sorry.

*

“Why is Cloé de Minuus ahead?”

After finishing the meal, Duke Mayner, sipping on a cool fruit juice, spoke first.

Since we’ve finished eating, it’s time to work.

“…Yes?”

“Karl, since you’re transferring to the Knight Department, I understand your intention to get closer to the ladies there. However, I don’t understand why you want to get close to Baron Kahn’s lady first.”

The Duke’s voice towards Karl was warm, but as the effective leader of the Information Bureau, asking legitimate questions separate from the respectful tone toward his subordinate and son was difficult.

“The Republic is a powerful nation next to the Empire. If she’s the only lady there, she’s not an easy target for you either. If it were me, I would have set my sights on the Viscountess of Primula first. Is there a special reason?”

“….”

Since Karl hadn’t revealed the true identity of the woman they were looking for, he couldn’t ask direct questions like “Did you feel the power of nobility from the lady?”

“Why are you being so picky? Maybe the young lord preferred the lady.”

“Do you think Karl is like you?”

“He’s also a man, a man! Maybe he prefers innocent Cloé! Dahlia looks like she’d slap you if you talk to her without knowing where to step.”

“….”

Karl almost shouted, “Beatrice isn’t like that!” When he saw Louis taking on the role of an unwanted defender, his head hurt.

Surely, if that person actually saw Beatrice, such absurd thoughts wouldn’t occur. Even with a small joke, blushing, and easily getting flustered despite a cool demeanor, if they saw the variety of expressions she couldn’t hide, their thoughts would surely change.

Quietly, Karl was internally refuting Louis’s words.

“…Just.”

“I just wanted to. I wanted to get closer to Chloe quickly, it’s my mission.”

The noisy dining table quieted down for a moment due to the Duke and Louis.

“Well, what about Beatrice de Dalia?”

The Duke asked cautiously.

Louis was uncharacteristically silent as he listened.

“She… seems like she’ll need a little more time. It seems like it will take a while.”

“….”

“I don’t want to ruin it.”

“The mission?”

“…Oh, yes! Of course. Because I don’t want to ruin the mission.”

As Karl hesitated, Louis gave him a lifeline. Thanks to that, Karl was able to finish his sentence. Whether that was really what Karl intended to say, no one knew.

“Heard that?”

“…Yeah. We should respect Karl’s choice. I was just curious, that’s all.”

“Oh, come on, you’re just like a father! Just let the kid be!”

“Are you done talking?!”

As the Duke glared, Louis downed the juice in his glass in one shot and hastily left his seat. The Duke soon got up to chase after him, driving the table into commotion.

The once heavy atmosphere of the safe mansion regained its relaxed state. Karl remained seated, lost in thought.

Rachel, who was sitting next to Karl, looked at him with a gentle smile as he was lost in thought. Not surprising. Rachel had anticipated that this would happen since Karl’s mission was proposed. She was just curious about who he would fall for.

It seemed that the question would be resolved soon.

But it’s something that may never be fully understood.

The human heart.