Ch.20Rael Gideon (1)

Surprisingly, Lael had a talent for dark attributes.

I wish she didn’t have it, but now that she does, my excuse to drive her away has vanished.

Lael frowned as she slightly cut her finger with a dagger instead of the massive greatsword she usually carried.

It seemed painful.

Well, I’ve stabbed myself countless times and it hurts, so it’s natural that she’d find it painful when she’s only done it a few times.

But… why is the corner of her mouth turning up…?

I really don’t understand anymore.

When we adventured together, she was clearly an excellent warrior.

A splendid female warrior who withstood attacks from monsters at the front line of the party and slaughtered them with her massive greatsword.

When we first formed the party, I wanted to get rid of her, but later I even came to respect her.

It couldn’t have been easy to do what she did as a woman.

But now I want to get rid of her again.

No, we’re not even in that kind of relationship to begin with.

“Heh… hehehe… Professor, am I doing well?”

“This is a black magic lecture, not a self-harm class.”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

When Lael began to whimper, Ludmila, who had been practicing black magic nearby, rushed over and wrapped her arm around Lael’s shoulders.

Then she glared at me sharply and said:

“Professor, why do you keep treating Lael like this?”

“I absolutely never—”

“Lu-Ludmila, don’t talk to the professor like that. I’m doing this because I want to.”

Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?

Seeing Ludmila’s gaze turn to contempt after hearing those words, I could figure out Lael’s intention.

Lael wants to drive me out of the Academy.

Because the Church was ruined by warlocks and priests were ruined, which led to her being abused at the Duchy.

Like saying, “Now you know how it feels.”

Honestly, it seems excessive, but at least her motive is clear, so I can understand.

But you all are going too far, aren’t you?

I even bought them meals, and when they had questions, I’d search through documents all night to give them answers.

Yet all five of my only students have taken Lael’s side.

It’s unfair.

I want to tell them they’re all being deceived, but they wouldn’t believe me, so I can only keep my mouth shut.

The sky looks particularly yellow today.

I fiddled with the spoon in my pocket.

I’m starting to understand why my master gave me a spoon as a gift.

“Anyway, Professor. Please be nicer to Lael. Can’t you see she’s trying hard to impress you?”

No, I can’t see that. Where should I look to see that, student Ludmila?

When I quietly nodded my head, Ludmila sighed deeply and returned to where she had been training.

Perhaps because she has talent with fire attributes, her personality is quite fiery too.

After confirming Ludmila had left, Lael looked at me again and raised the corner of her mouth.

Seeing that, I felt chills all over my body.

Lael Gideon, she’s truly frightening.

“Professor, I can use black magic.”

“What kind of black magic?”

“Slow…?”

“Then show me.”

Though I disliked that it was Lael, I had no reason to refuse a student who was relying on me.

No, I shouldn’t refuse.

If I did, all five students might skip my lectures.

Lael frowned as she made a large cut on her palm with the dagger.

As blood dripped to the ground, forming a puddle, she carefully raised the dagger.

Toward me.

“Maybe point the dagger at the forest or field or—”

“Slow”

I tried to move my body to avoid it somehow, but it was impossible to dodge black magic fired from such close range.

When the black mana stream touched my body, my reactions became dull.

My judgment slowed as well, so as I was trying to dodge, I ended up planting my face on the ground.

“P-Professor! Are you okay?!”

Lael helped me up with a surprised expression.

Now she’s even acting well.

Honestly, I was surprised.

I didn’t expect her to feed me this way.

I wonder if she’s researching ways to feed me when we return to the dormitory.

Writing densely in her notebook.

She probably is.

After the slow effect wore off and my body returned to normal, I got up.

There was a throbbing pain on my face, but it wasn’t something to worry about.

“Professor, there’s blood on your face.”

As Lael took out a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe my face, I raised my hand to stop her.

I wonder if all the accessories she carries for the Duchy’s image are expensive.

The handkerchief in her hand was so luxurious it practically shone.

Plus, it was white.

If blood got on it, it probably wouldn’t come out, and she’d have to buy a new one.

Fortunately, I always carried a handkerchief, so I took it out. Then I wiped my entire face as if washing it.

I didn’t know where the blood was.

Considering there was a lot of blood but I didn’t feel pain, it must have been blood from Lael’s hand.

“Student Lael, show me your hand.”

“Ah, yes.”

Lael extended her wounded hand to me.

The blood was dripping so much that I wondered if she had created too much of a medium.

I placed my hand over hers.

Of course, keeping a slight distance so they wouldn’t touch directly.

As pure white mana flowed out, her hand gradually healed.

“Holy magic…?”

“Yes, though it shouldn’t be your first time seeing it.”

“It’s my first time seeing you use it, Professor.”

Ah…?

Only then did I realize.

I had used holy magic.

Actually, since starting the black magic practicals, I’ve been practicing black magic myself.

To try to think from the students’ perspective, as someone learning for the first time.

Each time, rather than wasting potions, I’d heal with holy magic, and that action came out habitually.

I slowly turned my head to look around.

Wondering if anyone had seen.

Then I said quietly:

“…It’s a secret.”

“A-A secret…!”

Lael nodded her head vigorously.

In the end, I ended up giving her leverage against me.

I couldn’t complain even if she used this to blackmail me.

Because I showed her myself.

Since the lecture time seemed to be ending, I clapped my hands to get the attention of the students scattered around.

“Everyone, heal with potions and gather here!”

The students rummaged through their magic pouches, healed their wounds with potions, and gathered in front of me.

“Do you have any questions about today’s individual practice?”

The students answered my question with silence.

Just as I was about to end the lecture since no one was asking questions,

Ludmila raised her hand high.

A professor never dislikes enthusiastic students, so I was delighted.

“Yes, ask your question.”

“Do you like Lael?”

Are you out of your mi—no, that’s not something I should think about a student.

“No, I don’t.”

“Then why do you keep picking on only Lael?”

“I’ve never—”

“Lu-Ludmila! The professor isn’t that kind of person. Right, Professor?”

At Lael’s words, everyone’s eyes turned to me.

What scheme does she have this time to take my side?

Though I was curious, there was only one answer I could give.

“Yes, I would never have feelings for a student or anything like that.”

“See? The professor would never be that kind of… oh?”

A tear streamed down from Lael’s eyes.

At the same time, everyone’s contemptuous gazes focused on me, and I fell for her scheme again.

Honestly, her acting was so superb this time that even I almost believed it.

I don’t think even actors from famous theater troupes could act that well.

I don’t understand why she uses such talent only to feed on me.

But there’s no point in worrying about it.

I ended the lecture.

“Well, today’s lecture ends here. Everyone, you may go.”

* * * * *

Sitting in the chair in my professor’s office, I sipped my tea.

Thinking I had my own space, I brought various things, and before I knew it, I had set up a life here.

Come to think of it, I’ve been so busy with my work lately that I haven’t been able to help my master, which weighs on my mind.

Of course, I go home every day, so I see his face, but only briefly during dinner.

It’s like a breakdown in communication between master and disciple.

I suddenly wanted to have a longer conversation with my master.

I wanted him to listen to the complaints of an adult who has tasted the bitterness of society.

My master would surely take my side.

But contrary to my expectations, my master was in an ambiguous position, seemingly on my side yet not.

“What’s so hard about it?”

“Well, you could say my position at the Academy is precarious.”

“Really? Should your master go and destroy the place?”

“That’s a bit—”

“Just say the word! Who’s making my disciple suffer?!”

“If you could just listen to my complaints…”

“The only one allowed to push my disciple around is me!”

“I think you should refrain from that.”

I awkwardly sipped my milk in front of my enraged master.

It seems he’s not on my side after all.

Or is it just my imagination?