Ch.47Too Sudden. (4)

“…Although the relationship between the degree of talent and the medium has not yet been clarified, my personal opinion is that the necessary medium decreases according to talent. That’s how I see it.”

I shifted my gaze from the materials in my hand and briefly scanned the students.

Even though it was the last lecture, not a single person was dozing off—everyone was focused with such passion that I couldn’t help but smile.

Satisfied with their attentiveness, I put down my materials with a soft thud and said, “That’s all for today. For those with questions, I apologize, but please save them for tomorrow.”

Normally, I would have stayed late to answer all questions, then researched materials on black magic before heading home late, but today that wasn’t possible.

I had an appointment with Professor Leonhart.

It hadn’t been a week yet, but I didn’t think further research would yield better advice.

It seemed better to just deliver what I had quickly.

…Besides, he kept lingering around Professor Anette, and I was worried he might cause trouble soon.

After briefly stopping by my office, I arrived at the Academy’s main gate where I was supposed to meet Professor Leonhart, only to witness an unbelievable scene.

Professor Leonhart being there was expected, but…

Why was Professor Anette here too?

Moreover, there was a strangely sweet atmosphere flowing between them that made me quite uncomfortable.

It felt like something sticky clinging to my body.

Anyway, I couldn’t just stand there, so I was about to say something when…

“Ah, Professor Crow, you’re here. It seems that… your advice won’t be necessary after all.”

“Ah… I see.”

“It seems being brave and straightforward about one’s feelings was the answer after all.”

Professor Leonhart laughed heartily, and Professor Anette, standing beside him, blushed and playfully swung her fist at him.

There was no strength behind that punch, so it couldn’t possibly hurt him—it looked more like she was being cute.

“Professor Crow, it seems Professor Anette is quite embarrassed, so we should take our leave.”

“Yes… it seems so.”

It was the first time I’d seen the usually talkative Professor Anette so quiet, so clearly something had changed in her heart.

“If you ever need help, please don’t hesitate to ask. I, Leonhart, will help you even if I have to stake my family name on it.”

“Yes… well, that would be appreciated.”

With that final exchange, Professor Leonhart and Professor Anette bowed their heads to me and began walking away.

Watching their retreating figures, I let out a small chuckle.

How many people would actually see them as a couple?

The tall, rugged-looking Leonhart, and the pink-haired Professor Anette who barely reached his chest.

Father and daughter? Or a grown man and a little girl?

Anyway, learning that those two had started dating left me feeling both bitter and refreshed.

I thought we were close, but it felt like they were drifting away without me.

With a sigh, I looked up at the sky.

The sky, which had been deep blue until just moments ago, was now tinged red with the sunset.

“Crow? What are you doing?”

Hearing my name, I shifted my gaze to find Derin standing there, tilting her head curiously.

“Nothing, I just thought the sky looked pretty.”

“Really?”

Derin raised her head to look at the sky and smiled, while I stared blankly at her.

‘She used to have short hair.’

Since that day, she must not have cut it even once—her glossy black hair now reached the middle of her shoulders.

“It is pretty with that red tinge. Next time we should climb a hill and watch the sunset…”

“Yes, it might look even prettier.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

Derin, who had been looking at the sky, turned her head and naturally met my eyes.

Gulp.

An awkward silence fell between us, so palpable I could hear myself swallowing.

Objectively speaking, Derin was indeed pretty. But there’s a clear difference between thinking something and saying it out loud…

‘Why did I say that?’

Even I didn’t understand why I’d said such a thing.

Derin’s cheeks gradually turned red.

Whether it was because of the sunset or because I called her pretty, I wasn’t sure, but it added a twist of charm to her usually pure image.

She looked several times prettier than usual. At this moment, she wouldn’t lose to anyone in terms of beauty.

The strange atmosphere between us was broken by none other than Lael.

“Professor, aren’t you going home? You must be tired.”

“Huh?!”

I turned my head in surprise to find Lael standing right beside me with her arms crossed, wearing a very displeased expression.

She had come so close without me noticing—my heart had been too stirred up.

“Ah, yes, I should go.”

“Yes, good work today. And…”

“And?”

“Derin, don’t even think about making a move on the professor.”

Lael snapped sharply, but Derin was still blushing and hadn’t regained her composure, so she just nodded.

Seeing her like that, Lael clicked her tongue and started walking toward the dormitory.

That tongue-clicking reminded me of someone, but I dismissed it as my imagination and started heading home with Derin.

“Derin, are you growing out your hair?”

“Ah, yes. Should I cut it if you don’t like it?”

“That’s up to you.”

I felt this style suited her better, but it wasn’t my place to tell her what to do.

“Then I won’t cut it. Especially since I was told I look pretty today.”

Well, I guess her answer was already decided.

“By the way, how did it go with helping your colleague professor with their romance?”

“They decided to officially start dating.”

Though my help turned out to be unnecessary.

“I’m glad it worked out.”

“Yeah.”

In situations like this, if it had failed, I might have grown distant from Professor Anette too, since I was trying to help.

Come to think of it, we were bound to grow distant anyway.

When someone succeeds in finding a partner, they become taken, so we can’t drink together anymore.

And that…

‘The same applies to me.’

If I were to choose someone and officially develop a romantic relationship, it would mean growing distant from others.

Having opposite-sex friends while in a relationship is a sensitive matter.

Lost in these thoughts, I soon reached the point where Derin and I would part ways.

“Crow, good work today. Go home and get some rest.”

“You too, get home safely.”

Walking backward while waving at me, Derin seemed to trip on a stone and started falling backward, but she managed to plant her hand on the ground, spin around, and land safely.

She might look like a pretty woman now, but she hasn’t lost her reflexes.

Relieved that she wasn’t hurt, I opened the door to the workshop.

“I’m back.”

As I casually greeted and stepped inside as usual, memories suddenly began flooding back.

And at the same time, my master appeared, igniting a fierce flame of confusion in my heart.

“Good work.”

“…Yes, was everything alright while I was gone?”

Though I only uttered a single sentence, dozens of thoughts raced through my mind.

It’s awkward.

I had never thought of my master as a woman until now.

To me, she was like a parent, someone I was immensely grateful to, so having such thoughts seemed insane.

And I…

I was slowly going insane.

The unbuttoned shirt I thought I’d gotten used to, the dark circles under her eyes from fatigue, even those red eyes now staring at me—everything felt different from usual.

Yet, I could only say what I always said.

“What would you like for dinner?”

I still didn’t have any answers to give my master.

I was hoping she might help a little…

“Anything you make is fine.”

But she didn’t seem inclined to help.

After saying that, she blushed, which created a cognitive dissonance for me.

Where was the intimidating master I knew? Instead, there was Riano, fallen in love.

“Then please wait. I’ll change my clothes and prepare dinner right away.”

Leaving my master behind, I was about to enter my room when I stopped at the door and said quietly:

“And please button up your clothes properly.”

…It’s hard to just look.

“O-okay. Sorry.”

When I came out after changing clothes, my master had buttoned up as requested, but it seemed like she had gained weight or the clothes had shrunk.

“We should go shopping for clothes.”

“It’s because you cook too deliciously and I’ve gained weight!”

Well, who would have thought her words that day were actually true…