Ch.8585. Academy Professors (1)

I opened the door and let Erika Bright go, not bothering to chase after her.

She would eventually realize it was a misunderstanding, and even if she didn’t, I didn’t feel the need to explain myself.

After all, Erika wouldn’t spread false rumors about Aria and me having some strange relationship.

[Is it really okay to leave it like this?]

I assured the Dark Spiritmaster it was fine as I continued walking.

Actually, I was more concerned about what Aria had said about Erika.

– It’s rivalry. She won’t let herself lose this time.

‘This time?’

Did that mean I had ended up with Erika in the previous timeline?

While we were engaged, all I could remember was that it ended in a broken engagement.

But from what Aria said, it seemed we might have reached marriage.

‘So did I love Erika Bright?’

I don’t know.

No matter how much I try to imagine it, honestly, I can’t picture a future where I fall in love with her.

‘No.’

That’s not it. I can’t easily imagine myself falling in love with anyone and developing a romantic relationship.

Not just Erika, but anyone else.

“Sigh.”

There was no need to keep pondering something without an answer, so I headed to the laboratory.

When I opened the door to the lab currently used by Professor Per Petra, a pungent deodorizer smell hit my nose.

The excessive fragrance was slightly unpleasant, but I understood why the moment I saw the inside of the lab.

[Wow.]

It looked like a necromancer’s magical research. Various body parts laid out on a long medical bed.

I almost instinctively summoned mana at the grotesque sight that made me frown, but the pink-haired professor with a violent physique standing in front of it turned to look at me with a smile.

“Ah, Professor Deus Verdi! You’re back!”

How could she smile so calmly with dismembered body parts in front of her?

For a moment, I wondered if she wasn’t actually a necromancer.

She must have thought my reaction was strange, because she quickly turned around, picked up an arm from the medical bed with a startled expression.

[Well…]

Even the Dark Spiritmaster couldn’t help but frown at the sight of her waving around a dangling arm.

But what came out of Professor Per’s mouth was unexpected.

“Th-these are models I made! They’re not real!”

“Hmm?”

I thought she had cleaned the blood well, but they were even cleaner than that.

Intrigued, I approached to examine the body parts, and as she said, they weren’t real flesh but imitations.

“They’re just prototypes, but once completed, they’ll be incredibly useful to many people!”

Professor Per proudly introduced her creation. When I subtly infused some mana, the hand actually began to move like a real one.

“Impressive.”

I couldn’t help but genuinely praise her.

While there might be limitations based on mana consumption or cost, it was a groundbreaking invention that could exponentially reduce disabilities across the continent.

The game never covered this aspect, and Professor Per never appeared in it, so this was an unexpected surprise.

Professor Per awkwardly smiled as she tidied her messy pink hair.

“I’ve prepared your desk over there.”

At the far end of the lab.

A large desk along with surrounding plants and empty bookshelves.

It was furnished with higher quality items than I expected.

“Actually, they weren’t such nice items before. The dean replaced everything after your declaration as a Spiritmaster.”

“Ha.”

The dean seemed to have a talent for flattery.

“By the way, when will you start teaching, Professor Deus?”

As I sat in the chair getting accustomed to my space, Professor Per approached and asked.

From what I remembered, she wasn’t this friendly with others, so I wondered if something had changed.

When our eyes met briefly, she didn’t look away but gazed back with bright, eager eyes.

In that moment, I understood.

Her intellectual curiosity had overwhelmingly surpassed her innate shyness.

As the only kingdom-certified Black Mage, I would naturally have to teach related courses.

The Griffin Kingdom was still in the midst of reforms. Currently, my lectures were the only legal way to learn black magic in the kingdom.

For Professor Per, who was more of a scholar than a mage, this was an opportunity she couldn’t miss.

Especially since black magic included disciplines closely related to her anatomical studies, like corpse manipulation.

“Starting next semester.”

“Ah! I see! Would it be possible for me, as a professor, to audit your classes?”

“Yes, as long as you don’t have other classes scheduled at the same time.”

“I see! That’s wonderful!”

Perhaps she had a chatty side once she shed her shyness. Her subsequent academic discourse was interesting, but my ears started to hurt slightly.

Bang!

“Master, we’re here… Oh my god! What the hell is this!”

Findenai, who had kicked open the lab door, was startled by Professor Per’s body parts scattered on the floor and quickly turned around.

She covered Illuania’s eyes as she followed in behind her.

Though it had been about two months, Illuania’s belly wasn’t showing much, probably because of her clothes.

“Wh-what’s happening?”

“Pregnant women shouldn’t see weird things!”

Though Findenai was trying to be considerate by covering Illuania’s eyes, the latter didn’t seem to understand the situation.

“Ah…”

And Professor Per immediately became shy again when third parties appeared. She hurriedly moved away from me and began gathering the body parts.

“I-I’ll clean this up!”

After frantically tidying up, Professor Per rushed to her seat and kept glancing nervously in our direction.

Findenai finally removed her hand from Illuania’s eyes, and they both approached me.

“Welcome back, Master.”

Illuania greeted me skillfully despite the long absence. I nodded in acknowledgment.

Her face was clear without a single blemish, and her skin was fair. She didn’t appear fatigued at all. It seemed she had been able to rest comfortably, even gaining a little weight.

“For a while, you’ll only handle assistant duties. You’ll need to do what Findenai can’t, but I won’t assign you any physically demanding tasks.”

“…You don’t need to be so considerate.”

Surprisingly, Illuania bowed her head and objected to my decision.

“I’m an employee receiving wages for my work. To be honest, I’ve been uncomfortable the entire time staying at the hotel.”

Illuania wanted to work properly and earn her wages.

But I shook my head.

“You are my servant. Follow my orders.”

“But…”

“This isn’t simply for your sake.”

My reason for taking care of Illuania wasn’t for her benefit. Of course, her past—moving from brothel to brothel, using drugs, and sleeping with random men—was pitiful.

But that alone wasn’t enough reason for me to sympathize with her.

“I’m merely keeping a promise to a man. It’s not for your sake, so quietly accept it.”

“…I understand.”

She might overexert herself while working. If that happened, I would be breaking my promise to Deus.

“Good, that’s settled then.”

As I nodded slightly to end the conversation.

“Maybe I should get pregnant too…”

I heard Findenai’s unnecessary contemplation from beside me.

* * *

Late evening.

Findenai and Illuania had gone to rest in the servants’ quarters, while I was in my room in the faculty dormitory.

[You do it like this.]

I didn’t need to read books to study black magic. After all, I had the Dark Spiritmaster with me, who was highly skilled in necromancy.

It was like receiving one-on-one lessons from a master instructor.

“Like this?”

[Yes, that’s right! You’re doing well!]

The Dark Spiritmaster clapped her hands in praise. She seemed more relaxed than before, but it didn’t feel bad.

As we continued practicing with mana, our session was interrupted by a knock.

Knock knock.

Though I couldn’t see who it was, I had a feeling I knew who was at the door.

[Hmm.]

The Dark Spiritmaster crossed her arms, displeased at the interruption, but I slowly opened the door.

There stood Erika Bright in her pajamas, fidgeting nervously.

“C-can I come in for a moment?”

“…It’s late.”

I subtly expressed my refusal, but Erika didn’t back down.

“It will really just be a moment.”

Yielding to the strange plea in her eyes, I sighed and slowly opened the door wider.

Once inside, Erika didn’t bother looking around the room.

There wasn’t much to see anyway, just basic furniture with minimal belongings.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

When I offered, she eagerly nodded and accepted.

I boiled water and poured her a cup of tea. She blew on it gently and took a careful sip, then smiled naturally.

“It’s warm.”

My brow furrowed slightly at the strange sensuality in her voice. Erika’s cheeks turned rosy as she slowly began to speak.

“Um…”

Knock knock.

“…”

Both our eyes turned toward the door simultaneously. Who else could be visiting?

I was puzzled, but Erika became dejected and lowered her head.

“Someone else besides me…”

She seemed to be agonizing over something, but anyway.

I opened the door to see who the next uninvited guest was.

“Sp-Spiritmaster.”

There stood Gideon Zeronia, who had greeted me at the school gate earlier, with a haggard expression.