At the Academy

When I woke up, Sophia was gone from the room, leaving only a note behind.

-Thank you, Brother. I’ll head to the academy first!-

Just in case, I feel around my body.

‘Typical of the witch Sophia, using people as she pleases.’

I returned to the mansion by carriage.

I spot Luna pacing in front of the study from the morning.

“What are you doing?”

Luna stops in her tracks without turning around.

“…Am I hearing things now?”

At those words, I approach her and poke her shoulder.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Hiek―!!”

Luna’s eyes, as she turns around, look somewhat hollow.

‘Didn’t she sleep well last night?’

“Why are you so surprised? Know that you’ll be attending the academy from tomorrow.”

“…Isn’t Scarl-nim too old to attend the academy?”

How sarcastic.

“I went to the Imperial Palace, and they offered me a professor position. I gladly accepted. Come along.”

I hang my coat in the study and rummage through the documents needed for the academy.

“…Have you had breakfast?”

Of course not.

“No. I came straight here. I need to send these documents by today―”

“Just a moment. I’ll bring something.”

She’s cutting me off mid-sentence because I said I was tired.

Still, she heads out with a somewhat cheerful expression.

‘…I hope it’s fruit today.’

What Luna brought was a sandwich.

The appetizing appearance and my hunger made me almost spit it out as soon as I took a bite.

‘Just who is the maid who puts undercooked fish in a sandwich?!’

I will find you out, no matter what.

“Aren’t you curious about why I suddenly became an academy professor?”

If it were any other reason, maybe, but it’s such a Scarl-like reason.

Luna sighs and reluctantly asks.

“Haaa― What is the reason?”

“The Emperor told me to pick a bride at the academy. For the reason that the Bernatore line must continue.”

“!!! …That’s so typical of you.”

Don’t be too surprised.

I have no intention of choosing a wife at the academy for such a ridiculous reason anyway.

‘It’s not like I’m the real Scarl.’

I state it clearly.

“I have no intention of doing that.”

“…Pardon?”

“Why should I listen to the Emperor?”

Luna’s voice suddenly becomes smaller.

“…That’s blasphemous.”

“No one here has heard it but you, Luna.”

“I see.”

“Yes.”

“…”

“…”

In the awkward silence, I speak first.

“I plan to teach Flare at the academy.”

“…?”

“I’d like you to help me a bit, Luna.”

The next morning.

I ride into the academy with Luna in the carriage.

“Honorary Professor Scarl-nim, you can use room 404 in the swordsmanship department building.”

It’s an honorary professorship in the swordsmanship department with no classes, but the important thing is being able to freely come and go from the academy.

‘If anyone dares to touch Flare again, they’re dead.’

Room 404 was simple.

It had been cleaned, as there wasn’t a speck of dust, but there was only a desk and a bookshelf.

“Is this all there is?”

“Of course.”

Before sitting on the cold chair, I call Luna.

“Come here, Luna.”

“I refuse.”

“Just sit here.”

Luna grumbles but sits on the chair.

“How does it feel to sit in a professor’s seat, even if only for a moment?”

“…It’s not bad.”

“Then move. That’s my seat.”

An absurd expression.

The chair Luna warmed was warm.

I had Luna call Flare, who would have finished her lecture.

‘Luna gave her permission yesterday, so…’

Flare makes it clear she’s unhappy as soon as she enters room 404.

“I’m here, Scarl-nim.”

“…Baron Scarl-nim. Hello―”

“Call me professor at the academy. Student Flare.”

I smile, showing my teeth.

Flare sits in front of the desk with a sullen expression.

Being an honorary professor doesn’t mean doing nothing.

‘Sophia said to at least pretend to teach one or two students.’

I have no intention of just pretending.

I’m going to start nurturing Flare in earnest this time.

The Emperor’s imperial edict?

It’s an event that will end quickly as long as Flare shows her true self.

I present the personal tutoring application I made before coming.

“Why did you call me, Professor?”

“Sign here.”

“…Personal tutoring application? Honorary Professor Scarl Bernatore?”

“I will train you, Flare.”

Currently, Flare has awakened as a Hero, but she has no companions, equipment, or rare skills.

Moreover, she doesn’t know how powerful she is because she didn’t kill Scarl and start like in the main story.

‘That’s why she was just being taken advantage of by those trash nobles.’

“…Okay.”

Flare has many weaknesses right now.

“I haven’t seen that uniform before.”

“Ugh.”

Who bought it for her?

“Isn’t attending the academy more enjoyable than working part-time?”

“…That’s true.”

Who’s giving her money?

I told her to cut off Daddy-Long-Legs’s support at will?

“Sign it.”

Flare scribbles her signature with a reluctant expression.

I put Flare’s application in the desk drawer.

With this, all of Flare’s curriculum comes under my jurisdiction.

‘If I cut out all the useless classes and leave only what will be helpful later…’

A smile comes naturally.

Flare, sitting across from me, looked as unpleasant as if she were looking at a bug.

“Ugh― If that’s all, I’ll be going.”

Flare left as if running away.

“Flare is more obedient than I thought. Is that your doing, Luna?”

“…I am your maid, Scarl-nim.”

I wonder if I misheard, and I stare at her in surprise, but Luna avoids my gaze.

The carriage returning to the mansion is awkward.

‘Luna has been too kind lately…’

“Luna. Where’s the dagger?”

“…Here.”

The Black Rose dagger comes out from inside her thigh.

‘…She’s always ready to stab?’

I return to the study and think about the upcoming events.

“I’m off.”

From the next day, I didn’t bring Luna with me when I went to the academy.

I activate the ring in the swordsmanship department bathroom and transform into ‘Hati’.

‘Where could Flare be?’

I linger in front of the first-year lecture hall around lunchtime.

Flare comes out alone almost last.

“Flare!”

“Who…? Senior Hati!”

“Nice to see you. I happened to see you passing by.”

“S, Sunbae is in the swordsmanship department too?”

“Yeah. You haven’t eaten yet, right?”

Flare’s reddened face is cute.

“I’ll pay today!”

“The place from last time?”

It’s okay to go there today.

“No, no! It’s not as good as the place Sunbae took me, but…”

“Where is it? I’m curious. Should I let you treat me today?”

“Yes!”

The food was delicious.

Flare awkwardly looks around as we’re about to part ways.

“You have a 2 PM lecture now, right?”

“Yes.”

“Me too. Shall we take a walk for a bit to digest?”

“Okay! What kind of lectures does senior take?”

What did I take in my second year?

“Intermediate Swordsmanship, Knight Studies, Introductory Tactics…”

Flare’s face turns pale as I list the second-year majors.

“Y, You take a lot.”

“It’s nothing. What about you?”

I already know as Scarl.

‘It was absurd.’

Flare only holds up two fingers.

“I only have Introductory Swordsmanship and Weaponry.”

What did she do?

She avoids my gaze as if embarrassed when I look at her like that.

“Taking classes costs money, so the rest were all cut.”

I’m grateful she was even allowed to return to school.

“That’s a shame. If you’re going to take those next semester too, I…”

“No, no! The lord of the territory where I used to live is my sponsor. He decided to support me fully.”

‘I don’t remember saying that? Did Luna say that?’

“And I think I’ll be getting personal tutoring in my free time now.”

“Personal tutoring?”

Flare has a sullen expression.

“One of the professors must have seen something good in me, so he told me to learn under him. Hahaha.”

“That’s good. Should I get it with you?”

Flare becomes serious.

“No, senior.”

“Why?”

“That professor. He’s not a good person.”

“How do you know?”

“Ugh― That professor is actually the lord who sponsors me. He came as an honorary professor a while ago. Honorary Professor Scarl-nim. It’s best to avoid him if you run into him. He’s so arrogant and has such a dirty look that you’ll know right away if you see him!”

She’s badmouthing me in front of me.

“I see.”

“By the way, did senior know that the Second Princess has been attending the academy since recently?”

I heard it directly from her.

“I heard rumors. She’s in the magic department, right?”

The buildings are different, so there’s no chance of running into her now.

“Yes. It’s amazing. A commoner like me can be educated in the same space as the princess.”

The pre-bell rings.

“I have to go now. See you next time.”

“Yes. See you next time, Sunbae!”

A month has passed.

“Are you going alone again today?”

“Yeah.”

“I too…”

“Next time. I’m off. Luna.”

I think Flare has become close enough to Hati.

Now, the two of us have a routine of eating lunch together every day and taking a walk until the pre-bell rings.

The end of the first semester is approaching.

“Haa… Senior Hati. Why is swordsmanship theory so difficult?”

That’s the easiest subject in this game.

“How’s the personal tutoring going?”

“…Actually, that’s even harder.”

I am pushing her hard.

‘I’m glad Flare is getting the hang of it.’

“Did you say you didn’t like Professor Scarl?”

“I didn’t say it that way! It’s not that I don’t feel that way, but…”

“But?”

“He had a bad reputation in the territory. He messes with this woman and that woman, likes luxury, and picks fights with anyone…”