episode_0022

Edmund, who had been pondering my words for a moment, asked.

“Why did you make such a choice?”

A reaction of pure curiosity, not one of reproach or reprimand.

It was natural.

Anyone could see that in a situation where choices were given, I had picked both.

However, I had no intention of revoking that choice.

From the moment I twisted the world that was heading towards a bad ending, it was better to maximize the elements I could intervene with.

With that meaning in mind, I answered clearly.

“If I can do both, there’s no reason to choose just one, is there? Haha.”

“Hmm-”

At my simple answer, Edmund let out a soft hum for a moment.

An ambiguous reaction, neither positive nor negative.

After looking at me for a while, Edmund-

-Ping!

Fired magic without any warning whatsoever.

Seeing him effortlessly skipping both incantation and casting, I understood why he was called an 8th Circle Archmage.

I didn’t even have time to question why he suddenly did this.

After recognizing the form and power of the mana-

“Condense. Disperse.”

I instantly gathered the surrounding magical power and deployed a thin barrier with repulsive properties.

-Clang!

The small mass of concentrated mana fiercely struck the barrier.

Its form was simple, but its power was on a different level.

It was similar to the magic I used during my first encounter with Crock… but overall, it was far superior.

-Whoosh

The barrier cracked slightly, but it didn’t collapse.

The barrier shimmered while maintaining its unique form.

Edmund, who was closely observing the magic I deployed, let out a small gasp of admiration.

“Fast.”

“…What was that for?”

“Don’t be offended. I just wanted to test something.”

Wow.

If he tested it ten more times, he’d kill someone.

-Step -Step

Whether he knew my thoughts or not, Edmund slowly approached me.

‘Must have been a test.’

There was no hostility or killing intent in the attack just now.

And the power itself was probably just a light greeting from Edmund’s perspective.

Although I was slightly flustered by the sudden attack… that was all.

-Pat -Pat

Edmund dusted off his slightly disheveled suit and let out a hearty laugh.

“You’re the first person to react this quickly.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“…By the way, I have something I’m curious about.”

Edmund trailed off for a moment and looked at me with serious eyes.

“Do you have a master?”

If the word ‘master’ refers to the person who taught me magic.

I can say yes.

It wasn’t… the typical form of master and disciple, but they did teach me how to conceal magic and mana.

Thinking there was no need to hide it, I answered clearly.

“I do have one.”

“May I ask for their name?”

“Of course. Aberrow Rosen. That is my master’s name.”

-Clunk

As soon as I said the name, Edmund paused.

Could he know my master?

Edmund, who had his expression hardened for a long time, muttered softly.

“………He was alive.”

“Is something wrong?”

I don’t know my master well myself.

All I know is that he is a very whimsical person.

A person who wanders around like the wind and acts according to his mood.

I suspect he probably taught me magic because of such a whim.

“…….”

Edmund, who had been lost in thought for a moment, relaxed his hardened expression.

An amiable smile appeared once more.

He patted my shoulder casually, as if nothing was wrong, and continued speaking.

“It’s nothing much. I just knew the person.”

“Is that so?”

“I apologize for the sudden attack. Ho ho.”

He was smiling gently, but there was a slight sense of incongruity.

His trembling eyebrows and subtly distorted face.

‘Is it really nothing?’

The emotion that had been in Edmund’s expression was clear anger.

It was a reaction that wouldn’t appear just from knowing my master, but-

“It’s quite alright. Your magic is indeed formidable. Haha.”

I didn’t press him about it unnecessarily.

I might accidentally touch a raw nerve.

“Now, let’s return to the main topic.”

As the atmosphere became slightly awkward, Edmund brought up the topic we were discussing earlier.

“I believe it would be better for you to focus more on the Department of Magic, but why do you intend to take on the Department of Ethics as well?”

“That question is simple.”

Earlier, when he mentioned the Department of Ethics potentially being closed, I observed his expression.

There was no notable change, but a subtle hint of regret passed by.

Regret and the potential closure of the Department of Ethics.

Combining these two pieces of information, I figured out what I should say.

I understood how I should act to move Edmund’s heart.

“What do you believe ethics is?”

It was a vague question.

It was also a question that could elicit various answers depending on a person’s subjectivity.

Edmund pondered the question for a moment, then answered in a steady voice.

“I believe it is the rules that a person should naturally adhere to.”

“I agree with that opinion.”

The academy admits people from various strata of society.

Anyone who belongs to the Empire.

Regardless of status, everyone is equal here.

However, it is difficult for that to be practically possible.

Would people who have lived their whole lives experiencing the gap in status listen if someone told them discrimination is bad?

It’s no different from telling a beast not to eat meat.

But for me, ethics is one of the methodologies that can regulate that.

“I heard about the rule that everyone holds equal status within the academy.”

“That’s right.”

“However, despite such a rule, the possibility that the Department of Ethics may be closed also means that the rule is not functioning properly.”

“You’ve grasped it well. I tried with a spirited heart, but the wall of status proved higher than I thought.”

“That is why.”

“Hmm?”

I roughly understood Edmund’s intention.

In an academy mostly composed of magic, swordsmanship, and practical departments.

Why would there be a Department of Ethics, which is difficult to make a living from?

Edmund also knew the necessity of ethics.

With a more serious expression than ever, I continued speaking.

“The reason I wish to take on this department is that I hope the budding talents, who have not yet completed the formation of their egos, will learn about the principle of respecting autonomy.”

“The principle of respecting autonomy?”

“It means that a person, each individual, has the right to make important decisions related to their own life by themselves.”

“…It aligns with the rules.”

It is a principle closely related to the founding purpose of the academy, which is to provide students with free choices and direction.

Edmund, who had been pondering my words for a moment, nodded his head.

“Well, that’s good. After all, there wasn’t a professor lined up to take the position anyway.”

Having finished speaking, Edmund picked up the quill pen on his desk and signed the two documents I handed him.

“What is your name?”

“Owen. It is.”

-Scribble

After writing the characters with the quill pen, Edmund handed me the two documents.

“Here, take them.”

“Oh.”

On the two documents-

[Professor, Department of Ethics. Owen.]

[Professor, Department of Magic. Owen.]

My name was written.

“I look forward to working with you, Professor Owen.”

-Reach

His right hand, full of wrinkles, extended out, containing the meaning of shaking hands.

“…….”

There were a few things that felt slightly off, but I could figure those out gradually later.

For now, being appointed as an academy professor is the top priority.

‘I told you I wouldn’t go to the academy.’

Perhaps because the thought that bringing these documents back would change Edith’s mind-

“The pleasure is mine. I look forward to working with you. Haha.”

With a light heart and a smile, I clasped Edmund’s hand.

***

After finishing the conversation and heading towards the main gate of the academy, I saw a familiar face.

“Hey, Commoner!”

“Wow, isn’t this practically stalking?”

Eve, with her petite figure and white hair trailing down to her waist.

For some reason, her guard was nowhere to be seen.

“Why are you alone?”

It is normal for guards to stay close to the person they are supposed to protect.

But Eve was walking around the academy alone.

When I asked if something had happened, Eve replied sharply.

“Commoner, are you perhaps interested in Milli?”

“I just asked out of curiosity. I’m more interested in Miss Eve.”

“W-What did you say?”

When I said it slyly, intending to tease her a little, Eve jumped up and got angry.

Saying I was rude, asking if I wanted to die, and so on.

After teasing Eve for a moment-

-Zzt!

A tingling current traveled up my waist and pierced through my consciousness.

This sudden sensation, both unfamiliar and familiar.

“…….”

Perhaps because I hadn’t expected to feel this sensation here, I let out a small hollow laugh.

“……Long time no see?”

“What are you suddenly talking about, Commoner?”

“You don’t need to know.”

It was difficult to focus on Eve’s voice in front of me right now.

Because a strange sound was echoing directly in my mind.

[@#$!%]

An otherworldly noise that could not be pronounced through the mouth.

The bizarre sound, which seemed to be a mix of voices from various age groups, was a spell that was frequently heard during the period when demon worshipers ran rampant.

-Click

The noise, which had been continuously sending current, clicked off when I showed no reaction.

However, that bizarre noise was quietly echoing in my head as if resonating.

[@#$!%]

-Turn

Ignoring Eve, who was saying something to me, I looked towards the academy grounds.

Although I couldn’t pinpoint the exact location, I could feel a subtle demonic energy.

“They’re bold.”

A spell to summon demons.

Inside the academy, someone attempted a contract with me.