What Did You Talk About with That Instructor?

To gather more detailed information about the Royal Academy and our key client, Helen, I chose a direct approach.

“Greetings. My name is Max, and I’ll be your one-day instructor for Illusion Magic. I run ‘The Hall of Illusions,’ which showcases desire, on the outskirts of the capital. It’s filled with the essence of Illusion Magic, so those interested are welcome to visit.”

Becoming a one-day instructor to observe Helen and those around her at the academy for a day.

So, I immediately contacted the headmaster and told him I wanted to give a simple Illusion Magic lecture for the students.

-Max wants to be a one-day instructor? I’ll gladly make a spot for you!

Illusion Magic may not be highly regarded, but it remained a required subject at the academy.

That’s because the back alleys and black markets, often referred to as the dark world, frequently used Illusion Magic to evade the eyes of the guards and investigators.

It may lack combat power, but it’s a good skill for fugitives to avoid surveillance.

‘That’s one of the reasons why Illusion Magic is treated poorly.’

It’s seen as magic for back-alley thugs.

To catch those wanted criminals, one would need to learn about Illusion Magic, but there were hardly any magicians who specialized in the Illusion school.

In fact, it was practically just Professor Mayko and me.

Therefore, Illusion Magic was often taught by magicians from other schools as a side job.

I may not be as good as Professor Mayko, but I’m a magician recognized by various schools in my own right.

That’s why the headmaster welcomed me with open arms.

A lecture by a professional Illusion Magic user who had visited the academy after a long time.

He must have thought it would be quite helpful to the students.

As I stood before the Royal Academy students filling the lecture hall, I felt an intense gaze of animosity from somewhere.

I knew who it was without turning around.

It must be Helen de Silvesta.

She’d be suspicious of my sudden visit.

Wondering if I came to threaten her.

‘Don’t worry. I’m here to make your pure desires even more detailed.’

And to promote my shop as a bonus.

Business is so bad.

I can only keep it running with side jobs like this.

“Now, since you all already know the basics of Illusion Magic, let’s talk about things you might not know. Usually, academy students learn Illusion Magic to see through the Illusion Magic used by wanted criminals…”

Throughout the lecture, I made eye contact with all the students.

And I found the ‘nerd’ that Helen hated and despised so much.

A timid gaze.

Shoulders hunched up.

And even watching the bullies sitting next to him.

He looked like a student at the very bottom of the class’s food chain.

‘So that’s what he looks like.’

I could see why he didn’t leave a proper impression on Helen’s mind.

He had a really ordinary appearance.

The kind of student you could see anywhere.

Except for his slightly worn clothes, he was just an ordinary student.

“To recognize or dismantle Illusion Magic, you try to find gaps, but that’s a difficult dispelling technique. There’s a better way. That’s to find the flow of mana. It’s generally difficult to feel, but there will definitely be points where the flow of mana is distorted. For example…”

After observing the nerd enough, I focused on the lecture again.

I used the two-hour lecture time efficiently without resting.

I got paid, so I had to do my job properly.

While teaching, I checked the faces and personalities of the students in the class.

I couldn’t look into the deep inner workings of each one, but just by looking at their attitude towards the class, I could get a rough idea of what kind of student they were.

‘That should be enough to make it feel real to Helen.’

The most important thing was ‘Prophard Young-sik,’ whom she thought was a nerd.

Throughout the class, I could clearly feel Helen’s gaze glaring at me.

She must be very nervous.

“…That’s all for today’s class. I hope you all have a slightly better understanding of the essence of Illusion Magic.”

Finishing the lecture, I spoke to the students.

“Oh, and as I mentioned earlier, the Hall of Illusions is always waiting for customers. Those who are interested in desire and illusion are always welcome to visit.”

After finishing the last promotion, I packed up my lecture materials and went outside.

“Hey. Max… I mean, Instructor.”

Helen called out to me as I was about to leave.

“What’s the matter?”

“What are you thinking, coming here?”

Looking around, she lowered her voice and growled.

“I came to teach Illusion Magic. What other meaning could there be?”

“…What do you want?”

“Surely you don’t think I’m threatening you?”

At my question, she looked around again.

“Come out here.”

From the outside, it would look like a passionate student pouring out questions about the class, but what was she so worried about?

I left the classroom with her and headed to a secluded place.

“I didn’t expect you to be so sleazy.”

“I think you’re misunderstanding. I have no intention of threatening you, miss.”

“Then why did you come?”

“…You saw our shop, so you know. Business isn’t good. We don’t have customers. Being a one-day instructor is to earn a living, and I came to promote the shop.”

“It’s that bad?”

“Yes. We hardly have any customers.”

“…Really? Not a single lie?”

“Of course. I have no intention of threatening you at all. Each and every customer is precious. Would you like me to swear on mana if you want?”

I have no intention of threatening you at all.

Even if I have the mind for data collection.

So, it’s not a lie?

Only then did Helen, understanding my true feelings, take a step back.

“…Sorry, I thought you came to threaten me.”

“I don’t do things like that. Don’t worry. Come visit if you think of it later.”

“…”

“I would never dare to touch the Silvesta family.”

Why would I poke a hornet’s nest for no reason?

It would hurt.

“Anyway, if you’re done, I still have things to do.”

Helen nodded.

I was glad that she finally seemed to understand my true feelings.

Escaping from Helen, I looked for the ‘nerd’ she had mentioned.

Having escaped from the bullies, he stood in a more comfortable posture than in the classroom.

“Prophard Young-sik.”

“Ah, Instructor.”

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“With me…?”

“Yes. I need to do a simple background check.”

For our precious customer.

***

When the owner of that illusion shop came to the academy, I was really surprised.

‘Did he come to threaten me?’

There are often guys like that.

Those who dare to covet or desire her great halo of Silvesta.

I wondered if this man was one of those types.

Throughout the class, I looked at him with suspicious eyes.

He must have come with some ulterior motive.

But Max finished the class more normally than I thought.

He didn’t send her telepathic messages or threatening messages separately.

Even the class was beneficial.

I heard quite a few tips about Illusion Magic that I couldn’t hear from ordinary professors.

“As I mentioned earlier, the Hall of Illusions is always waiting for customers. Those who are interested in desire and illusion are always welcome to visit.”

Is he leaving like this?

No.

He’s definitely aiming for something.

There’s no way he’d leave like this.

She hurriedly grabbed Max, who was about to leave.

But the answer that came back was.

“Business isn’t good. We don’t have customers. Being a one-day instructor is to earn a living, and I came to promote the shop.”

Helen recalled the shop she had seen.

Not a single customer came while she was watching the illusions.

‘Was that because there were no customers?’

No way.

Really?

“I would never dare to touch the Silvesta family. Anyway, if you’re done, I still have things to do.”

After speaking, he left as if he had no interest in her.

“Did he really come to work as an instructor?”

I suddenly felt embarrassed by his actions, as if he had erased all the memories of the last time.

It was as if she was the only one who vividly remembered that day.

‘It’s like I’m the only one who’s become a lewd woman.’

It’s like she can’t forget the pleasure of that time and is clinging on her own.

“No. Get a grip.”

This isn’t because I can’t forget the pleasure of that time. I’m just asking because I’m worried that this man might be trying to threaten me.

Yes.

That’s it.

‘Let’s get a grip. Don’t waver.’

Taking a deep breath and calming her mind, she saw Max taking the nerd, no, Prophard Young-sik, away.

“What?”

Why is he taking that nerd?

He definitely said he wouldn’t threaten me.

“Could it be…”

He’s not going to use that man to threaten me, is he?

She quietly hid and waited for Max, who had entered the counseling room with Prophard Young-sik.

She wanted to eavesdrop on the counseling room, but it was a room that was completely isolated from the outside so that sound could not escape in order to maintain student confidentiality.

“Ah, I can’t hear.”

Helen fidgeted and paced anxiously near the counseling room.

‘Why do I have to be so anxious? I’m the Silvesta princess.’

She was someone in a position where everyone had to look up to her and respect her.

It shouldn’t be her who has to be so anxious, but that Max.

“Ha… annoying.”

But the man clearly had the upper hand.

Because she had been caught off guard by him.

That’s when it happened.

The door creaked open, and two people came out.

“Thank you.”

Prophard Young-shik, no, the Dweeb, came out of the counseling room, greeting Max with a bright smile.

“If you have any worries in the future, talk to me. You seem to have plenty of magical talent, so don’t worry too much.”

“Y-you’re the first instructor to say that to me. I’ll really work hard.”

The Dweeb, looking like he’d become a fervent believer, bowed deeply to him and returned to the lecture hall.