Chapter 41

The next day.

Yujin, while checking his attire in his quarters, spoke to Tiamat.

“Man, I’m kinda nervous. It’s hard to believe I’m a professor. Back in my world, professors were highly respected and skilled individuals. Guess you could say I’ve come a long way from the bottom.”

『Huh, so becoming a human professor after being a dragon for a while feels kinda strange?』

“I can’t help it. Becoming a dragon felt too surreal, like floating in the clouds. But becoming a professor… well, if I exaggerate a bit, it feels like a dream come true?”

『Pfft, good for you. That’s great.』

Tiamat chuckled warmly at Yujin’s unusually high spirits.

Just then,

“Still, you sure are in a rush.”

Yujin glanced outside the door and continued. Tiamat looked back at him with a slightly sour expression.

『…And Yujin, this is all your fault, isn’t it?』

“Don’t remind me. I’m fully aware of that.”

Yujin replied with a wry smile before heading out.

“Huh?”

He stopped as if genuinely surprised and stared at someone standing by the door.

“Professor Sahart, what brings you here?”

“…”

Unbeknownst to Yujin, who was pretending to be surprised, the person he addressed was none other than Reina.

She stood stiffly by his door, waiting with a resolute expression.

Yujin grinned and asked,

“Haha, could it be you’re here to fetch me for the joint lecture? Thank you very much.”

“…I won’t let you get away with whatever scheme you have planned.”

Confused by her seemingly determined tone, Yujin tilted his head.

“Hmm? I don’t understand what you mean. Anyway, good morning, Professor. Have you had breakfast yet?”

“…No, not yet.”

“Then would you care to join me? I haven’t eaten either. I’ve heard the academy cafeteria is quite decent…”

“…Alright, gladly.”

Reina, perhaps intending to keep an eye on Yujin from the start, agreed without hesitation.

Thus, the two headed toward the academy cafeteria.

***

Though painful to admit now, the academy cafeteria was also elegantly designed.

For students, there was a buffet-style setup where fancy dishes were preserved with magic, displayed temptingly. For professors, chefs personally prepared requested meals.

It goes without saying that the quality was excellent, regularly enjoyed by the faculty.

Yujin and Reina took their seats in the professor’s section and began eating something light since it was morning. Yujin realized how normal the cuisine of this other world actually was.

‘Back at Mary’s inn, every meal—breakfast, lunch, dinner—was a feast…’

Given his first experience with dining here was at Mary’s inn, misunderstanding the food culture of this world wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

Both ordered the same: chicken breast salad and soft black bread. Since Yujin didn’t know much about the professor’s cafeteria, he simply mimicked Reina’s choice. Though Reina seemed somewhat displeased.

『Good. The portions may be small, but they’re quite exquisite.』

Tiamat happily sampled the food Yujin ate, though Yujin himself couldn’t share her joy.

‘…I feel like her glare could pierce through me.’

Reina unabashedly stared at Yujin with her trademark sharp intensity.

Attempting to break the tension, Yujin inquired,

“How’s the lecture schedule looking?”

“…”

Yujin turned to Reina, asking about the schedule. Though wary, she explained nonetheless.

“…Morning sessions focus mainly on theoretical lectures, while afternoons are more practical. Occasionally, we dedicate an entire day to exploring mazes.”

“Hmm, I heard time flows slower inside mazes compared to the outside. Is it really necessary to spend a whole day?”

“For first-year students, yes. They rarely go beyond the 10th layer, and the goal is to provide diverse experiences, so we allocate ample time accordingly.”

“I see.”

Their conversation continued as they ate.

Yujin mostly asked about the lecture structure, and Reina answered smoothly.

However…

‘…This is awkward.’

Reina never let up her sharp demeanor, if anything, sharpening it further with each question.

Had anyone else been sitting with her, they might have gotten sick from the tension. Yujin couldn’t help but think how oppressive her aura was.

In reality…

‘…Is Professor Reina feeling unwell today…?’

‘I want to talk to Professor Yujin too…’

‘Professor Reina seems especially intimidating today…’

‘Even though she usually has an authoritative presence, today it’s particularly strong…’

Nearby professors, who wanted to join their conversation but hesitated due to Reina’s intimidating presence, could only eavesdrop from afar.

Just then,

“Reina, mind if I sit with you for a moment?”

“…Rynne?”

A woman approached them casually.

With silver hair and striking blue eyes, she was undoubtedly beautiful.

Rynne Eneria, the alchemy professor.

“What’s this all of a sudden…”

“Just thought it’d be nice to have a meal together once in a while…”

After saying that, Rynne turned to Yujin.

“I’d also like to chat briefly with Professor Yujin. Would that be alright?”

“Ah, I don’t mind. Please do as you please.”

As Yujin said this, Rynne glanced at Reina, who hesitated but nodded.

“Then, excuse me.”

Rynne sat beside Reina and faced Yujin. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto him.

‘This one also seems to have some sort of agenda.’

Deciding to play along, Yujin opened his mouth.

“May I ask what you’d like to discuss?”

“It’s nothing major. You’re from the East, right, Professor Yujin?”

“That’s correct. Though I spent most of my youth in the Western continent studying magic.”

Cleverly substituting ‘hometown’ for ‘East,’ Yujin smoothly lied.

Upon hearing this, Rynne pressed further.

“In that case, did you have a mentor who taught you magic?”

“Mentor… yes, I did. Unfortunately, they’ve passed away.”

Yujin subtly twisted the truth. While he started learning magic on his own, Tiamat imparted much of his magical knowledge.

Calling her a mentor wasn’t entirely false, especially since she was indeed deceased.

“Sounds like an incredible person. To nurture someone as talented as Professor Yujin.”

“Yes, an exceptionally remarkable individual. Perhaps the greatest I’ve ever encountered.”

Being the leader of dragons, it wasn’t inaccurate.

Rynne’s eyes sparkled upon hearing this.

“If you speak so highly of them, I’m curious who they might be.”

“Haha, truthfully, I don’t know much about them. I didn’t get many personal stories from that person.”

At this, Tiamat flinched slightly, sensing the conversation was about her.

Of course, Yujin paid no attention.

‘How long does she plan to continue these meaningless questions?’

These exchanges were merely casual conversations to ease the tension. Yujin knew her intentions went beyond mere curiosity.

Then, Rynne asked,

“Yujin, how would you compare your mentor to a Transcendent?”

“…Transcendents, you say?”

Is this the main topic? Yujin pondered with a slightly perplexed expression.

‘Transcendents… why bring this up?’

After a brief thought, Yujin looked into her eyes.

Deep within her pupils, he saw a fervent obsession and a glimmer of madness.

‘…Ah.’

Yujin smirked faintly before speaking.

“Transcendents… indeed, there seems to be an insurmountable gap between mortals and transcendents, separate from my own aspirations.”

“…Is that so?”

“But… perhaps, I sometimes wonder if mortals can become transcendents…”

“!”

“…Haha, though it’s probably just wishful thinking.”

With that, Yujin rose, addressing Reina who had silently observed the conversation.

“Shall we go, Professor Sahart?”

“…Yes, let’s.”

She briefly glanced at Rynne before following Yujin.

“…”

Left alone, Rynne rested her chin in thought.

***

Meanwhile, in the magic studies lecture hall.

A girl approached another in the elementology class.

“Eri, how do you think you did on the test?”

“Sigh… I messed up too much at the start. Got scolded too…”

“Really?”

“How about you, Sera?”

“Hmm? I think I did well?”

“Nope.”

“Too harsh~ Though technically correct.”

The brunette girl, pretending to be hurt, soon brightened and asked,

“Hey Eri, did you hear? Professor Reina is doing a joint lecture today!”

“What? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. Didn’t you see the announcement from Professor Reina?”

“I didn’t.”

“Figures. A lot of people missed it since it was announced suddenly yesterday.”

“Right…? And who’s she doing it with?”

“Don’t know. Heard it’s a new professor.”

“A new professor… hmm, who’s that in the magic department again…”

“Eri, were you sleeping during the opening ceremony? There wasn’t any new professor in magic studies.”

“…But you said new professor!”

“Well, yeah, but not during the opening ceremony. Apparently, they joined after the exams ended. You wouldn’t remember anyway.”

“What? Someone joined after the exams? This late?”

“I know, right? Still, apparently, this new professor is super handsome!”

“Super handsome…? Suddenly?”

“Yeah! Supposedly, Professor Reina was seen going to breakfast with a man this morning!”

“What? Professor Reina? With a man?”

“Exactly! Can you believe it?”

“Isn’t that just a rumor?”

That Professor Reina would have breakfast with a man? Frankly, Eri found it hard to believe. Sera added,

“Me too, at first. But lots of people witnessed it! They say the guy has this dangerous charm and is incredibly good-looking!”

“Dangerous charm… incredibly good-looking…”

At this, Eri unconsciously recalled someone. Just thinking about it made her shiver.

-How’s it going? Not too difficult?

That smile, that voice, those words… Even now, they sent chills down her spine.

Recalling the man who nonchalantly smiled while she struggled through a harrowing experience, Eri paled involuntarily. Sera noticed.

“…Eri? Are you okay?”

“…Ah, ah, it’s nothing.”

“Are you sure? If anything’s wrong, tell me. You don’t want to be in bad shape during the practicals later.”

Sera seemed genuinely concerned. Eri nodded.

“Y-yeah…”

“Everyone! The professor is here!”

Suddenly, a student near the door announced, prompting everyone to take their seats. Eri and Sera snapped to attention.

Then…

Clack, clack.

Thud, thud.

Two figures entered the lecture hall.

A pair, each exuding a different aura. One was a sharp, poised woman with cropped hair, while the other was a relaxed, amiable man.

As they entered, everyone’s gaze instinctively turned toward them. Among them…

‘Wh-what… who is that…’

Eri’s eyes were drawn to the smiling man. Meanwhile, the woman at the podium spoke.

“Good morning, everyone.”

“-Good morning, Professor!”

Only then did the students collectively greet Reina. She continued,

“Today, we’ll review the exam scores, but as previously announced, we’ll also have a joint lecture. Though sudden, I believe it’ll be a valuable experience. Additionally, I’d like you to warmly welcome the esteemed professor joining us for this lecture. Professor Yujin?”

“Yes.”

Following Reina’s introduction, Yujin stepped forward and spoke.

“Nice to meet you all, students. I’m Han Yujin, the newly appointed professor.”

“….!”

Thud!

Eri bolted upright, her face pale.

Yujin also turned toward her.

“Ah, Miss Eri. Long time no see. Has it been over a week?”

“…Impossible.”

Lost in her thoughts, Eri muttered absentmindedly, unaware of the stares from others.

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