Chapter 42

“…Did you cry, sunbae?”

Zephyros, who had arrived exactly 30 minutes late, asked in surprise. Lucian also tried not to show it, but he seemed quite surprised.

Lerwon, embarrassed, asked with a voice full of irritation.

“Is this the first time you’ve seen someone cry?”

“No, that’s not it….”

Zephyros was just a little flustered because the Lerwon he knew and the word ‘tears’ were so far apart.

Keum, clearing his throat, Zephyros sat down opposite Lerwon.

“So, did you have a good talk?”

“So-so, thanks to you.”

“I wonder what so many secret stories you have. I’m dying of curiosity.”

“You didn’t happen to eavesdrop with the wind, did you?”

At Theo’s question, Zephyros’s face soured.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought about it. But in the end, he didn’t. Because Theo’s expression as he left with Lerwon had looked too serious. But now, being suspected like this didn’t feel very good.

“What do you take me for?”

“A jerk of a nobleman?”

“Then are you a damn son of a X?”

“Calling a person a dog! Apologize immediately!”

The two began a physical fight.

When Theo rushed to hit him even once, Zephyros merely dodged—but it looked like they were bickering and fighting anyway.

Lucian looked at the two with eyes that said, ‘Here we go again.’

“Do you guys always play like this?”

“Mostly, yes.”

“…Did I make a mistake in trusting them?”

As Lerwon mumbled, Lucian chuckled, keuk-keuk.

“They just enjoy playing like that.”

Lucian smiled as he watched them hitting and receiving without malice.

“Hey! Let go of my hair! You’re going all out just because I’m going easy on you since you’re weak, huh?

You’re touching the body of a Duke’s son?”

“If you’re so mad, why don’t you be weak too!”

As the sound of their bickering grew louder, Lerwon’s pupils trembled.

“Are they really playing like that because they enjoy it?”

There’s a limit to being childish. At Lerwon’s astounded mumble, Lucian shut his mouth.

“I’ve never had friends like that.”

In this moment, Lucian decided to cut ties with his friends.

If Theo had known this, he would have applauded with joy, thinking he was finally escaping the sweet-potato phase—but unfortunately, Theo was too busy fighting with Zephyros to notice.

* * *

“Why are you guys always fighting?”

“It’s because Theo, that guy, is an eccentric.”

“Hey, what did you just say?”

Are you trying to start another fight? At my question, Zephyros gracefully raised his middle finger.

I used it once before, and he’s already learned and is using it.

How on earth did that Nevera duke’s son become able to freely use curses like flipping the bird? In any case, it’s not my fault.

“Zephi, you have merchants who trade with the Duchy, right?”

“Excluding Golden?”

“Yeah.”

Of course, after all the trouble that woman put me through, would I use Golden?

“It has to be a merchant group that has no connection to Golden.”

It could be considered the most important condition. Because this time, I couldn’t let it be ruined by getting entangled in Iris’s schemes.

“Do you think there’s a place like that in the Empire?”

“Is it going to be difficult?”

She’s not called the master of Golden for no reason.

As I was about to quietly give up hope, Zephyros spoke.

“It’s not a merchant group that trades with the Duchy, but there is a merchant group where I have an acquaintance. Why? Should I connect you?”

“Are you sure they have no connection to Golden?”

“None. So, what’s the item you’re trying to get?”

“A lightning-struck ginkgo tree.”

“The ones made with magic are─”

“No good.”

Ingredients made with magic are ineffective.

At my answer, Zephyros showed his reluctance.

“You know that kind of item isn’t on the market, and even if it is, it sells out instantly, right?”

“Of course, I know.”

Because it’s a good ingredient to use in both alchemy and magic. Isn’t the lightning-struck ginkgo tree like the MSG of the magic world?

It could be made artificially, but it was common knowledge that the quality would be lower.

“Why do you need it?”

“It’s for Lerwon-sunbae.”

I knew that Zephyros felt guilty towards Lerwon-sunbae. I had to use that, at least.

“When do you need it by?”

“Preferably by the end of this semester?”

“You’re asking for something difficult.”

Tsk, Zephyros clicked his tongue.

“Should I ask His Majesty the Emperor? I feel like there might be one in the imperial treasury.”

That's X-na tempting. If it was something that had already been procured, Iris wouldn’t be able to pull any tricks even if she wanted to.

“Will that be okay?”

“It’s essential, isn’t it?”

That’s true, but.

Knowing full well that he was uncomfortable with the Emperor, I felt sorry for asking Lucian.

“It’s not as difficult as you think. If you feel bad, then just help me out a bit when I’m studying for the midterms, if there’s anything difficult.”

“That’s something I would do even without you asking for a favor… wait, what did you say?”

“I said to help me if there’s anything difficult.”

“No, before that.”

“It’s not as difficult as you think?”

“The part in the middle.”

“When I’m studying for the midterms?”

You just said midterms, right?

“Hey… when is the midterm period?”

I could feel sweat trickling down my cheek.

No way, surely. There’s no way I’m a clueless possessor who doesn’t even know the midterm period.

“A week from now, right?”

“X-bal.”

I’m X-ed.

This might be the umpteenth crisis, but. I can assure you, there has never been a crisis situation like this moment.

* **

Two students transferred in a month after the new semester began.

It has already been over a fortnight since those two students transferred, and now the midterms are just around the corner.

“Hmm? What on earth did you do?”

Zephyros answered.

“What do you mean, what did you do? Didn’t you spend half your time in the Academy in the infirmary?”

Seems so. And so my life has been ruined along with it.

“The midterms aren’t that important anyway.”

“Are you speaking so carelessly because it’s not your business?”

I wish I could just live recklessly, not caring whether I get a failing grade or not.

But, of all people─

“My father is Professor Lisitoel.”

He is the greatest magician in the Empire.

Even if I can't be as good as my father, his son can't get a failing grade, can he? It's not like I'm trying to survive as an Academy flunkee!

“Still, at least there’s no written exam. It’s either a practical or a thesis.”

“The problem is that the Imperial History assignment is to write a thesis.

I’m genuinely curious, is it the Academy’s standard to ask a sixteen-year-old to write a thesis?”

“As far as I know, Professor Lisitoel wrote a thesis on magic circle optimization when he was nine?”

Ah, I don't know. What is that, that's X-na scary. Most of all─

“Father is an exception. Where are you comparing me to my father?”

Does it make sense to compare a mere mortal with the greatest magic genius in the game?

Huh?! I’d rather watch a cat VS tiger duel, that would be much more interesting.

“If there were about 100 of me, would I be able to stand up to my father?”

“That seems a bit difficult.”

“You cold-hearted bastard.”

Would it kill you to say there might be a possibility? Tsk.

Grumbling, I looked at the midterm assignment for Basic Elemental Magic. The assignment was simple.

Learn one magic related to each of the four great elements—earth, water, wind, and fire—and demonstrate it directly in front of the professor.

The practical exam assignment, neatly organized on a single sheet of paper, was the seed of disaster.

“I feel like… running away.”

Just looking at it made me want to drop out of the Academy right away, cast off all the shackles and restraints of this world, and leave in search of my own happiness.

When on earth did I enroll in graduate school instead of the Academy?

“It’s better than memorizing things for an exam.”

“Honestly, I think that would be better.”

“Even if a question about a thesis written by a scholar mentioned by the professor in class appears on the exam?”

“Wow! A practical exam! I love it so much! I can take it 100 times!”

I immediately changed my stance.

Yes, a practical is… better than memorizing, right? This isn't some devil’s choice, is it?

“So what are you going to do for Basic Elemental Magic?

The other kids taking that class are preparing with intermediate magic.”

Lucian asked, as if trying to change the subject.

“What are you preparing with, Zephyros?”

“For wind, I was thinking of preparing with advanced magic.”

I saw Lerwon, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, let out a small laugh.

As expected… it’s a trap card, isn’t it.

“Hey, just do a normal basic magic.”

“Huh? But isn’t it a bit much to show a beginner-level magic in front of the professor?”

Lerwon, unable to hold back his laughter any longer, covered his mouth with his palm.

Thanks to Lerwon sitting by the window behind Zephyros, only I could see it, but that was definitely a laugh of finding something utterly ridiculous.

“The name of the lecture is Basic Elemental Magic in the first place.

So how do you think she’ll react if you use an intermediate magic that she hasn’t even taught?”

Especially with that fiery witch professor’s personality.

At my point, Zephyros’s mouth fell slightly open, as if he had just realized it.

“She’d X-na chew them out.”

In the first place, magic wasn't like stairs that you could easily go up and down. If you had to compare, it was closer to a slide or a cliff you had to climb.

Even if you learned the basics and moved on to the intermediate level, it required immense talent to perform an intermediate magic without any mistakes when your skills hadn't been built up.

And, as far as I knew, there were no such geniuses in the Academy at present.

“…None of the seniors who taught Basic Elemental Magic ever said anything like that.”

“They must have put a taboo on it.”

Even I can't tell others about the terms of my contract.

If even Iris, who also works as an alchemist, can cast a taboo, it would be a piece of cake for a witch professor who professionally researches magic at the Academy.

Zephyros’s mouth hung open, as if he had an idea of something.

“In the first place, do you think students who have been enrolled in the Academy for a little over a month can properly use intermediate magic? It’s 100% a trick.”

“Heo.”

“I can assure you, there are no old-timers who like tricks.”

I placed a hand on Zephyros’s shoulder, smiled, and gave a thumbs-up.

There are no old-timers in this world who like it when a young disciple uses tricks, even if they like using tricks themselves.

“I won’t care whether you do as I say or not.”

After all, the choice is Zephyros’s.

“Lerwon-sunbae, could you help me with that assignment?”

“Sure.”

Lerwon approached me with a relaxed smile. Seeing that smile of Lerwon’s, it seems I was right.

‘What on earth is an Academy professor.’

You could just give out a normal assignment, why do you have to dig a trap like this.

“As expected, professors are the enemy of students.”

It seems to be an unchanging truth, whether in reality or in a game.

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