CHAPTER 177: CHAPTER 177 - NOT AS A PROFESSOR

The air in Seraphina’s office felt unnervingly heavy, as though the silence itself carried weight. The soft glow of evening light filtering through the tall windows only seemed to sharpen the tension in the room. Bookshelves lined with immaculate order and a faint scent of parchment and ink should have made the space feel studious—but right now, it felt more like a chamber of judgment.

Luca sat quietly in the chair across from her desk, his posture stiff, fingers tapping idly against his knee as though to fill the silence she left hanging. Seraphina, with her usual composure seemingly fractured, reached for a glass of water at her side. He watched in faint surprise as she downed it in one long gulp, her throat bobbing with each swallow. It was rare to see her—so unguarded, so human.

Exhaling slowly, she set the glass down, the faint clink of crystal against wood echoing a little too sharply in the stillness. Gathering herself, she lowered into her chair once more, smoothing the fabric of her robe across her lap before finally speaking.

"What have you done this time?" Her tone carried weariness more than anger, yet her eyes sharpened, demanding.

Luca leaned back slightly, letting out a resigned sigh. Well, the water’s already spilled, he thought, lips curving into the faintest wry smile. Might as well let it all flow.

"I went on a mission with Aurelia..." he began, his voice steady but his gaze drifting aside as he recounted the events. He spoke of the cultists, of the battle, of what unfolded in the shadows of that gorge. But here and there, his words faltered, glossing over details he decided were better left unsaid. A few truths were safer buried.

When he finished, silence reclaimed the room. Seraphina pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes with a long exhale. "It seems like trouble follows wherever you go."

Luca tilted his head slightly, acknowledging with a small, tired nod. "You’re not wrong."

Her eyes lifted again, sharp and probing. "Do you know anything about that cloaked figure?"

He shook his head almost immediately, expression turning serious. "He was... very careful. Didn’t give me the slightest opening in battle. Forget about his identity—I couldn’t even catch a hint of it."

And it’s better that way, Luca thought, keeping the truth about the Second Demon General buried deep within.

The quiet that followed pressed heavier than before, the tick of the clock on the wall filling the space between them. Luca finally broke it, looking up with a half-smile. "Ah—yeah, professor. If not this, then what was the real reason you called me here?"

To his surprise, Seraphina’s cheeks flushed faintly, betraying the crack in her usual composure. She shifted in her chair, lowering her gaze for a moment before meeting his eyes again.

"You asked Count Fairmoore to help my family, didn’t you?"

Luca’s eyes widened, caught entirely off guard. He blinked, then quickly forced a laugh, scratching at the back of his head. "Heheh, what are you talking about, professor?"

Damn it—did the Count actually say something? I told him not to! How can a count be this unreliable?

Seraphina’s piercing gaze locked onto him, unwavering. Her lips curved into the faintest, knowing smile. "Stop acting. You don’t know how to do it."

Luca deflated, his shoulders slumping as he muttered under his breath, "I didn’t expect the Count to be such a loudmouth..."

But Seraphina tilted her head, her voice calm and cutting. "Count didn’t say it."

Luca’s head shot up, eyes wide in disbelief. "...Then?"

Seraphina’s expression hardened, her calm eyes holding an almost unshakable weight as she spoke slowly.

"There was no reason for Count Fairmoore to help my family."

Luca blinked, his brows knitting in slight confusion.

"Why not? Isn’t it a high noble’s responsibility to quench the fight between two lower nobles and preserve justice?"

For the first time, Seraphina’s lips curled—not in amusement, but in a mocking laugh that dripped with bitterness.

"Are you not from this world, or what?"

Luca nearly choked on his own breath, coughing as if the words struck him straight in the throat. He rubbed his neck awkwardly, while Seraphina’s laughter faded into silence, her eyes sharp as she continued.

"Hmph. Everyone looks at each other as prey to swallow. Nobody is free enough to meddle in a dispute without a reason. Not in the nobility."

Luca leaned back slightly, tapping a finger against his thigh in thought.

"Well... I suppose that’s true. Nobles and their interests..." His gaze flicked up at her, his tone steady, though still questioning. "But that alone doesn’t point it towards me, right?"

Seraphina exhaled slowly through her nose, then gave a faint nod.

"Apart from a handful of people in the Magic Tower, you were the only one who knew about my family’s situation. And..." Her voice softened a fraction, though her eyes remained firm. "...I knew you had some connection with Count Fairmoore. From the incident when Lilliane was kidnapped. Any outsider who wished to meet you in the infirmary had to pass through me first, as your class teacher."

Luca’s mouth formed a small "oh," realization dawning on his face. He leaned his elbow on the armrest of his chair, tapping the side of his temple. So the butler must have asked for her permission before visiting me...

Seraphina straightened her back, brushing her palm lightly across the desk as though concluding a matter.

"So I suppose that answers that question."

Without warning, she pushed her chair back and rose to her feet.

The suddenness of it made Luca flinch, his body stiffening.

"Wait—what are you—?"

Before he could finish, Seraphina bowed sharply, her upper body folding into a deep forty-five-degree angle.

Luca’s eyes widened. "Wha—?!" He nearly knocked over his own chair in his rush to stand, quickly reaching forward. His hands found her shoulders, firm yet hesitant, as he tried to lift her upright.

"What are you doing, Professor?"

Her voice was calm, steady, yet laced with an earnest weight he had never heard from her before.

"Let me do this. I am not speaking as your professor... but as the daughter of the Elmare Viscounty. Please accept my gratitude."

Luca shook his head immediately, his voice low and urgent.

"I didn’t do much. There’s no need—"

She cut him off, raising her face just enough that he could see the unwavering fire in her eyes.

"It may be nothing to you. But what you did not only saved me and my family... it saved hundreds of families living in our territory."

The words sank into Luca’s chest like stones. For the first time, he truly felt the scale of what had happened.

Seraphina straightened her posture, her voice carrying a solemn promise.

"Although we cannot possibly repay you for such a great help, I, as the direct heir of the Elmare Viscounty, vow that we will do anything within our power to aid you in any way we can... Mr. Luca Valentine."

Luca looked thoughtful for a moment before he bowed as well, lowering his head with the same sincerity Seraphina had shown him.

"Then I, Luca Valentine, will accept it gratefully," he said, his voice steady but respectful.

Inside, he thought wryly, It’s best to agree. Otherwise, it’ll look like I don’t know how to appreciate gratitude. And besides... who knows when I’ll need their help?

When he lifted his head, Seraphina was already watching him with a faint smile, her usual sharpness softened for once.

"Thank you for accepting it," she said quietly, her tone carrying a rare warmth.

Luca nodded back, straightening his posture. "Then, I will take my leave."

He turned toward the door, but Seraphina’s voice stopped him mid-step.

"One more thing."

He glanced back at her, a touch of curiosity in his expression. "Yes, Professor?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if testing him. "What are you going to do about all these credits you have?"

"Credits?" Luca tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Seraphina leaned back in her chair, arms folding under her chest. "You’re not collecting them for fun, are you? You already have quite a lot... enough that it’s wasteful just letting them sit."

"Ah..." Luca scratched his cheek sheepishly. "I haven’t really thought about it."

She sighed softly, a little exasperated but not without amusement. "Take a look at the Arcadia Exchange sometime. It’s one of the Academy’s most guarded facilities—where students can spend credits for rare artifacts, resources, and even privileges. If you’re going to keep piling up accomplishments, you might as well gain something practical from it."

Her words lingered in the air with weight.

Luca gave a small nod, more earnest this time. "I see... I’ll keep that in mind."

He stepped out of the room, the door closing with a quiet thud behind him. As he walked down the hallway, his hands slid into his pockets, his thoughts turning inward.

She’s right. With the missions I’ve completed and the records I’ve broken, I must’ve accumulated quite a sum by now. Maybe it really is time to see what the Arcadia Exchange has to offer...

Just then, a lazy, just-awakened voice echoed from the back of his mind, hazy but familiar.

"What are you thinking so hard for? Let me out already..."

Luca froze mid-step, his eyes widening in pleasant surprise. A smile tugged at his lips as he whispered under his breath, "You woke up."