CHAPTER 41: THIS PROFESSOR IS RATHER STRANGE

’Discussion...?’

My eyes narrow subtly as I cast a respectful gaze at the man before me.

He doesn’t intimidate me in any way, but I ensure to keep a safe distance from him. We stand a few meters apart, and he seems to have noticed my hesitance, so he doesn’t attempt to close the distance.

Instead, he remains in his position and stares at me for a moment.

’A Senior Professor is at least from a Barony...’ My thoughts flow quietly. ’How would someone like that know of my identity? Is he related to Baron Romulus, our family’s affiliated Noble? No... even if he was, that doesn’t explain this situation.’

I’m certain that even Baron Romulus isn’t aware that I exist.

So—

"That look on your face tells me that your uncle didn’t tell you about me..." Professor Alaric makes a wry smile and finally speaks with a calm tone.

"M-my Uncle?"

I try to act very surprised, but in actuality, this isn’t very shocking to me.

After ruling out all other possibilities, I naturally thought about this person knowing a family member of mine. Since Uncle Damon once attended the Academy, and we share the same family name, I already thought of him.

However, it is still rather strange that this man would call me out for a discussion.

Just what is his relationship with my uncle?

And why didn’t Uncle Damon tell me anything about him?

"I knew your uncle from our Academy days. We hung out a few times too... alongside other students. Unfortunately, I lost touch with him after graduation..." Professor Alaric sighs, his eyes flashing with a tinge of regret.

I silently nod, absorbing all the information with politeness.

"I was going through the list of students when I saw the Aditi name. It brought back memories, and I figured you would be related to him. With a little digging, I figured out you were his nephew and that he served as your proxy in registration, among other things."

"That is correct, sir."

My response is a little stiff, but I am honestly impressed by the school’s information network.

To think that a Senior Professor can have so much access to my information as long as he is interested in my name. It is a scary thing to think about, to be honest.

"There’s no need to be so tense around me, Javier." He waves slightly, making a smile on his hideous face. I honestly do not judge people by looks, but being around this man makes me a little uneasy.

It could be because of his green eyes or the wrinkled, unkempt face.

I mean, my uncle also has a disheveled appearance most of the time, but this man feels like a more extreme version.

It’s almost as though he is insane.

"This campus is quite large, and many things can be confusing at times. If you need help with anything, just let me know, okay?"

His harmless smile makes me feel a little bad.

Perhaps I have judged this man too harshly in my thoughts. I may not have noticed it, but it is indeed possible for my superficial nature to cast silent judgment on this man, repelling him in my thoughts.

’I am all alone in this Academy, so having a connection with a Senior Professor isn’t a bad thing at all!’ I tell myself this with a hint of excitement. ’Maybe I could even—’

Before I can conclude my thoughts, I notice something akin to desperation flare up in his eyes.

It reeks of obsession.

"If... you could also show me a way to contact your uncle... that would be great."

"Contact him?" I slightly tilt my head, feigning ignorance.

"Yes..." Professor Alaric laughs helplessly. "We lost contact after he left the Academy. I don’t even know where he lives, so I have no idea where to post my letters. Besides, I would also like to visit him at some point, to catch up on old times."

He continues to blabber on, but I have already figured out his intention.

Basically, he wants me to give him a way to reach my uncle.

A way he doesn’t yet possess.

Compared to his large reach within the Academy, it seems he doesn’t have a lot of connections when it comes to the affairs of the outside world.

Personally, I’m not surprised that he hasn’t been able to locate my uncle.

This is because Uncle Damon’s cottage is located at the fringe of our Aditi land, and it doesn’t even have a listed address. In fact, he has to travel a short distance to the nearest post office to get letters delivered to him, and so any letter written to him has to be sent there.

Since he checks the place regularly, he is bound to find any letter delivered to him in that location.

Even when I sent Leon to send him a letter, I used this method.

Only the higher-ups in the Aditi Household, like my father, know all of these details, so Professor Alaric’s lack of knowledge isn’t very surprising.

But—

’If Uncle Damon was close to him, wouldn’t he have taken the initiative to send this man a letter?’

This thought constantly rings in my head.

After all, unlike my uncle’s obscure location, Professor Alaric’s address is rather straightforward. Since he is also a Senior Professor in the Academy, he should be considerably well-known, so my uncle should have no problem sending him letters.

The fact that this hasn’t happened means that my uncle has no intention to speak to this man.

That tells me that this matter is not so simple.

I can’t afford to reveal Uncle Damon’s contact so easily, after all.

"My uncle is a very private person, which is also why he didn’t tell me about your identity. I’d have to ask Uncle Damon about this situation before saying anything." Politely responding, I reveal my intentions rather clearly.

I’m certain Professor Alaric understands the intent behind my words.

I can see his visage change a little, and disappointment flashes within it. He is definitely displeased by my response. Hesitation flickers in his eyes, and it appears that for a moment he considers pursuing the matter a little further.

However, he lets out a sigh and smiles yet again.

"Ah, I understand..." I can clearly sense the frustration in his tone. "Then, please send my regards to him and let him know I would like to reach out."

"I will, sir."

"You may take your leave, then. Good luck with all your courses..."

"Thank you, Professor."

I hurriedly walk away, a breath of relief oozing from my lips. That was an unnecessarily tense moment that I wasn’t expecting, and I am glad it’s over.

This Professor, Alaric Duskryn, is rather strange.

’I will have to write to Uncle Damon once I return to my dorm and inform him of this situation,’ I immediately decide this as I bring out my academic prospectus and check the timetable for lectures.

Until I return to my room, it’s best I focus on all the classes I have for the day.

Thankfully, there is always a thirty-minute break between every class.

That alone makes student life flexible.

My plan is to attend all the compulsory and elective courses this week, so I can best decide on the ones I prefer. It will certainly be a stressful week, but since this is a new world for me, I can’t afford to make such a choice lackadaisically.

So, while I will be very exhausted after this week is over, I would have made the best choice.

***********

"So the kid didn’t take the bait, huh...?"

Alaric Duskryn mutters to himself as he stands all by himself in the theater and stares far into the distance. The image of Javier hurriedly walking out of the hall fills his thoughts, and his eyes narrow in mild annoyance.

A frown sullies his disturbed face, and several sighs leak out.

"I guess he’s a little brighter than his uncle. But, I can’t afford to let up now...’ He slowly moves his body, sluggishly leaving his pedestal.

As he walks, memories of his life as a student in the Academy—particularly a certain incident—paint his consciousness. He recalls a burning building, as well as several markings, all coated in blood.

Then, he remembers corpses.

A lot of corpses.

Even now, decades later, he can’t help but shudder after remembering what happened that night.

The horror has refused to leave his tortured mind.

But—

"Damon Aditi... you’re the only other person who witnessed that incident and is still alive..."

Alaric’s green eyes flash with a hint of desperation.

His lips quiver.

"Surely, you must also have your research. You must be digging very deep about their existence too... right? If there’s anyone who should know about the Leviathans apart from me, it should be you, Damon!" At this point, his eyes have both turned bloodshot.

His expression is that of a madman.

He nearly froths at the mouth just thinking about the situation, and his breathing turns heavy.

Quickly realizing his agitation, he calms himself and lets out turbid air.

After becoming composed, he continues to mutter.

Very silently, he speaks.

"We should compare notes, Damon... or, no, what if he doesn’t cooperate? Should I find an excuse? A way to confiscate his research? But I need to know where he lives first, and I need to be able to do all this under the radar..."

Anyone hearing him speak would think it was a criminal talking and not a Senior Professor.

But this man has long lost all his dignity as an esteemed teacher in the Royal Academy.

Only one thing consumes his mind.

"Apotheosis! I’ll do anything in order to experience Apotheosis even once!" He nearly screams out, pulling his disheveled brown hair like an unhinged maniac.

After all, this is the only way!

The only way to become a Leviathan—a god among men.