#Chapter 79
—
The students let out sincere exclamations of awe.
“Wow……”
“Never mind the box, but… they actually got an empty mana stone and infused it themselves with dark-element magic?”
“Was it really necessary to prepare this much?”
That was how remarkable Group A’s presentation was.
Not only did they conduct an experiment that supported their theory, but they had even hand-crafted the box and mana stone themselves for the sake of quality.
There wasn’t a single shortcoming.
One could even exaggerate and say it was research of the kind professors in the relevant field would carry out, applied here as a group project.
Because of that, the students naturally began mentioning Yenika Hazel.
“…Yenika Hazel must’ve prepared everything for Group A, right?”
“Of course. As for Leon Madrid—the prince, honestly he’s a bit questionable.”
“And Arthur Bayern couldn’t possibly have prepared it.”
“Right. There’s no way those two led the experiment when Yenika Hazel, daughter of the Hazel Corporation head, was in the group.”
At those words, the students looked at Yenika with eyes full of admiration.
Yenika slightly furrowed her brows at their gazes and whispers.
*‘This kind of misunderstanding is not good.’*
The one truly responsible for this experiment was, from beginning to end, Arthur Bayern.
He prepared everything, created everything, and was involved in every detail.
Even aside from the experiment, it was Arthur Bayern who steered the flow of the presentation.
Those praises ought to have had his name in them, not hers.
But she couldn’t simply declare that out loud.
*‘The atmosphere isn’t right. If I said that here……’*
It would only spoil the harmonious mood after such a successful presentation.
So while Yenika hesitated, lips parting slightly, Professor Chizzy spoke up.
“…To be honest, I’m impressed. Yenika… Hazel.”
At that, everyone’s eyes turned to him.
“The way you conducted the experiment, your demeanor during the presentation. And even your composure, despite being suddenly designated as presenter. Judging by those alone… it wouldn’t be strange at all if you received the highest score.”
Yenika closed her parted lips.
Meanwhile, the students all nodded in agreement.
Her presentation had indeed been flawless.
“This deserves recognition.”
“With this level, who else could get an A if not her?”
Then, in that somewhat strange flow, Professor Chizzy asked a question.
“In that sense… let me ask, who was the principal lead of this experiment?”
Yenika’s eyes widened.
She met the professor’s gaze and instinctively knew.
*‘He realized something’s off with the flow of the presentation.’*
Of course. Someone at the level of an Arcane University professor couldn’t possibly miss the irregularity.
Which was why she welcomed the question.
Finally, she could clear up this strange misunderstanding.
She was about to say Arthur’s name when—
*‘Say it was you, Yenika.’*
A voice echoed in her mind, and she closed her parted lips again.
Arthur spoke inwardly.
*‘The flow of things is leaning that way. There’s no need to create suspicion by suddenly claiming it was me.’*
Yenika turned her gaze.
Arthur Bayern, his face set in firm expression, was looking ahead.
She frowned, baffled.
*‘You really want me to say I prepared everything?’*
Then what had he worked so hard for?
But Arthur’s stance seemed unshaken.
*‘Go on, Yenika.’*
At his silent urging, Yenika sighed.
With a dull throb in her head, she slowly gave her answer.
“…I can’t say it was any one person.”
“…….”
“All three of us worked hard, each had our part. So if you ask who the lead was, I would say it was all three.”
Her answer made the students gasp once again.
“Wow… she even answered like that?”
“She’s considerate of her teammates too……”
Professor Chizzy, watching her, smiled warmly.
“I see… understood. Well done on the presentation.”
Yenika bowed slightly and returned to her seat.
Without realizing it, the students gave her another round of applause.
But from Yenika’s perspective, receiving that applause didn’t feel right.
Perhaps it showed on her face.
Arthur asked curiously,
“Why the expression, Yenika?”
“……”
“Were you that nervous during the presentation?”
Yenika twitched her lips.
“I just don’t get it.”
“…Sorry?”
“Never mind. What’s the point of saying anything?”
She sharply turned her head away and fell silent.
Arthur blinked beside her.
*‘Why is she mad? She did so well.’*
But soon he just shrugged and focused back on class.
“Next, Group B will present—!”
About ten groups presented after Group A, but none could match Yenika’s.
Arthur didn’t even need to hear Professor Chizzy’s final words to know who had placed first.
The students knew it as well.
Those who had worked hard looked satisfied, while those who hadn’t wore heavy expressions.
Amid the contrasting atmosphere, Professor Chizzy organized the papers and announced,
“Good work, everyone.”
“……”
“Some of you may have gained much from this presentation, others less so. But one thing I can tell you is: effort never betrays you.”
Arthur nodded.
*‘He’s right. Effort doesn’t betray.’*
Soon, the professor dismissed the class.
“Have a good weekend, everyone. That will be all for today.”
He stepped down from the podium.
Then—
“Ah.”
“…?”
“Arthur Bayern, may I see you for a moment?”
Arthur tilted his head.
“Me, professor?”
—
—
Following behind Professor Chizzy to his office, Arthur scratched his head.
*‘What is this about? Could he have noticed Leon’s bloodline ability?’*
It didn’t seem likely, but one never knew. The world was full of all sorts of people.
Sitting before the professor with slight unease, Arthur quickly realized his worry was unfounded.
“This experiment… Arthur Bayern, you did it alone, didn’t you?”
Arthur scratched his head and replied,
“Uh… no, professor. Leon Madrid and Yenika also—”
“A lie.”
“…?”
“I know their academic records. What do you mean, they helped?”
Arthur blinked.
Meanwhile, the professor poured tea, muttering,
“A person’s character, their habits… such things are surprisingly easy to discern, especially from a professor’s perspective.”
“……”
“In that sense, Yenika Hazel and Leon Madrid… frankly, they aren’t what you’d call academically driven students.”
Arthur rubbed his head.
“Well… but they did work hard on this group project, professor.”
“Did they, really?”
“Yes. I did more of the work, but they followed along well. That made preparing much easier.”
The professor chuckled.
“Then that only means Arthur Bayern is exceptional.”
“…Does it?”
“As I said, character and habits don’t change easily. If those two showed effort, it’s because of your influence. That proves how outstanding you are.”
Arthur closed his mouth at the continued praise.
*‘I wasn’t expecting this kind of meeting.’*
While he sat there unsure what to say, the professor handed him tea with a smile.
“Always… thank you.”
“……”
“Students often say my class is boring. Yet you always listen attentively. For a professor, having even one such student is a great joy.”
Arthur quickly waved his hand.
“No, not at all. Your lectures are genuinely interesting and useful.”
“You’re kind.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You, student. You’re kind. Normally, those with talent tend to have twisted hearts somewhere. But you… you’re truly kind.”
Arthur was genuinely shocked.
*‘Kind? Me?’*
It was the first time he’d heard such words since freeing himself from his madness.
Until now, he’d only ever been called insane, never kind.
The professor finished his tea.
“I’d like to talk more, but I have another class. Let’s stop here.”
Arthur snapped out of his daze and replied,
“Understood, professor.”
“Next time we meet, let’s discuss the paper you wrote. It’ll make for quite an engaging debate.”
Arthur tilted his head.
“Was something lacking in it?”
“Not lacking… rather, the truth. Doesn’t your topic seem strange?”
“The risk of mana stone explosions… you mean?”
“Yes. While researching, you must’ve noticed—why is such a fact not openly discussed?”
His eyes gleamed.
“It’s part of the dark truths of academia. A truth you must know, one that will broaden your perspective of the world.”
Arthur smirked.
“Understood, professor. Please call me anytime.”
“…You may go now.”
Arthur rose and bowed.
Watching him leave, Professor Chizzy murmured under his heavy lids,
“Truly desirable…”
His lips curled faintly upward.
At that moment, a scruffy-haired assistant emerged from the next room, startled.
“P-Professor?”
Apparently, he had been secretly napping.
Clicking his tongue, the professor suddenly asked,
“…Assistant Hanikal.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
“Your assistantship ends next month, correct?”
Hanikal straightened nervously.
“Yes, professor! Next month!”
The professor stroked his chin.
A vacancy in the assistantship.
And a remarkable student he had just discovered.
His lips curled again.
“A first-year assistant, hmm…”
He trailed off, sipping his tea.
He wasn’t one to break tradition—but for a talent like that, perhaps once wouldn’t hurt.
—
—
After parting with Professor Chizzy, Arthur thought,
*‘Professor Chizzy truly deserves to be called a professor.’*
Of course, the other Arcane University professors were qualified as well, but Chizzy was different somehow.
*‘He called me aside only because I didn’t receive the recognition I deserved, didn’t he?’*
Arthur had heard the whispers during the presentation—students saying Yenika was the one who led it.
But he hadn’t minded.
What mattered was the grade. Recognition was unnecessary as long as he received an A.
*‘The result is what matters. Even if I’m overlooked, as long as I get an A, that’s enough.’*
But it seemed the professor had been concerned and called him over.
So different from the professor’s public reputation.
And the fact that he showed that side only to him left Arthur satisfied.
*‘Feels good. Is this what they call the bond between teacher and student?’*
Smiling faintly at the thought, he suddenly heard a familiar voice.
“Young Master.”
“Yenika?”
She stepped away from the wall where she’d been leaning with a crooked posture.
After hesitating briefly, she asked in an uncertain voice,
“Finished with your meeting?”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t notice, did he?”
“You mean us talking in our heads?”
“Yes.”
“No, he didn’t. Don’t worry.”
Yenika fell silent, but Arthur noticed the hesitation still lingering on her face.
“You have something to say?”
“……”
“Why that face again?”
With a sigh, Yenika replied,
“I don’t like it.”
“What don’t you like?”
“It should’ve been you who received the recognition.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“I ended up taking it instead, and I hate that. So… I’m wondering what I should do about it.”
Arthur let out a small sound of surprise.
“Oh… so you *do* have a conscience?”
Yenika blinked, then clicked her tongue.
“Just what do you usually think of me?”
“The leader of a cult?”
“……”
“Kidding. I just think of you as… not exactly a good person.”
Her lips twisted upward.
“Then, since this ‘bad person’ can’t let it go, what should I do for you?”
Arthur thought.
*‘What should I ask for?’*
He hadn’t intended this situation, but since she was offering, he wouldn’t refuse.
After some thought, he snapped his fingers.
“Then treat me to a meal.”
“…A meal?”
“Yes, a meal.”
Yenika blinked.
“That’s all?”
“That’s enough.”
“…I think that’s too little.”
Arthur shrugged.
“Well, I can only say no to that. I’m really not that upset.”
“Why? You had your hard work stolen. Shouldn’t you be angry?”
Arthur smiled.
“My hard work wasn’t stolen. We all got A’s.”
“……”
“If you’d botched the presentation and cost us the grade, that would’ve upset me more. But you did it perfectly.”
He snapped his fingers again.
“Honestly, maybe even better than I could’ve. So I’m not angry. I got the grade I wanted, and the results of my effort remain.”
Yenika opened her mouth again—
But Arthur’s hand moved first.
“…!”
His index finger pressed suddenly against her lips, silencing her.
Her eyes widened as Arthur leaned close and whispered,
“Shh.”
“…?”
“Someone’s eavesdropping on us.”
Yenika closed her mouth.
Arthur, subtly blocking her face from view, whispered again.
“Do you see anyone?”
She glanced past his shoulder.
In the corner of the hallway, hiding poorly, was someone she recognized.
“……”
Elin Leverkusen.
The girl with dazzling red hair was staring at them, fists trembling.
—
Go Elin!