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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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Chapter 149 - Head Theoretical Professor Kaiden (1)
After the big event of the Chief Administrator’s visit to the Academy, things returned to normal.
Well, not exactly "normal"—the days were busier than ever.
The end-of-semester evaluations and summer vacation were fast approaching.
Though these evaluations happen twice a year, this time things were different.
The reason was the normalization of the Combat Department.
In the past, evaluations were all written exams, but starting this semester, practical exams were added.
Since there were no previous examples to refer to, they had to build everything from scratch, causing the Combat Department to plunge into an unexpected wave of overtime.
"Overtime, and we’re not even the Theory Department!"
Professor Kazadar, the dwarf, slammed his desk in frustration, sending stationery scattering to the floor.
"Quit complaining. This is how it should have been all along."
Felimia said as she picked up the fallen pencils.
"Graduating without a single practical exam is unheard of. So stop whining and just do your best."
"I’ve had enough! Hey, Brogg! Let’s go!"
Kazadar mimicked puffing on a cigarette, and the orc Professor Brogg eagerly got up, thumping his way out of the room.
"What a ruckus."
As the desks shook from Brogg and Kazadar’s exit, Professor Waver reached out to steady the items on his desk, chuckling.
"Still, it’s nice to have everyone working together after so long."
"Indeed. And with all these delicious snacks too."
Orendi replied, nibbling on a dessert.
"Has anyone seen the Head Professor?"
Just then, Professor Lina entered, pushing open the door.
"I went to get the evaluation questions reviewed, but he wasn’t there."
"No idea. I think I heard something about him going out for a bit."
"I see…."
Lina’s shoulders slumped.
Today, Lina had purposely worn the same lingerie she’d worn back then.
With evaluations coming up, everyone would be busy, and with summer vacation following, she wouldn’t get to see Head Professor Dian for a while.
So she was determined to make her move this time.
As far as she could tell, Professor Dian didn’t have any other romantic interests, so whoever acted first would win.
She had planned to use the excuse of getting the evaluation questions reviewed to slip into his office and make her move.
Back when she was in active service, her specialty was infiltration; she’d complete her missions by seizing any opening, no matter how small. She thought this was just such an opportunity.
But he’s out… where did he go, and for what?
"By the way, when is the new Head Theoretical Professor going to arrive?"
"Beats me. It’s been vacant for a while, but still no word."
"I heard something about him needing to settle things at the Tower of Illusions first."
"The Mage Kaiden… I still can’t believe it."
Kaiden was known throughout the Empire as a genius mage and a member of the Demon King Slaying Special Force.
But even before the war, Kaiden had a certain notoriety among mages.
A recluse who was obsessed only with creating highly destructive offensive spells, with no interest in anything else—a true madman.
No one knew why he was like that.
Ordinary mages graduated from a magic academy or studied under a renowned master before debuting.
But Kaiden wasn’t from any academy in the Empire, nor was there anyone who claimed to have taught him.
Anyone curious enough to visit his hideout was vaporized by his offensive spells, so no one knew what he looked like or how old he was.
The name "Kaiden" only became known after the formation of the Demon King Slaying Special Unit. Before that, he didn’t even have a name.
In short, everything about him, from start to finish, was shrouded in mystery.
Even now, the only things known for sure were that his name was Kaiden and that his appearance was quite feminine—everything else remained a mystery.
It’s no wonder that current and former professors alike were eagerly anticipating the chance to see such a person up close.
"Maybe we should ask the Headmaster if she knows anything?"
"Why not? So, who’s going to go?"
"I’ll do it. I have something to bring her anyway."
Orendi packed up a few slices of whipped cream cake and stood up.
Everyone knew Headmaster Kirrin couldn’t resist the whipped cream strawberry cake from the dessert cafe in the shopping district.
And since she was in charge of the Combat Department, it wouldn’t do for the professors to eat all the snacks without offering her any.
As Orendi walked down the hallway, he thought to himself.
If the Mage Kaiden comes, there will be two members from the Demon King Slaying Special Unit at the Academy.
That’s quite a big deal, and it makes me happy, too.
Orendi had been deeply impressed when he visited the Tower of Illusions and witnessed Kaiden’s illusion magic.
So much so that the fact that Professor Dian and Kaiden were friends seemed almost trivial in comparison.
The illusion magic he knew was nothing like that.
Illusions were typically crude, obvious even to a child, and practically useless in any serious application.
This was due to the nature of illusion magic—it doesn’t just create something out of thin air, it distorts the perception of the person it targets.
No matter how precise an illusion is, there’s always a flaw, and making it appear real requires more than just magic. It’s beyond the realm of spellcraft.
How can anyone twist the senses of a rational being without being a god or demon?
Because of this, the School of Illusions has barely maintained its existence over the thousand years since its founding, with no significant achievements to show.
When Kaiden chose to join the Tower of Illusions instead of the Imperial Magic Department after the war, the magic community was thrown into chaos.
Orendi hoped Kaiden would take up his post at the Academy soon.
He had heard explanations before, but honestly hadn’t understood a single word. Maybe this time, he could properly learn.
Orendi’s magical abilities were below average.
That’s why he hadn’t been able to secure a job where magic was the main focus, and had ended up at the Special Mission Academy, where magic was more of a side subject.
Not even teaching magic, but teaching how to counter it, as a professor of magic countermeasures.
If he could learn from Kaiden, Orendi was sure he would improve significantly.
"Oh? Headmaster?"
As he walked, lost in thought, he spotted Kirrin up ahead.
She was pacing back and forth in front of the Head Professor’s office.
"Oh! Uh! Eek!"
Kirrin, startled when she noticed Orendi, hurriedly hid whatever she was holding behind her back.
"There you are. I was on my way to your office."
"What? Y-you were looking for me?"
"Yes, I just wanted to share this. It’s a snack from the Combat Department, and I thought I’d bring you some."
Orendi showed her the neatly packed slices of whipped cream strawberry cake, and Kirrin awkwardly smiled, shaking her head.
"No, no, I… I’m not in a position to take that right now…."
"Then should I leave it in your office?"
"U-um, y-yeah, sure… could you do that…?"
"Understood. Oh, and by the way."
Kirrin, who had been inching away sideways, stopped.
"What else…?"
"Do you happen to know when the new Head Theoretical Professor will arrive? The professors are all waiting."
"The new Head Professor…? You mean the Mage Kaiden?"
"Yes. I was wondering if you’d heard anything."
"Well… I was told he’d arrive before the end of the semester… but honestly, I’m not sure when. It feels a bit awkward to ask…."
"Understandable, considering he’s from the Demon King Slaying Special Force."
"Well, then… you should go now…."
Kirrin, pressing her back against Dian’s office door, gestured off to the side with her chin.
"Take care, then."
Orendi bid her goodbye and headed to the headmaster’s office.
He glanced back to see Kirrin squatting down, clutching the doorknob, doing something.
What is she up to…?
# # # # #
"Oh, dear… oh dear…."
Hindrasta groaned and sighed as she left the bank.
"My money… my hard-earned money…."
"You were the one who asked me to do it."
"I know, I know… oh…."
Hindrasta had asked me to come along after work to the bank.
She was there to deposit the money she’d received from the Reblanc Mercenary Corps.
Being a dragon, she couldn’t open an account because her identity was unclear.
So she’d been keeping her money with the mercenary corps and, until recently, had hidden it deep in her dorm closet.
But that had driven her to a state of anxiety.
Unlike a dragon’s lair, a dorm closet is a place anyone could easily break into if they wanted to.
Worrying about it day and night, she eventually became so preoccupied that she couldn’t focus on her studies.
She had come to me, looking completely drained, and asked me to put her money into my account instead.
When I asked why she didn’t go to Knightly, she said that if the bank ever went bankrupt, she felt I would be able to get the money back somehow.
Yet, even at the counter, she was trembling, clutching the bag of coins so tightly that I had to practically pry it from her fingers.
It couldn’t be helped; she was a dragon, after all. Naturally, they prefer holding shiny, tangible things.
But she knew that wasn’t feasible here, so she’d sought my help.
"I'm feeling down, so let’s get something tasty to eat…."
Hindrasta, looking utterly deflated, grabbed my wrist and pulled.
"Do you have something in mind? I’m guessing meat?"
"Of course…."
There’s a place I went to with the Combat Department professors not long ago; I should take her there.
They serve ribs grilled directly over a flame, and I’m sure she’ll love it.
"Professor Dian, right?"
As I was about to lead Hindrasta away, someone called out to me from behind.
I turned to see a man in a robe looking at me.
Who was he…? He seems familiar….
Oh, that’s right. He’s the head mage of the Imperial Magic Department.
He was the one who caused a stir when he tried to recruit Kaiden for the department back when I went to get permission to use illusion magic for the contest.
But what’s he doing here?
"Do you have a moment? It’s about Kaiden."
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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