Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins

Chapter 133



Mid-August.

It’s hard to say definitively whether the grass or the trees enjoy the scorching midday sun the most.

On the other hand, it’s relatively clear who hates that sunlight the most.

It’s the final exam period for the summer semester.

Watching the Federal University of Magic undergraduates trudging through the campus with gloomy faces, I slightly rolled up my shirt sleeves.

Their expressions were familiar.

Five years ago. Not long after meeting Julia, I must have been just as worn out from fatigue.

With just over two weeks left until the end of the semester, this is the most painful time for undergraduates.

They say memories tend to be beautified, but the memories of that time might not be so easily romanticized. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Feeling a sort of nostalgia that wasn’t quite nostalgia, I was about to head to the research building to meet Professor Müller when…

A faint voice reached me from across the shrubbery.

 

“Oh. That person, could it be?”

 

I closed my eyes for a moment.

 

“I think it’s Dr. Oslo. Gray hair and a glove on his right hand.”

“I’ve never seen him before.”

“Me neither. But you must have heard a lot of rumors. There’s been a lot of talk about his newly published paper. What do you think about him?”

“Well, I haven’t been able to read the paper yet because it’s still difficult to understand…”

 

The female student quietly answered the male student’s question.

 

“I guess, he’s a bit…”

 

I silently took a step forward.

Perhaps they had come out for a walk to take a break, given it was exam week.

Not only did I encounter students on this path who usually don’t have many people, but I didn’t expect to hear them talking about me.

The two students quickly left, perhaps worried that their voices might reach my ears.

I glanced at their retreating figures with a bitter smile.

It makes me ponder anew.

 

 

There’s probably no better way to express my current reputation.

Basically, undergraduates don’t know much about the affairs of the Research Institute.

Amid not really knowing what kind of person I am, conflicting rumors like me being a ‘Brilliant Young Magic Scholar’, a ‘Barbaric Imperial’, or a ‘Poor Person Who Became Disabled Due to an Accident’ circulate, would make my reputation on campus quite ambiguous.

Only the resistance stemming from my origins remains relatively clear.

 

“It might be better than before.”

 

It was an unadorned truth.

While it’s not exactly pleasant to be treated as a spectacle, there’s no longer malice in their gazes.

Considering that my expulsion from the academe after the discovery of my origins was the most likely scenario in my predictions for my future as a scholar, this is a sufficiently hopeful result.

If the relationship between the Federation and the Empire continues to ease like this and if I can reclaim the simple title of Magic Scholar Eugene Oslo, there would be few things as joyous as that.

I let out a shallow sigh as I climbed the stairs of the Research Building.

The situation is good in many ways. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

If there’s a minor issue, it’s that my current reputation is somewhat ambiguous.

And the fact that I’ll be lecturing here at the Federal University of Magic from the very next semester.

 

[ Research Building 3 – Room 401 ]

[ Klaus Müller ]

 

“It’s Eugene Oslo.”

 

After knocking on the door, a response came about seven seconds later.

 

—Come in.

#August 12th. Clear.

 

“You seem dazed. I can tell by the fact that you’ve come all the way here.”

“Anyone would be if they were appointed to the Federal University of Magic in the first place.”

 

I silently watched as Professor Müller adjusted his monocle.

The professor’s office with its dignified atmosphere, and the owner of an equally dignified large frame.

Elements that I thought I had grown accustomed to after years of facing them suddenly feel more significant.

It can’t be helped.

While I’m a novice scholar anxiously seeking a lecturer position, he is undoubtedly recognized as the best among the Full Professors of the Federal University of Magic.

No.

Perhaps it’s because the relationship between the two of us has become more than just that of teacher and student?

I’m not sure, but I continued speaking nonchalantly, suppressing the cold sweat that was about to flow.

 

“Professor. I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you write a recommendation letter for me to the Federal University of Magic? Of course, I’m grateful, but isn’t it too much for someone like me without qualifications or experience?”

“Indeed, it’s an unusual case for someone to stand at the podium of the Federal University of Magic from their first appointment. You were probably thinking of somewhere like the University of Vals.”

“That’s right.” [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t do you any favors. It’s a lecturer position limited to this year’s winter semester, and after that, it will depend on whether you obtain your qualifications and how much effort you put in.”

 

I nodded obediently.

That made me feel more at ease. Continuously borrowing Professor Müller’s reputation wouldn’t be good for either of us.

 

“There are mainly three reasons why I recommended you as a lecturer at the Federal University of Magic.”

“That’s quite a few.”

“You might think so. The first was at the request of the Federation, they seemed to want you to become famous. Don’t make such a sour face. I rejected that request.”

 

He looked straight into my eyes.

 

“The main reason is that I judged you to be suitable.”

“Suitable, you say.”

“Have you checked the course name?”

 

Of course.

[ Type I Magic Studies Practicum ].

For theoretical lectures, I don’t have the ability to surpass other professors.

But, it’s a practical lecture.

And if it’s Type I Magic practice…

 

“You excel at casting magic, surpassing not only other lecturers but even Full Professors. Humility is a virtue that should be maintained, but don’t think I recommended you purely out of goodwill.”

“……”

“I’m not telling you to feel pressured. It’s a lecture that teaching assistants often handle, so think of it as building up your capabilities for your future professor qualifications and do your best.”

“Thank you very much, Professor.”

 

Now I understand how significant this opportunity is.

While sincerely expressing my gratitude, a question suddenly occurred to me. 

Didn’t he say there were three reasons for recommending me as a lecturer at the Federal University of Magic?

 

“Um, may I ask about the third reason?”

 

I asked without much burden, and.

 

“……”

“……?”

 

I could witness the rare sight of Professor Müller choosing his words.

Only after about five seconds of silence did he open his mouth. With a faint but clear sigh.

 

“I’ll answer that there was internal pressure that your workplace shouldn’t be far from Frauzen.”

 

Internal.

For him to mention internal pressure when he even ignores external pressure directly conveyed by the Federation.

There are only a handful of powerful figures who could influence Professor Müller’s decisions.

Moreover, there’s only one power abuser who would bother to meddle in matters related to me.

 

“……Ah.”

“It’s a secret from my daughter.”

 

Well.

If that power abuser found out about this, it would be quite troublesome.

She must have intended to help me secretly in her own way.

I nodded with a wry smile. And then came an odd atmosphere.

I feel suffocated. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

It’s not too late to feel this sensation right before the wedding, when both families meet.

I need to change the topic quickly. To what?

 

“Pro-Professor.”

“Hmm.”

“Researchers and professors are, well, in different fields, aren’t they? Could you tell me about the mindset a professor should have?”

“Mindset, you say.”

 

Once I verbalized it, I realized I was actually curious about the answer, despite it being a simple topic-changing question.

I might be a good researcher, but I’m not a good educator.

In my memory, there’s a lot of learning I’ve done but little teaching. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve taught others in my life so far. To be precise, it would be once.

Professor Müller’s answer was concise.

 

“Be diligent.”

“……I’ll keep that in mind.”

I still don’t know much about the mindset of an educator.

And, I still have two professor acquaintances left.

One of them even boasts the title of the youngest Full Professor.

The thoughts that came to mind as I left the Research Building naturally led my steps to the Lecture Building.

 

“It was probably around here.”

 

The old lecture building.

This must be where Professor Louise Ehrlich conducts her [ Type II Magic Studies Practice ] lecture.

I’d like to audit if possible. But nothing would be more burdensome than a gray-haired person three or four years older sitting in the classroom.

So I’ll have to be satisfied with asking a quick question right after the lecture ends.

I glanced around.

The lecture ended. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Amidst students pouring out from all directions, it’s not difficult to find the tall, red-haired Louise.

But since I might have mistaken the classroom or lecture time, for now—

 

“Eugene? What brings you here!”

“Ah.”

 

A cheerful voice breaking through the commotion.

It was Louise.

Well. I’m also the owner of a striking appearance, no less than Louise.

It might be natural for her to find me first, come to think of it.

Since we’re outside, a formal title would be appropriate.

 

“Professor Ehrlich. It’s nice to see you.”

 

Just as I said that and turned around…

 

“Gack—”

“You should say ‘Sister Louise’, you know.”

 

An arm suddenly flew and wrapped tightly around my neck.

Red hair flutters.

It’s halfway between a hug and a violent assault. I calmly received that arm as I’ve experienced it often at home, but…

Thinking about it, the surrounding environment wasn’t appropriate.

The gazes of numerous students are directed this way.

I hurriedly whispered.

 

“Louise. Just a moment.”

“Shh.”

“……”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You need this kind of thing.”

 

A voice calm beyond belief.

Perhaps this is quite intentional behavior for my reputation.

 

“Oops, if I do this too much, I might be disliked by my sister-in-law.”

“Eh?”

“Now it’s over!”

 

Or not. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

 

Whack—

 

After messing up the back of my head, Louise put her hands on her hips and grinned.

 

“It’s been a while. Did you come to see me?”

“That’s not wrong, but……”

 

Her unchanging demeanor makes me chuckle.

But what’s even more absurd is that even in such a playful appearance, I can sense the dignity of a Full Professor that wasn’t visible before.

I raised the corners of my mouth, visible only to Louise, and said.

 

“I have something to ask you.”

“Great. Shall we talk over a cup of coffee?”


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