Father, I Won’t Do Anything

Jaina’s gaze was fixated on a single individual.

Professor Peyron.

The man who harbored misguided prejudices against Diamid.

“Who might the student be?”

“My name is Jaina.”

Having abruptly risen from her seat, Jaina belatedly realized she had become agitated, but she had no intention of backing down or apologizing.

With her usual impassive expression, Jaina stared him down.

Professor Peyron’s face was reflected within the depths of her gaze, more profound than ever before.

“Ah, so you’re the student rumored to be from the Magic Tower. The saying ‘blood is thicker than water’ rings true… Have you failed to understand my lectures until now? Or do you simply refuse to accept the truth?”

“Neither. I wish to point out that your lectures are one-sided, Professor. You’re committing the fallacy of generalization by assuming the Tower Lord’s academy days reflect who he is now.”

“What? Generalization? Me? You’re a rather brazen student. Hahaha.”

After a prolonged laugh, Professor Peyron stroked his goatee with a smile.

“Very well, go ahead and speak your mind then. With my open-mindedness, I shall hear out your preposterous claims.”

“First, you claimed the Tower Lord has made no contributions to the Empire, but aren’t the magics researched by the Tower magicians and the artifacts they’ve produced influencing the Empire’s magical advancement?”

“Hmph, those are the accomplishments of the Tower magicians, not the Tower Lord himself, are they not?”

“Not long ago, he directly dealt with demonic beasts on behalf of the temple.”

“Ah, I’ve heard of that. He exterminated some insignificant demonic beasts and exaggerated the feat, didn’t he? Acting as a mercenary in exchange for compensation from the Empire and the temple. Wasn’t that merely for personal gain?”

By this point, Jaina felt Professor Peyron’s denigration of the Tower Lord stemmed not just from personal emotions like envy or jealousy, but from some ulterior ‘motive’.

For a mere Count like him to criticize the Tower Lord, who was both a Duke and the Empire’s highest authority, made no sense without an underlying reason.

“Professor, noblesse oblige is not a compulsory duty, but a choice. The Tower Lord fulfilled his duty by participating in the expedition force alone.”

“Well, I won’t deny he made contributions as part of the expedition force. But the Demon King could have been sealed even without him. In fact, losses might have been reduced.”

“Your words may be valid, Professor. But that’s merely a hypothetical, is it not? Regardless of who took the lead or how it unfolded, the end result was the Demon King’s sealing. By joining the war against the Demon King alone, we are indebted to the Tower Lord.”

“Gratitude? Are you mocking me for not participating in the expedition force?”

With a deeply furrowed brow, Professor Peyron approached Jaina as he spoke.

“Then are you saying the ‘Crimson Valley’ incident was unavoidable? That his mistake should be overlooked since the Demon King was sealed?!”

As Professor Peyron’s face reddened, he began shouting loudly.

Observing the agitated professor, Jaina strived to respond calmly.

“There must have been another reason back then. A reason he couldn’t use the formulas.”

“Hah, who would doubt a Magic Tower magician…”

After a deep sigh, Professor Peyron leaned in close and whispered to Jaina.

“My father, a magician, was assigned to the rear guard of the expedition force back then. Though his skills were unremarkable, he took immense pride in defending the Empire. But one day, that prodigy Diamid stepped forward, claiming he had a way to break through the demon’s encirclement.”

“…”

As Jaina widened her eyes, Professor Peyron curved his lips into a smile before continuing.

“If he hadn’t rashly acted, blinded by his own abilities and telling lies to conceal his weakness, my father might have survived. Do you understand, Jaina?”

Jaina bit her lip tightly.

Professor Peyron spoke as if he alone was the victim, dismissing Diamid’s sacrifice as inconsequential.

Then what of Bezrice, who had departed to protect her loved ones?

What of Diamid, who had sealed away his emotions to defeat the Demon King?

What of Jaina herself, abandoned by her family and forced to live alone?

His words seemed to negate all of that, her very existence, leaving Jaina unable to remain silent.

“And what of the Tower Lord?”

“…What?”

“Just as you had your father, the Tower Lord must have had his own family. What was in his heart when he left them behind? And what of his family?”

“…”

“You called the Tower Lord faint-hearted. Then how much anguish must he have endured before resolving to leave his family behind and join the expedition force to defend the Empire? I don’t believe his decision was made lightly.”

As she spoke without pause, Jaina felt a tightness in her chest gradually loosen.

“So are you saying the ‘Crimson Valley’ incident wasn’t the Tower Lord’s mistake?”

“Yes, there must have been another reason. A reason he couldn’t use the formulas.”

“Heh, do you firmly believe the Tower Lord’s research was a success?”

“Yes, I’m certain of it.”

Jaina recalled Diamid’s recent battle against the dragons.

The endless magic formulas unfurled in the air, and his unwavering focus as he formed hand seals while bleeding from his shoulders.

At the time, she had been unfazed and ignorant of magic, but after systematically studying it at the academy, she could clearly understand.

To seal the Dragon’s Breath while protecting herself, he would have needed to combine at least three formulas simultaneously.

However, she couldn’t reveal that fact here.

After a prolonged silence, Professor Peyron whispered a few words to Jaina before turning and heading back to the lectern.

“Very well, Jaina. Then I shall give you an opportunity to take responsibility for your words. I’ll grant you until our next class to submit a relevant report.”

* * *

-It seems you should learn just how dishonest and deceitful this Diamid Bellafanian, who calls himself the Tower Lord, truly is.

Professor Peyron’s assignment for Jaina was to read books related to Diamid and submit a report summarizing their contents.

Just from the example books he provided – , , and – his intentions were clear. He likely wanted her to thoroughly understand how cowardly and feeble Diamid was.

While it might have seemed unfair to suddenly demand a report simply for voicing a dissenting opinion in class, Jaina chose to view it as an opportunity instead.

‘I need to have a proper discussion with Professor Peyron, armed with evidence.’

As Jaina exited the classroom and headed towards the academy’s library, she was approached.

“Jaina!”

“Izren… No, Professor Izren.”

With a casual grin, Izren replied:

“No need for ‘professor’ when it’s just the two of us. Izren is fine.”

Izren playfully grabbed and wiggled Jaina’s thumb.

Smiling, Jaina took hold of his hand.

“Going to the library? To read books?”

“Would you like to join me, Proffe… No, Izren?”

Having served as Jaina’s guard at the Magic Tower, Izren had naturally developed a fondness for reading while accompanying her to the library.

Izren nodded and spoke.

“You still enjoy books, I see. Ever consistent.”

“Ah, today is for a different reason…”

As Jaina hesitated about explaining her reason for visiting the library, a familiar voice interrupted.

“Izren Danarod, why are you here?”

Jaina turned her head abruptly at the recognizable voice.

In contrast, Izren calmly met the other’s gaze, seemingly having anticipated this encounter.

“Your Highness.”

“You’re no longer her guard, so let go of the grown lady’s hand.”

“But Jaina was the one holding mine?”

“Jaina?”

Followed by an awkward chuckle.

Witnessing Rosian’s uncharacteristically imperious attitude was a first for Jaina, leaving her quite disconcerted.

He had always been so amiable and gentle that if not for his manner of address, one could easily forget his princely status.

However, Izren responded with a casual air, seemingly unfazed.

“This doesn’t concern Your Highness, does it?”

Rosian then approached Jaina, taking her hand and forcefully separating her fingers from Izren’s grip.

“I’m like an elder brother to Jaina, after all.”

“She already has one.”

“And since that ‘brother’ is my senior, Jaina is practically my little sister.”

“Which ultimately means you’re not her brother, does it?”

Izren tilted his head before firmly grasping Jaina’s hand once more.

“Then you have no relation to her at all, correct?”

Izren’s nonchalant expression showed no intent to provoke.

Realizing his forceful approach would only make him appear foolish, Rosian swiftly suppressed his surging emotions and reverted to his usual affable demeanor.

“Even if I’m not her elder brother, as someone who cares for Jaina, I’m concerned about any rumors that might spread within the academy. Wouldn’t a professor and student holding hands for so long be an unsightly sight?”

“Ah… I suppose you have a point.”

As Jaina moved to release her hand, Izren easily let go as well.

With a mocking tone, Rosian remarked:

“For a student, I can understand, but someone who became a professor seems rather shortsighted.”

“Ah, a professor. You’re right.”

As if just realizing it, Izren smiled wryly at Rosian.

“Student Rosian, shouldn’t you be addressing me more formally?”