NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The tip of the pen taps against the desk. Laura von Adelheit nervously tousles her hair. Her silky white locks part softly along her fingers.
“What was that all about?”
The primordial flower that man had shown her. It lingers in her mind.
“Laura von Adelheid, you have received 10 penalty points.”
Shiver—
“Huh….”
The infinitely cold expression on that man’s face. Remembering the chill that seeps into her bones makes her shiver. Is that a face one should make in front of students?
Laura von Adelheit truly disliked that man. Although her father’s hints had something to do with it, it still stemmed from her own feelings.
“What the hell… Pretentious and all.”
This was the Caldera Imperial Academy. A prestigious academy, the best in the Empire, and indeed, in the world.
For someone who had been appointed as a professor at such an academy, shouldn’t they maintain a dignity befitting their position?
But what about this man? Laura recalled Professor Antorelli in her mind.
He had tidied himself up somewhat, but his black hair was still disheveled. His eyes were perpetually blank. His skin was pale. And he had a cold demeanor.
None of it sat well with her.
“Haah….”
Of course, Laura knew that what she was saying could be considered unreasonable. Professors could be a bit tired.
But he should not be in such a state in front of her. It was unacceptable.
After all, Laura von Adelheit. As her name suggests, she was an Adelheit. The only direct, sole daughter of the war hero of the Adelhaid Ducal House.
Laura felt proud of being a part of the celebrated Adelheit family. She had always respected her father and tried to emulate him.
Her father was an archmage of the 7th circle. Claiming to inherit that blood, Laura had also achieved the 4th circle at a young age, showcasing her exceptional talent.
“Uugh….”
And there was one problem that nagged at Laura.
She lifted her head from the theology book she had been buried in. Numerous theology-related texts were piled on either side of her, creating a small hill.
It seemed that the librarian of the academy library was glancing at her with an expression of complaint, but Laura dismissed it.
“Isn’t this too hard…? That foolish professor….”
Professor Antorelli’s assignments were too profound. Not everyone in this world can wield divine power. This had been regarded as common knowledge and an immutable truth since long ago.
After all, isn’t it natural that only priests can use special powers like divine power?
“Then, why?”
No one could answer. Just like the fact that one plus one equals two was taken for granted, people did not think to question this truth.
However, Professor Antorelli had thrown questions at the essence of theology itself. He had tossed a stone into the calm lake formed by thoughts considered obvious, asking “Why?”
Waves named doubt spread uncontrollably. Among the infinitely expanding ripples, another wave arose and spread throughout the entire lake. It repeated this countless times.
Laura felt a headache coming on. It was also why she pressed her temples with her fingers.
No matter how much she searched through theology books, the answer to the problem posed by Professor Antorelli was nowhere to be found. At best, she found conclusions stating that priests were the chosen ones who could use it, or that belief would reveal the answer.
Most of them were absurd or flimsy conclusions. If she submitted an assignment based on these…
– “Laura von Adelheit. Is the level of the assignment you submitted only this much?”
‘…No way.’
That cannot happen.
She could not endure such a future.
Just as she was resolving herself and about to search through the theology books again.
“Excuse me….”
A male student with glasses, seemingly a member of the academy’s library club, approached her. Judging by the color of his necktie, he was a second-year student.
“Yes. Senior. What is it?”
“Oh, you’re a first-year. Well… it’s about time to close the library. The librarian has started preparing to leave.”
Laura suddenly looked out the window. It was already growing dark outside.
“…Isn’t it possible to stay and study alone?”
“That… might be a bit difficult. As you know, academy students have a curfew.”
“Haah….”
Laura let out a deep sigh. The library club male student flinched.
“I-I’m sorry. But it really is closing time, so there’s nothing I can do.”
“It’s fine. I’m sorry, Senior. I’ll leave.”
“Okay. Thank you. Still, since tomorrow is the weekend, you can come early in the morning to study. The library opens early on weekends too.”
Laura picked up her bag and stood up. On her desk, a precarious stack of about twenty theology books she had borrowed from the library still loomed.
The expression of the senior in the library club turned sorrowful upon seeing it. She would have to organize all these books before she could return to the dormitory.
Glancing at that scene, Laura promptly offered her student ID.
“…I’ll borrow this.”
“B-Borrow? All of this?”
“Is that not allowed?”
“It’s not that it’s not allowed, but….”
Academy students can borrow books from the library without restriction. Of course, the books are inscribed with powerful anti-theft magic, so there’s no worry of students just taking them.
However, what was concerning was.
“Isn’t that too much? Can you carry it all?”
“It’s fine. Just process the borrowing request.”
“Uh, okay. Sure.”
It was quite a lot of books for her petite frame.
While the senior from the library club went to process the borrowing request, Laura stuffed the books into her bag with all her might.
“…Um, Senior.”
“Yes?”
The male student with the student ID looked back at her as he returned.
“Is there a place to study at this hour? The dormitory supervisor is wandering around.”
“Um… nighttime self-study will be under the supervision of the professor on duty in the Academic Affairs Department.”
“Academic Affairs Department… Understood. Thank you.”
Having exited the library, Laura made her way to the Academic Affairs Department. Since it was the weekend tomorrow, it would be fine to study a little later today.
“…….”
To reach the Academic Affairs Department, she had to walk quite a distance from this annex to the main building. With the heavy bag hanging on her back, Laura let out a long sigh. Then she kept walking.
How long had she walked through the dimly lit corridor?
“…?”
A slightly ajar classroom caught her eye. A strange sound was leaking from the crack of its door, illuminated by a reddish light.
The unsettling atmosphere felt from that red light enveloped her body. However, conveniently, she needed to pass through this corridor to get to the Academic Affairs Department.
Laura discreetly waved her magic wand to hush her footsteps.
At this hour, aside from a few exceptions like the library club, everyone else should be returning to the dormitory. Who on earth would remain in an unknown classroom at this time?
‘…Shall I take a peek?’
However, Laura shook her head. Peeking wouldn’t yield favorable results.
She should go to the Academic Affairs Department and inform the professor on duty. The professor will resolve the matter appropriately.
Laura quietly passed in front of the classroom. She focused all her nerves to avoid glancing through the door crack. A strong premonition of something ominous struck her for some reason.
Thus, passing by the classroom silently and letting out a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, she found herself turning back without thinking.
“…….”
Crimson eyes. Something stained with blood on its face.
It was staring at her, Laura. Laura von Adelheit.
Glaring? Sidelong glance? Observing? Scanning? Gazing?
…Coming closer?
“Gah…! Hah…!”
Regaining her senses, she realized she was sprinting down the corridor with all her strength. That heavy backpack felt merciless. She threw the bag aside indiscriminately.
A sensation of her body’s hair standing on end. A cool breeze brushed her nape, sending chills down her spine. Laura ran without stopping.
The Academic Affairs Department. Let’s go to the Academic Affairs Department. She didn’t know what that was, but let’s go to the Academic Affairs Department.
Who was the professor on duty today, again?
No. That was not important.
What mattered was getting safely to the Academic Affairs Department. That was all that mattered to Laura.
* * * * *
Click. Click.
The sound of a fountain pen leaving marks on the paper was simply delightful. I savored that pleasant sound as I signed the duty roster. Professor Esther’s signature was engraved beside mine.
The academy, boasting a vast campus, made it difficult for a single professor to cover duty. Therefore, when staffing for duty at the academy, it was common to assign two professors who do not have classes the following day.
During this first duty shift, I was joined by Professor Esther. She was seated beside me, reading a thesis related to illusion magic.
At that moment, a balding middle-aged man, busily collecting documents, cheerfully waved goodbye.
“Well then, I’m off! Haha!”
“Yes. Thank you for your hard work.”
“You too~.”
Andres, the second-year summoning magic professor, who had remained until the last minute to hand over his duty responsibilities, waved as he left the office. Professor Esther and I lightly saw him off and returned to our chairs.
“Head Priest! I’ve brewed coffee!”
After Andres left, Sofia Sub-priest cheerfully entered the Academic Affairs Department. The fragrant aroma of coffee wafted gently through the office.
Sofia placed the brewed coffee on the desk, and Professor Esther, Sofia Sub-priest, and I gathered together at one spot.
“Ugh…. It’s getting cold now that night has fallen.”
“The temperature difference is significant.”
“You should wear something a bit thicker, Head Priest. It’s really too cold; my teeth are chattering!”
“Sofia Sub-priest, it’s still spring.”
“It doesn’t feel like spring weather!”
I tilted my coffee cup and savored the aroma. Normally, I would have had black tea, but given that I had to stay awake all night, coffee was a better choice.
The warm coffee spread a sense of warmth throughout my whole body. Having quit the medication, I found myself in a situation where I needed comfort in these small ways, making the experience all the more pleasant.
“Looks like there are no students doing self-study today.”
“True. Tomorrow is the weekend. They probably want to get up early to use the training ground.”
In that case, there was nothing much for me to worry about besides occasionally patrolling. I relaxed and leaned back in my chair.
My first duty shift at the academy. I hope nothing unusual happens.