Chapter 94

Chapter 94

HEL SCANS

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Thanks to the delayed curfew, children were sporadically wandering in the corridor.

The hero somehow seemed to be seeking a sparsely populated area.

Ban followed him in surprise, thinking,

‘...What’s going on? Have I done something wrong? Violation of school rules or something...’

But no matter how much he thought, nothing came to mind.

Dragged along with such questions for about five minutes, they arrived at a garden located behind the dormitory.

It was somewhat gloomy, with the soil scattered here and there as if under repair, and sculptures and garden plants scattered around.

Thanks to that, there was not a single person around.

Unless one had a very unique taste, it would be impossible to take a rest in such a mentally fierce place.

The hero turned around in the midst of it all.

His deeply locked eyes still lingered on Ban’s face.

They were eyes that were difficult to read.

“Professor? Did I do something wrong...?”

The hero calmly spoke.

“Your father will soon come to Rosenstark.”

Ban, who was about to say something, froze.

The hero continued calmly.

“Perhaps you didn’t know. Please keep it a secret from your classmates.”

Ban replied hesitantly.

“Oh, I see. But why would my father come to the academy?”

“Not because of you alone... You’ll hear the details later.”

“Oh, okay.”

The boy’s expression darkened slightly.

“Why didn’t he contact me?”

A faint smile lingered on the hero’s lips.

“I guess he wanted to surprise his son whom he hadn’t seen in a while. If that’s the case, it seems I’ve succeeded in surprising you.”

“Ahaha, that’s not it.”

Ban laughed awkwardly.

No matter how much he thought about it, it didn’t seem like his father had such a cheerful side.

Felson Dietrich was the epitome of a stern father.

He emphasized authority and valued rules and order within the family.

He was always firm and rigid... equally unyielding.

When he was young.

...So, when Ban’s mother was alive, he seemed a bit gentler, but there had been no such display since then.

Wasn’t he even excessively strict with the castle and knight attendants within the family.

The hero nodded in agreement with Ban’s resolute statement.

“Of course, you would know better.”

“Hahaha.”

Ban chuckled with a bitter smile.

Still, it was fortunate.

“I thought something was wrong when you called me.”

A surprise visit from a parent.

It was an unexpected event as a student, but it wasn’t burdensome.

‘Still, things have improved a lot since before I entered school.’

He felt the desire to show his father the improved version of himself as soon as possible.

Anyway, thinking that the matter was settled, Ban was about to lower his head when the hero unexpectedly spoke again.

“In the Library of Memories, are you coming to see Jenny Dietrich... to reminisce about memories of your mother?”

Ban froze in the same posture as when he was greeting.

—

It was almost 20 years ago.

Jenny Dietrich.

Back when she didn’t have a last name.

The girl, recognized for her talent in swordsmanship, entered Rosenstark in Hero’s senior year.

Due to the injuries Felson received on the battlefield, he became an invited professor at Rosenstark.

A special lecture on his expertise, ‘sensing,’ was held, and it was there that Jenny and Felson had their fateful first meeting.

And so, a very famous romance story began.

Felson Dietrich, the promising heir of a prestigious family and considered the top swordsman among the young inspectors of that era.

Jenny, a commoner with nothing special to boast about.

Because Felson abandoned his fiancee, who had a secured background, and passionately pursued Jenny, their love became even more famous.

“I cannot imagine myself without Jenny. Her happiness is more valuable to me than my title, my sword, or my family.”

This statement, uttered by Felson (whom Ban thought to be so gruff), was actually spoken at an official gathering in front of dozens of reporters and hundreds of officials.

Incidentally, even now in social circles, many middle-aged ladies blushed recalling that scene.

In the end, they overcame various rumors, countless oppositions, jealousy, and finally their love bore fruit.

Fortunately, a few years later, Ban’s birth solidified Jenny’s position as the lady of the house, and it seemed that the family of three could envision a smooth future.

...Until she tragically lost her life in an unfortunate accident.

Now, more than 10 years have passed.

Despite numerous advances, proposals, and requests for remarriage, Felson Dietrich remained single.

“Gerald.”

“Oh, Professor! What brings you here?”

“...Nothing.”

Continuing his patrol, he encountered several other students.

They all seemed to be earnestly preparing for the midterm exams, showing signs of tension.

‘There seems to be nothing unusual internally.’

Thinking that, he headed towards the main gate to survey the external area.

Just as he stepped out after the survey, he spotted an unexpected silhouette.

Just in time, it seemed like the person noticed him too.

Thump-

The moonlight, diffused due to the clouds, made the wrinkled forehead of the old man clearly visible.

“...”

It happened to be an isolated path.

Professor Labin seemed to momentarily consider turning away, but eventually, with more rigid and measured steps, he approached.

However, his gaze was unnaturally avoiding me.

Thump-

The intimidating bald old man with a formidable presence approached.

A large stature and a robust body, eyes gleaming like hooks.

In the darkness, the senior professor presented quite an overwhelming figure.

It was easy to understand why children found him frightening.

As he passed by, I opened my mouth, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

“Thank you for the excellent reinforcement.”

It felt strange to use such formality after a long time.

He was one of the few individuals in the academy who could receive honorifics from the Hero.

Unfortunately, he seemed unresponsive to such honors.

“...Excellent reinforcement?”

Professor Labin’s wrinkled face turned towards me.

“I assume you received information about the content of the reinforcement. Are you mocking me now?”

“I just thought it was essential for the children.”

“Essential?...”

His gaze became colder.

It was clear that he did not want to engage further, and the hostility was so evident that it felt refreshing.

“It’s a valid point. Understanding precedents of your seniors who died like moths to flames, can help make the right judgments in the future.”

“...”

Those eyes.

Once a manifestation of affection, now they held an unimaginable amount of hatred and suffering.

Faced with this, I couldn’t find words.

Professor Labin took a step forward and spoke.

“I heard that the midterm exams is being held in an absurd place again.”

“...”

“Placing those unprepared at risk. It seems nothing has changed.”

I lowered my head.

“It’s necessary.”

“I can’t agree with that statement.”

I didn’t want to continue the verbal exchange.

I respect this old professor.

Unlike other corrupt elders, he has contributed significantly to humanity for a very long time within the Rosenstark.

He must have been a true asset, or else such comments wouldn’t have been left behind.

▼

Teacher

▲

However, his perception of this world and the ‘reality’ differs.

Now, with a four-year deadline looming, I found myself repeating the same words.

“It’s necessary.”

The old professor didn’t respond and distanced himself, turning away.

Of course, even without a response, I could understand that he didn’t agree with my words.

“...I should probably buy walnut cookies.”

If relations with Professor Labin improved, there could be many advantages.

The other senior professors, who expressed dissatisfaction with every move I made, might quiet down, and my various activities as a professor could gain more momentum.

But since emotional rift ran deep, any progress in the relationship seemed challenging for now.

‘I should try gradually.’

It wasn’t an urgent matter at the moment.

There were more pressing issues to focus on.

I observed the many dots moving swiftly on the academy map displayed by the Astera Vision.

‘I will definitely find you.’

[PR/N: If you stop being a traitor now, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.]

Preparations were essential for the impending assailant.

With just a week left until the midterm exams, it was a crucial moment.

HEL SCANS

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