Chapter 31

Episode 31. Professors in Both Hands (3)

The private dining hall mainly used by professors and their assistants.

The dining hall, which should have been filled with peaceful conversations over meals, was now filled with a tension so thick it felt like a war was about to break out.

‘What the hell, why did it suddenly turn out like this?’

I looked at the two professors who were glaring at each other with a confused expression.

“Dale, you will be my assistant.”

“Nonsense. Dale has been my candidate since his first year. It’s only natural that he comes under me.”

The two professors, who seemed unwilling to back down even an inch, were now engaged in a battle of nerves over me.

‘Hey, I never said I wanted to be an assistant, you guys.’

How did I, a low-ranking candidate, end up being the object of such intense affection from two professors?

‘It’s not like I did anything particularly special.’

Let’s think about it step by step.

First, Professor Jade.

‘At most, I helped him secure research funds, solved some problems that even specialized professors couldn’t, gathered materials for his research, and cleaned up his trash-filled lab…’

Wait a minute.

Now that I think about it, I did quite a lot.

‘Well, okay! Professor Jade has his reasons!’

Professor Jade, after an incident two years ago, was labeled a “student killer” and was effectively kicked out of the school.

For the past two years, he hasn’t been able to teach candidates or conduct personal research, so it’s only natural that he would feel an indescribable sense of loss.

In that situation, it’s almost inevitable that he would take an interest in someone like “Dale Han,” who appeared like a comet.

‘But Professor Lucas is different.’

Professor Lucas has been the one who has been guiding me, a lagging student, for the past two years, enduring all sorts of hardships.

He wouldn’t even want me as a department student, let alone an assistant, so why is he suddenly asking me to join him?

‘Recently, the only thing that happened with Professor Lucas was… Ah.’

Suddenly, I remembered the time I handed Professor Lucas a bottle of wine and subtly gave him information about Professor Bianca.

“Damn it.”

I only wanted to repay a bit of my past life’s debt, but who knew it would come back to bite me like this.

“Dale, what do you think?”

“…You. You’re not seriously thinking of joining that crazy professor, are you?”

Professor Jade and Professor Lucas stood on either side of me.

If you just looked at the composition, it was like the indecisive protagonist caught between two heroines in a cheap Republic love comedy.

‘Why are the heroines professors, though?’

I pressed my throbbing forehead and bit my lip.

Professor Jade and Professor Lucas.

Both professors were talents absolutely necessary for the upcoming war against the Mages.

‘Professor Jade can research and produce various magical items related to Holy Marks, besides the Holy Mark Amplifier. Professor Lucas is a hero with not only personal strength but also excellent leadership.’

I couldn’t choose either.

I first mediated between the two professors, who looked like they were about to start fighting any second.

“Why don’t we go inside and continue the conversation over a meal?”

“A meal? Ha, I have no intention of eating with someone like him.”

“I feel the same.”

“Then do you plan to stand here blocking the path of people passing by the dining hall?”

“Well…”

“Ugh.”

The two professors swallowed their pride and glanced around.

It seemed they hadn’t lost all sense of social decorum, as they quietly entered the dining hall.

“……”

“……”

After ordering the day’s recommended menu and sitting down, an awkward silence fell.

“First, let me make one thing clear. I don’t know exactly what happened between the two of you, but to me, both of you are respected professors.”

“Hmph. Respect? You, who laze around in my office whenever you’re bored, respect me?”

“Well…”

“Whatever. I don’t care if you respect me or not.”

But.

Professor Lucas glared fiercely at Professor Jade.

“I hope you don’t get involved with that person as much as possible.”

“That’s my line. You don’t match well with such a barbaric and ignorant person.”

“What did you say?”

“Did I say something wrong?”

“You little…!”

The atmosphere turned so hostile it felt like they were about to explode any second.

“Enough.”

I spoke in a low voice.

“What are you two, who are old enough to know better, doing acting like this?”

It was a rude thing for a candidate to say to professors, but seeing the two professors like this, I couldn’t help but speak harshly.

“Ugh…”

“Ahem. Sorry.”

The two professors, still retaining enough sense to realize their actions were shameful, closed their mouths tightly without commenting on my tone.

As the awkward air settled over the table again.

“Huh? I’ve never seen the two of you together before.”

A young man with thick brown hair and a gentle appearance approached.

A man with a youthful appearance that could easily be mistaken for a candidate.

It was Professor Morpheus, whom I had seen during the last “Mental Training” class.

“Oh? The candidate from that class is here too.”

Professor Morpheus looked at me with interest, his eyes sparkling.

I stood up and gave a slight bow.

“I was having a meal with the two professors to discuss something.”

“Ah, I see. Ah, if it’s not too much trouble, may I join you?”

Before I could answer, Professor Morpheus naturally sat between Professor Jade and Professor Lucas.

“I’ve been wanting to talk to you anyway.”

“To me?”

“Yes. I was curious how you managed to break my Illusion Magic in one go.”

Professor Morpheus smiled politely but looked at me with sharp eyes.

I shrugged and opened my mouth.

“Well, isn’t it because you adjusted your strength and used the magic appropriately?”

“Hmm. Even so, it’s not a magic that can be broken so easily. Especially… for someone like Candidate Dale, who has an extremely low amount of magic power.”

Professor Morpheus narrowed his eyes suspiciously and looked at me.

I was inwardly panicking, thinking that the identity of the “Primordial Flame” might be revealed.

“Didn’t you hear that Dale is in the middle of a meeting with us?”

“I don’t know the situation, but it’s not a good look to interrogate Dale as if he’s committed some crime.”

Professor Lucas and Professor Jade simultaneously glared at Professor Morpheus.

Professor Morpheus awkwardly smiled and looked away from me.

“Haha. Both of you, calm down. I had no intention of scolding Candidate Dale.”

Professor Morpheus shrugged nonchalantly and continued.

“By the way, I’m curious about what the meeting is about.”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Come on, tell me. I helped with the Mental Training class before, didn’t I?”

“Hmm.”

Professor Lucas swallowed and pondered for a moment.

Even though they were both professors, Professor Morpheus was much younger in terms of experience, so he could have shot back, saying not to show off just because he helped with a class.

“Tsk.”

But he seemed to think better of it and clicked his tongue lightly before speaking.

“We were discussing which of us Dale would become an assistant to.”

“Oh ho. This is more interesting than I thought.”

Professor Morpheus looked at me, sandwiched between the two professors, and raised the corner of his mouth.

“Candidate Dale, which side are you more interested in?”

“I’m not interested in either.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“Well, it’s just that the assistant thing was brought up. I still have two years until graduation, so I can think about it slowly.”

No.

I don’t plan to think about it at all, you guys.

“Hahaha! A candidate coveted by two notoriously picky professors… This is getting interesting. Ah, of course, I was interested from the beginning.”

Professor Morpheus smiled brightly and looked back at me.

‘Hey, stop it already.’

First, Professor Lucas and Professor Jade, and now Professor Morpheus.

Why am I being bombarded with assistant offers from all sides, something I never experienced in my past life?

“Professor Morpheus.”

“Didn’t you hear what we just said?”

“Haha. Just kidding, just kidding. How could I dare to covet a candidate already marked by two professors?”

I guess it’s a small mercy.

Thanks to the territorial claims (?) of the two professors, Professor Morpheus quickly raised the white flag.

‘Well.’

Professor Lucas and Professor Jade were both professors with ten years of experience.

Even though they were both professors, Professor Morpheus, with less than three years of experience, couldn’t possibly compete.

“Anyway, I’m too busy preparing for the Sealing Festival to pay attention to anything else.”

“Ah, now that I think about it, you’re in charge of running this year’s Sealing Festival.”

“Yes. From issuing permits for merchant stalls to scheduling events… Ugh, it’s killing me.”

Professor Morpheus shook his head and complained.

“This is your chance to show off the skills of a young professor like yourself. Didn’t you volunteer to take charge of the Sealing Festival preparations?”

“I didn’t know it would be this hectic.”

Professor Morpheus sighed and smiled wryly.

“But since I’m working hard to prepare, I hope both the professors and the candidates can enjoy the festival.”

“Hmph. It’s the same thing every year. What’s there to enjoy?”

“Haha. That may be true, but this time we’ve prepared several surprise events, so it should be much more fun than usual.”

Professor Morpheus thumped his chest with a confident expression.

“It will be the most unforgettable festival ever, so please look forward to it.”

At the bold declaration of the young professor, faint smiles appeared on the lips of Professor Lucas and Professor Jade.

“Hoho… Youth is wonderful.”

“Well, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Then, I won’t disturb your meeting any longer. I’ll take my leave now.”

Professor Morpheus bowed his head and stood up.

“Now, Dale, let’s continue our discussion… Huh?”

“Eh? What? Where did this guy go?”

In the spot where Professor Morpheus had left.

Only the two professors remained at the table.