“Professor, it’s Alicia.”
“Come in.”
I knocked and announced who I was from the other side of the door.
Almost as if he had been waiting, a prompt reply came through.
Opening the door and stepping inside, I found Professor Ferent seated at his desk, hard at work on something.
Even though he had called me and responded as if he had been expecting me, not a single glance was directed my way.
As there was no indication that he was going to rise from his seat, I approached his desk and discreetly observed. It appeared to be paperwork related to the upcoming Celestial Festival.
“Sorry for calling you here, but as you can see, I’m swamped, so I don’t have the time to offer you a cup of tea. If you’d like some tea, there’s a teapot over there, so feel free to make yourself a cup.”
Without even lifting the face bowed down, Ferent extended a finger pointing to a corner of the room. Despite his workload, looking at him as a student, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry.
Moved by pity, and deciding to seize the opportunity to show my respect as a disciple, I brewed a cup of tea, even though I hadn’t intended to drink any.
Proper tea-making can be a tedious process, and though I lacked the patience for all the fine details, I managed to prepare it decently enough.
With two teacups in hand, I placed one in front of me and the other beside Ferent, who was focused on his documents.
Of course, I left enough space to prevent any accidental spillage onto his paperwork.
Standing as a student facing a meeting with a professor, I was eager to finish our discussion and leave the room but managed to restrain myself as I lifted the teacup to my lips.
Despite the hurried brewing, the tea was surprisingly fragrant and flavorful, likely due to the quality of the tea leaves.
In hindsight, if the tea leaves were this good, perhaps I should have put more effort into preparing the tea.
Though this unexpected solo teatime seemed out of place, since my friends were already aware that Ferent had summoned me, it mattered little if I was delayed.
Ferent, seemingly oblivious to having even called me, was furiously scribbling away with his pen.
As the music of the pen filled the room, I finished my cup of tea. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ferent paused, put down his pen, and took a gulp of the tea I’d placed beside him.
Whether it was due to insensitivity to temperature or the tea had simply cooled, there was no sign that he found it too hot.
Watching him consume the tea like it was a shot, I resisted the urge to lecture him on proper tea drinking etiquette. The dark circles under his eyes told a story of exhaustion, making me feel sorry for him.
“I must say, this is quite unexpected. I didn’t expect to be served tea by a guest, let alone one of my students. Thank you, Miss Alicia.”
“Think nothing of it. So, what did you need me for?”
My direct approach, jumping straight into the discussion’s matter, might seem impolite to some, but considering the months I’ve known Ferent’s character, it wasn’t too out of line.
And even if he were annoyed, why should he have called me and then ignored me?
Fortunately, Ferent dismissed my manner with the usual indifference.
“I didn’t absolutely have to call you, but I couldn’t neglect my professorial duties.”
Ferent, after emptying his teacup, picked a candy from the basket on his desk, peeled its wrapper, and popped it into his mouth.
He extended a candy to me as well, but I had no interest in consuming the bitter treats favored by men of his age.
Even after I declined by showing my palms, he promptly popped the offered candy into his mouth and, with loud crunching, continued the conversation.
“Most likely, you’ll soon receive a summons regarding the incident involving the attack on the saint. The investigation with Professor Selen and Selian has already concluded, and anyone with relevant knowledge is being questioned. I was summoned a few days ago, myself.”
The saint and her escorts, which included students like me, Selian, and professors Selen and Hilfin, were the ones returning from the city.
And Hilfin had perished in that incident.
Following that event, I, too, was chosen by the goddess as a hero, though the reason remains a mystery to this day.
“Is Selian okay?”
Recalling a few days ago when Selian left her seat for some errand, my memory was triggered.
It had been unusual, as we were normally inseparable.
“To show some care for your friend is commendable from a teacher’s perspective, but there’s truly no need to worry. Initially, everyone thought Selian would be chosen as the hero, and no one expects someone destined to be a hero to have conspired with demons, correct?”
Phew.
Relieved by Ferent’s reassurance, I relaxed.
Yet, despite this, it irked me slightly that she hadn’t informed me of such an important matter, likely to avoid causing me worry.
As if noticing that prolonging the silence would invite more complaints, I swiftly jumped in.
“So, you called me to inform me that investigators might summon me soon?”
Attempting to preempt further complaints from the aging professor, I skillfully redirected the conversation.
Ferent, recognizing my intervention, gave me a sly glance but shrugged it off.
Of course, this was not an intentional provocation. If he were upset, why didn’t he use TS magic, like I had?
According to the old mage who bestowed the TS magic on me, it typically transformed individuals into flawless beauties.
Perhaps with TS magic, even middle-aged Ferent could transform into a beautiful young woman.
Although, now that the old mage was gone, there wasn’t a single mage left who knew how to perform TS magic.
“Hmm. At any rate, as the hero, you’re likely to be the last person to be questioned. The investigation won’t be much; just some formal questions. Naturally, if the hero had conspired with demons, you wouldn’t have been chosen by the Goddess, right?”
Considering this, the credibility of the saint who made money from holy water or the assassin-turned-student like me drops sharply.
Nevertheless, there was no point in discussing this line of thought with Ferent, leaving me to silently question the Goddess.
“By the way, you being the hero instead of Selian… What was that all about? I should have pressed for a better answer earlier.”
“Me?”
Had Ferent once said something to me?
However, careful reflection revealed no clear memories.
“It’s about that old Royal Knights’ recruitment proposal from a while back. Looks like it wasn’t very appealing to you, since you don’t remember. But looking at how much you’ve changed since then, it’s understandable.”
“Ahaha…”
Recalling, I did seem to receive a similar offer from Ferent back in the day.
As a former captain of the 3rd Royal Knights, he was tasked with recommending talents for his successor.
“There’s no need to look so uneasy. I spent quite some time telling my successor about how talented you were, but they found excuses, like not receiving your application, to refuse. The usual method involves identifying talent, making some sort of promise, bringing them in, and later persuading the financial team to make it work.”
“Permission is easier to get after the fact than before,” Ferent explained with seasoned wisdom.
Yet another valuable lesson today.
“Remember that. It’s sound advice for life.”
“Speaking of which, I’m different from those underlings. How about this, Miss Alicia? Come work as my teaching assistant after your hero duties. I’ll offer the best compensation in the industry…”
“Thank you for the advice, Professor. I’ll see you in tomorrow’s class.”
It seemed my purpose for being called was complete, so I promptly stood up.
As I bowed and stepped out, I could faintly hear Ferent continuing to talk, but…
It must be my imagination.
I heard nothing.
Wishing him well with his late-night work, I made my exit.
