Chapter 88: Mistaken for a Criminal (3) |
*
A month had passed since I submitted my papers to the Autumn Academic Conference, the Arcane Olympiad.
'...Hmph. Was it rejected?'
I knew that if a paper was selected, you'd receive an invitation to present it.
Of course, since my papers were designated as First-Class and Forbidden Rank respectively, a presentation was impossible.
But I'd also heard that even if you couldn't present, they would at least send you a Senior Wizard Certificate.
'The Presentation Meeting is supposed to end soon. So mine...'
The judging period ended, and even after the List of Presenters was released, no invitation came.
Just in case, I checked the List of Passers, but my name wasn't there.
'Hmph. Looks like it was rejected.'
It would be a lie to say I wasn't disappointed.
After all, I'd poured two years into those papers.
Besides, the scale was on a completely different level from other wizards' papers.
It was a study with a sample of no less than 12,000 people.
Research of this scale was not easy to find in this era.
However,
'I guess it was lacking in academic value.'
The scale of research doesn't directly translate to academic value.
Of course, the larger the scale, the higher the probability of getting academically valuable results.
But what ultimately determines academic value is the idea and proof, more than the scale.
In that sense, my Black Magic Paper and Rax Paper might not have had much academic value.
Sip.
I took a sip of my cooling tea, chewing on the bitter taste of failure.
It’s fine.
Failure is just another form of learning, after all.
All I had to do was write another paper.
'I'll rest today and maybe start another paper tomorrow.'
What other topics would be fitting for a professor of the Black Magic Defense Course?
Perhaps it was thanks to watching so many forensic science dramas in my previous life.
By combining black magic with forensic medicine, countless applications became possible.
Forging a traffic accident using Heparin and a sleeping pill.
An assassination that induces hypoglycemic shock with Insulin.
There was even a murder method that used the infamous pufferfish poison and aconite to create an alibi.
If I stepped away from a preventive medicine perspective, the black magic techniques I could use from a forensic perspective were endless.
It's just that those applications didn't have much academic value, so I hadn't chosen them as topics for my papers.
'That's why I thought a warning about lead poisoning or a chlorine accident throughout Sanctum Hill would have high academic value.'
Was it because the world setting was different?
It seemed the judges' opinions were different from mine.
My teacher was also among the judges.
There was probably a rational reason for my rejection.
As I was thinking that and jotting down potential topics in my notebook...
Knock, knock.
While a Brownie was struggling to pour tea into my empty teacup, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Young Master. A sealed letter has arrived from the Magic Management Bureau."
On Head Butler Wilhelm's silver tray.
Lay a single, high-quality envelope.
A round, star-sign pattern was stamped on the sealing wax.
It was the symbol of the 12 Magic Towers.
"From the Magic Management Bureau?"
I took the thick envelope and carefully lifted the sealing wax with a letter opener.
Inside was a single letter and a sturdy card.
I checked the letter first.
===============
— To our dearest Lord Yulian Nihilrit.
— Firstly, we wish to inform you that the Final Judging for the Imperial Calendar Year 1049 Autumn Academic Conference has concluded, and we apologize for the delayed notification of the results.
— The academic value of the two papers Your Lordship submitted was so considerable that the internal review process took a great deal of time, leading to the late notification.
— Regrettably, due to the high level of security required, your papers were not selected as a presentation work for this conference, but,
— We are pleased to inform you that both papers submitted by Your Lordship have received the unanimous decision of the ‘Astrolabium’ Judging Panel for their academic value.
— With this, we shall inscribe Your Lordship's name on the list in the Hall of Academia, and we are honored to henceforth welcome Your Lordship as an ‘Astrolabium Honorary Member.’
— Furthermore, in accordance with this induction as an honorary member, the Wizard Management Office has decided to grant Your Lordship the ‘Senior Wizard Qualification,’ and,
— We have enclosed the Qualification Certificate in this sealed letter.
===============
'Oh.'
To summarize the letter, since I submitted two papers by myself, the judging period took a while.
That’s why it took so long for the results to come out.
That’s what it was about.
'Ah, if that's the reason, I'll accept it.'
I took out the card that was underneath the letter.
A Senior Wizard Certificate.
At the top of the stiff ivory card, next to the Seal of the Magic Management Bureau, was a familiar signature.
— Louis Edelhardt
It was my teacher's signature.
I looked at the certificate, lost in thought for a moment.
'Now I won't starve to death no matter where I go.'
It was the certificate needed to become an Academy Undergraduate Division Professor, a Magic Tower Head Researcher, or an Imperial Wizard.
Just by having this certificate, noble families would be lining up to hire you as a teacher.
In fact, Teacher Schmidt, who had taught Freya and me, also had this certificate.
The Head Butler, who had been quietly watching the certificate in my hand, muttered with slightly widened eyes.
"A Senior Wizard before the age of 20... Congratulations, Young Master."
"Thank you, Head Butler. Ah, it would be good to let my parents know about this as well."
"The Master will be pleased as well. However, it would be best to delay that for a little while."
"Pardon?"
Why?
Is there another reason I have to hide my power?
Just as that thought was about to surface...
The Head Butler stepped aside from the entrance and spoke.
"You have a visitor, Young Master. It would be best to speak with them before going to see the Master."
With that, a woman appeared from over the Head Butler's shoulder.
With the Head Butler's shoulder between us, her emotionless blue eyes met mine in midair.
Knock, knock.
Giving a light knock on the open door, the woman entered the room.
"Greetings, Lord Nihilrit."
Only then did her full outline, which had been hidden behind the Head Butler's shoulder, come into proper view.
A black uniform overcoat fell below her knees, and over the gray shirt inside, a black necktie flowed down.
An epaulet rested on her shoulder, and from that epaulet, a pair of X-shaped suspenders crossed the center of her chest.
...The fact that the suspenders crossing her chest were a little too tight wasn't a very important detail.
The woman took off her military cap and saluted.
From under the cap, a cascade of semi-long blonde hair fell to shoulder height.
"I am from the Military. My name is Perisia Verbois."
At a glance, the woman looked to be in her late twenties.
But I knew that her apparent age wasn't everything.
Pointed ears that couldn't be hidden by the flowing blonde hair.
She was an Elf.
I extended my hand to her.
"I am Yulian of Nihilrit. It is an honor to meet you."
"I have come to deliver a message to Lord Nihilrit from the Military."
After a light handshake, the woman glanced at the Head Butler.
Wilhelm gave a slight nod and left the room.
Click.
As the door closed, Ms. Verbois turned the lock.
Her blue eyes, heavy with dark circles, turned back to me.
"Pardon my intrusion. As I am here to deliver a matter of military secret, I was tasked to deliver it myself."
The woman pulled a letter from inside her overcoat.
I'm getting a lot of fancy letters today.
With that thought, I lifted the sealing wax with a letter opener.
============
To our dearest Lord Yulian Nihilrit.
— The Military officially confirms that Your Lordship has had two papers simultaneously published in the Imperial Calendar Year 1049 Autumn Academic Conference, ‘Arcane Olympiad,’ and we express our deepest respects in the name of the Military for your academic accomplishment.
— In particular, Your Lordship's insight into the field of Black Magic Defense, even in the Military's own security evaluation, is...
============
To summarize, it was as follows.
— So you got your Senior Wizard Certificate at the academic conference?
— So, I'm assigning you to be the professor for the Black Magic Defense Course we've been talking about for years.
— Since the Imperial Eschenwald Academy is a military institution, you'll be given a corresponding military rank. Probably a First Lieutenant or a Captain?
— And we also reviewed your qualifications related to your noble status. There's no issue with your ability and perpetuity, but the potential for development is a problem.
— If, while you work as a professor, some of your students show development, the potential for development of your black magic knowledge will also be automatically proven and acknowledged as a type of secret technique. So, work hard.
— If you do well, you might even be awarded a title of nobility, so it's good for motivation, right? Fighting!
I may have summarized it in a very flippant tone.
But there was so much flowery language, I couldn't help it.
Thanks to that, it took me a while to read the letter, as I had to translate it into daily life speech.
'If I work hard as a professor, they'll even give me a title of nobility...'
But is this okay?
I'm pretty sure I've already been canonized.
I briefly wondered if I should reveal it now, but the thought was fleeting.
It was because I remembered something my father-in-law, Shallot's father, had given me a hint about a few days ago.
— "Congratulations on your canonization, son-in... I mean, son-in-law. Hmm? You're asking if Shallot has to give up her title of nobility because of you? You don't have to worry."
Originally, nobles and priests are forbidden from marrying.
It was to prevent them from enjoying the benefits of both by using marriage as a loophole, even though concurrent bestowal of ordination and a title of nobility was blocked.
Because of this, if one really wanted to marry, one of them had to give up either their title of nobility or their ordination.
That's why I had asked my father-in-law.
For some reason, the only answer I got was that Shallot didn't really need to give up her title of nobility.
— "Do not seek the reason. Sometimes it is better not to know. You need only enjoy what has been given to you."
That’s what he said.
Thanks to him, Shallot didn't have to give up her title of nobility.
Similarly.
There would probably be no problem even if I was awarded a title of nobility while working as a professor.
Probably.
Having sorted out the contents, I neatly folded the letter and put it back in the envelope.
When I looked up, I met the eyes of the elf who was staring at me with an expressionless face.
She was staring at me, looking exactly the same as before I had started reading the letter.
"...Is there something you wish to say?"
"There is not."
"Then why are you still here..."
"Ah, my report was late. As of this time, I have been formally appointed as Lord Yulian Nihilrit's escort officer."
"Weren't you here to deliver a letter?"
"The delivery is a secondary mission. My main mission is Your Lordship's close-quarters protection."
She stopped talking and held out her hand.
Thinking she wanted the letter, I handed it to her, and she carefully took it back.
"The fact that Your Lordship has been appointed to a professorship is treated as a secret to all but related personnel. Thank you for your understanding."
She continued speaking as she placed the envelope back into the inner pocket of her overcoat.
"The Military has judged that as soon as the next professorship for the Black Magic Defense Course is known to the public, black magicians will likely make Your Lordship a target. Therefore, I will be your bodyguard in your daily life."
"Always?"
"The standard close escort distance is three steps. This applies to all academic activities, medical practice, and private outings. Family living quarters and your personal bedchamber will be kept out of my field of view. I have also been instructed to stand by if Your Lordship wishes it."
That part was a relief.
It seemed that she, as well as the Holy Knights, had been told by their superiors to back off if I told them to.
With this, there shouldn't be any problem with Yulian and Director Schun's double life.
"I understand, Lady Verbois."
"Perisia."
"Pardon?"
"In terms of military rank, Your Lordship is my superior. Furthermore, during bodyguard duty, it is recommended to use first names to build closeness level quickly. Therefore, please call me by my name."
"...Ms. Perisia?"
She nodded with an expressionless face.
Soon after, she closed her mouth again.
An awkward air filled the space between us.
It felt just like when I first met Otto.
The difference was,
"May I ask... what your Rank is?"
"Rank 4. My specialty is Spirit Magic. My expertise is bodyguard duty."
"Thank you for telling me."
Unlike when I first met Otto, she would at least answer when asked.
She didn't give off a 'let's not get close' vibe.
She was just so much like a soldier that it was a little hard to approach her.
"..."
"..."
The awkward silence began again.
I overcame the awkwardness and started some private talk.
"If I may ask, what are your meal arrangements?"
"The Military will contact the Head of the Nihilrit family later to arrange a room for me."
"When I go to the Academy..."
"My room there is assigned separately."
"..."
"..."
Silence again.
She never initiated a conversation.
In the end, if I wanted to talk, I had no choice but to talk to her.
"How will you be handling your meals?"
"My meals are a personal..."
"Instead of that, why don't you eat with me when I cook?"
"Pardon?"
"Have you not heard about my hobbies?"
"...I heard that cooking is your hobby."
"Glad we're on the same page. Adding one more bowl isn't difficult, so let's eat together then."
She nodded quietly.
And the topic of conversation died again.
"...May I get up from my seat now?"
"You can act as you normally would, as if I am not here."
How could I, as a matter of common sense?
"Let's go to my parents."
"While it is very appreciated as a bodyguard for you to tell me all of your schedule, as my superior, you may act at your leisure without reporting your schedule."
"Yes..."
I got up from my desk and headed for the door.
Her gaze briefly lingered on the teacup on my desk.
She could see the small Brownies diligently moving the half-full teacup and teapot.
"...Brownies?"
Perisia muttered, as if puzzled.
Now that I think about it, since she's an Elf, she's probably close to fairies.
"They are friends I formed a connection with by chance some time ago."
I had hired these Brownies during Freya's kidnapping incident.
After I freed them from their evil master,
they came to me, saying they had nowhere else to go.
So I hired them instead.
However, Perisia seemed more surprised by something other than the existence of the housework fairies.
"For Brownies... to show themselves in front of their master."
"Ah, I was curious about that too. I wonder why they do it."
Originally, Brownies are like household spirits from old tales.
They were so shy that they would do housework only when the landlord was asleep or out.
But the ones I hired would hide from everyone else, including the Head Butler,
yet when I was alone, they would just openly show themselves and do the housework.
So I was always curious about the reason too.
"Lady Perisia, do you happen to know why?"
“Fairies, like us Elves, are not shy in front of those they trust. It's proof that they trust Lord Nihilrit that much.”
“So it means they liked the gifts I've given them so far. I'm happy.”
In other words, the fairies trust me as much as they trust their Elf friends.
As a sign of gratitude, I offered the fairies some honey candy.
As if to say they would eat after working, they put the candy in a corner and started diligently clearing the teacup.
Watching this, Perisia's lips curled up ever so slightly.
She looked almost pleased.
"Your Lordship knows a lot about fairies. I'm glad."
"To receive acknowledgement from a Noble of the Forest is an honor."
Though that pleased smile immediately returned to an expressionless face.
Still, it felt like my relationship with Ms. Perisia had progressed, if only a little.
Just then.
Perisia's gaze naturally fell upon the notebook on the desk.
Before the letter had arrived.
It was a trace of the brainstorming I had scrawled down, wondering what was possible with black magic themes.
— Possibility of staging an accidental death by slipping in a bathtub using Water Ghost black magic (rejected)
— Inducing pilot to sleep using Aether Gas leak from an airship (not black magic, so on hold)
— Possibility of poisoning using the shoe sole of an eczema patient...
It was a meaningless notebook now.
Since my Senior Wizard Qualification had just been proven.
There was no need to bring up those topics.
"Ah, please don't mind that. They're just paper topics, but they're not needed anymore."
I explained to Ms. Perisia, almost as an excuse.
I gently closed the notebook and led Ms. Perisia out of the room.
"...Ms. Perisia?"
"..."
"Why are you increasing the distance?"
"It is nothing."
"?"
On the way to my parents.
For some reason, Ms. Perisia put some distance between us.
I just figured it was my imagination.
