I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

63 – Lake

So, after handing over the crew to the headmaster, I wandered around the academy trying to find a way to solve the complicated situation in my head.

‘I’ll… take care of this myself for now. He said that if consciousness returns, the brain will be destroyed. So, I need to prevent consciousness from waking up. And… it would be nice if I could get help from the Saint.’

While pondering on the words of the headmaster, I sighed.

There were too many things to think about, and my head became more and more complicated and heavy.

If I had nothing to do, it would be better to make some artifacts in advance… Well, I didn’t feel like doing that.

So, I aimlessly wandered around the academy, whiling away the time on various unproductive topics. The students looked at me with curious eyes.

Well, it wasn’t a bad feeling, but it didn’t make things any better. As I continued to wander around the academy like that, I suddenly remembered a place.

“Oh, come to think of it… there was that place.”

In the past, when my head became complicated, there was a place I used to go. There is a lake on the island where the academy is located, and the lake had no human traffic and the scenery was very beautiful.

Especially, when the full moon rises, it used to reflect the deep blue light of the night sky, making it a beautiful memory.

I decided to head to that place while the thought came to mind. Since it would be troublesome if people gathered there for no reason, I used magic to erase any traces.

And so, I continued to walk and search through my memories, and eventually arrived at the lake.

But there was something different from my memory.

I felt a presence.

‘…Who is it? There shouldn’t be anyone who knows about this place.’

It was my own secret place that I didn’t even tell Ariel. Moreover, it was a safe zone located in the middle of a restricted area where students were not allowed to enter, so the chance of it being discovered was low.

Who on earth could it be? I concealed my presence and observed who this presence could be.

And I saw her. Her hair, shining white under the moonlight, flowing and swaying.

An elegant black figure that seemed like it was dancing. And… a bluish, distinct aura that emanated.

I realized who it was, and couldn’t help but exclaim.

…Vanessa Delfiers.

From Noble mtl dot com

The girl who saved me before becoming a professor, and in turn, I saved her during the vacation.

The illegitimate daughter of the Northern Grand Duke was wielding a sword in front of the lake.

I unconsciously took a step closer. And, not paying attention to where I was stepping, I accidentally stepped on a twig, making a sound.

“Who’s there!?”

Vanessa immediately aimed her sword in my direction. Before any misunderstanding could arise, I stepped forward.

At that moment, Vanessa’s blue eyes trembled.

“Ma… Magician….”

I awkwardly smiled and shook hands.

“How did you find this place? When I was a student, no one knew about it.”

Vanessa spoke while fidgeting with her fingers.

“…I thought there might be a quiet place to swing a sword, so I came here. It’s conveniently quiet, and the scenery is beautiful.”

I laughed at her words.

“It seems we have the same reason for coming here. Perhaps we have something in common?”

Vanessa, looking a bit annoyed, stared at me and said.

“By the way, we’re going to meet at the academy anyway, so why didn’t you tell me your name?”

Hearing that, I hesitated for a moment and then, feeling a bit nonchalant, confessed.

“…I was embarrassed. My family fell apart, and I went from prosperity to a humble state in an instant. It’s embarrassing, so how do you confess that?”

Vanessa, hearing my words, let out a sigh and said.

“…So, how should I address you now?”

I raised my eyebrows and said.

“What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? Now that I know your name, I can’t just keep calling you ‘Magician.'”

Well… that’s true.

After thinking for a moment, I opened my mouth.

“Well, can’t you just call me Professor?”

Upon hearing that, Vanessa chuckled and made a giggling sound.

“We’re not that far apart in age. Calling you Professor feels a bit strange.”

Then, with a mischievous spirit, I smiled and said.

“Then, how about calling me ‘Oppa’? Since our age difference isn’t that big. Give it a try, ‘Oppa.'”

Vanessa heard that and her face turned bright red.

“Oh, Oppa….”

“Yes, a joke. A teacher is forcing a student to call him ‘oppa.'”

Upon hearing that, Vanessa’s face twisted, and she slapped my arm firmly.

I chuckled at her reaction. …But can you stop for a moment? My arm is starting to hurt.

After a brief moment, Vanessa sighed and slowly lowered her hand.

“Uh… I’m sorry.”

Seeing her like that triggered my mischievous side again.

“Oh, it hurts. Why is your hand so spicy? Ouch, it feels like my arm is broken.”

Vanessa’s face turned red, and she shouted, “Stop it!”

I laughed, finding her reaction cute, tears welling up in my eyes.

“By the way, how do you feel about the academy? Are people chasing you because they find you so pretty?”

Vanessa pondered my words and replied with a thoughtful sound.

“…There are a few guys who follow me, calling me ‘lady,’ but honestly, it’s a bit different from what I expected. It’s awkward…”

“Why, though? Still, I was right, right? Since Vanessa is a beautiful lady, people would gather around.”

Then Vanessa, with a hint of amusement, said, “Just calling someone a lady without treating them like one?”

I smiled at her response. “Why not? It’s possible. And isn’t it a bit strange for a teacher to treat a student like a lady? After all, a teacher is someone who teaches and guides students, and treating them like a lady implies a romantic interest.”

After saying that, I playfully opened my mouth again. “Of course, if you want to be treated like a lady, I’ll do it for you. How about that?”

After a moment of hesitation, Vanessa said, “…If you treat me like a lady, it might be nice.”

Well, this is a bit unexpected. I thought she would tell me not to joke around again.

I made a thoughtful sound at her words and looked at Vanessa.

She seemed surprised at her own statement.

“Do you really want to be treated like a lady?”

“Uh… you’re trying to tease me again. Forget it.”

Vanessa turned her head away from me. I shrugged my shoulders.

“Oh, I’m just worried. If I treat you like a lady, you might fall for me. Even now, despite my appearance, I was the most popular guy in the social scene during my childhood.”

Staring at my face, Vanessa muttered quietly.

“…The male protagonist in an adults-only romance novel?”

“What? What are you saying?”

“Aaaah, it’s nothing! I’ve never had any inappropriate thoughts.”

What the heck? Seems malfunctioning. I couldn’t help but chuckle at Vanessa’s appearance.

“Oh, that’s funny. Anyway, I should probably ease up on teasing. It might get tricky if things get too serious.” I changed the subject.

“So, why is it awkward for you?”

Vanessa made a sound, well, almost a sound.

“…I’ve never received such treatment before. I’ve read about it in books, but…”

“Books? What book?”

“Aaanyway, it’s nothing!”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Okay, then, don’t tell me. But still, even if you’ve never experienced it before, isn’t receiving that kind of treatment not so bad?”

“It’s not… It’s just that I don’t know how to handle it. Honestly, people only stick around because of my looks, but it’s not like I particularly like them… I can’t rudely dismiss those who show interest, but I can’t reciprocate either.”

“Oh, surprisingly romantic, huh? You don’t like guys who only chase after your appearance? But it seems like you’ve gained some confidence in your looks now?”

“Ugh… Stop beating around the bush.”

I made a hmm sound.

“So, did you come here to wield a sword comfortably?”

“Oh, yes.”

“You’re similar to me. I also ended up in a good position somehow, but there’s a lot to worry about and it’s all too complicated. You know what I did?”

“…I’ve heard what others say, but I don’t know the details.”

I chuckled at that remark.

“Honest, aren’t you? Usually, even if one pretends not to know, they secretly understand what they did. Isn’t that something admirable?”

“Don’t make fun of me.”

Blushing, Vanessa pursed her lips. Her fair and translucent skin made her blush even more noticeable, even in the darkness of the night.

I looked at her quietly and said, “Thank you.”

“What?”

“Oh… My mind was all tangled up, but after talking to Vanessa, it feels a bit clearer.”

“You’re not teasing me, are you?”

Vanessa said flatly.

“Hmm, well~ There’s a bit of that too.”

“Ugh… I told you not to.”

Vanessa and I continued our conversation while gazing at the scenery of the lake.