LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 54
The meeting room was buzzing. Of course, neither Esther nor I was affected.
“That seems like a good alternative.”
“I think so too. But…”
As Professor Esther said, Chancellor Damian’s proposal appeared to be a brilliant one.
The Grade-by-Grade Duel, an annual event held at the Caldera Imperial Academy every June, is unprecedented to cancel, and it’s not ideal to postpone it either.
The reason for this difficult situation was the sweltering heat, so simply moving to a place less affected by the weather would suffice.
Yes. It was an extremely simple solution. However, the reason no one voiced that proposal was…
“That’s unprecedented!”
Yes. This too was unprecedented, so it made sense. I looked around the room where the loud voice had come from.
It was Professor Armstrong, the head of the third-year department. His glaring eyes were fierce like a wild beast, causing the other professors sitting near him to cautiously pull away.
“Chancellor, please reconsider! This is an important event to showcase the determination and skills of the students of the Caldera Imperial Academy! Holding such an event externally is…”
“Isn’t it a better thing?”
“Y-Yes?”
“It would be the perfect opportunity to publicly present the proud skills of our Academy students, proving their determination and skills.”
“…….”
Professor Armstrong fell silent, akin to a bee with honey in its mouth. His lips, visible between his stiff beard, were moving without pause, but he had nothing to counter with.
“Is further explanation necessary?”
“…No.”
“Then please take your seat. Those in the back are becoming uncomfortable.”
Ultimately, Professor Armstrong had no choice but to sit down weakly. His drooping beard was quite impressive.
“Now, is there any other opinion?”
No one moved forward. Even Professor Armstrong, who had some authority among the professors, had been thoroughly crushed, leaving no one bold enough to dispute Chancellor Damian’s opinion.
“Then… um?”
I slowly stood up. I could feel all eyes in the meeting room, including Esther’s beside me, focusing on me.
“Professor… Lucio…?”
Professor Esther looked at me with a surprised expression. I wondered if it was really that shocking.
“I am Lucio Antorelli, the professor in charge of the Theology department for Class A of the first-year. Chancellor Damian, may I be permitted to speak?”
As I requested the floor in a calm tone, Chancellor Damian, who had been staring blankly at me, twitched his lips.
“That’s unexpected. I thought Professor Antorelli wouldn’t step forward in such a setting. Yes. Please, go ahead.”
“It’s not that…”
“Not that?”
The attention on me felt immensely burdensome. However, someone had to say it. I thought so.
“Has the venue for the duel already been decided? If so, I would like to know in advance.”
A heavy silence fell over the previously tense meeting room.
“…Professor Antorelli. Is that all you wanted to say?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“Ha…”
Chancellor Damian wore a baffled expression. Professor Esther, who was sitting next to me, was equally puzzled.
I couldn’t understand why everyone was reacting this way. Wasn’t it something someone needed to ask?
“Although it’s not confirmed yet, the Port City Bruytni is the leading candidate. Once the location is confirmed, I will notify you again.”
“Thank you.”
Even as I resumed my seat, the stares directed at me did not cease.
* * * * *
For a meeting named an emergency session, it ended more inconclusively than expected.
No one had voiced dissent against Chancellor Damian’s words, and thus, the decision was made for this year’s Grade-by-Grade Duel to be conducted outside the Academy.
The subsequent agenda items were all trivial matters, from a malfunctioning cooling pump to extending a contract with the Academy’s teaching material supplier.
Most of the agenda items went smoothly. There was nothing particularly special to discuss.
Seeing the professors who attended the meeting start to gather their things, I too grabbed my bag and stood up.
“Professor Lucio… sometimes you seem like a rather unique individual.”
Esther, who stood up beside me, certainly had a pointed undertone to her words. I gazed at her curiously.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Ah… just that.”
Though I felt a bit uneasy, Professor Esther ultimately did not clarify her meaning. I let out a light sigh as I began to walk. I intended to return to the professor’s office.
“Excuse me.”
If not for the rough hand that gently settled on my shoulder. I naturally turned my head.
“…Professor Armstrong?”
The man with burly arms like tree trunks was Sylvester Armstrong. Upon hearing my mention of his name, he made a slightly flustered expression.
“Um… do we know each other? How do you…?”
“I’ve heard your name spoken of quite often.”
“Oh…”
Does praise make even whales dance? Though he did not openly show it, the corners of Professor Armstrong’s mouth twitched at my words.
“I see… My name must be circulating among the new professors. Professor Antorelli.”
“Do you know me?”
“No. I only heard your name during the meeting, but I don’t know the details. May I ask for a formal introduction?”
He had a somewhat bold demeanor. I stared dumbly at the hand resting on my shoulder, then opened my mouth.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lucio Antorelli, the professor in charge of the Theology department for Class A of the first-year.”
“Glad to meet you. I am Sylvester Armstrong, the professor in charge of the Combat department for the third-year. And you are?”
Professor Armstrong’s gaze shifted toward Professor Esther. She flinched slightly and then tightly grasped my sleeve while answering.
“I-I’m meeting you for the first time. I am Esther Garrett, the professor for the Illusion Magic department for the first-year.”
“Ah, Professor Garrett, and Professor Antorelli. I’ll remember that.”
Having removed the hand that was on my shoulder, he extended his large hand toward me. I took his hand and shook it lightly.
While shaking hands, Professor Armstrong suddenly looked at me with a surprised expression.
“I just noticed you have a more solid build than I expected. Do you train regularly?”
“I don’t really exercise.”
“Oh… Maintaining good health requires not just building muscle, but also continuous management. I can help you with training later.”
“…Thank you.”
I thought his words were merely a polite suggestion like, ‘Let’s have a meal together later,’ and nodded reluctantly.
Even after the light introduction, Professor Armstrong continued to stare at me. At this point, I wanted to understand his intentions for approaching me.
“Professor Armstrong, if it’s not too much trouble, do you have some business with me?”
“Um? No, it’s nothing important.”
Though he waved it off, his eyes were scrutinizing my body. It felt like facing the gaze of a wild beast.
“I was just curious. If I’ve offended you, I apologize.”
“It’s fine.”
“Oh dear. Professor Armstrong?”
At that moment, a languid voice came from beside us. Professor Armstrong and I turned our heads simultaneously.
“Are you bothering other professors again? How low-class.”
“…Professor Underwood.”
The alluring figure walking toward us with a charming smile was none other than Professor Scarlet Underwood, who had just raised her voice during an argument with Professor Armstrong.
Though only Professor Armstrong had raised his voice, still.
Professor Armstrong’s expression turned rigid. I wasn’t sure what happened, but it was apparent the two did not have a good relationship.
Professor Armstrong spoke coldly.
“What brings you here? I wasn’t bothering anyone; we were just having a simple greeting.”
“Professor Armstrong, you seem a bit less self-aware.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
Professor Underwood smiled mischievously. I pulled on Esther’s arm and took a small step back from them.
“Professor Armstrong, suddenly popping up from behind and critiquing someone else’s body isn’t proper etiquette, you know. The other professors find it quite intimidating.”
“Where exactly am I intimidating…?”
“Take a look in the mirror. With a body like that, you resemble a thug.”
“…Have you said everything you wanted to say?”
“Hehe. If that upset you, I’m sorry.”
Professor Armstrong’s face was turning red. Esther, who was tight against me, had gone pale.
As Professor Armstrong, still managing to maintain his composure, glared at Professor Underwood, she finally turned her attention toward me.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Scarlet Underwood. I’m in charge of the Destruction Magic department for the third-year.”
“Yes. Nice to meet you too. I’m Lucio Antorelli, the professor in charge of the Theology department for Class A of the first-year.”
Professor Underwood, who had been staring intently at my face for a moment, then broke into a smile.
“I didn’t expect Professor Antorelli to be quite so handsome.”
“…Thank you.”
“Uhoh… You could do with a little more grooming.”
“…Professor Underwood, I believe you were just telling me that commenting on others’ appearances is not proper etiquette.”
“Is my refined manner of speaking and Professor Armstrong’s crude manner of speaking really comparable? I find that a bit surprising.”
As Professor Armstrong grumbled, Professor Underwood retorted back without faltering. They started to bicker again.
I tugged gently on Esther, who had frozen in place, and began to move away. The two professors were entirely oblivious to our departure.
“Phew… I was so tense…”
Once we had gained some distance, Esther wiped her cold sweat and sighed. I glanced back at them. The fierce expressions of Professor Armstrong and Professor Underwood were evident even from here.
“Why are those two fighting like that?”
“Um… I’m not really sure…”
“They’re vying for the next chancellorship.”
“Ah!”
Esther let out a scream. I turned quietly to see where the noise came from.
It was Professor Andres, who had briefed me when I first took my position. I bowed slightly to him.
“Aren’t you Professor Andres?”
“Ha ha… It’s been a while.”
During our time apart, a single hair was faintly asserting its presence atop his gleaming head. Had he experienced some miracle or something?
By the way, vying for the next chancellorship?
“Are they really competing for the next chancellor position?”
“Yes. Professors Armstrong and Underwood are the most senior members within the Academy. Therefore, they have emerged as candidates for the next chancellor.”
So, in the end, it’s a power struggle. Is that it?
“There are also factions forming among the professors to some extent. They are likely trying to draw you to their side.”
“Thank you for the explanation. However, I’m not interested in such matters.”
“Well, there are always those who feel that way. I do, too.”
After giving a brief explanation, Professor Andres vanished like the wind, leaving behind a promise to meet again.
As Esther and I were exiting the meeting room, I continued to observe the two professors who were still engaged in conversation.
“If you really want to go up against me, then bring it on!”
“Are you scared or something?”
To my eyes, that hardly seemed like a constructive conversation.