Chapter 120: Preparing For The Lecture


    "Hm?"


    Aria couldn''t help but sigh as she watched Eleanor drawing diligently from the side. However, she felt puzzled when the door opened suddenly, and the professor walked in.


    It was Erica Bright, a beautiful woman with long, neatly tied blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. She was also Professor’s fiancée and her mere presence made Aria feel irritated.


    "Wow, it''s Professor Erica."


    "I regretted not being able to take Professor Erica''s ss in the first semester, but I''m d I am able to do so in the second semester."


    "There are rumors that she is engaged to Professor Deus. Is it true?"


    "If they are, that would be amazing. She can marry the only Dark Mage recognized by the Royal Family."


    As stories about Deus circted, they slowly made Aria feel bothered. It was not like they were saying anything bad; rather, they were expressing their admiration for his greatness instead of gossiping about.


    However, Aria didn''t want to hear others talking about Deus over something like that."Huff."


    As the throbbing in her head intensified, Aria closed her eyes for a moment. Lately, she had been experiencing these strange headaches.


    It was at that moment when a male student at her side voiced his concern.


    "Where does it hurt?"


    It was surprisingly a familiar voice.


    <i>- No need to worry about me. I''ll take care of it for now.</i>


    <i>- Actually, I’ve liked you since we first met.</i>


    <i>- Aria, run away!</i>


    His voice rang in her ears like a buzzing noise. As she pulled herself back from the memories of the past, Aria suddenly opened her eyes wide.


    Sitting next to her was a charming, handsome boy with blue hair. He was Leorus, an expert in water-attribute magic and spear techniques.


    He was one of herrades in the first round and was also the boy who confessed his love to Aria.


    <i>Oh, it is Leorus.</i>


    Aria, who hadn''t even realized that he was there, took a deep breath before nodding.


    "Yeah, I''m fine."


    Aria had received considerable help from Leorus in the previous round. Not only that, but many other talented students apanied her as she overcame numerous hardships.


    For example, against the very Princess sitting next to her and sticking out her tongue while doodling.


    The memory of forming a special force along with Leorus and a few other students from this ssroom to suppress Eleanor Luden Griffin''s rebellion was still vivid in her mind.


    However...


    <i>I don''t need them this time.</i>


    Aria didn’t need their help as she wasn''t as weak as she was back then. Fighting alongside herrades at that time was inevitable and was indeed enjoyable.


    However, although the process was enjoyable, as the end drew near, she became more miserable.


    She didn''t want to go through the same experience again, and her oldrades weren’t able to keep up with the pace of her growth.


    "I heard that we''ll be forming teams and going outside a lot starting this semester.”


    "Ah, is that so?"


    And so, the memories of various incidents that took ce outside the academy shed through her mind. But did that matter now? She could just go and swing her sword a few times to finish it off.


    "So, regarding that..."


    "Hey."


    Just as Leorus was about to continue speaking awkwardly, Aria massaged her forehead with her hand and interrupted him.


    "Stop talking."


    "...."


    "It makes my head hurt."


    Aria ignored Leorus and turned her gaze towards the ckboard.


    However, she didn''t want to see Erica, who had started her lecture either.


    So, she lowered her head once more.


    After meeting Eleanor’s gaze, who was subtly observing her, she closed her eyes.


    Lately, her head had been hurting mysteriously.


    <i>What happened in thest round?</i>


    Did such a headache ever gue her around this time?


    * * *


    It had been a week since the semester began.


    Rumors about me returning to the academy as the Soul Whisperer spread like wildfire.


    Even though I waste, the Dean still expressed his gratitude on my arrival. Meanwhile, the students were curious about how the lectures I would supplement the lectures I had missed in the past week.


    And I...


    "Huff."


    As usual, was flipping through books untilte at night.


    <b>[Do you feel it now? Wasn’t I a morepetent teacher than you thought I was?]</b>


    Observing the Dark Spiritualist who was babbling beside me, I remained silent for a moment. I considered saying something but in the end, I chose to ignore her.


    I didn’t really care about how I learned things, but teaching someone else was a different matter altogether.


    Despite feeling that the attention I was receiving was excessivepared to my abilities, I still made efforts to live up to them.


    <i>This is rather difficult</i>.


    Teaching ck Magic was particrly challenging because I couldn’t simply go about teaching them how to do that.


    What I needed to impart was not just the theory but the methods to counter ck Magic and the ability to sense the presence of invisible dead souls as well.


    If I were to teach ck Magic at this moment, even the slightest mistake would draw the attention of the bishops who were waiting to pounce on me or of the disapproving parents.


    Nevertheless, in the first ce, I never had any intention of teaching them ck Magic.


    "Hmm."


    Just then, I wished I had someone I could practice teaching before attending the lectures, so I could get ustomed to it.


    "I see."


    I called the people I could gather immediately.


    "What''s up?"


    Findenai, still wrapped in bandages as her injuries hadn’tpletely healed yet, arrived.


    "Can I be of any help?"


    Asked Owen, having yed the melodica untilte evening.


    I didn’t call Illuania as she was pregnant, her belly bulging, and she needed apletely stable environment.


    She was even given a separate room to rest in for the time being, instead of performing her maid duties.


    "...."


    And there was Erica Bright, who came to my room while wearing pajamas for unknown reasons.


    "Why are you here?"


    When I asked her inly, Findenai, who was next to her, answered in her stead.


    "I met her on my way here."


    "I-I thought I might be able to help with something."


    Erica hesitated for a moment while ncing at me. After considering it briefly, I nodded to indicate that it was fine.


    "Actually, it is a good thing. Now, everyone, please sit on the bed over there."


    I didn’t expect three people to show up, but at least I could pretend to teach.


    Furthermore, Erica was a professor, so she could confirm if what I said was understandable to students. Additionally, she could also give me advice from the perspective of a professor.


    "I will now try to teach the lesson I have nned for tomorrow. Please listen and share your thoughts at the end."


    Owen''s eyes immediately brightened at my words, and he enthusiastically raised his hand.


    "Got it!"


    However, the other two wore puzzled expressions.


    "A lecture? Ah, geez. I came for nothing."


    "Are you trying to practice?"


    Findenai sat with her legs crossed, cing one leg over the opposite thigh, her chin propped indifferently, while Erica looked on with genuine curiosity.


    "Yes, even though I know the subject, teaching it is a different matter."


    Upon hearing this, Erica chuckled softly and adopted a polite posture to listen to the ss.


    "Alright, I''ll help you out since I''m also a professor. It''s an honor to be able to listen to the most anticipated lecture at Loberne Academy."


    It seemed like everyone was more or less ready, so I used mana to slowly draw a line in the air.


    Originally, it should have been done with a ckboard and chalk, but since I didn’t have them in my room, I proceeded with an impromptu method for now.


    "Well then, to begin with..."


    As I would be teaching students who had absolutely no knowledge about ck Magic and souls, so I decided to start with the basics.


    Although I had no intention of delving into topics such as the eternal rest of the soul, as they were usually associated with religion.


    However, before I could even utter a single word…


    "Professor, this is fucking boring. Can you talk about first love instead?"


    Findenai tly interjected.


    <b>[Wow, that would be interesting!]</b>


    Beside Findenai, who was behaving like that, the Dark Spiritualist was pping, showing approval.


    Owen also seemed quite intrigued, while Erica simply shrugged a bit and waited in silence.


    Where did the woman, who just a moment ago was honored to be listening to my lecture for the first time, go?


    "When people talk about the soul, they usually just think of ghosts, but it is not quite like that. Surprisingly, it is…"


    "Ah, Master Bastard. Is it alright to tantly ignore a student like this?"


    "...."


    Findenai stood up suddenly and shrugged her shoulders before starting to exin something.


    "If you''re a professor, shouldn''t you be prepared to handle the bewildering questions of students or sudden, unexpected actions?"


    "... I do not want you to go that far."


    "This is basic stuff! Don''t you agree with me, Fiancée?"


    "Oh? Well, yeah, that''s true. There are times when an unexpected strange question maye up during a lecture or a student who may show interest in other areas other than the lecture, or even those who try to disrupt."


    Taken aback by Findenai''s sudden pass of the baton, Erica calmly added her reasons as she spoke.


    "In such situations, the professor''s response can be seen as a kind of discretion. It''s how they maintain the concentration of the other students even in the face of disruptions that might ruin the lecture."


    "Huff."


    I let out a deep sigh before instructing Findenai to sit by gesturing with my chin.


    As I signaled that I would start over from the beginning, perched on the bed, Findenai grinned and prepared to raise her hand.


    Since she would interrupt anyway, should I bother pretending to give them a lecture?


    No, right from the start, was this attempt even meaningful?


    While I was pondering over that, Findenai suddenly raised her hand and asked.


    "Professor, when did you have your first sexual intercourse?"


    "Pffttt!"


    Owen immediately covered his ears as his face flushed with surprise. Erica also stared at me dumbfoundedly while the Dark Spiritualist moved her hand excitedly as if signaling that she wanted something to eat.


    "I heard you like licking the asshole, Professor."


    Even though I doubted that a situation like this would genuinely arise during a lecture, I briefly imagined what I would do if I were to receive such a ridiculous question during a lecture.


    And soI slowly opened my eyes, faced the smiling Findenai, and asked.


    "What is your name?"


    "Huh? Oh, it''s Findenai.”


    "Alright, Findenai."


    With tension coursing through my entire body, I red at her.


    Since I came into this world, I hadn’t clearly defined the concept of living within me.


    However, I definitely couldn’t help but harbor ill feelings towards a student who disrupted my lecture in this manner.


    "Just shut up and listen."


    "...."


    The room grew colder instantly.


    After meeting the gazes of the three surprised people, I continued the lecture in my usual tone.


    "Well then, now for real...."


    "Um, Professor."


    Findenai raised her hand once again.


    Feeling my anger rising, I exhaled and stared at her, but she responded with a foolish expression.


    "Professor, I think I almost wet myself just now because of you. Can I go to the bathroom?"


    "....Go ande back soon."


    "Wow, that was so damn terrifying."


    Even though she wasn''t actually scared out of her wits or involved in an ident due to relieving herself unintentionally, Findenai stuck out her tongue and went outside just like that.


    And naturally, she didn''t /genesisforsaken