LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 17
Yahoo! Another day of overtime!
I was planning to take a quick nap right after finishing the lecture.
I had no other way to calm the screaming muscles besides getting some good sleep.
However, because of Rynelle, who insisted on supplementary classes while lying about her regeneration, clocking out early became a distant dream.
Of course, I was the one who proposed the extra class, so I can’t blame Rynelle entirely, but I feel like I have to speak up a bit.
“Before we start with the extra classes, let me ask you one thing. Is there really anyone among you who thinks they actually need this?”
One commoner girl, two noble ladies, and one crown prince.
Out of these, only Nina could arguably need practical magic in her life.
However, Nina was such a model student that she didn’t even need the extra help.
Thus, this supplementary class was so pointless that it could be disbanded immediately without a problem.
“I mean, I really thought I needed the extra class! Was there anyone here with ulterior motives? Though compared to me, I wonder if Nina, who’s always diligent, really finds any meaning in this!”
“That’s not it at all! As Rynelle worried before class, I felt there were teachings I just couldn’t hear!”
“Still, haven’t you learned enough? I don’t think it’s necessary to retake the class from the start.”
“I, a mere commoner, can only strive hard to be on par with someone like Rynelle.”
An intense tension hung between Nina and Rynelle.
Is this what girls’ power struggles look like?
On the surface, they’re praising each other, but it feels like there are hidden thorns everywhere.
As time passed, the conversation left my heart racing.
In this chilling situation, someone was unable to read the ominous atmosphere between the two.
“Nina, a commoner? Not even close! Just look at her ability that saved me from the brink of death! It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the Empire’s blessing! No, it’s the grace of the gods!”
“Your Highness Kyle, I truly appreciate your kind words. But when you praise me like that, it creates an unbearable pressure to meet your expectations.”
Nina politely asked Kyle to ease off on the compliments.
A similar scene flashed in my mind.
I recall in the original, when the Crown Prince praised Nina, she became shy and asked him to stop.
While the original description mentioned her blushing and secretly being pleased, today’s Nina had a completely different vibe and tone.
Using words like ‘expectations’ and ‘pressure’ subtly revealed her discomfort.
“I hadn’t thought of that. I’m sorry, Nina.”
“Ah! P-Pease lift your head! If there is any wrong, it lies in my lack of virtue!”
“You possess a generous heart as well, Nina. I need to strive harder.”
As expected, the heroine who captivated overwhelming support from female readers.
Other than being a bit dull, he was perfect in every aspect.
No matter how well I acted, I could never match the Crown Prince.
His innate good looks and character made me feel the world was just unfair.
Even though I was worried about my lack of experience, maybe I should try a little flirting?
“Nina, your willingness to improve day by day is a rare and wonderful strength. You should have confidence.”
“R-Really! Thank you so much for the compliment!”
Nina beamed and laughed happily at the praise.
I was relieved that she was happy, but complimenting someone while being aware of their presence felt incredibly awkward.
I thought I wouldn’t do it again, yet suddenly Rynelle clung to me.
“Professor? Could you possibly tell me what my strengths are?”
My conscience was struggling.
Honest thoughts about Rynelle were on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them for the sake of the other students.
I didn’t want to be seen as the professor who verbally abused his students.
“Your decisiveness is unmatched.”
“…Is that it?”
“Would you like me to praise you more?”
“Tch…!”
Rynelle had a strong desire for recognition since she had often been overlooked by her father, the Agail Duke.
Just that nicely wrapped praise made her corner of the mouth twitch.
If I wanted to help Rynelle regenerate, I might only have to praise her for a whole afternoon.
But I had no intention of helping her regenerate at all.
“And me…?”
Eventually, Ailey, who had been quietly eavesdropping, joined in.
She was the student whose reason for taking the supplementary class was the toughest to guess.
“Hey, it’s supplementary class time, not praise time.”
“Please include me too.”
“…Out of all the students, you seem to manage your condition the best. Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
Unlike Rynelle, Ailey smiled satisfactorily with her eyes closed, despite the casual compliment.
She should really sleep in the dorm!
Unfortunately, I had to hold back from lecturing her, or I wouldn’t get home today.
“Enough chit-chat! Discussions unrelated to the lesson are strictly prohibited.”
With determination, I slammed down a firm closure and began the class.
Fortunately, except for dozing Ailey, everyone quietly listened to my lecture.
Amazingly, Rynelle was genuinely focused in class.
Kyle the Crown Prince occasionally glanced at Nina, but she was solely devoted to the lesson.
I started to worry that she might be genuinely regenerating.
“That’s all for today. It’s getting late; I’ll accept questions tomorrow.”
“Uhm…? It’s over?”
“Yes, it’s done.”
“Ah!”
She lazily rubbed her eyes and stretched, looking relaxed.
Out of nowhere, I impulsively flicked Ailey’s head.
She didn’t avoid it, trusting the shield she always wore, so I took her down a peg.
Don’t think the world will always go your way, kiddo.
It seems it was her first time experiencing pain; Ailey blinked in shock.
The shock clearly hit her hard, and she spent a while clutching her head.
“I sincerely apologize for unintentionally taking away your time, and at the same time, thank you.”
“Thanks is fine. Just get back before it gets darker.”
With four of the Crown Prince’s guards watching inside the classroom, lecturing was quite exhausting.
It was more helpful to have the treasured young master of the Empire disappear quickly.
“Thank you for your hard work, Professor Daniel!”
“You too. It must’ve been boring to hear things you already know again.”
“Not at all! Even though you taught us things we’ve already learned, I still found it refreshing!”
“Really?”
“Yes! I’d like to request supplementary classes like today’s every now and then!”
“If you’re not unable to attend for unavoidable reasons, I’d prefer if you refrained…”
“Hehe, I will!”
Nina left the classroom with a bright smile.
The only one left was Rynelle, who had requested the extra class.
She was currently talking to one of the Shadow Knights in the back of the classroom.
I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Rynelle was reacting oddly intensely.
Since that was her personal matter, I tried to ignore it and leave first.
However, just before I stepped out of the classroom, Rynelle suddenly grabbed me.
“P-Professor! I’m really sorry, but could you spare just one more moment?”
“You said you’d ask your questions tomorrow.”
“It’s not a question; it’s about… well…”
Rynelle, who usually spoke confidently, was hesitating and couldn’t seem to explain.
Going by my gut feeling, this sounded like it could be a troublesome and complicated matter.
As I tried to brush Rynelle’s hand away and leave, she finally dropped a shocking news on me.
“The Duke Agail wants to meet with you and is coming to the Academy.”
“What…?”
“So, my father is coming to consult you about me!”
One more unexpected overtime was approaching, which wasn’t in my schedule.
Really, why is everyone doing this to me?
*
A carriage raced toward Kia del Academy.
The vintage and sophisticated appearance of the carriage caught the attention of passersby.
Emblazoned on it was the emblem of a wolf baring its teeth, symbolizing the family.
Once they realized it was the carriage of the Agail Ducal Family, those who were marveling immediately bowed their heads.
Agail was one of the aristocrats who dominated the Arungarde Empire.
Especially, Agail’s family ruled over the underworld.
It was said that if you showed undue interest, you’d end up being dragged away, and that rumor was indeed true.
Inside the carriage sat the stoic Duke Agail, his loyal henchman, and the corpse of a self-harming blackmailer who had unwittingly approached the carriage.
“Is that information reliable?”
“I regret to say, I’m not certain. However, considering how Rynelle has been unusually interested lately, I think it’s worth probing.”
“Is that so? That girl can be helpful at times.”
“If it turns out Daniel Crawford can use spatial magic, what will you do?”
“We won’t need to think twice. I’ll bring him into the Agail family as Rynelle’s fiancé. If that doesn’t work, we’ll have no choice but to turn him into a corpse.”
Duke Agail was stoic but unabashedly ambitious.