The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 151 - Head Theoretical Professor Kaiden (2)

As the time for the end-of-semester evaluations approached, Knightley started acting a bit strange.

"Professor. Professor."

"What."

"Do you have anything I could use as a reference?"

"No."

"Then could you at least give me a general idea of the direction?"

"I don’t know."

"But you must know something, right? You’re the Head Professor. It doesn’t make sense that you don’t know."

The ever-diligent Knightley, hoping to take the top spot in this evaluation, persistently hovered around me.

Honestly, considering she’s always been number one, it’s obvious she’ll be number one again this time. What’s she so worked up about?

Even though the practical evaluation had been added for the Combat Department, that wouldn’t pose much of a problem for Knightley.

Hindrasta might have ridiculous physical abilities, but let’s just count her out. Besides her, there’s no graduating student who poses a real threat to Knightley.

And no matter how high a score Hindrasta might get in the practical evaluation, she wouldn’t surpass Knightley.

Hindrasta is… well, not the brightest. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Her scores in theoretical evaluations are so abysmal that she’s long given up on improving in that area.

So when it comes to the combined score of theory and practical evaluations, Knightley inevitably comes out on top.

"I’ll admit I’m dumb, but that’s not why Knightley’s acting like this."

Hindrasta said with a chuckle.

"Her main concern is Merilda. There’s a rumor going around among the students that Merilda might score the highest in the theoretical evaluation this time."

Ah, right. Merilda.

The one who graduated top of her class from the public academy and worked as an administrative officer in Tatarnok Village before being scouted as a special student.

As soon as she arrived at the academy, she made a name for herself in fields like cryptography, quickly climbing to the top ranks.

"I’ve already given up, thinking of her as an insurmountable wall, but not Knightley. If Merilda beats her, Knightley won’t have the top score in either the theory or the practical evaluations."

Hindrasta’s reasoning made sense.

Knightley, though haughty as the daughter of a duke, was also incredibly diligent and fiercely competitive.

Even if she won in terms of total score, the thought of not being number one in each individual category would be intolerable to her.

That’s why Knightley kept coming to me day after day, trying to coax, persuade, or even threaten me into giving her some information about the evaluation.

She normally wouldn’t even glance at underhanded tactics like this. She must be truly desperate.

Still, evaluations must remain fair. There’s no way I’m telling her anything. Go home.

"This is driving me crazy…."

Knightley left, dejected, and Hindrasta laughed at the sight.

Sitting in my chair with her feet propped up on my desk, she looked insufferably smug.

"Why are you still here?"

"I’m just hanging around. Nowhere else to go."

"Excuses. You’re hovering around because you’re worried about the money you entrusted me with, aren’t you?"

"Sharp as always. Tsk."

Getting up from the chair, Hindrasta went to rummage through the cabinet, looking for food.

Since the incident with the Leblanc Mercenary Corps, Hindrasta’s attitude had shifted significantly.

She used to be so annoying—constantly whining, yelling, and making me want to hit her over the head.

But now, she’d become oddly docile and cooperative, making her much less of a headache to have around.

If she’d stayed the same even after I went out of my way to recover her money, she wouldn’t be human. Well, she’s not human anyway, but you get the point.

"By the way, why do you keep skipping classes? Go already. You missed all your morning ones."

"What’s the point of classes? I don’t understand anything even if I go."

"What are you going to do if you get expelled? Want me to report you to Linus?"

"Ugh… fine. I’ll go, okay?"

At the mention of Linus, Hindrasta sighed, waved her hand dismissively, and walked out.

Alright, with the kids gone, I can finally go for a patrol.

I slung the practice wooden sword over my shoulder and left the professor’s office.

Campus patrols were something I did regularly, not for any specific purpose.

It was just a way to get some fresh air and stretch my legs.

Our academy is enormous. A single lap around the outskirts takes a good amount of time.

Wandering through every nook and cranny could easily take half a day, making it a great way to pass the time.

Even though everyone else was busy preparing for the end-of-semester evaluations, I had nothing to do.

Over the past six months, I’d set up a system that ran smoothly without my constant involvement, so as long as I did periodic reviews, everything was fine.

The Theory Department might technically be understaffed, but Ismera was handling it, so I wasn’t worried.

Being a professor was definitely better than being the headmaster. My decision back when Linus approached me was the right one.

Well, it wasn’t really my decision—it was Olysia’s judgment—but still.

As I wandered around, I spotted Maya, the priestess, walking toward me with a bag from the dessert cafe in her hand.

"Hello."

I greeted her first, and she gave me a slight nod before walking past.

I’d never spoken to Maya about the patient records I’d reviewed.

There was no need to.

She was simply following the orders of her superior, and confronting her about it wouldn’t accomplish anything.

Besides, Lormane had already promised to withdraw the instructions he’d given Maya, so I decided to leave it alone.

Even if she continued to report on me, what could she really do?

As I continued my patrol, I suddenly felt a strange sensation and looked around.

Something felt off. Different from usual.

Lowering the wooden sword from my shoulder, I waited.

Soon, something peculiar shimmered into view ahead of me.

A tall man, wrapped in a jet-black cloak, with pale skin.

He didn’t seem to be one of our professors.

None of them had horns like those, which curled like those of a mountain goat, glinting in the sunlight.

The Demon King.

"Tandem inveni (At last, I’ve found you)."

The Demon King’s cold smile spread as he surveyed the surroundings.

"Non putabam te aliquem academiae professorem fore. Videtur te per decem annos multum emollitum esse (I never imagined you’d stoop to being an academy professor. It seems the past ten years have softened you greatly)."

The Demon King’s cloak parted, revealing a sharp sword.

Didn’t I cut that thing in two? Did he make a new one, or is this the same one, patched up like a cheapskate?

"Tempus ignominiae fuit (It was a time of humiliation)."

Gripping the sword, the Demon King took a stance.

"Nunc decem annorum ultionem capiam (Now, I’ll exact my ten years of revenge)."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Demon King vanished, leaving a fleeting afterimage.

A gust of wind blew, and he reappeared right in front of me.

Standing still, I let him swing his sword straight at my head.

"Not funny, Kaiden."

The Demon King dissolved, revealing Kaiden standing in his place, wearing his usual black robe and flashing a strange smile.

"How did you know?"

"The Demon King suddenly appearing in the middle of the academy was a dead giveaway."

"The Demon King was also a mage. He could have cast forbidden necromancy on himself."

"True, but his footwork was all wrong."

Kaiden raised a questioning eyebrow.

"The Demon King doesn’t move like that when attacking. You’re not a swordsman, so you couldn’t replicate it perfectly."

"I see. I wasn’t present for the final battle, so my depiction was lacking. If I’d been more precise, I might have fooled you completely."

"Doesn’t matter. The Demon King showing up here doesn’t make sense in the first place."

"Is that so? I’ll keep that in mind."

Kaiden chuckled.

"Your timing is sudden, but welcome to the academy. Everything’s settled at the Tower of Illusions, I take it?"

"Yes, Dian. There’s nothing left for me there."

"Good. Let’s head straight to the headmaster’s office. You need to introduce yourself and get started. Things are hectic right now with the evaluations."

"You seem relaxed for someone in the middle of all that, Dian."

"That’s just how I am."

With Kaiden in tow, I headed toward the main building where Kirrin was.

"By the way, where’s your luggage?"

"I don’t have any. I just came as I was."

"Really? Not even clothes?"

"All my essentials are in my subspace. I’ll take them out as needed."

Kaiden reached out, and a seam in the air opened, revealing a robe identical to the one he was wearing.

Every time I see it, I can’t help but wonder what else is in there.

But Kaiden has never once fully opened his subspace. Typical mage secrecy, I suppose.

"Vice Headmaster Ismera!"

I waved as I spotted Ismera up ahead.

She smiled warmly when she saw me, but her expression quickly stiffened when she noticed the person beside me.

"Ahem. What brings you here?"

"Join me in the headmaster’s office."

"I’m not busy, but…"

Her gaze shifted to Kaiden.

"Who is this? He doesn’t look like a student. Did you bring in another special recruit?"

"No, this is Mage Kaiden. He’s joining us as the Head Professor of Theory."

"M-Mage Kaiden…?! Kaiden’s a woman? I always thought Kaiden was a man?!"

Kaiden remained silent.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]