ALL NOVEL Chapter 39
A moment later.
Yujin and the President were tidying up Yujin’s introduction spot and ended up alone in the President’s Office.
Well, strictly speaking, maybe not *completely* alone… but whatever.
In that moment, with just the two of them present, the President finally spoke up.
“So, you ended up accepting it after all.”
“After giving such a grand speech back there, it would’ve been awkward to turn down the teaching opportunity.”
Yujin shrugged as he responded to the President’s words.
That’s right. Yujin had ultimately accepted Professor Reina’s proposal for a joint lecture.
He had no choice. After making such a big deal during the introduction, refusing the chance to teach would’ve just made him look weird.
“Well, it’s for the best. Staying low-key and slowly clearing up Professor Sahart’s misunderstanding isn’t a bad idea. Though, how did it even come to this…?”
“Wasn’t it *your* misunderstanding to begin with…?”
The President couldn’t help but blurt that out. Forgetting all about the disrespect toward dragons, she stared at him in disbelief. Yujin, however, responded confidently.
“Nope. To be precise, it was Professor Sahart who started it.”
“……”
“I mean, wasn’t it Professor Sahart who first suspected me of being a Dark Sorcerer? I just played a tiny little prank related to that. It was Professor Sahart who took it seriously.”
The President was left speechless by his shamelessness. Who was the one pouring oil on the fire here? Who turned suspicion into outright conviction when it had already been cleared up?
Unsurprisingly, Yujin averted his gaze slightly and added, “Of course, once the misunderstanding is cleared up, I’ll apologize properly.”
‘So you *did* know you were in the wrong!’
The President swallowed her words and let out a deep sigh internally. She then asked, “So… how do you plan to proceed with the joint lecture?”
“Well, since it’s my first time taking on a teaching role, I thought I’d learn by observing Professor Sahart’s lectures. So, at first, I’ll be more of an assistant than a co-lecturer. It’s probably easier to start that way. That’s part of why I accepted, too.”
“And what about normally…?”
“Normally, Professor Sahart probably won’t leave me alone… Most likely, she’ll stick close to me under the guise of being a co-lecturer and keep an eye on me. What can I do? It’s my fault, so I’ll just have to endure being watched.”
“I see…”
It felt… strange.
Despite her sharp and unapproachable demeanor, Professor Reina was quite popular among the male faculty due to her beauty. Many young male professors secretly admired her.
However, Professor Reina had never shown any interest in men, maintaining a cold, aloof demeanor like a solitary flower. And now, she was going to be seen around with a man…
‘And of all people, Yujin…’
It felt… off. Not exactly a good feeling. More like a strangely unpleasant sensation.
“…Should I talk to Professor Reina if things get out of hand?”
The President said it without thinking, but it wasn’t exactly a slip of the tongue.
She could gradually help clear up the misunderstanding about Yujin in her own way. But Yujin shook his head.
“No need. It’s my problem, so I’ll handle it myself. If things really go south, I’ll ask for your help then.”
“…Understood.”
“Good.”
“Looks like I’ll be teaching starting tomorrow. Should be fun.”
At that, the President made a strange expression. Fun… huh.
“…Someone seems to be incredibly nervous right now, though.”
As if on cue, it didn’t seem like that someone would find it very fun.
***
Meanwhile, in a place that looked like a scientist’s lab.
In a space filled with countless flasks, mysterious potions, magical tools, and mana-powered… things that resembled holograms in modern terms, Professor Reina Sahart sat with a slightly stiff expression.
“……”
She seemed oddly tense, wearing a somewhat solemn look. That’s when it happened.
*Tap.*
“Here, drink.”
“…Thanks, Lune.”
A mug of coffee was placed in front of her. Reina, her expression softening slightly, took the mug.
*Sip.*
After taking a sip of coffee, she glanced to the side.
There stood Lune Eneria, the Alchemy Professor at Labyrinth Academy and Reina’s longtime friend, leaning slightly against the desk with her hip.
In one hand, she held a mug identical to the one she’d handed to Reina, taking a sip of her own coffee.
*Sip.*
“Phew…”
Lune, too, was no less of a beauty than Reina. The scene alone could’ve been a painting.
Her deep blue eyes and ash-gray hair gave off an air of emptiness, but even that was transformed into a mysterious, almost decadent charm.
Add to that her soft voice and languid expression, which could melt a man’s heart with its subtle allure.
She was considered one of the two lofty flowers among the male professors, alongside Reina, but perhaps her popularity surpassed Reina’s for a reason.
She spoke.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had such a relaxed moment.”
“…Yeah, it has.”
Reina nodded in agreement as Lune spoke. Lune continued.
“How’s the coffee?”
“Good. Your coffee’s still delicious. Is it because you’re an Alchemy Professor?”
“Really? Glad to hear it.”
As their trivial conversation continued, Reina’s expression gradually relaxed. Chatting with her friend gave her a sense of comfort.
Just as the two women were deep in conversation, Lune spoke up.
“By the way, I was a bit surprised.”
“Why?”
“That new Professor Han Yujin.”
“!”
At that, Reina’s expression stiffened. Glancing at her, Lune continued.
“Putting aside the person himself, I didn’t expect you to suddenly suggest a joint lecture. I guess even you, as a mage, are interested in Space-Time Magic?”
“…Well…”
Reina hesitated for a moment, then turned to Lune.
“…What about you? You’re the professor who established Space-Time Magic.”
“I’m not uninterested. His introductory speech was intriguing. I’d love to attend his lecture, but… as you know, we’re both busy.”
“…Right.”
“However, apart from interest… I feel like I can’t really understand the person themselves. The appeal of the speech was strong, but I’m not sure if it was sincere. Of course, I don’t have mind-reading powers, so I can’t be certain.”
When Lune said that, Reina unconsciously opened her mouth.
“…It probably wasn’t sincere.”
“……”
At those words, Lune quietly turned her head and looked down at Reina, who was sitting. She asked,
“Do you have a reason for thinking that?”
“……”
“I’m not a fool either, Reina.”
Having said that, Lune placed her coffee cup on the desk and spoke to Reina.
“When you said you wanted to do a joint lecture with Professor Yujin, or when you heard his name… you seemed strangely determined. Maybe even nervous. As if Professor Yujin were an extremely dangerous person…”
“……”
“Reina, are you hiding something after all?”
When Lune asked, Reina fell silent for a moment.
Should I tell her? That Han Yujin is a Dark Sorcerer, and that he’s plotting an evil scheme through the Princess?
And that he revealed this fact to me, enjoying the situation as if it were some kind of prank?
Reina also knew. Han Yujin could have killed her that day if he wanted to.
He just didn’t feel like it, and killing her would have brought him no benefit.
Instead, he proposed a game to her, as if he were enjoying the situation. To break through all of this and reveal his true identity, exposing the truth to everyone.
How?
Currently, there’s no evidence anywhere that he’s a Dark Sorcerer. Even if she brought up the seal he placed on the Princess, she had no way to prove her words.
In such a situation, if she rashly told Lune about this, would she believe her? Even if she did, could she guarantee that Lune wouldn’t be in danger? That man wouldn’t hesitate to kill Lune as a joke.
He’s the kind of man who, while easily able to succeed in his plan by staying quiet, revealed his identity as a Dark Sorcerer to her for the ridiculous reason of ‘thrill,’ adding unnecessary variables.
How could she know if such a man wouldn’t kill Lune on a whim?
As she was lost in these thoughts.
Thud.
“Reina.”
“!”
Lune placed her hand on Reina’s shoulder. She spoke in a gentle voice.
“I told you before, didn’t I? You don’t have to carry it all alone, so tell me anytime.”
“…Lune.”
At those words, Reina wavered. She opened her mouth.
“…Actually.”
She ended up telling her everything.
Starting from how she investigated Yujin, who suddenly appeared in the Maze, and how suspicions of him being a Dark Sorcerer arose.
From the lecture hosted by the Mage Association and the scouting of Yujin, to what happened with the Princess after he came to the Academy, and the truth that hit her like a slap in the face when she thought everything had been a misunderstanding.
After telling her all of that, Lune closed her mouth and fell silent.
However, it was only for a moment.
“…I see.”
Lune opened her mouth and then patted Reina’s shoulder as she spoke.
“That must have been hard.”
“…Do you believe me?”
Even she thought it was absurd. While staying quiet would have led to the success of his plan, he suddenly revealed his identity and even kindly explained his plan to her. All for the sake of ‘thrill.’
Logically, it doesn’t make sense. If it were Reina herself, she might not have believed it.
“If I don’t believe your words, whose words should I believe?”
“I’ll believe you. You’re not the type to talk nonsense.”
“Lynne…”
“By the way… if that’s true, it might indeed be dangerous. The dark energy sealed within the Princess’s body… I don’t know how that was possible, but dark sorcery, unlike regular magic, often deals with souls or life forces, so it might not be that strange.”
Soon, Lynne began to assess the situation with a calm voice. Reina found her demeanor incredibly reassuring.
“I’ll personally look into Professor Yujin as well. Alchemy has its own methods, so there might be clues in areas different from what you’ve investigated. Maybe… the key lies in the Princess’s seal.”
“…I’ll bring that up separately with the President. Since Her Highness hasn’t been fully healed, I might request a meeting to assess her condition.”
“That sounds good. Can I count on you?”
“You’re the one helping me, so no need to ask. More importantly…”
Reina hesitated for a moment, then tightly grasped Lynne’s hand and spoke.
“Be careful not to let that man find out. He’s unpredictable, and if he realizes you know about this, who knows what he might do.”
“…Got it.”
Lynne nodded, seeing her expression. Reina looked at her for a moment, then bowed her head deeply.
“…And, thank you. Really. Lynne.”
“…Don’t mention it. That’s what friends are for.”
Lynne patted Reina’s back. After comforting her for a while, Reina finally pulled away.
“…I should get going now. I think I’ll be busy for a while.”
“Alright. Let me know if there’s anything.”
“Yeah. See you later, Lynne.”
With those words, Reina left Lynne’s lab. Lynne stared at the door for a moment.
“……”
After standing still for a while, she muttered softly.
“…Weird.”
Her drowsy, subdued voice seemed to show genuine bewilderment.
“A dark sorcerer, huh… Hmm.”
She started walking somewhere.
It was her desk.
“I haven’t heard about anyone being sent here… I should check.”
Still with a calm expression, she picked up a crystal orb from under her desk.