[Author's Note: Thank you, my dear readers, for reading this novel! I know I promised more frequent chapters but constantly failed to do so. For that, I am sorry. This may be the last or second last chapter before I go on hiatus until summer vacation is over, and fall comes around. I repeat I am not cancelling the series. I'll be on a three to four-week holiday. By the time I come back, I'll be ready with nice long chapters for everyone to enjoy. So add my novel to your collection to get the update on when my next chapter releases! Anyways, enjoy!]
Charles POV:
While I sat waiting for the interview to begin, Miss Medea acted disinterested, smoking her pipe for several long, drawn-out moments before initiating the interview after her last puff.
The moments soon became seconds as we both just sat silently.
...
...
This is extremely awkward. We've already finished exchanging pleasantries. At this point, she should be asking me interview questions.
Instead, she's just leisurely taking her time to smoke.
On the topic of smoking, what's with the smoke cloud she always has covering her entire head?
I can't sense an ounce of mana in the smoke, suggesting that the smoke should come from ordinary tobacco.
Yet, she smokes her pipe at such infrequent intervals that the smoke cloud should have parted some time ago.
...
I'm not sure how much time passed, but it was probably after five minutes of awkward silence that we finally started talking.
However, there was a noticeable change in the way she spoke. The previous times we met, she possessed a laid-back attitude and a playful/teasing personality.
After Isabella left the room, I sensed something shift in her mood. The current aura she gave off felt oppressive and like an Interrogator about to flay the answers out of a suspect.
How fascinating. For her to control the aura she wants others to see, she must have lived many years along a path of blood and iron. She is, without doubt, a formidable opponent with talent, experience, skill and power. With the cleverness and wisdom to utilize them to her full advantage.
Although I'm confident that if she were to attack me right now, I'd be able to win the fight, but with me missing 20-30% of my power, she'll likely leave me with several broken bones before her dying breath.
*Exhale SFX*
"Hmm, more than half the people I interview would get annoyed at me by this point. There are only three possibilities I could think of. 1. You're a good actor, 2. You don't really care about my behaviour or the interview, and 3. You knew I was trying to rile you up to see how you'll respond."
"So? Which of the three is it? Also, don't think about lying to me. I know a lie when I hear one. I sincerely don't wish for my opinion of you to go down."
Sensing the unusual seriousness in her voice, I answered with total honesty.
"A combination of all three, in fact. As a formerly high-ranked military official, I've often had to deal with many incompetent frustrating nobles who think they are mightier than thou just because they happened to be the descendent of someone that made the first toilet or something, so yes, I already built up a tolerance and know many negotiating and diplomacy tricks."
"However, the main reason why I'm unfazed by your little performance is simply because I'm far more powerful than you. If you showed this aura to those below you, they would be quaking in their boots, but to me, you feel like an adorable kitten or puppy aggressively scratching my leg for treats. Also, despite only knowing you for less than half the day, you seem interesting to be friends with."
...
The entire library/office was silent after I said my piece and Miss Medea silently contemplated my words.
Eventually, she spoke.
Or rather, laughed.
"PFFFT! HAHAHAHA!"
Unlike when she speaks, her laughter is loud, noisy and full of life. It is a nice change from her usual slow, energy-less voice that would spout something provocative once every five minutes.
After her laughing died down, her violent and hostile aura faded as if it were a lie.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that. If you make one wrong move, you're toast."
...
How does she do that!? It's like she's reading my mind!
"I'm not reading you're mind, cutie. I'm just really good at reading others' expressions."
...
"You must be a good negotiator. I hope you can go easy on these old bones."
"Would a bag of old bones be capable of defeating a talented Royal possessed by the soul of an Ancient Evil Dragon of legends?"
...
"Touche."
Miss Medea giggled at my response before kicking her feet up, revealing long black-laced leather boots with metal studs, and sat properly on the couch facing me.
"As much as I would like to hire you, this instant, as a full-time educator at this Academy. There are people who oppose that idea."
"If I were to hire you, I would be pressured by various people, claiming that I'm abusing my authority to do whatever I want."
"Now, the pressure is something I can easily handle by wiping a few annoying noble households off the face of Lunara, but the paperwork, meetings, speeches and arguments put me off."
"So, if I'm going to hire you, I'll need you to give me strong, indisputable reasons why you should be hired as an educator at Babylonia. One of the world's Eight Great Schools."
"That is why in the last meeting, I asked you to present to the school a new, revolutionary kind of magic that everyone would have no choice but to approve of you working at Babylonia Academy."
"Beating up a Royal simply won't do. In fact, it's creating more problems. I've already received several complaints from the 3rd Prince's supporters that I need to compensate their Kingdom for the injuries you've done to their Prince. I also haven't forgotten about that hole you made several hours ago."
I looked away, whistling. I have no clue what hole she is talking about.
"Well, that one-sided duel could be swept under the rug by young Helen and their older sibling. The main issue with you is presenting us with new or improved magic."
"Do you have any ideas on what sort of magic, technique, spell or theory you wish to present?"
"Hmm, I could just teach people some techniques and spells from my Divine, Holy or Light Magic arsenal, but I assume you have educators for those."
"Indeed, we have various instructors specializing in the last two categories you mentioned that come from the Holy Lunaris Theocracy.
"Divine Magic is impossible to learn unless you are blessed by a god or have some divinity."
"How about some of my swordsmanship techniques? Surely, many students would find my sword art worth learning?"
"That would be a viable option if you were in the Knight Academy, Pendar. Unfortunately, this is Babylonia Magic Academy. Many students value magic over physical strength or combat."
"The school does have a few students who excel in magic and close-quarter combat that might be interested in your teachings, but they are always either away on missions or drowning in work, so I doubt any of them would have the time to cram a two-hour course into their schedule."
Hmm, this will be tricky. During my brief walk from the Arena to Miss Medea's office/library. I've caught glimpses of various subjects being taught that were all magic-related.
Alchemy, Spellcasting, Potions, Divination, the list continues. Unfortunately, the only subject they don't have a class on is Automatons, which doesn't exist in this world.
And I have no idea how the Automatons work. Machines, Science and such were Mina's fields of expertise.
Think Charles, think! What sort of class can you teach that you are proficient in, doesn't exist in this world, and can be revolutionary!?
...
...
Damn it!
The only thing that comes to me is Automatons, but I don't know how they work!
They're all overcomplicated golems and artifacts that should be simplified for others to learn!
Wait.
If they're overcomplicated, then all I have to do is simplify it, right?
...
How do I simplify a subject on how to create near-living beings from nothing but scraps, cogs, screws and magic?
Hold on, what was it I said earlier?
They were overcomplicated golems and...
Artifacts!
That's it!
I'll teach a course on how to create Magical Artifacts!
Among the courses I browsed past, I didn't see a single lesson focusing on the creation of Magical Artifacts! The closest studies they had were Transmutation and Weapon Smithing.
However, those two fields specialize in weapon and armour creation. If I were to present to this world the field of Magical Artifact-making, it would be a technological revolution! As the pioneer in this field, I would be too valuable to lose, so the majority of the faculty members would have no choice but to accept me as an educator!
This could work! But I have to check in with Miss Medea first to see if the study of Magical Artifact production is already being researched or widespread.
"Miss Medea, does this world happen to have a way to create artificial magical artifacts? I'm not talking about weapons or armour. Something on the miscellaneous everyday side, like a box that can preserve food with Ice Magic? Or perhaps a boat powered by a combination of Wind and Fire Magic."
Seemingly caught off-guard by my question, Miss Medea took several moments to think before responding.
"I don't think so. Magical Artifacts for everyday miscellaneous uses are almost non-existent. The only places where you can get that stuff is from Doral or Rosa."
"Doral and Rosa?"
"Ah! I almost forgot you know little of this world. I'll arrange for someone to fill you in on the current situation and history of Lunara. Most likely Isabella if she isn't busy with her studies."
"Back on topic, Doral is the Kingdom of Dwarves, while Rosa is a rival academy focusing on the Arts. These two are the only places you could possibly commission one of their talented blacksmiths or artisans for a specially made artifact."
"Mass-production of magic artifacts is impossible. The Artisans' Guild, Blacksmiths' Guild and various other Guilds related to the production of anything magic-related have a hard stance against collective production of magical artifacts out of fear that employees will earn less or be put out of work."
"To answer your question, yes. There is a method to producing artificial magical artifacts, but no. They are not widespread as they're all useless trinkets that cater to the wealthy."
"Don't tell me-"
"It is exactly what you are thinking."
The room became quiet again for a few moments before Miss Medea burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
"My goodness! If you are about to do what I think you're about to do, you'll either become the richest, most famous, most influential and most powerful person alive, or you'll be crushed early on by those who are smart enough to view you as a threat."
"I'm betting on the former after seeing your display of power. Anyways, I approve of the course you've decided to teach! Aside from the paperwork (which I will handle), are there any resources and materials you require for teaching your class? And when is the earliest you can begin the course? Earlier, the better because the students will soon pick their electives, and I plan on having your lessons on the list."
"Hmm, I'd appreciate it if you could gather whatever metals you can find, iron, copper, silver, adamantium, mithril. The higher the magic conductivity it has, the better. The rest of the resources, Magic Stones, I'm able to acquire through monster-hunting. As for time, give me two days. One day for hunting and one day for practicing my craftsmanship. It's been a while since I last made a magical artifact."
"Two days? Most impressive! I didn't take you for the engineering type!"
"What do you mean by that?"
"With that luxurious suit of yours, your well-cared moustache and the fierce, sophisticated aura you gave off, I thought you would be more inclined to the field of liberal arts and martial combat."
"You aren't wrong about that. Back in school, I majored in the liberal arts."
"Are you well-versed in the history of your world?"
"You'd be surprised, give me three seconds to look over a history textbook once, and I can recite everything perfectly word-for-word."
"Aren't you bragging a little too much? Those who can talk but not walk aren't exactly my types."
"Miss Medea, everything I say is a factual statement. As you said, I am an honest man. I haven't lied once in my life."
"Oh? But how do I know that statement itself isn't a lie? Sometimes the greatest lie is the plain truth."
"Which is why I don't lie. Let them concoct their fantasies and theories of what my words mean. While they're sweating day and night, prepping for the worst, I'll be home enjoying a book and tea. When they've let their guard thinking they're safe. I'll strike them all down."
"HAHAHAHA! Excellent! Very good! This is what I'd like to see in a man! Strength, unwavering will and determination, wisdom, cunning and, above all, honesty. You perfectly fit the bill to be my boyfriend! Want to have a date sometime?"
"You jest, right?"
"Half and half. You are a very desirable man, after all."
"Jokes aside, I'll prepare a classroom and a workshop for you to teach and work on your projects."
"And when you said two days, I presume you meant tomorrow and the day after, right?"
"Correct. I'll be using the rest of today familiarizing myself with Babylonia, learning the basic history, the culture of this world and figuring out the places most suitable for hunting."
"That's not a bad idea, but can you understand this world's writing system? Although you can speak this world's language fluently without trouble, just in case. Can you read this sentence to me?"
Miss Medea snapped her fingers, and a small, black, one-foot-long chalkboard materialized out of a light gray magic circle alongside a piece of chalk.
*Scribble*
*Scribble*
"Miss Medea, I am not telling you my preferences for girls, which you'll likely use to blackmail me, but I'll tell you that I'm not interested in childish women, both physically and mentally."
"Pffft! Hahaha! I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd actually be able to read that!"
"Tell you what, I'll spend the rest of the day giving you a "private tutoring session."
"How about it?"
As she said that, she crossed her legs and subtly lifted her robes up, revealing luscious, toned caramel thighs. The robes were pulled back to her mid-thigh. Any further, and I would have caught sight of-
Well, this is supposed to be a story enjoyed by the general audience, so how should I put this?
I suppose, "every straight man's dying wish before entering the afterlife."
Keeping my poker face. I ignored her seduction attempts and steered the conversation back on track.
"No thanks. I feel that with you tutoring me, I would become distracted and learn nothing at all."
"Aww, does that mean I'm so entrancing that you aren't able to think of anything else but me?"
...
...
F*** this woman.