Chapter 20 - "Know Where to Stretch Your Legs" (1)
Chrome Gregory, a freshman at the Imperial Academy this year, found himself deeply dissatisfied with life here.
This was the place he had aimed for since he was young—the opportunity to learn in the best environment and step directly onto the elite path. Yet, there was a simple reason for his foul mood.
Lian.
Everything was because of that damn new professor.
'If it weren't for that guy, I'd be confidently on the road to success in Class A by now…'
On that long-anticipated first day of class, the professor had confiscated his primary weapon, a magical spear, and handed him an odd, antique pistol instead.
When Chrome protested, the professor replied that if he couldn't follow his methods, he could leave for Class B.
It was an incomprehensible move, an outright abuse of authority. Rather than learn under such a tyrant, Chrome decided it would be far better to switch to Professor Scott's class.
So, without a backward glance, he packed up his spear and joined Class B.
Then he found out the antique pistol had actually been a training tool—a divine artifact designed to help students quickly grasp magical reinforcement.
The tool was crafted with such precision that even famous families and dwarven artisans had attempted to replicate it, only to fail.
In the end, the only ones who benefitted were the students in Class A. With the training tool and an innovative teaching approach, they grew remarkably day by day.
'Just thinking about it makes me want to die of frustration.'
On top of that, the professor was an unprecedented genius. He could handle complex spatial magic with ease, and some even claimed his insight rivaled that of the Firstborn Dragon.
What seemed like arrogance at first was actually misunderstood care for his students. With that realization, Lian's reputation was soaring.
"I didn't think much of it at first, but finding out that my professor is Lian? That's got to be a blessing, right?"
Thanks to this, the students in Class A were bursting with joy, even boasting about it openly.
Every time Chrome saw this, his insides burned with anger.
He had thrown away the chance of a lifetime with his own hands. Recognizing his foolish mistake was unbearable for Chrome, who had been raised in a noble household, always supported by those around him.
'That bastard was just showing off. If he'd just explained it better, I wouldn't have left!'
His frustration eventually turned to resentment against Lian.
The reason he was stuck in Class B, the embarrassment of being told by Professor Scott that his swordsmanship was sloppy due to his wandering mind, his continuously falling grades—all of it was that damn new professor's fault.
If not for that guy, everything would have gone well.
With this mindset, Chrome sharpened his sword of revenge.
He could have just disliked Lian on his own, but his twisted personality drove him to provoke someone who was already doing well.
Yet, in the original story, Chrome was precisely the type of character meant to "knowingly provoke the protagonist, only to be put in his place." He was the classic, entitled bully.
Someone who, whenever something displeased him, found peace only after crushing it with all his might.
With his tenacity and his family's influence, he eventually managed to uncover a weakness.
After a thorough investigation, Chrome finally found something.
'I knew he had something shady hidden.'
Only one professor was supposed to have been hired this year. Sylphy, the elf professor, had earned the position after a competitive selection process, and the recruitment should have ended there.
But after the successful candidate was announced, the hiring suddenly expanded by one more slot, and Lian was brought in as the new professor without following the proper procedures.
The conclusion this led to was obvious.
'Bribery to get hired… Unbelievable audacity.'
Someone must have created a new position for Lian through bribery and installed him at the academy.
It was an absolutely fatal flaw. Now, all Chrome had to do was spread the word quietly.
If it came to light that a professor with a clean reputation had, in reality, bought his way into the academy, Lian's reputation would be ruined.
'At the very least, there'll be disciplinary action. And with some luck…'
He might even get fired.
Thinking this, Chrome smiled wickedly.
Today would surely be the worst day of that professor's life.
Today was bound to be the best day of my life.
After wrapping up the incident at the imperial palace, I returned to the academy, exhausted. What awaited me was a view I had only ever dreamed of.
A few students muttered as they watched me pass.
They whispered about how I had supposedly secured my professor position through unethical means, how I should resign immediately.
Tipsy from a few celebratory drinks, I rubbed my eyes, half-wondering if I was hallucinating. But no matter how many times I blinked, the scene before me stayed the same.
Tears trickled down my cheeks.
'Finally, all my efforts are paying off.'
All those days of working tirelessly to make students dislike me… I had waited so long for this moment.
Most students still supported me, of course, but the fact that a few had begun to view me negatively was a touching milestone.
Whoever orchestrated this had my utmost gratitude; if I could, I'd find them and bow in respect.
I couldn't help the smile spreading across my face.
But now was not the time to let my guard down. I couldn't afford to waste this precious opportunity.
'I need to use this momentum to worsen public opinion.'
Whoever this mysterious benefactor was, they'd done a splendid job, but there was still work to be done.
It was time for me to roll up my sleeves and contribute.
My target? The elitists, of course. The noble students who despised commoners and already held animosity toward me would be the easiest to rile up.
Fortunately, I had several traits they were sure to hate. Orphan, raised in the slums—perfect ammunition.
If I revealed this, the prejudiced, self-righteous noble students would only hate me more. Naturally, public opinion would sour even faster.
It was a satisfying plan. The only drawback was that I may have drunk a bit too much…
'Eh, what could possibly go wrong?'
I may have overindulged out of frustration, but I hadn't drunk enough to impair my judgment.
The palace had gifted me nineteen bottles of fine liquor, yet my willpower was strong enough to withstand it. Smiling broadly, I began implementing my plan.
A sweet dismissal awaited me.
Professor Scott had been in a sour mood lately.
The reason was quite simple.
A group had emerged, daring to slander a man who was nothing short of a treasure to the empire.
'If I could, I'd silence them immediately.'
But the mastermind behind this incident was cunning.
They skirted just below the line, speaking only of the suspicious circumstances around Lian's hiring. They stuck to undeniable facts, denying Scott any grounds to act.
Taking action against them would only add fuel to the fire, worsening public opinion about Lian.
If they'd made up lies or launched severe personal attacks, Scott could have initiated an investigation and punished them swiftly.
As it was, his hands were tied.
'What a disgrace. I can't bear to face my junior like this.'
How long had it been since he vowed to protect his junior from any threat? Now, returning from the palace, Lian would likely be disheartened by this news.
If Lian condemned him as a coward who couldn't keep his word, Scott wouldn't be able to refute it.
With that thought weighing him down, Scott shuffled along when—
… A commotion reached his ears.
Turning, he saw a group of students clustered around a wall, reading a notice.
Curious, Scott pushed through the crowd and began reading the words posted there:
[New professor Lian, found to be an orphan from the slums! Can such an uneducated commoner really teach our students properly?]
The ground seemed to tremble as an aura of sheer malice chilled the air.
With a face twisted in fury, the silver-haired man's expression transformed into a grotesque grin.
'If it's death they want, then I shall grant it gladly.'
The Iron Duke of the Empire, the man who had single-handedly destroyed a nation, was feeling the pure urge to kill for the first time in fifty years.