READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 26
After accepting the proposal, Yujin immediately returned to the inn.
In the rented room Mary temporarily loaned him, he started tidying up his belongings while recalling the earlier events.
‘She was bolder than I expected.’
Yujin thought about Ines, the President of the Academy. It had been a moment when he grasped her hand while accepting her offer.
– Alright. In that case, I will accept the position of Professor at the Academy.
– …..
Trying to probe her own mana seemed to cause a slight pause, so he discreetly erased and hid his mana, worried it might be troublesome if she figured out he was a Dragon.
The reaction she showed was still vivid in his memory. Though she tried to mask her surprise, her eyes bulged wide and her pupils trembled uncontrollably.
After all, wouldn’t it be bewildering if a Mage couldn’t sense mana? She was initially checking the Professor’s capabilities, only to suddenly see him as someone who didn’t appear to be a Mage.
– Why is that?
He then chose to casually smile and pretend the whole thing was no big deal. He even contemplated lying about exhausting all his mana using time-related magic if she brought up the fact he had none.
– Ah, no… it’s nothing.
However, for some reason, she let it slide without any further question. It was quite a curious incident.
– … Anyway… Good thinking. So shall we head to the Academy? There’s a staff-only dormitory there.
– Oh, but I need to tidy up my current accommodations first and say goodbye to the landlady.
– … I see? In that case, I’ll give you a communication crystal. Contact me when you’re done.
Saying so, Ines handed over a crystal to Yujin, who fiddled with it.
‘By the way… I never thought I’d become a Professor in another world.’
Yujin felt a rather strange sensation. To put it precisely, it might be classified as some sort of anticipation, perhaps?
Back on Earth, he had taught Awakening Mages before, and reminiscing about that time made him chuckle to himself.
‘It was quite enjoyable.’
It wasn’t anything grand. His work consisted mainly of teaching newcomers at the guild or guiding newly Awakened Mages called by the Awakening Association. He was more like a temporary instructor, honestly.
Listening to whiny chicks or soothing those terrified of dying was akin to babysitting, and the pay wasn’t great, making such positions generally avoided among the Awakened. Still, he preferred it over hunting monsters through gates.
It was undoubtedly more fulfilling to guide someone in navigating a harsh world than living life like a mercenary solely chasing after money.
Yujin’s interest in the Professor position was largely due to this inclination.
Fulfillment.
It’s a rather insignificant self-satisfaction, but isn’t it a bit cooler than just being money-driven?
Yujin yearned to live a life where he could engage in such self-satisfying work.
Tiamat understood this feeling of his, which led her to nudge him in that direction.
Although she never explicitly revealed it, fearing he might feel burdened by her expectations, she genuinely felt immense gratitude towards Yujin for accepting the contract and pulling her from the grave.
She sincerely hoped he would enjoy the life he desired and find happiness.
With that thought in mind, Tiamat smiled gently and asked Yujin.
『Are you looking forward to it?』
“I suppose I am.” Yujin responded with a smile.
“Thank you, Tiamat.” He added.
『Huh?』
“For considering my situation. I know you must be eager to free your fellow dragons right away.”
Tiamat had been waiting for someone to come for a long time, even while being stuck in the grave, hoping to liberate her kin.
It demonstrated her strong bond with her kind. Although she claimed she could wait and merely needed to sleep for a thousand years, in truth, she likely wished for liberation immediately.
“Yet, despite my personal interests diverting to other matters, you still thought of me.” Yujin remarked.
『……』
“So, I would like to say thank you.”
Tiamat briefly donned a surprised expression, then softened into a gentle smile.
『Yujin, I have found hope because of you.』
“……”
『Thanks to you, I have been able to escape the prison in which I was trapped for so long. I also hold hope that I can liberate my kin. Thus, I should actually be the one thanking you. Moreover…』
Tiamat approached Yujin, cradling his cheeks in her hands with a gentle touch.
Strangely enough, it felt as if he could sense her warmth, which shouldn’t have been possible.
『You are my child.』
“……”
『You are my beloved companion connected by souls, and the treasured kin that I created with my very heart. So…』
She smiled and continued.
『You can be a little spoiled, you know. Plus, it would be great if you rely on me.』
“……”
Yujin fell silent for a moment, feeling overwhelmed by her boundless maternal love.
It was a warmth he hadn’t felt in a long time, reminiscent of family.
“…Tiamat.” He finally said.
『Let’s omit the ‘Sir’ from now on. You’re making it feel like there’s a distance between us, and that hurts my feelings.』
“Haha… Is that so?”
Yujin sheepishly chuckled at her words. He then asked.
“So, what should I call you?”
『How would you like to address me? I wish to be called by a special name from you.』
“…Mother?”
『That’s a term other children use casually. I’m basically in a matriarchal role among all dragons.』
When Yujin jokingly mentioned it, Tiamat surprisingly replied seriously. Surely, it wouldn’t be a special name if every dragon called her that. So…
“…Tia?”
『Huh?』
“How about Tia? Just a cute nickname, you know?”
As Yujin grinned and proposed, Tiamat paused briefly to ponder.
『Tia, Tiara…』
Tiamat repeated the names softly for a moment, then smiled at Yujin.
『Yes, I like it. I’m fond of it.』
“Then I’ll call you that from now on, Tia.” Yujin echoed back with a smile.
Continuing, he said, “Since we sorted out names, could I share a secret with you?”
『Huh?』
Yujin lightened the atmosphere and stated.
“Tia, the truth is, I come from another world.”
***
Yujin went on to explain to Tiamat about Earth and how he ended up here.
Honestly, he had no intention of hiding this fact for long… He just never found the right moment and worried that revealing the existence of another world as merely a game would shock her.
『I see.』
Tiamat showed no signs of surprise, looking quite unfazed.
『I suspected that might be the case. Your knowledge and actions seem out of place for someone belonging to this world.』
Yujin hadn’t made much of an effort to hide his identity, just refraining from blatant provocations. Yet, Tiamat’s calm response took him by surprise.
『But… hmm, so you learned about this world via an entertainment medium and arrived here? How intriguing. I wonder what divine intervention was behind it.』
“Is it truly possible for a god to do such a thing?”
『It’s not entirely impossible. As with the Elf’s world tree connecting to the spirit realm, as long as they were aware of another world, Transcendents could interfere.』
“I see.” Yujin pondered.
It seemed returning to Earth might also be a possibility. Although he questioned if it was necessary.
『Yujin, I believe you once mentioned that you thought someone might also cross over to this side from Earth.』
“Yes, that’s correct.” Yujin replied.
『It’s a good idea to think that way. If it is indeed possible, there’s no reason it should only be you.』
“If my arrival here was indeed intentional, I share that view.” Yujin affirmed.
『I suspect the gods might be behind this too… but their reasons remain a mystery. We may need to stay cautious.』
Tiamat mumbled, then clapped her hands, turning to Yujin.
『Someday, try using prophetic Dragon Language. Unless a superior being intervenes, you can foresee almost anything with it.』
“Really?”
『The power of dragons is as close to omnipotence as one can get. However, that also means they face significant limitations.』
Tiamat stated wistfully.
『In any case, let’s get moving once we’re done talking. It would be better to prepare and do what you can rather than worry about the future.』
“That’s a valid point.” Yujin nodded in agreement.
With the tidying already accomplished, he made his way down to the inn’s first floor.
“Oh, you’re leaving already? That’s a bit disappointing.” Mary, who had grown fond of him during his stay, greeted him. She had learned that Yujin had accepted the Professor position at the Academy.
“I’ve greatly appreciated your hospitality, Mrs. Mary.” Yujin expressed sincerely.
“Oh, don’t mention it! I received far more from you.” Mary replied as she recalled the rent Yujin had paid. Seeing how much money he had, she waved her hands dismissively.
“Anyway, do your best out there! Don’t forget to drop in whenever you’re hungry!”
“Of course. I’ll always remember this place’s food.” Yujin bowed politely and moved toward the exit.
“Safe travels! Come visit often!”
After waving goodbye to Mary, who had given her last farewell, Yujin turned his gaze toward the Academy in the distance.
A grand building, sprawling like a city next to the Maze.
With that view, Yujin set off.
Whoosh!
And just like that, he vanished from the spot.
***
Meanwhile, after completing Yujin’s recruitment, Ines and Reina instantly returned to the Academy via spatial movement.
The two were now facing each other in the President’s office as soon as they returned.
Ines spoke up.
“He accepted more readily than I thought.”
“Yes, he did.” Reina agreed.
Both reflected on Yujin, the man who had just accepted their offer for the Professor position.
Known as the only Mage who established time-space magic, he had surprisingly accepted the Academy’s offer quite easily.
“He’s definitely a bit suspicious.” Ines thought aloud.
Of course, the position of Professor at the Academy was extremely prestigious, with generous salary and benefits, making it a highly sought-after job. Most people would likely accept without a second thought.
However, someone capable of being a Professor would certainly have other motivations as well. Ambitious individuals, those eager to prove themselves, or even those who simply had no interest at all.
The more capable someone was, the stronger those inclinations tended to grow. Yet Yujin was different.
Merely establishing time-space magic demonstrated that there weren’t many who could match his skills within the Academy, yet he had swiftly accepted the offer after just a few inquiries.
Those inquiries were just about whether they wanted him to teach time-space magic and if he had time to spare for the Maze. He showed no interest whatsoever in salary or treatment.
If he had any concern, it was more about separating himself from those showing interest in him. But even that was ambiguous; someone of his caliber could easily establish his own faction, eliminating any need for affiliation.
Most notably, he seemed genuinely interested in the position of Professor from the get-go. After a moment’s silence of contemplation upon hearing the offer and a few quick confirmations, he may very well have been acting.
That was, if he truly was a Dark Sorcerer.
“More than anything, I couldn’t read his intentions. His eyes were hidden, his face wore a constant smile, and his speech was only polite and composed… When I heard him speak at the lectures, he carried a certain conviction, but confronting him directly left me with nothing.” She reflected on Yujin’s demeanor.
She recalled how he toyed with the Mage Association while criticizing its corruption during his lecture. Initially, she thought he included a heartfelt critique based on his beliefs, but now, she doubted whether he even held any convictions at all.
His concealed eyes, unwavering smile, and calm demeanor reflected nothing serious; all he showcased seemed to mock everything around him.
“Did you notice any magical energy from him?” Reina inquired.
Ines grimaced in response, as if confronted with an incomprehensible question.
“I did not. Not even a trace of mana.”
“What?”
“I couldn’t feel a thing… Not even from such a powerful Mage.” She recalled their encounter.
– Why is that?
He’d asked almost teasingly as if mocking her probing.
– Ah, no… it’s nothing.
She’d found herself toe between doubt and humility.
Ines bit her lip as she recalled those moments. Reina’s expression became grave.
“That can’t be… If even someone like you cannot sense his power, it must mean an immense disparity.
“I’d like to believe there’s no such thing… but I’m guessing otherwise.” Ines acknowledged.
Someone so powerful that they could obscure even their essence from Ines’ probing presence. She suspect this was his level of strength.
“That’s sheer madness. By that reasoning, you’re stating that man is akin to a Transcendent!”
That was indeed the actual truth, yet Reina couldn’t accept it. Ines felt similarly.
“I don’t think he’s a true Transcendent. It’s possible he could also be concealing himself with some Maze artifact. After all, Dark Sorcerers have been known to hide their magic using Dragon artifacts while pretending to be ordinary Mages. However… the crux of the matter is that I felt none of that energy either.”
“……”
“I’m at a loss… truly.”
Tiamat’s concern seemed to deepen, prompting one question from Reina.
“Are you really planning to admit such a being into the Academy?”
“Normally, allies should be kept close while enemies should be even closer. Besides, I can’t accurately gauge his abilities. If that’s the case, keeping him within my line of sight would be the smarter choice.”
“He may pose a danger to students.”
“I’ll make sure to protect them at all costs, even if it costs me my life. So please, refrain from worrying too much.”
Ines said with a soft smile, though Reina’s expression remained serious.
“Above all, it’s possible he’s not a Dark Sorcerer at all. Perhaps everything is a misunderstanding, and his acceptance of the Professor position is borne out of genuine interest in teaching someone.”
“I hope so.”
Even as they edged closer to the truth, the two accepted it as mere speculation.
At that moment, however…
Buzz!
“!”
The communication crystal Yujin had received began to glow.
Both Reina and Ines exchanged worried looks as Ines approached it.
“Is that you? Are you ready?”
A calm voice echoed from the crystal.
[Ah, President. I’m actually already at the Academy.]
“What?”
Already? So soon? Did he use spatial movement?
Yet the area surrounding the Academy was wrapped in protection from the Maze’s artifacts against external incursions; without knowing the complicated spatial coordinates like Ines, it was unimaginable for anyone to appear immediately.
However, it would be tough to arrive so quickly without using spatial movement.
[The Academy is indeed vast. I’m worried I might get lost, perhaps in the Student Dormitory?]
No matter how puzzled the two women appeared, Yujin continued with a light-hearted tone.
[So, please hurry before I end up wandering off the path!]
At that, both of them froze simultaneously.