Loop Mob – A Mob’s Interdimensional Travel Caught in a Loop

Chapter 26: Professor Kabaneru’s Love Affairs

The commotion about spell cancellation and non-incantation research has finally settled. In the fall of the second year, the papers compiled at the academy were sent to the capital, becoming a major news story that buzzed around society during the winter. While I tried to attribute all the achievements to Professor Kabaneru, the forefront activities were taken on by the academy director and Professor Laquell. However, on the other hand, as the son of the major sponsor, Marquis de Charlois, became known, he gained attention in a different sense.

*Sigh…*
He sighed, looking worn out by the stack of documents on his desk. Rather than documents, they were marriage proposals and portraits. The so-called matchmaking. Being a handsome individual, if he were taken to a salon, people would marvel at the sudden turn of events. Thus, he was upgraded to an outstanding candidate. Naturally, the matchmaking offers from both nobles and wealthy merchants were numerous and carefully selected. Therefore, they were difficult to decline.

Ignoring such formal routes, he was bombarded with approaches within the academy. Trying to secure a position and aiming for the second and third places, there were contact cards hidden among documents, gifts, and body touches disguised as coincidences. Come to think of it, in every loop, the school nurse and the history teacher announced their engagement in November, but in this loop, it hadn’t happened yet.

Terrifying. Unbeknownst to me, someone’s route was being blocked.

“Sensei, you’re quite popular, huh?”
“Troublesome, Alexi-kun. I’m really bad with these kinds of matters.”

His usually cheerful demeanor now displayed a thoroughly exasperated expression. Sensei, please tell me it’s not about that. But I understand. Anyone would become wary of women if they were rejected so openly. Moreover, sensei is already in his mid-20s, and his eligible age has already passed.

“But, with so many proposals, why don’t you just choose a woman you like, sensei?”
“Well, you see…”

It seems his preferred type of woman is someone who can enjoy gardening with him. After all, until now, being just an Earth attribute caused him to be rejected from the marriage market for having “no prospects.” He has been ridiculed with comments like, “A gentleman who smells like dirt, really?” More than a preference, it seems to be more about trauma avoidance.

Well then, why not give it a try? An agricultural experience tour, disguised as a rural matchmaking.

Following my proposal, he, through the Viscount’s family, sent invitations to the women from the marriage proposals. In the humble Marol Territory, rich but located in the northern borderlands, they would be planting seed potatoes that had just arrived from the capital—a potato cultivation experience.

On that day in March, only five women gathered. There were ten times as many marriage proposals, clearly indicating the unpopularity of Earth attribute. Even I, who assisted in planning, felt a bit down.

Of the five, three were dressed in luxurious gowns. Although they were informed about agricultural work, they probably didn’t expect to be taken to a corner field in the academy. A butler brought chairs from a splendid carriage, and they elegantly observed the work under sun umbrellas.

The remaining two were dressed in plain, peasant-like dresses. However, it didn’t seem like they came for agricultural work. One clearly struck a pose of “I came in a modest dress to read the room.” However, the other, without hesitation, took up seed potatoes, listened attentively to Professor Kabaneru’s explanation, and even got her hands dirty. Perhaps, this matchmaking agricultural tour was a success.

After the work, they turned a portion of the sweet potatoes, received from Mr. Haimo, into sweet potato tea for a tea party. I believe I did well in hospitality, being the son of a prominent Marol trading company, and Professor Kabaneru being a noble. However, later, rejection letters arrived from the daughters in gowns, and there was no contact from the modestly dressed daughters who read the atmosphere.

The only woman who didn’t mind getting her hands and clothes dirty while working in the fields was the daughter of a certain wealthy merchant. She was a lively and sharp-eyed woman, and it seemed that Professor Kabaneru had a good impression of her as she showed interest in his original research field.

“From a friend, please.”

Subsequently, they continued to exchange letters and gradually deepened their intimacy through research. Professor Kabaneru, who is usually reserved, seemed rather content. However, the breakup came suddenly. She quickly married someone else, prominently marketed the harvested potatoes pomme de terre tail in the summer, and greatly expanded her business.

“All thanks to Professor Kabaneru.”
She visited the academy once with her husband, expressed heartfelt gratitude, and left. In addition, she entered into a sponsorship contract for research on other crops.

Moreover, just before she decided to get married, I also received a marriage proposal letter from her at my home. If I had accepted, I might have been the one next to her by now.

Merchants are terrifying. Girls are terrifying. It seems like my marriage prospects are also distant.
Professor Kabaneru remained calm throughout, but he seemed down for about three months. And he muttered weakly, “I’m done with women…” His marriage prospects seem distant.