The Academy’s Undercover Professor – 161



◈ Episode 161: The Lumos Family (1)

Outdoor banquet hall.

It was not strange that Seorn had a separate place reserved for nobles.

The Magic Festival is one of the largest festivals in the empire so many people come to see it.

Naturally commoners and nobles could not spend time smiling at each other in one place.

The barracks and conference demonstration booths on the festival street are mainly for commoners and merchants to enjoy.

City council members and nobles gathered in the outdoor banquet hall and chatted among themselves.

It may seem unfair but there is nothing better than preventing accidents so I nodded.

‘what. Rather than putting nobles and commoners in one place and then something happens it would be more convenient for Seon to separate the places like this.’

High-ranking people coming and talking among themselves was no different from the banquet hall we experienced that day.

In fact it can be said that the level of people gathered now is much higher than then.

But this time I thought it had nothing to do with me.

‘How did I end up being dragged here?’

I heard that I had no choice but to attend the last welcoming party since I was a new teacher.

I never thought I would attend a place like this.

‘I can’t help it because I’m the winner of the magic sparring match.’

It was just an impromptu event but the warm response was unexpected.

Even now there were many people casting glances at me from all over the banquet hall.

Even if you just drink a glass of water it’s not usually uncomfortable to have eyes flying from all over the place.

“Isn’t the gaze of those around you too blatant?”

I responded by nodding to the old man who was talking to me next to him.

It’s okay to just steal a glance.

If you approach it openly it really becomes a battlefield.

In that respect I was now greatly benefiting from this old man.

Heyback kadatushan.

The head of the Kadatushan family of the 3rd ducal family of the Exilion Empire.

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As he stood guard next to me people of lower level could not even approach me.

‘Well I’m thankful for what I’m thankful for.’

I glanced at the old man next to me.

I have no idea what purpose this inspiration came to me for.

‘It’s hard to read this person’s intentions.’

Hayback is a great nobleman who has been involved in politics for decades.

No matter how hard you tried to analyze such a person’s inner thoughts it was difficult to find out.

The head of the Heyback family smiled heartily and continued to say what she had to say whether she knew what I was thinking or not.

“Originally all nobles are like that. They are busy being courteous and pretentious as befits their positions and flattering each other. “I’m just looking at it with my eyes.”

“okay.”

I don’t know anything else but I sympathized with this part so much that I agreed.

That’s just what I see right now.

For example the two men holding champagne glasses over there.

On one side were small and medium-sized nobles and on the other were members of the House of Representatives of Lederbelk City.

The congressman was trying hard to appeal something to the nobleman and the nobleman was nodding his head and listening as if he was interested.

At first glance it seems like the conversation is going well but in reality that is not the case.

Because the truth behind it is not that simple.

“That guy is Congressman Pretzel?”

“Do you know someone?”

“I just met you once at a banquet and heard your name. “He wasn’t a particularly interesting person.”

Even though I’m not saying he’s an interesting person I remember him in quite a bit of detail.

A person of the Duke Hayback’s stature would have attended a banquet like this once or twice.

Even if you pretend not to your memory is considerable.

“The nobleman listening to the story is Count Rollaine who manages the bank’s finances. Are you curious about what the two of you are talking about?”

I shook my head.

“I’m not really curious. “At best the lawmaker is trying to persuade in order to raise the budget to pass his bill.”

It was obvious what lawmakers who wanted something from nobles said.

I hope for their support.

“Hoo?”

“A bill that would appeal to the aristocracy would probably be to raise welfare in Centreford which is a wealthy neighborhood. “There are many nobles in the Exilion Empire who have private villas there.”

Perhaps the idea is to win the hearts of rich people and win the votes of Centerford district.

Lawmakers both past and present spend their lives looking only at votes.

“Ohh. Quite a bit. Mr. Ludger is right. “I actually tried to use the budget for that purpose.”

“And since Representative Pretzel has no last name he must be a commoner and the reason he came to this position was because he first appealed to the general public and won votes. However after becoming a member of the National Assembly it appears that he changed his mind and pursues policies that benefit the rich.”

“Can you even know that?”

“If you think a little deeper you will understand. However Count Rollaine who is listening to the story does not seem very interested.”

Count Rollaine was smiling and listening to the story but the only emotion in his eyes was boredom.

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He immediately saw through Rep. Pretzel’s intentions of lining up for him and taking advantage of the budget.

“The opponent is a member of the House of Representatives from a commoner background. If Count Rollaine is in charge of banking affairs he is probably from a family with a long history and is not very friendly to commoners. They will obviously look down on you. “But since I’m a lawmaker in name only I’m just pretending to listen.”

“Hoo.”

“Congressman Pretzel is no fool. He knows that his words will not work against Count Rollaine. Even though they know they are trying to deceive somehow. “First of all I plan to somehow manage the budget and postpone the rest until later.”

Just by looking at those two people you immediately realize what kind of place this outdoor banquet hall is.

A place where there are no people who are fooled only those who are deceived.

A routine battlefield where invisible swords are shared.

“It’s all a cheap farce.”

“That’s the correct answer.”

Duke Hayback smiled and nodded.

“I can’t believe you can recognize something like that right away just by looking at it. “Have you heard anything beforehand?”

“It was just visible.”

Reasoning and analysis are skills he learned and mastered while working as a private investigator one of his new identities after abandoning his identity as James Moriarty.

Private investigator <Eugène-François Vidocque>.

The first private investigator in Earth’s history who was a criminal but later turned into a detective.

It was a pseudonym I adopted because it was similar to my situation at the time.

“But don’t be so harsh. Cheap skits are enjoyable in their own way.”

“I know. “It just doesn’t suit my taste.”

“Sometimes you have to watch works that don’t suit your taste. Especially if you are an extraordinary person like a teacher people around you will constantly annoy you. “Let’s look at this and that.”

“You mean like now?”

He threw a sharp remark as a provocation but instead of getting angry the Duke of Heyback laughed.

“no. “Rather I’m closer to protecting you from annoying wild cats.”

“A single lion is much more scary than a few hyenas.”

“Did the teacher look at me like that? What do you understand? However I will take this opportunity to be honest and say that I do not want anything from you teacher.”

You don’t want anything?

Even though it came from Duke Hayback’s mouth I didn’t believe it.

“You look like you don’t believe it. But really. “When you get this old you stop living for greed and purpose.”

“Then what do you live for?”

“It’s fun.”

Duke Hayback smiled like a rascal.

Although the smile was full of wrinkles on the face.

Paradoxically that smile was more childlike and innocent than anyone else in the room.

“When I was young I burned myself for all kinds of passions. But as I get older I don’t have the strength to do that. I can’t get hot as easily as I used to. “That’s what it means to get old.”

“It doesn’t look like it.”

“It used to be worse than it is now.”

“I’m a bit curious about that.”

“The older you get the more indifferent you become to everything. I’ve already experienced many surprising things. As a result I naturally find stimulation. Interesting thing. Something fun. “That has now become the joy of life.”

It’s hard to dismiss it as an old man’s nonsense but I’ve heard similar things before.

My teacher often said things like that.

Did you say that the reason he took me in raised me and taught me magic was because of interest?

“Matriarch Kadatushan must have found me amusing.”

“Feel free to call it Hayback. Isn’t it too affectionate to call someone by their last name? And the answer to the question is ‘yes’. Although I have to say this the teacher is a very interesting person and is seen as attractive by other nobles. “Do you know?”

“I am fully aware of that.”

Don’t you know it’s me?

I knew something like this would happen ever since the last time I got involved with Exorcist at the banquet hall.

Creator of new magic.

Nevertheless he is an easy person to mess with because he does not have a strong supporter.

That was the man they were looking at Ludger Chelisi.

“And I am fully aware of how to act in case of an emergency.”

“Kkkkkkkkkk. The teacher is quite cruel. I felt it from the first time I saw him he has spirit. So isn’t that why I’m standing next to you like this? “I also don’t want a dispute to arise due to some pointless conflict.”

This is what Duke Hayback says.

Since I’m interesting let’s talk next to each other to relieve boredom.

In return I will prevent people around me from flirting with me.

It was a silent transaction that occurred naturally even though there was no conversation between them.

“I also agreed with Duke Hayback’s wishes so I’m staying quiet for now.”

“Okay okay. “You know something.”

“but.”

“…?”

“If the Duke ever crosses the line.”

I said staring hard at Heyback.

“You’ll find out what’s really fun.”

Duke Heyback’s face went blank for a moment at my words but then returned to normal.

“I understand I understand. Ugh tsk. “Maybe because he’s young he’s very energetic.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

Even if this person said that I could understand it.

A fleeting but fleeting smile appeared on Duke Hayback’s face.

This person probably thought a lot in just a moment.

Is it really fun? do.

And eventually I gave up that desire.

You seem like a scary person.

I’ve already given Heyback enough warning so he won’t bother me any more.

At first glance it may seem disrespectful for me a fallen nobleman to speak to the duke in this way but considering Heyback’s personality he was not the type of person to make fun of something like this.

At least I don’t get angry because my pride is hurt like other people do.

That is the dignity of a great nobleman.

‘I guess I should drink a few glasses of water and go.’

With that in mind I was about to drink water to empty the glass in my hand.

I saw a familiar figure in my gaze.

Flora Lumos.

Instead of wearing a school uniform she was wearing a blue dress that suited the formality of the banquet hall.

She was showing an unusually hesitant and hesitating attitude.

‘What’s going on here?’

I watched Flora closely.

Flora’s gaze was focused on the people seated on one side of the banquet hall.

‘It’s the Lumos family.’

Among the people gathered what stands out by far are the people standing in the center.

Kayden Lumos the head of the Lumos family.

Starting with the man there were men and women who appeared to be children on both sides.

Are you here to see your family?

Heyback must have noticed my gaze at that moment and opened his mouth.

“huh? Are you interested in the Lumos family? ah. “You said there was a child from the Lumos family among the students taking the class right?”

“yes.”

I nodded.

Flora was now watching her father from a distance and not being able to approach him easily.

Seeing that appearance I intuitively knew what position she was in the family.

It was the same for Duke Hayback.

“Flora it’s that girl. “It’s truly a shame.”

“It’s a pity? “What do you mean?”

“A child born with the greatest magical talent is looked down upon simply because he is the child of a concubine. “What could be more unfortunate than that?”

“….”

At those words I felt my back throbbing.

An old wound that I thought I had already forgotten.

* * *

Flora Lumos was worried.

Should I leave the banquet hall like this or should I still say hello face to face at least once?

‘okay. Just this once.’

I would be lying if I said I didn’t have any expectations.

To do that didn’t you change your clothes yourself?

She has achieved so much since coming to Seorn.

Flora Lumos was a genius who never missed the top spot in her grade thanks to her outstanding magical talent.

‘I am not the same person I was when I was in the family and the person I am now is different from then.’

Let me tell you.

And let’s show it.

Your daughter the child you didn’t pay much attention to has grown up so well.

I definitely believed that if I did that my father would also look after me.

I made that promise and walked slowly but my legs started shaking to a strange degree.

My chest was throbbing and my heart was pounding painfully.

‘calm down.’

Flora took a deep breath.

I kept walking while looking straight ahead without any confusion in my expression.

‘Don’t be afraid.’

He is no longer the weak child he used to be.

‘Don’t be scared.’

It showed growth worthy of the proud name of the Lumos family.

His qualifications as a member of the family were sufficient.

‘You can’t be scared.’

But why?

Why?

Is it so suffocating and painful?

Crossing the space where disturbing emotions were stirring Flora had already reached the distance where the matriarch’s voice could be heard.

One by one the people around recognized Flora.

But the matriarch didn’t even give Flora a glance.

Have we not found this place yet? Or are they knowingly ignoring it on purpose?

-father.

Flora took a deep breath and tried to call her father.

But before that.

There was someone who approached Flora and intercepted her words.

“oh? Who is this? “Isn’t that half Flora?”

The person who spoke was a girl with dark blue hair like Flora.

She smiled mockingly at Flora.

“Oh right. You entered Seorn here right? “I guess you ran away recently when I told you I couldn’t see you in the family?”

“…Katrina.”

Katrina Lumos.

Flora Lumos’ half-sister and recognized legitimate daughter in the family.

Katrina frowned when Flora called her name.

“Can you please stop calling me by my name? “It feels bad to talk about dirty blood so carelessly.”

“Oh what? “Flora?”

A man came to Katrina’s side.

A grumpy-looking man in his mid-20s with moderately grown curly dark blue hair.

Flora bowed with the courtesy of a noblewoman.

“long time no see. “Brother Kamal.”

Kamal Lumos.

The legitimate son of the Lumos family and the man who will become the next head of the Lumos family.

He chuckled as he saw Flora greeting him.

“It looks good. In the past I wouldn’t have been able to speak properly. Was life at the academy that much fun?”

“….”

“Oh my. You keep your mouth shut again. “You have always kept silent when things were against you.”

Flora did not reply.

If she refute Kamal’s words here he will try to eat her as if he has been waiting for her.

From old experience Flora knew that she had to crouch here.

Kamal clicked his tongue at Flora’s indifferent reaction.

At the same time he spoke to the head of the house next to him as if he was deliberately listening.

“father. “Look who’s here now.”

“hmm.”

Only then did Kayden Lumos react for the first time.

His inorganic and sharp eyes turned towards Flora.

“….”

Flora’s shoulders trembled in the coldness of not feeling the slightest emotion toward her own flesh and blood.

“What?”

The reaction that came out when Kayden opened his mouth was nothing short of cold.

The chill seems to pierce my skin like a needle.

Flora opened and closed her lips.

‘I can’t hear my voice.’

The hand that was tightly holding the hem of her skirt was shaking. The blood drained from my hand which I held so tightly that I looked as pale as a corpse.

Flora couldn’t look her father in the eye.

I didn’t have the courage to face that gaze that seemed to view me as a separate being other than my child.

It felt like the spell I had been pouring on myself just a moment ago had been erased like a blank sheet of paper.

‘I am….’

What on earth did they come here for?

I was so sad that I wanted to cry.

I decided not to cry anymore.

So I wore a mask. It was so as not to show his weakness.

But even such trivial complaints were not allowed here.

It was as if everything in the world was pointing a finger at her to suppress her.

It was then.

A person stood between Flora and Kayden as if he were intervening.

“what?”

Kamal frowned at the sudden appearance of an uninvited guest and Kayden stared with a silent gaze.

“ah.”

Flora looked at that broad back.

That was all I could see.

Broad shoulders nice coat and flowing long hair.

Standing as if guarding this side it was like seeing a strong barrier that kept her safe from this world.

Ludger standing as if protecting Flora opened his mouth to Kayden who was staring at him.

“Is there something wrong with our student?”