The Academy’s Undercover Professor – 213



◈ Episode 213: Dream Invitation (2)

I slowly opened my eyes.

The antique room scenery disappeared and a starless night sky appeared. I stood alone beneath it.

Snap.

As I stepped forward there was the sound of water.

When I looked down I saw that the entire surface was made of water.

It was dark so I couldn’t tell the depth. A faint water mist was rising above the water.

‘It reminds me of the salt desert.’

Underneath the water where my image was reflected like a mirror were colorful stars.

There was no starlight in the sky overhead.

‘This is the outskirts of dreams.’

This was the outermost edge of a world made up of human dreams and unconsciousness called Dreamland.

And all these starlight locked beneath the surface were people’s dreams.

I walked slowly.

Every time I took a step the surface of the water created ripples and spread out like drawing concentric circles.

Dreams like starlight submerged beneath the surface of the water were shaken dizzy by the ripples.

‘The meeting place is not far from here.’

It was difficult to tell the direction on a road filled with fog but the ring on my hand made it possible.

The emerald light flowing from the ring stretched out and showed the direction.

I walked along the path of light.

It’s not that I’m not interested in this space itself but there are more important things right now.

How long did you walk following the light?

Suddenly the light flowing from the ring stopped.

The fog in front cleared slightly revealing a large door.

‘Is this the entrance?’

It was a door made of gray marble.

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The image of a devil with horns was carved on the door and it looked like the entrance to hell.

‘Carving the devil. I don’t know who made it but you have a bad hobby.’

I walked towards the door.

When I placed my ring-covered hand red light flowed from the eyes of the devil above the door and the door opened.

The inside of the stone gate was pitch black with nothing visible.

The possibility that it was a trap was not ruled out. However the likelihood of that happening would be significantly low.

I just walked into the darkness.

As I went inside the door behind me closed with a thud.

And in complete darkness.

A commotion was heard from somewhere.

There was a large table not far away.

The chatter came from the people sitting there.

“What happened when I let my guard down?”

“So this time my research results were stolen… huh?”

Those who were talking among themselves stopped talking and stared in this direction as I approached.

It was the same for me too.

Because what was placed on the chair was not a human figure but a burning black flame.

‘indeed. ‘Is it because it’s just a mental thing so it’s completely different from what it actually is?’

This way even if you try to see it you won’t be able to tell it apart.

On the other hand I guess it’s a good thing for both of us that we didn’t get caught either.

“Oh Hyo-hyo. Who is it? “I thought he would come to me without saying a word.”

A black flame talking to me.

Even without seeing the person’s real face it was possible to guess who it was just from the way they spoke.

Victor Dreadful.

He was now looking at me and telling me to reveal my identity.

‘What should I do?’

Should I reveal my name here?

First of all the image of John Doe in my information is not that friendly to others.

Inferring from the reactions of other orders they are only loyal to the Zero Order and have little interest in others.

After making a decision I naturally sat down in the empty seat.

“Oh my. Seeing as how he doesn’t even like to talk I guess he’s like John Doe. You are still a quiet person! Oh Hyo-hyo!”

…John Doe didn’t even say anything to the First Order like this guy.

Why did you talk to me on the train at that time?

Were you intoxicated by the disguised character?

“Look at that. “You’re really just acting proud and unlucky again.”

At that time a complaint erupted from the black flame sitting in another seat.

It seemed like everyone was shouting because they didn’t like my arrogant behavior.

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Who is it?

“Night Berom. Don’t be so angry. “It’s not like it’s just a day or two anyway right?”

“You’re so loud you crazy psychopath.”

“Oh Hyo-hyo. It’s too much. I can’t believe you don’t call me Doctor as friendly as you did last time. “I feel like crying!”

“shut up. Do you think I call you that because I want to? Damn it. “If only it weren’t a curse.”

That guy is Berom?

I recalled Berom whom I met at the Baltanung factory.

A knight in black full plate armor with a black cape fluttering about while firing red slashes.

The First Order who even used archaic language can use such harsh words and actions.

‘If you look at the fact that he hates his own way of speaking this is probably his true self. What I saw back then must have been drunk for some reason.’

In that case there was a high possibility that the armor he was wearing was a special item.

A cursed object or an old relic.

Although he gained strength from the armor he must have been limited by it.

‘Are all the First Orders I know of here?’

There were a total of 8 seats at the table.

Excluding the most senior seat of the Zero Order the remaining seven seats belong to the First Order.

And there were a total of four black flames sitting now including me.

‘Who on earth is that one person?’

The flame which had been burning quietly the whole time showed no reaction whatsoever.

Seeing as they didn’t even look at me when I appeared it seemed like they weren’t interested in the other members.

‘It would be hard to know who it is if you stay quiet like that.’

Then a new First Order arrived on the scene.

“oh. “You’re here more than I thought?”

The newly arrived flame spoke in a friendly tone and sat down in the empty seat.

“Did you hear the story? “They say Esmeralda has fallen.”

The guy naturally brought up that story with Berom and Victor.

“That fire witch? “Maybe that was the reason why she who would normally have come early wasn’t there.”

“uh. I’m sure you heard the news. “Maybe Zero Order will tell you something soon.”

“That’s surprising. “I didn’t think Ms. Esmeralda was the kind of person who would be punished somewhere.”

“Well I think so too.”

The First Order whose identity was vague and whose identity was unclear was watching this direction.

Although there were no eyes I could clearly feel the gaze.

“John Doe. “If you infiltrated Seorn with me wouldn’t you know that?”

Naturally Berom and Vector Dreadful’s eyes naturally turned to me.

Since I had already thought that this question would come up I came up with the answer I had prepared.

“Zero Order will explain. “Listen to Him.”

I naturally turned to the role of zero order.

When I said that they didn’t ask any more questions.

‘It’s quite convenient to sell the name of Zero Order in these areas.’

But his eyes were still on me.

‘what? Is this guy related to John Doe?’

It’s not that I didn’t think about deriving information from the other side by mixing words naturally.

Just as I was trying to dig up information there was a possibility that the other person could find out something from my words.

Considering the risk of making a mistake and having one’s identity questioned the best choice was to keep quiet.

I had to do my best to avoid being found out with a false identity.

‘Actually if you look at Zero Order it seems like they already know that I’m a different guy.’

Have you not told the rest of the First Order yet?

‘Still it’s a bit strange that he doesn’t tell anyone even though he’s an executive. ‘I can’t figure out his intentions.’

For now I decided to put aside concerns related to zero order.

It was impossible to judge his inner thoughts but the immediate priority was to recognize the unidentified First Order members over there.

As I remained silent the First Order who liked to chat continued the conversation with Victor.

“Have you heard anything about these days? They say the Holy Kingdom of Bretus is moving. “Recently paladins have started to show signs of growth again.”

“Oh I heard that too. A place that had been quiet for 20 years suddenly moves. “Is there some bad omen?”

“Because the frequency of cryptid appearances has increased these days. The king of beasts even appeared in Lederbelk one of the large cities of the Exilion Empire.”

“The monster of Gévaudan? I heard it too. It’s a shame. I wanted to see that magnificent appearance with my own eyes. It’s so sad that they were subjugated. “I wanted to dissect that great cryptid and carry it around in a jar of formalin.”

“Well they said it was a subjugation but judging by the fact that there were no bodies left I think they probably ran away. But it’s amazing. No matter how big Lederbelk was there would be no place for such a huge monster to hide. “Maybe it went under the underground water supply.”

The main thing that was making noise was the unidentified First Order.

The subject was all kinds of things to the point where he said there was nothing he didn’t know.

It goes beyond simply the world situation and even trivial things such as who did what and where or what vein of minerals was discovered in a certain area.

‘You are bright and know a lot about the world situation. If you are in charge of information is it part of a government agency? He might be infiltrating an intelligence agency or something.’

But I don’t think I got there just because I was smart.

At the very least he must have the ability to not be inferior to others in terms of military power.

“So Nikolai is there any particularly interesting news these days?”

Nikolai.

I didn’t miss the name that Victor said in passing.

Is your name Nikolai?

Being called that name by the same First Order members within the organization means that it is at least a name that is directly related to one’s identity.

‘There are a total of five members of the First Order gathered here including me. Considering Esmeralda’s vacancy is there only one left?’

I was just wondering when it would come.

Did they say that even tigers will come if you tell them what to do?

The last of the First Order has just arrived.

“They are still the same guys. “The loud ones talk loudly and the quiet ones are quiet.”

Thin high-pitched voice. It was a woman.

Was it something that made me feel bad when I saw that his words and actions were strangely thorny? Or maybe it was just his usual personality.

I didn’t react because I had a gut feeling that it would be bothersome if I noticed it.

The First Order member who came last asked in a blunt tone.

“So what about Zero Order? “Are you here yet?”

“Zero Order will be arriving soon. And Miss Bentmin is the last among us.”

“You’re noisy you mad scientist. Don’t call me by name. “I get goosebumps just listening to it.”

The First Order member called Ventmin spewed abusive language toward Victor.

“Oh Hyo-hyo. You’re a tough person. “Isn’t it time for our relationship to get better?”

“I’d rather hug a maggot than get along with someone like you.”

Just by looking at what he says it seems like he really hates Victor.

Actually Victor Dreadful is unfavorable because of his habit of conducting human experiments.

This is a person you can’t get close to based on common sense.

It looks like Berom is also disgusted when he talks.

‘If you look at Victor’s actions it seems like he doesn’t care what others say. ‘It means that you don’t even care about other people’s evaluation of yourself.’

So they’re probably doing things like human experimentation without any hesitation.

A congenital psychopath lacking morality and empathy.

That was a man named Victor Dreadful.

‘Is the last member’s name Bentmin?’

The irritated tone of voice contained an old-fashionedness that could not be hidden.

Unlike other informal members of the First Order this could be felt in their unique accent.

From a good family.

But a question arises. The Black Dawn isn’t a place for nobles is it?

Even Sedina a large merchant family has suffered all kinds of discrimination within the organization. Just because the family is well off.

But the First Order is a noble family?

I need to remember that.

“What about Esmeralda? “I know you’re not the type of person who’s usually this late.”

“Oh Hyo-hyo. Miss Bentmin. Didn’t you hear the news? “Miss Esmeralda can’t come anymore.”

“what? Did you really get hit? “That Esmeralda?”

“They said so. “I thought it was something worth knowing but it’s surprising that you didn’t know!”

“It’s noisy. “How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not that bright about the situation outside for you to understand?”

It was a moment where they were just talking amongst themselves.

Coo!

A vibration was felt that greatly shook the black space itself.

The noisy First Order fell silent.

At the same time their airways which had been loosened tightened.

Someone was coming towards us beyond the darkness.

‘come.’

Zero order.

The leader of the Black Dawn Society and the de facto protagonist of this event.

The First Order was all tense at his appearance.

“Everyone arrived on time.”

Unlike the First Order which existed in the form of flames the Zero Order took the form of a normal human.

He wore black clothes like a priest and wore a pure white mask over his face.

The mask resembled the devil’s appearance on the marble door when entering this place.

There was another person next to Zero Order but he was wearing a hood so deep that it seemed difficult to tell his gender let alone his age.

‘Who is it? Seeing as he is not sitting in his seat he is probably not a member of the First Order but perhaps the Zero Order is carrying a separate subordinate with him.’

Did he sense my gaze?

The adjutant slightly raised his head.

I felt the darkness in the hood staring at me.

“Are you here? “Zero Order.”

It was then that the flame who had remained silent until now opened his mouth.

A voice full of courtesy and respect.

His voice was so full of enthusiasm that it was surprising that he had kept his mouth shut until now.

“okay. long time no see. “Lesley.”

Zero Order naturally sat down on a chair and glanced around the room.

Zero Order’s gaze rested on Esmeralda’s empty seat.

“Everyone seems to be doing well. Even though it was an irregular meeting they responded without missing a single thing. Now let’s start the meeting.”

And finally the place his eyes turned to was me.

“The first topic is… how to fill the vacant position in the First Order. “Let’s start with that.”