Chapter 94
HEL SCANS
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Thanks to the delayed curfew, children were sporadically wandering in the corridor.
The hero somehow seemed to be seeking a sparsely populated area.
Ban followed him in surprise, thinking,
‘…What’s going on? Have I done something wrong? Violation of school rules or something…’
But no matter how much he thought, nothing came to mind.
Dragged along with such questions for about five minutes, they arrived at a garden located behind the dormitory.
It was somewhat gloomy, with the soil scattered here and there as if under repair, and sculptures and garden plants scattered around.
Thanks to that, there was not a single person around.
Unless one had a very unique taste, it would be impossible to take a rest in such a mentally fierce place.
The hero turned around in the midst of it all.
His deeply locked eyes still lingered on Ban’s face.
They were eyes that were difficult to read.
“Professor? Did I do something wrong…?”
The hero calmly spoke.
“Your father will soon come to Rosenstark.”
Ban, who was about to say something, froze.
The hero continued calmly.
“Perhaps you didn’t know. Please keep it a secret from your classmates.”
Ban replied hesitantly.
“Oh, I see. But why would my father come to the academy?”
“Not because of you alone… You’ll hear the details later.”
“Oh, okay.”
The boy’s expression darkened slightly.
“Why didn’t he contact me?”
A faint smile lingered on the hero’s lips.
“I guess he wanted to surprise his son whom he hadn’t seen in a while. If that’s the case, it seems I’ve succeeded in surprising you.”
“Ahaha, that’s not it.”
Ban laughed awkwardly.
No matter how much he thought about it, it didn’t seem like his father had such a cheerful side.
Felson Dietrich was the epitome of a stern father.
He emphasized authority and valued rules and order within the family.
He was always firm and rigid… equally unyielding.
When he was young.
…So, when Ban’s mother was alive, he seemed a bit gentler, but there had been no such display since then.
Wasn’t he even excessively strict with the castle and knight attendants within the family.
The hero nodded in agreement with Ban’s resolute statement.
“Of course, you would know better.”
“Hahaha.”
Ban chuckled with a bitter smile.
Still, it was fortunate.
“I thought something was wrong when you called me.”
A surprise visit from a parent.
It was an unexpected event as a student, but it wasn’t burdensome.
‘Still, things have improved a lot since before I entered school.’
He felt the desire to show his father the improved version of himself as soon as possible.
Anyway, thinking that the matter was settled, Ban was about to lower his head when the hero unexpectedly spoke again.
“In the Library of Memories, are you coming to see Jenny Dietrich… to reminisce about memories of your mother?”
Ban froze in the same posture as when he was greeting.
—
It was almost 20 years ago.
Jenny Dietrich.
Back when she didn’t have a last name.
The girl, recognized for her talent in swordsmanship, entered Rosenstark in Hero’s senior year.
Due to the injuries Felson received on the battlefield, he became an invited professor at Rosenstark.
A special lecture on his expertise, ‘sensing,’ was held, and it was there that Jenny and Felson had their fateful first meeting.
And so, a very famous romance story began.
Felson Dietrich, the promising heir of a prestigious family and considered the top swordsman among the young inspectors of that era.
Jenny, a commoner with nothing special to boast about.
Because Felson abandoned his fiancee, who had a secured background, and passionately pursued Jenny, their love became even more famous.
“I cannot imagine myself without Jenny. Her happiness is more valuable to me than my title, my sword, or my family.”
This statement, uttered by Felson (whom Ban thought to be so gruff), was actually spoken at an official gathering in front of dozens of reporters and hundreds of officials.
Incidentally, even now in social circles, many middle-aged ladies blushed recalling that scene.
In the end, they overcame various rumors, countless oppositions, jealousy, and finally their love bore fruit.
Fortunately, a few years later, Ban’s birth solidified Jenny’s position as the lady of the house, and it seemed that the family of three could envision a smooth future.
…Until she tragically lost her life in an unfortunate accident.
Now, more than 10 years have passed.
Despite numerous advances, proposals, and requests for remarriage, Felson Dietrich remained single.
Perhaps he would remain so until his death.
“Did my father really say that?”
Of course, it was a somewhat awkward story for the son.
“If you don’t believe it, you can ask him directly.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll just keep it to myself. It might be embarrassing, I guess.”
Ban said this with a brief smile.
The love stories of parents always seemed intriguing to children.
It made them realize that even those who seemed like adults from the beginning had immature and passionate times.
In another way, isn’t it a way for him to come to know his own origins?
The boy, excited, continued with a question.
“By any chance, have you ever seen my mother, Professor?”
The hero met the boy’s sparkling eyes.
‘Jenny Dietrich…’
The ‘Nubes Salon Incident,’ in which she died, happened long before he encountered the ‘Original’s’ world.
So naturally, he had never met Jenny Dietrich.
However, there was a record about her in the iris of Laplace.
“…I did see her once, before she passed away.”
“Oh, how was she?”
He recited the recorded comment.
“She was someone Felson could fall in love with.”
“Ah…”
The hero turned his gaze slightly away from the smiling boy’s face.
And then, he brought up the original purpose of seeking him out today.
‘Since I heard that he walks to the Library of Memories every week from Rosalyn, I’ve had a plan in mind.’
“The Library of Memories is off-limits unless you’re in the fourth year, according to the rules. You should know that, right?”
“…Y-Yes, I’m well aware.”
There was no way he wouldn’t know.
The Library of Memories was one of the reasons Ban enrolled at Rosenstark, as it was one of the few ways to trace his mother’s footsteps.
Although he had to wait a long time until he reached the fourth year.
The hero spoke calmly.
“Firstly, I know that your trauma is related to your mother.”
Ban’s complexion turned pale at the sudden mention.
Of course, it wasn’t a big surprise.
Thinking about it, it was more strange that the hero, a close colleague of his father, didn’t know about it.
“And as I mentioned before, as a professor, I have an obligation to help you overcome the difficulties you’re facing.”
“Ah… Th-thank you.”
Ban couldn’t understand what the hero wanted to say.
But despite the personal matters being laid bare, he didn’t feel bad.
It was because he could read trust and support in the seemingly cold and indifferent gaze.
HEL SCANS
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“I think you’ve become stronger than when you first entered the school gates.”
Ban nodded slowly.
“So, for this midterm exam, I’ll give you an additional assignment.”
“What kind of additional assignment… do you mean?”
“Get into the top three.”
It was undoubtedly a challenging task.
How could he, who couldn’t handle a sword properly, achieve a rank within the top three?
Ban was taken aback by the demanding request.
The hero pulled out something from his embrace.
It was a large and rugged key.
Ban took a deep breath.
“Well, someone who got hit might drop this on the floor. And some brave individual might be willing to accept a few demerits to enter the library.”
The boy’s gaze didn’t waver until the key was placed back by the Hero.
The hero, as if signaling the end of the matter, turned and walked away, pausing for a moment.
“Ban.”
“…Yes.”
“I believe you can handle it well.”
The weight of a statement from someone who knew all the details was heavy.
Ban clenched his fist.
“Yes, I will.”
He would succeed.
—
After seeing Ban off, the hero continued to patrol around the freshman dormitory.
Near the affiliated training ground, he spotted Luke and Evergreen engaging in conversation.
“We still don’t know the format of the exam, but… since it’s a dense forest, you, being an archer, might be at a disadvantage. Have you thought of a plan?”
“I’m thinking of diversifying my auxiliary weapons a bit…”
Seeing them deeply engrossed in discussion, he chose not to interrupt and walked past.
In the corridor returning from the study room, Gerald was standing, displaying a thick and seemingly challenging tactical manual.
Of course, his pupils barely lingered on the pages of the book.
“Gerald.”
“Oh, Professor! What brings you here?”
“…Nothing.”
Continuing his patrol, he encountered several other students.
They all seemed to be earnestly preparing for the midterm exams, showing signs of tension.
‘There seems to be nothing unusual internally.’
Thinking that, he headed towards the main gate to survey the external area.
Just as he stepped out after the survey, he spotted an unexpected silhouette.
Just in time, it seemed like the person noticed him too.
Thump-
The moonlight, diffused due to the clouds, made the wrinkled forehead of the old man clearly visible.
“…”
It happened to be an isolated path.
Professor Labin seemed to momentarily consider turning away, but eventually, with more rigid and measured steps, he approached.
However, his gaze was unnaturally avoiding me.
Thump-
The intimidating bald old man with a formidable presence approached.
A large stature and a robust body, eyes gleaming like hooks.
In the darkness, the senior professor presented quite an overwhelming figure.
It was easy to understand why children found him frightening.
As he passed by, I opened my mouth, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
“Thank you for the excellent reinforcement.”
It felt strange to use such formality after a long time.
He was one of the few individuals in the academy who could receive honorifics from the Hero.
Unfortunately, he seemed unresponsive to such honors.
“…Excellent reinforcement?”
Professor Labin’s wrinkled face turned towards me.
“I assume you received information about the content of the reinforcement. Are you mocking me now?”
“I just thought it was essential for the children.”
“Essential?…”
His gaze became colder.
It was clear that he did not want to engage further, and the hostility was so evident that it felt refreshing.
“It’s a valid point. Understanding precedents of your seniors who died like moths to flames, can help make the right judgments in the future.”
“…”
Those eyes.
Once a manifestation of affection, now they held an unimaginable amount of hatred and suffering.
Faced with this, I couldn’t find words.
Professor Labin took a step forward and spoke.
“I heard that the midterm exams is being held in an absurd place again.”
“…”
“Placing those unprepared at risk. It seems nothing has changed.”
I lowered my head.
“It’s necessary.”
“I can’t agree with that statement.”
I didn’t want to continue the verbal exchange.
I respect this old professor.
Unlike other corrupt elders, he has contributed significantly to humanity for a very long time within the Rosenstark.
He must have been a true asset, or else such comments wouldn’t have been left behind.
▼
Teacher
▲
However, his perception of this world and the ‘reality’ differs.
Now, with a four-year deadline looming, I found myself repeating the same words.
“It’s necessary.”
The old professor didn’t respond and distanced himself, turning away.
Of course, even without a response, I could understand that he didn’t agree with my words.
“…I should probably buy walnut cookies.”
If relations with Professor Labin improved, there could be many advantages.
The other senior professors, who expressed dissatisfaction with every move I made, might quiet down, and my various activities as a professor could gain more momentum.
But since emotional rift ran deep, any progress in the relationship seemed challenging for now.
‘I should try gradually.’
It wasn’t an urgent matter at the moment.
There were more pressing issues to focus on.
I observed the many dots moving swiftly on the academy map displayed by the Astera Vision.
‘I will definitely find you.’
[PR/N: If you stop being a traitor now, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.]
Preparations were essential for the impending assailant.
With just a week left until the midterm exams, it was a crucial moment.
HEL SCANS
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