Epilogue (1)
The man sits quietly on a tree stump and looks up at the blue sky.
Dressed neatly in a shirt, silk vest, linen pants, a bluish coat, and a thin wizard’s robe.
It was a stuffy outfit, but I had no choice but to stay neat. Still, since I couldn’t see anything else now, I sat with a somewhat relaxed attitude.
Light up the tobacco. It was a bad habit I learned while hanging out with a senior professor, but there is nothing like it to organize my thoughts.
Then, I absentmindedly listen to the birds chirping, look at the sky, and think. Past, present, future and cliff point. All kinds of thoughts were fluctuating, but I decided on one thing that needed to be done.
The man survived.
And there are questions that inevitably follow those who survive.
It was a question about how to live.
*It has been two years since Tracyana Bloomriver came to Sylvania Academy.
“Even after I graduate, I end up coming here again…” After
paying the driver, packing up my luggage, and getting off, Aken Island across the sea came into view.
The Maxes Bridge collapsed due to a disaster that occurred two years ago, but the newly constructed Bloom River Bridge has since taken its place.
It is a much more spacious and clean bridge than the older Maxes Bridge. Since it was a bridge built with support from the Bloom River family, its name was Bloom River Bridge.
Following Traceiana, an elderly woman got out of the carriage.
Senir Bloomriver, head of the Bloomriver family.
After getting off the carriage while being attended to by servants, she looked at the bridge leading to Sylvania Academy and spoke.
“The construction itself seems to have gone quite well. “It’s been a while since it was completed, but I’ve been so busy that I’m only now checking it out.”
“Mother… no, the head of the family was busy with work at home. “It doesn’t matter that I can’t come and check it in person.”
“Still, I wanted to see it with my own eyes since it was a business that invested so much of the family’s money. Well… I guess I’ll see you more often now.”
Senir put on a leather coat and tidied up his clothes.
She was the newly appointed alchemy professor at Sylvania Academy.
Sylvania Academy lost more than half of its teaching staff due to the disaster the year before last. So, in order to create as many new faculty members as possible, all kinds of people were brought in.
Among them, those who were interested in teaching responded to the call, but most refused.
As Sylvania Academy suffered a great deal of damage, it felt like an unstable position as it was unclear how the situation would unfold in the future.
However, because of the name value that had been accumulated over the years, new positions were filled by presidents of various academic societies, a retired knight leader of a famous magic tower knight order, a mercenary captain, and an authority on alchemy.
Senir Bloomriver also had a lot of work to do as the head of the Bloomriver family, but he was confident that his daughters were taking over and handling the family’s affairs well, so he decided to take up teaching.
Those who survived the disaster where Seong Chang-ryong Velbroke went on a rampage seemed to have gone through all the hardships to somehow run the academy.
And now, two years and several months later, the damage can be said to have been restored to some extent.
Among the new faculty members, Senir was almost the last one to join. In a way, he is the first faculty member to teach after the restoration of the academy was completed.
More than 70% of the buildings that had been destroyed were rebuilt with support from the imperial family and the upper church.
Thanks to the buildings shining as if they were brand new, it seems like a new heyday has arrived.
But the scars also remained.
There is a large monument erected near the end of the Bloom River Bridge.
It was a monument with the names of victims from the disaster the year before last.
The monument erected to commemorate and not forget them appears to be well over several meters in size.
Tracyana sighed heavily as she looked at the names filled with the large tombstone.
“Those are very heavy names, considering you were there at the time.”
Traceiana was a student at Sylvania when the disaster occurred two years ago. Since I was about to graduate and was the top student in my grade, I ran around trying to help my juniors as much as possible.
I tried my best to save a lot of lives, but I also lost a lot of lives.
Tracyana looked up at the tombstone for a moment and then shook her head calmly.
*“Oh my…! Oh my! I didn’t hear that Senior Professor Sinir was taking office today…! sorry! You’ve come a long way! Currently, there is a shortage of academic personnel and the schedule is full…! No, he’s someone who shouldn’t be treated like this… I… I’ll apologize…!”
A person of Seinir’s rank has been appointed as a professor, but there is no one to greet him.
Normally, this might have been a situation where he would have shouted, but after seeing the situation in the newly built Trix building, Senir kept his mouth shut.
There was no one who didn’t look busy.
It was only natural that this huge school was run with only a little more than half of the manpower it had in its heyday.
Claire, who had been promoted to full professor sooner than expected, was crossing the Trix building with wide eyes, holding a bunch of documents in her arms.
It was Professor Clare’s job to guide Professor Sinir as he was also responsible for personnel affairs.
“You look very distracted. “I also need to be put into practical work quickly.”
Senir responded politely.
Seeing that seemingly dignified appearance, Professor Claire suddenly burst into tears.
“Senior Professor Sinir… you are a person of common sense…” “
…yes? “Did I do something?”
“no. “When you respond to a polite apology with polite encouragement… I feel like crying…”
What kind of treatment does this person receive despite holding the title of full professor?
Senir felt that asking for details would only open the wound, so he kept his mouth shut for now.
“Then that one… Ah… I see. Tracyana student. It’s really become more reliable. Compared to when I was a student, I was so grown up that I almost didn’t recognize me. “It’s only been two years… but people really change quickly.”
“Assistant Professor Claire… no, Professor. “How have you been?”
“I’m doing well… I can’t even say empty words. Normally, during this transition period, there is a lot of work to do. Still, it’s worth doing because it’s all roughly organized. Thank you for your concern, Tracyana. Oh, look at my mind. I’m not a student anymore.
Claire placed a large pile of documents on her work desk and corrected her words.
“Assistant Professor Tracyana.”
While Sinir went to check on his private laboratory, Tracyana followed Professor Claire to receive work instructions.
Professor Claire arrived at the private laboratory, giving various instructions on the way. As soon as she entered, she opened the window and ventilated the room.
Traceiana clicked her tongue as she looked at the number of documents, saying she should have done more than when she was an assistant professor, but not less.
He looks like a no-nonsense child and laments every day. Professor Claire tends to have that image, but in reality, she was carrying out the work of several people on her own.
A lot of my assistant professor skills have disappeared, so I am good at most things now. Even though Anis, the chief assistant, has not graduated anymore, it felt like the speed of work was getting done faster.
“You haven’t been told who your advisor is yet, right? Assistant Professor Tracyana.”
“Yes… I guess you’re Professor Claire?”
“I am no longer in a position to take responsibility for anyone…”
“Ah… yes…”
Traceiana made a sad face as she looked at Professor Claire, whose eyes were filled with tears.
Professor Claire took out a specific document among the documents and shook it off to check the contents.
It seemed to be a list of advisors who would be in charge of assistant professors.
Professor Claire looked at the list for a while and then laughed as if she was embarrassed.
“Ahaha, Assistant Professor Traceiana must be having a bit of a hard time.”
“yes? “Is my advisor a strict person?”
“no. Rather than that…”
Professor Claire turned the document around and showed it to Tracyana.
The name of the professor next to Assistant Professor Tracyana… looked familiar.
– ‘Ed Rosstaylor’
“…Huh?”
“You know the name, right?”
“Obviously, I was in my third year when I graduated…? Why… is your name listed as my advisor?”
Professor Claire was worried about where to start to explain, but she thought it would be easier to talk about the conclusion first, so she opened her mouth.
“I was appointed as a special professor early this year. A letter of recommendation from Princess Fenia, who was nominated as the next emperor, and a letter from Saint Clarice came in at the same time. As soon as I graduate, I receive the title of full professor, and now, as soon as I accumulate a few years of experience, I plan to be appointed as a senior professor. “If you look at the speed, it looks like you will be the head of the department in just a few years.”
“A senior professor at that age…? This is an unprecedented and unprecedented greeting…”
“The achievements made at the time of the disaster were remarkable, and in the fields of elemental arts and magic engineering, the professors achieved such accomplishments that they could not say anything. In addition, he is virtually unrivaled in the field of Astral Science…”
He is a professor who can cover the fields of Elemental Science and Magic Engineering at the same time, and is also a person who can even dabble in Astral Science.
In addition, he was born with a noble background and had the charisma to lead students… He was a talent that a bachelor’s degree that was already struggling due to a lack of manpower did not want to miss.
As proof, the bachelor caught Ed Ross-Taylor by giving him unprecedented treatment that has never been seen before and will never be done in the future. In addition to what was publicly known, there were also rumors that there were other conditions that were passed on to the Ross-Taylor family behind the scenes at the bachelor’s level.
Although it was just a rumor, there was a lot of talk that much of the real power of Sylvania Academy was transferred to Ross Taylor.
“…”
Senior professor in his early 20s. When Tracyana thought about her position as an assistant professor, she realized the difference.
I understand that even Professor Glast, who was promoted quickly and was the fastest to become a senior professor, was in his late 30s at the time. Even at that time, he was famous for his unconventional greetings.
“As someone who was a junior has become my advisor, Assistant Professor Traceiana must be a bit embarrassed.”
“no. I don’t really care about that. Because he was the son of a duke to begin with, it was more uncomfortable to treat him poorly. However… I don’t have a good sense of how the work will be done.”
“Actually, that’s what really worries me. “Professor Ed Rosstaylor is a very unpredictable person.”
“…yes?”
He rose to prominence at an unbelievable rate and quickly became equal to Professor Claire.
In fact, it was obvious that as time passed, Ed Rosstaylor would rise higher. Equal status may only be temporary. The achievements he had made and the honors that came with them were already famous throughout the empire.
Among the freshmen candidates, many were excited about the fact that they would be able to see Professor Ed Rothtaylor in person when they came to Sylvania. This is a fact that Tracyana, who has no interest in teaching, did not know.
“He handles all the basic tasks neatly, but because he has so much work to do, it’s hard to visit him often. “He usually doesn’t come out of the private laboratory we set up in the northern forest, but it’s even harder to find him during vacation periods.”
“is it so?”
“He even goes out of school a lot… I don’t see you much these days… Considering that you said before that you were going to visit Ross Taylor’s parents’ house during vacation, he might be at his parents’ house now…” “
No, I’m just telling you where you’re going . “Are you saying you just walk around like that without doing anything?”
“…But since you still do everything you need to do… I can’t say anything… Working with great people or extraordinary people is inherently difficult… Because everyone thinks they are as capable as they are. .”
He clearly seemed like a person who was sure about getting things done. In fact, he was that kind of person even when he was a student.
Tracyana rested her chin and thought for a moment. I thought maybe I had the wrong advisor… that’s what I thought.
“I already have three documents to hand over, so Assistant Professor Tracyana, please hand them over to me. If you’re not at the Northern Forest Lab… I’m not sure where you are, but…”
“Ah, yes… documents…”
This is the first task I’ve received since taking office.
Find Ed Rosstaylor and deliver the documents.
“Besides, we also have to prepare for the graduation ceremony for fourth-year students. Since this is the job handled by the youngest professor, it should be seen as Assistant Professor Tracy or Assistant Professor.”
In addition, preparing for the graduation ceremony of current fourth-year students.
“I can do this level of work.”
“is it so. “That’s great, Assistant Professor Tracyana…”
Professor Claire felt faint for a moment while looking at Tracyana. This is because it reminded me of the time when I was just appointed as the youngest professor and was overwhelmed with work.
Now that I am in a position where I am responsible for all the work, the passage of time is meaningless.
However, this did not mean that his workload decreased.
Traceiana looked through the documents she had received.
“This document…?”
“This is the work that Professor Ed Rosstaylor will handle during vacation. In fact, you don’t have to do them all, you just have to choose one of the three.”
“is that so?”
“yes. Although they are all important tasks, it is difficult to complete them all during the remaining vacation period. Still, I hope you can definitely complete at least one of the three. “Preferably before the vacation ends.”
Come to think of it, there isn’t much time left until the vacation period. Looking at the academic schedule, school starts right after the new student selection exam is completed and the graduates are sent out.
“I know you’re busy taking care of the new student selection test, but I hope you’ll still make time to do it.”
“I see…”
Tracyana opened the first document.
“Pulan…?”
“Oh, that’s it. Do you know Pulan, the land of pastoralism? “The dairy farm area is spread out widely.”
“Yes…”
“I recently received a call from the undergraduate research team. “The record about ‘Tirkalax,’ the highest-ranking wind spirit who was famous in the past, was cut off there.”
“If it’s Tyrkalax… it’s a giant bear-shaped spirit the size of a mountain ridge… right?”
“yes. that’s right. In fact, academic research is a task of low importance, but if academic work is not handled on time, the imperial family will inspect it. “We must continue to do the bare minimum of research.”
Professor Claire continued speaking while signing various documents.
“Recently, literature about Tirkalax’s records was discovered in the Pulan region. This is a great discovery in the field of elemental science. “Currently, among the professors of elemental studies, the only one who could use his help is Professor Ed, so I’m asking at the academic level if he can go to the Pulan region and look into it if there’s any spare work left.”
“Is that so…”
“Well, it’s not particularly dangerous, but just in case, someone with the minimum combat skills should go.”
Tracyana nodded and then took out the other documents that followed.
This time, the documents were more realistic and practical.
“Is this… the commercial city of Old Deck…?”
“yes. That too is probably a business trip request. It’s not academic research, but practical work related to logistics distribution. “It is time to renew distribution negotiations with Elte Trading Company, which is currently in charge of academic logistics.”
“Why is Professor Ed handling this…?”
“Professor Ed has extensive connections at the top. In addition, I often hear rumors that the situation at Old Deck is unusual these days… I think the academy hopes that a trustworthy person will appear if possible.”
“Are you saying it’s not that unusual?”
Claire was signing a document with a quill pen and tilted her head as if thinking for a moment.
“Do you know who the current owner of Elte Trading Company is? “That old merchant called Slog Keldlux.”
“Wasn’t it Lortel?”
“The Lortel student’s official title was ‘Assistant Manager.’ Lortel needed a face to sit at the table while he was attending Sylvania. “To manage the Elte Trading Company head office in Old Deck, an assistant manager position is not enough.”
He joined Lortel in overthrowing the Golden King Elte and held the position of leader until Lortel returned to Sangdo.
“But there is a rumor that Lortel has been making various evasive plans to avoid giving up his position even after graduating. “Perhaps he harbors ambitions to reorganize the balance of power in Oldeck.”
“Stories of such shady merchants… I’m not familiar with them…”
“Me too.” What is certain is that the situation at Old Deck is unusual… so it would be better for Professor Ed, who has extensive local contacts, to go in person.”
It was definitely an understandable decision. It would be okay to assign another person in charge, but from the perspective of leading the academic department, it would be better to have someone who can clearly handle the work.
“Then the last document is…”
“Oh, it’s a request for a business trip to the Rameln Mountains.”
“Why do you have so many places to go on business trips?”
“People who are inherently capable tend to be asked a lot of things. “That’s Scout’s job.”
Tracyana swallowed dry saliva and skimmed through the documents.
“You know the wizard named Zelan the Cutter? He is a wizard who participated in the demi-human war with Professor Glast and Professor Kaleid… Recently, it is said that he has been appearing in the Rameln Mountains following the traces of the archmage Glokt… They are looking at the traces of his life or something. …”
“Are you thinking of recruiting this person for a professorship?”
“He is a man of outstanding ability. However, there have been rumors recently that he is very interested in research on aspect magic… so I thought the most likely option would be to ask Professor Ed, the best expert on aspect magic in the academy, for some persuasion. “The bachelor’s department is experiencing a manpower shortage right now, so you’ll definitely want to bring them in.”
“okay. But should you come and persuade me…”
“Well, I don’t know. In fact, it would be most certain that Principal Obel, who is currently lying in a hospital bed, would go in person, but he is unable to move due to his mobility problems…”
Professor Claire continued in a regretful voice.
“Another student, Lucy, who is proficient in Aspect magic, left school and stayed at the Ross Taylor Mansion while she recovered her magic… So, in the end, Professor Ed is the right person.”
Seeker Glast Outlaw Kaleid Cutter Zelan.
Zelan is one of the three wizards who lived during the war era with Obel and is said to have achieved the most remarkable achievements. He is also the party who entrusted the demihuman children to Abbot Austin’s Cleric Monastery.
“Obviously… it’s too tight to handle all three at once. “They are all important, but…”
“So, when you find Professor Ed, be sure to pick one and tell him to deal with it.”
“Yes, I understand… But how do I actually find Professor Ed…” When
Tracyana asked that question, Professor Claire smiled and answered.
“It would be quickest to visit the private laboratory in the northern forest. If you’re not there, check out all the other facilities on campus… If you’re not on Aken Island… it’s also vacation time…” “
…?”
The smile that Professor Claire put on with difficulty was somehow ominous.
She quickly took out a piece of paper stuck between the documents and spread it out on the desk.
It was a map that showed the entire empire at a glance.
At that point, Tracyana felt an ominous sensation.
“Ho, by any chance…”
“Start from here.”
Professor Claire picked the center rim of the empire. The northern end of the Rosstaylor estate managed by matriarch Tanya Rosstaylor.
“So far.”
And all the way to the Barony of Failover, which is attached to the southern end.
“If you stop by, you’ll probably find one here somewhere.”
Tracyana’s face turned pale. If Professor Claire couldn’t find him on Aken Island in the first place, there’s no way Traceiana could have come up with a clever solution.
As soon as I took office, my first mission was to ride a carriage to the center of the continent for a few days. I wondered what was going on, but I had no choice.
It was the youngest professor’s fate.
