The Novel's Professor

Rio walked on the hallways, his eyes closed unfocused as he contemplated in silence.

'Everything is up to him now...'

This was as far as his intervention goes, he couldn't interfere from now on, or else the eyes watching him from the shadows would notice something suspicious and catch on.

The following events and results were now up to Ali's performance. If Ali still gets expelled with this chance he had given, then it's no longer his fault but Ali's.

It may be cruel and callous for him to think so—but he never was the epitome of charitable anyway. The only reason he decided to help is because he found it utterly distasteful and disgusting someone innocent is dying because of his actions.

In no way he was a good man—but he wasn't a pure evil man either. Ever since the concept of morality had vanished from his mind, he put out boundaries and principles to himself so he wouldn't get swallowed by the inhumanity.

One of those is accounting for his own actions and mistakes.

With all that, it was not like he didn't try to help Ali with everything he had—but from a pragmatic point of view, it was just not worth it. If he had chosen to coddle and help the student with everything he has, them he would be exposed to far more risk.

He didn't mind risking himself, but that was only in the condition that the situation was worth risking for. In this situation... It was not worth it.

Rio sighed. How pragmatic. At this point he wasn't even surprised that he was instinctually accustomed to viewing situations pragmatically by their own benefit and worth to himself only.

...And besides, it was not like he didn't help Ali with anything. In a sense, he had gifted Ali the greatest ability in this world. The ability to freely decide his own fate by his actions and no longer be constrained by fate or the plot.

Everything was up to the student now. If Ali were to fail and get caught lying, then the academy would instantly expel him. In consequence, since the lie about his situation has been exposed... the narrative Rio crafted would also be seen through.

However, that result wouldn't really affect him much other than Director Guinevere's decline of trust.

Why?

It was simple; when he talked to both Director Guinevere and Deputy Head Larkinson at the examination room, he purposely made his words and tone convincing and confident as if he was telling the 'real truth'.

He did that so Larkinson and Guinevere would believe his claims and not shrug it off as a mere guess. From the past five days, with the rumors of security suddenly skyrocketing in attention, it was safe to say it worked.

...However, his biggest risk in this situation is the Director's decline of trust towards him. That was most detrimental for him. It made him re-think of helping Ali or not.

It was because most of his plans for the future were going to take place in the academy and without the Director's trust, his plans would be much harder to execute because of less freedom.

But besides that... It wasn't just his plans that he was worried about, there was also that possibility his true identity would be exposed. He still didn't know to do if that happened.

"How troublesome..."

Rio muttered, thinking of the Director.

Ever since the beginning—the Director seemed to have this expectation of him as some sort of genius. If he failed to meet the Director's expectations, then a seed of doubt would be planted between their relationship.

While he was in deep thought, a low voice suddenly called out to him, snapping him out of his contemplation.

"...Professor Rio."

Rio raised his head, looking at the person leaning against the wall beside a two-way door. He raised his brows in curiosity, staring at the blonde haired youth wearing a student uniform calling out to him.

"Is there a problem, Eugene?"

Eugene took a while to respond, struggling to form the words he wanted to say. In the end, he muttered:

"...No, it's nothing. Don't mind me, I was just thinking about something. I accidentally called out to you, my bad."

Rio stared at him silently, seeing through the noble student's thoughts. "You don't have to worry. I know what you're worried about; it's about our deal, isn't it?"

Prior to talking with Ali, a few days ago when Eugene woke up... he struck a deal with the Pendragon in secret.

"...Yes." Eugene sighed, his head shaking. "A deal is a deal. I will not go after him as you requested. But... is it really even possible?"

"I never lied to you, have I?" Rio waved his hand in dismissal. "All you would need to do is listen to me and train under me for some extended time. With that, achieving your goal is already half-completed."

"...But what about this exam failure!?" Eugene suddenly exclaimed loudly. Remembering his failure, he clenched his hand strongly. "The prequisite for the title is to not have any failing marks and be the top ranker at the same time. Even if I manage to rank up to the highest rank in the Volund Rankings, it would be for nothing as I failed one of the prequisites...."

A display of anger and deep rooted frustration flashed through his eyes. As if noticing his mistake — his anger immediately vanished as his expression returned to its gentle display.

Eugene forced a smile on his face, saying. "...I'm sorry, but I'll have to excuse myself for now Professor Rio."

He turned his back, staring at the device beside him. He put his hand on his chest pocket.

Rio stared at Eugene for a while, taking his time to respond.

As someone that read the novel, he knew why Eugene was this desperate and angry at the failure of the exam.

It was all for the title of Star Scholar—the monumental achievement that Eugene's own father brought to him so he could reclaim back his heir status of the dukedom.

A Star Scholar was no ordinary title. It was the greatest achievement a student could ever achieve in this academy. Having such a title will make you applicable for any guild, whether the Top 10 or the Top 1.

It was the height of talent, to speak of.

And to become a Star Scholar, one must have to be the best student in the academy. The recognition of becoming the best student came from two requirements; the student must never fail a single exam, and the student must be the top ranker of the Volund Rankings at the same time.

...But from the exam's results a few days ago, Eugene's team were given a mark of failure in the exam for the disqualification of their team.

It hasn't even lasted a year and Eugene was already disqualified from the competition. He could understand the desperation and anger — after all, the heir status was extremely important to the student.

Eugene took out a badge featuring the mark of a spear, holding it lightly. Before he could move his hand...

"As I said, Eugene Pendragon." Rio closed his eyes. "...You don't have to worry. I will handle everything and nothing would be left out. Besides, this is your only hope, isn't it?"

Eugene sighed and reluctantly nodded. "... You're right."

It was his only hope—and he couldn't even believe its validity.

"Then, just trust me." Rio said in absolute confidence. "You have nothing to lose while I have everything in the line. I wouldn't dishonor a deal with a Pendragon. And most importantly, I wouldn't fool a student mine as your teacher."

Eugene dropped his hand and slightly widened his eyes, surprised. He turned his back and stared at Rio, sensing absolute confidence within the man... but he was more surprised of the last statement than anything else.

...As a teacher?

In truth, even with the gifts he received and display of respect he had given towards the professor—he never really treated nor saw the man as his teacher.

He acknowledged that the man was a teacher, but just not his own teacher. In his eyes, Rio was just more of a slightly-more strange teacher than others. He saw the man no different from other teachers.

Their relationship was that of passing acquaintances. In the end of his time in the academy, he would go on his seperate way and eventually forget about him and the other teachers. That was the end of their relationship.

That was what he thought, but...

Eugene shook his head, his lips curling into a smile. "... I have your word for it, Professor Rio. I'll excuse myself then, Deputy Head Guile might search scold me."

Rio nodded.

Eugene raised his hand, inserting it inside the device that was beside him. After a few seconds, the device returned the badge and the two-way door beside opened for him.

"I'll see you next time, Professor." Eugene said, his back turning as he entered the room. "I hope that you can really work this out."

Rio took a glance inside the room, catching sight of the swarm of students standing around, patiently waiting. Since it was already the last day, all the teams except for the select few who were still participating in the third phase were already escorted out.

The door slowly closed, covering the sight of the room.

Rio stared at the door.