The Novel's Professor

Rio turned his head to the door, staring at it in surprise. Who was it? Was it the doctor? He spoke.

"Come in."

Click—!

The doorknob unlocked, a figure peeked at the door, entering the room. His eyes widened in surprise. The person was someone he didn't expect to see, much less visit.

It was Director Guinevere.

"Oh, you're already awake..." Guinevere said in surprise. His hand closing the door as he let go of the doorknob. "How are you feeling?"

"...I'm alright, Director Guinevere," Rio said, feeling uncomfortable... He wasn't used to the man's familiar attitude. He didn't even know the man, but the man knew him. Well not him, but the original owner of this body.

"That's good to hear," Guinevere smiled. His body approaching Rio. "Perhaps you would like something to eat?"

"...No, I'm alright." Rio frowned, his head shaking. "However...why are you hear, Director Guinevere?"

"Me? Oh, I was originally on my way to meet the new recruit, but then It dawned on me to visit you atleast once," Guinevere said waving his hand. "In any case. If you were curious, when you were found...you were close to dying. Well, for the other person you were with...he's dead."

'Other recruit...? Oh right, it's the start of that arc...'

"Is that so..." Rio said with lack of regard. The man had died, huh? Even with the power of true miracles the man wasn't able to surpass their own destiny. Perhaps it was impossible to do so.

"So, mind telling me what you were doing in the Harrowing Lands, for instance?" Guinevere asked, his brows knitting in confusion. "You should have notified me beforehand."

"Ah that," Rio said, pausing. How should he explain this... Wait! That could work. Probably. "Well, I heard the rumor about the nascent bead recently, I've been wanting to get it. So...in a twist of unfortunate luck, I got dragged in what happened.."

"Did you get it?" Guinevere asked, his head tilting. "Also, if you were looking for one, you should have just asked me. I have some of them in my storecraft."

"...Well, no." Rio chuckled darkly. Even if he did wanted it, he wouldn't be able to get it from what happened. "I didn't get it from you because... other's might be watching."

"Ah, I understand." Guinevere said. "Well...you don't have to worry, the nascent bead is close to useless to you anyway. I mean, you already ascended to Rank B. That's already great enough on it's own."

"Uh, thanks... I guess?" Rio said, unsure. Behind him, he heard Faust long sigh of regret... He raised his eyebrows, confused as he added in. "But how did you know I'm Rank B?"

"Were you trying to hide it?" Guinevere blinked. "You're practically showing it out in the open, you're not even concealing the magical energy of your Miracle Core. Any one with a good sense of power would know of your rank."

"Eh, wait what? You can do that?" Rio asked, bewildered. "Besides you, is there any other that know?"

"Well, for the first questions..yes," Guinevere answered, waving his hand. "As for the second, most likely only the TAOJ should know that. They were the ones that carried and sent you to the hospital."

The TAOJ...Rio sighed. It seems after this, he would be bombarded with questions and interrogations from the TAOJ of his involvement in what happened with the Harrowing Lands... Just thinking about it was giving him headaches.

"Well, enough about that, I want to offer you something Salem," Guinevere said, straightening his back as he turned serious.

"Mhm, what is it?" Rio asked, his head tilting.

"Well, since you're Rank B... I wanted to offer you to teach at the second year as an Arcane Teacher," Guinevere offered, his eyes staring into Rio. "With your talent and unique prowess, I think it would be a good development for you... But, you do know what an Arcane Teacher is right?"

"Ah, I know what that is. But wasn't it stated that only experienced Rank B people with a reputable background could aim for such role?" Rio frowned, confused. The teacher or teaching system of Volund Academy was fairly unique.

The standard, and normal teachers of the academy can only teach Rank E students in general subjects. All teachers in this category are Rank C. This was his current category. They were mostly there to teach the First Years enrolee of basic knowledge foundation.

The next two categories would be, Arcane and Combat Teachers. All teachers in this category are all Rank B. This category of teachers only teach Second Year students, or Rank D students. They don't even bat an eye towards Rank E students.

Arcane and Combat Teachers despite being in the same category, are wildly different in the contents they are teaching.

Arcana teachers teach the application of magic. They teach ways to use magical energy in a more broader, and wider topic; such as body recreation, alchemy, healing, food creation and any other. Teachers here are comprised of Rank B Sorcerers.

Combat Teachers on the other hand, teach the application of combat instinct. They teach students how to handle weapons, battle field awareness, and weakness observation. In essence, they taught everything related to combat. Teachers here are comprised of Rank B Martial Artist.

As for the next category—that would be the Head Deputy's. They were the best of the best the academy had to offer in regards to their staff. He had already seen two of them in school once. Namely, Vice Director Greg and Head Teacher Guile.

"Do you even have to ask? I'm the Director of the academy, no one would say anything back to my decisions." Guinevere said, waving his hand in dismissal. "So? What do you say? It would also help you solidify your club."

"Hm..." Rio hummed, deep in thought of the offer. It was not a bad offer. Not only would he have a wider reach in the academy, he would also be able to solidify the state of his club.

The latter was needed if he wanted to maintain his connection with the main cast of characters. After he returns to the academy, the bunch of rat nobles hiding beneath the shadows would immediately try to attack him in hopes of removing his position as a club owner.

Overall, it wasn't bad. Also the state of teaching general subjects was pretty boring and restrictive. Arcane and Combat Teachers have more freedom and can decide on what to teach.

"Well.." Rio said, his eyes turning into Guinevere's eyes... He had decided. "I accept then."

"...That's good to hear!" Guinevere said, his lips curling into a smirk. "For a minute there I thought you would reject the offer. After all, you specifically wanted to stay low key... What changed?"

"...A change?" Rio muttered, his gaze shifting to the walls. A change. Did he change? Perhaps, or perhaps not. He no longer felt the constant stubborn denial within him. Gone was his goal to pursue meaning and purpose, only realization of meaninglessness was retained on his mind.

...The only thing that remained in him was acceptance towards everything. A melachonlic emotion. He shifted his eyes to Guinevere, answering. "Maybe, or maybe not."

Guinevere tilted his head, confused. Suddenly, the smartwatch attached to his wrist rang. He immediately pressed the watch and asked. "Hello, who is this?"

From the smartwatch, a hologram of a thin, beautiful figure suddenly projected. The figure spoke, "Director Guinevere? Is this you? Where are you?"

Rio raised his brows, staring at the figure in interest. Not that he was a good guesser, but the figure sounded like a woman in her mid twenties.

'"Mhm, is this Maria?" Guinevere asked, his head shifting to Rio. "...Well, I'm going out now. Take care of yourself, Salem."

Rio nodded, waving his hand quiet dismissal.

Guinevere nodded back, turning his back as he left the room quietly.

[That man was weird...] Faust frowned. [I can't point it out but he felt weird. Also strong. His strength...was that of my body in the past. Peak Rank A. How did you know such a person, Salem?]

"That's the thing. I don't know myself," Rio chuckled, his head shaking. One of these days he would try to figure out this body's origin. But for now, he wanted a short vacation. The venture he had previously did took a toll on his mind and body.

[Also, this is your world huh?] Faust asked, his eyes staring at the machines and devices in curiosity. [It seems your civilizaion is technologically advanced. From my place, we were still milleniums away before reaching this kind of society...]

Rio nodded, his eyes closing as he relaxed his back on the cushion bed. Ah, how comfortable. He wanted to stay here and just sleep.

[You didn't tell me you were a teacher,] Faust complained, his body casually hovering on the air. [Now my Strider Legacy has a higher chance of being immortalized! Good job, my disciple! As expected of me as his master!]

Rio chuckled, opening his other eye. Legacy and immortalization of existence. He would ponder over that kind of things for later, but for now; he preferred to rest and relax before the inevitable troubles come to him again.