Transmigrated as a Fat villain: All heroines are after me

82  Chapter 82 - An Unexpected Betrayal

Zeph stood outside Professor Adriannel's office, and as his hand lifted to knock on the door,

"Come in, it's open" a manly voice reached his ears

He opened the door revealing a man seated at his desk, bathed in moonlight that gently caressed his silver hair and shone in his shiny crimson Ruby eyes.

'!?!'

'Is that Alexios's horn?' Zeph's eyes widening as his eyes fallen an object present on the the table,'Did Alexios died?'

His mind was filled with shock, not understanding what had happened.

'Didn't Isabella say that the ⟨Obsidian Knights⟩ stopped him?'

Adriannel, sitting in the chair, noticed the boy's gaze fixated on the object on the table.

"You know what it is," Adriannel said, keeping a keen eye on Zeph's reaction, trying to find any clues behind his silence.

Zeph hearing those words came out of trance as he spoke trying to keep his composure.

"I've heard about one of the demon generals attacking my mother's duchy, so—"

"So, you've come to the conclusion that this may be the horn of that demon, am I right, Zephyr Liander?"

Zeph's POV

As I heard professor's words my eyes noticed his hands holding a file, and in an instant, I realized what it was—the «Student Aptitude» ranking.

Valeria Academy always promoted student's academic approach towards their practical lives, which means all the students are keenly observed, especially those belonging to Class A.

When professors checked the answer sheets of a student, they didn't just go through the answers for accuracy, but also the approach used to solve particular questions, which decided the student's aptitude in the form of grades from A to F.

"No, I mean, yes, Professor, I was just about to mention that,"

I stammered, feeling an unusual rush of nerves. My usual composure wavered as I sensed my mana not flowing as it should.

To protect myself from external interference, I always kept my skin enveloped with a protective mana layer—an outcome of a previous, dreadful encounter with a black dragon, due to whose saliva, my skin took days to heal. 'Zendal,'

I commanded addressing my bracelet, hoping to identify the issue, but only silence greeted me.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in my ears, plunging me into panic.

"So, it was helping you manage your excess mana."

My eyes widened as I realized that professor's awareness of my artifact's possession and it didn't take me long to realise his connection to malfunctioning of Zendal all of a sudden, but I pushed that concern aside, focusing on a different thought and a big problem.

"Calm down, Zeph. Weren't you the one who wanted me to teach you?" Adriannel's crimson eyes remained fixed on the file as he approached me.

'It can't be,' n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

I kept my gaze downward, grinding my teeth. I wasn't concerned about Professor Adriannel, as I knew his personality well.

What truly scared me was Deventhia Hedrian. I swallowed hard, knowing that if Adriannel was aware of my artifact, Deventhia must be too.

A sudden doubt gripped me, and I lifted my gaze towards Adriannel.

"I was just surprised that you know about Zendal."

"Oh, its name is Zendal,"

A small smile crept onto my face as I confirmed my suspicions and the approach I'd need to take with Deventhia.

From professor's words, it was evident that he didn't know the name of the artifact, only its presence and its ability to manipulate my mana flow.

I couldn't help but fear that if Deventhia knew about Guinier's existence, especially it's name, there was no way she would spare me, Reason.

Deventhia had faced countless challenges in her life, including a battle with a demon known for mind manipulation during her early days.

She had lost a comrade in that battle, leading to her fierce rage and the demon's demise, but right now the problem is that demon's name — Guinier

And, why name is problem?, because that comrade was none other than very mother of Valeriana Hedrian.

"Aren't you a busy guy?"

A voice pulled me out of my thoughts as I looked towards the professor.

"No, forgive me, Professor. I was just lost in some random thoughts"

"Hmm."

A sweat formed on my forehead as the professor's crimson eyes bore into me, as if seeing through all my lies.

"So, I was saying, you got A++ grades in ⟨Student's Aptitude⟩ ranking."

As I heard the professor's words, my mind could only curse my stupidity, 'you idiot!'.

"Care to explain, how?"

Looking at his face that wanted to hear the truth, I could only fall into my stoic mode and begin, "I studied day and night to achieve such high grades."

Even though I knew those grades were not just about marks but also about my comprehension abilities, I couldn't reveal that I knew future theories in advance and wrote them.

"I see, you are right, Zephyr Liander."

He moved around me, confusing me, before he continued, "So, do you want to learn about mana?"

'Isn't this obvious? Why would I want to come into a guy's room at late night?' My mind wanted to spill the beans as always, but I held it.

"So, what do you know about mana?"

I heard the professor's voice as I looked towards him, leaning on his desk with folded hands.

"Professor, mana is a form of energy in which we manipulate the fundamental particles known as ‹mana quartz› to restructure the patterns of matter, leading to changes in its properties and giving birth to a newly formed entity."

I answered the question using the basic principles of ⟨Mana theory⟩.

I had to read a whole bunch of books just to understand what I was writing in the exam. I couldn't get caught for cheating.

"Impressive. At least you did your homework. Now, tell me about the energies used by demons and saints."

"They also use man—"

I noticed the professor's blank gaze, understanding that maybe my answer was wrong.

But didn't mana serve as the basic source of energy for both of them? Then maybe, I realized and answered, "Demons have demonic energy, and Saints use Divine Energy."

"Their sources."

'What's with him,' I don't understand why he's randomly throwing questions at me instead of teaching something, and why he's moving behind me.

Ignoring this, I continued, "For demons, it's demonic seed, and for saints, it is—"

" !?! "

I was interrupted as I felt a force thrusting from behind, causing a surge of unbearable pain.

SHLCK!

"Kughhh!?" Suddenly, my trembling hands held onto a wand piercing my heart, and my gaze met the chilling crimson eyes.

"Agh!" The pain was unbearable, both physically and emotionally.

 "Aghh!... P-profess,"

"Haaa.....haaa....." I can't believe what was happening with me.

THUD

My world blurred as I fell to the ground, my eyes could only stare at his shoes while lying on the floor, blood flowed through my wound.

"W-why?"