ISMFF55

Chapter 55:

Evil (2)

“If there is…?”

Temia swallowed hard at the dean’s strangely hesitant tone. Observing this, the dean sighed and continued.

“He set a difficult advanced magic problem, one no student his age could possibly solve, just to correct Lowell’s character. It wasn’t even taught at that stage, and even graduates would struggle with it. Naturally, he expected Lowell to fail, thinking he could use it as a reason to correct Lowell’s attitude in class.”

Normally, Temia might have been shocked that a professor would wage a power struggle with a student. But she knew all too well just how skilled Lowell was at getting under people’s skin, so she kept silent.

“But that brat solved the entire problem as if to show off. The topic was something even adult mages would only tackle in academic papers.”

Unfortunately, it seemed the professor had lost that battle. The dean looked at Lowell with a mix of pride and regret.

“So the professor gave up on him, and this little troublemaker eventually landed right on my desk as my direct student. Tch… everyone else couldn’t handle him, so I had to take on the nuisance.”

“Good heavens… so that’s why Lowell became your student, Dean!”

“Well, it wasn’t the only reason. But because he kept fighting with his classmates, his behavior score was terrible, and his reputation suffered. Study is important, but character development is too—that’s the academy, after all.”

Leri had heard this story dozens of times, but since it was mostly praise for his master’s abilities, the little bird nodded vigorously. Once again, Lowell was left sitting there, forgotten.

Tap—tap—tap-tap—tap—

Eventually, unable to bear his boredom, he began drumming his fingers restlessly on the table. Noticing this, the dean lifted Leri onto his own finger, stroking him gently as he spoke.

“Looks like I’ve held you here too long. If he’s already bored enough to complain, then all I have to say has been said. Feel free to look around. Tell the guards to issue you a pass.”

“Yes, Dean! Thank you!”

Just as the conversation was about to end, a knock came at the door. The dean raised an eyebrow, curious, and stood up.

“Who would come at this hour? Let them in.”

The door opened, revealing a pale-faced individual with deep shadows under his eyes.

He bowed politely to the dean, then noticed the others in the room. First, a white-haired woman sitting awkwardly; second, a small blue-feathered bird; and finally…

“Lowell? Why are you here…?”

The man’s calm gaze landed on Lowell, his eyes flashing irritation. Reflexively, he stepped back slightly, making the high knot of his hair sway.

“Did I come somewhere I shouldn’t have?”

Lowell’s sharp retort carried no trace of friendliness. Temia immediately sensed that this man was not on good terms with mages. Of course, she couldn’t ask that aloud, so she simply observed both sides cautiously.

“It’s been a while, Dean. You’ve received the official notice for the royal inspection, I assume? I volunteered this time, to pay my respects in person.”

“Ah, yes. It feels like you just graduated yesterday, yet here you are, already a respectable young man. Ligma… or rather, since you’ve graduated, should I say Sir Zachary?”

“Haha, you’ve always been like a sky to me, Master. You can speak to me casually.”

The dean smiled warmly at the courteous greeting from his former student, then naturally shifted his gaze toward the other side.

“You two were classmates, right? Haven’t seen each other since graduation. Why not greet each other properly?”

“We’ve met… but it wasn’t the right moment to acknowledge each other, so we just passed by.”

“If I don’t particularly remember, then it must have been nothing important or just a passing encounter. Looks like you’re both doing well, which is good to see.”

Lowell gave a faint smile and reached out first. The other did not take his hand.

“I didn’t expect this kind of cold reception. That position was open because I stepped aside, wasn’t it? And you throw that away and don’t even recognize your benefactor?”

“…You brat!”

“The chief mage position isn’t just handed out. I thought it was a troublesome post, so luckily someone covered it. It saves me from dealing with unnecessary hassle in the palace.”

The man, Sir Zachary Ligma, frowned deeply, but realizing he couldn’t quarrel in front of the dean, he forced a skewed smile and continued.

“Your arrogance hasn’t changed, Lowell. Graduated already, yet you’re still like a student. I had hoped you’d grown a little.”

Though politely phrased, the comment was still sharp. Temia’s curiosity peaked at the mention of graduation and the academy.

The man’s long navy hair was neatly tied up, his cold eyes piercing. Fatigue showed in the dark circles beneath his eyes, yet his pale-red irises radiated a chilling intensity. His gaze was unmistakably hostile.

Noticing Temia’s scrutiny, he glanced at her and smirked, scanning her up and down.

“You even have an assistant, impressive. I wonder how long this one will last.”

“Sorry, but please mind your own business. He’s not your assistant.”

“No one will last beside you. Curious how long the author will endure.”

“That’s my problem, not yours. Why is everyone so concerned with others’ affairs? Were we ever that close?”

“Then why appear here again? If you weren’t interested in magic, why sneak around?”

The two were about to clash again when the dean intervened.

“I thought a reunion between old classmates would be nice… but nothing changes. If you’re going to fight, both of you should leave!”

“…I was hasty, Dean. I only intended a brief greeting but behaved poorly.”

The man bowed, suppressing his previously raised voice. Lowell, now missing his moment to reply, smirked and shrugged.

“Enough. It seems only the same brats from before remain… I’ll handle this one, you leave. If you need anything, find any professor and have it delivered to me.”

The dean signaled Lowell to leave quickly.

“Temia, let’s go.”
“Y-Yes? Ah… understood.”

Temia followed Lowell silently, sensing the shift in mood. She glanced back and caught the man’s eyes. The palpable hostility sent shivers down her spine.

Squeak—thud!

Before she could question it, the massive dean’s office door slammed shut behind them. The corridor fell completely silent, from the room to the building exit, and not a word was spoken.

Finally, Leri spoke. Fed up with the tension, he popped out from Lowell’s collar and chirped.

“I thought I really couldn’t breathe…”

The small confession softened the atmosphere. Temia couldn’t help but smile at Leri’s adorable, tearful expression. Lowell pressed the little bird’s head playfully, teasing him.

“I made you, yet you’re so timid? How do you expect to survive in this harsh world if you scare so easily?”

“But! Even hearing such harsh words would hurt anyone!”

“Such words? More fitting would be lamenting being dragged to the academy all of a sudden.”

Indeed, Lowell’s sharp yet natural demeanor remained unchanged—it wasn’t the recent events that made him so, but his very nature. Yet Temia, familiar as she was, felt this was not something to dismiss lightly. She asked with curiosity.

“Who was that person just now? He seemed like someone you studied with.”

“A classmate. The name rings a bell.”

“But he seemed to harbor some grudge toward you. Even if you don’t remember, his eyes were full of hostility.”

“It’s said that talented people often attract rivals. I suppose he’s envious for no reason.”

Yet, Lowell seemed completely unfazed. Temia sighed, pressing further.

“I don’t think it’s without reason… There were barbs in his words. Even if you weren’t affected, he seemed to consider you an enemy. Are you really nothing to him?”

“Hmm, our rankings were close, so we crossed paths often. A few conversations happened, but we weren’t close enough to exchange greetings formally.”

Lowell seemed genuinely puzzled, as if recalling a long-forgotten memory. Temia decided not to press further. Whatever it was, it clearly wasn’t something Lowell considered worth attention.

‘Perhaps… but it didn’t feel like something to ignore entirely,’ she thought, noting the deep-seated hatred in that gaze. Though Lowell dismissed it easily, Temia made a mental note to remember it, at least for now.