WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Surviving the Assassin Academy as a Professor

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Chapter 27: Popular Professor (3)

The sun rose on the start of a new day. As I woke up, I recalled the incident from yesterday, where Professor Leo had offered 100 million hika to recruit me.

In the end, I had to reject it. What would 100 million—or even 1 billion—hika matter if accepting it would spark a war? A war where I stood at the center, no less.

With no other choice, I had to turn him down. Tears nearly welled in my eyes as I watched the 100 million hika escape my grasp.

After refusing the offer, I asked, out of curiosity, how they could possibly afford to offer such a colossal amount. Professor Leo then shared his perspective.

“To be honest, the amount I was authorized to offer was only eighty million hika. However, I wanted to recruit you no matter what, even if it meant dipping into my personal funds. As I mentioned before, Hakon was the bastard who killed my younger brother about fifteen years ago.”

In short, since I had taken care of the thorn in their side that they hadn’t managed to remove over the years for multiple reasons, Professor Leo felt compelled to go the extra mile out of gratitude.

But again, as a reminder... I wasn’t the one who had killed Hakon.

In any case, I had declined. Yet it seemed the White Path had no intention of giving up on me.

“Good morning, Professor~” someone greeted me brightly.

“Professor, do you enjoy golfing or hiking by any chance?” another chimed in. 

As I walked around the academy, people kept coming up to me, acting all friendly.

“Oh, you’re having your lunch. Mind if I join you?”

“My teaching assistant wanted to meet you no matter what, Professor Dante. Go on now, introduce yourself.”

“Ah, hello…” a timid voice added. 

The previously quiet table with just Adele and me was now completely filled with other professors from the White Path.

"Would you like to have a drink together after today’s faculty meeting?"

"Great idea! We know all the best spots in the neighborhood!"

As the meeting came to an end, even more people gathered around, attempting to build a rapport with me. It wasn’t just a couple of people—a whole group of them took turns, one after another, praising me to the skies and expressing their goodwill.

Naturally, I ignored all of them.

【 Teaching Assistant, Adele: Professor…! At least try to be friendly with them! Can’t you pretend to smile a little…?! 】

Even Adele couldn’t handle my nonchalance anymore and hoped I would socialize with the innumerable professors bothering us. But I betrayed her hope and maintained my indifference, causing the mood to turn awkward at times, much to her dismay.

I acted unfazed, like a boulder—or perhaps even a rusted bronze statue in a flower garden, with dull, vacant eyes.

Even after the faculty meeting ended, I remained trapped in the conference room as people swarmed around us.

As I tried to find a way to escape the crowd, someone suddenly scoffed.

“How laughable,” spoke a man with slit eyes and the attitude of a snake.

● Black Path Professor, Viper

It was the middle-aged senior professor from the Black Path. He had dispelled his stealth and emerged, while the other Black Path members stayed hidden in the room.

Why was he revealing himself on his own?

"What’s with the snarky remark, Professor Viper?" Leo, the lion-like professor from the opposing faction, asked coolly.

"Your disrespect is out of line," Viper replied, his voice sharp.

"What disrespect?" Leo said, feigning ignorance.

"Even if the Black and White Paths are at odds, when a fellow professor dies, the least you can do is show some courtesy for a few days. But here you are, swarming around like a pack of mutts. Where’s your dignity?" Viper scoffed.

The White Path professors’ expressions hardened at his taunts.

But Professor Leo clapped back, laughing.

“Haha, I see. You’re upset that your friend Hakon died and are lashing out at us.” He chuckled before continuing, “But for us, it’s an occasion to celebrate. You see, that bastard killed my brother. Still, come to think of it, you’re right. What are we even doing here? Let’s not dawdle anymore! We should be setting off fireworks in front of Professor Hakon’s funeral portrait.”

Viper’s eyes violently swirled with bloodthirst as his entire demeanor exuded a killing intent.

But something was off.

Why had Viper come here? He had clearly seen me reject the White Path’s offer.

"Watch your mouth, Professor Leo Bardo," Viper warned, his voice low.

"Right back at you. Instead of spoiling someone else’s celebration, why don’t you mind your own business and get lost?" Leo shot back without missing a beat.

Viper’s chilling voice carried a menacing undertone, but Leo didn’t back down.

As the tension in the air reached its peak, Viper quickly sneaked a glance at me. Our eyes met briefly, and his gaze flinched before he turned back to Leo, narrowing his eyes.

【 Black Path Professor, Viper: That newbie professor has some intense eyes… 】

He must have found my stare somewhat intimidating. But honestly, his thoughts were absurd to me, since he looked far scarier in my eyes.

"What’s the hold-up, Professor Viper? Get lost already. Or do I have to drag you out myself?" Leo taunted.

"Seems like everyone from the Bardo bloodline has bad eyesight," Viper said coldly. "No wonder your brother ended up six feet underground. He couldn’t see where he was going."

“…What was that?” 

Professor Leo growled, his smug smile vanishing. “You son of a bitch… Oi, say that to my face again.” Leo barked, a harsh profanity bursting from the jaws of the lion-like professor in his forties.

The tension in the room spiked significantly. The White Path professors took cautious steps back, creating space between themselves and the two men, glaring at each other.

【 Black Path Professor, Viper: This should be enough to set the stage. I’ll finally find my answer. Could that Dante guy really have killed Hakon without outside help...? Time to test him now. 】

Damn it.

Things were turning sour fast.

Viper had come here to test me.

【 Black Path Professor, Viper: I’ll pretend to go for the lion… but really, I’ll take a stab at those pink eyes of his. 】

Just then, Professor Leo grabbed a mug and hurled it.

Crash!!

The mug shattered on the wall beside Viper’s head.

"Viper, you snake-headed bastard. I’ve never liked you, you know that?" Leo growled, his voice low and dangerous.

The air went completely still.

The lion had kindly tossed a perfect bait to the snake, helping the latter enact his plan.

"Then, I guess one of us dies here today," Viper declared.

And with that, the snake snapped up the bait, readying himself.

A blue blade emerged from his palm, piercing through his skin, as he prepared to leap at Professor Leo.

【 Black Path Professor, Viper: Now’s my chance. 】

But in truth, he was secretly preparing to leap at me.

* * *

Leo Bardo drew 「Beast Fang Blade」, his favorite weapon.

A ferocious dagger was unsheathed, forged from the fangs of a mystical creature, made solely for human slaughter.

He then took a deep breath.

『 Hunting Focus 』

His blood began to boil. His heartbeat quickened. His nerves fired until the world itself seemed to slow.

Professor Viper simultaneously unleashed his mana. From beneath his clothes, half a dozen venomous snakes slithered out, flicking their tongues, while a mass of purple mist swirled around him.

『 Summon Viper 』『 Venom Cloud 』

Those weren’t all. He still had his weapon 「Poison Fang」 emerging through his palm, ready to strike.

Needless to say, Viper was an assassin specializing in Poison Arts. Regardless of Leo’s disdain for him, Viper was an incredibly strong opponent. A single mistake could prove fatal.

Professor Leo steadied his breathing, controlling every fiber of his being.

The longer the fight drags out, the more effective his poisons will be. I have to end this in one strike.

The tension reached its breaking point.

As he prepared to take a quick, decisive leap...

“…Huh?!”

“…Ah!”

Everyone in the room froze.

Twelve swords had emerged from the floor, walls, and ceiling, aimed and ready to strike.

⋮

『 World Forgery: Spatial Forgery [Flying Mind Sword] 』

They made no sound, exuded no bloodthirst, and didn’t even appear connected to anyone via mana. 

Yet, the swords moved on their own. The blades were pointed at Viper and his summoned snakes.

Isn’t this the Flying Mind Sword, a Level 8 Combat-Type ability? The one that borders on being an ultimate skill?

The twelve swords encircled the space as though they governed it. Everyone froze, not daring to move an inch, when someone’s voice rang out.

"Professor Viper."

Their gazes turned to one man.

It was Dante Hiakapo.

With his hands still in his pockets, he sat leisurely with his legs crossed. But the moment he lifted his head, his pink eyes met Viper’s.

The Black Path professor stiffened, his body growing tense before he could even register his unease.

Dante spoke in a soft, slow voice.

“I’d like you to leave.”

Dante’s aura was incredible.

The atmosphere he radiated, the dignity he exuded, and the impression he gave—these were all innate qualities, things that could never be attained through mere effort.

It was the reason that no one could dismiss or ignore a valiant warrior making his last stand, even if he was fatally wounded. His aura alone commanded everyone's attention.

It was also why a corrupt politician with too much power could still feel feeble—their lack of true dignity and courage exposed.

In that case, what was a good aura for an assassin to have?

Mindless and violent aggression wasn’t quite suitable. Assassins thrived on furtiveness and secrecy rather than brute force. 

A mighty warrior can exude strength and vigor. 

A great mage may radiate wisdom, mastery over the natural order, and understanding of the world's principles. 

However, there was an aura that made even such grand individuals feel nervous. It wasn't from an immediate threat, but from a primal fear—the fear that the person before them could erase them from existence at any moment. 

Pure killing intent.

And to everyone’s surprise, Professor Dante possessed that very aura. 

…Unbelievable.

Until now, Viper had thought Dante’s sharp and intimidating features were wasted by his dull, unfocused attitude.

He believed Dante fell short compared to assassins who honed their edge every waking moment.

But now, as Dante unleashed his true killing intent, Viper’s thoughts were completely overturned.

He couldn’t believe what he was feeling. Was he really being overpowered by a newbie’s aura?

"This doesn’t involve you. Stay out of this," Viper managed to squeeze out, barely holding his composure as he pretended to target Professor Leo.

But by now, the situation in the room had already slipped beyond his control.

When Professor Dante slowly raised his hand, the swords hovering in the air drew even closer to Viper.

“Why don’t you listen while I’m still being nice?”

Dante’s eyes narrowed.

“Leave,” he commanded.

Simultaneously, one of the floating longswords inched even closer to Viper’s forehead.

The slit-eyed professor scowled, gauging whether he was willing to start a bloodbath here, or whether he should retreat.

Eventually, Viper closed his eyes and sighed.

"Tsk... you crude maggots," he muttered.

He turned around and left the room, feigning composure to the very end.

But the professors of the White Path knew the truth—Viper, the arrogant snake, had just been completely crushed underfoot.

…Hmph.

As Viper distanced himself from the conference room, a grim conviction settled in his mind.

I’m sure of it now. Hakon was assassinated by Dante…

Having spent 20 years as an assassin and another 10 as a professor, Viper knew one thing for sure.

Any assassin who exuded such an aura would never be weaker than Hakon.

They would be Grandmaster-rated or higher, ranking in the top 999 combatants across the continent.

They were monsters who defied all reason and logic, just like Betelgeuse, a former executive of the Continental Black Path and the current director of the Hiaka branch.

Hakon, you goddamn moron.

Viper’s anger surged toward his fallen comrade.

That fool had always been overly emotional, easily swayed by rage and frequently caught up in mindless fury.

He really should’ve learned to gauge his enemies before confronting them.

But Hakon wasn’t a complete fool. He must have assessed his opponent before attempting the assassination.

He must’ve known his opponent was vastly superior and that Dante could utilize『Flying Mind Sword』 like an expert.

Yet despite that, Hakon had still gone for it. 

…And in the end, he died a dog’s death. Got himself killed for nothing.

As Viper reached that conclusion, other professors from the Black Path who had been hidden in stealth approached him.

Though they now stood just a few steps away, they spoke via telepathy rather than aloud.

« How was it? »

Viper sighed.

« Confirmation complete. Professor Dante Hiakapo has more than enough power to assassinate Professor Hakon without outside help. And considering he rejected the White Path’s offer, our next move should be to… »

I was back in my room on the second floor of the residence.

I sat there absentmindedly, carving and modeling new illusions for practice.

It was part of my daily evening training.

<『World Forgery』Proficiency: 87.11% (▲0.05%) >

But then, something caught my eye on the minimap.

Something was approaching quickly.

I stopped my training and cautiously peered outside. 

Tap, tap.

To my surprise, a crow landed on the windowsill and knocked on the glass.

It was a bird summoned through a Summoning & Taming-type ability, sent by someone from the Black Path.

Judging by its cute, beady eyes and harmless appearance and demeanor, it seemed to be a “messenger crow”—a bird responsible for delivering messages much like a carrier pigeon.

It wore a necklace bearing a single name: [Betelgeuse].

In other words, it had been sent by the director of the Black Path’s Hiaka branch division.

What should I do?

The crow knocked on the window again, as if growing impatient. 

With no better option, I carefully opened the window.

The bird flapped its wings lightly and hopped inside, before relaying its message in its iconic cawing voice.

“Two hundred million.”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Popular Professor - END

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