WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Surviving the Assassin Academy as a Professor

Translator: Touch

Editor: Grass

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Chapter 69: DLC [Professor in a Heroic Fantasy] – Midpoint Recap (2)

——

Scene #1 – Kaiser

Scene #2 – Teaching Assistant ◀

Scene #3 – How Did It Come to This

Before long, Zone 9 of the academy began to be developed into a tourist site.

Dozens of construction mages got to work, quickly conjuring up buildings and facilities.

In the midst of it all, a large signboard appeared near the center:

「 Cain’s Holy Tree 」

It was generally shortened to the Cain Tree.

For the past few days, the department has been presenting me with branding logos and merchandise, asking me to review and approve them. Then, the day before yesterday, the royal decree was officially issued. Since then, domestic tourists have been pouring in to check out the tree.

“Wow, there are so many people here,” Adele remarked.

“Indeed.”

I headed over to Zone 9 with Adele to observe the tourists. From the airship station to the buses, people disembarked from countless vehicles, gazed at the tree, wandered through nearby food stalls and restaurants, bought merchandise, and entertained themselves.

“This Chief Professor Cain person is incredible… How did they make something this massive?”

“But their name almost sounds like it’s related to mine, doesn’t it? ‘Cain and Adele,’ haha. Maybe that’s why they’re so incredible!”

“Indeed,” I replied again.

Adele didn’t know I was the one behind the tree’s creation.

I had kept everything a secret from her—from the initial research to the details of the final exam. And I continued to keep the truth hidden from her afterwards.

In any case, numerous Illusion Art practitioners had arrived in Zone 9 to participate in decorating the tree, just as I had planned. They entered the illusory subspaces and added their illusions to the Christmas Tree.

As a result, the Cain Tree was being adorned in real time with various enormous decorations: ornament balls (red spheres symbolizing apples), candy canes, the symbols of the stars they worshipped, ribbons, garlands, bells, snowflakes, stockings, gift boxes, and more…

Christmas—or the Holy Day—had long passed, and I wondered what the point was in adding all these now. But watching the tree steadily being completed put a smile on my face.

The academy had been drenched in a gloomy and deathly atmosphere after the war. But now, tourists were visiting and enjoying themselves. There were even some cadets from the Mage Department working part-time, showcasing their spells all over the area. We could see smiles on people’s faces everywhere.

Joy and energy were returning to Hiaka Academy.

“Wow, this tree is incredible up close!!”

“This Professor Cain fellow made this within Hiaka? Damn, I’m impressed…”

“My kid’s in Zone 0, you know. I was so worried when all that talk about the war was going around. But now, they say even an imperial noble is visiting tomorrow!”

Tourists chatted around us, their excited murmurs filling the air.

Adele watched them with curiosity.

There were elderly people traveling together, married couples laughing as their small children spread their arms to gauge the tree’s size, young lovers walking hand in hand, and teenagers chatting with friends or their crushes.

It was a strange yet bustling tourist spot.

Adele’s gaze lingered slightly longer on the other couples when someone called out to me.

“Excuse me, handsome!”

A group of tourists approached, and one of them held out their crystal ball watch.

“Would you mind taking a picture for us?”

“Ah… sure.”

I took the crystal and hesitated for a moment before handing it to Adele.

“Huh? Me?”

“Yeah, you take it.”

“I’m not very good at taking pictures, though,” she mumbled.

Still, I thought she would be better at it than me.

“…Is it this? Um… like this?”

She tried her best, but the result was… disastrous.

“Hmm? What is this?! Hahaha!”

“Let me see, let me see! Whoa, hahaha! You took a bad one on purpose to make us laugh, didn’t you, missy?”

“I… I tried my best…”

Adele smiled awkwardly, becoming a source of great amusement for the tourists.

So I ended up taking the picture myself.

“By the way, are you two a couple?” one of them asked.

“Eh? Us?” Adele blinked.

“You look great together~ Such a pretty lady and a handsome young lad.”

“Oh, no, no! He’s a professor, and I’m his teaching assistant…!” she replied quickly.

“Aaah, that makes it even more thrilling, doesn’t it?” the woman added with a wink.

“Huh?”

“Kyaa~ What are you saying in public, Sis?” the younger woman elbowed her.

“Ah, sorry about that! Please ignore my wife’s silly comments. Come on, honey, stop bothering these nice people…”

After they left, Adele chuckled to herself.

“They thought we were on a date.”

“Seems that way.”

“I didn’t expect to go through something like that today… How fun~ Honestly, I’ve never even held a guy’s hand before, so this was a brand-new experience for me.”

That was unexpected. I thought there would be plenty of suitors pursuing her, and that she would at least have some experience with romance.

Adele sat on the railing of an observation deck, her hair swaying gently in the wind.

“What about you, Professor? Do you have a girlfriend?”

“As if. You know how busy I am.”

“Ah, true. We’ve been so busy lately. But is there any particular reason you don’t date people?”

“You just said it. I’m too busy.”

“What if you weren’t busy?”

“…You’re asking all sorts of strange questions today,” I said. “Perhaps the atmosphere here is affecting you. Let’s see… if I weren’t busy? Who knows. I’ve never really thought about dating or marriage.”

Come to think of it, that was true in my past life, too.

Perhaps I saw romance and marriage as a privilege for those living in luxury.

People who had the leeway to spend and give to others were probably the ones who could share their hearts as well.

It wasn’t as though I never had any opportunities to date throughout my first lifetime.

Although there weren’t many, there were some people who said they liked me. Thank God for that.

Still… I wonder. When could I have dated someone? 

During my teens, when I would nap face-down on my desk at school to hide my bruises? 

During my early twenties, when I was too broke, trying to make two meals out of a single cup of ramen by cooking an egg in the leftover broth? 

During my late twenties, when I was busy being my thesis supervisor’s errand boy, getting called to his house to help with chores and cooking, only to cut my hand on a grater and be scolded?

…Man, I really lived a pitiful life.

But then, Adele smiled and said something unexpected.

“To be honest, I hope you don’t date anyone, Professor.”

“Why?”

“Because you shouldn’t waste your time on such things. You’re too talented for it.”

“Fair point.”

“Oh my? You’re so cocky~” Adele giggled. “And if you got a girlfriend, she’d get jealous of us.”

“Because we share a living space?”

“You worded it very tactfully, but let’s be real. We’re housemates. You’re living under the same roof with a woman, Professor. One who’s capable, confident, and incredibly charming, wouldn’t you say?”

She wore a smug smile as she playfully poked her cheek with a finger, pointing at herself.

I turned my head away.

“…I'm not sure.”

Her expression immediately sank.

“Eeeh? What do you mean, you’re not sure? Okay then, let’s assume I’m not charming—but you have to admit I’m capable, right? I am an S-rank teaching assistant!”

“Maybe.”

“You can’t deny it~ You know it too, Professor. I’m the best among all the assistants! I’m good at my job. I’m fast at picking up cues. I’m a good driver. Honestly, you’ll never find another assistant like me. Come on, admit it~”

“…Who knows.”

I kept avoiding giving a concrete answer.

Eventually, Adele playfully pouted and shook her head.

“Fine, whatever then. Sheesh. Here I am, working so hard to be acknowledged by you, yet I still can’t get a single compliment after all this time…”

She muttered to herself pitifully.

“Still, you are the best assistant I’ve ever seen,” I quietly remarked.

“Oh my. Really?”

Those words seemed to genuinely make her happy.

As we enjoyed that peaceful moment, I was just about to suggest heading home when Adele’s expression stiffened slightly.

“What is it?” I asked.

“In that case, Professor…”

She spoke in a quiet voice.

“You won’t abandon me… will you?”

“What?”

Her gaze dropped to the ground.

“I mean… you already became a senior professor in just a couple of months. If you keep getting promoted in the future, you might—”

Suddenly, my crystal watch rang out sharply, cutting her off.

It was an urgent call from Shaman, the Dean of the Assassin Department.

* * *

Both Shaman and Ezekiel were present in the dean’s office.

“Hohoho. Come on in, come on in. Sorry to call you over on your day off.”

With his prominent chin, round glasses, cute mustache, and large build, Shaman Kreutz welcomed me into his office.

He smiled warmly, kindness shining in his eyes.

“It’s fine. May I ask what this is about?”

“Professor Dante, you submitted an application to become a supervisor the other day, correct?”

“Yes, I did.”

To be a supervising professor—or “supervisor” for short—meant forming a personal assassination squad and focusing on training them.

The cadets in the squad would learn under the supervisor’s guidance, go out on missions, and take on numerous contracts.

The cadets' achievements would also be recorded as the supervisor’s—their success directly translating into the professor’s success. 

Naturally, this was a core gameplay mechanic in any instructor-teaching-cadet games. 

Thus, I submitted my application just yesterday, declaring my intention to form my own squad. 

And now…

┃ Main Quest [Supervisor]

┃ Reward: Star Shards (Subject to increase or decrease depending on the cadets’ reputation)

A window announcing a main quest popped up.

This main quest synergizes well with the 「Betting Table」 chapter.

It was an event with the potential to earn the greatest amount of Star Shards—but naturally, it came with the highest risks.

If a cadet died or their reputation as an assassin plummeted, I would suffer heavy penalties from the 「Systematic Star⧉」.

Needless to say, I had been preparing for this event for quite some time.

“…"

But Shaman didn’t look pleased.

Behind his round glasses, his gaze was clouded with worry.

“Is something the matter?” I asked.

“Can’t you not do it?” Shaman asked bluntly.

“…Pardon?”

“Can’t you give up on becoming a supervisor?”

“Is there a reason?”

“What if you go out there and die?”

“…”

This was just how Shaman was.

He was a monstrous assassin, well over a hundred years old—but appearance-wise, he resembled your friendly neighborhood baker in his fifties.

And his personality wasn’t far off from that image.

“I understand your concern, Dean. I know I carry a lot of responsibilities.”

“Then let’s not do it. Hm?”

“While I appreciate your concern, I’m not someone who’ll die so easily. Moreover, I have a lot of work to do outside.”

“No. Don’t go.”

“I understand Hiaka Academy is in a dangerous situation. But please trust me to handle it. I can lead the exchange program with the Empire and accomplish great—”

“Don’t go! Just stay here!”

…

What more could I say?

The old man was throwing a tantrum at this point. He was somewhat similar to Chief Professor Galois in that regard.

But since he was being unreasonably stubborn…

Two can play that game.

“I don’t want to,” I stated bluntly.

“Ah, come on!”

Shaman burst out in frustration.

“What if you die out there? Then we’ll lose both you and Cain! And what happens to Hiaka’s Illusion Arts? What about the peace summit?!”

“I won’t die, Dean.”

“Easy for you to say. What if I swung a sword at you right now? You’d immediately die on the spot!”

“The only reason I’m even in this room is because I know you wouldn’t do such a thing, Dean.”

“Well, sure I wouldn’t, but what about Ezekiel? He might kill you!”

“What nonsense is that, old man?” Ezekiel interjected. “Even I can see that this fellow won’t die so easily with my magical 『Dragon Eye』—”

“You zip it! What do you know, you glorified shield stand?!” Shaman barked back.

“…That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?” Ezekiel commented softly.

“You don’t need to worry, Dean Shaman. I won’t die,” I reassured him again.

Since I was being just as stubborn, Shaman pouted sulkily like an unhappy old baker, as if thirty Jean Valjeans had walked through his store that morning.

“You know… you remind me of myself when I was younger.”

“…Is that so?”

“I used to be bold like you, fearing nothing in the world. Had a lean figure too.”

“…You, uh, still look quite…”

“…My apologies.”

“…I was about to say, you still look quite bold and fearless…”

“So, have you picked the cadets for your squad yet?”

“Yes.”

“Who? Give me the list.”

“They are Balmung, Gray, and Elize.”

Indeed, it was time for me to supervise and train the Black Dragon cadets.

“The more I watch you, the more interesting you get. You’re quite something, even among all the rats.”

Ezekiel, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. I wasn’t fully sure if it was praise or sarcasm.

And though I considered retorting “What would a glorified shield stand know about assassins?”, I wasn’t about to say that to the Mage Department Dean’s face.

“Well, fine. Tch! Go on then.”

Shaman’s thick jowls shook as he waved me away with a pouty face.

“Yes, sir.”

But just as I was about to leave the room, a certain magic spell was cast on me.

It was 『Silent Missive』, a voice transmission spell exclusively used by archmages.

Ezekiel was requesting a private conversation with me.

« Professor Dante. »

« Yes? »

« Are you aware? »

He went straight to the point without any explanation.

But I simply nodded.

« I am. »

« … »

Ezekiel narrowed his eyes suspiciously before leaning back in his chair and elegantly folding his arms.

I checked the textbox and read his thoughts beforehand, realizing what he was about to say even before he spoke. And I already knew the truth behind the topic he was preparing to discuss.

There was a spy very close to me.

« How much do you know? » he asked.

« Probably as much as the academy has figured out. »

« What do you plan to do? »

« I plan to observe for now. But what did you have in mind, Dean? »

« Shaman wants the spy eliminated. »

I hesitated briefly before replying.

« It’s too early. »

« Too early? »

« Allow me to ask—how much does the academy know about the spy, exactly? »

« Not much… Not even if they belong to Kreutz or another nation. We are simply aware of the spy thanks to what the 「Registry⧉」 told us. And you? »

« Roughly the same. »

I wasn’t sure whether they were a spy or not, but they definitely were an anomaly.

Still, we had no evidence or leads. Neither I nor the faculty could act on our suspicions.

« Rather than eliminating them prematurely, we should monitor and find out their headquarters, motives, allies, and the reason for their long period of inactivity. » I pointed out.

Ezekiel’s lips twitched into a faint smile.

« Thirty years old, was it? You’re a monster. In many ways. » Ezekiel remarked.

« You're too kind. »

« Then, we’ll leave this matter to you. But if the spy harms you or puts you at risk, I will intervene. In fact, the curse I cast managed to reach the target just now. »

He paused before ending the conversation with these final words:

« Kill them when the time is right. »

I bowed to the two deans and stepped outside.

“Oh, Professor!”

Waiting in the hall was my loyal assistant.

“Why did they suddenly call you? Did something happen? Are you okay?” Adele asked with a concerned look.

“Nothing happened.”

“Really?”

What I told Ezekiel were my genuine thoughts. We needed to determine the spy’s goal, identify their allies, and understand why they had been inactive for so long.

All those arguments came from my reason and logic.

But even so, I couldn’t deny that a small fragment of emotion was affecting my judgment.

“Whew… I was so scared.”

“Scared?”

“Of course! Getting called out of nowhere for a private meeting with the department deans? I thought something terrible had happened…!”

“You worry too much.”

“Excuse me??”

Adele huffed, placing her hands on her hips.

“That’s not such a far-fetched concern! What if you were quitting teaching, or got hit with some disciplinary punishment…? A bunch of professors have already left the academy in the past couple of weeks!”

“It’ll be fine. And even if I weren’t here, it wouldn’t matter much to you.”

“Excuse me??? Of course it matters! We’ve been working together for so long already! If you suddenly disappeared on me, I’d cry for real…!”

Adele’s cheeks flushed as she raised her voice.

Maybe it was from frustration, or maybe it was just the cold winter air.

I stared into those brown eyes of hers.

“That won’t happen. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay… Then, um… would you like to go get something to eat? We haven’t eaten anything all day since we were busy checking out Zone 9 before the call.”

“Sure. Let’s go eat.”

Adele skipped ahead cheerfully.

● Teaching Assistant, Adele [Cursed]

I stared at the nametag on the back of her head for a moment, then followed after her.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Whatever you feel like, Professor~”

Adele smiled awkwardly after giving her usual answer. She knew perfectly well that, despite always saying that, we’d end up eating whatever she wanted in the end.

How do I kill her?

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