[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
Chapter 153 - Head Theoretical Professor Kaiden (5)
Kaiden smoothly adapted to the Academy and had now completely taken control of the Theory Departnt.
With his fa as a genius mage and a forr mber of the Demon King Slaying Special Force, not to ntion his incredibly sharp mind, everyone in the Theory Departnt followed Kaiden's words without question.
Isra was competent, but honestly, she can't compare to Kaiden.
The only area where Kaiden might be lacking compared to Isra is in social skills.
Kaiden handled tasks with the precision of an advanced AI, but he barely interacted with the other professors on a personal level.
"He's always smiling, but he never engages in small talk."
"It's nice that he's efficient, but it'd be great if we could get to know him a little better."
"Sotis, I wonder if he's not a person, but a doll with a pretty, smiling face."
That was the kind of response I got from the Theory Departnt professors when I asked them.
Isra might be prickly, but she understands basic social etiquette and knows how to win people over.
That’s why, even when she pushed the professors hard during her ti as the Head Professor, they carried out her orders without complaints.
Kaiden, on the other hand, lacked that kind of touch. So, even though he’s handling the work much more smoothly than before, people still find it hard to be comfortable around him.
But it would be strange to tell him to change his behavior just because of those comnts.
Everyone has their own style, and Kaiden’s is that of an individualist who displays social skills only when necessary.
For Kaiden, the professors in the Theory Departnt are strictly professional connections, and he treats them accordingly.
Criticizing him for having his own work style would be inappropriate.
# # # # #
"Hmm, yes… of course…."
Headmaster’s Office. We were reviewing the draft for the end-of-sester assessnts.
As Kaiden presented the Theory Departnt’s plan, Kirrin nervously nodded in agreent.
"Yes, yes… this looks good… yes, very good…."
There was no one in the Academy Kirrin used honorifics with, so it was clear how much she was intimidated by Kaiden.
Isra, sitting beside her, seed impressed as she listened to Kaiden's report, her face showing a satisfied expression.
"It seems we can proceed with the theoretical assessnts as planned, Head Professor."
"Thank you, Headmaster. I will see to it that everything is handled thoroughly."
Kaiden replied with his usual enigmatic and serene smile.
No matter the situation, he always kept that sa expression, without any fluctuation in emotion, which might make those who weren't close to him feel a strong sense of distance or unfamiliarity.
"By the way, it’s almost lunchti…."
"Yes, it is. Sir Dian, let’s go eat."
Kaiden said, cutting off Kirrin mid-sentence.
"Oh, sure. How about we all go together?"
I suggested, and Kirrin looked pleased, while Isra didn’t object and got up from her seat.
"All of us, together for lunch."
Kaiden maintained his subtle smile and said,
"I don’t mind."
So, we headed to a dessert cafe in the shopping district.
These days, cafes serve everything from desserts like cake to simple als, making them perfect for a quick lunch.
As usual, Kirrin ordered a whole strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, while Isra opted for a salad.
I planned to share Kirrin’s cake, as I always did, so I only ordered a drink.
"I see. You’re sharing a cake with the Headmaster."
"It’s a lot, so we usually eat it together. We’ve done this often."
Kaiden seed to understand and didn't ask any further questions.
"Thank you for the al!"
When the food arrived, Kirrin bead as she picked up her fork.
"Uh, would you like to try a bit…?"
Then, glancing around, she nervously placed a slice of cake on Kaiden’s plate.
"Thank you. It looks delicious."
Kaiden took a small bite from the corner of the cake with his fork and offered a gentle smile.
"It’s good."
"Right? Have so more. Here, Dian, have a piece too."
Kirrin cut a new piece and placed it on my plate.
"So, do the two of you often have als together like this?"
Kaiden asked, watching us.
"Yes. Dian and I really love this cake. If you get it by the slice, it’s too little, so it’s cheaper to just buy a whole one."
"It’s quite refreshing to see a Headmaster and a professor share a cake so amicably. It gives the academy a very down-to-earth, human feel."
"R-right…? H-hehe…"
Kirrin was visibly flustered, her smile awkward and sheepish, while Isra looked at her with a scornful gaze, as if she found her pitiful. What’s her problem now?
"Well then, everyone, enjoy your al."
Feeling cheerful, Kirrin took a big bite of the cake, picking up a piece with a strawberry on top.
"Ugh…!"
But suddenly, she clapped her hands over her mouth and shot up from her chair.
"Huh? Are you alright?"
"Mmmp…!"
Her eyes wide, Kirrin shook her head violently and suddenly bolted away.
But she didn’t get far before she bent over the flower bed and started to spit out everything she’d just put in her mouth.
Was there sothing wrong with the cake?
I quickly sniffed it but couldn’t find anything off. Just to be sure, I tasted it myself, and it was the sa as always.
Weird.
"Ah, I’m sorry…"
Kirrin apologized as she returned to the table, taking her seat again.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-yes, I’m fine…."
She forced a weak smile as she picked up his fork again.
"Ugh!"
But this ti, she grimaced before she even managed to get it to her mouth.
"Bleagh!"
She tossed the fork aside, dashed away again, and began retching by the flower bed.
Kaiden walked over and gently patted Kirrin’s back.
"What’s going on?"
Even Isra sniffed at the cake, but she was just as clueless.
"Maybe she’s just feeling unwell today."
"Could be. But hey, Dian."
After inspecting the cake, Isra turned to and asked sharply,
"Who exactly is this person, Kaiden?"
"What do you an?"
"Didn’t you catch how he subtly insulted Headmaster Kirrin just now?"
"Insulted? How?"
"Saying the Academy was ‘down-to-earth and human’—he was implying the Headmaster doesn’t act like a proper Headmaster!"
"Hmm, do you think that’s what he ant?"
"Of course. Do you think I wouldn’t pick up on that?"
Well, Isra did have a knack for things like this. But why would Kaiden say that?
Isra drumd her fingers impatiently on the table.
"I just don’t like him. There’s sothing off about how he looks so feminine despite being a man, and his lack of emotional expression is unsettling."
"I’ve heard people saying similar things."
"You said he was your comrade, right? What was he like back then? And are you sure he’s really a man?"
"Back then? He was sowhat like this even then. And yes, he is a man."
"How old is he?"
"I don’t know."
"You t him ten years ago, right? Did he look the sa back then?"
"Pretty much."
"What about his parents?"
"He doesn’t have any. Apparently, they died in an accident while he was practicing magic at ho."
"Then he’s a woman!"
Isra tapped the back of my hand as if she couldn't believe I didn't understand.
"If he looked the sa ten years ago, then even at the minimum, he’d be in his mid-twenties by now. There’s no way a human male would still have a face like that at that age."
"Maybe he just looks young."
"That’s impossible. Biologically, it doesn’t make sense."
Isra shook her head, still unconvinced.
"Maybe it’s so kind of magic. He might not even look like that in reality."
"By that logic, everything could be magic."
"You said he’s an illusion mage, right? Maybe this whole conversation is an illusion, my salad could be an illusion, and even the reflection I see in the mirror could be an illusion. Where does it end?"
I patted her shoulder with a smile.
"If you’re here, thinking and doubting, at least that’s real."
"What does that even an?"
"Let’s say there’s a demon, a very evil and omnipotent one, who wants to deceive . So, he manipulates everything I see, hear, and touch—even this exact mont with you."
"And?"
"But the demon couldn’t deceive the fact that I’m doubting all of this. The very act of doubting proves that ‘thinking ’ is real. Even if the world is a lie, the ‘ that is thinking’ can’t be fake."
"So, you're saying that by thinking and doubting, you anchor yourself and find your center?"
"Pretty much."
Isra slowly nodded, still looking a bit puzzled.
"Sorry, everyone…"
Just then, a pale-faced Kirrin returned.
"I don’t think I’m well enough to eat with you today… I’ll head back…."
"Shouldn’t you stop by the infirmary?"
"Yes, I think I will…."
As Kirrin stumbled away, Kaiden returned to his seat and remarked,
"For so reason, it seems her stomach is upset."
Kaiden said this with a knowing smile, taking another bite of cake.
Isra shot a discreet, dissatisfied look at him.
# # # # #
On her way to the infirmary, Kirrin kept shaking her head in confusion.
Earlier, just as she was about to eat the cake, a sudden wave of nausea hit her.
The thought of sharing the cake with Dian suddenly felt extrely unhygienic.
But nothing like this had ever happened before.
In fact, Kirrin usually found that sharing the cake with Dian made it taste even better.
And today, she had even made the effort to slice the cake nicely because Isra and Kaiden were there.
Normally, they didn’t even bother slicing it—they just dug in from opposite sides.
So why now…?
It must be because of Kaiden’s presence.
He’s such an extraordinary person, it must have made tense without even realizing it, twisting my stomach….
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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