Millia could not hide her shock.
At first glance, Lucas's interpretation might seem hastily done, but it was an interpretation that included all the key keywords.
He devoted a full 10 years to this sentence alone.
However, Lucas managed to interpret this sentence in literally just enough time to catch his breath.
The most shocking thing was the content.
The content of the sentence I devoted ten years to was merely… … .
What a joke, the kind you'd only hear at a middle-aged men's drinking party.
I didn't want to believe it.
"Hahaha! Professor Lucas, I see now that you have quite a sense of humor! Even though no one can decipher the runes, to respond with such a funny joke! Well then, I'll share a line myself. Do you know what happens when ice dies? It's diving, diving! Hahaha!"
"...."
In the midst of the serious atmosphere, only Robert was excitedly chattering away.
Lucas's expression hardened even more.
I don't like this kind of wordplay.
Lucas coldly spat out a remark and turned around.
It seems you do not need to stay here any longer. If you require my cooperation in the future, please contact the lab.
It was a very polite and dignified attitude, but everyone could tell.
Lucas did not want to speak to the two investigators here.
The faint contempt on his face reflected his feelings.
Millia felt wronged.
This was because he had merely intended to test Lucas with the runes he was researching, but he was being treated as being on the same level as that guy named Robert or Robot.
Professor Lucas! It's a misunderstanding, I said it's a misunderstanding.
Lucas slipped out of the restricted area without giving anyone a chance to explain.
"Good riddance, to think you dislike this kind of wordplay. Millia, do you know what happens when an almond dies? It becomes a diamond! Hahaha!"
Robert continued his nonsensical wordplay, as if he still hadn't quite grasped the situation.
"Do you know what happens when ice cream dies? Daiha...."
Investigator Robert.
"Yes, Lady Millia."
Do you know what happens if the investigator dies?
"Me? Uh... if I die... well, I wonder what it would be?"
Millia drew up her magical power and spat out a fierce remark toward the hesitant Robert.
"...If you don't want to know, stop that corny pun in front of me."
"Hiccup!"
* * *
"Professor, a faculty meeting has been called."
With the investigations by Aerok's home country and the Magic Tower concluded, a faculty meeting was convened to discuss future plans.
If the incident at the previous Kylon Hall was dismissed as a matter solely for the Combat Department, this invasion was perceived as a matter for the entirety of Grasco.
In addition, they also had to discuss how to handle the midterm exams that were suspended due to the invasion, as well as compensation for the victims.
The summoning of the faculty meeting was conveyed to all professors in Grasco.
Not only the professors, but also their teaching assistants and assistant professors began to gather one after another at
"uh?"
The professors couldn't help but be puzzled by the group of brown-robed men they saw as soon as they entered.
"What brings the Magic Tower members to the faculty meeting...?"
"Alright, alright. Everyone, please calm down. The Magic Tower has arrived to observe and assist with the discussion of the compensation plan."
Ronald calmed the surprised professors.
"Nice to meet you. I am Millia, the team leader of the investigation team dispatched from the Magic Tower."
"If it's Millia… she's an authority on runes!"
The professors of the Faculty of Magic recognized Millia immediately.
However, upon hearing that title, Millia's expression actually darkened.
I always find the papers you publish interesting to read.
"Milia, your research is truly raising the standard of academia."
The professors at the Faculty of Magic are showing intense interest in Millia.
"Alright, it looks like we have enough people gathered, so let's begin the meeting..."
"Excuse me, but not a single person from the Combat Department has shown up yet?"
Ronald smiled benevolently at Millia's remark and said.
"Since the Combat Department suffered the most severe damage, I have come to attend the meeting on their behalf."
"Still, I think there should be at least one person."
For example, Lucas.
Lucas definitely looked fine.
At that moment.
Squeak!
The door of the
It was just that the closed door opened, but in an instant, people's eyes were drawn to it.
The same was true for the professors of the Faculty of Magic who were focusing their attention on Millia.
My gaze was naturally drawn to it, as if by the providence of nature.
Click-
At the end of that gaze, without fail, was Lucas.
It overwhelmed with just its appearance.
Some professors and most of the teaching assistants simply admired his new form and chased after him.
He found his seat and took it down without saying a word.
A heavy silence fell.
"Lucas von Kraus of the Faculty of Combat. I have arrived."
You came.
I looked at the clock and it was exactly 8:00 PM.
It was time for the meeting to start.
Just as he did during lectures, he had a strict sense of time.
It seems all the professors who can gather are here, so I will begin the meeting.
The Grasco Professors' Conference began with Ronald's declaration.
"The very first item on the agenda is the midterm exams. The Combat Department's midterms have progressed to Lecture 64, and the General Department...."
As expected, the top priority is the midterm exams.
It would be difficult to proceed with the midterm exams under the current circumstances.
However, appropriate measures do need to be put in place.
"In that case, on the final exams...."
A heated debate is continuing.
The only ones who can step back from here are the combat departments.
No, I couldn't bring up any agenda items.
This is because most of the students who advanced to the Round of 32 had suffered significant damage, and the department facing the greatest difficulty in resuming was the Combat Department.
Still, the only saving grace is that all 38 finalists have been decided.
Since the benefits for the winner of the Combat Department's midterm exam were not significant, it was a matter of simply obtaining the students' consent.
"Then, let's officially declare the midterm exams concluded and leave the subsequent handling to each department. Is there any objection?"
The Faculty of Engineering has no objections.
It is not available even in general faculties.
There is no Faculty of Magic either.
There is also no combat faculty.
"Okay. Let's move on to the next one."
* * *
Why is that guy making such a fuss staring?
Millia's gaze is uncomfortable.
There must be a reason why they attended this meeting, but they are blatantly glaring only at me.
"Surely he isn't acting like this just because I mocked a dad joke he typed in runes earlier? Is it because he has elf blood? Look at how narrow-minded he is."
It is not racism.
In my worldview, the characteristic of elves is, "They may forget favors, but they never forget grudges."
It does not matter how trivial that grudge is.
The very epitome of a petty person.
I should have just casually chimed in. Ah, damn, I thought I'd be leaving soon.
Did you know I would stay this long?
My consciousness keeps drifting toward her because of Millia's gaze.
It can't be helped.
She is one of the most famous figures in my worldview.
A skilled individual who can instantly wipe out anyone who holds a grudge against me.
Right now, the only thing I can trust is
If only to survive, I must focus my consciousness on her.
At the same time, I had to remain conscious during the meeting.
At this time, when discussions about the future direction of Grasco are taking place among each department, we cannot afford to lose our focus.
Mental strength is being depleted rapidly.
tired...
[A new notification has arrived.]
[Lee Kang-ming donated 10,000G.]
[Iriod donated 1,000G.]
[Gagyu donated 500G.]
[k2929 donated 100G.]
What the hell is that?
Thanks to the sponsorship buff, fatigue vanished in an instant.
"...Then, does the Combat Department have a separate plan in mind?"
Before we knew it, the right to speak had passed to the combat department.
I am the only one in the combat department here.
In other words, I must represent the combat department.
There is something I definitely felt while going through this invasion.
The combat department, no, the entire Grasco, has overwhelmingly little actual combat experience.
It is probably due to the influence of Ronald's educational philosophy.
This must be addressed at least once.
"Which grade level do you think suffered the most casualties during this invasion?"
"That is still under investigation...."
All the professors could not answer.
Under the pretext that they are still figuring it out.
If you go to that recovery center, it will be obvious.
They are the fourth-year students. The graduating class. Paradoxically, the year group that received the most learning in Grasco has suffered the greatest damage. What do you think that signifies?
Naturally, my lecturing method, the Socratic method of questioning, was coming out.
However, you cannot demand answers from the professors.
"An absolute lack of real-world experience. No matter how sophisticated the technology used to recreate vivid reality in *Kylon Coffin*, everyone must have felt that it falls short of a 'real' battle like today."
"Hmm...."
The professors' reactions were generally positive.
Then again, they must have learned a lot from this invasion.
I am well aware of Vice Chancellor Ronald's educational philosophy, but now I must also experience the true meaning of practice.
Ronald's reaction was the key.
Wasn't he the one who, to begin with, strove not to drive the students out of Grasco and not to throw them into the flames of war?
They could have raised a fuss, claiming that they were conspiring with the Aeroc royal family to conscript students.
but,
I, too, keenly felt that point.
Ronald readily admitted it.
That the direction of his educational philosophy was off.
I keenly felt that our students need the experience to remain calm even if they are caught up in something like today.
Therefore, I suggest utilizing the 'Pedur Mountains' for students' practical experience.
"Pedur Mountains!"
The 'Pedur Mountains' are a mountain range located between the kingdoms of Aerok and Anik. Along with breathtaking natural scenery, it is a rugged terrain inhabited by creatures far more powerful than ordinary monsters due to a magical distortion phenomenon.
"The subjugation has been significantly delayed due to the war with the demons, so there is a risk that a wave phenomenon could occur. We will use that place as a training ground."
"But that is too dangerous...."
I am here.
The biggest cause of their concern is the monster wave that could erupt at any moment.
However, I know exactly when the monster wave in the Pedur Mountains will break out.
About half a year from now.
Because of that, Aerok suffers a significant blow to its power.
It is not solely for the students' practical experience.
It is also intended to minimize foreseen risks—and above all.
Ancient artifacts hidden there.
Just like the 'Atan Tower', fragments of an ultra-ancient civilization lie dormant.
Although it was only mentioned in *Ah.Cheon.Mang*, now that its existence is known, wouldn't it be only natural to make use of it?
I mean, the pressure to become even stronger has been dominating me since the demon invasion.
"...I see. You're here. I worried for nothing."
Ronald readily agreed.
"Instead, I will proceed with integrated training between the Faculty of Combat and the Faculty of Magic. I will leave that matter to Professor Lucas. I ask the Faculty of Magic to draft a relevant plan and cooperate with Professor Lucas."
"All right."
* * *
"Okay, then the last one is the compensation plan for damages...."
The tedious, marathon-like meeting has now reached its end.
Finally, the last agenda item and the core topic of this meeting, 'compensation,' was mentioned.
In an instant, the professors' eyes changed.
"Ahem! I would like to start by saying that our College of Engineering has suffered a truly severe loss this time. Due to the suspension of the midterm exams, student funding has been cut in half."
The same applies to our general departments. As for the damage caused by our midterms...
"Hey, you mustn't leave out the losses of the Faculty of Magic!"
As the issue of compensation was discussed, the professors' tone grew stronger.
Each person raised their voice, speaking of the damage to their respective faculties or departments.
"We are suffering losses, including equipment...."
"Oh my goodness, we've even lost our research data, so we're about to start from scratch!"
They were sharply at odds with each other, each claiming they were the one suffering the greater loss.
There is absolutely no end in sight.
"I'm sure you all know this well, but… isn't there a faculty that should be the first to speak up regarding this issue?"
At Ronald's sharp remark, the professors' eyes turned to one place.
If there is one faculty that suffered the greatest damage from this invasion, it is undoubtedly the Combat Faculty.
Whether it's human lives or facilities.
Even the professors have been injured and are staying at the recovery center.
Their eyes are fixed on me.
Anxiety and nervousness are visible in that gaze.
No matter how much I ask for, they must accept it. The higher the amount I ask for, the less money goes to them.
I finished thinking for a moment and opened my mouth.
This mess occurred because the professor sent by the Magic Tower destroyed the barrier.
People looked skeptical at my somewhat unexpected remark.
But what does the amount matter?
As if answering their question, my gaze turned toward Millia.
"To cover up such a mistake, the amount shouldn't be the important thing in the Magic Tower."
Simply put, it was a polite threat to demand whatever was asked.