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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuzio
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I was in my usual private room at the far end of the main building, the one Rain assigned to me, engrossed in magical research.
I was exploring how to more effectively utilize familiars, the magical constructs of pure mana.
And absolutely, absolutely not because of any personal desire to peek at you.
This is purely for research purposes.
My red mana familiar took shape, floating gently before heading towards your location.
I’ve long since memorized your daily routine, you being an academy cadet and all.
I knew which paths you took, what time you usually returned to the dorm, and even when you slept.
Driven by the thought of never losing sight of you again, I meticulously investigated everything about you.
I haven’t been able to observe you for the past few days because those fools from the Magic Tower kept sending messages about dying.
Honestly, dealing with them has been a chore, but now I finally have some free time.
The visual feed from my familiar locked onto your form.
And I saw it.
The disgusting, insidious bullying being perpetrated by those who aspire to bear the title of “Hero.”
And the target of that torment is none other than you, the one I knew so well, the one I loved more than anything, the one I swore to protect with everything I have.
I saw it all.
Yet, a part of me, a very small part, tried to rationalize it, telling me that it’s nothing more than harmless teasing.
Honestly, I wouldn’t know.
I didn’t have any memories of interacting with peers my own age.
Furthermore, my familiar’s audio capabilities were limited.
I couldn’t jump to conclusions based solely on visual information.
If I intervened unnecessarily and raised suspicions, it would be troublesome.
Not for me, but for you.
I spotted Rain in the distance, glancing at the situation briefly before moving on.
Seeing her nonchalance, I wondered if it was really that big of a deal.
My familiar followed you as you headed back to the dorm.
I saw you talking to that musclehead.
He seemed shrunken somehow, while you remained your usual composed self.
A flicker of unease tugged at me.
The next day arrived, bringing with it my teaching duties.
I swung open the door to the lecture hall, filled with those meaningless creatures, those who aren’t you.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, I paid no mind to their reactions.
Someone raised their hand, eager to share a rumor I wouldn’t deign to acknowledge.
“What.”
“Professor, did you hear that there’s someone at our academy with demon blood?”
What utter nonsense.
Demon blood?
It wasn’t like we were the only ones who went to the Demon Realm, and eradicated every last demon that had infiltrated the continent.
Besides, it wasn’t even certain if humans and demons could even procreate.
“What are you talking about?”
“That guy with the bandages… they say he has demon blood.”
The bandaged one.
There was only one person in the entire academy, no, the entire continent, who fit that description.
So?
Ron has demon blood?
That was a new level of absurdity.
I didn’t know where this rumor originated, but I’ll find the source and teach them a lesson in respect.
A lesson they won’t soon forget.
“Open your textbooks.”
I force-fed them magical knowledge, completing the lecture that existed solely for you.
Thankfully, Rain hasn’t burdened me with any other classes yet.
It’s a small favor I was returning, considering I’ll be forced to teach several more courses next semester.
I found a secluded spot and summoned my familiar once more, channeling mana to send it on its way.
The visual feed scanned the academy, searching for any trace of you.
I found you.
I guided it closer.
And confirmed the bullying.
You were cornered in the corner of the central plaza, a space that doesn’t attract much attention, surrounded by first-year cadets.
I didn’t understand what you were thinking.
I rarely did.
But today, your actions were even more baffling.
A wave of disgust washed over me, directed at those academy cadets, those supposed future heroes, who resorted to ganging up on one person to vent their frustrations.
That was not something I taught them.
No, it was a fundamental violation of human decency.
They might be mere adventurers now, but upon graduating, they’ll bear the title of “Hero.”
And those who attended the academy I established, in Hidin of all places, should have conducted themselves with pride and honor befitting of their future titles.
Why were they engaging in such despicable behavior?
And why are you, of all people, the target?
There was always a ringleader, someone who instigated the torment.
I’ll find them.
No, I will find them.
I must find them.
I clenched my fists, but the unease and irritation festering within me refused to subside.
Those cadets disgusted me.
They were nothing more than monsters, no, worse than monsters.
Some approached and greeted me, but I couldn’t bear to acknowledge them.
They were all the same.
I needed to calm down.
If I lashed out at everyone here, it would have been counterproductive.
And knowing you, as little as I do, I doubt you’d approve.
But I couldn’t let this stand.
I would find the ringleader.
And hold them accountable.
Perhaps two arms, or maybe two legs, would suffice as compensation.
I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure.
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Your location appeared in my mind.
You were moving.
Every ten minutes, I checked, even though I recognized the obsessive nature of my actions.
I tried to justify it, telling myself, “I didn’t know where you were before,” a flimsy argument at best, but there was no one to contradict me.
Driven by this compulsion, I constantly monitored your whereabouts.
You moved again.
From a second-floor lecture hall to the cafeteria.
It was lunchtime.
You were probably going for that bread you like.
It wasn’t the most nutritious choice.
Should I have intervened?
I found myself imagining us eating together, lost in my thoughts.
Then, you moved again.
To the central plaza.
Excellent.
I’ll take a walk and say hello.
Our positions within the academy, headmaster and student, made it difficult to interact freely.
And your communication style, that tendency to deflect and avoid, doesn’t make things any easier.
But seeing your face, even partially obscured by bandages, would be… nice.
And picturing your eyes, hidden beneath that fabric, was a welcome distraction.
I grabbed my robe, and headed out.
It was a beautiful day, with clear skies and the warmth of the sun a comforting presence.
I had a good feeling about today.
I should bring some of those cookies you like.
I quickened my pace, not wanting to miss you.
Arriving at the plaza, my eyes widened in disbelief.
Because there you were, at the center of it all, surrounded by first-year cadets, the target of their verbal abuse.
I didn’t understand what you were thinking.
I rarely did.
But today, your actions were even more baffling.
A surge of disgust washed over me, directed at those academy cadets, those supposed future heroes, who resorted to ganging up on one person to vent their frustrations.
That’s not something I taught them.
No, it was a fundamental violation of human decency.
They might have been mere adventurers now, but upon graduating, they’ll bear the title of “Hero.”
And those attending the academy I established, in Hidin of all places, should conduct themselves with pride and honor befitting their future titles.
Why were they engaging in such despicable behavior?
And why were you, of all people, the target?
There was always a ringleader, someone who instigated the torment.
I’ll find them.
No, I will find them.
I must find them.
I clenched my fists, but the unease and irritation festering within me refused to subside.
Those cadets disgusted me.
They were nothing more than monsters, no, worse than monsters.
Some approached and greeted me, but I couldn’t bear to acknowledge them.
They were all the same.
I need to calm down.
If I lashed out at everyone here, it would be counterproductive.
And knowing you, as little as I did, I doubt you’d approve.
But I couldn’t let this stand.
I’ll find the ringleader.
And hold them accountable.
Perhaps two arms, or maybe two legs, would suffice as compensation.
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[Stalker Inc.]
Thank you for the chapter