[The editors and translators have forwarded some notes with this chapter and Ive rewritten and condensed it below: Allen is a male assistant professor; however, from Chapters 30-31, in the train assault arc, Deculein felt that his hand felt odd, etc, and had noticed other clues in their day-to-day. Allens true gender is female. Basically, going forward, if its in the perspective of Deculein (1st Person POV), Allen is referred to as a female since he knows her true gender. However, if its anyone else referring to her, or if in a dialogue between people, she is referred to as a male since they themselves dont know her identity. As of late, the nuance of the way Deculein has been talking to Allen could infer that she is a female, which is why weve gone ahead and changed the pronouns. That and the fact that this aint no BL novel, boys, your boy Actives got you. What makes this SUPER confusing is that the Korean language literally doesnt use gender pronouns, so in addition to the authors superb fantasy-world naming sense, his complicated writing style, the non-descriptive nature of Korean fiction (namely with character descriptions), having multiple soul puppets with different genders from their host, and now a character disguised in the opposite gender, its been hard to be completely accurate. The only way for us to do so is to read 20-50 chapters ahead for context, which is impossible with our current budget. Anyways, we might add a few sentences in the earlier chapters to localize and provide context to the transition of the pronouns over time.]

Chapter 78: Mask (1)

[Pigs Flower], a famous restaurant near the Imperial University.

Ill kill him!

Sylvia stared at her fellow debutante, finding how she exploded in rage while ripping the Roahawk apart funny.

Ill find him and kill him no matter what!

She hadnt found who tore apart her paper yet, and perhaps she would never know. There were so many people nearby at the time.

Stupid Epherene.

Turning her head, she glared at Sylvia, bitter tears welling up in her fierce eyes.

You wont be able to do anything even if you knew who did it. Your paper wont revert to its original state.

Did you come to mock me?

Laughing disdainfully, Sylvia pulled out her own paper, making Epherene envious.

Whoong

Sylvias barrier wrapped around the dining table.

Assistant Professor Allen told us not to lose this paper, but she didnt tell us the exam location.

Did you figure something out?

No. Not yet.

How was this paper related to what they had learned so far?

Although it was dodgy, Sylvia believed in Deculein and his lectures.

If you havent figured out anything yet

Lightly glancing at her, Epherene hesitantly brought up a proposal.

D-do you want to team up? We did the group project together anyway. You remember, right?

Stupid Epherene.

W-what? Ill be a great help. Im second only to you, you know.

She put the piece of Roahawk down, which clearly showed how desperate she was. Nevertheless, Sylvia shook her head.

You dont have a paper. I do.

Who doesnt know that?

Perhaps cases like you will be more frequent. We do still have three weeks for the exam.

Sigh I want to cry.

She sniffed and pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. Trying to look pitiful, she wiped tears off her eyes, but Silvia was far too focused on the cloth she took out to notice.

Sylvia recalled the handkerchief Deculein gave her, which she then used to decorate her panda with.

The pattern it had was the same as the one in Epherenes hands.

You.

Her body moved on its own, hurriedly grabbing Epherenes wrist, making her flinch.

W-what?

Where did you get this?

This h-handkerchief?

Yeah.

Thats a secret.

Epherene firmly shook her head, but Sylvia, surprisingly, insisted.

Tell me.

Why should I? Epherene frowned. Why did she care about it? Was it because the handkerchief was too luxurious?

Woah, is this a luxury treasure even the Iliade family cant easily get?

If you tell me, I might let you join me in the exam.

Ill buy you Roahawks during the test period.

That made Epherene think.

Her sponsors identity was anonymous anyway. It wouldnt be a betrayal if she just told her that she was sponsored.

It really wasnt because of the free Roahawk Maybe it was, but just a little. However, she had to keep her grades up if she wanted to see her sponsors face.

Epherene glanced at Sylvia.

I didnt steal it. Do you believe me?

If you didnt, then where did you get it?

She answered shortly after hesitating a bit.

Its a gift from a sponsor.

Sponsor? Sylvias eyebrows scrunched as she clenched her hand hidden under the table.

Yeah. I received a sponsorship. I didnt even know I would.

Youre sponsored.

Yes~ I didnt even think I could get one. Thats all I know, though. Its an anonymous sponsorship. I think it would be disrespectful to dig into it Why did you suddenly ask, though? Did you see this handkerchief somewhere?

Epherenes eyes were widening with curiosity, and Sylvias eyes narrowed.

No. It just doesnt suit you.

Gosh. Anyway, I told you what I know, so were doing it together, right?

Sylvia cut the meat in front of her without saying anything as she looked into her face intently.

Her expression was as vague as always, revealing nothing that was in her mind. She didnt even smile.

Her stiff, mask-like face was initially unpleasant to look at, but.

Ill accept your silence as your approval, okay?

Now, it wasnt as bad.

Epherene began to cheer up. Sylvia looked at her, seemingly out of spite, as she put a piece of meat into her mouth.

* * * *

Julie held a cup of coffee in a cafe near the tower.

From now to midnight, Deculein had to check a thesis in the lab.

It was a momentary break.

No matter how strong of a gut they had, the Altar wouldnt commit a kidnapping in the University Tower, and she knew better than to interfere in Professor Deculeins personal time to study.

Time flies so fast.

Looking at the campus outside the window reminded her of the old days.

If she walked a little further, shed find the Knights Training Center. A bit further than that, and shed stumble upon the Knights Square, and even further, the grand main building of the Imperial Order.

.

The Imperial Order, which all knights on the continent regarded as a dream.

She had a history of working in that Hall of Fantasy, but now it was all in the past. She couldnt go back, and she couldnt turn time around.

Julie!

Her eyes immediately looked in the direction where she heard her name coming from.

So you were here.

At the cafes entrance, she found Gwen, Raphael, and Syrio, smiling at her as they approached her.

Did you come to observe the knights exams? Julie asked.

Huh? Yeah, that too.

The encounter made Julie happy, but Gwen scratched the back of her neck, looking apologetic.

Well, I dont have much to say. Here. Take it.

She gave her a letter, the imperial seal on it surprising her.

Oh! This is about the mission from last time, isnt it?

Yeah, but I think youre on a different task now

Its fine. This one involves professor Deculein too.

At Julies words, Gwen looked more mysterious.

She rejoiced like a child. Participating in an important mission was also one of the dreams of a true knight, but

Read it.

Yep! She vigorously answered as she opened it, only for its very first sentence to destroy her expectations that had been accumulating.

[Nondisclosure of Secrets Pledge]

Nondisclosure of Secrets?

Julie looked at Gwen as if waiting for an explanation, seemingly unable to understand what it meant.

Her fellow knight sighed.

Deculeins condition for his participation is your removal from this task.

What?

Hes doing it instead of you. Not with you.

She read the letter without saying anything.

Eunuch Jolangs words were more concise, which basically told her, Deculein is worried about his fianc, so youre out. Just dont tell others about this mission.

Julie?

She remained silent for quite a long moment, looking as if she didnt know what to do.

After showing a vivid expression, she gripped the letter in her hand, causing it to crumple.

Is this true?

Yeah. Deculeins the worst, isnt he? Gwen smiled bitterly.

Instead of listening to her, Julie rolled her tongue in her mouth, her cheeks puffing up one at a time.

It was a habit that came out whenever she was really angry.

Why

Deculein knows about your injury, Raphael replied. Looking at him, she found him standing behind Gwen with his arms crossed.

My injury? Julie asked.

Gwen nodded. Yeah. He knows you havent completely recovered yet. That you pretended to be.

They said the Imperial Palaces basement is filled with mana. With your current state, joining this mission would be like walking into a sea of poison, wouldnt it?

She got that injury during a mission. At the time, she almost died, but she had overcome it now.

At least, that was what she had been thinking.

Deculein eliminated you from teaching the emperor because of that too. It seems he discovered it as soon as he felt your mana. Well, he is the Head Professor, after all.

Gwen then continued, murmuring, He told me not to tell you, but what does he know? Screw him~

Maybe he knew it would harm your career if the Imperial Palace were to learn of your predicament, so hes trying to hide it in his own way for you. And without telling you.

Julie knew that all too well. Due to the nature of her injury, if it got worse, the Guardian Knight position would grow even farther away.

Deculein has a reputation for disliking Eunuchs, especially Jolang, but he still took the mission in your stead. Well, that was only proper. You were injured because of that bastard in the first place.

The relationship between the Yukline family and Eunuchs couldnt be any worse. They werent the only ones. Prestigious, high-ranking families often quarreled and argued with them, but of them all, Freyden and Yukline fought against them the hardest.

Anyway, this is only until you get better. If we fail the mission, well wait until you get better. That would mean it would be impossible without you.

Right~ Syrio interrupted in the back. Gwen glared at him, and he immediately stepped back, grunting. I cant even say anything

Yes. Alright. I understand. Now go back. When Julie asked them to leave, Gwen and the others hesitated for a moment but followed her wish in the end.

Left alone, she placed her hand below her collarbone, feeling a clear lump. Just touching it caused her to feel a burning pain. She thought she had overcome it, but it had been slowly reviving in the recent days.

Did you know about it this time too?

Julie thought about Deculein.

There was a time when she couldnt estimate the size of her love for him. That huge affection tied her up and weighed down her mind. Its effects on her werent much different from violence.

That was how he pushed her.

Now, however, he had definitely changed so clearly it was almost unbelievable.

Of course, others said it was all acting. Reylie, Rockfell, and the rest said she shouldnt be fooled

Its acting!

Oh!

A loud voice startled her. She trembled, making her look like she was vibrating.

Or is it?!

The University Tower chairman smiled at her.

Was I talking to myself out loud?

No! Its the mind-reading skill I developed! Of course, others say that hes acting I just heard that part!

Julies eyes widened.

T-Th-thats rude! How dare you read someones mind?!

Aaaaghh! Why do you have to yell?! I didnt know it would work either! You scared my baby!

Your baby?

Only then did Julie notice the leash in her hand, which was attached to a small, fluffy puppy.

Are you okay, Orme Spartinza Adrienne II?!?!

Woof! Woof!

He said he got scared!

Julie just looked at the puppy blankly.

Oh. Okay

Panting, it opened its mouth, smiled, and stuck its tongue out.

It looked so cute she thought itd take away her soul

The chairman, looking at her, asked, Hmm. Do you like dogs?

Yes? Oh, oh, that, I do No. No. Im on a mission.

Huhu!

The chairman laughed and put Orme Spartinza Adrienne II on Julies knees, causing her to blush in an instant.

When the puppy barked, her stiffened face melted.

However, the next moment, Julie hurriedly released her mana.

Stop it. Im serious.

The chairman used her [Mind Reading] magic to see through her again.

Gosh. I wont do it, so buy me a cup of coffee!

Ah~ it feels like the times when I walked through this campus as a student was just yesterday.

Julie pretended to be distracted. The chairman, fixing her gaze outside the window, ordered a cup of coffee herself.

* * * *

Tick Tock

The clock struck midnight, but I was still checking magic in the lab.

Im stuck.

The idea that Epherenes father had devised. The research I spent the longest time in this world, resulting in around 3000 pages.

A wall blocked that magic development research.

.

I looked at the documents-filled table.

This magic paper filled with formulas, magic circles, operations, and logic was concrete and systematic. However, the biggest problem was that I lacked the enormous talent and mana needed to realize this ideas final knot.

Of course, mana stones static mana could serve as supplements to a certain level. However, there was nothing I could do with my lack of talent. It was painful.

This study required talent in all four elements. However, Deculein only had two elements, Earth and Fire.

Tsk.

I had [Iron Man], but my head throbbed. Was it because I shot my skull with a revolver three days ago?

Im done for today.

Since there wasnt much I could do about it right now, I lifted the research data with [Psychokinesis], stored them all in a safe, and came out of the lab.

As I was about to get in the elevator, Allens office came into my eyes.

[Assistant Professor Allen]

It was a small room in the corner of the 77th floor. It still had light coming from inside it.

I approached it slowly and knocked on the door.

Ugh!

Allen, sleeping on the desk, woke up. She looked tired.

Ugh. Youstayedtillate, whatbringsyouhere?

What?

Youstayed. I mean, its Its late, professor.

Were you waiting for me?

Oh. I thought it wouldnt be polite to leave first

I laughed. Allen scratched her head.

Lets leave together, then.

Oh, okay! Wait! Ill bring the journal! She ran somewhere.

I looked around her office, finding well-organized documents, diaries she had been writing since he became an assistant, student records, syllabuses, report cards, and so on in dustless bookshelves

It was a neat and orderly room, and the air in here itself seemed clean. It could even be called a systematized warehouse, not an assistant office.

But that wasnt what I thought was most important.

There werent even a bit of Allens traces here, the owner of this place. Not even her scent or footprints.

It wasnt just here.

In my office and the entire University Tower, her traces were carefully hidden.

Perhaps it was something similar to occupational diseases.

Before leaving, she erased her tracks.

I didnt know what exactly her job was, though.

I guess its almost over.

That made me realize.

It wouldnt be long before Allens departure.

I saw a book on her desk. It was my gift, [Yukline: Understanding Pure Elements Revised].

It seemed like she was studying hard, but many question marks were on many of its pages. Fortunately, I found them in the second half of the book, not the basic process.

Professor.

Allen had returned.

Please look at this. I made another one! It should be a bit better this time

The document she showed me was a list of wizards that wanted to be under my command.

Although it was better than the last time, I still wasnt satisfied.

Sliding the document in my pocket, I looked at her.

Allen.

Yes?

Were now at the end of the semester. This is an important time for you too.

This period was valuable and hectic for anyone in the tower. No one would show interest if someone disappeared, so there wouldnt be a better time to leave.

Oh, right~ But Im fine! Im still overwhelmed with the assistant professor job! She answered with a smile.

That look was all too familiar to me, but it felt a bit arrogant. How much longer did she intend to hide?

How many years were you with me?

Ever since you became the Head Professor!

I see.

What kind of opportunity had she been aiming for since then?

Did she want to kill me or just observe me?

I didnt know her purpose, but since she was about to leave, it would mean she had already fulfilled it or was about to.

I wanted to know what she was thinking.

I didnt see a death variable from Allen, but I knew she could just be hiding it.

Josephine had also deceived my eyes before, after all.

Allen.

I carefully recited her name and put my hands on her shoulder.

Thank you for everything.

That short phrase, as if to suggest farewell, caused her eyes to widen.

What?

The moonlight that flowed through the window gave her expression light and dark shades. At that moment, her emotions were revealed.

I saw pure surprise and sudden questions.

Nothing more than that.

My words were meant to test her. Well, if this were enough to reveal her true intentions, I wouldve caught her from the beginning.

The other day, I told you that you passed the test.

Oh, right!

Allen placed her hand on top of each other on her chest.

You told me my sincerity made me pass the test when you gave me the position of assistant professor, but you also said there was still the next phase

If the first phase was sincerity, the next is trust.'

Trust

When she looked like she had fallen deep in her thoughts, I put one hand on her shoulder.

Allen, you got my faith.

H-huh?!

Her surprise became evident on her puffed cheeks, her hidden emotions surfacing through their redness.

I cant let you, whom I trust, be an assistant forever.

Does that mean

Starting next semester, I think you can be a professor.

! Allens eyes welled up with tears.

I didnt know which part of her was sincere or false, but it was exactly because of that that I put her on my side, adhering to a proverb I once heard before.

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

However, if Allen turned out to be my enemy, I would be a bit disappointed, so this wasnt much different from persuading her not to be.

So, I hope you trust me as well.

I wiped her tears with my hand that had a glove on, leaving transparent droplets on the black leather clinging against my skin.

Remain on this tower.

Allens expression sank slowly.

I didnt know if that showed her surprise or if it simply revealed what was hidden underneath her facade.

I will allow it.

I didnt even have any way to know that.

Nevertheless, I met her eyes as the moon hid behind the clouds.

Just stay next to me.

A system message covered her face.

[The Villains Fate: Death Variable avoided.]

Acquired Reward: Store Currency +2