Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 271: The Black Lion (2)

‘The Nightcrawler Knights.’

As Ludger quietly observed their presence, Veronica turned to him and said apologetically:

“I’m going to step away for a moment. I see someone I know.”

“Yes, of course. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“The pleasure was mine. I hope we get the chance to meet again sometime.”

With that, Veronica walked over to where the Nightcrawler Knights were gathered.

Just then, a teacher nearby cautiously approached Ludger and asked:

“Mr. Ludger, do you happen to know why the knights are here? Did the Headmaster mention anything to you about this...?”

“I haven’t heard anything from the Headmaster regarding this matter. However, based on what Vice-Captain Veronica just told me, it seems the order came directly from the Imperial Family.”

“The Imperial Family? But why would they...?”

“That much, I don’t know either.”

It wasn’t a mere platitude — he truly didn’t know.

But it would also be wrong to say he knew absolutely nothing.

‘Vice-Captain Veronica said the knights were summoned by the Imperial Family.’

Though the official reason was to provide security for the students, no one would believe such a convenient excuse.

Who exactly were the mentors gathered here?

Based on individual combat capabilities alone, they could probably wage a war.

The students, too, were exceptionally talented — far from ordinary children of their age.

Claiming that such people needed protection was an odd assertion.

‘They claimed it was also for protection, but even so, something feels off. Even if the Yuta Kingdom has stabilized, for the Cold Steel Order to leave the border unattended is strange.’

Ludger’s gaze shifted to the knights dressed in black uniforms.

‘And if the Nightcrawler Knights have mobilized, even more so.’

Their presence must also be due to a direct order from the Imperial Family.

For mere student protection, their deployment was overkill.

In this strange situation, Ludger sensed that something was moving beneath the surface.

He didn’t know what it was.

Like a mirage flickering across a desert, vague and intangible — but he was certain something unknown was happening.

‘Something is going on. Is something about to happen in the capital?’

From what he had confirmed so far, there were no reports of movement from the Black Dawn Society.

That meant it had to be something else.

‘If anyone’s likely to act in the current climate, it’d be the Liberation Army. Still, nothing’s confirmed. I’ll have to keep watch.’

If he went poking around without cause, he might draw suspicion onto himself instead.

For now, he had to observe, even if the knights’ purpose was clearly suspicious.

Their official reason might be flimsy, but it wasn’t enough to call them out directly — only to watch and wait.

Of course, that didn’t mean Ludger planned to take no action.

He immediately sent out a signal.

Fwee—

The whistle, powered by mana, emitted a high-frequency sound inaudible to human ears.

Ordinary people wouldn’t hear it — but Sedina, a half-elf, was different.

Her ears, hidden beneath her rich brown bob, twitched slightly.

Sedina, who had been staring suspiciously at the Nightcrawler Knights, turned to look at Ludger.

‘Sedina. Send word.’

‘Yes.’

Ludger gave her a slight nod, and the quick-witted Sedina responded with a small nod of her own.

Moments later—

A tiny insect made of paper took off beyond the plaza.

No one noticed it.

* * *

“It’s been a while, Commander Terrina.”

“Vice-Captain Veronica.”

Greeting the Nightcrawler Knights at the plaza were members of the Cold Steel Order. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Black and white.

Two groups clad in completely contrasting colors stared at each other in silence.

That alone was enough to spread a tense stillness through the surrounding space.

Whenever people gathered, there were always a few popular debates.

One was which among the Old Mage Tower, the New Mage Tower, or the School Alliance was superior.

The other was which of the Empire’s three knight orders was the strongest.

Public opinion on both topics was always split.

Some favored the Nightcrawler Knights.

They said those who moved through the shadows were the strongest of all — merciless and cruel to their enemies.

Others supported the Cold Steel Order and offered a different view.

The Cold Steel Order operated mostly in the treacherous Arret Mountains of the north.

A harsh environment where snowless days were fewer than snowy ones.

The Cold Steel Knights, who patrolled such terrain as if it were their home, were said to be more hardened and well-trained than any others.

Naturally, there were also those who favored Stella Siren.

Because of such public sentiment, rivalry among the orders was inevitable.

Just like now.

Though no swords were drawn, the two orders glared at each other with sharp intensity.

Perhaps because of their clashing uniform colors, the confrontation looked even more pronounced.

At the center of it all stood Veronica and Terrina, staring each other down with unreadable expressions.

How long did that heavy silence drag on — the kind that made it seem as if blades might be drawn at any second?

Then—

A faint smile.

Veronica and Terrina smiled at each other at nearly the exact same moment.

“How have you been, Commander Terrina?”

“And you, Vice-Captain Veronica — how’s life treating you lately?”

“You’re too kind. We’ve barely managed to make time to be here today — things have been that busy for us.”

“Ah yes, I heard. The northern region was swarming with raiders because of the civil war. And there was that Liberation Army train bombing as well.”

“It’s much quieter now. But I’ve heard rumors that the Nightcrawler Knights have been even busier these days.”

At that, Terrina let out a short laugh and shook her head.

“Don’t get me started. So many strange incidents lately — our members are already exhausted.”

“I heard a major mafia syndicate disappeared overnight?”

“That’s the easy one. A giant monster appeared in the middle of the city.”

“You must be referring to the creature in Jévaudan. I read about it in the papers.”

“As soon as one case ends, a new one shows up before we can breathe.”

“We’re all struggling, it seems.”

Veronica replied with a wry smile and raised her hand slightly.

At her signal, the Cold Steel Order behind her withdrew their presence and turned their heads aside.

The Nightcrawler Knights did the same.

Though visibly displeased, they did not defy the command from above.

Terrina smiled faintly, as if she’d half given up.

“How long are we going to keep up this childish display of bravado?”

“My thoughts exactly. Still, I suppose we’re lucky — just imagine if the commander of Stella Siren were here too. My head hurts just thinking about it.”

“Oh, I agree. Thankfully, they’re busy elsewhere right now.”

Even with just these two orders present, the tension was high. If the third one had shown up as well, it might’ve been unbearable.

Especially considering Stella Siren’s commander had such a peculiar personality — instead of diffusing tension, he’d only throw fuel on the fire.

“By the way, Vice-Captain Veronica. How is your commander these days?”

“He’s the same as always.”

“That guy always acts like everything is a bother, but when it comes to his job, he’s serious. Is that why he didn’t come?”

“Yes.”

“I see. Even if the north is more stable now, it wouldn’t look good for the order’s main force to be absent.”

“Honestly, our commander didn’t want to come to the capital. You know how lazy he is.”

“Still the same, huh.”

Veronica and Terrina chatted like old friends reunited.

Terrina was the idol of all female knights, and Veronica had risen to vice-captain purely by skill — the two had much in common.

With their knight orders locked in constant rivalry, their personal connection stood out all the more.

Then, Veronica lowered her voice and asked:

“Commander Terrina — for even you to be here, does that mean something is about to happen in the capital?”

At last, the real question.

Terrina responded with what she knew.

“I haven’t been told the details yet either.”

“Wasn’t it an order from above?”

“To be precise, it was a command from the First Princess.”

“You’re saying you weren’t told the reason?”

“Her Highness only instructed us to patrol the capital.”

At the mention of the First Princess, Veronica gave an understanding nod.

“If it’s Her Highness, then I can believe it.”

“I don’t know what she’s thinking, but Her Highness isn’t one to give orders lightly.”

At that, Veronica slowly nodded with a grim expression.

“So there’s a chance something may indeed happen.”

“Let’s hope not.”

“So even the Nightcrawler Knights are in the dark about this? And we’re supposedly the best when it comes to intelligence?”

“As much as it hurts my pride, it seems that way.”

“But Her Highness knows?”

“She has plenty of agents beyond just us. Especially those who act solely in service to her.”

“Ah, you mean the Shadow’s Dagger.”

“Strictly speaking, they’re called Daggers, but ‘blades’ isn’t wrong either. Still, it’s not like we don’t have our own guesses. The Liberation Army’s movements lately have been suspicious.”

“They’ve vanished from the North... so now they’re gathering near the capital? And we’ve been mobilized as a precaution?”

Terrina nodded, though she wasn’t satisfied with the situation.

Marching around so openly like this would only drive their enemies deeper into hiding.

In the end, rather than solving the root problem, they were merely postponing the inevitable.

“If I had my way, I’d root them all out at once.”

“Well, no incident happening at all is still better than the alternative, isn’t it?”

“There’s truth in that.”

“In any case, now that we’ve exchanged pleasantries, we’ll be taking our leave. Should we inform Seorn?”

At Veronica’s question, Terrina paused for a moment before shaking her head.

“This is supposed to be a rare field trip. It wouldn’t do to ruin it.”

“Still, shouldn’t we at least inform the instructors?”

“This mission comes from the Imperial Family. It has nothing to do with Seorn.”

She added, as if to clarify:

“Of course, they’re not fools. They’ve probably realized that something is going on just from seeing us gathered here. If they’re even a little on guard, that’s enough. The teachers at Seorn are all capable people.”

“I see.”

With that, the Cold Steel Order departed, leaving Terrina standing alone in the plaza, looking toward where the students of Seorn Academy were gathered.

‘Seorn Academy, is it.’

She had visited once before on an official investigation, but gained nothing from the trip.

That was because the Headmaster, Elisa, had personally stepped in to block her.

Even Terrina couldn’t push past Seorn’s head. She had no choice but to withdraw.

But now, something caught her eye.

‘That man...’

Even from a glance, he stood out.

Long black hair loosely tied back, sharp blue eyes that retained their edge even with a hint of decadence, a defined nose, and a mouth firmly closed in silence.

A man so striking, he looked sculpted.

And the finishing touch was his attire.

A black frock coat adorned with silver decorations — not a single wrinkle to be seen — only enhanced his air of old-world elegance.

Was this what a sculptor would create if they carved beauty with painstaking care?

The other instructors at Seorn also had their own unique auras, but even among them, this man’s aura and aristocratic appearance made him particularly noticeable.

“Ludger Cherish.”

It was Terrina’s aide, Lloyd, who stepped beside her and spoke.

“That’s him?”

“Yes. He recently unveiled his research on increasing mana output at the Arcane Chamber. Thanks to that, he was promoted to Director of Planning at Seorn.”

“With talent like that, it’s no surprise. Seorn’s Headmaster cherishes skilled people.”

Terrina said that aloud, but her eyes remained fixed on Ludger.

It was the first time she had ever seen him.

Yet a strange sense of déjà vu clung to her like damp air that wouldn’t dissipate.

‘What is this?’

Had they met before?

No matter how carefully she scrutinized Ludger’s face, no memories surfaced.

At that moment, as if sensing her gaze, Ludger turned toward her.

“......”

“......”

For the briefest moment, their eyes met.

In that instant, Terrina instinctively drew her awareness to the limit, relying purely on instinct.

Time seemed to slow, her vision sharpened, and Ludger’s face, though distant, came into sharp focus.

If he made even the slightest suspicious movement at the moment of eye contact, she would catch it instantly.

“......”

But surprisingly, Ludger merely glanced at her once, then turned away without the faintest reaction.

In that entire slow-motion moment, Terrina detected nothing out of the ordinary.

‘What...? Was it just my imagination?’

She °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° had observed him with such intensity, intent on catching even the slightest shift in his pupils — and saw nothing.

He really had just looked at her like a stranger and moved on.

“Commander? Is something wrong?”

“......No, nothing.”

Thinking it over again, it seemed she might’ve been worrying over nothing.

Ludger was a man who had risen to the role of Planning Director at Seorn at a young age.

A person with murky origins and questionable character wouldn’t have made it that far.

Above all, there was her.

Headmaster Elisa Willow.

A woman with an exceptional eye for people and even the ability to captivate others with her Mystic Eye. There was no way she wouldn’t have seen through someone suspicious.

‘Seems I’ve become a little too sensitive lately.’

Terrina quietly let go of her fixation on Ludger and turned back to her knights.

They had other duties to attend to.

* * *

‘That was close.’

Ludger, having received Terrina Lionhowl’s gaze and returned it naturally, struggled to steady his heart, which was still tight with tension.

The moment their eyes met — what a jolt of panic.

‘Why did she look at me?’

He had no idea why Terrina would pay attention to him.

He wasn’t even aware that he’d gained a reputation among the knightly ranks.

Fortunately, Terrina turned her eyes away without overthinking it, setting aside any potential suspicion.

Ludger shook his head slightly.

‘I can’t afford to get tangled up here. I’ve got somewhere I need to be.’

The next place Ludger needed to go — the only place in the capital he had business with.

The Imperial Palace.