Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 281: The Secret of a Thousand Years (2)

“Run! It’s chasing us!”

Hans was sprinting through the underground canal alongside Bellaruna.

Well, to be precise, Hans was carrying the small-framed Bellaruna as he ran with all his might.

Calling this place an underground canal barely fit—it was so complex, it was more accurate to call it an underground labyrinth.

Everything looked the same in every direction, making it impossible to tell whether they were on a new path or looping back where they’d already been.

Which should have made it easier to shake off a pursuer—but the creature behind them showed no sign of giving up.

The monster, its form a grotesque blend of various beasts, pursued Hans and Bellaruna with relentless tenacity.

“What the hell!”

Hans gasped in horror at the sight.

No matter how he looked at it, the thing chasing them could only be a cryptid—its appearance was hideous beyond belief.

If it so much as scratched or bit them with its claws or fangs, it would be instant death.

What was even more terrifying was how that moment of death was creeping steadily closer.

No matter how fast he moved on two legs, he couldn’t outrun a beast running on four.

‘Do I have to use my teeth after all?’

Hans seriously considered transforming into a beast himself and fighting tooth and nail.

That was when it happened.

Bellaruna, clinging to Hans’s shoulder, suddenly yanked hard on the back of his collar.

“Hold on! Stop!”

“Geh! W-What are you doing?!”

Startled by her sudden command to stop, Hans cried out—but Bellaruna didn’t answer. Instead, she raised her hand and pointed straight at the monster barreling toward them.

“That! That’s it! That!”

“What the hell do you mean ‘that’s it’?! Forget it, we need to run!”

“No. There’s no need.”

“What?”

“If it were just a cryptid, I’d be too scared to move, too—but look closely.”

Even if she told him to, what exactly was he supposed to see?

Hans gave her a confused look, and Bellaruna stomped her foot in frustration.

“That’s not a cryptid! It’s just a chimera!”

Gone was her usual gloomy demeanor—her face now lit up with anticipation, joy, and wild excitement.

“Chimera?”

Hans’s brain immediately fired off at the word “chimera.”

It was familiar.

With his background in the underworld, Hans quickly recalled what a chimera was.

A chimera was an artificial lifeform created by black mages.

A biological weapon cobbled together using the best parts of multiple creatures.

But the chimeras Hans knew looked like patchwork messes—stitched flesh, mismatched hides, a grotesque puzzle forced together to barely resemble a whole.

Of course, quality varied depending on the black mage's skill, but the creature chasing them now looked completely different.

It ran on four legs like a tiger, but sharp spines jutted from along its spine.

Its two tails were long like whips, and their ends bore heavy, blunt spikes resembling those on its back—more like morning stars than tails.

Anyone would mistake it for a cryptid at a glance.

That’s how seamlessly and naturally the creature’s monstrous form had been blended together.

But Bellaruna wasn’t fooled.

Her keen eyes instantly picked out the subtle flaws and inconsistencies in its construction.

KRAAAAGH!

The chimera lunged forward, baring its razor-sharp teeth as it closed the gap.

Its double rows of teeth were shark-like and lethal. A bite wouldn’t just hurt—it would mean instant death.

“Aaack!” Hans screamed in terror.

At that moment, Bellaruna sprang into action.

Even faster than the charging chimera, she pulled a glass vial from her coat and hurled it at the creature’s feet.

Clink!

The glass shattered, and the liquid inside splattered across the floor.

Within the spilled potion, a seed began to squirm—and then suddenly burst forth like fireworks.

Hans’s eyes widened.

The tiny seed rapidly expanded, unleashing monstrous vines in every direction, completely binding the lunging chimera.

It didn’t even take a full second.

SNAP—!

The chimera’s vicious fangs stopped just inches from Bellaruna’s nose.

A split-second later and it might have torn her throat out.

But Bellaruna didn’t flinch. Instead, she calmly observed its teeth with curiosity.

‘Wait... she’s actually this capable?’

To Hans, Bellaruna had always been a gloomy elf, half-crazed and always reeking of drugs.

She was the one who’d shattered his idealized image of elegant elves into dust—leaving quite an impression on him.

She was also always trying to use him as a lab subject.

Her alchemical skills were undeniably impressive.

She even helped formulate the medicine Ludger regularly used.

Still, Hans had always assumed she was useless in combat.

At least, until he witnessed what ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) had just happened.

‘She restrained that chimera in an instant? Did Boss know she was this capable when he sent her with me?’

Hans had known Bellaruna for a while.

But he’d never seen her operate in the field. Naturally, he had no idea of her true capabilities.

And they were both Owens executives. Yet he’d been completely unaware.

Hans suddenly felt a deep sense of embarrassment.

‘Even that automaton kid I thought had died turned out to be alive and well. Just how much do I not know?’

Grumbling internally, Hans still managed to shout toward Bellaruna with relief.

“Anyway, good job. Now let’s get the hell out of here before that thing breaks free!”

“Huh? Why run away?”

“Because it’s dangerous—what else?!”

“It’s not dangerous. Look—it’s being really calm.”

Bellaruna giggled and pointed at the chimera.

Though her stammer had improved, Hans still couldn’t get used to that eerie, shady smile of hers.

“Calm? Are you serious?”

Hans turned to look at the chimera.

It glared at Bellaruna with bloodshot eyes, as if it would kill her the moment it got free.

It looked like it could tear through those vines and rip her apart in a heartbeat.

“In what world does that look calm? That thing looks like a walking murder machine!”

“It’s fine, really. I’m telling you.”

“How is that fine?! If it’s a chimera, that makes it more dangerous!”

“Nope. It’s the opposite. If it were a cryptid, I’d honestly be terrified—but this is different. This one was made, remember?”

“...Huh?”

Hans made a dumb noise in response.

That’s how little sense Bellaruna’s words made to him.

“If it was made, there’s no reason to be scared. In fact, it’s cute. Look at it—such a beautiful form. It’s practically a work of art!”

If the opponent was an unknown entity, it was only natural to fear it.

But if it was a created being, then it could no longer instill fear.

That’s what Bellaruna was saying.

“What kind of crazy...”

Hans had been about to protest, but the glint in Bellaruna’s eyes made him fall silent.

He realized something.

‘I already knew she was crazy—but this is way beyond what I imagined!’

While Hans stared in horror, Bellaruna walked up to the chimera and pulled out another vial.

“Hehehe. This big sis is going to personally inspect our little cutie’s body.”

With the same manic gleam she showed during her research frenzies, Bellaruna approached the chimera.

The beast, sensing danger, let out a shriek and struggled violently—but the vines restraining it didn’t budge.

Ten minutes later...

“...You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

Hans’s face turned pale as he looked at what remained of the chimera—now a completely dismantled corpse.

After watching ten straight minutes of a gruesome dissection show, his head felt like it was going to split open.

“I think I’m losing it. I thought I’d seen it all, but this...”

Then Bellaruna turned to him with a sweet smile.

“What a shame. One isn’t enough to fully understand the contents.”

Contents, she said.

How could she choose such a deranged word so casually?

She was smiling, yet chimera guts were splattered on her face—only amplifying Hans’s terror fivefold.

He gulped.

‘I swear to God, I will NEVER—absolutely NEVER—get involved with this elf again!’

Just then—

Grrraaagh!

Another chimera’s cry echoed from far down the corridor.

The sound was rapidly approaching.

And there wasn’t just one. At least three.

Hans’s face darkened.

Bellaruna’s, on the other hand, lit up like the happiest child in the world.

“Did you hear that? More little cuties are on their way!”

“‘Little cuties’... r-right. Sure.”

A moment ago, Hans had been terrified of the chimera—but now, he felt more pity than fear for the ones heading their way.

“Oh, right—Hans? Want to try using your teeth? Who knows, you might turn into a chimera!”

“Please. Just stop talking.”

* * *

“Either way, there’s no need to worry about my subordinates. They’ll handle themselves just fine.”

“You seem to have quite the useful underlings.”

“No one survives alone in this world.”

“What an amusing thing to say—especially coming from someone who’s been alone all this time. So then, when do you plan to move?”

“If I knew nothing, that would be one thing—but now that I know everything, I’ll go immediately.”

After all, Ludger had come to the Imperial Palace hoping for a chance to steal a fragment of the relic.

But now that he’d been offered a legitimate path to it, there was no need to linger in the palace any longer.

Aileen understood that too.

Which was why she gave him a sulky side-glance, displeased.

“Still, it’s been seven years since we last met. Don’t you think you’re ending this a bit too hastily?”

“We weren’t exactly close to begin with, were we?”

Ludger made it clear that he knew Aileen still hadn’t given up on recruiting him—and that he had no intention of yielding.

Their relationship had been purely business.

It might have come off as cold, but neither Ludger nor Aileen took it that way in earnest.

“Very well. I understand.”

Aileen had to focus on eliminating the rats that had burrowed into the capital’s underbelly, so she didn’t press Ludger any further.

She was a bit disappointed, yes—but not overly so.

Now that she knew Ludger was working at Seorn, she’d be able to see him more often in the future.

Of course, if she became too bothersome, Ludger wouldn’t hesitate to abandon his current identity and vanish.

But no one could live their entire life behind a mask.

Ludger was now moving about with his true face.

‘Whatever the reason he revealed it now—no one can live their whole life in disguise.’

Aileen decided to let him go—for now.

‘There’ll be other opportunities.’

This wasn’t the only chance.

A better moment would come.

A moment more perfect than this one, when Ludger would have no idea what she had planned, and she would be fully prepared.

Then, she would reclaim the greatest sword ever lost in history.

“Very well. Go. Fascius will escort you again. If you work together, he should be of help.”

“You mean the Royal Guard?”

“What, is that a problem?”

“I work better alone.”

“You were just saying no one can survive alone.”

“......”

“Enough. I’m not assigning Fascius out of some hidden motive. He is a Royal Guard, after all. He’ll be of great help in your operation. So if you’re going to use him, use him like a dog.”

With her putting it that bluntly, Ludger didn’t argue further and accepted.

Before leaving the observation deck, Ludger glanced briefly at Mandelina.

“...H-Hehe.”

Mandelina gave him an awkward wave and a crooked smile.

It was just like her to show no hostility to someone who had once tried to kill her.

‘A fitting mentor-student match with that Aidan boy.’

Ludger made a mental note to ask later how the two of them ended up working together, and then left the observation deck.

As he retraced his steps, he spotted Fascius waiting midway down.

When he saw Ludger, Fascius greeted him with a bright smile.

“You’re back. Did you have a fruitful conversation with Her Highness?”

“More or less.”

“You don’t seem too thrilled. Understandable. Her Highness is... notoriously stubborn and does whatever she pleases.”

Ludger looked at Fascius with some surprise.

He’d expected someone with such loyalty to the royal family to be stricter about such things.

Fascius seemed to notice that and chuckled softly.

“Ha ha. I’ve sworn my loyalty to the royal family, yes—but I’m also the type to speak my mind. Truthfully, I bear a little personal grudge. Her Highness works me far too hard.”

“I see.”

“So, what did she say? From the look of things, I’m guessing she told you to take me with you.”

Fascius already knew most of Ludger’s background and the current situation.

As Her Highness’s right hand and a Royal Guard, it would be strange if he didn’t.

‘And even knowing that, he still greets me like this?’

From the moment they first spoke, Fascius’s attitude hadn’t changed in the slightest.

“Her Highness told me to use you like a dog.”

“Hahaha. You’re quite the joker.”

“......”

“......”

When Ludger said nothing and stared at him silently, Fascius let his shoulders drop.

“...So that wasn’t a joke. What do you plan to do then?”

“Let’s go.”

Since he was personally endorsed by Aileen the First Princess, even if he wasn’t a strong ally, at least he wouldn’t be an obstacle.

When Ludger gave the green light, Fascius moved to his side with a delighted expression.

“Ha ha. That’s a relief. I was worried you’d reject me.”

“Is that something to be so happy about?”

“Well, most people wouldn’t understand, but I’m a bit different.”

“Different how?”

“I may be a Royal Guard, but I also act as the sword that carries out many of Her Highness’s personal affairs.”

Fascius revealed his true status without a shred of caution in his voice.

Ludger gave him a blank, incredulous look.

“Are you always this careless with what you say?”

“Well, you were Her Highness’s invited shadow, weren’t you, Professor? I figured you’d already know.”

“...No way.”

Fascius nodded as if to confirm Ludger’s suspicions.

“Fascius, Royal Guard and secret dagger of Her Highness’s shadow, greets the esteemed Sir Jack the Ripper.”

“......”

Ludger already had a strong feeling this was going to be a very, very annoying partnership.