Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 323: The Conferment Ceremony in the White Mirror Hall (1)

The next morning.

Early in the day, a visitor arrived at Ludger’s hospital room.

The door opened to reveal a handsome knight with a kind expression and golden hair—Passius.

“The Princess is waiting for you.”

“...I think I need a bit more rest.”

“The Princess is waiting for you.”

“My body still doesn’t feel fully recovered.”

“The Princess is waiting for you.”

“......”

No matter what Ludger said, Passius only repeated the same phrase with a bright, unchanging smile.

His expression made it clear: I feel bad, but I won’t back down.

In the end, Ludger had no choice but to reluctantly comply.

With Passius guiding him, he headed toward the hospital entrance, where a black steam-powered automobile was already waiting.

It was a royal vehicle, and due to the darkened windows, it was impossible to see inside.

No doubt this, too, was a consideration from First Princess Aileen.

'I didn’t really want this kind of consideration...'

Normally, gestures like this would be touching, but Ludger didn’t see it that way.

Aileen always gave as much as she received—but more than that, she often demanded more than she offered.

Every small favor or privilege she extended would eventually become a leash around his neck.

Ludger was well aware of that, yet he had no grounds to refuse.

It was Aileen who was working to cover up what had happened—and Ludger was in the position of benefiting from her help.

Once seated inside the vehicle, Passius took the driver’s seat.

“You’re the one driving?”

“Sometimes I handle the wheel when Her Highness goes on secret inspections. Had to get a driver’s license I never thought I’d need.”

“Is that part of the Royal Guard’s duties?”

“I’m... a special case.”

Passius muttered this in a tone of resigned acceptance.

Ludger felt a bit sorry for his successor—while at the same time, thankful he wasn’t in that position himself.

A swordmaster who can draw aura barehanded is being used as a chauffeur. Is this a waste of talent or just squeezing every drop out of him?

Vrrrmmm.

As Ludger mused, the vehicle began to move.

Passius handled the wheel with practiced ease—it was clearly not his first time driving.

Because repairs from the recent terror attack were still ongoing, the roads were relatively empty.

The black vehicle drove smoothly without obstruction.

“So, how are you feeling?”

“I’ve recovered well thanks to the treatment.”

“I see. Per Her Highness’s orders, we brought in tight-lipped healers—nothing to worry about.”

“I see.”

“Oh, and by the way, there are others waiting at the palace. Everyone who entered the underground canal that day is receiving medals.”

“A medal conferment ceremony, then.”

“You don’t sound thrilled. You should be at least a little proud. Most people would kill for the chance, you know?”

Passius chuckled while holding the wheel.

“If I’m honest, I’d give you my medal too, Ludger.”

“To me?”

“I know what really happened down there. I woke up somewhere else, but it wasn’t hard to figure out that I owed you.”

“Do the others know?”

“No. I came to my senses first and made up a plausible story, so no one’s suspicious.”

As expected of the Princess’s shadow dagger—clean and discreet.

Ludger was grateful for that.

If word got out that he’d stayed behind alone to fight Luypoldt, his hidden strength would be exposed.

“Of course, not everyone was fooled. Curious who noticed?”

“Casey Selmore.”

Passius let out a small exclamation.

“Oh, you really are something. Seems like you and that detective already know everything about each other.”

“We’re not that close.”

“Well, if you insist. Either way, Detective Casey also agreed to keep quiet about you saving us. She even convinced Commander Terrina Lionhowl, who was the most suspicious.”

“...I see.”

So Casey had decided to keep his secret even now.

The fact that she didn’t tell even her closest friend, Terrina, was fortunate—

—but also... increasingly suspicious.

Just what was it that Casey Selmore wanted from him?

'She insisted on fighting by my side that day too. What’s her deal? Some kind of rivalry?'

Aside from Ludger, Casey was the only one who resisted the demon’s power.

It hadn’t been perfect—she was still in bad shape—but the fact that she managed to stay conscious at all was astonishing.

Even Ludger hadn’t expected that.

“Is Casey Selmore at the palace too?”

“Ah... well...”

Passius hesitated before answering.

“She went straight back to Rederbelk.”

“She left?”

“Yes. Her Highness personally invited her, but she said she was tired and busy, and just left. She’s quite the remarkable person.”

There was no sarcasm in Passius’s voice—only genuine admiration.

To him, someone who could openly refuse the subtle pressure of the First Princess was worthy of respect.

Perhaps even envy—because he knew he couldn’t have done the same.

“That said, I saw her before she left, and she didn’t look so good.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh? Are you finally admitting there's something between you two? You’re worried, aren’t you?”

“...Let’s just say that I am.”

“Just kidding. Anyway, her expression was dark and she looked pale. She really did seem exhausted—not just making excuses.”

“I see.”

“Yes.”

That was all Passius had to say on the matter.

Ludger recalled the sorrowful look Casey had given him as they parted.

He glanced out the window, then scratched at his temple.

At this point...

He figured he’d probably have to go see her in person at least once.

“We’ve arrived.”

Before he knew it, they had reached the gates of the Dvalk Imperial Castle.

The guards, clearly informed in advance, opened the gate the moment they saw the royal vehicle.

Despite the recent chaos, the grandeur of the imperial palace remained untouched.

Looking up at the countless white spires rising skyward, Ludger stepped inside—half with anticipation, half with apprehension.

***

A waiting room before an audience with the ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ Emperor.

Ludger sat there, casting a subtle glance at Chris Bennimore, who was nervously bouncing one leg up and down.

“Professor Chris.”

“......”

“Professor Chris Bennimore.”

“...What?”

Only when Ludger called his full name with more emphasis did Chris finally respond.

Had it been any other time, he would have snapped back with a snide remark, but now his voice was weak and subdued.

Ludger knew exactly why he was like this.

“Still thinking about that elf lady?”

“She is Lady Bellaruna.”

“...Right. Are you still thinking about Lady Bellaruna?”

“Don’t speak her name so carelessly...!”

“......”

'What does he want from me?'

Ludger shook his head.

During the underground battle, Ludger had transported everyone to safety.

In Bellaruna’s case, he’d had Hans take her away first—before the others regained consciousness.

It was a precaution, just in case someone tried to hold her past against her.

The problem was that her sudden disappearance had hit Chris like a bolt from the blue.

'He's like a tragic protagonist now.'

Chris Bennimore was frantically searching for Bellaruna as if he were suffering from lovesickness.

If it hadn’t been for today’s ceremony, he probably would’ve been wandering the capital like a ghost.

“...She’s probably doing fine somewhere.”

“No! You don’t know how fragile and delicate Lady Bellaruna is! She disappeared—just vanished!”

'...Fragile? Delicate?'

Ludger momentarily questioned whether he had misunderstood the meaning of those words.

But he hadn’t.

Amazingly, Chris truly believed Bellaruna was a gentle and fragile elf lady.

'...The same Bellaruna who was a notorious back-alley doctor in the underworld?'

That elf could walk into a criminal zone and end up conquering it.

Even in the chaos of the underground fight, she had secretly tucked away chunks of chimera flesh and experimental tissues into her personal pouch.

Ludger had been deeply unsettled when he saw it, thinking she was reaching for medicine.

'Well, if hacking into the World Tree didn’t bother her, a little flesh collection isn’t a big deal, I suppose...'

Ludger shook his head.

Still, he couldn’t just leave Chris like this. Sharing the same space with him was becoming irritating.

“If you insist, I’ll ask Her Highness.”

“...What did you say?”

“I’ll likely meet with Princess Aileen separately. When I do, I’ll ask where Bellaruna is.”

So stay quiet until then.

Ludger didn’t say it aloud, but Chris seemed to pick up on the implication and immediately stopped his restless leg.

“...Very well. I’ll leave it to you.”

Seeing Chris calm down at last, Ludger felt somewhat relieved.

Since he’d said this much, he figured he’d at least ask Bellaruna for her opinion as well.

'Whether or not they meet is ultimately her choice.'

Still, judging by how Bellaruna acted around Chris, she didn’t seem inclined to reject him.

If they both wanted to meet, he’d arrange it.

Ludger suddenly had a thought.

'Wouldn’t it be ridiculous if I ended up getting a wedding invitation out of nowhere?'

He had no idea what kind of face he’d make if that happened.

He couldn’t even imagine it.

“Are you ready? It’s time to proceed.”

A royal attendant opened the door and announced.

Ludger and Chris rose from their seats.

Guided by the attendant, they walked into a vast hall.

The White Mirror Hall, spacious enough to hold hundreds, was—just as its name implied—entirely white.

Soft light filled the space, creating a natural illumination that was gentle on the eyes.

The floor was made of smooth marble.

True to the name White Mirror, the surface clearly reflected everything above it.

Rather than a hall, it felt more like a sacred sanctuary.

Ludger glanced upward.

Beyond the glittering jewel-like chandeliers, massive hyper-realistic paintings adorned the ceiling.

A space that evoked both aesthetic beauty and awe.

It was here that Ludger would face the Emperor.

Of course, he wasn’t alone.

Alongside him were other members of the infiltration team—Chris Bennimore, Passius, and Terrina Lionhowl among them.

The only absentees were Bellaruna and Casey Selmore.

Ludger looked over at Roteron.

He was still wearing his iron helmet.

Wearing a mask before the Emperor might seem disrespectful, but Roteron was so well known for hiding his face that he’d been given a special exemption.

He’s beastkin, Ludger recalled.

Thinking of Roteron, Ludger was reminded of Iona Obelli—one of his students.

Beastkin were still subject to considerable discrimination in modern society.

The magic world, steeped in elitism, was especially harsh toward them.

While perceptions had improved somewhat, remnants of that bias lingered.

For a beastkin to have risen to this level...

'He must’ve worked unimaginably hard.'

Especially since Roteron concealed his [Unique] magic as well.

Which meant he hadn’t reached his current position by power alone.

It was something only possible with incredible persistence and will.

Just then, Roteron glanced at Ludger from behind his mask.

Ludger could feel the gaze clearly.

It wasn’t just because Ludger had been staring—it was mutual.

Roteron was also conscious of Ludger.

Then came a powerful fanfare that marked the start of the conferment ceremony.

Both of their eyes turned forward.

And there, the imperial family appeared.

Among the faces present was someone Ludger hadn’t seen in the square—the Empress.

'Now I see who Princess Aileen takes after.'

The Empress was so youthful and beautiful, it was hard to believe she was the mother of three children.

Standing beside her was Princess Aileen, and next to her were the Second Prince and the Third Princess, Erendir.

'So the entire imperial family is gathered. They’re taking this medal ceremony very seriously.'

The striking contrast in the three siblings’ personalities stood out.

Of the three, Ludger’s eyes were most drawn to the Second Prince.

He had seen plenty of Aileen and Erendir—but this was his first time seeing the Second Prince in person.

He rarely appeared in public. This was indeed a rare opportunity.

Among the three royal siblings, the Second Prince was the most mysterious.

'There were barely any rumors about him.'

Anyone with royal blood inevitably attracted attention.

Their very existence stirred waves wherever they went.

Even Erendir, despite her quiet nature, was well-known in noble circles.

But the Second Prince was even less recognized than her.

Far less.

It was partially because he rarely showed himself in public.

But Ludger sensed there was more to it than that.

'Second Prince Ibelon von Exilion.'

His frail appearance resembled his father, the Emperor—but his eyes did not.

'They say he gave up his claim to succession after being overshadowed by Aileen... but looking into those eyes, it doesn’t seem that way at all.'

Then, Ibelon’s gaze met Ludger’s.

Their eyes locked in midair.

And Ludger instinctively felt it.

'This man—he’s deliberately hiding his true self.'