Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 352: The Sly Goat (1)

It had taken Flora a great deal of courage to bring this matter to Ludger.

After all, it involved the Lumos family.

Ordinarily, the moment she heard the name Lumos, she would have turned away—perhaps even gone out of her way to ignore it.

Even if it was her own family, it was nothing but an empty shell to her.

If she got involved, she would only be the one to suffer.

But if it concerned Seorn—or rather, Ludger himself—that changed everything.

“At first, I didn’t really know either. I only learned about it because Sheryl told me.”

“Sheryl Wagner?”

“Yes. You know which house the Wagner family serves, right, Ludger?”

He nodded.

“I’ve heard they’ve served the Lumos family for generations.”

“Sheryl is the only one from the Wagner family who’s ever approached me as a friend.”

The Wagner family might have served the Lumos family, but Flora’s situation was different.

A family that didn’t even acknowledge her would never expect their vassals to support her.

Flora had thought the same way.

At least until Sheryl approached her first.

Sheryl, who had chosen to be her friend—not her elder brother’s, not her younger sibling’s, but hers.

Sheryl had helped her in many ways, big and small.

And now, Sheryl was the one who had found out about what was happening in the Lumos family.

“Sheryl # Nоvеlight # told me our family recently met with the heads of several corporations.”

“It’s not unusual for a noble family head to meet with such people, is it?”

“True. Nobles often socialize with influential figures.”

Indeed, at any noble banquet one could find senators, famous actors, millionaire businessmen, and other nobles.

Wealthy corporations often held more social influence than lesser nobles, so it wasn’t strange for the Lumos family—one of the Empire’s Three Great Ducal Houses—to be on familiar terms with them.

“But what if all of those people were the ones funding Seorn?”

At that, Ludger’s eyes glinted with interest.

“In a situation like this, that’s hardly a coincidence.”

“And the meetings happened shortly before this whole incident began. Doesn’t that make it even more credible?”

Flora’s tone carried near certainty.

Ludger didn’t dismiss her words.

The source of this information was Sheryl Wagner, after all.

I don’t know why a Lumos vassal cares so much about Flora, whom the family abandoned... but Sheryl’s information can be trusted.

Sheryl was well-known among Seorn’s students as a valuable source of information.

Friendly, cheerful, and sociable, Sheryl built connections with almost everyone—

Not just with classmates, but with seniors, juniors, Seorn’s staff, and even some teachers.

In a way, she’s as skilled at gathering information as Sedina or Hans, though for a completely different reason.

Sedina used her paper magic, and Hans communicated with animals.

Sheryl had no such talents.

She relied purely on human relationships to gather her information.

That was what Ludger found impressive.

Building and maintaining those relationships was mentally exhausting work.

“I understand why you came to me with this. But that doesn’t mean I’m inclined to praise you for it.”

Flora blinked, wide-eyed.

She had expected praise, but Ludger’s reaction was the opposite of what she’d hoped for.

“......Why not?”

“Flora, I understand what you’re thinking. But you didn’t need to get involved. Your actions could bring trouble down on your own head.”

“Because it’s my family’s business?”

“Exactly.”

Even if the Lumos family didn’t acknowledge her, Flora was still one of them.

“Flora, what you’ve done is reckless.”

From another perspective, it was tantamount to betraying her family.

If Cayden Lumos heard of this, Flora could be in danger.

Ludger had only met Cayden once, during the Magic Festival, but he knew perfectly well that Cayden was capable of retaliation.

“Are you... worried about me?”

Unlike the reprimand in his voice, Flora looked faintly pleased.

A catlike smile tugged at her lips.

“Flora, this isn’t something to take lightly. You don’t need to be involved.”

“No. This is my business. Because it’s my family causing this.”

“What you’re doing is no different from betraying your family.”

“There’s no such thing as betrayal when it’s about stopping something wrong.”

Flora spoke firmly.

The old Flora would never have dared say such words.

But she had changed.

Whether she realized it or not, Ludger could see it.

“Besides, you know how my family treats me.”

“......Even so, you could have ignored it. No one would blame you for turning a blind eye. The Lumos family may have abandoned you, but it’s still where you were born and raised.”

“At first, I thought I’d do exactly that, just like you said.”

Flora let out a small sigh, speaking honestly.

“After all, why should I care? They abandoned me. Whatever they do has nothing to do with me. Honestly, I didn’t want to care.”

“Then why?”

“Because you taught me not to.”

“......Me?”

Ludger blinked, genuinely puzzled.

He couldn’t remember ever saying anything of the sort.

“You didn’t say it directly. But you showed me—through your actions. You may not think so, but that’s how I saw it.”

“Flora......”

“I appreciate your concern, but at times like this, there’s something else you should be saying, isn’t there?”

“Something else?”

When Ludger looked at her questioningly, Flora narrowed her eyes slightly, urging him.

“You should be saying thank you.”

...Hah.

Ludger couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle at her audacious remark.

But the look in Flora’s eyes, fixed intently on him, was anything but joking.

“You really are different from before.”

“I’ve grown up. Thanks to someone, you know.”

Ludger shrugged, as if conceding defeat.

“Fine. Thank you for telling me.”

“What’s with that tone? That didn’t sound sincere at all. You’re only saying it because I forced you.”

“I am sincere when I say this helps.”

“In that case, can I ask you for a favor?”

Ludger raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that.

So that was her aim all along?

“It’s nothing big. I just... want to see your familiar again.”

“My familiar?”

“Yes. I’ve summoned my own now, but I still don’t know how to handle it properly. I thought maybe watching yours might give me some insight.”

“......”

“Is that okay?”

There was no real reason to refuse, so Ludger nodded and summoned his familiar.

[Ater Nocturnus]

A shadowy raven formed on his shoulder, its crimson eyes fixing sharply on Flora before glancing back at Ludger.

—Another girl this time, huh?

Ludger ignored the pointed look.

Flora observed the familiar with fascination, her eyes taking in the color of its mana while her sense of smell traced the faint magical scent it gave off.

As she inhaled, she realized she hadn’t been mistaken.

This rich, distinct fragrance—unforgettable. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

She remembered that night in the Silent Forest, when Ludger had moved in secret.

“Is that enough?”

“Yes. That’s enough.”

Flora, however, didn’t show any sign of what she had realized.

“Thanks to this, I think I’m starting to get a feel for it.”

“Good. That’s fortunate.”

“Sorry for bothering you when you’re busy. I’ll get going now.”

Flora smiled faintly and stood up.

Once his visitor left, Ludger was about to return to his work—

If not for the arrival of another guest.

“......And what brings you here?”

* * *

The Duchy of Lumos was located in the highlands to the north of the Imperial Capital.

Though barren, the untouched natural scenery made it a place where every view could have been a painting.

Especially the view outside the Duke’s office—it was breathtaking enough to be called a masterpiece.

Cayden Lumos had made a habit of gazing at that scenery daily.

It was a routine born of repetition, almost a ritual.

But today, his peaceful time was interrupted by an unwelcome visitor.

“Duke Cayden, what is the meaning of this?”

“......”

Cayden turned his gaze away from the window, his cold eyes settling on the guest who had barged into his office.

“Did you not say that by following your advice, I would secure Seorn’s rights?”

Drahen Ranpaltz, Chairman of the Ranpaltz Corporation.

His complexion was pale and haggard, his eyes bloodshot from sleepless nights.

“Chairman Drahen Ranpaltz, why are you blaming me for this?”

“W-what did you say?”

“I merely gave you advice. Acting on it was entirely your choice.”

Drahen’s eyes widened in disbelief.

In other words, Cayden was washing his hands of the matter, claiming he bore no responsibility.

“D-do you even understand how desperate the situation at Ranpaltz is right now?! We’re standing on the edge of a cliff!”

“And why should I care?”

“Wha—...!”

Drahen was struck speechless by Cayden’s brazen response.

His fists trembled as anger boiled within him, but he could do nothing.

“Duke Cayden, I thought we were close. Close enough to be called friends.”

“Yes, I believed that as well.”

“We’ve spoken often, exchanged many things. I’ve provided countless benefits to the Duchy of Lumos. This mansion! This office! There’s hardly a corner here untouched by my money!”

“And I am grateful for that.”

“Then are you really going to abandon me now?!”

Cayden did not respond, his emotionless gaze watching Drahen struggle.

That hollow stare made Drahen feel as though a weight was crushing his chest.

“Just a little support would be enough! Even just a public statement saying you stand with us...”

“And why should I?”

“Because we’ve been allies!”

For the first time, Cayden reacted—his lips curved into a cold, almost mocking smile.

“Allies are equals who have something to offer each other. But right now, Ranpaltz doesn’t seem capable of offering anything.”

“So you’re just throwing us away now?”

Cayden nodded without hesitation.

“Perhaps you should have done better. It was your failure. Why speak as if you can pass the blame onto me?”

“You pushed me into this!”

Drahen’s veins bulged on his neck as his voice cracked with rage.

He felt like he might collapse at any moment. It was as if his very soul had been drained from his body.

“You were the one who told me Seorn had a weakness and advised me to seize its rights! You, Cayden Lumos!”

“That’s not how I recall it. Chairman Drahen, we were equals. There were no orders between us.”

In the end, Drahen had no choice but to kneel before Cayden.

“Please, Duke. Help me.”

“Just moments ago, you were shouting in outrage, and now you’re on your knees begging?”

“Please, for the sake of the years we’ve known each other. I’m not asking for much, just a little support.”

For a man like Drahen—a chairman, head of a massive corporation—kneeling was no small thing.

Even before one of the three greatest ducal houses of the Empire, such an act required immense resolve.

The man who had always looked down on others now bowed his head for the first time.

But Cayden was not surprised.

He had already heard how bad Ranpaltz’s situation had become.

The rumors have already spread through the industry. Their stock is plummeting.

When corporations like Ranpaltz pulled out as sponsors, the Imperial family itself had stepped in to partially fill the financial gap.

That action was as good as a public declaration of Imperial support for Seorn.

Meaning Ranpaltz had effectively placed itself in opposition to the Imperial family.

And while corporations held significant influence, they were still no match for the Empire’s throne.

Still, this has been useful. Now I know who’s backing Seorn from the shadows.

There was a district in Rederbelk that was rising rapidly.

Not a single corporation, but a collective of many small businesses.

But Cayden knew the truth.

That this patchwork of small-time merchants had been united by a single man.

The Master of the Golden Street. Oliver.

They were relentlessly short-selling Ranpaltz stock, accelerating its downfall.

But alone, they could never topple a giant like Ranpaltz.

The difference in scale was too great.

The reason Drahen had been driven to personally beg for help was because yet another major player had stepped in.

Heibach Kadatushan. That sly old goat.

That was why Cayden hadn’t immediately moved to help Ranpaltz.

The normally passive elder had suddenly decided to intervene on Seorn’s behalf.

* * *

“Am I not allowed here?”

A kindly-looking old man smiled slyly at Ludger.

Ludger, however, merely stared at him in silence.

Heibach Kadatushan.

One of the Empire’s most influential figures had just appeared as an unexpected guest.