Professor's Return

Watching Adolf disappear before him, Huidun clenched the fist beneath the table so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palm.

He knew Adolf had always disapproved of his relationship with Melinda. Before this, because of his status as an earl, Adolf had merely chosen to turn a blind eye.

Yet he had not expected Adolf, who had always holed himself up in the academy and ignored worldly affairs, to suddenly change his attitude at this moment, going from indifference to forceful intervention.

"Tru."

Before long, the door opened again, and an elderly man dressed in servant's clothes walked in.

"Go summon Tofis. Professor Pempes is returning, and I need him to prepare a welcome banquet."

"Yes, my lord."

After Tru left, Huidun looked out the window, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.

He always remembered his teacher's final teachings. Now, he needed to unite every force he could, and Adolf's visit this time was an invisible exchange.

At the same time, the academy head had likely seen his reckless actions this time as clearly as day. The fact that he could offer terms of exchange now might also stem from his guilt toward Huidun's teacher.

Adolf was telling him that he and Pempes, two Platinum Rank powerhouses, could become his backing, along with the entirety of Huidun Academy.

But the only condition was that he give up his engagement to Melinda, and this would only happen after he became King.

Because only after becoming King would he have the power to dissolve his engagement with Melinda. Their engagement had been arranged between the current King and a prince.

Yet Huidun bore no resentment toward Adolf's turning a blind eye, because he knew all of this was his own fault. His teacher had long sensed that something was amiss and had warned him.

But he had still insisted on going his own way, ultimately leading to the tragedy of today.

And to him, aside from that Vine Dragon Withered Wood, the one who had truly murdered his teacher was Jamir in that church.

Preparations had long been underway for the academy's celebration welcoming Professor Pempes back. Chen Cheng, the special student with a Legendary air about him, was naturally among those receiving Pempes upon his return.

Chen Cheng looked at his spotless academy uniform. He had high expectations for Professor Pempes's return this time as well.

Some of the magical theories this professor had published were deeply compatible with Chen Cheng's recent research into subtracting from magic. Perhaps this time, he could have a proper academic discussion with this scholarly professor of this world.

Moreover, he would need to rely on this professor to treat his injuries.

In any case, Chen Cheng now waited at the academy gates for the professor with an excited heart.

And over these past few days, the voices that had previously clamored for Fini to return Chen Cheng's freedom had quieted down, because the girl had truly followed Chen Cheng's words and attacked those ill-intentioned people.

Perhaps certain nobles had secretly intervened, but there had been no news these past few days about releasing Chen Cheng.

Meanwhile, outside Hui Dun City, Earl Huidun had led an honor guard to wait at the city gates early that morning.

Perhaps he could forge a friendship with this professor, which would be of great help to his future ambitions.

Very soon, the guards atop the city walls saw a bright red banner appear on the distant road. Then they saw a fully armed squad of knights escorting a carriage toward Hui Dun City.

Seeing this, the guards on the wall shouted loudly.

"Professor's escort has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, Huidun straightened his clothing. Seeing that it was still as neat as ever, he waited for the professor's arrival with a smile on his face.

The carriage moved quickly, and before long, Huidun and the others saw the escort sent by the Royal Academy to protect the professor.

When the guard squad approached the city gates, Huidun stepped forward with a smile to greet them.

"Welcome back to Hui Dun City, Professor Pempes."

However, just as he was about to approach the carriage, the knights guarding it drew the weapons at their waists and blocked Huidun outside.

Through the iron masks covering their faces, one could see the cold gleam in their eyes. Though Huidun had been made to lose face, his temperament was not so poor that he would fly into a rage from embarrassment over it.

Because he knew these people were acting under orders. Before they had escorted the professor to his destination, no one was allowed near the professor's carriage.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a plump, bald old man poked his head out from inside.

When he saw Huidun being kept outside, an apologetic smile appeared on his face.

"Please do not take offense, Earl. These knights are following the orders of that old fellow Riddon from the Royal Academy. Even I may look like I'm being protected, but in truth, I'm being watched."

As he spoke, the little old man climbed down from the carriage, carrying a suitcase in one hand.

The moment Huidun heard that the order had come personally from Headmaster Riddon, he lost all temper.

Headmaster Riddon was an Epic Rank powerhouse and also the person in charge of the Como branch of the Academy Alliance. Within the kingdom, his status was utterly detached from the ordinary.

He walked before Huidun and gave him a very formal bow. Then he turned to the knights and said.

"Now that I'm back, you can return. And after you get back, tell that old fellow Riddon that next time I go there, I'll get even."

Professor Pempes's words carried a distinctly streetwise air.

"Professor, please come first. I have prepared a welcome banquet for you."

Pempes froze for a moment upon hearing that, then burst into hearty laughter.

"Really? I never expected a fat old man nobody cared for like me to have a banquet waiting for him when I returned. Hahaha, not bad, not bad."

His words left Huidun at a loss for how to respond, so he could only laugh along.

Surrounded by the crowd, the professor was led into the city.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while longer, Pempes slapped his forehead.

"Earl, there's something I forgot. That old fellow Adolf said the academy's students and instructors have also voluntarily prepared a welcome gathering for me.

"That old fellow has not bowed his head to me many times. Save this banquet for this old man first. Once I go back and properly mock that old fellow, I'll come over. What do you think?"

At those words, Huidun's face nearly fell. But recalling the professor's many past antics, he knew this was simply the professor's nature.

Though whether the professor had done it deliberately was another matter.

After apologizing repeatedly, the professor carried his suitcase toward the academy.

Some of the nobles following behind Huidun revealed scornful sneers. In their eyes, no matter how profound Pempes's attainments in magic were, he was still merely a country bumpkin.

Others were simply watching the earl make a fool of himself.

When they had heard that the earl was going to welcome Pempes, that country bumpkin, most of these nobles had come to watch a good show. Now that they saw Huidun lose face, they wanted to see what he would do next.

Yet how could this earl's temperament be compared to that of ordinary people? He had lived beneath all manner of discrimination and abuse since childhood, and he had already considered this situation.

After only a slight pause, Huidun acted as though nothing had happened and led everyone toward the banquet.

"Everyone, today is a fine day for Professor Pempes's return. This banquet is to celebrate Professor Pempes's return, and the agricultural tax due this quarter will also be waived."

Meanwhile, before the gates of Huidun Academy, numerous instructors and students had already waited for a long time. When they saw the plump old man carrying a suitcase approaching, the instructors immediately crowded around him.

Seeing such a grand scene, Pempes could not help but laugh heartily. He knew that for such a reception to be arranged, that old fellow Adolf must have yielded to him. How could that not make him happy?

After exchanging pleasantries with the many instructors for a while, he looked at Melinda.

"Melinda, you are still as beautiful as ever. Grandpa Pempes heard that a Legendary genius has recently emerged in your class."

Melinda had not expected Pempes to mention Brown the moment he arrived. She immediately pulled Chen Cheng from behind her and pushed him before Pempes.

"Grandpa Pempes, this is that little fellow."

Chen Cheng held great respect for scholars like this, so he immediately bowed and greeted Pempes.

At first glance, Pempes saw the Slave Collar around Chen Cheng's neck. Yet he showed nothing and directly grabbed one of Chen Cheng's hands to examine him.

When she saw the relaxed smile on Pempes's face, Melinda finally let out the breath she had been holding.

Afterward, Pempes met several student representatives. Among them, the one he praised most was Fini.

After all, Chen Cheng's identity was somewhat difficult to discuss, while Fini was the most monstrous genius here after Chen Cheng.

As Pempes spoke with Fini, he also told her much about the cultivation of magic.