Chapter 9: This Move Was a Big One!

“Do you think gathering believers is just about talking?”

“Believers must be truly devoted for it to be effective.”

While listening to Vega’s explanation, Victor tapped his fingers on the desk. Watching the morning sunlight fall upon his book, he chuckled softly in his study.

“Sincerity? I’m not worried about being insincere.”

Vega squinted its eyes and let out a whining sound, expressing its dissatisfaction with Victor.

“Perhaps you’re even more cunning than the previous Victor.”

“You’re too kind.”

Victor didn’t say much more and continued reading his speech draft.

He always felt that ever since Vega was bound to him, it had gradually started forgetting about their mission to revive the evil god.

Thinking this, Victor glanced at Vega.

At this moment, the crow was perched on the desk, its head nodding as it fought off sleep.

Vega had always been a creature that ate during the day and slept at night, barely exercising at all.

It was practically just an ornament.

In just a few days, Vega had already grown noticeably rounder. When it perched on Victor’s shoulder, he could feel the extra weight pressing down.

However, since Vega wasn’t concerned, Victor saw no reason to be either.

Thus, he spent a quiet morning in his study, reviewing his speech and grading Erica’s assignments.

…

By noon, Victor had finished grading Erica’s assignments. As for today’s lecture, thanks to Henny’s meticulous preparations, he had memorized the key points with ease.

As Victor stepped out of the study, he saw Assistant Henny rubbing her eyes, emerging groggily from her room.

“Awake? Get ready. It’s time to leave.”

Victor casually reminded her.

Henny, startled like a frightened fawn, quickly straightened up and nodded.

“No problem, Professor! I’m ready.”

Victor nodded in acknowledgment and ordered the servants to prepare the carriage for their journey to the Royal Academy of Magic.

He motioned for Henny to get in. She was so nervous that she had no choice but to obediently comply.

Seated across from Victor in the carriage, Henny kept her head down, too shy to lift it, stealing occasional glances at him.

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

Inside, she panicked: I’m actually sitting in the same carriage as the genius Professor Victor!

Oh my god!

She felt hot, only then realizing sweat had gathered on her forehead. Even sitting still felt uncomfortable.

Victor noted her obvious unease and considered saying something.

But speaking abruptly might only make her more nervous.

So, he let her spiral in her own thoughts.

The more nervous she was, the wilder her imagination ran. Soon, she realized she had spent the night in the home of this notorious noble professor.

Victor saw her eyes widen in shock, which he found amusing.

He simply watched her as she stared at her shoes. Neither of them spoke for the entire ride.

…

As the carriage slowly came to a stop, Victor was the first to speak.

“We’re here.”

Only after hearing his voice did Henny finally lift her head, her tension visibly easing.

“Finally.”

She exhaled a long breath, surprised at how agonizingly long the ride had felt.

Upon disembarking, Henny followed Victor closely.

Seeing that he was heading to the administrative office, she summoned her courage and said, “Professor Victor, the Headmaster asked you to visit him when you arrived at the academy.”

Victor nodded and headed straight for the headmaster’s office.

Henny, still as timid as a young deer, followed behind him.

Knock, knock!

After using the mage tower’s teleportation system, Victor knocked on the headmaster’s office door.

“Come in.”

With the headmaster’s permission, Victor entered with Henny.

Standing before the headmaster, Victor got straight to the point.

“Headmaster, I heard you were looking for me.”

The headmaster was an elderly, overweight man adorned with various magical tools, the very image of a traditional mage.

At the same time, he was the strongest mage in the academy, a fourth-tier wizard.

A man known as the “Holy Mage.”

A living legend.

He had reached this level over twenty years ago.

Upon seeing Victor, the headmaster set down his teacup, capped his pen, and gently placed it on his book.

His body, clearly aged to its limits, seemed to tire from even the smallest movements.

Exhaling deeply, he leaned back in his chair and slowly spoke.

“Professor Victor, I heard about what happened in class yesterday.”

Victor frowned. He hadn’t expected Erica’s challenge to reach the headmaster’s ears.

“You handled it well,” the headmaster praised with a smile. “However… don’t you think you were too strict?”

“Over time, this might lead to student dissatisfaction.”

Hearing the headmaster call him too strict, Victor shook his head and replied flatly.

“If I don’t do this, they will never learn to respect their teachers.”

His tone was calm, showing no regret for his approach.

After all, he was Victor—someone who always repaid grudges in kind.

Fortunately, the headmaster quickly agreed, nodding approvingly.

“Hmm… Respect for teachers… a good philosophy. No wonder you are hailed as a genius mage.”

“By the way, the reason I called you here is this.”

The headmaster pulled out a parchment from his desk and handed it to Victor.

“This is an invitation for an upcoming lecture, sent out to external scholars. Take a look and see if anything needs to be added.”

Victor took it and read through it carefully.

“I’m sure you understand, Professor Victor.”

The headmaster smiled warmly.

“All professors in our academy are required to give a public lecture once a month.”

“We plan to promote your upcoming lecture widely, inviting various mages and scholars. We will also record it using magitech stones for distribution.”

At this point, Victor understood his intention.

“So, I hope you will take the next month to refine your lecture content. The academy will provide a venue capable of seating thousands.”

“Professor Victor, do you have any suggestions?”

Listening to the headmaster’s proposal, Victor realized that the academy’s enrollment period was approaching.

The academy wanted to attract talented students, and prospective students would evaluate the faculty’s reputation and capabilities.

At a time like this, unveiling the youngest third-tier mage professor would undoubtedly be a powerful recruitment tool.

Though Victor had a bad reputation, his talent and power were undeniable. That was all that mattered.

And if he delivered a spectacular lecture—

That scandal would collapse on its own.

Victor recalled the recent newspaper article and his promise to Gwyn.

No one cared about a strong professor’s romantic history, even if he had flirted with a duke’s daughter.

Furthermore, if he went through with this, his position as a professor would become deeply tied to the Royal Academy.

With this connection, he would have more room to maneuver before his inevitable demise.

Thus, Victor nodded and agreed.

“I have no objections. Everything will proceed as the academy plans.”