Home/The Peaceful Academy Life of a Magic Potion Professor/ch24

Chapter 24

The Frontera Empire had expanded its territory through swordsmanship. It went without saying that it boasted many famous knights, and the Imperial Knight Exam had a higher passing standard than in other kingdoms. The knights of prestigious noble houses were no less formidable. So what of the professors training these knights at the Academy?

Mariposa Academy was renowned for its excellent faculty. Headmaster Kamirgold did not hire professors carelessly in any subject—even for magical potions, despite knowing the public perception, he'd held a large-scale hiring examination.

In short, Professor Karon was a former Imperial Knight. His qualifications were beyond question. In front of the swordsmanship students, who already considered themselves half-knights, Lamiya's remark was a grave insult. Of course, Lamiya had no such intention.

"Wh... what? What did you say, Professor Lamiya?"

With no fear of being let go, Lamiya had grown much freer with her words. She tilted her head.

"Is there a problem...?"

Her pure, unironic gaze made a vein bulge on Karon's forehead.

"I read a famous book on knights in the Academy library. It said that knights should be humble, not arrogant, protect the weak, and be loyal to their lord. So I was just wondering... is reality different?"

To the listener, it seemed like an incredibly pointed jab. No matter how he answered, he'd be trapped. Lamiya then clapped her hands together, as if she'd just realized something.

"Ah, that explains why Professor Karon didn't sense me approaching."

"!"

It was practically a direct accusation that he wasn't a true knight. This wasn't the professor who'd silently endured the students' abuse like a pushover. Caught off guard by the unexpected uppercut, Karon could only think of blocking before taking another hit.

"How dare you! Show some respect to Professor Karon, a former Imperial Knight!"

But it wasn't Karon who stepped forward—it was someone else. Who was this student?

A remarkably striking student with a tall stature, fiery red hair, and silver eyes.

"...Prince Raymond!"

"Prince?"

Lamiya turned her gaze to the sudden appearance of a royal. The male student addressed as Prince, apparently determined to teach her a lesson, raised his voice even louder.

"A mere commoner with a professor's title should know to be grateful—how dare you speak to Sir Karon, an Imperial Knight, in such a manner! Apologize at once, or I'll go to the Headmaster and have you disciplined!"

Beside him, Karon's expression swelled with pride. That would be a problem. Lamiya apologized immediately.

"Ah, yes... well. I apologize."

The swordsmanship students' eyes nearly popped out—it was clearly an apology given with no intention of apologizing whatsoever. Seeing Lamiya just tilt her head, Prince Raymond was furious.

"Is that an apology? Apologize properly! Get on your knees, I say!"

Lamiya continued to regard the prince with the same impassive expression. When she ignored him, he curled his lips nastily and spoke as if he'd rather not do this.

"If you refuse the chance I've given you, then I have no choice. I'll go to the Headmaster and have you thrown out today."

The students thought this time Lamiya would have no choice but to yield.

"Go ahead."

"?

"?

What? The students thought they'd misheard. They'd never seen a commoner refuse to yield before royalty—and she was holding firm even under threat of dismissal?

"Then I'll report everything that just happened to the Headmaster as well."

"Ugh!"

"Rrgh...!"

Karon let out a sound as if struck in a vital spot. Judging by his expression, they knew their actions weren't above reproach.

Lamiya thought: Kamirgold could never fire her. In that instant, Garyu's treatment supply would be disrupted. Besides, if the Headmaster were the type to bow to the imperial family, he'd never have dared to establish the magical potions department. Even a prince, having entered Mariposa Academy, had to follow the Headmaster's authority and the school's rules—it was one of the provisions in the admission documents. Of course, exceptions always existed.

"Professor Lamiya..."

The magical potions students were stunned. They couldn't believe what they were witnessing.

"So... Professor Karon just got shut down, right?"

"Did you see Prince Raymond's face?"

"Yeah. First time I've ever seen him make that expression—and he can't even say a word to our professor."

If this had happened in another department, it would have been expected—but this was the magical potions class.

As the students began whispering and the atmosphere grew awkward, Professor Karon hurriedly tried to smooth things over. He couldn't let Prince Raymond be humiliated like this.

"Your Highness, please calm yourself. I'll make sure to caution Professor Lamiya so this doesn't happen again."

It was hard to tell who was the master and who was the student. Prince Raymond, though reluctant, stepped back to save face for the imperial family.

"Then I'll leave it to you. And you, Akira Sorin—if you want to uphold the honor of House Sorin, it would be better to transfer to another Academy. I'm saying this because it would be a waste to let you rot here. Playing with those beneath your level will lower your own."

Leaving behind this unsavory piece of "advice," the prince turned and walked toward the swordsmanship students. Akira Sorin simply gazed at Prince Raymond in silence.

Lamiya thought to herself that if it weren't for his royal status, he'd have been put in his place long ago.

"...Will they be all right?"

Watching Lamiya and Akira Sorin silently staring at the swordsmanship class with expressionless faces, Peter found the two of them far more frightening than the prince.

---

"I've brewed the eye-color changing potion we discussed last time."

Lamiya placed a vial on her laboratory desk. Garyu's brow furrowed.

"I told you I didn't need it. I'm fine with how things are."

He waved his hand, refusing to even take the vial, and quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, I heard something interesting..."

The recent incident during the joint class had grown big enough that rumors were spreading among the students, and Benjamin, who kept a close eye on Lamiya's actions, learned of it in no time. That meant it had also reached Headmaster Kamirgold... and apparently, High Priest Garyu as well.

"I'm not sure I'd call it interesting."

Lamiya said as she lifted Garyu's eyelid. The jewel eyes were clear.

"Don't misunderstand me, Professor. I don't mean the situation itself was amusing—I mean it's interesting that the swordsmanship department has become such trash in the time we haven't seen each other."

"Is that so."

After confirming the other jewel eye was also clean, Lamiya withdrew her hand from Garyu's face.

"So, what are you going to do now?"

Lamiya, who was wiping her hands with disinfectant, asked.

"What do you mean?"

"The swordsmanship class will keep treating the magical potions students that way. Are you just going to let it continue?"

Hearing Garyu's words, Lamiya paused in wiping her hands. Still, since it had reached the Headmaster's ears, surely they couldn't do it so openly now... Lamiya recalled her conversations with Professor Karon and the prince's demeanor.

Heh.

"Did you just laugh?"

One of Garyu's eyebrows shot up.

"No. You're right, Lord Blanchard—people don't change easily."

Setting down the towel, Lamiya murmured thoughtfully.

"Still, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to let the children resolve it themselves..."

Benjamin would have been horrified to hear her say such a thing. Garyu felt that while her potion skills were extraordinary, she was difficult to figure out in many ways—hard to read, even after meeting her regularly. Still, that wasn't the right approach.

"How about a competition? Choose an event where both sides have a chance. There'd be some risk, but winning would bring a lot of benefits."

"A competition..."

Lamiya considered the unexpected suggestion.

---

"Well, well. Professor Lamiya asking to see me—is this about last time? I have no intention of listening unless it's an apology."

A chill wind blew around the two figures meeting in the empty counseling room.

"I have a proposal."

Lamiya got straight to the point. Karon's brow twitched.

"A proposal?"

"Yes."

She nodded.

"I'm tired of these constant conflicts—let's settle it with a match."

"A match? Ha! The magical potions class against our swordsmanship class? Don't be ridiculous."

"Why not? All that matters is winning. If you win, you can take whatever you desire as your prize."

"Whatever... I desire?"

Karon hesitated. He seemed interested. Lamiya nodded calmly.

"Of course, things like death or jumping off a cliff aren't allowed."

"...So, could I have your resignation?"

Lamiya didn't know why he disliked her so much, but she readily agreed. She could always reapply.

"Fine."

His eyes gleamed like a predator spotting its prey.

"But I'll decide after hearing the event."

He clearly had no doubt he would win—he didn't even bother to ask about Lamiya's reward. Lamiya added,

"Ah, just to be clear—this will only go ahead if the students agree. As the parties involved, their consent matters."

"Don't worry. Prince Raymond will welcome it with open arms."

"I see. Then..."

Lamiya named the event she'd been considering—one that Karon, hearing it, would think gave his side the advantage.

After hearing it all, Professor Karon looked at her in disbelief.

"...Professor, are you serious?"

"Do I have any reason to lie to you?"

"Swordsmanship is not merely about honing physical ability. You've just confirmed its level once again. Fine—I accept your proposal. But from this moment on, there will be no backing out. Ah, unless the magical potions students tuck their tails and run."

Karon crossed his legs arrogantly and looked down at Lamiya. She remained as calm as ever.

"No one knows the outcome of a match. Especially not one of courage."

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