Home/The Peaceful Academy Life of a Magic Potion Professor/ch34

Chapter 34

Fortunately, from the next class onward, the atmosphere returned to normal. The students who usually slept slept, and those who listened listened. Lamiya had inwardly worried that the mood might linger for a while, but it had recovered in just one day—she found that surprising.

If anything, their attitude seems even better than usual.

As she wrote the brewing method for "Anti-Nausea Potion" on the board, Lamiya briefly turned her head to glance at the magical potions students, then turned back.

Maybe the lunch menu was particularly good today.

The faculty cafeteria and student cafeteria had different menus, so she didn't know exactly what had been served, but that was about as far as her speculation went. Whatever the reason, it wasn't a bad situation for her, so her preparations for the upcoming midterm exams continued uninterrupted.

---

"Oh."

Lamiya let out a dry exclamation of surprise as she finished grading the answer sheets.

The exam papers were enchanted with both anti-cheating and auto-grading magic. After the exam, the professor simply entered the correct answers into the artifact linked to the grading magic, and all the multiple-choice questions were scored automatically. Only the subjective and practical questions required manual evaluation, so it was relatively manageable.

Since magical potions had a fair number of subjective questions, Lamiya was grading them one by one. To her surprise, the average score had increased by more than ten points compared to the previous semester's final exam. Even accounting for the fact that the exam wasn't the same, it was a notable improvement.

"Did the match against the swordsmanship class have an effect?"

Lamiya's brow arched in surprise. After all, they had studied with fire in their eyes back then.

Knock, knock.

"Yes."

The laboratory door opened in response to Lamiya's answer. It was a servant running an errand for Headmaster Kamirgold.

"Professor Lamiya, the Headmaster wishes to see you."

"Now?"

"Yes."

The courage match was over, and the parent-teacher conferences—though she'd worried—had ended without incident. She couldn't think of any reason to be called, but she rose from her seat nonetheless.

"Come in, Professor Lamiya."

"Good day, Headmaster."

Lamiya entered the office and bowed slightly. Kamirgold greeted her with a beaming smile.

"Please, sit down."

Kamirgold seemed to be in an excellent mood. Even Benjamin, standing beside him, looked cheerful. At least it wasn't bad news—that was a relief. Once Lamiya was seated, Kamirgold got straight to the point.

"It's nothing serious—I just wanted to offer my congratulations. The magical potions students' grades improved significantly this time."

"Congratulations."

Benjamin chimed in. Already? She'd only just finished grading... Benjamin quickly clarified.

"It's thanks to the magic on the exam papers. The scores are reflected in the records immediately, so the Headmaster's office can view them. We can also see the grades you entered after completing your grading. The actual exam scores and the professor's submitted grades must match, of course. And the anti-cheating magic on the papers can only be lifted by the Headmaster."

It was a well-thought-out system. Clearly, Kamirgold was deeply invested in the Academy.

"More importantly, the reason I called you here is what I just mentioned—the magical potions students' average score rose significantly. Previously, even when we made exams easier, the students simply wouldn't study, so it was meaningless. But the exam you set, Professor Lamiya, was well-balanced—with both easy and difficult questions at an appropriate level. The institute's doctors have confirmed it as well, so there's no doubt."

I thought it was fairly easy. Lamiya thought to herself but kept it to herself.

"Lamiya, it's been—what, less than three months since you arrived? This is a remarkable achievement. I'm even considering changing all faculty hiring to open examinations from now on. Of course, there are many hurdles to overcome."

Kamirgold narrowed his eyes slightly, making a face that said just thinking about it was exhausting, then broke into a bright smile.

"Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that you've done an excellent job."

"...Thank... you."

Lamiya was bewildered. She hadn't intended any of this—receiving such undeserved praise made her uncomfortable, yet she felt a strange swelling in her chest.

The Headmaster, watching her with a smile, widened his eyes.

"Professor, you've been frozen solid at far greater praise. You never so much as flinch, yet you react like this? What a surprise."

"!"

Lamiya snapped back to attention. What was this feeling...? She knew that being praised felt good. But this was something subtly different.

Kamirgold smiled softly.

"You'd better get used to it, Professor. You'll be hearing a lot more of it."

He spoke in ways Lamiya couldn't quite comprehend.

Having received an unexpected shower of praise, Lamiya walked back toward the laboratory building with a slightly dazed expression. While walking, she reached a conclusion: this unfamiliar feeling was due to the fact that things had never unexpectedly turned out well for her before.

But that wasn't entirely true—she had experienced unexpected good fortune. It just didn't feel the same. Hmm... she wasn't sure. Lamiya cancelled her conclusion, shelved it for later, and tossed it to a corner of her mind. She'd understand when the time came.

As she approached her laboratory, she encountered an unexpected face at her door.

"...The swordsmanship class's arrogant prince?"

"I am Prince Raymond Frontera!"

He must have heard her quiet murmur, because he shouted. Lamiya ignored him and opened the door to her laboratory.

She'd closed the door, but it swung open again. Prince Raymond stared at her with a defiant glare.

"How dare you enter when someone's here—how rude!"

Lamiya set her papers down on the desk and answered absently.

"I didn't know you were looking for me."

"Grrr...!"

He seemed unable to find a retort, just seething.

"A research lab befitting your level, I see."

He quickly changed the subject, scanning the lab. Though his eyes widened at some things, all that came out were grumbles. Lamiya sat down, folded her hands on the desk, and spoke.

"Your Highness, what business do you have?"

"...!"

Standing across the desk, Prince Raymond's face began to turn beet red. Just when it seemed it might burst, he lifted his bowed head, squeezed his eyes shut, and shouted.

"S-sorry!"

"..."

Silence. Lamiya wondered what this was about, then remembered.

"Ah."

So this was the official apology he'd mentioned. The Crown Prince Edward must have made him do it.

To this extent? It was a bit surprising. Even Lamiya, who knew little of such matters, understood that a royal apologizing to a commoner was rare.

Prince Raymond, eager to escape this moment as quickly as possible, rattled off like a machine gun.

"I apologize for my rudeness to you in front of my brother last time! There, satisfied?"

"..."

It was clearly a forced apology with no sincerity at all. Even for a crown prince, making him do this meant his brother was incredibly important to him. But...

"I'll decline."

"...What?!"

Lamiya gave a rare faint smile. Normally, she'd have let it slide out of sheer annoyance—what did she care about sincerity? But today, she didn't want to accept his apology. His barging into her lab and shouting was irritating. So she added a condition she never would have normally.

"Go to your brother and repeat exactly what you said to me, word for word. If he says he's satisfied, then I'll accept."

Prince Raymond's face flushed red and purple again, his pride wounded. He forced himself to speak arrogantly.

"Ha! How dare you be so insolent... Do you think I can't do it? My brother will make you regret missing this opportunity!"

With that, he slammed the door shut and stormed out.

Hmm... If he really knew what he'd done wrong, he'd never be able to tell his brother. For a royal—even if they rarely had to apologize—was basic etiquette not taught? Or did royals simply never have occasion to apologize? Lamiya found herself pondering questions she couldn't answer, but she was curious about what would happen next.

"I suppose I'll soon learn what royal dignity really means."

A few days later.

"Good day, Professor Lamiya. I am Charles, aide to His Highness Crown Prince Edward."

A young man with nearly black, curly brown hair and pale skin introduced himself. Dressed in a neat navy suit with white gloves, he looked like competence personified.

"His Highness Crown Prince Edward has asked me to convey his deepest apologies for the rude behavior of his younger brother, Prince Raymond."

He handed Lamiya a letter bearing the imperial seal. It was handwritten by Crown Prince Edward, containing a courteous apology and an invitation to a meal at the imperial court as a gesture of goodwill.

"W-well... this is too much."

It was excessive. Lamiya almost felt as if she were being punished for playing a prank. What she'd expected—if anything—was either a slim chance that Raymond would return with a proper apology, or that Edward would send a warning about knowing her place. A sincere apology and a dinner invitation? She hadn't anticipated that at all.

"This is too much for me. His Highness need not apologize for something so trivial... it's quite alright."

Lamiya tried to decline as politely as possible, hoping to escape the situation. But Charles's next words left her with no way to refuse.

"His Highness Crown Prince Edward insists on personally apologizing for this matter. I'm not sure if I should say this, but... Prince Raymond visited His Highness a few days ago and left him quite furious. He told me to secure your acceptance—no matter what."

"But I don't deserve such..."

"Let me add: receiving an invitation from the imperial family is a tremendous honor. Especially on such an official pretext of apology. If you were to refuse, it might be seen as disregarding the imperial family's goodwill..."

Charles's explanation continued until Lamiya agreed. Yes, she admitted it—Crown Prince Edward was clearly demonstrating what royal dignity meant. And Lamiya bitterly regretted her past actions.

"...I will... go."

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