NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 8
“……That was quite the entertaining joke!”
“Honestly, I was just curious and asked, you know?”
“So you were sincere. How about asking Professor Pernelson instead? He knows that stuff better than I do!”
“But you said you’d teach us life magic, right? So isn’t contraception magic included? I mean, contraception is a crucial part of ‘sexual life,’ isn’t it?”
Hmm…! You keep making me reach for my zipper.
Rynelle pronounced “sexual life” in such a lewd way, clearly trying to bait me.
Even though my opponent was a villainess, I was tempted to fall for her seduction.
But touching Rynelle Agail right now would be a death wish.
‘The moment I touch her without a plan, I’ll really be dead.’
Hidden in Rynelle’s shadow were dozens of knights.
The shadow knights of the Agail Ducal Family.
They lurked in the shadows of all the family members, protecting the Agails at all costs.
If there was any sign of danger to the Agail family, they’d jump out from the shadows and cut the threat’s breath short.
Retirement is only allowed upon death; desertion is an instant execution, meaning no information leaks as their existence is a secret.
They were a family that had ruled the underworld since the early Empire and maintained a powerful force constantly.
“It would be overstepping my bounds to handle sex education, which falls under Professor Pernelson’s jurisdiction. Asking me won’t teach you anything, so give it up.”
“Is that so? What a shame.”
“You shouldn’t be too disappointed. You’ll have the chance to learn from Professor Pernelson someday!”
I dodged Rynelle’s question one way or another.
Never did I expect the noble duke’s daughter to ask a sexual question.
While I knew she had a bold demeanor, I didn’t think this mature lady would throw out taboo words.
She wasn’t someone to underestimate.
“Professor? I have another question.”
“Lady Agail? I would prefer not to answer any awkward questions.”
“Don’t worry, this one’s about you!”
“Phew! As long as it’s not a strange question, I’m fine.”
Once I gave permission, a meaningful smile formed on Rynelle’s lips.
Her first question had been just a tease, and she was indirectly revealing her intentions.
“I hear you’re the only heir of Baron Crawford? I was wondering what you think about Crawford’s spatial magic.”
Look at this witty little girl!
She openly brought up the spatial magic that I was sensitive about.
What did that mean?
It meant she was watching how I use spatial magic and was asking if I had anything to say about it.
The moment spatial magic was mentioned, Ailey, who had been sleeping, opened one eye, and Nina nearly leaped out of her chair, almost losing her balance.
The two of them demonstrated that my interpretation was spot on.
With no notable reactions from other students, it seemed clear who had witnessed me at that moment.
There were only three people who saw it clearly, two of whom were villainesses.
‘Should I be thankful that not many people witnessed it? Or am I worried that troublesome folks caught on?’
What a bizarre and mischievous fate it was.
If I was doomed to be tangled up with villainesses no matter what I did, maybe it’d be fine to enjoy it a little.
“Our family’s spatial magic? Naturally, it’s the most powerful magic that exists!”
“You’re quite proud, aren’t you? But is it really okay to say that? It could be interpreted as saying other magic is worthless, you know?”
As Rynelle said, the gazes of nearby students sharpened.
They had spent time and effort honing their magic, and I had just dismissed it as useless, which would understandably make them furious.
However, I remained unshaken and continued to speak.
“Is it wrong to take pride in the magic one learns? I don’t like arrogant attitudes either, but if you’re a mage, it’s essential to be somewhat proud. When you reach the pinnacle of any magic, you must have pride in the magic you’ve honed.”
After seeing my assertive rhetoric, the anger displayed by the students dwindled.
In fact, some of them lowered their heads, likely feeling ashamed and moved by my words.
It was a justification thrown out there, but it wasn’t entirely incorrect.
How could someone who lacks confidence in themselves ever finish what they started?
“That was an excellent point. So, what do you think about spatial magic…?”
“P-Professor! I have a question too, if that’s okay?”
“Sure.”
Nina, sitting in the front row, shot her hand up high, interrupting Rynelle’s words.
Rynelle glared sharply at Nina, who had hijacked the conversation.
But Nina was remarkably insensitive to others’ gazes.
And from my standpoint, I had no choice but to support Nina.
It wasn’t favoritism; it was about giving everyone an equal chance to ask questions.
“I’d like to know the reason behind you establishing this lecture.”
“Can I ask you first why you’re asking that?”
“Like you probably know, nobles look down on life magic! They consider magic that enriches human lives as lowly! O-of course, I know there are people like you, Professor, who don’t think that way. But I was curious why you would create a life magic course here in Kiadell, where many noble offspring gather.”
As Nina pointed out, nobles showed absolutely no interest in life magic.
Given that eight out of ten of the students present were commoners, and the remaining two were Rynelle and Ailey, who were interested in me, it was clear just how miserably life magic was treated by nobles.
‘Did Nina unexpectedly show her cunning side?’
It felt oddly different than her merely asking out of curiosity.
It was as if she was trying to say something she wanted to tell to Rynelle, who had been firing off random questions at me.
If the intention was anything other than learning, it felt like a nuisance, almost like a request for the noble lady to leave.
It might just be my speculation, but judging by Rynelle’s frown, it didn’t seem entirely baseless.
‘Now, how should I respond to that?’
I couldn’t just say, “I created it for you, Nina!”
In a situation where I had to give a different reason, a good idea suddenly struck me.
“Life is unpredictable; nobody knows how it will turn out. Whether noble or commoner, having the ability to be self-reliant is necessary. My family could suddenly collapse or even vanish overnight. When that happens, the only person who can help me is myself.”
Would anyone lend me a hand if I told them I was reincarnated as Daniel?
It’d be a relief if they didn’t treat me like a lunatic.
Would anyone just stand by and watch without trying to help me?
That would indeed be foolish. If you want something, earn it through consistent effort.
Hence, I accepted this reincarnation and strive hard to achieve my goals.
“I established this course hoping that you would all find it useful in the future. Clearly, my intentions haven’t conveyed well.”
“Professor…”
“Doesn’t that sound a bit foolish?”
“No, that was a truly admirable reason!”
Nina and the other students nodded in agreement with my words.
The two noble ladies didn’t retort, keeping their mouths shut.
It seemed they understood, even if they didn’t fully relate.
“We’ve spent quite some time in the Q&A. Let’s call it a day! If there’s anything else you’d like to ask me, feel free to come by anytime!”
As I gathered the lecture materials, I told my students they could leave.
Seeing the bright smiles on the departing students told me I’d probably avoid Professor Pernelson’s nagging.
“Professor Daniel!”
“Whoa! You scared me!”
Just as I blankly stared at the exit, Rynelle popped up onto the podium, peeking at me.
Startled, I stepped back, and she burst into laughter.
I suddenly got the urge to give her a light slap on the cheek.
“W-What’s up?”
“I’ve got a big worry! So, could we have a private consultation?”
“For personal counseling, you should ask your designated professor… Oh wait, that would be me?”
“Pfft! Professor, how could you forget your own class?”
Well, Daniel’s original identity was set as Class F, so what could I do?
I still couldn’t believe I was Rynelle’s designated professor.
“You said you wanted to consult about something? When and where would you like it to be?”
“How about we meet casually at six in the counseling room?”
“Sounds good.”
“See you then!”
As we set the appointment for the private counseling, Rynelle left without lingering any longer.
Waving cheerfully at me, I waved back.
She was friendly and had a subtle cuteness about her charm.
At least in appearance.
‘That was quicker than I expected. Is this a butterfly effect of sorts?’
Left alone in the lecture hall, I chuckled at the recent events.
I recalled the scene where Rynelle asked for a consultation with Daniel, and it lingered in my memory.
‘How amusing.’
The definitive reason why Daniel ended up being the losing heroine.
It lay in the events of this consultation that just landed with me now.
It also marked the moment when Daniel and the readers would begin to accept Rynelle as the villainess.
“All right.”
I made up my mind.
This time, I’d teach the clueless noble lady precisely who’s above and who’s below.