Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 232: Scorch Mark of Fire (2)

Facing Albert, Violetta unconsciously brought a hand to her face.

The burn scar that was no longer there.

That place throbbed as if it had been scorched anew.

Haa, haa...

Her breathing grew ragged. Violetta took a deep breath, calming her mind.

Without looking away from Albert’s gaze, she slowly descended the stairs.

Her steps were noble and dignified, never losing her poise.

Albert frowned at the sight.

‘Look at her.’

He was surprised that Violetta was the manager of this boutique, but that was all.

In fact, it only made things more convenient for him.

But the fact that she met his gaze, unflinching and proud, seriously got under his skin.

“What seems to be the matter, sir?”

“Hah.”

At Violetta’s cool and detached tone, drawing a clear line between them, Albert let out a mocking laugh.

“Since when were we so formal with each other?”

“We were never close enough to call each other by name.”

“Heh. You’ve gotten bold since I last saw you.”

Albert glanced around the interior of [House of Verdi].

“To think you’d end up the manager of a place like this. Quite the rise. How many men did you sleep with to get here? Did you manage to land a rich tycoon?”

“......”

“And your face looks perfectly fine. That burn couldn’t even be healed by a priest. Or did you just put on a new layer of skin?”

“If you have nothing more to say, please leave.”

Still stroking his chin, Albert frowned at her blatant dismissal.

“You’ve grown. Back then, you wouldn’t even make eye contact—now you’re telling me to get out? Or was the punishment I gave you back then not enough?”

At the word “punishment,” Violetta bit her lip.

The tension in their exchange began to draw murmurs from the surrounding crowd.

“Oh my. So they know each other?”

“More than that—what’s with Albert’s attitude toward the manager? Isn’t it a bit strange?”

“From what they’re saying, maybe the manager used to work another job before...”

Ludger, silently observing the scene, also felt something was off.

Judging from Albert’s demeanor and Violetta’s reaction, they clearly had a history.

‘The burn scar that used to be on Violetta’s face...’

Though he had healed it, Violetta had worn a black veil to hide her face until then.

A hideous scar that covered half her face.

And the person who had given her that scar—

‘It was him.’

A past tormentor—now returned.

‘Hans.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Ludger spoke to Hans in a quiet voice.

‘Tell me what you know about Albert. And summon Phantos.’

‘Understood.’

Meanwhile, Violetta and Albert continued their exchange.

“I have no more reason to see you. Everything ended that day.”

Violetta tried to sound calm, but her clenched, trembling fists betrayed her true feelings.

“Oh dear, Violetta. You really only see half the picture. You may think it’s over, but I don’t.”

“Didn’t everything end that day—when you carved a scar into my face?”

“Sure, back then. But look at you now. A scar? Where is it?”

Albert smirked.

“Not sure how you pulled it off, but impressive. Healed up beautifully. What—got close to a high-ranking priest? Wow, how good must your night skills be to get healing from someone like that?”

At Albert’s lewd mockery, the expressions of the staff—who had been watching tensely—turned cold.

Most of the employees at [House of Verdi] were members of the Women of the Black Rose.

And among them, not a single one had gone without help from Violetta.

Without her, they would have grown up suffering in the slums.

In a world where even dreaming wasn’t allowed, it was Violetta—and the unseen owner—who gave them the chance to live as people.

And now, that very Violetta was being humiliated.

The atmosphere turned icy.

Even the keen-eyed noblewomen in the store noticed the change and fell silent.

“If you insist on shouting, let’s take this somewhere quieter.”

“And why should I?”

Violetta tried to move the confrontation elsewhere, but Albert refused.

“Let’s just talk here. What’s the problem? Afraid people will find out that the grand owner of this dress shop used to sell her body?”

“...You.”

Violetta burned with anger—but still glanced at the surrounding reactions.

Though now she was the proud manager of a well-known dress salon on Royal Street—

Her former profession had been that of a prostitute.

And if word got out that a prostitute was running the salon patronized by rich noblewomen, it would surely hurt business.

Sales would drop, and gossip would spread, affecting others as well.

She expected the noblewomen to gasp in horror.

But... their reactions were strange.

‘What is this? It’s quiet.’

They were watching—but didn’t seem to be reacting to the conversation.

No, it was quieter than that—so quiet she couldn’t even hear their breathing.

Albert realized something was off as well.

“What the hell is this...? A magical reaction?”

Albert sensed that a spell had been cast around him and Violetta.

‘When did this happen?’

What shocked him the most was that the magic had fully activated—and he hadn’t noticed.

‘Don’t tell me—it was that bitch?’

He suspected Violetta.

A stray cat who had stolen magic from him.

He had branded her face as punishment, but somehow she was now thriving.

If she had developed the magic she’d stolen back then, she could’ve pulled something like this off.

But after seeing her reaction, he realized—it wasn’t her.

The spell came from someone else.

‘Then who?’

As he looked around, Albert spotted a man approaching.

“...And who the hell are you?”

Albert scowled, glaring at the masked man.

Instinctively, he knew this was the one who had cast the spell.

“Sir. Do you have any business with our shop?”

Ludger spoke /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ calmly, snapping his fingers.

The soundproofing magic layered around the area was dispelled in an instant.

“Who is that?”

“When did he get here?”

As the customers murmured in confusion, the employees—recognizing him—bowed their heads in unison.

“Greetings, Owner.”

With that, it was impossible not to know who he was.

“That’s the Owner?”

“The man responsible for the revival of Royal Street!”

Violetta’s eyes widened in surprise as she recognized him.

“O-Owner... What brings you here...?”

Hearing her muttered question, Albert sneered.

“Oh. So you’re the so-called ‘Owner’ of Royal Street?”

He’d heard the rumors.

That Royal Street—Lederbelk’s hottest district—had been rebuilt by a single man.

A man who wore a mask and never revealed his identity.

A man every influential figure in the city wanted to meet.

But they couldn’t find him—because he hid his identity so well.

And yet, here he was, appearing in a place like this.

“Everyone.”

Ludger’s voice carried authority.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to continue business today. Please escort the guests outside.”

“Yes, sir.”

At his command, the employees began to move, prompting protests from the customers.

“Wait a minute! Are you saying we have to leave?”

“That’s right! We came here as paying customers!”

“We sincerely apologize. However, due to the circumstances, we can’t accommodate you today. As a token of apology, everyone present will be given priority access to try on the newest Verdi collection once it’s released.”

With that, the noblewomen’s complaints disappeared at once.

As much as the situation itself was a juicy piece of gossip, they knew a good deal when they saw one.

Getting first access to new designer outfits—just for walking out?

Besides, there were plenty of other places to explore on Royal Street.

Moreover, the fact that getting involved in the Pablo family’s notorious troublemaker’s tantrum would only cause them endless headaches played no small part.

“Oh my. Well, in that case, we can’t be helped.”

“It’s a shame, but it’s not like today’s the only day.”

The customers left the shop, escorted with the utmost care by the staff.

Now, only a handful remained inside.

“Tch. Seriously.”

Albert clicked his tongue, unable to believe how ridiculous the situation had become.

Two escorts from his family stood at his sides, guarding him.

“You’re out of your damn mind.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“You think kicking out the customers is going to scare me? Or is this some petty protest? Trying to say I ruined your business? Do you even know who I am?”

“Albert Pablo.”

A deep wrinkle formed on Albert’s forehead.

“Arrogant bastard. No ‘sir’? If you knew who I was, you’d be on your knees right now, pulling that mask off and begging—!”

“The second son of the Pablo family, a prestigious house of magic. Not without talent, but still overshadowed by your older brother, who bears the title of Red.”

As Ludger recited his background, Albert’s face contorted.

“Over ten cases of drunken assault. But what’s worse is your history with women. Nearly thirty hospitalized due to your sadistic tendencies. And yet, thanks to your family's influence, nothing ever made the papers.”

“...What are you... Did you dig into me?”

“You once made the mistake of harassing the daughter of a baron and got severely beaten. After that, you stuck to brothels, where no one would scold you for abusing or breaking someone. They probably looked like perfect prey to you.”

“......”

“You ride your brother’s coattails and use the family name, but you’re just a jealous brat. No intention of improving yourself. You just look for weaker targets to bully so you can soothe your inferiority complex. You’re filth.”

Albert’s gaze turned murderous.

“Get that bastard over here.”

He barked at his guards.

“Now!”

At his shout, the two escorts slowly stepped toward Ludger.

Ludger warned them calmly.

“Stay still if you don’t want to get hurt.”

“...What?”

The escorts looked at each other in disbelief.

Even if they were handling cleanup for a reckless young master, they were still members of House Pablo.

A commoner whose identity wasn’t even clear had no right to speak to them like that.

“I warned you.”

But when they tried to move—they couldn’t.

Even as they tried to walk, their bodies refused to go forward.

Only then did they realize something—or someone—was holding them back by the scruff of their uniforms.

“Wh-What?!”

The Pablo guards were all former knights.

They were bigger, stronger, and more physically capable than ordinary people.

Yet the two of them had been lifted like children.

And the one holding them?

A large, white-haired beastkin with a hefty frame.

Who the hell is this guy?

That size...

Even the knights had to look up at him.

And his strength—he was casually lifting two full-grown knights, each likely weighing over 90 kilograms, with one hand each.

Phantos, the one performing this absurd feat, simply stared down at the two with a blank expression.

“...I rushed over thinking I’d need to use my strength, but these guys are nothing.”

“What? You dare insult knights of House Pablo—”

“Sleep.”

Wham!

Phantos smacked the two guards’ heads together, and they collapsed, unconscious.

Albert’s face twisted with rage.

“You... you’re insane. You dare lay a hand on people from House Pablo? You think you’ll walk away from this?!”

Whoooosh—!

With a roar, Albert unleashed a wave of magic, generating a fierce gust.

The pressure of the spell surged toward Ludger and Violetta—only to be dispelled effortlessly as Phantos waved his hand.

Phantos glanced sideways at Ludger, silently asking: Should I deal with him?

Ludger shook his head.

“I’ll handle him.”

“...Understood.”

Phantos stepped back.

Veins bulged on Albert’s forehead.

Seeing the two of them treat him like a disobedient child only enraged him further.

“Don’t look down on me!”

Albert pulled out his staff and began casting.

The spell formed instantly, flames swirling into a sphere of fire.

Just as he was about to hurl it at Ludger—

Fweeeeee—!

A flash of light cut through the flame and struck Albert right in the solar plexus.

“Guhh!”

The fire burst apart, dissipating.

Albert dropped to his knees, clutching his chest.

W-What was that? [Glowing Stone]?

The simplest of all spells—[Glowing Stone]—had neutralized his magic.

The realization made Albert dizzy.

Even more bewildering was that it had been cast by the masked man—the one everyone called Owner.

I knew he was a mage, but how...?

The spell was too simple. Ludger hadn’t even used a staff. And Albert had cast first—yet he was the one brought to his knees.

It made no sense.

Step. Step.

Ludger walked slowly toward Albert.

Albert looked up at him.

“Wh-What the hell are you?”

“I told you. I’m the Owner here.”

“D-Don’t come any closer!”

“Why not?”

“I-If you touch me, the Pablo family will never let this go—!”

Smack—!

A crisp slap rang out as Albert’s head snapped to the side.

For a moment, he couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.

Only when the burning pain bloomed across his cheek did he realize he’d been hit.

“Y-You hit me? Me? A Pablo by blood?”

“You.”

Ludger grabbed Albert by the hair and locked eyes with him.

His voice sank cold and low.

“Do you still not understand the situation you’re in?”