Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 234: A Chance Encounter (1)

It was nearly two hours later when Ludger finally came down from the second floor.

Hans, who had been waiting downstairs with his arms crossed, saw Ludger descending with tired footsteps and grumbled.

“Why so late? I was about to grow old waiting.”

“...It’s not like I wanted to be late.”

In fact, this was the result of ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) him somehow shortening the time that would’ve normally taken even longer.

“I’ve no idea what happened up there, but at least you’ve come down looking sharp.”

Hans glanced over Ludger’s attire.

Ludger was always dressed impeccably in refined clothing, but this time, there was a clear sense that he had put in special effort.

A black-based outfit, lavishly adorned with intricately worked silver.

The limited color palette—just black and silver—didn’t feel plain at all. Instead, through restraint, it exuded an extreme level of elegant austerity.

The embroidery was elaborate, and even the color scheme seemed perfectly tailored to the man named Ludger Cherish.

He himself didn’t seem aware of it, but the guests who had gathered nearby were already whispering in awe as they looked at him.

“Who’s that? Where on earth did he get that outfit?”

“Wait a minute. Isn’t that Ludger Cherish?”

“Ludger Cherish? The one who presented that magic thesis recently?”

One by one, people began to recognize Ludger.

“Boss, I think we need to get out of here—quickly.”

“We’d better.”

Ludger, too, noticed the reaction around him and prepared to make his exit.

Just as he stepped outside to decide where to go next, he happened to bump into a group of people entering the store.

“Oh? Professor Ludger?”

“Professor Selina? And even Professor Merilda?”

Selina and Merilda widened their eyes in surprise at the sight of Ludger.

They clearly hadn’t expected to run into him in a place like this.

“What brings you here, Professor Ludger?”

“I came to get some new clothes.”

“Ah, I see. Well, it’s not strange for you to come here. You’ve always seemed interested in fashion.”

Given that Ludger frequently changed his outfits even at Seorn, it wasn’t unreasonable for others to assume he was invested in fashion.

‘It’s just a habit I developed from always being in disguise.’

To Ludger, it was more convenient for others to misunderstand it that way, so he didn’t bother correcting them.

At that moment, Merilda nudged Selina in the arm.

When Selina turned to her with a puzzled look, Merilda signaled with her eyes.

‘What are you doing? Are you just going to let this chance slip away?’

‘Ah.’

Realizing something, Selina opened her mouth in surprise.

‘W-What do I do?’

Flustered and unsure what to do, she looked lost, and Merilda sighed quietly and shook her head.

Then, smiling brightly, she turned to Ludger.

“Oh my. Professor Ludger, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Selina and I were out shopping today. But wouldn’t you know it—something just came up for me.”

“Something came up?”

“Yes! It just suddenly popped into my head. I had an important appointment I completely forgot about! I must be losing my mind. Can’t even remember what I had for breakfast this morning, haha.”

Shouldn’t you be on dementia meds by now?

That sentence rose all the way up Ludger’s throat, but he swallowed it just in time.

“Well then, I’ll be off now! Professor Selina, good luck!”

“Wh-What?!”

“Bye!”

And with that, Merilda vanished like a bullet.

Neither Selina nor Ludger had time to stop her.

Just as the atmosphere began to grow a little awkward, more and more eyes in the store turned toward them.

Deciding this wouldn’t do, Ludger took Selina’s hand and led her out of the House of Verdi.

“Excuse us for a moment.”

“H-Huh?”

When Ludger took her hand, Selina couldn’t even form a proper sentence and allowed herself to be led outside.

Blending naturally into the crowd, the two of them only stopped once they reached a quieter street.

Ludger looked over his shoulder.

He wondered if anyone had followed them from the shop, but thankfully, no one had.

A crowded street did come in handy in moments like this.

“Professor Selina. Are you alright?”

“......”

Selina didn’t answer.

She was just staring at Ludger’s hand still holding hers, her face bright red.

“Professor Selina?”

“Y-Yes?! You called me?!”

“Are you alright?”

“Wh-What do you mean?!”

“Your face is red. Are you feeling unwell?”

“Ah, ah!”

Selina hastily let go of Ludger’s hand and began patting her cheeks with both hands.

Her face was burning hot.

So much so that it looked even redder than her pink hair.

“I-I think it’s just the heat.”

“Well, yes. It has been getting warmer lately.”

“Right, exactly.”

“Still, my apologies. It seemed like you were there for something at the clothing store. I ended up dragging you into my situation.”

“Oh, no! I’m perfectly fine! Actually, I’m even grateful.”

“Grateful? For what, exactly?”

“It’s... it’s nothing!”

Selina opened and closed her hand.

Just moments ago, that hand had been holding Ludger’s.

She could still feel the vivid warmth and texture of it.

Then it suddenly hit her—

Why Merilda had created that opening for her.

Selina instinctively realized she couldn’t let this chance slip by.

“Um, Professor Ludger!”

“Yes. What is it? You’re calling quite loudly.”

“Are you... are you busy right now?!”

At Selina’s question, Ludger paused for a moment before answering.

“Not particularly. I’m here more for rest than anything else.”

Selina’s face lit up with relief at his words.

“Th-Then... Professor Ludger, would you maybe... like to have a meal with me?”

“......”

“Is that... not okay?”

Seeing her so nervous, Ludger thought for a moment.

By now, Hans had likely slipped away, reading the room.

‘I don’t think I can ask Hans to guide me around anymore.’

He didn’t mind wandering alone, but rejecting a coworker’s offer—especially when he had no good reason—felt a little odd.

More importantly, he didn’t feel the need to refuse.

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

Selina, who had braced herself for rejection, broke into a radiant smile.

It was as if flowers had bloomed around her.

“Th-Then let’s go eat!”

“Alright.”

Hoo... Hoo...

Selina took a deep breath and grabbed Ludger’s hand.

Ludger silently watched her do it.

“T-This way!”

Selina turned her head dramatically, trying to hide her blushing face as she spoke.

But her bright red earlobes peeked out from between her dazzling, sunlight-soaked pink hair.

‘Oh my god. I held his hand!’

Selina had to fight hard to keep the corners of her mouth from rising as she pulled Ludger along.

She had worried he might frown and shake her off for doing something so bold.

But she couldn’t let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity pass her by, so she’d summoned the courage.

Thankfully, Ludger hadn’t rejected or shaken off her hand.

He was probably just being considerate—but even that was enough to make Selina feel like she could fly.

“I know a really nice place. Let’s go there.”

Selina took the lead, holding Ludger’s hand.

Watching from afar, Merilda clenched her fist with triumph.

‘You did it, Selina!’

She’d been worried that even if she gave Selina the chance, the girl wouldn’t take it.

Selina was so shy that there was a good chance she’d part ways without saying a word.

And after so many failed attempts to approach Ludger lately, she’d been growing despondent.

If Selina missed this opportunity too, even Merilda wouldn’t have known what to do anymore.

‘You’ve grown, Selina.’

Merilda wiped away a tear, touched by the growth of her once timid colleague—but she couldn’t let her guard down just yet.

Sure, Selina had taken the first step with courage, but there was no guarantee everything after this would go smoothly.

‘Besides, this encounter was pure coincidence. She’s leading him to the restaurant we were originally going to... but will she manage the rest?’

If she ran out of ammo here, the defeat would be inevitable.

She could hope for Ludger to take the lead, but realistically, that was a long shot.

Ludger didn’t seem interested in romance.

Just recently, he presented his thesis at the Arcane Chamber, after all. He seemed like the kind of person who devoted his entire life to one pursuit—research.

‘Expecting someone like him to take the lead is asking too much.’

In the end, the burden fell squarely on Selina, and Merilda saw it as her duty to keep watch.

Merilda naturally blended into the crowd and followed behind Ludger and Selina.

It would normally be easy to lose someone in such a crowd, but Selina’s pink hair was rare enough that she stood out clearly even among the throng.

Thus began Merilda’s stealthy pursuit.

And behind her—someone else was also tailing them.

‘Who’s that woman?’

Hans, hiding his presence, narrowed his eyes as he watched Merilda following Ludger and Selina.

‘She looks like another instructor from Seorn. But why is she tailing the boss?’

Ever since Merilda had made an abrupt excuse about having a sudden appointment and left Selina alone, Hans had been suspicious.

That behavior was far too unnatural—and blatantly shady.

‘For a fellow instructor, her attitude is highly suspicious.’

...Could it be?

A sudden unease crept into Hans’s thoughts.

‘Is she... suspicious of the boss’s identity?’

Given that she was tailing them like that, it certainly seemed possible.

And that made her being with Selina even more concerning.

‘Not to mention that pink-haired lady... she’s the one from the festival.’

Hans was one of the few who knew what had happened on the final day of the festival.

Selina might have recovered and forgotten most of it by now, but seeing Merilda stick so close to her didn’t sit right with him.

‘Maybe she’s targeting something about the boss.’

If this kept up, the boss might be in danger.

Hans hesitated.

He needed to separate that violet-haired woman from the boss, but he wasn’t strong enough to do that on his own.

Even if she looked harmless, she was a Seorn instructor—surely stronger than him.

‘I’ll call for help and keep following her in the meantime.’

Hans quickly summoned a rat and slipped a note into its mouth.

“Go deliver this.”

Chirp!

The rat responded with a squeak and scurried off down an alleyway.

Watching it go, Hans steeled himself and resumed quietly tailing Merilda.

A strange, layered game of pursuit had begun.

* * *

“This way, Professor Ludger.”

The place Selina led him to was a restaurant along a busy boulevard.

Judging by the crowd spilling outside, it was clearly quite popular.

“I made a reservation. Apparently, it’s really hard to get in. Come on, let’s go in.”

She was eager to show off the charm of the restaurant she’d found and reserved with care.

But she was about to run into an unexpected problem.

“What? No, that can’t be. What do you mean there’s no reservation?”

“Are you sure you booked it for today?”

“Yes, it should be for lunch today.”

“Let me check... Is there a ‘Merilda’ on the reservation?”

“Uh...”

Selina’s face fell.

She had accidentally made the reservation under Merilda’s name. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

“W-Well, I’m her companion, so I came in her place.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. But according to our policy, we can’t accept substitutes. Only the person who made the reservation can claim it.”

“Then how long is the wait for a table?”

“We already have over 30 parties waiting outside. You’d be looking at a minimum of two hours.”

“N-No way...”

Selina felt like the sky was falling.

If Ludger hadn’t been with her, she might have just collapsed right there.

“Is something wrong?”

“Ah, Professor Ludger.”

Gasp!

The moment Ludger stepped forward and asked, the staff member’s eyes widened in recognition.

“P-Please wait just a moment!”

He immediately ran inside, spoke hurriedly with the head chef, and soon came rushing back out to them, panting.

“Hah... Hah... Sir! You’re in luck. A table just opened up.”

“What? But just a moment ago you said—”

“It was just now! A reservation was canceled right this moment! You really are incredibly lucky. Opportunities like this don’t come often!”

“Wow. Really?”

Selina beamed in innocent joy.

But Ludger knew the truth.

The moment the staff saw his face, their response had changed.

They had probably pulled an extra table out of storage to make space that technically didn’t exist.

There was no doubt in his mind—they had recognized him.

Some of the other staff near the entrance had also come out to peek at him and whisper among themselves.

‘They didn’t have to go this far.’

It felt almost as if he had pressured them, which made the whole thing vaguely uncomfortable.

Still, the fact that Selina was happy made it hard to complain. In the end, maybe it was a good thing.

“Please enjoy your meal.”

As Ludger entered the restaurant, he lightly patted the shoulder of the staff member who bowed deeply to him.

A silent gesture of approval.

The man blinked in surprise, then bowed even more deeply, visibly moved.

“Professor Ludger, I’m so glad a spot opened up. I think we’re really lucky today!”

Selina felt it in her bones.

Today was the day.

“I’m going to ride this momentum and be a perfect guide! Prepare yourself!”

“...Yes.”

Prepare himself?

‘Don’t people usually say “look forward to it” instead?’

Selina didn’t realize her verbal slip and instead stood proudly.

Ludger decided not to comment.