Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 236: A Chance Encounter (3)

“What are you doing here?”

“That’s what I should be asking you.”

Casey Selmore stared at Ludger with disbelief.

She clearly hadn’t expected to run into him in a place like this—but the same could be said for Ludger.

“Don’t tell me... you followed me?”

At her words, Ludger’s brow furrowed for the first time.

“You seem to be mistaken. I was already here, having a meal. If anything, you’re the one who followed me.”

“Hah. You’re joking, right? Why the hell would I do that?”

Casey snapped back, irritated.

At that moment, Selina—who had been quietly listening—spoke up with a tense voice, uncharacteristically nervous.

“U-Um, do you know each other?”

The moment she laid eyes on Casey Selmore, Selina had felt an intense sense of danger.

A friend of Professor Ludger?!

If she was just a friend, that would’ve been fine—but the way they talked made it seem like they were close.

Had the two of them heard that, they would have denied it vehemently. But to Selina, that’s exactly how it looked.

And worst of all—Casey Selmore was stunningly beautiful. By anyone’s standard, easily a “ten out of ten.”

Seeing someone like that approach Ludger so casually was more than enough to set Selina’s anxiety into overdrive.

Meanwhile, Casey blinked as she took a good look at Selina.

That teacher from that time, isn’t she?

Selina didn’t remember, but Casey did.

Well, “remember” was generous. She only knew that Selina was the instructor Ludger had saved from the burning warehouse on the final night of the festival.

Still, seeing the two of them now, sitting together and sharing a meal—Casey blurted out the thought that «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» popped into her mind.

“A date?”

“Wh-What?!”

Selina reacted instantly—half horrified, half thrilled.

It was practically a squeal, born out of flustered joy.

“Don’t misunderstand. Professor Selina and I ran into each other by chance and decided to eat together, that’s all.”

Ludger promptly corrected the misunderstanding.

Selina’s shoulders sagged a little at his words, while Casey looked skeptical.

Who randomly runs into someone and just decides to eat together?

Especially in a restaurant this popular and hard to get into?

But Ludger was speaking with such calm certainty that it didn’t seem like a lie.

Still... you never know. Maybe this rotten man is trying to seduce an innocent young teacher for some vile scheme.

Ludger felt Casey’s suspicious glare, but he didn’t see the point in addressing it.

“I don’t know what you’re imagining, but if you came here to eat, just eat and go quietly.”

“...Excuse me?”

“Our encounter here is purely coincidental. Nothing will change no matter how much you argue.”

“Since when do you make the rules?”

“And more importantly, you’re disturbing the other guests. Are you planning to keep yelling in a public place?”

Casey clenched her jaw and fell silent.

Her fists trembled with barely contained frustration.

As much as she hated it, Ludger’s argument was airtight.

Ugh. Why do I have to hear this from James Moriarty?

It felt like being scolded for littering... by a world-class criminal.

Sure, he wasn’t wrong—but it was him saying it that made it unbearable.

“Casey. You’re being loud. Sit down.”

Even Betty chimed in, scolding her.

No one was on Casey’s side here.

If she were thinking logically, sitting quietly would have been the right move.

But there was one major problem.

There’s no way I’m doing what he tells me to do!

Casey knew that the smart choice was to sit down, eat, and leave.

But her heart wouldn’t allow it.

It felt like she’d be surrendering if she obeyed Ludger’s words.

Letting him "win."

If it had been anyone else, she might’ve acted rationally. But when it came to Ludger, her judgment always got clouded.

And she hated that.

“That... that smug...!”

As Casey gritted her teeth in indecision, Betty reached out and pulled her down into her seat.

“Come on. Just sit down already.”

Betty’s physical strength—being a specially built automaton—was far beyond that of an ordinary human.

In the end, Casey was forcibly seated.

Even as she sat down in defeat, she didn’t stop glaring daggers at Ludger.

“I sat down because I wanted to, okay? Not because you told me to.”

“......”

Did anyone say otherwise?

Ludger had no idea what was wrong with her—but he figured it was best to just nod along and move on.

Pushing back would only invite more trouble.

Betty, clearly used to this kind of scene, gave Ludger and Selina a small bow.

“Sorry about this. Casey’s got zero social skills. I’ll apologize on her behalf.”

“Betty! Who has zero social skills?!”

“Gee, I wonder.”

Ludger ignored the escalating bickering and returned his focus to his meal.

His gaze did briefly linger on Betty when she bowed—but it lasted only a moment.

No one noticed.

“Grgh...”

Casey scowled as she watched Ludger calmly resume his meal.

By all logic, she should have ignored him too.

This was just a coincidence. A random encounter.

Easily dismissed.

But...

Why couldn’t she stop thinking about it?

Seeing Ludger dining peacefully with Selina made her irrationally annoyed.

She tapped her fingers anxiously on the table.

Why does he get to enjoy a lovely date with a pretty teacher while I’m over here stewing?

You don’t deserve that.

How can you act so calm after everything you’ve done?

You’re still fighting the Black Dawn Society—so how can you be so damn relaxed?

She couldn’t even tell anymore whether Ludger was faking it or if this was genuinely just who he was.

And for the first time, Casey admitted something to herself—

She didn’t know.

The great detective who always uncovered the truth—was now raising the white flag.

“Casey. What’s with that look?”

“What?”

“You keep groaning like you’re constipated. You look like a dog that needs to go out.”

“A dog...? If you’re gonna insult me, do it properly.”

“Come on! That’s not what I meant!”

It definitely sounded like that’s what she meant.

Casey gave Betty a half-lidded glare, and Betty quickly tried to explain.

“I just meant... I’m worried about you. Though to be honest, your usual behavior is so unpredictable that it’s almost a relief when you’re quiet.”

“You sound like a mom with a misbehaving kid.”

“And yet, now that you’re so subdued...”

“So subdued?”

You mean it doesn’t suit me, so it’s creepy?

“I’m starting to get anxious something even worse is going to happen.”

“......”

Veins bulged on Casey’s forehead.

She’d thought Betty might be worried about her, but instead she was just nervous.

“You... Is that how you really see me?”

Grinding her teeth, Casey asked—but Betty had a comeback ready.

“Do you even remember half the chaos you’ve caused me?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Exactly. That attitude. You’ve been acting so out of character I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

Honestly, it was almost easier when Casey was her usual chaotic self.

Betty hated that she’d gotten used to it—but here they were.

“At least when you’re being a menace, it’s familiar. But this weird, mopey Casey? It’s just not right.”

“......”

Casey opened her mouth—then closed it.

Finally, she nodded.

“You’re right. This isn’t like me.”

She let out a faint chuckle.

Her thoughts, which had been swirling around chaotically, finally began to settle.

What was I even so hung up on? I just need to act like myself.

Seeing her return to normal, Betty relaxed—only for anxiety to strike again.

Wait. Did I just trigger something really bad...?

Unfortunately, her fear was justified.

Casey suddenly stood up and began casting magic.

Water magic swirled beneath her fingertips—and moved the table.

She magically slid her table right next to Ludger’s.

As he and Selina turned in astonishment, Casey smiled innocently and said,

“Since we’ve run into each other like this, why don’t we all sit together?”

“......”

Ignoring their dumbfounded expressions, Casey kept smiling brightly.

Betty could only shake her head.

Once Casey entered this mode, no one could stop her.

All we can do now is pray this ends peacefully...

* * *

What the hell is she doing?!

Merilda, still spying from outside the restaurant, was furious at the sudden interloper.

Why is she ruining Selina’s date?!

And then, Merilda’s anxiety deepened.

Because this woman wasn’t just bold—

She was beautiful.

Her blue hair shimmered like the sky, and her presence had undeniable charm.

And the way she so casually spoke with Ludger—and how Ludger responded—

They clearly knew each other.

You’re telling me a familiar shows up mid-date? This is a disaster for Selina!

Merilda bit her lip.

She had to do something. She couldn’t let Selina’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity fall apart like this.

No. I can’t hesitate. This is her chance. I have to help!

Just as she stepped away from the lamppost and began heading toward the restaurant—

“Oh, Professor Merilda!”

A voice called out to her. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Merilda froze.

She turned to see a student with lemon-yellow hair.

“...Pardon me, but who are you?”

“Oh, you don’t know me! I’m Sheryl Wagner, a second-year at Seorn!”

“What’s a second-year doing here?”

“My major’s curses and counter-curses! I’ve always wanted to have a proper conversation with you, Professor Merilda. I just didn’t expect to meet you here!”

Of course, Sheryl’s major wasn’t curses and counter-curses.

And she had no particular interest in Merilda, either.

She’d simply realized what Merilda was about to do—and stepped in to stop it.

She hadn’t anticipated the sudden appearance of the blue-haired woman, but honestly, this turn of events worked in her favor.

If the date between Ludger and Selina fell apart, that meant an opening for Flora.

Merilda and Sheryl locked eyes.

Their gazes collided in mid-air.

This girl... she’s trying to stop me.

Sorry, Professor. But for Flora’s sake, I need you to stay out of this.

A silent battle of wills erupted.

Hans, watching from afar, was completely flabbergasted.

What... what is even happening now?!

Were they enemies too?

He figured this might be his best chance.

While the two were locked in their weird standoff, he could send a warning to the boss.

“I need your help.”

Hans summoned a rat.

He handed the tiny creature a note and instructed,

“Take this to the boss.”

The message warned Ludger of suspicious pursuers and told him to leave immediately.

Hans had considered using a crow—but that would draw too much attention.

A rat would be subtle enough.

As long as it doesn’t get noticed, no harm will come to the shop.

Confident in his plan, Hans sent the rat scurrying through the crowd.

All it had to do was deliver the message.

The rat, clutching the note in its mouth, darted toward the restaurant.

And a moment later—

BOOOOM!

A massive splash of water exploded from one side of the restaurant.

“...Huh?”

Hans stared, utterly stunned.