Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 239: Reunion in Crimson Blood (1)

‘Disciple?’

At the blonde girl’s words, Selina instinctively doubted her ears.

‘She just called Professor Ludger her disciple... right?’

A disciple—of Ludger? Was the girl out of her mind?

As Selina was thinking that, Ludger leaned in and whispered so only she could hear.

“Ms. Selina.”

“Yes?”

“From this moment on, no matter what happens, refrain from speaking.”

“...Pardon?”

“This is both a warning and advice. Do not intervene in the conversation. Just remain silent.”

Ludger had never spoken in such a grave tone before.

Selina nodded with a slightly tense expression.

That seemed enough for Ludger, as he turned his gaze back to the blonde girl.

“It’s been a long time, Master.”

...Master?

So it wasn’t just the nonsense of a deranged girl?

Selina was internally shaken by the realization that this wasn’t mere madness.

But remembering Ludger’s warning, she kept quiet.

“A long time? Hmm. How long has it been? You haven’t changed much since I went to sleep.”

“In terms of time, it’s been over seven years.”

“Seven years? Has it really been that long since I fell asleep?”

Ludger calmly answered the questions posed by his master, Grander.

She was far too unpredictable—a single misstep could provoke her.

“More importantly, my disciple.”

“Yes, Master.”

“You used my blood.”

“....”

Ludger closed his eyes tightly, then opened them slowly.

It had finally come to this.

“My disciple has become quite bold.”

“Master.”

“To the point of daring to lay hands on this noble body. And to think you’ve grown so skilled. I may have been asleep, but I can't believe I didn’t notice my blood being drawn.”

Grander shook her head.

“As your master, I should be proud of your impressive progress... but strangely, I feel sad. Do you know why that is?”

“......”

“Answer me.”

“......I’m not sure. I don’t know.”

Ludger deflected, and Grander gave him a sharp look, as if to say, Really, now?

A sly smile spread on her lips, revealing pointed canines.

“My dear disciple not only dared to extract the blood of his sky-like master without permission—he even used it.”

“......”

“Well, I understand. My blood is the finest magical reagent in existence. Anyone would covet it.”

Grander began walking toward Ludger.

Selina, watching the scene, felt as if a massive tidal wave were surging toward her.

The girl’s body didn’t even reach her chest, yet the pressure she emanated was colossal.

“I heard the news on the way here. You presented a new theory of magic. Everyone was talking about it, so I took a look—and realized it was you.”

“Is that what made you angry?”

“Angry? Ahaha. As if I’d be mad over something so trivial.”

Grander truly didn’t care.

That her disciple had stolen her blood while she slept and fled.

That he’d gained fame based on the magical knowledge she had passed down.

Compared to the years she’d lived, and the magical knowledge she held—such matters were trivial.

Except for one thing.

If anything could be called irritation rather than anger, it was this.

“You used my blood.”

“Yes.”

“Where did you use it?”

“....”

Ludger went silent.

He had used Grander’s blood during his battle with Quasimodo—to supercharge the mechanical golem for a final, decisive strike.

He would’ve lost otherwise.

But saying so aloud was complicated—because of Selina.

Esmeralda had vanished, but that didn’t mean Selina knew nothing.

Even if her memories were hazy, like a fading dream, it was undeniable that she had been somewhat involved in that event.

If he blurted it out now, Selina might find out, and that would be troublesome.

“Hmmm?”

Sensing his discomfort, Grander’s gaze turned toward Selina.

As if noticing her only now, despite her presence this entire time, her red eyes narrowed.

The dismissive reaction stung Selina’s pride—but when those eyes met hers, she froze like a frog before a snake.

“How curious.”

Grander examined Selina closely.

“Your body and soul are disconnected. Yet you move so naturally. It’s a masterpiece of craftsmanship.”

“...What?”

Selina replied instinctively, not understanding.

“Ah. So you’re unaware.”

“What do you mean...”

“Well, I didn’t plan on explaining it kindly, but since I’ve seen something rare, I suppose I’ll extend a bit of mercy.”

Just as Grander was about to speak—

Ludger quickly placed his hand on the back of Selina’s neck.

A trace of mana flowed from his fingertips, and Selina’s eyes fluttered shut.

He gently caught her falling body and laid her down against the wall with care.

“What are you doing, my disciple?”

“This is as far as it can go, Master.”

“Hooh. So you were keeping secrets after all? I thought you knew everything. I assumed she was someone you’d brought along.”

“She’s a colleague.”

“A colleague?”

Grander touched her chin with a finger, then let out a soft “Ah!” of realization.

“That’s right. You’re using the alias ‘Ludger Cherish’ now. A teacher at Seorn Academy and supposedly the most famous man recently.”

“You flatter me.”

“That wasn’t praise, you foolish boy. Still... I see. So she truly doesn’t know anything. Even so, it’s astonishing. A pseudo-spirit mimicking a human.”

Just by looking at Selina, Grander had pierced through her nature.

“An artificial spirit. And not even possessing her original body, yet more real than real. And this energy... pure darkness? You’ve even contracted with a spirit of darkness.”

“I’ve never seen you this fascinated, Master.”

“Wouldn’t anyone be? An artificial spirit with a human body, and on top of that, bound to a spirit of darkness.”

Despite her words, Grander did not seem particularly delighted or amazed.

“It’s fascinating, yes, but that’s all. I have no desire to take her under my wing. She’s already complete—far too rigid to mold anew. That’s why I feel no attachment.”

“...I see.”

“And don’t pretend to be surprised at my fascination. There’s no one stranger than you in all my years of living.”

Grander paused, then added:

“But that’s that, and this is this. Let’s return to the earlier topic. Do you remember what I asked before—why I’m annoyed?”

“So we’re really going back to that.”

“Trying to wriggle away like a slippery eel, are we? You’ve grown more ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) sly in my absence, but don’t forget—you’re still within your master’s grasp.”

“...So, why are you irritated?”

“It’s more annoyance than anger, really. But I suppose I can say it. You must’ve had a reason for using my blood, right?”

“Yes.”

Ludger gave a brief account of what had happened during the fight with Quasimodo.

“A malevolent spirit born from burning resentment, huh? A shame I didn’t get to see it myself.”

“It was quite powerful.”

“Naturally. Negative emotions are potent fuel. Even from your brief description, I can tell it was stronger than a high-grade spirit. But still, my disciple, that alone is not enough.”

At her blunt response, Ludger inwardly held his breath.

“What were you thinking, using my blood for something like that?”

This was what had truly annoyed Grander.

That he had secretly drawn her blood—

That he had used even a piece of her research results for that.

None of that mattered.

What did matter was how and where he had used her precious blood.

From Grander’s perspective, the way Ludger had used it felt like a personal insult.

“To think you used my invaluable blood on some wretched creature. Did I raise you to be this weak?”

“Of course not. I would never question your teachings, Master.”

“Then what was it? Did you have some special reason for using a single drop of my blood—worth more than gold coins?”

“...It was only because this unworthy disciple was lacking.”

Even though Grander was making assumptions without having seen the fight herself, Ludger felt no resentment.

She was someone entitled to say such things.

An existence beyond human reach—an 8th-Circle mage.

A being that had lived over a thousand years.

A true-blooded vampire.

Who would dare contradict her?

“If you admit to it so easily, then the math becomes simple. Are you prepared to pay the price for the weight of that blood?”

“What must I do?”

To Ludger’s reply, Grander gave a wicked grin.

“Don’t be so afraid. Your Master isn’t as petty as you imagine. I can forgive you with the generosity of the ocean.”

“......”

“You’re awfully quiet, my disciple.”

“It’s nothing, Master. If you say so, who am I to object? I’m simply too moved to speak.”

“Ah, your evasive tongue has become a work of art. As if you’ve forgotten all about my loving discipline while I was asleep. This makes your Master sad.”

“You call it loving discipline, but really, you just took out your irritation on me.”

Ludger couldn’t help but snap back at that part.

As if waiting for it, Grander’s smile deepened.

“To belittle your Master’s affection like that... I was going to forgive your rudeness, but I’ve changed my mind. I suppose I must remind you again of what my ‘love’ means.”

“I knew from the start you never intended to forgive me.”

“Oh-ho. How insolent.”

Grander’s tone was no different from that of a mischievous girl.

A normal girl might toss a pebble into a puddle or stomp on an anthill.

But to a frog, that pebble is more dangerous than a meteor, and to the ants, it’s the end of the world.

Grander’s “playfulness” was like that. freewebnøvel.com

The kind of play that came with the power of a thousand-year-old, pure-blooded vampire—

And far too overwhelming for any human to bear.

“From what I see, you’ve wandered the world and experienced much during my slumber.”

“Yes.”

“Then you must have learned new things, honed your skills. I’m in the mood. Let me see with my own eyes the fruits of your efforts.”

So it comes to this.

Ludger exhaled softly, letting his shoulders drop slightly.

But there was no avoiding it.

Once his Master stepped forward like this, there was no turning back.

<Ater Nocturnus.>

Dark shadows cloaked Ludger’s body.

Grander burst out laughing in amusement.

“A magical beast draped like clothing? Ha! How perfectly gloomy and brooding—just like you!”

Ater Nocturnus shuddered slightly in protest, but Ludger calmed it down.

“This place has too many eyes and isn’t ideal. I’ll relocate us.”

So saying, Ludger sank into the shadows and vanished.

Grander watched the display intently.

Ludger reappeared in the middle of a deserted alley.

Having crossed space, he slowly turned around.

“You’re fast.”

Grander was already there, standing still as if she’d never moved.

She had followed him instantly—despite the spatial leap.

“How dull. You’re not even surprised.”

“I expected you to follow.”

“Well, it was entertaining enough. Spatial magic, huh. You’ve picked up a fun little trick while I was asleep.”

Even after witnessing a never-before-seen spatial spell, her reaction was to dismiss it as a “little trick.”

Yet Ludger wasn’t wounded or sulking.

His Master had every right to say such things.

“Even so, this place is too cramped and dirty. Smells bad, too.”

“I had the streets cleaned.”

“I mean the entire concept of a city doesn’t suit me. Let’s go somewhere farther.”

Grander snapped her fingers.

Instantly, a shadow stirred beneath her feet, creeping toward Ludger and wrapping around his own.

Ludger silently watched the scene.

The shadow transformed into a swirling vortex, swallowing him whole.

Grander, too, sank into her own shadow.

The two of them reappeared in a massive forest, far from the city of Rederbelk.

This place... it’s the forest outside the city.

Ludger looked around, realizing how far they had come.

The moment Grander saw his spatial magic, she had copied it outright and performed it herself.

Unlike Ludger’s spell, which only allowed him to move alone, she had brought someone else with her.

And unlike his distance-limited ability, she had crossed dozens of kilometers with ease.

To copy that in the blink of an eye...

She must have replicated it the moment she followed him before.

The difference in their level was undeniable.

Ludger slowly raised his head.

His eyes, steeped in shadow, fixed on Grander, who was now floating in the sky.

“This place should allow us to be a bit more reckless.”

Grander floated in midair, holding a crimson parasol above her.

“Now then. Show me everything you’ve learned and refined until now.”

Her eyes gleamed ominously.

“If you don’t want to die, that is.”