The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 77

Tap, tap.

Professor Grint tapped on the podium and turned his head.

Creak.

The door opened, and Seymour Parker walked in.

“…Ha.”

“This is insane.”

“I’m leaving this cursed school as soon as possible. There’s no way this should have happened unless the dice were messed up.”

These were the expected reactions.

Even Professor Grint didn’t think much differently, so he couldn’t blame the students.

He had been convinced it wouldn’t happen.

The reason they announced publicly in the auditorium that they would accept correction requests was to humiliate Seymour Parker and ensure he never dared to show his face again.

Professor Grint had been just as certain that the request would not be accepted.

Yet, defying everyone’s expectations, Seymour Parker confidently entered the lecture hall.

“Hello.”

“Just give us the introduction.”

At Professor Grint’s curt words, Seymour Parker stopped in his tracks, his face stiff.

No one in the lecture hall was looking at him with a welcoming attitude.

“Ha… The thought of taking a class with him is just unbearable.”

“Ugh, give me the creeps.”

“He’s so gloomy.”

It was a situation where anyone would naturally feel intimidated.

Seymour Parker, stiff as a board, cautiously opened his mouth.

“My name is Seymour Parker. Please take care of me.”

“Natalie, close your eyes.”

“Don’t look at that.”

The students around Natalie fussed over her, understandably so. After all, Seymour Parker’s crime was not a light one.

He hadn’t even fully paid for his sins. It was obvious he had escaped punishment due to his family’s influence, so there was no way they could view him favorably.

If that was the case, he should have stayed holed up in the Necromancy Department.

But no, he chose to come to the Magic Department, where his victims were, so the controversy wouldn’t die down anytime soon.

Now, he didn’t even have the shield of the Necromancy Department to protect him.

“Well, you might as well sit down.”

Professor Grint’s stern voice cut through the tension.

Seymour Parker lowered his head and moved to the back of the lecture hall.

“Yes, sir.”

He had a feeling this wasn’t going to be easy.

* * *

“Why do you think he suddenly decided to come to the Magic Department?”

“Maybe he’s had a change of heart.”

“A change of what?”

“Sorry.”

Han Siha scratched his head and looked at Lee Han.

Now that he thought about it, there was no way Lee Han would know what “a change of heart” meant. He looked so Korean that Han Siha got momentarily confused.

Han Siha cleared his throat and continued.

“I don’t know either. What could he be thinking?”

If it had been in line with the original story, Han Siha could have easily answered his question, but this time was different.

What could he be thinking?

The dice typically assign departments based on the user’s disposition.

Just as Han Siha’s disposition had changed, resulting in him being assigned to the Magic Department instead of the Necromancy Department, Seymour’s reassignment to the Magic Department meant that his basic disposition had changed.

It was hard to believe that someone’s disposition could change overnight unless they were possessed by someone else, but it was true.

‘Does that mean he won’t go down a dark path?’

At least it wasn’t a bad sign.

Even though all the students in the Magic Department despised Seymour Parker, it would be better to have someone as talented as him as an ally rather than an enemy, given the flow of the story.

No, it would be more than convenient; it would be a great help.

Lee Han nodded and dug the ground with his heel.

“Well, we’ll have to keep an eye on him for now.”

“We should.”

“But why did you call me here?”

Han Siha swallowed and looked around. The reason he brought Lee Han to a place far from Ardel Academy was clear.

He took out a cube that shone brightly from his subspace bag.

Lee Han’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Blinking several times, Lee Han’s voice, unusually excited, rang in his ears.

“Where did you find this?”

“In Burke’s locker.”

The second cube.

Snatching it quickly right before Seymour Parker entered was a brilliant move.

The cube glowed orange in his hand.

It was surprisingly heavy for something that could fit in one hand.

Moreover, the strong magical energy it emitted made Han Siha’s hand tremble slightly.

Lee Han frowned at Han Siha’s words.

“You found it in Burke’s locker?”

It was a part that bothered Han Siha as well.

“Was that guy up to something?”

“Since he was taken away, we can’t ask him. Even if we did, he wouldn’t answer. It’s better to just act like we don’t know anything.”

Seymour Parker might have seen it, but let’s hope he doesn’t go around telling everyone.

As long as they stayed quiet, there was little chance of being caught.

Despite this rational assessment, Han Siha couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.

Even in the original work, Burke didn’t have a cube.

‘It was found in a dungeon.’

Even though he had infuriated countless readers with his betrayals, Burke wasn’t an important enough character to have a cube.

If he had one, it meant there was someone behind the scenes, which bothered Han Siha.

Did they really set a trap to kill him?

A chill ran down his spine.

At the same time, another possibility struck him.

What if it wasn’t Burke who had the cube but someone who deliberately placed it there?

Han Siha shook his head and chuckled.

“Come on, that’s ridiculous.”

That’s going too far.

It has to make some sense.

* * *

“In spear techniques, you must always be cautious of close combat. The moment you let your guard down, you won’t be able to defend against the opponent’s attack.”

Combat Practical Studies class.

Professor Edin’s monotonous voice echoed through the lecture hall.

It was a hot afternoon with the sunlight heating up the room. During a time when it was already hard to stay awake, a dull theory class was making half the students doze off.

But the professor continued his dry explanation, seemingly unfazed.

“Spear techniques require agility due to their wide range of motion. You need to understand your opponent’s movements and counter at the right timing.”

Nod, nod.

Professor Edin’s gaze fell on the students, who were nodding off.

Everyone was dozing off.

‘Maybe I should do a demonstration duel.’

After two straight weeks of nothing but theory, it was understandable. Clicking his tongue softly, Professor Edin gestured toward Han Siha, who was sitting in the front row.

“Student, come forward.”

“…!”

Startled by Wony’s nudge, Han Siha rubbed his eyes and lifted his head.

‘What the heck?’

Professor Edin, who usually just read from the lesson plan prepared by the teaching assistant and left, was actually conducting a proper class today. It seemed Han Siha had gotten unlucky since Edin usually didn’t care if students slept through his lectures.

Han Siha stood up, smiling naturally.

Luckily, Professor Edin didn’t seem too bothered. After all, more than half the class was already fast asleep.

A few students in the back who had been lying down also rubbed their eyes and awkwardly lifted their heads.

“Today, we’ll proceed with a sparring session to apply spear techniques. Two students will come forward to demonstrate. You, and….”

Professor Edin’s gaze shifted to a student sitting blankly in the back. It was a face unfamiliar in the Magic Department. Although he wasn’t asleep, he seemed lost in thought.

“You there, student?”

Murmurs spread through the room as the students noticed who Professor Edin had pointed out.

“Me?”

Seymour Parker awkwardly stood up, his face showing clear discomfort. He had no choice but to step forward, though he hadn’t expected to draw so much attention in his first class.

And to top it off, his opponent was Han Siha.

…It was unbelievably awkward.

As the two of them stepped forward, Professor Edin asked, “Have either of you ever competed in a spear duel?”

“I haven’t.”

Han Siha, now fully awake, shook his head with bright eyes.

On the other hand, Seymour Parker hesitated to answer, his lips heavy.

The atmosphere was tense. Dozens of eyes were glaring at him.

“I-I haven’t either.”

Han Siha frowned involuntarily.

From what he knew, Seymour Parker was quite skilled in combat. Not only was Combat Practical Studies a mandatory subject in both the Magic and Necromancy Departments, but Seymour had also shown talent in horseback riding and spear techniques since he was young.

So why was he acting like this?

He might look spaced out, but there was no reason for him to say he had never done something he was clearly capable of.

Seymour awkwardly picked up a blunt, rounded spear with one hand.

“It doesn’t matter what method you use. Just hit your opponent with the spear tip.”

‘He’s completely out of it.’

Of course, Han Siha had no intention of going easy on him.

“Argh!”

Whoosh—.

As soon as Professor Edin blew his whistle, Han Siha sprang forward.

The two spears clashed with a metallic sound in mid-air.

Han Siha twisted and swung his spear.

As a magician, especially a Tamer, Han Siha was naturally less adept at Combat Practical Studies. Although he had learned some movements through practical combat, his basic skills were relatively lacking.

Normally, Seymour Parker should have been pushing Han Siha back.

But instead, Seymour kept retreating.

Clang—.

The spears clashed again.

Han Siha cornered Seymour.

“Huff… Huff.”

Seymour clung to his spear with trembling hands. His skills were abysmal.

The students watching from the Magic Department began chanting Han Siha’s name in unison.

“Han Siha, finish him off!”

“Han Siha! Han Siha! Han Siha!”

“Wow, he’s good!”

There wasn’t a single person rooting for Seymour.

Biting his lower lip, Seymour gripped his spear again.

An awkward attack came forward.

Han Siha deflected it with his spear and closed in.

This didn’t make sense.

Seymour couldn’t possibly be this bad.

Even someone like himself, a novice in spear techniques, was overwhelming him.

Why?

‘Is he afraid of getting scolded?’

Clang—.

Han Siha stared directly at Seymour Parker.

Two lifeless eyes looked up at him. There was no hostility. His arms flailed around, but there was no strength behind them.

Han Siha thrust his spear into the air again.

“Agh!”

Seymour let out a scream as the spear struck his leg, causing him to collapse.

Taking advantage of this, Han Siha launched a more aggressive attack.

Honestly, it was baffling.

‘This idiot, really.’

He hadn’t gone easy on Seymour so that he could just lie there like a lifeless doll.

This guy had enough talent to be considered a main character, so why was he acting so pathetically?

It was driving Han Siha insane with frustration.

Swoosh—.

As Han Siha leaned forward to press Seymour with his spear, he whispered quietly in his ear, hoping it would snap him out of it.

“Idiot, get your act together.”

Stop lying there like an idiot.

At Han Siha’s firm words, Seymour Parker’s eyes flickered.

The boy who had been lying there helplessly suddenly stood up.

“Han Siha! Han Siha! Han Siha!”

Still the Magic Department’s despised outcast, Seymour had already given up, convinced he wouldn’t be welcomed anywhere. But now, shock flashed across his face.

“Ugh.”

Seymour Parker stood up abruptly.

His movements were completely different from before, no longer fumbling.

His eyes were now clear and focused.

‘Much better.’

Han Siha grinned and swung his spear.

Then, in a single exchange—

Han Siha’s spear didn’t land its mark.

“Huh?”

Seymour counterattacked with a burst of desperation.

Thud—.

“Aaagh!”

Swoosh—.

Han Siha was sent flying backward in an instant.

“Han, Han Siha!”

“Cough….”

Han Siha had forgotten for a moment that Seymour had a talent for spear techniques, and he paid the price.

Coughing, Han Siha struggled to his feet.

“Ah, I almost won.”

“Huh?”

“Too bad… really.”

Ignoring the confused students, Han Siha grumbled as he left the dueling area.

Ah, he shouldn’t have provoked him.

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