The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 207

Professor Grint was convinced that the incident was most likely orchestrated by someone from the faculty or an external instructor.

It was too meticulous to be the work of a student, and the instant-kill level poison magic used was among the higher-tier dark magics.

Moreover, whoever had done it left no trace behind.

This was not the work of an ordinary magician, in Grint’s judgment.

However,

A different rumor began circulating around Ardel Academy.

“Did you hear about what happened to Senior Betty? They say it was the Necromancy students who did it.”

“Hey, hey. Lower your voice. What if they hear you?”

“They’re looking this way…? Ugh, it’s creepy.”

Students in the library glanced nervously at the Necromancy students, shivering as they quickly vacated their seats.

Given the ongoing hostility between the Magic Department and the Necromancy Department, it wasn’t entirely surprising.

But this time, a different kind of tension was palpable across Ardel Academy.

Even departments like Theology, which usually had no interest in others, and Natural Sciences, focused solely on their studies, were now wary of the Necromancy Department.

It was now a widely accepted fact that a culprit was hiding among the Necromancy students.

Moreover, rumors had it that the Necromancy students knew the identity of the culprit but were hiding them.

The most ridiculous aspect was that similar debates were taking place in the faculty office.

“It’s definitely those students.”

Professor Anita from the Magic Department spoke with certainty.

She was the one who had taken over teaching Magical Manufacturing in the second semester after Han Si-hyuk’s departure.

A top graduate of the Magic Department at Ardel Academy, who then entered and graduated at the top of the Magic Tower.

She had followed the elite path to perfection, and along the way, she had developed a natural hatred for Necromancy.

Anita was convinced that the Necromancy students had conspired to kill an innocent Magic Department student.

She firmly believed it, and other professors began to echo her sentiments.

“His Majesty has ordered that the truth behind this incident be uncovered. We must inform him immediately.”

“Indeed. This is a department that should have been abolished a long time ago. We’ve let it go on for too long.”

“Those shady ones… Did they actually kill one of their own?”

“What crime could that student have possibly committed….”

Of course, not only Magic Department professors were present at the faculty meeting.

Necromancy professors who had been directly insulted began to push back.

“Aren’t you going too far? There’s no evidence!”

“That’s right. Why are you attacking students who were just minding their own business?”

“Minding their own business? Have those punks ever just minded their business?”

“Then what were they doing?”

“How many times have they caused trouble?”

One of the Magic Department professors snapped, clearly targeting the Necromancy Department professors.

“If the Necromancy students aren’t guilty… is the culprit among you then?”

“Just because you have a mouth doesn’t mean everything you say counts as talking! Are you messing around?”

“If it’s not the students, then it’s you! Who else? Did poison just fall from the sky?”

“You bastard…!”

Professor Ant from the Necromancy Department, his eyes bloodshot with anger, shouted in frustration.

“You son of a bitch! Professor Divert was in the Magic Department too! Haven’t you considered that one of you is hiding among us?”

“Trying to change the subject because it stings? You filthy parasites.”

“Did you say that again?”

Smack—

Unable to contain himself, a Necromancy professor grabbed a Magic professor by the collar, and chaos erupted in the meeting room.

“Oh no, professors! You can’t do this here!”

“You’re rotten to the core! What are you slinking in here?”

“You’re the one who’s rotten to the core. Teaching students with that attitude?”

“I’ll make sure His Majesty knows and get you parasites thrown out of this academy!”

Slam, crash.

“Please, please stop!”

Unable to bear it any longer, Professor Ernst tried to break up the fight.

“No matter how much you argue, it won’t bring the dead back….”

But Professor Ernst’s voice was drowned out by the professors’ shouting.

The rift that had deepened over the years couldn’t be easily bridged, and this was just the tipping point, triggered by Betty’s death.

“Oh dear, please…!”

Professor Grint, who had been watching Ernst being pushed around in the chaos of the faculty meeting, sighed bitterly.

Unfortunately, the situation was spiraling out of control.

* * *

“How much longer do we have to put up with this?”

Berger, a fifth-year student from the Necromancy Department.

If Prince Marcel was the leader for the fifth-year students of the Magic Department, then Berger held the same role in the Necromancy Department.

A natural leader who respected everyone’s opinions but could command authority when necessary.

Every word from Berger carried weight, and it had little to do with his background.

While not as high-ranking as the prince, Berger was also from a prestigious family of magicians.

Although he was the first in his family to enter the Necromancy Department, he was never scorned for it.

His family supported his every choice, allowing him to grow up without the burdens many of his peers faced.

Even his school life had been relatively smooth.

As the top student in the Necromancy Department every year, Berger was respected even by the Magic students who usually looked down on others.

He was an exemplary student of Necromancy.

One might have thought he was more suited for Natural Sciences, given his strategic mindset over direct combat.

For the first time, Berger was truly angry.

Even when he was younger and faced ridicule from students of other departments, he had never gotten into a single fight.

But this time was different.

There was no evidence.

Not even a logical reason.

There wasn’t even any circumstantial evidence linking the Necromancy Department to Betty’s death.

Yet, even the professors,

Even the emperor of this country was starting to suspect the Necromancy Department.

And it wasn’t just suspicion anymore.

“They arrested Rihan.”

“What? He’s not even involved.”

“They said his father was a dark magician… so they’re arresting everyone first and investigating later.”

Now, they were investigating the Necromancy students without any grounds.

The investigation targeting the Necromancy Department continued to be nothing short of a clumsy witch hunt.

There was no guarantee that Rihan, who had been taken in for questioning, wouldn’t end up being falsely accused and executed.

And it was hard to feel confident that it would remain someone else’s problem.

“…Is this right?”

For the first time, Berger felt disillusioned with his country and society.

A war instigated by dark magicians from the Necromancy lineage.

A nation built by exterminating those dark magicians.

He understood why people had a poor perception of the Necromancy Department, but…

Surely, other empires wouldn’t treat them this poorly.

“This is ridiculous.”

“It doesn’t even make sense. Who among us could perform such advanced magic?”

“They say we were following the orders of dark magicians.”

“…Do they actually believe that nonsense?”

The Necromancy students were more agitated than ever.

While many of them were brash and confrontational compared to other departments, not all students were like that.

There were plenty who found the academy’s internal politics tiresome and focused solely on their studies. Yet, even the most reserved among them were now enraged.

“They won’t believe us even if we deny it.”

“This school is a joke. Can’t we just tear it down?”

“Seriously, if I knew how to use dark magic, I’d start by sacrificing this place.”

“…Who says we can’t?”

“What?”

“There’s got to be a few who know how. Some students got expelled for that kind of thing.”

“Using dark magic?”

“Look, the magic we learn here is just one step away from dark magic. It’s not impossible.”

The Necromancy students’ thoughts were becoming increasingly extreme, and even Berger, who should have been the voice of reason, was seriously considering their ideas.

There were countless ways to contact dark magicians.

If Betty’s death was really their doing…

That would mean they were already hiding somewhere within the school.

And they would undoubtedly help the Necromancy students.

No.

They could be a great help.

With a voice filled with certainty, Berger spoke.

“I have an idea.”

* * *

The Emperor’s Audience Chamber.

Emperor Linia turned his head, his face tense as he handled state affairs, upon Han Taesu’s arrival. Standing next to Han Taesu was Prince Marcel.

A combination that didn’t make much sense.

Marcel stood between the two, nervously glancing around.

“Both of you have a seat.”

At Emperor Linia’s words, Han Taesu took a seat.

Though not frequently summoned to the audience chamber, the visits had become more frequent lately.

It was undoubtedly because of the academy’s recent incidents.

Before Han Taesu could finish his thoughts, the Emperor began speaking.

“Your child attends the academy, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

What was he about to say?

Han Taesu watched the Emperor closely, his expression unreadable.

The Emperor glanced at Marcel and continued.

“Yes, my child attends the academy as well.”

The safety of the prince.

A matter of utmost importance.

If Betty was killed in the place that was supposed to be the safest in the empire, there was no guarantee that the prince wouldn’t be next.

“If this continues, I cannot leave my child at the academy.”

“Yes.”

“Therefore, Marcel will withdraw from the academy effective immediately.”

“W-what?”

This time, Marcel looked up, startled.

“Stay out of the academy until this matter is resolved. No, you may not return until you graduate. There’s nothing to worry about; you can continue your education at the palace.”

“But this is so sudden….”

“This is an imperial command.”

Marcel shut his mouth, his face hardened.

Han Taesu, who had somewhat anticipated this, nodded quietly.

In his mind, he was already debating whether he should also pull Han Siha out of the academy.

But he wasn’t given much time to dwell on it.

The Emperor turned his attention back to Han Taesu.

“The academy has been chaotic lately.”

From the investigation room attack to Betty’s death.

Two unthinkable incidents had occurred within a short time.

“What do you think is the cause?”

“It’s because a rat has snuck inside.”

“…I see.”

Emperor Linia smiled enigmatically at Han Taesu’s immediate response.

But his smile vanished as he continued.

“Han Si-hyuk’s name has been linked to the investigation room attack.”

“….”

“Strangely enough, he resigned from his teaching position and disappeared right before the situation escalated.”

The Emperor spoke, staring blankly into the distance.

“Was it just a coincidence, or was it inevitable? I wonder.”

Then, he turned his gaze back to Han Taesu.

“You’re not hiding that boy, are you?”