An individual with integrity and noble character, an outstanding talent. Who exactly is Riyan, the new professor at the Imperial Academy.
My hands trembled as I held the special edition article.
This was the first time I had ever felt such disbelief.
What surprised the author the most during the visit to the academy for an interview was the cold attitude of the new professor.
In most cases, people would try to put on their best behavior and warmly welcome the author.
But this professor? He cursed and kicked the author out.
As a person, I couldn’t help but feel offended.
Reflecting on it now, it’s quite embarrassing, but I was so upset by his rude behavior that I even vowed to write an article exposing it to the public.
Fortunately, I didn’t make that mistake thanks to a student named Karen.
Not only did she react swiftly and alone during a sudden attack at the entrance ceremony, but she also threw herself in front of a monster without hesitation to save a fellow student in danger.
Upon hearing her tale of heroism, I couldn’t help but let out a small ‘ah’ of admiration.
Looking back, I had only focused on the professor’s cold attitude.
Not once did I stop to think why he might have acted that way toward me.
Fifty minutes until his class started.
If a professor so dedicated to his students found himself on the verge of breaking a promise to them because of an interview, wouldn’t he be angry and throw someone out? In fact, welcoming me with open arms would have been more strange.
Realizing this and reviewing the situation, I felt a chill down my spine.
I finally understood the true nature of that professor.
Had I not met that student by chance, I would have written an article criticizing the arrogance of the new professor.
His reputation would have undoubtedly suffered, and his career could have been hindered.
This new professor never flattered me, nor did he care about public opinion.
He acted according to his principles.
He couldn’t care less about how others judged him.
He simply does what he believes is right.
As long as he can live without shame, what does it matter what the world says?
That’s the kind of person this new professor is.
Therefore, there’s no hesitation in his actions.
And because of this, he is more noble than anyone.
Many officials of the Empire boast of their integrity, but how many of them can truly look up to the heavens without a single stain of shame?
How many people can act on their unwavering beliefs without being swayed by trivial matters?
I can say with certainty that Riyan will undoubtedly make the Empire greater.
That professor’s existence is a blessing from the gods.
***
Cromwell Edelphilt, Reporter for Monthly Empire
He had yelled at me to get out and even sprinkled salt, yet what returned was an article full of praise.
At this point, it would be more accurate to categorize this as fiction rather than a news article.
However, regrettably, the credibility of the publication is considerable.
It’s a famous news outlet, on par with something like Time magazine in modern-day terms.
Moreover, that meticulous reporter, as if suspecting people might think the article was too favorable toward me, even included evidence to refute any suspicions of bribery.
That reporter… my life would be so much easier if he had never met me.
Because of that article and a previous incident, my fame was now spreading across the entire Empire.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
I’m human, after all.
I don’t dislike fame.
But dying for it? That’s something I absolutely refuse.
The more this image of me as the ‘genius professor of the Imperial Academy’ grows, the harder it will be for me to escape.
This kind of attention only tightens the noose around my neck.
As for that reporter, Cromwell, next time he shows up, just sprinkling salt won’t be enough.
I’ll find a way to make him write a 5,800-word insult about me.
Grinding my teeth, I crumpled that cursed article and threw it across the room.
It flew in a beautiful arc and landed perfectly in the trash bin.
Watching that, I somehow regained a bit of inner peace.
‘In moments like these, you have to focus on the positives.’
What’s important is an unbreakable spirit.
No matter how hopeless the situation, giving up halfway is never an option.
Though I lost much because of this ordeal, I also gained something.
Instead of giving up, I should focus on what I’ve harvested and prepare for the future.
Reaching that conclusion, I pulled out a crystal orb from my pocket.
The advising crystal.
It was a reward from Director Karin and her subordinate, accompanied by their thanks.
It’s said to be the most valuable artifact they owned.
The effect was simple yet absurdly powerful.
The crystal orb granted the optimal advice needed to achieve the future the user desired.
‘It’s practically like cheating and looking at the answer sheet.’
If the world kept playing tricks and preventing my dismissal, I would fight back using equally dirty tactics.
Resolving myself, I placed my hand on the orb.
Soon, the crystal shattered, releasing a swirling mist.
The mist formed into letters.
[The Imperial Royal Family is doomed to fall. If you wish for a peaceful life, keep your distance from them.]
But the content was so vague.
In a situation where I didn’t have the cheat of knowledge from the original story, it was certainly helpful to know what might happen in the future.
‘Still, wasn’t the message too random?’
‘I needed a perfect plan to make sure I got fired from the Academy, yet it was telling me to avoid getting involved with the Royal Family?’
‘I’d heard this artifact gives the most necessary advice to its user, but how could that possibly be what I needed right now?’
As I was lost in thought, confused by the message, there came a knock at the door.
Before I could even grab the doorknob, the person on the other side ignored the security lock and flung the door open.
Silver hair, black eyes, and large horns.
The First Dragon of the Empire grinned brightly and announced, “Prepare for an audience immediately! The Emperor himself wishes to commend you for your achievements.”
…It was then that I finally understood the meaning of the advice.
‘Let’s just keep it simple. No more, no less, stick to the middle ground.’
That was the conclusion I came to as I sat in the carriage headed for the Imperial Palace.
‘There’s nothing good in acting strangely.’
While I may have thrown a fit and sprinkled salt at that reporter Cromwell, there was no way I could be so rude to the Emperor.
Make no lasting impression.
Behave as ordinarily as possible.
Even if I wanted to behave poorly to get fired, today I’d hold back.
Imagine telling the Emperor, ‘All the achievements I made were due to pure luck.
I’m unqualified, and instead of receiving a reward, I should be dismissed.
I could already see the Emperor thinking, ‘How humble can one be!’ and marking me in his good graces.
I wasn’t naïve enough to not anticipate that.
‘Just give a reasonable thanks, show appropriate appreciation, leave at the right moment, and be forgotten. That’s the best approach.’
Avoid getting involved with the Royal Family and get out of there quickly.
With that goal in mind, I prepared for the audience.
As I was meeting the ruler of the nation, there were many things to prepare and protocols to follow.
But I didn’t have to worry about any of that.
That’s what servants are for in the Imperial Palace.
All I had to do was stay still, and they would take care of everything.
After being thoroughly cleaned, dressed in attire appropriate for an audience, and decorated by dozens of servants, I sat on a soft sofa, waiting for my call.
It wasn’t long before a servant came to fetch me.
A grand hallway, leading to an enormous golden door.
Through the gap, I could start to see the throne.
All that was left was to listen to a bit of talk, seize the right timing, and withdraw.
Since I’d decided not to pull any reckless stunts today, there was no room for trouble.
No room for trouble at all.
There shouldn’t be any room for trouble.
“There… it’s been quite some time, hasn’t it?”
A sudden, unexpected remark.
My head automatically lifted from its bow, breaking protocol.
When I met the Emperor’s eyes, my face froze in shock.
The feeling I had when I saw the Emperor’s face wasn’t respect or intimidation.
It was a strange sense of familiarity.
“I’m glad the job I recommended suits you well.”
The old man I had helped without much thought.
The mysterious figure who had repaid me by offering a professorship at the Academy.
He was standing right in front of me.