The Academy of Geniuses, Primus Academy.
Every year, new unpolished gems enroll in the place that has already produced countless talents.
It is inevitable for the world’s attention to fall on these newly revealed jewels.
At the opening ceremony of Primus, which also serves as an entrance ceremony, high-ranking officials of the Empire attended—not to observe the students, but for an entirely different reason.
This year was an exception.
Not a single person among those in the guest seats was paying attention to the students.
“Jennifer was supposed to be in charge of Mana studies…”
“You’re late to the news, White Lion. Jennifer retired due to old age.”
“Heh, even you, Silver Fox, didn’t know about the new professor, did you?”
“…I won’t deny it.”
The heads of the six great families, who stood just beneath the noble divine beasts’ lineage, led the Empire.
They wielded the authority to oversee national defense, economy, and culture—the very foundation of the Empire.
These individuals, pillars of the Empire’s stability, were all focused on the new professor, Letter Yurt, rather than the incoming students.
The reason for their interest was clear—the young face sitting there was itself an anomaly.
“Hmm, why has the Ancient Dragon suddenly made a move?”
“Have we not all learned long ago that trying to predict his thoughts is meaningless?”
“No matter how I look at it, that’s just a human. What on earth could that child possibly…”
The professor’s youthful appearance was nowhere near that of an adult.
While the dignified aura flowing from the professor’s refined features carried considerable weight, it seemed more appropriate for her to be sitting among the students than among the professors.
Even so, none of the heads dared to voice any objections, and the reason was the golden emblem of the Ancient Dragon etched onto the white robe.
That symbol, declaring to the world that the child was under the protection of the Ancient Dragon Orphion, left the heads merely observing in silence.
However, this did not mean they refrained from making judgments about the young professor.
Their keen intuition and insight pierced through the persona of Letter Yurt, the newly appointed professor.
Yet, an intangible barrier seemed to block them from fully grasping the truth, forcing them to leave without learning much.
Eventually, they headed to the headmaster’s office.
They had their reasons.
After all, the heirs of their families were also living under the name of Primus Academy.
As the ‘parents’ of the academy’s students, it was only natural for them to question the qualifications of the unverified new professor.
“Ainel.”
“Yes.”
“I’m certain I recommended someone more than qualified for the position.”
The elderly man, known by the moniker ‘White Lion,’ spoke as he gazed heavily at the headmaster in front of him.
The other heads were also staring intently at Ainel Delanova, the headmaster of Primus.
Under the weight of their scrutiny, Ainel calmly replied.
As the principal of Primus, she explained, she had deemed Letter Yurt fully qualified and had accepted her as a member of the academy.
“If you suspect I bowed to threats from the Ancient Dragon, I can firmly say that is a misconception.”
“…You’re as bold as ever.”
“And I have no intention of turning this institution of learning into a stage for power struggles—just as always.”
To be truthful, Ainel’s decision to appoint Letter as a professor was not without the influence of the six families.
If she were to appoint someone recommended by any of the six families, the balance of power would inevitably tip within the academy.
As long as Ainel held the position of headmaster, she sought to maintain absolute neutrality.
She aimed to prevent the six families from exerting external pressure on Primus.
However, she could not outright refuse the request of the ‘Blue Serpent’ to meet with the new professor briefly.
Wrapping the professor in secrecy to the extent of avoiding any contact would only backfire.
Either way, the individuals currently in front of the headmaster were key figures in leading the Empire.
There was no benefit to being excessively hostile.
‘…In some ways, this works out.’
Recalling the bewilderment Letter Yurt had caused her in the past, Ainel soon summoned the new professor to the office.
Since things had come to this, she decided to let the heads witness for themselves the monster hidden within that elegant exterior.
***
A short time later.
[Knock, knock.]
“This is Letter Yurt.”
With a couple of knocks, the white robe bearing the emblem of the Ancient Dragon made its appearance.
Almost simultaneously, Letter sensed the gazes of the heads focusing on her.
And she thought to herself:
‘Why have such shabby guests come to such an esteemed place?’
“Please come to the headmaster’s office for a moment.”
‘…So, it’s finally here.’
When I first received the message from the headmaster, I didn’t think much of it.
I figured it was probably because Princess Irina found out about my reckless driving.
I assumed it was time to write a report on how I’d startled someone with divine beast blood.
“Letter? Where are you going?”
“…To write a reflection.”
“A reflection? Why??”
Isabelle blinked, her eyes wide, curious about the sudden summons.
I simply told her I’d explain when I got back.
I also added that she should take the opportunity to greet the other new students.
After walking and walking some more, I arrived in front of the headmaster’s office.
As I came up with excuses for turning a train into an airship, I finally knocked twice and stepped inside.
What greeted me, however, wasn’t a request for a report but rather a collection of unpleasant faces.
Technically speaking, it was our first meeting in this setting, but still…
“Oh, greetings.”
“She’s pretty.”
“Hmm…”
“So, you’re Letter Yurt?”
As expected, just hearing their voices caused my expression to grow cold.
These people and I had never been on good terms.
‘Not that I’m exactly in the clear myself.’
From start to finish—no, from one to six—all of these individuals had clashed with me in various ways because of my students.
‘If I hadn’t been there, these people would have certainly contributed to turning my students into villains lurking in the shadows.’
‘Even when I tried to be amicable, it always turned out to be a lost cause.’
‘…I can guess why they’re here.’
The heads of the families were all staring directly at me.
The headmaster wore a rigid expression.
Without a doubt, they had been questioning why such a young person had been appointed as a professor.
They must have been protesting, asking how someone like me—an unknown child—was allowed to take a teaching position at Primus.
‘The real culprit is Orphion, though. These people are barking up the wrong tree.’
As I thought about this, I took a step toward the headmaster.
But before I could get far, a sly face blocked my path.
“I’m Aisa Serpens, head of the Serpens family.”
The Blue Serpent’s head extended a hand toward me, a light smile on his lips, offering a handshake.
I stood still, not taking his hand, for one reason.
‘Don’t let them look down on you. Right now, you bear my name on your back.’
It was obvious what the Blue Serpent was trying to do.
This was about establishing hierarchy.
I could sense the mana density in his outstretched hand suddenly spike, as if he intended to crush my hand.
Of course, he couldn’t overtly harm me in front of the headmaster, but he was likely planning to grip my hand hard enough to enjoy my discomfort.
Yet I couldn’t strengthen my hand with mana, either—after all, he was a family head.
Breaking the bones in his hand would bring me nothing but fleeting satisfaction.
So, after a brief moment of consideration, I opted for another route. I teleported directly to the headmaster’s side.
Well, it wasn’t technically teleportation—I had simply used a spirit-phase spell to disappear momentarily.
But to the family heads, it would have looked like teleportation.
The difference didn’t really matter.
“I’m here, Headmaster.”
As a result, I ended up standing behind the family heads rather than in front of them.
I turned to the headmaster and asked why I’d been summoned.
After all, I had come to meet the headmaster, not the family heads.
Until the headmaster delivered her purpose for calling me, the family heads were nothing more than outsiders to me.
In other words, there was no reason for me to concern myself with them.
I had to make this clear if I was to follow Orphion’s advice to avoid being underestimated.
I knew these elders would find my boldness insolent, but if they didn’t like it, they could take it up with Orphion.
“There are some people who wish to meet the professor. I called you so you could introduce yourself to them,” the headmaster said.
“Oh, is that so?”
Hearing the headmaster’s explanation, I finally turned around.
I lightly grabbed the edges of my skirt, lifted them slightly, and bent my knees in a polite curtsy.
“Hello. My name is Letter Yurt, and I am newly appointed to Primus Academy.”
With a bright smile, I addressed the group of faces, each reflecting a different emotion.
Some looked dumbfounded, some appeared amused, and others remained silent.
It was a delightful scene to witness.
“Just so you’re aware, Professor Letter here is the one who single-handedly resolved the recent attack incident.”
Perhaps you should start by expressing your gratitude for her saving your children.
Smiling faintly, Ainel added this comment to assist me.
As expected, she wasn’t the headmaster for no reason.