Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 210: The Ancient Language (1)

“...So there really is a secret ancient formula for potion-making. Fine. But how do you know about it? The Larsil ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) script is a language that’s stumped archaeologists for generations. No one’s made any real progress deciphering it.”

“Well, I succeeded.”

“......”

Casey fell completely silent.

She hadn’t expected that statement to come out so casually.

“Wait, wait. Hold on. Then why haven’t you announced it until now? Just revealing that fact alone would cause a huge upheaval in the archaeological world!”

“Are you stupid?”

“What?”

“You still don’t understand my situation, do you? Do you really think people would just accept it if some unknown person suddenly shows up claiming to read the Larsil script?”

“But if you prove it with skill—”

“Archaeology is tightly tied to the Ancient Magic Faction of the Old Mage Tower. Truthfully, archaeology today doesn’t care much about ancient cultures. What they’re really after are the origins of relics and ancient magic. That’s where their interest lies.”

And the Old Mage Tower... is steeped in entrenched corruption that’s not easily uprooted.

Sure, things had slightly improved since their rivalry with the New Mage Tower began, but the rot at their core remained unchanged.

“They expect me to hand over my research to a place still riddled with fake papers and rigged journals? I’d rather bite my tongue and die.”

In contrast, now that Ludger had built up a reputation as a teacher at Seorn, even the Old Mage Tower couldn’t touch him easily. The conditions were finally right to step forward.

What’s more, this research had direct approval from the Headmaster.

In other words, the Headmaster had given him cover to proceed.

“Sigh. Fine, I get it. So... are you planning to reveal all the contents of this?”

“What I plan to reveal is that such a method exists, and that it isn’t false—I’ll prove it through experimentation. But the detailed process? That, I won’t be sharing.”

“Well, I guess that’s your meal ticket, huh? But if you release even a hint of this kind of knowledge, you’re going to have people gunning for you.”

If one could increase mana output, it would mean ascending to an entirely new level as a mage.

For mages who’ve reached a plateau in growth, unable to expand their pure mana reserves or level—the technique would be like a beam of salvation.

There are plenty of fallen mages who, stuck in stagnation, stray into black magic or worse.

Considering how many have sunk into the realm of forbidden arts, the knowledge Ludger possessed was dangerously tempting.

That’s what made it so risky.

Just like a fragrant flower attracts all manner of insects.

“Are you sure about this?”

“That’s for me to handle. Don’t concern yourself.”

“Ugh, fine. So arrogant. Even when someone’s worried about you, you still talk like that.”

“Touched. Truly. I’m so moved I could cry.”

“Your mouth never shuts up, does it? You just have to have the last word.”

“That’s enough. Looks like you’ve finished your tea. We’re done here, so kindly see yourself out. I’ve lost enough time as it is.”

“What? Hey—I still have questions—!”

“Leave.”

With that, Ludger conjured a gust of wind that gently lifted Casey off the ground.

“Wha—? W-Wait a second!”

Apparently not expecting him to use magic, Casey was caught completely off guard.

The wind carried her right out of the office and unceremoniously deposited her in the hallway.

Thunk.

“Ugh!”

Landing flat on her rear, Casey winced and turned to glare at the firmly closed faculty office door.

“Tch. So much for manners toward a lady.”

She rubbed her sore backside. Thankfully, it didn’t seem bruised.

‘Still... I got what I came for.’

She pulled a slip of paper from her inner pocket.

It was originally white, but now stained blue.

‘Didn’t think he’d actually use magic at the end. Guess provoking him was the right call.’

Sure, getting tossed out hurt her pride—and her butt—but she’d achieved her goal.

‘This time for sure.’

With that vow, Casey cast one last glare at the office before walking away.

* * *

Lunchtime.

Ludger was in the staff cafeteria, having a meal with his fellow instructors for the first time in quite a while.

“Feels like forever since we all sat down to eat together like this—since the festival, right? Hehe.”

“That’s true.”

Selina, seated next to Ludger, smiled warmly.

It had been a while since Ludger joined a casual gathering like this. He found himself quietly appreciating the change of pace.

“But... Professor Brino, you don’t look so well.”

Brino, seated across from Ludger, looked far more haggard than he had before the festival.

He looked... hollow.

The once-plump man had noticeably lost weight, as if he’d been under serious emotional stress.

“Something... happened. Yes.”

He answered weakly.

Ludger had a bad feeling—but then Selina leaned over and whispered to him discreetly.

‘Professor Ludger. You haven’t heard?’

‘Heard what?’

Ludger leaned in, prompting Selina’s cheeks to redden slightly.

‘Something happen to Professor Brino?’

‘W-Well... on the last day of the festival, his golem was stolen.’

‘...Ah.’

At that moment, Ludger finally remembered.

The brassy golem that melted during the battle with Quasimodo.

He’d been so busy, it had completely slipped his mind.

‘...I’m sorry, Professor Brino.’

Unable to reveal the truth, Ludger offered a silent, heartfelt apology.

Later... I should give him a gift.

While he was thinking that, Merilda spoke up.

“By the way, Professor Ludger, you’ve been so busy lately we haven’t seen you around much.”

“I’ve had some things to deal with.”

“I heard rumors. That you’re preparing some kind of research?”

She glanced at Selina as she said it.

Selina, momentarily dazed, snapped to attention with a startled gasp.

“Y-Yes! I heard too! Is it... another magical discovery, maybe?”

“It’s not a new spell. Nor am I introducing a new paradigm. But... it is something I think many mages would be excited about.”

“Oh! I read the memo that went around.”

Even the dazed Brino perked up.

“You’re researching how to increase mana output... Is that true?”

“Yes.”

Ludger nodded honestly, drawing astonished gasps from the teachers.

“Wow, really? But increasing mana output... that’s not something easily done.”

“True. The current methods have clear limitations. What I’m proposing is something more like a new path.”

“You actually know a method?”

“I do. But I need results to verify the research. That’s why I’m recruiting student participants. Though... not many have come forward.”

“W-Well, that’s not surprising. The students probably find it hard to believe.”

In truth, even with the rumor spreading, most people didn’t believe it.

“I plan to give it a bit more time.”

“Th-Then...”

Selina began hesitantly, her voice tight with nerves.

“Could I... possibly participate?”

“You, Professor Selina?”

“Yes.”

It had taken all her courage to ask.

Participating in his research meant she could spend more time with Ludger.

‘You did it, Selina!’

Merilda gave her a covert thumbs-up from across the table.

Ludger, meanwhile, rubbed his chin thoughtfully, clearly considering it seriously.

“Hmm. I appreciate your willingness to volunteer, Professor Selina. But... I can’t approve it so easily. We’re fellow faculty, after all.”

“Ah...”

“I’m grateful for your interest, though.”

He had meant it as a considerate refusal, but Selina couldn’t help but look crestfallen.

‘W-What do I do now? Professor Merilda...’

She shot a pleading look across the table, but Merilda shook her head.

Ludger was firm in matters like this. Pushing would likely backfire.

They’d have to wait for another opportunity.

“I’ve finished my meal. I’ll head out first to check if any students have signed up.”

“Oh, Professor Ludger—you only ate meat today, didn’t you?”

As Ludger rose, Selina’s observation made him pause and nod reluctantly.

“Yes, well... I have a feeling I’ll be avoiding meat for a while.”

“Huh?”

“It’s a long story. Anyway, enjoy your lunch.”

With a polite farewell, Ludger left the table.

* * *

After Ludger posted the official notice, about three days had passed.

The increase of mana output.

What had stirred intense curiosity among the students on the first day began to lose steam by the third.

Most of them had come to a conclusion: Not even Professor Ludger could actually pull this off—it’s impossible.

But not all the students thought that way.

‘Honestly, I’ve got nothing to lose by trying, right?’

Flora Lumos, whose mind was always sharp, didn’t believe Ludger would make a claim like that without reason.

If he’d gone so far as to issue an official school notice, surely he had some kind of method.

‘Besides, it had the Headmaster’s seal on it. Considering her personality, she wouldn’t approve such a far-fetched study unless she saw real merit in it.’

It was possible that the Headmaster had seen something in Ludger’s research that no one else had.

Maybe she’d seen enough potential to grant permission.

‘There’s definitely a chance.’

After three days of serious consideration, Flora had come to a conclusion.

Not participating would be the real loss.

Of course, if one were to ask whether she was doing this purely out of magical curiosity and academic passion—

Well, that wouldn’t be quite true.

‘He did help me that day. Yeah, that’s it. He helped me, so I’m just trying to support his research in return. No personal feelings involved.’

Standing in front of the faculty office, Flora composed herself and knocked politely.

Knock knock.

“Professor. This is Flora Lumos. I came to apply after reading the notice.”

“Come in.”

Flora stepped into the office confidently.

And saw them.

Several others already waiting before her.

‘Huh?’

She had thought she’d be the first to arrive—but there were already five other students ahead of her.

“You arrived at the perfect time. I’m pleased to see more applicants than I expected.”

Ludger said this as he looked over the assembled students.

From left to right:

Aidan.

Rine.

Erendir von Exilion.

Julia Plumehart.

Freuden Ulburk.

And now, Flora Lumos.

Six in total, all gathered at once.

‘Just from a glance, they’re all extraordinary in some way.’

Each of them stood out—exceptionally talented or possessing something unique.

Just as Ludger had predicted, the six students in the room were having similar thoughts.

‘Why is that one here?’

‘What’s she doing here...?’

‘Senior’s here too?’

The most excited among them was Aidan.

‘Wow. As expected from Professor Ludger’s research. Of course all the big names would show up! It is Professor Ludger, after all!’

Aidan’s motivation was pure: a longing and curiosity for magic.

He had originally wanted to sign up on the first day, but Leo had strongly advised against it. So now, on the third day, he had snuck off and applied behind his friend’s back.

‘My problem is non-attributed mana... Maybe this will help me break through that.’ fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Rine, on the other hand, had longstanding issues with her mana. She hoped that Ludger might be able to fix it.

‘I can’t just let the first friend I made, my junior, go alone!’

Erendir had followed because Rine decided to apply.

Although the real reason was that she didn’t want to be left alone—

She’d already erased that thought completely from her mind.

‘What did that professor do to change Sedina’s dream? And Sedina... how does she really feel about me?’

Julia Plumehart was interested in Ludger’s research, yes—but her biggest motivation was Sedina Roschen.

‘I’ll be watching closely to see what you’re really doing here.’

And finally—Freuden Ulburk.

From the moment he entered the room, he hadn’t taken his eyes off Ludger.

If this man tried anything foolish, he wouldn’t let it slide.

Thus, these six students gathered for completely different reasons.

Ludger, admittedly taken aback by how exceptional they all were, nodded nonetheless.

This experiment was not inherently dangerous, and it could be truly beneficial.

“I assume you all know what kind of research this is, since you read the official notice.”

“Yes! You said you’d help increase our mana output!”

“Quiet down, Aidan. Speak more calmly.”

“Yes, sir!”

Be quiet, he said.

Ludger already felt a headache coming on.

“Before we proceed, I’ll ask you this—can each of you truly commit to following through with this research? If not, you may leave now.”

“Before we start, I have one question.”

“What is it, Erendir?”

“You said you’d help increase mana output... But what’s the actual method?”

“That’s something I can’t reveal without a confidentiality oath. If you agree to it, I’ll tell you. But without that agreement, I can’t say more. I can, however, promise there will be no side effects or complications.”

“Then I don’t need to worry. I’m in. Right, Rine?”

“Yes. Me too.”

The rest followed suit.

“Understood. Then please write your names on the confidentiality agreements. Sedina.”

At Ludger’s call, Sedina emerged from the assistant’s room and handed a contract to each student.

She hesitated slightly when giving the form to Julia—but ultimately delivered them all and returned to the assistant’s room.

Julia stared after her as she disappeared.

Once each student had received a form, they wrote their names on it.

The contracts were enchanted; writing your name meant the agreement was binding.

“I’ve signed it. Now you’ll explain, right?”

Confirming all the contracts, Ludger set them aside and began.

“From now on, each of you will drink a potion I prepare—once per day.”

“A potion?”

“I call it that, but it’s more of a drink made from ground herbs and other ingredients.”

“What happens when we drink it? Does it permanently increase our mana output?”

“If it were that easy, anyone would’ve figured it out by now. It’s actually the opposite. Once you drink it, your ability to manage and operate mana will face extreme resistance.”

The word “resistance” made Erendir narrow her eyes.

“This resistance is quite intense. Even your most basic spells will only function at less than three percent of their usual power. And in that state, you’ll train.”

“Training while suppressed...”

“You’ll start from the very basics: mana control, emission, and manifestation.”

“That’s... more basic than I expected.”

Doesn’t that sound kind of easy?

Ludger could clearly see that all of them were thinking that.

He understood.

He’d thought the same thing when his own master had first taught him this method.

‘It sounds easy enough in theory—but once you try it, you’ll understand.’

Just how painful and demanding it truly was.

Well—

‘They’ll only understand once they go through it.’

And in the process, they were going to struggle—a lot.

Ludger wasn’t someone who typically found joy or excitement in teaching.

But this time...

He had a feeling he was really going to enjoy it.