Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Professor Delphineso Einz was the dean of the Summoning Department, which was considered the third most influential department within the Imperial Academy, following the Magic Department and the Swordsmanship Department.

Of course, she wasn’t very happy with this situation.

‘Even being the eternal third should have its limits.’

On the surface, the Imperial Academy appeared to be a cradle of great talent and a place where academic passion blossomed, but the competition that took place within was no joke.

In particular, the power struggles among professors were extreme. The budget, equipment, and facilities allocated varied greatly depending on the strength of the department within the academy.

The so-called ‘Big 3’, namely the Swordsmanship Department, Magic Department, and Summoning Department, were the departments that received the largest budgets. Naturally, the authority and evaluation of the professors were different, and since the Imperial Academy was so large, it affected their reputation.

That was why Professor Delphineso couldn’t be satisfied.

How long was her department going to be pushed around by the others? She couldn’t let it stand.

She was very unhappy with the fact that she, who was considered the best in the world, had been evaluated as a perennial third-place ever since she was appointed as a dean at the Imperial Academy.

“I have to bring him in, even if it’s just for the sake of our department.”

With that in mind, she made a plan to bring Dane Sogres into the Summoning Department.

Dane Sogres.

He even passed the entrance exam for the Autonomous Department. Additionally, he was the son of Arken and Lily Sogres, and the younger brother of Arabella and Clare Sogres.

Needless to say, talent was a given with him.

If someone like that entered her department?

Even if not the Swordsmanship Department, they should be able to easily beat the Magic Department.

“It won’t be easy.”

The Autonomous Department.

The symbolism behind it was enormous, and the professor in charge, Kelthas, was a former knight commander—albeit a bit of a bum now—so he had a good reputation. It also had the advantage of allowing its students to take any class they wanted regardless of major.

So, the chances of him coming over seemed low, but一

“But there is always a way.”

Professor Delphineso smiled as she thought of various methods. He was still a child, after all. Even though he was a genius, what would a fourteen-year-old know? She could use the recommendation letter as an excuse to suggest various things and make him see the attractiveness of the Summoning Department.

Then there was the appropriate bait: Clare Sogres.

“Professor Temeric, I’m so sorry.”

She thought of Professor Temeric, who had promised a recommendation letter in vain and now looked ridiculous, desperately trying to drag Dane to his side.

Poor thing. He rushed in with his petty competitive spirit, one that no one cared about, but Professor Delphineso had no intention of responding to it. She didn’t think he was a threat.

However, it was annoying, so she would just trample on him in advance.

Professor Delphineso smiled happily as she imagined Professor Temeric running wild after hearing the news.

By the way一

“He should be here soon.”

It had been an hour since she had called for Dane. By now, the messenger would have arrived and slowly made their way to the research lab building.

Professor Delphineso smiled happily as she organized what she wanted to say to Dane.

“Hmm.”

But even after ten more minutes, there was no sign of the lab door opening. Professor Delphineso, who had no idea that Dane would be so stubborn, decided to wait a little longer.

Suddenly, a smile appeared on her face as she wondered how long it had been since she had waited for someone.

“He’s that important.”

She heard that the Magic Department was also keeping an eye on him. Professor Dinavo, at that. It seemed like deans of different departments were competing with each other.

However, she wouldn’t let him be taken away. There were so many things she could offer him.

“He’s taking a while.”

As she was thinking, another five minutes passed, and Professor Delphineso’s expression gradually hardened.

Knock knock一

Finally, a knock was heard at her door.

“Please enter.”

Professor Delphineso straightened her posture with a soft smile.

The messenger entered first, saying, “Professor, I brought Dane Sogres.”

“Thank you for your hard work. You can go back now.”

Then Dane came through the door.

“Hello, Professor. You called for me?”

“Oh, Dane Sogres. Nice to see you. This is the first time we’ve interacted since the exam, right? Please, sit.”

Dane sat down, and Professor Delphineso tilted her head.

‘A sweet scent?’

It was a pleasant scent.

“I apologize. I’m a little late because something came up.”

“No, things happen.”

Professor Delphineso smiled, but in her head, a new plan was forming with this as an excuse to seize control.

But just then…

“Please pardon me for a moment.”

“What?”

“I’d like to open up my subspace.”

“Oh, yes. Please do.”

With permission granted, Dane infused a ring with magic power and opened his subspace.

‘How unique. I’ve never seen such subspace equipment before.’

Anyone who could use mana could use a subspace, but the subspace ring that Arabella had developed and given only to Dane was quite an amazing item.

Meanwhile, Dane pulled out a well-packaged box from his subspace and explained, “Actually, I was a little late because I was buying this.”

“Oh my.” Professor Delphineso’s eyes widened. “This is…”

“This is ‘Special Dessert Set No. 1’ from «Pascal Bakery».”

“Oh my god.”

Professor Delphineso covered her mouth in shock.

‘A special dessert set.’

Wasn’t that a set that you couldn’t buy even if you had money because it was always out of stock? It was a limited edition set of only the most delicious desserts from «Pascal Bakery», which were produced and packaged in limited quantities.

Among the sets, they produced the most of the No. 1, but it still sold out immediately!

“How on earth did you get this…?” Professor Delphineso lifted the box very carefully, as if she were an explorer who had discovered a priceless jewel. “I tried so hard to get one but couldn’t…”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d like it, Professor.”

“Of course I like it! Oh my gosh. A No.1 Set… How did you know I wanted one?”

Dane smiled brightly at that and confessed, “I actually really like desserts.”

“Oh!”

“Tarts in particular.”

Professor Delphineso nodded, seemingly impressed.

“You are a learned student.”

It was impressive from the start. Being a little late didn’t matter any longer. No, she didn’t even remember that he’d been late. He had bought her a special dessert set!

“Thank you, Dane Sogres. Truly. I’ll eat sparingly.”

By the way, it was a very expensive set. That was because it had a preservation magic applied to it, so it hardly ever rotted.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I like it. What a precious gift. Did Clare tell you, by any chance?”

Dane shook his head and stated, “I happened to stop by and thought of you, Professor.”

“Oh my.”

Although it wasn’t on purpose, there was one thing Dane realized while watching his two older sisters.

Women generally liked sweet things.

He wasn’t sure why, but it was true.

Anyway, the meeting was starting off well.

Their conversation began in a warm atmosphere.

“You’re a freshman, so things must be busy, right? Also… You’re also very talented, so there must be a lot of places that want you.” Professor Delphineso tried to get a feel of things.

However, instead of being caught, Dane answered skillfully, “I still have a lot to learn. As a freshman, I just want to learn whatever I can.”

“How humble. Wanting to learn is a great attitude to have. Is there a subject that you particularly like?”

Dane pondered those words for a moment before replying, “It’s hard to pick a specific subject right now. I want to do well in everything.”

“You want to do everything well… I see. You are at the age where one thinks such things.” Professor Delphineso seemed to understand, then suddenly asked, “Oh, by the way, something amazing happened in Professor Temeric’s class yesterday, right?”

She continued with a grin, “Actually, I called for you today because of that. It may be a bit sudden, but as the dean of the department, I couldn’t just sit still after seeing such an incredible performance and talent. You even summoned Gendpu and enhanced your link.”

Rumors traveled fast. However, Dane wasn’t as flustered as Professor Temeric.

‘Did he know this would happen?’

Well, whatever. What did it matter if he did? He bought the special dessert set No. 1 from «Pascal Bakery». Professor Delphineso thought Dane looked more beautiful than any other student in the world.

“In that sense, I thought that with this level of talent, it was only natural that you should take the special selection test. That’s why Professor Temeric and I agreed in advance to write you recommendation letters.”

“Thank you for thinking well of me.”

“It’s something that a professor should naturally do for a talented student.” Professor Delphineso then stated slyly, “This is the first time I’m writing a special recommendation letter even though the student is not a member of the Summoning Department.”

“I am truly thankful.”

“It just means that you are very talented.” Professor Delphineso winked. “So, how about you take this opportunity to learn a little more about being a summoner?”

“Being a summoner?”

“Yes. In fact, I myself wonder if there is more to learn if you’re talented enough to be recommended for the special selection exam… on the other hand, that’s also why I want to teach you more. If you want, I’d teach you myself.”

Professor Delphineso’s eyes, emphasizing the word ‘myself’, showed strong determination. She was filled with a strong will to bring Dane into the Summoning Department by his second or third year. It was not common for a dean to say something like this.

“By the way, have you joined any clubs?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

However, Professor Delphineso faced difficulties from the start.

“Actually, there are a lot of good clubs in the Summoning Department. Of course, it’s not just about summoning, but I think it would be helpful to join at least one.”

“Oh! I’m really sorry… but I created a club with my friends.”

“What?”

He created a club?

“A club?”

“Yes. I just made it a little while ago…”

Professor Delphineso was dumbfounded by Dane’s words, which seemed to express great regret.

A first year student created a club? When the rules had changed?

“H-how?”

“Fortunately, we were able to create it thanks to the recommendation of my dean, Professor Kelthas.”

Ridiculous. Why would someone like that, who usually slacked off and didn’t even attend a faculty meeting, recommend anything?

‘It seems there’s more than one or two enemies.’

Professor Dinavo, the dean of the Magic Department.

Professor Temeric, who she had just put down a few pegs.

Plus, the dean of the Autonomous Department, who she had never considered a threat, Kelthas Redfield.

‘So, he’s declaring sovereignty, is he?’

Since it would be too blatant if she revealed her true intentions, she had planned to naturally increase his interest by suggesting he join a club affiliated with the Summoning Department. However, that plan was ruined.

“There’s nothing we can do about it. Ah, but congratulations on creating a club.”

“Thank you.”

Professor Delphineso hid her emotions and asked, “Then when you have time, come visit my lab. There are a lot of fun things there. Oh, I also have something precious. It’s called a Familiar’s Egg.”

She didn’t forget to throw out a huge bait.

A Familiar’s Egg.

It was a treasure among treasures that anyone who learned the art of summoning, or rather anyone who knew of its existence, would covet and find amazing.

“A Familiar’s Egg?”

As expected, Dane seemed to have taken the bait.

“Yes. I am the dean of the Summoning Department, after all. Of course, it hasn’t hatched yet, but you know that you can buy a castle with just one unhatched familiar egg, right?”

Professor Delphineso smiled as if satisfied.

Of course一

She didn’t know that Dane had a familiar’s egg, let alone hatched it.

“Please come again next time.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, and don’t worry about the recommendation letters. They will be issued in my name and Professor Temeric’s name soon. If you have any questions about the exam process, feel free to ask.”

Professor Delphineso brought up the main topic.

Dane nodded gratefully and said, “Thank you for your care, Professor.”

“I should be thanking you. You are such a talented person. And you’re even Clare’s younger brother.”

Even with the subtle emphasis, Dane didn’t lose his smile. The meeting was concluded shortly thereafter.

“Take care.”

“Yes, Professor. Thank you.”

The moment the door closed…

“A special dessert set!”

She returned to the table in a flash and picked up the box of desserts Dane had presented to her.

Gulp.

“I can’t believe this landed in my hands…”

Professor Delphineso’s eyes were sparkling.

Srrrk.

Professor Delphineso’s hands were shaking violently as she untied the ribbon.

The moment the ribbon was released and the box opened一

“Oh my…”

Professor Delphineso looked as if she had seen a light in the darkness.

The pride of «Pascal Bakery» and the ‘special dessert’ that people in the capital and all over the empire clamored to eat was right before her eyes.

“How can Clare’s younger brother have such great sense?”

Professor Delphineso made up her mind. She had to bring Dane over by any means necessary.

“Oh, right. I have to be patient for now.”

Professor Delphineso put the box down for a moment with desperate patience and sat down at her desk. Then she took out some luxurious paper covered with gold leaf.

‘After all, Professor Temeric might try to get ahead.’

The recommendation letter for the special selection test.

Not only that, but a letter from Professor Delphineso Einz, the dean of the Imperial Academy’s Summoning Department and one of the best summoners in the world.

“I wonder how shocked those old fogeys proctoring the test will be?”

Professor Delphineso quickly began to write the letter of recommendation amidst pleasant daydreams and the sweet scent of dessert.