Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins

It was about half a year ago.

“You want me to teach you how to write a thesis?”

That was the first time I saw Louise’s eyes widen in surprise.

During tea time after dinner…

Louise, who was sitting alone at the table savoring her coffee, put down her cup and spoke.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, Louise.”

“It should be Sister Louise.”

“…Sister.”

The choice of how to address her was still a difficult issue. She’s a revered professor at the magic university, yet I’m told to call her sister.

It was even more awkward, given the age difference of nearly ten years.

Louise grinned, perhaps pleased, but soon asked with a puzzled expression.

“Eugene, you’re still an undergraduate, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I thought the Federal University of Magic doesn’t require an undergraduate thesis. Even though you’re about to graduate early, isn’t this a bit too soon?”

Muttering that it wouldn’t hurt to know, Louise took another sip of coffee.

The reason for such a subtle reaction was understandable.

There isn’t much to learn about thesis writing itself. It’s even included in the basic liberal arts curriculum at the Federal University of Magic.

…But it’s different if you want to ensure quality.

It’s a task that requires mastery in many ways, and there are conventions and unwritten rules that only experienced people know.

That’s exactly what I wanted to learn.

Louise seemed to have quickly understood my intentions.

“It’s not like you want to obtain a doctoral degree quickly… I see. You want to hurry and present the thoughts filling your head, right?”

“Well, something like that.”

“What do you mean ‘something like that’? You can be honest. I was the same.”

Louise let out a light laugh.

However, it was just a reflexive laugh, and her expression had been serious since I first spoke.

“Eugene. You love magic studies more than anyone else I’ve seen, even including the university professors and their students.”

“That’s an exaggeration.”

“It’s not a compliment.”

“Pardon?”

Louise, who had been quite disheveled, tidied her appearance and reached out to touch my cheek.

“I’m saying this because it’s you. Don’t view the academe too romantically.”

“What do you mean?”

“The academe is still a society in the end.”

Louise moved her hand from caressing my cheek to stroking the side of my head.

“Moreover, it’s a small society. All societies have a tendency to reject outsiders. You should know that best. Right, Imperial?”

“!”

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

Imperial.

It’s a racial term based on place of origin, but also a fine slur in itself.

In the latter case, it carries a unique tone clearly distinct from the former.

This slur, which I hadn’t heard since entering the university, flowed casually from Louise’s mouth.

I reflexively clenched my fist.

Of course, I knew Louise wouldn’t look down on me.

Therefore, this was proof that discomfort had welled up at an instinctive level.

As if anticipating this, Louise continued to stroke the side of my head with an affectionate touch while smiling sadly.

“—You might hear such words again. No, you will hear them.”

“……”

“Obtaining a doctoral degree or publishing papers in academic journals… Such things, whether you intend it or not, gradually form power in the academic world.”

Louise laughed self-deprecatingly. 

“It’s even more so if you get a professorship like me.”

The hand brushing against my cheek is warm.

“Accumulating power is synonymous with making enemies. This, too, is regardless of intention.”

“Like what happened to Benjamin?”

“Yes. In that case, the enemies would be the former chancellor of the university and the Black Shield faction. Like any society, it’s full of narrow-minded people who don’t like seeing someone they dislike accumulate power.”

Rustle, rustle.

My hair moved under Louise’s fingertips.

“It will be much worse in your case.”

“……”

“Someday, people who want your downfall will surely appear, and the risk of your Imperial origins being discovered will increase exponentially.”

Louise, who had placed her hand back on the table, asked me.

“Do you still want to rush into the academic world?”

It was sincere advice.

The mock duel in my first year. I knew then that the academic world wasn’t driven purely by a love for knowledge, but Louise was pointing out my blind spot even more deeply.

The fact that she, who was usually cheerful, was deliberately bringing this up showed that it was certainly not an issue to be taken lightly.

But.

“Louise.”

“I told you to call me sister.”

“…Sister Louise. Thank you for your concern. But.”

“But?”

I smiled gently at Louise, who tilted her head.

“A beggar who used to wander the back alleys of the Empire has come this far. If I were going to give up that easily, I wouldn’t have started in the first place.”

This isn’t just lip service.

If I’m discovered to be an Imperial, the damage won’t be limited to me. We could lose Louise’s honor, ruin Lena’s future, and risk the safety of the entire family.

Everyone in the family must know this, yet they’re supporting my path.

Given that, how could I waver?

I had made up my mind to this extent long ago.