The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 82

Han Siha’s eyes darted rapidly.

He didn’t know exactly who this person was, but he could tell that the man was sharp.

This wasn’t just a casual attempt to probe for information. He needed to come up with a convincing excuse.

Natalie clasped her hands together, looking up at Han Siha expectantly. Everyone else also watched him with eager expressions, curious about what his response would be.

After a moment of consideration, Han Siha decided to play it shamelessly and raised the tone of his voice.

“…Instinct?”

Wow.

A chorus of awe erupted from all around.

“As expected.”

“So cool.”

“He said it was instinct. That’s insane.”

“Damn, I need to be reborn.”

Even Natalie clasped her hands together in admiration, her face filled with amazement.

“Wow… That’s incredible.”

The Theology students were abuzz with excitement, whispering among themselves.

“Hey, Haul, can you do that?”

“Get a grip. Why would you ask someone who just got eliminated?”

Of course, “instinct” was likely just a humble way of putting it. They assumed it was the result of some form of ‘intuition’ grounded in the principles of astrology.

Even Professor Supreme was visibly surprised. A genius who could interpret meanings through intuition, just like Yoon Haul, had appeared again. If only he weren’t from the Magic Department, the professor would have wanted to recruit him into the Theology Department immediately.

In fact, how wonderful it would be if he could change departments even now.

“Student, have you thought about joining the Theology Department?”

“You’d do well here.”

“No one wins with just instinct…”

“You might find it suits you.”

“Come on, professor. Doesn’t he need to be chosen by the dice or something?”

“That Seymour guy switched to the Magic Department after requesting a correction, didn’t he? Just look at this one—he’s perfect for Theology.

Look at that upright posture, those resolute eyes. Doesn’t he embody the spirit of an evergreen tree in our department?”

“Absolutely, that’s right.”

“Even his appearance screams Theology!”

Han Siha tilted his head slightly, unsure of what they were saying about him, but it seemed that his offhanded answer had caused quite a stir.

It didn’t really matter, though, as long as he didn’t get caught by that strict judge.

What would the judge say?

The man in black still had a serious expression.

“Hmmm.”

His confused gaze turned towards Han Siha. The typically formal speech momentarily slipped, and he muttered quietly.

“…You?”

* * *

Han Si-hyuk adjusted the collar of his black suit and let out a sigh.

He had only planned to stop by briefly. Even if he did encounter him, he thought it would be just a fleeting moment in the hallway.

He never expected to come face-to-face with that kid at Ardel Academy, where he had come for judging and other purposes. The half-brother he never thought he’d meet again in his lifetime—Han Siha.

A shadow fell behind him as he stood there. It was Albert, his secretary and servant, who assisted him with his various tasks.

“What do you plan to do?”

“I’m not sure.”

Han Si-hyuk frowned as he tucked a napkin into his pocket. Despite being ten years younger, he had never once considered Han Siha his brother.

Born out of wedlock, he had grown up facing discrimination. After Han Siha was born, the discrimination only grew worse. He was practically a child abandoned by the family.

What had fueled his inferiority complex was that very kid—the child who had caused a stir in the family with his innate magical abilities. A talented child, but one who lacked the character to match his gifts.

Han Si-hyuk vividly remembered the cold, sharp gaze that had once stared him down.

The biting remarks from a child of only twelve.

‘…Pathetic.’

‘What?’

‘Do you actually believe you’re a proper brother? That’s laughable.’

It was laughable.

Now, Han Si-hyuk found the kid laughable.

He let out a cold laugh.

‘You’re not even part of our family! If I were you, I’d be too ashamed to stick around. Isn’t it pathetic, clinging to any position you can?’

He had endured that hellish place to achieve what might seem pathetic to others.

Sarcasm had become a daily occurrence. The boy would flip over his meal right in front of him and find fault in everything he did.

When he couldn’t take it anymore, Han Si-hyuk left the family without any regrets.

Later, he made a name for himself as a promising prophet and, with the emperor’s recognition, even received a noble title.

From the family’s illegitimate child to a genius prophet.

How long had it taken to prove his worth and step out of the family’s shadow?

During that time, the arrogant kid was barely managing to avoid failing out of Ardel Academy.

“Hoo.”

Han Si-hyuk pressed his temples as he recalled what had happened earlier that day.

‘…Instinct?’

Even if that was nonsense.

The sight of him sitting there, absent-mindedly, then suddenly writing down the answers in just 3 minutes—Han Si-hyuk couldn’t forget it.

It was a near-miraculous display of skill.

Han Si-hyuk asked in a low voice.

“Are we certain there was no leak of the questions?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Even the professors wouldn’t have known. The items were sourced from an external vendor, and it was under the jurisdiction of the Magic Department… The chances of a leak are almost zero, sir.”

There was no way the family would go to such lengths for that kid’s sake.

And it was clearly beyond the reach of an ordinary student.

Han Si-hyuk had even stayed behind to supervise, but there were no signs of tampering with the boxes.

“So he really solved it….”

Despite his blank expression, his eyes had gleaned during the problem-solving.

And even when facing Han Si-hyuk, there had been no hostility in his eyes.

He wasn’t acting like that arrogant brat anymore.

It felt like he had become a different person.

Han Si-hyuk swallowed hard.

“Well, we’ll find out more if we keep watching.”

“Should I have him monitored?”

Albert asked cautiously, but Han Si-hyuk shook his head.

“There’s no need to go that far. I’ll handle it personally.”

“Understood.”

Albert hesitated briefly, then spoke again. He had one more piece of news to deliver.

“There’s an awards ceremony scheduled for tomorrow. After that, there’s also a plan for interviews with the winners.”

“So, they want me to meet him again?”

“If it’s uncomfortable, you don’t have to attend. I can relay your message.”

No.

Han Si-hyuk shook his head firmly.

If he had avoided it before because he couldn’t stand the sight of him, the curiosity piqued by what he saw yesterday now urged him on.

Besides, this would be a chance to repay that brat for what he’d endured.

Han Si-hyuk smirked darkly and muttered to himself.

“I’m going to test him.”

* * *

The clink of the coffee cup echoed in the eerily quiet conference room.

Finally, they sat across from each other at that spacious table.

‘I don’t mind winning an award, but what’s with this atmosphere?’

But this atmosphere was something else entirely.

Han Siha straightened his back under the subtly oppressive air.

Was this a setup to scold him for sneaking into lectures? Surely, they must have recognized his face and name by now.

Yet, it wasn’t just Professor Supreme that was on his mind. The sharp-eyed man who had been watching him throughout the competition was now sitting right in front of him, giving him the same meaningful look.

“Congratulations on your award.”

Professor Supreme broke the silence.

“You’re the students who took my class, right?”

“Oh, yes, yes.”

“No wonder you did so well.”

Was that it?

The Magic Department had boldly crashed the Theology Department’s lecture, after all.

Won, who had been bracing himself for a reprimand, blinked in surprise when only this remark came out.

Han Siha maintained a smile on his lips.

“Do you have any plans to pursue astrology further?”

“I prefer the Magic Department.”

“…You’re good at it. That’s a shame, isn’t it?”

The Theology professors sighed regretfully.

Since the competition was only about winning prize money and earning three credits, the four of them nodded enthusiastically, listening to the professors’ lamentations.

“I never imagined they’d lose to students who only took the basic cultural course.”

“It’s a serious issue.”

“No, really, it’s more surprising that you got the last problem right, given how difficult it was.”

The clock hands were spinning rapidly. Han Siha inwardly muttered, wondering when this uncomfortable meeting would finally end.

Just then, the sharp-eyed man directed his piercing gaze at Han Siha once more.

“Where did you learn astrology?”

“Me, sir?”

Han Siha quickly racked his brain.

He needed to come up with something, even if it was basic, especially since this man seemed suspicious of him.

“I attended Professor Supreme’s lecture and studied on my own. I took Basic Astrology in my first year and learned a lot from books.”

“In such a short time, you not only analyzed astrology intuitively but also established your own methods?”

“Yes, it seems so. It’s probably because I’m….”

Han Siha added with a serious face.

“A genius.”

“Cough.”

Won stifled a cough.

Adela grabbed her throbbing head and sighed deeply.

‘What’s with this shameless guy?’

‘Wow, amazing!’

Of course, Natalie looked at him with admiration, impressed by Han Siha’s boldness in speaking his mind, something she could never imagine doing herself.

Commissioner Han Si-hyuk frowned.

‘Did he just call himself that?’

Han Siha had indeed been a genius. At least until the time when he was flaunting his overflowing magical power in the family.

Back then, everyone around him had called him a genius.

Well, fine. Let’s say he was a genius.

Han Si-hyuk pressed his temples, feeling frustrated.

What was it that had been bothering him earlier…?

“Why are you pretending not to know?”

“…What do you mean?”

‘Did he catch onto my nonsense?’

Han Siha struggled to hide his trembling pupils.

He had tried to excuse it with talk of intuition and such, but if this man was a famous prophet in the continent, he might have seen through the lies.

However, admitting it was out of the question.

“I’m not pretending. I’m serious.”

“About what?”

“That I’m a genius.”

‘Let’s just keep pushing forward.’

Han Siha, having blurted it out, gauged the reaction of the now icy gaze.

He couldn’t quite grasp what the problem was until…

Han Si-hyuk added in a chilling tone.

“I asked if you were pretending not to recognize me. Your own brother.”

“What’s he talking about, Adela?”

“Huh? I don’t really get it either…”

Not just the friends sitting beside him, but even the professors exchanged bewildered glances, as if they didn’t understand what was going on.

The only one who grasped the meaning of those words immediately was Han Siha, who sat directly across from him.

“…Holy crap.”

So, this man was…

Han Siha slowly looked over Han Si-hyuk’s face.

The icy, unyielding gaze, the meticulously tidy attire that could rival Professor Grint’s obsessive neatness, and the consistently somber black clothing. It was odd that he hadn’t realized it earlier.

The man was Han Siha’s half-brother, Han Si-hyuk.

Not just any prophet, but the top prophet, the best of the best.

‘What is he doing here?’

Was this guy a judge in the original story too?

Han Siha had let his guard down since there hadn’t been any special episodes tying him to this character.

‘This is bad.’

No, this was a disaster.

He had failed to recognize his own brother, who was standing right in front of him—the same brother who Han Siha, with all his insecurities and complexes, had harbored such deep resentment towards, to the point of murder fantasies.

There was no way to fix this now.

Han Si-hyuk’s piercing gaze settled on him once again.

“….”

Well, whatever.

Bang!

“Ouch!”

Thud.

Han Siha suddenly smacked his own head and collapsed to the side.

‘Huh…?’

Natalie and Adela, shocked, grabbed their suddenly insane friend and shook him frantically.

“Han Siha! Han Siha!”

“Hey, snap out of it!”

“What’s wrong with him?”

At that moment—

“…!”

Han Siha abruptly sprang back up from his seat.

His eyes were slightly dazed. There was only one way to handle this colossal screw-up.

Han Siha put on a shameless expression and clasped his hands together.

“I… I don’t remember.”

“What?”

“…Who are you?”

Commissioner Han Si-hyuk frowned unconsciously.

He could hardly believe his eyes.

What kind of farce was this…?

‘What is wrong with this lunatic?’

Bonus Chapter for Every Review on Novel Updates.