The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

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When I knocked on the door, it took quite a while before I heard a voice say to come in.

Upon entering, the atmosphere felt completely different. Although professors could remodel their assigned rooms as they pleased, this one seemed to have gone beyond just “adequate.”

The space inside was far more expansive than outside, and instead of the clear blue morning sky I had seen in the hallway, a foreboding, ominous sky was visible out the window.

Moreover, the room was cluttered with mana diagrams that caught my eye.

In the bizarre room that seemed to belong in a different dimension, Georg welcomed me with blatant annoyance.

“Today is a holiday. What brings you here, Han Dogon? Do you want some extra tutoring?”

“…Yes.”

He politely told me to leave, but I couldn’t just do that.

I truly came to see him for extra tutoring.

“Oh.”

Seemingly taken aback by my boldness, Georg showed a glimmer of interest.

Though he was still surrounded by red and yellow papers I couldn’t comprehend, at least he seemed willing to hear me out a bit.

“…To be specific, I want to get stronger.”

After witnessing how Ho-yeon had acted yesterday, I worried that I might be overly trusting of people rather than seeing it as an opportunity to use them.

Not being able to refuse Anya’s suggestion didn’t help either.

Her inexplicable kindness towards me worried me, especially under the assumption that her twisted sense of logic stemmed from not having any friends to correct her view when she was younger. I feared she might end up creating another “friend.”

I knew what lay behind her, so I could refrain from intervening recklessly, but others wouldn’t have a clue.

If a piece of trash became her “friend,” it would spell disaster for her and this continent.

If the Black Wolf got involved, it could escalate into a diplomatic dispute, and Jeongho wouldn’t let that opportunity slip by.

My worries were for Ho-yeon but also for the continent itself.

“Is that physical strength or magical strength?”

“…Both.”

But I lacked the strength to protect her.

Right in front of that beast, I could do nothing.

…It was somewhat far-fetched, but perhaps she could command magical beasts and monsters.

However, a human would never heed a command.

Even if she was a princess from another continent, an ignorant person unaware of her status might approach her, leading to chaos.

No matter how strong the Black Wolf was, he couldn’t stop someone with genuine ill intentions from getting close to her.

“Hah, quite ambitious. Given that you came looking for me, I’m guessing you don’t plan on taking your time in getting stronger?”

“Yes.”

A sinister smile crept across Georg’s lips.

Of course, I had no intention of dabbling in anything that could cost me my life or anything dangerous.

But—

I at least wanted to acquire the strength to protect Ho-yeon.

I could fend off unwanted advances from those who called themselves friends, but I had no confidence in facing strength with force.

Even if I knew how to cast magic, compared to Stephanie, I’d be no more than an infant.

In reality, I could barely handle anything beyond basic spells.

“…It seems the right time has come and the right test subject has appeared.”

Although I heard something that shouldn’t be said to a person, I had never expected him to possess morality even for a moment.

In the original work, he was merely the protagonist on the surface; in truth, he’d engaged in villainous mad scientist antics.

“If that’s the case… shall we start with magical enhancement?”

As he gestured, a dark blue flask filled with something floated over to me.

As I accepted it, it felt heavy and I couldn’t shake off the uncomfortable feeling. No matter how much I wanted to get stronger, was it wise to entrust myself to someone worse than a villain?

“What is this?”

It might be safe despite its appearance, so I decided to ask.

“This is refined and condensed magic energy.”

“…Magic energy?”

It was far from safe.

Considering he was the one who devised a magic formula to convert magical energy into mana or divine power, it was no surprise he’d handle such things.

But to deal with magic energy within this academy, which had the church’s influence glaring at it?

He really was insane.

“I understand your concerns. However, there’s no need to worry. Theoretically, it won’t affect your physical or mental structure. Your body will remain like that of an ordinary human. In other words, the divine power won’t turn hostile towards you. You’ll simply be able to handle magic energy. Additionally, you can expect an increase in the amount of mana you can manage.”

While he elaborated at length, bringing up some complicated theories to persuade me, none of it penetrated my mind.

Whatever it was, it was magic energy.

Georg was fervently assuring me it was safe, but I hesitated knowing how corrupted magic could be.

At that moment, Ho-yeon’s image, surrounded by powerful trash, flickered through my mind.

Could I save her like this, in my current state?

“…Professor Georg, can I ask one thing? Is it truly safe?”

“Are you doubting my skills? While your inquisitive stance is commendable, you wouldn’t want to hide in your shell either.”

That was true.

With the narrative tightly wound, any number of incidents could occur ahead.

Thus, to overcome the unknown threats…

I needed to grow stronger.

As I uncapped the flask, an indescribable odor wafted up from within.

“There’s no need to hesitate. If it goes awry, I’ll rebuild your body from scratch to restore you. Drink it.”

Is this how it felt to drink tar? The sticky substance seemed stuck, making me feel as if what I had eaten yesterday was coming back up, blocked by the sticky magic energy.

I closed my eyes, bracing for the impact, but nothing happened for over a minute.

“…Why is nothing happening…?”

“What do you think I am, Han Dogon?”

Truly, as Georg had said, nothing in particular occurred.

But I still felt uneasy. Who knew what might happen if divine power got involved.

“…But, what might happen if divine power intervenes?”

“Have you been listening to me, Han Dogon? Just stand still.”

As he spoke, he retrieved a rusty necklace from his pocket dimension and held it before me, yet still nothing happened.

“…What was that just now?”

“That’s a necklace worn by the saint. It radiates divine power even now due to the goddess’s blessing. Still not getting it? Even exposed to divine power, you remain intact.”

Since I was part of the hero party, it wasn’t that shocking.

Honestly, I couldn’t sense any divine energy, but since Georg stated it directly, I might as well believe it… well, as much as I could, anyway.

Now, I had to trust him.

“So, Han Dogon. Let’s start with you casting every magic you know.”

He was clearly going to treat me like a lab rat.

…

Where is Han Dogon?

I’ve spent the whole day trying to find his shadow since this morning.

Was what I said yesterday that shocking? No, I was shocked too, so he must have felt some degree of shock as well.

Does he hate me?

No, it doesn’t seem like he would worry so much about me if that were the case. But still, it’s intimidating.

I had all my meals alone – breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I tried to comfort myself by saying it was how it used to be, but now that I had tasted meals with someone else, I neither wanted to return nor could I.

Han Dogon, who hadn’t been spotted even once, finally showed up, looking incredibly exhausted.

“…Hey, Ho-yeon.”

He looked extremely tired.

This guy, has he finally been rolling around with another girl?

But saying that wouldn’t have been accurate; he didn’t particularly smell like a person. I could confidently say that due to my sense of smell.

Instead, he was emanating a stinky odor more akin to something found in a pharmacy.

“…Um, nice to see you, Han Dogon.”

He looked ready to collapse from exhaustion, and I felt I should just let him be. He appeared worse off than I had yesterday.

“Ho-yeon, do I look different or strange to you at all?”

By asking such a question, it was evident he had truly lost it. I had no clue how he arrived, but it seemed like it wasn’t anything pleasant.

“Uh… I don’t know. Ho… have you maybe cut your hair…? No? Earrings? Rings…?”

He randomly threw out guesses, but truthfully, I couldn’t tell.

I knew he was tired to the point of collapsing.

“B-but, aren’t you sleepy…?”

To me, he looked like a grad student trying to get through 54 hours relying on caffeine.

“Thanks for worrying, but I’m more energetic than ever right now.”

He was clearly saying that just before crashing.

Oh. It was evident that his mind had turned to trash, just like his body.

“…Ho-yeon?”

I took his hand. It might be in front of the dormitory, but judging by his condition, he might as well tumble down the stairs and stay there.

“…Don’t overdo it. Just sleep.”

Look at him. He’s so weak his body follows along even when I pull him.

Perhaps admitting his weakness, he willingly took my hand and followed me.

“I don’t know what you’ve been up to, but… let’s get some good sleep today.”

I could always pry open the details tomorrow.

Did he have a one-on-one counseling session with the professor? Why is he so drained?

“…Thanks, Ho-yeon. But, I’m truly energetic.”

Even a man has to bend his stubbornness sometimes. This was one of those moments for Han Dogon.

He could leave on his own, but seeing him push himself like this, I worried he might try to pull an all-nighter.

…He needed a lot of help.

I couldn’t do anything but follow him into his room.

“…Ho-yeon?”

“I’ll leave once I see you sleep. Now, hurry and get some rest.”

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have followed him, but this was no ordinary situation. Even if it was the friendship he talked about, it was reasonable for me to follow.

“Thanks for worrying, but…”

The moment he closed the door, an odd energy began to emanate from him.

It wasn’t a divine presence… nor was it mana; it was something ambiguous.

Surrounded by that dark blue aura, Han Dogon seemed to regain his vigor.

What the heck. What is happening? Did he know how to do something like this?

“Really… I’m fine.”

Once the dark blue energy faded, Han Dogon appeared genuinely fine, just as he claimed.