Inside the classroom, every breath, every faint bump or rustle, and even the gentle fluttering of leaves outside the window in the wind seemed exceptionally distinct.
The students waited in suspense, glancing periodically toward the instructor on the podium.
Time seemed to stand still in the silence, stretching on endlessly yet feeling like a mere instant.
Sido took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands, put away his potato chips, and his expression turned solemn once more.
He coughed softly, breaking the stillness.
"Student Amphis's Campert family dates back to Solar Calendar year 1725, and in recent years they have always been staunch right-wingers," Sido declared from the podium, his voice like a gentle breeze thawing winter's chill. "Though they keep many members of the demon race in their household, all of them were purchased as servants. Their commercial dealings with the Kingdom of Asethelan are strictly legitimate and law-abiding, posing no risks whatsoever regarding taxes or imperial secrets. I am confident that no matter how thoroughly they are investigated, not the slightest problem will be found. A family like this could never be traitors to the Protos Empire. They are well-tested against any storm."
Hearing Sido smooth things over, the others gradually breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed the lecture could finally resume without further incident.
Wait—no. Some students couldn't tell whether Sido was genuinely helping her or deliberately setting her up.
Before long, someone noticed that the blonde noble miss, Amphis, was darting her eyes frantically, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
This associate professor was apparently a deadpan troll—his mock defense had left her sweating buckets!
"Class," Sido spoke gently, a hint of cheer in his voice. "I know everyone feels a bit agitated and tense over these topics—perhaps some of you are even a little frightened. But please remember, this is merely a classroom."
...
At the Protos Royal Magic Academy, the ancient History Department building lay nestled in the misty garden, surrounded on all sides by an air of solemnity and antiquity.
Along the stone corridor flanking the building, though it was approaching noon, the sunlight was not harsh or glaring. Only a steady, subdued glow filtered down—much like the History Department building itself, unassuming and low-profile, quietly harboring profound knowledge and wisdom within.
The rest of the class concluded in a peaceful, quiet atmosphere.
In terms of discipline, it was a cut above even the classrooms of Ikerite Academy.
After class dismissed, the direct retainer Gloria vanished without a trace, while Sido, carrying his briefcase, walked down to the back row and invited Lanqi to join him for a stroll and a chat.
Two tall figures walked along the pathway, their strides measured as they conversed with mutual respect.
"Mr. Luoqi McCarthy, would you be willing to serve as my teaching assistant? It would be equivalent to an official faculty position hired by the Protos Royal Academy's History Department."
Sido felt the students desperately needed some discipline from such a strict educator.
"Of course, no problem at all. In fact, I already had quite a few questions about the Northern Continent's history that I wanted to consult you on, Associate Professor Sido."
Lanqi never shirked this kind of work.
He had already realized that whenever he entered an educational institution, his outstanding student-management abilities always secured him an employment opportunity in no time.
Granted, if he wished, he could have comfortably retired in the Northern Continent on student Zestira's support.
Yet his life was about more than eating and sleeping; he carried grand ideals, striving to bring peace, prosperity, and enduring stability to society.
"That's a huge help, Teacher Luoqi."
Sido quickly briefed Lanqi on the procedures they would need to handle next and the corresponding compensation.
While the pay was not as high as what Viscount Francis gave him, Lanqi was already drawing three salaries—both the Extinction Branch and the Domination branch paid him wages.
In addition, Sido would allocate the daily academic credit points he was authorized to grant as an associate professor to Lanqi, which would effectively be transferred to Zestira. This amounted to far more credits than Zestira could earn simply by completing her regular daily coursework.
"Going forward, if you enter the academy as a noble student's retainer, you will still be unable to leave during weekdays, but you can carry out your duties with the History Department's teaching team normally. If you enter the academy as an instructor starting next week, you may come and go freely, but you won't be able to fulfill a retainer's duties—such as assisting Zestira during monthly evaluations. Even so, you will still be able to provide her with extra credits," Sido explained to Lanqi.
"Then what if I need to take about a month off starting next week?"
Since Lanqi currently held four jobs, he had to stagger his schedules.
Hiding in his shadow, Boss Cat remained dead silent.
It found the sheer number of jobs Lanqi accumulated to be growing increasingly absurd.
There seemed to be no limit to this guy's talent and ambition.
Now that Lanqi had become the Holy Son of Domination, Boss Cat finally understood why Hubao was always insisting they had to keep a tight rein on him.
For now, though, even without Hubao around, the situation wasn't particularly catastrophic.
At the very least, he hadn't stirred up any major disasters yet.
At most, reporting the Extinction Branch's high priest had made him a minor celebrity in the legal and political circles of the Imperial Capital, Herrom—to say nothing of the entire Protos Empire, let alone the Northern Continent, which was countless times vaster than everywhere they had been.
Once they found Hubao, everything would be fine!
"A month off? That's fine. Help me discipline the students for a week and don't hesitate to prescribe the strongest medicine. A single course of treatment should cure the affliction completely," Sido said after a moment of thought, nodding.
It would be even better to just expel the troublemakers and save everyone the headache.
"I'll do my best."
Lanqi walked alongside Sido down the path leading to the faculty office building.
When it came to classroom management, the two of them found they were kindred spirits, both subscribing to the educational philosophy that chaotic troops require harsh penalties, and severe illnesses demand potent medicine.
As the students along the path grew sparser, they finally reached a quiet stretch near the faculty offices.
"Luoqi, what are your thoughts on this war involving the Protos Empire?" Sido asked suddenly.
Such a sensitive topic was normally avoided.
Yet Lanqi hadn't particularly hidden his stance earlier, so Sido spoke to him candidly.
In times like these, very few possessed the courage and ability to make their position known.
Lanqi let out a chuckle upon hearing the question, as though he found the war entirely unnecessary.
"If I were the Imperial President, this war wouldn't even be a possibility. I would simply build a wall in the north to end the northern residents' anxieties once and for all, while also using it to prove the innocence of the northern realms. But every single country in the north would have to pay me for it. Our Protos Empire would cover thirty percent of the construction cost at most."
He raised a hand, making his point with utter conviction.
Sido: "..."
He felt as though something were stuck in his throat.
Absurd as Lanqi's words sounded...
it genuinely seemed like something this madman could pull off.
If the northern kingdoms thought about it, paying to build a wall might actually be preferable to fighting this war; to them, it would serve as a protective barrier as well.
A single proposal that satisfied everyone's demands.
Even if neither side would feel particularly pleased about it...
Chapter 281