Who is Senior Professor Klein Mornantte?

He is the busiest person I know, yet he also holds the position of the most competent man I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Not only is he extremely intelligent and good-looking, but he is also able to manage his time so perfectly well, juggling so many things at once.

As a Baron, he manages the affairs of his Estate perfectly, and all the people living in his territory have only good things to say about him.

He graduated as a First Rate from this Royal Academy about seven years before I enrolled, scoring nothing but As and Bs. His As were overwhelmingly higher than his Bs, at a 90:10 ratio.

Immediately after, he inherited his Baron Household and still managed to attend the Randalorion University, securing his Erudite Scholar degree in just two years. Thus, he was already a Senior Professor by the time I entered the Royal Academy.

Now, he is working on his Grand Scholar Degree, while working as a Senior Professor in the Academy and also managing his Barony.

He also has his little romantic escapades with Professor Seraphina going on by the side.

Did I also mention he runs a business in this Academy City as well?

Yes… There's that too.

All of these things are very difficult to handle on their own, yet Professor Klein has managed to make everything work. He excels in all of them, and he doesn't even appear to be strained in any way. He maintains his handsome and cheerful demeanor, always kind and professional.

He stays out of politics and is neutral as things get, but he certainly has my respect.

This man… is one of a kind.

Right now, I need his help—specifically on how to handle all my problems at once.

"I have a very deep research project I'm working on right now, and I believe it is too important to give up. However, at some point, I'll have to get my University Degree. However, I still have my career as a Senior Professor to worry about, and the stress that comes with it. Then there's my business, which suffered heavily because of me… and now I'm trying to revive it." I pour my heart out to him, telling him all my problems.

The 'deep research' I am referring to is, of course, related to Leviathans.

I am now a Leviathan, and figuring out everything about my new identity is at the top of my list of priorities. However, all these other things are also very important.

But, it's difficult dividing my attention and venturing into everything at once.

"Hmm… I did hear about the Panel opening…" Professor Klein mumbles as he stares at me with a frank expression, his glasses partly gleaming with brilliance. "I'm guessing you want to register in the University for your Bachelor's Degree… but I would advise you not to rush."

"But the situation calls for urgency."

Professor Klein sighs and nods, but he remains firm in his position.

"You have a backup plan, right? Something that can delay the enemies for a while…"

"I do."

"Then use that. Becoming an Erudite Scholar is no joke. First of all, you need to understand that University is completely different from the Academy. Here, you have people to hold your hand and show you the way, but the University is too vast and complex. You will most likely be on your own if you don't make sufficient preparations."

"Hmmm…"

I believe I understand the basics of University education, but there has to be a reason Professor Klein is so pessimistic about University Education.

He has experienced it personally, so I will trust in his judgment.

"As you know, attending the University for a Bachelor's Degree promotes the person's status to an Erudite Scholar. Obtaining a Master's Degree makes the person a Grand Scholar. Completing a Doctorate makes such a person a Supreme Scholar, at which point they are on the same level as Nobles—entitled to fiefs and recognized throughout the Kingdom." He begins, stating all the degrees up until the highest level, to which I nod.

I am aware of all these things.

Once someone becomes an Erudite Scholar, they are guaranteed to become an Academy Senior Professor or University Junior Professor, and they have high prestige associated with them.

A Grand Scholar is recognizable and desired throughout the Kingdom, working for the Royal Family or the highest-ranked Nobles. They could also easily be University Senior Professors or Heads of Departments in Academies.

Then, we have Supreme Scholars…

At this point, one could easily become Head of Academy or Head of a Department in a University.

If the Supreme Scholar achieves enough, they could even become the Head of the University.

Also, Supreme Scholars are well-respected even outside their respective Kingdoms and are recognized in other Kingdoms as great figures.

'The Randalorion Kingdom doesn't have a Supreme Scholar, and the Grand Scholars present are few. Count Blake Winchester is one of our few Grand Scholars, and he is already Head of Academy. In our Royal Academy, other than him, we only have about two others… and they're all Deans. If Professor Klein succeeds in his degree, he'll automatically become a Dean, as well as a contestant for the Head of Academy position.' More of these complex thoughts swirl in my mind, and I sigh at the whole thing.

This Kingdom is simply too unimpressive.

I hear that in Large-sized Kingdoms, Grand Scholars are quite common, and it is the Supreme Scholars that are rare, having immense prestige.

"A Kingdom's Academy is exclusive to its natives, and it is meant to serve as a nurturing ground for these budding adults. However, Universities are open to exchange students; students from other Kingdoms and even other Races."

"Really? I didn't know that!"

"Well, the Randalorion Kingdom just recently began the practice of allowing foreign students, but they only allow those from the Nowe'arn Race." Klein smiles wryly, continuing without pausing for too long. "Doing this improves competition in the field and allows for a greater dispersion of knowledge. Universities were made with this ideal in mind."

"I see… So Academies are the nurturing ground, but Universities are battle zones."

"Haha! I guess you could put it like that." Professor Klein laughs heartily, his bright blue eyes twinkling like stars.

"The thing is, Universities also have Departments. However, unlike the Academy, which is general in scope, and students often choose multiple departments… specialization is the trend there."

"That means I can't pull the stunt I pulled as a student there."

"You can't…" He shakes his head, still chuckling. "No matter how intelligent you are, taking on one Department as a Major and one as a Minor will be your limit."

I'm surprised.

In the Academy, students had to pick at least three Departments, and I even ended up choosing six. However, it seems that the maximum for students is just two.

That's quite a change.

"I see. Tell me more…"

"Departments like Administration, Fabrication, Alchemy, Academia, Medicine, Engineering, etc., exist in the Academy, but these are all professional fields that have specialized information about them. Unlike the surface-level knowledge you gained from the Academy, these will feature a lot more complex and practical sessions. It's not something you can juggle too many things with at once…"

"But you seem to be managing quite well."

"Well…" Professor Klein chuckles bitterly, and I notice a hint of stress in his eyes. "Masters is a little different… but that's not really relevant. Let's stick to the topic."

"Alright." I decide not to pursue the matter.

"Each Department in the University also has courses and areas of specialization. For example, in the Academia Department, there is History, Anthropology, Magivore Studies, Scientific Theories & Applications, and so on. You'll have to pick one to advance in once you start your Master's, but in your Bachelor's Degree, you'll pick as many courses as you can to fill your quota and learn all you can about the Department you were in."

"I'm guessing you chose the Academia Department. What specialty did you go for?"

"Haha! Indeed, I went to the Academia Department. That's why I am a Professor here in the Royal Academy. If I chose any other Department, say Engineering… I would be an Engineer, not a tutor." He smiles.

"Oh? So that's how it works…"

"I told you. Every Department is a specialized field designed for a career path. If you wish to remain an educator, choose the Academia Department and choose courses that best suit your field as an Educator."

"I understand now… Please proceed."

"Academies usually have three terms per year, and students usually study there for five years, right? Well, University is different. First of all, there are only two Semesters per year. Then, regarding duration… Normally, a Bachelor's takes four years, a Master's could take as little as two years and as long as five years, depending on the student's speed. As for Doctorates, you don't have time constraints, but they usually take at least a decade to complete due to how rigorous the journey is."

'Hmm? Hold on, something isn't right…' Right as I'm bobbing my head, I notice a little discrepancy in Professor Klein's narration.

"You're wondering how I managed to graduate as an Erudite Scholar after only two years, right? Well, there are Kingdoms who have more flexible policies regarding University education. In the Moretti Kingdom, where I chose to study, you can get your Bachelor's Degree in as little as two years, though your workload drastically increases. As long as you take on the right amount of units per Semester, you can graduate after just two years. That's the path I chose."

"Ah… I understand."

Professor Klein goes on to explain a few more things, specifically the strictness and schedules of the University, opening my eyes to things I didn't even know about before.

"So do you see? University education isn't a walk in the park. I'd advise you to go as a full-time student and pause everything else until then. But, even as a part-time student, you'll have to drop one of the many things that you're currently occupied with to make time…"

I sigh.

Professor Klein is right.

As someone who juggles things expertly, he must be well aware of the limits of the body.

I simply cannot cope with University life in my current predicament, especially when I also have to consider the cost. Until I'm able to fully recover my business, I shouldn't take such a risky venture.

Just because I was able to get a Scholarship into the Academy doesn't mean I'll be as fortunate to do the same in University.

I have to remember that most people who attend the University are already First Rate Scholars. Many even have Royal Seals of Excellence.

Even with three Royal Seals of Excellence, I'm only slightly better than them.

If I factor in all the distractions I currently have, it's very unlikely that I'll be awarded a Scholarship. If I try to brute force my way through, I could end up with a less than satisfactory grade, which won't be a good look.

Finally, and most importantly, I have come to realize that this simply isn't what I want to do now.

There are other things that take priority.

'Even though I should be making preparations and learning more about University, I know it isn't the right time to get in…' I sigh, slowly admitting the reality of my situation.

I have other callings at the moment.

"Thank you, Professor Klein…" Smiling warmly, I shake his hand.

"Please, just call me Klein." He laughs casually. "The way I see it, we're friends. There's no need to be so stiff around me."

'Oh, really?' A mischievous smile quickly forms on my face. 'Then—'

"You don't mind me asking a personal question, do you?" I stifle my laughter, recognizing how foolish I am being, but unable to resist the allure.

"Sure, what is it?"

I pause for a moment, staring at Klein's unsuspecting face, his features calm and splendid.

… Only to be disrupted once I utter my next words.

"What's with you and Professor Seraphina?"

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