"W-what?"

The Professor's face suddenly twists, expressing sheer surprise at my words.

His previously composed demeanor crumbles before my simple questioning, and the more my gaze of scrutiny rests on him, the further it diminishes.

I laugh silently, chiding myself in my mind.

Why am I teasing such a good professor? He must be anxious at the moment, wondering if his tightly kept secret has been let out. But he doesn't have to worry too much, since I don't plan to tell anyone.

In fact, I want to help him a little.

"The honest truth is that you're too sloppy with your methods. Both of you are too honest, and it's easy to deduce that something is up between you two. Sooner or later, as long as an interested party puts in just a bit of effort, they'll find out."

Klein's face immediately pales.

He is definitely worried, and I can see that his mind is spiraling in all kinds of ways.

There's no need for him to freak out, though.

"Let me help you with some good advice, the same way you just assisted me. That way, both of you will be able to keep your relationship more private…" I smile at him, giving him a friendly wink since we're now friends.

"Or are you still going to deny the truth?"

Klein sighs in surrender.

He quickly admits defeat and spills the truth. "You're right. Seraphina and I are… seeing each other. I love her dearly, and she feels the same. It's just… the current situation has made it so we can't be together openly. Not yet."

"I understand. You're Professors, and it'll be a scandal if—"

"No. Not just that…" Klein groans deflatedly, giving me a helpless stare. "The problem is with her family. Her father is an Earl as well as one of the few Grand Scholars in the Kingdom. They hold a lot of influence in the Randalorion Kingdom, especially in the domain of academia…"

"A-ah, I see…"

I didn't know all of these details before.

'Now it makes sense why Seraphina has dedicated her whole life to academics when most noble and beautiful women her age would be married by now…'

Most female professors in the Academy are old women or nuns. The only two exceptions are Seraphina and Anna. I understand Anna's situation, but I never truly grasped Seraphina's matter until Klein told me.

"She's also the only child, which makes her family extra protective of her. All her relatives are scholars, and they're all High Nobles, having connections with the likes of Viscounts and even a few Counts…"

"Wow! They're quite the big deal."

"Right?" Klein sighs helplessly, his brows creasing in worry. "So many High Nobles have their eyes on her, and her family plans to marry her off to the best of them all. Among them, there is even a Viscount's first son… a future Viscount. I'm only a Baron, which places me at the bottom of the barrel…"

'Only a Baron'?

Many Lesser Nobles would kill to get this man's position.

Then again, I can somewhat relate to his worries. As a Leviathan, one could say I stand above all men, but my present circumstances make me more anxious than relieved.

Besides, this involves love.

Klein wishes to marry Seraphina, but there exists a barrier that he cannot traverse so easily.

—The barrier of status.

"Can I assume that this is why you're so determined to become a Grand Scholar yourself?"

I ask him with a wry smile.

"It's one of them…" His voice trails midway, before he finally sighs and once again surrenders to the truth. "Actually, it's my main motivation.

I figured.

Completing his Master's Degree and becoming a Grand Scholar places him at the highest level of education in the Randalorion Kingdom. He will be highly revered in the entire Kingdom, even being well-connected to the Royal Family and all the High Nobles.

He would even have the potential to become the Headmaster of this Royal Academy.

Such a man asking for Seraphina's hand in marriage, even if he is merely a Baron, will be quite enticing to an Academia Family.

'As an Erudite Scholar, Klein already has a feather on his cap. Becoming a Grand Scholar will give him a pair of wings that'll allow him to fly, traversing the heavens!' My eyes brighten, and I see the future looking bright for him.

However, is life that straightforward? Can things be so simple?

If it were that easy, why would Klein still have such a worried expression? He is already on the path to becoming a Grand Scholar, which means he only needs to persevere until then.

'Maybe he's having some academic difficulties. I'd better not ask…'

"You probably don't know this yet, since you're new… but once every year, the Academy organizes a retreat for its staff. As Professors, we visit the Randalorion University to meet with our peers and seniors, rubbing minds and organizing a seminar that lasts an entire week…"

'Oh? I didn't know that. But what does that have to do with—?' I suddenly pause my thoughts and quickly piece together everything.

Seraphina's family consists of all manner of Scholars.

Her father is a Grand Scholar… and Klein is currently very worried about him despite already being in the University, studying for his Master's, and being well on his way to becoming a Grand Scholar himself.

Could it be—?!

"Is Seraphina's father a University Professor?" I ask with wide open eyes.

"Not just that… but he's the Head of the Academia Department, where I'm currently studying to get my Master's." Klein smiles wryly. "That man… is difficult."

Clearly.

Why else would a distinguished person like Klein be so worried despite his achievements?

"I'm worried I'll never be able to match up to his standards and marry his daughter," Klein mutters dejectedly, sadness etched in the depths of his eyes.

"Come on, don't say that…"

"You don't understand, Javier." Klein sighs and shakes his head, looking even more worn out than ever. "That man is…"

"Does he suspect you have something to do with his daughter?"

"No. At least, I don't think so. I've been very discreet about our relationship…" He responds a little hesitantly.

"Then, is he making trouble for you?"

"No…" He quickly shakes his head. "Unlike in the Academy, politics and prejudicial treatment towards University students are heavily frowned upon. This is because it also features the international scene, which makes interference difficult."

"Oh? That's a relief."

"Not exactly. It just means they're smarter with their schemes. Dirty politics, bigotry, and all manner of vices still exist in the higher institutions. They're just well hidden, making them even more sinister."

I nod in understanding, quickly accepting this reality.

I don't even disagree.

This is simply human nature.

Where there are benefits, corruption is bound to fester among the people—it is only natural.

"Looks like you have quite the complicated side to you, Klein." I pat his shoulder, feeling them slump softly under my touch.

This man, despite how handsome, competent, and incredibly honorable he is… still has such deep worries that make all his positive attributes feel like an illusion. Right now, his greatness has been overshadowed by the pathetic state he currently displays.

Even then, my respect for him does not diminish in the slightest.

He knows what he wants and has chosen to walk on a thorny path, despite the worries and hardships that exist there.

Men like him, who willingly choose the hard road, are quite rare

I truly empathize with him.

'This makes me think about Dahlia… and our relationship.' My wry smile deepens, and I transport my mind to all the moments we had together.

How would it have ended?

If that Leviathan never showed up, would we have gotten a happy ending?

I doubt it.

The barrier of status exists for me, too.

Dahlia was the daughter of a Duke. Comparing my relationship with her and Klein's relationship with Seraphina is like comparing night and day. At least Klein is a Baron and is already an Erudite Scholar. Plus, Seraphina's father is only an Earl.

But… in my case?

I'm still not even a High Noble, and no matter how many Royal Seals of Excellence I have… I'm only just a First Rate Scholar in the end.

How can a Duke's daughter marry someone like me?

Even if Dahlia were willing, we would still need her father's permission to get married.

And he would never allow it!

'These are all worries I should have after I save her, though…' I smile to myself before slowly rising to my feet.

"I truly wish you two the best, Klein. And don't worry… Your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you, Javier… truly."

I nod at him and leave his office, thanking him once again before finally shutting the door.

Afterward, I visit the last destination I have in mind for today before I can finally return to my residence. And that is none other than Earl Balric Wolfshade's office.

Balric and I have a complicated relationship.

When I was a student in this Academy, I tried to enlist his help, but to no avail. Instead, he preached to me about the glory that comes with serving one's superiors like an obedient little dog.

Well… that wasn't exactly how he said it.

But you get the point.

Right now, we're both on the same side—the Royal Faction. Plus, he is not only an Earl of the Kingdom, but also the Dean of Discipline and Conduct.

For some reason, despite my deep distaste for him, he has a very good impression of me.

Thanks to this, I was able to get him to help with a favor.

"Here you go…" While remaining on his seat, Balric Wolfshade hands me a letter, his bright orange eyes flashing with radiance.

As always, his green hair is a little unruly, and the beards make his face appear to be in a bit of a mess. He currently has a pleasant smile; however, his stern and imposing spirit remains evident.

"Thank you."

After collecting the letter, I open it in his presence and read it immediately.

Then, a smile forms on my face.

"Looks like good news…" The Dean/Earl speaks the moment he sees the gleam in my eyes.

"Haha, indeed!" I laugh aloud. "My application for the Honorary Knight Exams, which you helped me with, was accepted. I can take it anytime from now."

My relief knows no bounds at this moment, and I feel a surge of excitement envelop me.

This is what I've been waiting for—my backup plan!

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