Chapter 19 – What Kind of Bastard Is This? (1)
What kind of bastard 'is' this?
Calon looked at Ruin like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“So, you’re saying there’s no way to verify you’re qualified for this role?”
“That’s not really my concern, is it? Shouldn’t 'you' be the one figuring that out?”
At that, Calon finally snapped.
He whipped out his wand and aimed it squarely at Ruin’s head, the air suddenly pulsing with killing intent.
“Professor!”
Lili and the other assistants screamed in panic.
Calon’s wand, charged with murderous force, hovered dangerously close to Ruin’s skull.
“Fine then. Just sit still. I’ll test your qualifications directly. How’s that? Simple enough, isn’t it?”
Insam nearly fainted.
「Hey, that guy’s a 'Special-Class Hero', you idiot! You wanna get your head blown off?!」
But Ruin didn’t even blink, despite the wand hovering inches from his head.
There was a reason for that.
“All Haven professors are classified as Heroes. And didn’t we establish that conflict between professors is strictly prohibited? Have you really forgotten the top rule in Haven’s faculty code?”
Calon lowered his wand with a derisive laugh, like he found the newbie’s guts amusing.
Insam exhaled in relief—although, as a member of the Fireflies, he wasn’t 'that' worried.
「Geez… that guy’s strong even among Union Heroes. Why the hell are you so 'mouthy' with him?!」
Ruin arched one brow.
'Mouthy?'
Excuse me?
He thought his answers had been perfectly appropriate.
I mean, what was he supposed to do? He couldn’t tell them he crushed the gatekeeper with demonic energy—so he had to say it was confidential. Breaking the students’ spell? That was a Firefly trademark—he wasn’t about to reveal that to a Special-Class Hero. And tossing students off rooftops? Yeah, no—he’d be expelled for abuse.
「You’re really gonna get kicked out at this rate.」
Still, Ruin shrugged. Guys like Calon were all bark and no bite—they pushed harder the more weakness you showed.
“So you 'can’t' prove it, huh?”
“Then how about this—catch a demon for us. That should prove your skills.”
…Did he just tell me to go capture one of 'my own kind'?
Calon’s glinting eyes said it all: he was 'certain' Ruins Wayne was a fraud, someone who couldn’t even handle a low-tier demon.
“Why so quiet? You 'are' the Demon Hunting professor, aren’t you? You should be able to catch a demon, at the very least.”
He wasn’t wrong, technically. But this was going to be a problem.
Sure, Ruin himself was a 'Special-Class' demon—more than capable of taking on entire elite units, or even named members of Pride.
But—
「Don’t forget, you can’t 'use' your demon powers.」
Right. 'That’s' the problem.
Dealing with demons as 'Ruin the demon' would be trivial. But as 'Ruins Wayne the human'? That was a whole different story.
So Ruin tried to tap into Wayne’s abilities. While inhabiting someone’s body, he could temporarily use their traits and skills.
Unfortunately—
[Iron-Walled Pride]
'His pride is so absolute that he refuses to do anything that would scratch it. He will never kneel.'
Okay, fine. That's fair.
But surely I can at least check what his abilities are?
Nope.
[Iron-Walled Pride]
'His pride is so absolute that he refuses to do anything that would scratch it. He will never kneel.'
Seriously?! He’s hiding even his 'own skills' out of embarrassment? What the hell is in there—some top-secret shame box that must be burned on death?!
Ruin massaged his temple in frustration. But whatever. It wasn’t like he was completely out of options.
[Flame Lance]
There was 'that' spell.
And clearly, if he’d used it in front of students despite supposedly not being able to use magic, then…
'I think I have a rough idea of why I could cast it.'
It had to be a Special-Class spell.
Meaning this ridiculous test—“go capture a demon”—might not be so ridiculous after all.
'A Special-Class spell should be enough for most opponents.'
So sure, Union swine. This’ll be a cakewalk—
Or so he thought.
“Today, Professor Ruins will tell us how to capture the Firefly.”
The demon I’m supposed to catch is… 'me?'
You motherfu—
- - -
The students were speechless.
“Today, we’re auditing Professor Wayne’s lecture.”
“We’d like to hear your strategy for catching the Firefly.”
It was the worst kind of pressure.
Ever since the Gold Moon dorm surrendered, Demon Hunting classes had resumed—but now this?
“Dude… how many professors showed up for this ‘audit’?”
“…Does this 'look' like an audit to you?”
The first-year students were sweating bullets.
Especially since all ten departments of the Combat Division were crammed into the back row—professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and teaching assistants. All under Calon’s command.
'This has to be a setup to drive Wayne out.'
'And they brought the whole Combat Division just to humiliate him.'
Any other newbie would’ve buckled under this kind of pressure. But Ruin was smiling.
“Flocking to a freshman class like vultures. Admirable academic zeal—or are you all just painfully unemployed?”
…Okay. Maybe the rumors about him taming Gold Moon were true. Look at that mouth on him.
“Typically, we don’t allow professor audits in lower-year courses.”
…Wow, he 'does' care about his students!
“They’re just snot-nosed brats who can’t even wipe their own noses properly yet.”
…Never mind. Scratch that.
Ruin crossed his arms.
“So where’s the demon capture? Why are we suddenly talking about some 'laughable' strategy for catching the Firefly?”
“Laughable?”
“Yes. 'The laughable Firefly.'”
Still smiling, but with razor-edged sarcasm, Ruin’s words made Calon chuckle smugly.
“What’s wrong? Intimidated by the Firefly?”
The students murmured awkwardly.
Because honestly, this question was a trap for 'anyone', not just Professor Wayne.
“…Even Special-Class Heroes haven’t caught him. How’s 'anyone' supposed to?”
“He’s been on the run for 'seventy years'. He’s practically a legend. This is way out of line…”
Calon had obviously asked the question to humiliate the professor in front of everyone. And if Wayne fumbled his answer, they could kick him out for incompetence.
'That’s why he brought the entire department along.'
“Come now. A Demon Hunting professor 'should' be able to catch that villain, the Firefly.”
Ruin smirked.
Okay, he had gotten a little snippy earlier because the question was 'that' ridiculous. But—
“Didn’t the Firefly vanish fifty years ago? Pretty sure he’s already dead.”
“Oh, you one of 'those' people? You know demons live longer than humans. For all we know, those fifty years were just a sabbatical.”
Sabbatical?
Ruin almost broke character.
'A sabbatical, huh? Must be nice, you Union bastards.'
Meanwhile, he had been running missions every 'hour', no rest, no breaks.
'I mean, what the hell kind of system makes you run infiltration ops 'every hour'?!'
A hellish, never-ending nightmare of a schedule, enforced by a life-long contract.
No, thanks. Never again.
Grinding his teeth, Ruin caught Calon looking at him quizzically.
“Wayne?”
“Oh. You meant the strategy for catching the Firefly.”
God, what a pain.
You’re asking 'me' how to catch 'me'?
And all these professors and students have sparkly-eyed stares full of expectation. Clearly, the Headmaster had hinted at this, and Calon jumped on it.
'Damn it. I can’t give away any weaknesses. What do I do?'
If he winged it too hard, they’d call him incompetent and fire him…
Just as he was wracking his brain trying to balance lies and plausibility—
Calon’s assistant professors spoke up, as if on cue.
“Well, naturally, it’s a difficult topic. That’s why we’re here—to support your class, of course.”
The teaching assistants sighed in relief. But Ruin narrowed his eyes. He could see right through their scheme.
And sure enough—
“We thought it might be good for you to 'learn' from the Combat Department as we help out.”
Just as he expected.
They were trying to hijack the class, lower his influence, and eventually 'steal' the course from him.
“And since the Head Professor’s office is so spacious, it’d be perfect for collaborative discussion!”
Oh, now they wanted his 'office', too.
Actually, if 'that' were all, he might have let it slide…
“But of course, you’d be working under Professor Calon’s guidance.”
Ah. So that’s the play.
They wanted to demote him to 'associate professor', put Calon in charge of Demon Hunting, and kick him out under department authority.
Professors below department chair rank could be dismissed at their superior’s discretion.
'They’re playing dirty since they can’t claim the position outright.'
Ruin didn’t really care about promotions—but it 'would' get in the way of securing his retirement funds.
'What should I do?'
If this were any other time, he’d just 'disappear' the lot of them—but—
'If Haven collapses, that’d be a problem. I need something simple but effective…'
Then it hit him.
Just as Calon’s cronies were laughing smugly—
“How about requesting a syllabus from Professor Calon?”
“Yes. The Gloucester family has dedicated much to hunting the Firefly. As a watchdog family, the Waynes might not know everything they do.”
「Watchdog family?」
'A noble house in charge of maintaining imperial law and order.'
The Waynes were that sort of house—versatile enforcers of peace.
'If Gloucester is the sea’s iron wall, Wayne is the hound of the earth.'
「Oh, right! That guy's the descendant of 'Admiral Gloucester'! That explains it!」
Yep. Knew that already.
Gloucester was one of the Empire’s eight great noble houses—like the Waynes. Though all professors were technically equals in Haven.
Still, being one of the Eight meant 'serious' pride.
And it didn’t stop there.
“Gloucester’s also famous for their 'Unbreakable Shield', after all.”
Exactly.
If the Headmaster’s house wielded the “Execution” legacy, then Gloucester’s was “Absolute Defense.” No wonder they were so cocky.
And just as expected, Calon added—
“I apologize for my earlier tone. I understand you’re still unfamiliar with Haven. Let me help you adjust.”
“Yes. No demon has ever breached a Gloucester vessel.”
“During the Admiral’s time, they were called 'the Ironclad Ocean Fortress'.”
“Exactly. You’d do well to lean on Professor Calon. Gloucester is the perfect match for Combat Studies.”
Professors in the room nodded in admiration. Calon acted like it was no big deal. But Ruin gave a small chuckle.
'Fortress? A ship no demon could breach?'
Thanks. That reminded him of something.
He now had the 'perfect' way to deal with them.
Just then, a TA handed Ruin a packet—clearly Calon’s pre-written syllabus.
Calon pushed further.
“Knowing is one thing. Teaching is another. And from your responses so far, you’re still not familiar with our students. Let me handle the pedagogy—you just follow the plan.”
Ruin looked over the syllabus… and smiled.
Oh, perfect. He needed to submit a syllabus anyway for the Headmaster. This saves him the effort.
The other professors smiled, thinking this meant peace. But then—
RIIIIIP!
Ruin tore the syllabus in half.
Everyone in the room held their breath.
'He just… tore up the department chair’s syllabus?!'
But then Ruin said something unexpected.
“You mean… as long as the students 'understand' it, right?”
“!”
“So if I have a way to make it 'really' stick in their heads, that’s fine?”
“……!”
Calon stared at Ruin’s smile, baffled.
…What the hell is he planning now?!
