I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 773 - Side Story 46: Amazing Change (2)

Theor had never looked favorably upon Aidan and Tracy from the start. He couldn't help it. After Tenaron disappeared, it was Theor who had been named as a candidate for the next great chieftain.

But that position was taken by Iona. It was those impudent humans who actively supported her and helped her secure the qualifications for great chieftain.

'How dare they bring weak humans to the dwelling of born warriors?'

Theor didn't like that fact. He was a beastman overflowing with pride to the point of being a supremacist who looked down on all other races.

Theor didn't like this situation itself. Having to let those impudent humans set their dirty muddy feet in their territory under the name of negotiations and deals.

The fact that Iona, who was certain to be the next great chieftain, had made friends with humans from the outside world.

Even the fact that Iona was marrying a human, and that guys like Aidan and Tracy were well-regarded among the beastfolk.

All of it got on Theor's nerves.

So he often picked fights with the humans when he encountered them. Because he didn't like them. It irritated him to see those weaker than him walking around fine with their necks held stiffly upright.

The weak should bow their heads. The weak should be ruled and grovel before the strong. That was the world he desired. That was the quality one born and living as a beastman should possess.

'So if there are impudent ones, I'll step on them so they can know their place.'

Of course, setting aside his dislike of them, Aidan and Tracy were objectively very skilled individuals.

Especially Aidan—though he was an impudent human he didn't like, he had to admit that in terms of pure ability alone, he was superior to the beastfolk warriors.

But acknowledging and liking were strictly different things. Moreover, even if he acknowledged Aidan and Tracy, acknowledging the other humans they brought through their connections was a separate matter.

Rather, Theor saw this as an opportunity. The fact that they brought him all the way to a place like this meant he must be quite an important person.

'Humans have nobles who are born noble by nature, right? The fact that those two humans brought him means he's someone who receives that much respect.'

Theor wasn't interested in humans, but he still knew a few fragmentary pieces of information he'd heard here and there.

Among them was that there were nobles among humans who were born into high positions.

And higher than such nobles were royalty. He'd heard that when royalty traveled, they led tremendous entourages with them. Which meant that right now, that man wasn't royalty.

A noble man. And judging by the fact that even Aidan and Tracy brought him, they must regard him quite highly.

He couldn't directly humiliate Aidan and Tracy, but humiliating the guest they brought was entirely possible. Rather, it was a way to properly get back at those two.

'And I heard nobles are arrogant. How fortunate if that's really true.'

Look at him getting worked up and coming forward when provoked just a little. Look at that shameless appearance, not even thinking he's fallen into a trap.

'This is why humans are no good.'

Theor hid such sinister intentions and spoke with a smiling face.

"Now. There are enough eyes watching. Shall we begin?"

The place where Theor was standing facing Rudger was a training ground specially made for beastfolk to hold sparring matches.

And at some point, having heard the rumors, a considerable number of beastfolk had gathered and were sitting in the spectator seats. Aidan and Tracy were with them too.

"Ah. This brings back old memories somehow."

Aidan recalled his first year at Theon. The first time he had a magic duel because of a quarrel back then was now a distant memory. Seeing people gathered in a place like this suddenly brought those days vividly to mind.

"You're having such comfortable thoughts right now?"

Next to him, Tracy was dumbfounded by Aidan's musing and scolded him.

"Right now Professor Rudger has gotten caught up in a troublesome matter because of us. And his opponent is even that Theor."

She knew that Theor didn't view them favorably. But they couldn't treat him carelessly either, because he was also of the great chieftain's bloodline and was skilled enough to hold a high position among the beastfolk.

"Trust Professor Rudger. Did you forget? The professor is a truly outstanding mage." 

"That was back then. I heard Professor Rudger was attacked by the Demon King and was injured. He must have focused solely on recovery, so his skills might have declined compared to before."

Tracy's argument was quite reasonable. Rudger had been injured by the Demon King Heathcliff, and so he had stepped down from his teaching position under the pretext of recovery.

Three years had passed since then. She hadn't expected to meet him again in a place like this, but the moment Tracy saw Rudger, she could tell.

Her teacher, whom she once had to look up to, was now at a similar level to her.

Part of it was that she had grown rapidly over the past years, but it was also because Rudger's aura had weakened considerably compared to before.

Tracy was certain that Rudger had been injured. And that he still suffered from its aftereffects.

That's why she tried her best to stop this fight, but when Rudger himself stepped forward saying he'd do it, even that justification disappeared.

"You should have stopped him!" 

"B-but the professor said he'd do it." 

"Ugh. I really can't live like this, seriously. What are we going to do now? All we can do is pray that Professor Rudger wins." 

"Tracy. What are you so worried about? Trust the professor." 

"He still seems to not have escaped the aftereffects of his injury, how can I not worry?"

At Tracy's words, Aidan nodded, thinking, "Ah, I see." Well, for Tracy who didn't know the truth of the incident at the time, she had no choice but to think this way.

Aidan gave a bitter smile inwardly. The reason Rudger looked weak now was because he was restraining his power as neatly as possible. Rudger's skills and power had not regressed at all compared to three years ago.

Tracy couldn't know. The only one who knew that truth was Aidan.

Of course, because Aidan had seen with his own two eyes how Rudger fought at the holy war.

He was the first human to step into the realm of the 8th circle, said to be unreachable by humans.

Worrying about Rudger was no different from a firefly worrying about the sun.

"It's fine. Trust Professor Rudger."

But since he couldn't tell her the whole truth, Aidan could only reassure Tracy by saying that.

"The professor isn't as weak as you think." 

"......So I'm not saying he's weak. I'm just saying the opponent isn't easy either, so you never know."

Tracy also acknowledged that her worry was excessive, yet somehow she couldn't shake off the lingering anxiety.

Aidan silently held Tracy's hand. At the warm warmth flowing over the back of her hand, Tracy blushed slightly while also relaxing her tension.

"It's starting."

As Aidan muttered that, Tracy also shifted her gaze to the training ground. Since the matter had already begun, Tracy desperately prayed for Rudger's victory.

Aidan, who caught a glimpse of that look, smiled slightly inwardly.

'You know, Tracy. What we should be hoping for now isn't the professor's victory.'

Because for Rudger right now, victory would be easier than picking up and pocketing a stone fallen on the road while walking.

Even if the opponent was the greatest warrior of the beastfolk. Then what should he hope for?

What Aidan hoped for was only one thing.

'Please, let this fight end at an appropriate level without escalating into a big problem.'

Meanwhile, the drum sound announcing the start of the fight resounded loudly. The beastfolk sitting in the spectator seats let out cheers. Some other races who came to watch out of curiosity also quietly observed the scene.

As if enjoying that response, Theor raised both arms and made a vigorously excited expression.

"Hey. Enjoy it. This place isn't somewhere you humans can easily visit." 

"......" 

"Ah. Or did you vaguely realize? That this isn't a fair fight, but will become a one-sided execution?"

Of course, Theor only threatened with words; he didn't actually intend to kill him. But as fights inevitably become fierce, wasn't it natural for serious injuries like losing an arm or leg to occur?

With that thought, Theor took his stance.

"You'll have to display everything you have. Mage." 

"May I give you one piece of advice? Even though I look like this, I was once a teacher who taught magic." 

"Ha. Well, if you're thinking of resolving this with words now, forget it." 

"That's not it. I just thought of something I really want to tell you after seeing you." 

"What's that?" 

"You talk too much."

Rudger looked at Theor with a pathetic gaze. The beastfolk warriors he knew weren't chatterboxes who flapped their mouths wildly before fighting.

They were taciturn and proved their struggle only through actions. And none of them were people who sought to have their achievements recognized.

They simply moved toward the next goal to fulfill the sense of mission given before them in their lives.

Knowing this, Rudger found Theor's behavior excessively frivolous. He couldn't help but question whether he was as outstanding a warrior as his eloquence.

That sincere remark from Rudger properly touched Theor's reverse scale.

"......I'll kill you!"

The fur all over his body stood on end. And his eyes contorted ferociously, his fangs baring sharply.

It was momentary, but it was enough to create the illusion that a giant red leopard existed before his eyes. Rudger still stood calmly in place even facing such a fierce aura.

That appearance was so aloof that it felt like he was a person completely unrelated to this situation.

It couldn't be helped. The enemies Rudger had faced and fought were far too formidable to compare with 'merely' someone like him.

Theor lowered his upper body. His body flattened so close to the ground that it seemed almost glued to it, and then his form disappeared leaving a blurry afterimage.

"Oho."

Rudger slightly raised his eyebrows seeing that. So he had at least the skills to match his eloquence.

Meanwhile, Theor appeared behind Rudger, thrusting his fist toward the back of his head.

But Rudger still stood in place. Without taking any defensive posture whatsoever.

Thud!

However, Theor's fist was blocked by the bluish mana barrier that Rudger had deployed around him.

Theor frowned. It tingled all the way to the bones of his extended fist. His fist that could even shatter rocks couldn't even scratch the barrier before him.

"Then how about this!"

Theor's form disappeared again and appeared above Rudger's head. He spun his body at a speed the opponent couldn't react to and brought his leg down.

Kwang!

But the barrier spread above Rudger's head easily blocked Theor's downward strike. Though the impact sound was louder than before, the barrier was still intact.

Theor pounded on Rudger's barrier several times. But Rudger stood firm in place, blocking all of Theor's attacks.

"This turtle-like bastard!"

Whether Theor didn't like that Rudger only defended, he showed killing intent.

He spread both hands wide. As if trying to grab something, his claws grew long, and a translucent energy began to ripple above his claws.

It was spirit, the unique technique that beastfolk used. The spirit flowing strand by strand along his claws grew long, extending to about 50cm.

It was an appearance no different from wearing giant claws.

With this, he should be able to tear that sturdy mana barrier like paper.

Thinking that, Theor charged forward and swung both sets of claws in a crossing motion.

Screech!

A satisfyingly cutting sound rang out. Everyone held their breath watching that scene.

Theor gave a sinister smile. Having cut through that hard turtle-shell-like barrier, there was no means left to protect that human's body.

But his expression changed in an instant.

The barrier Rudger had deployed was intact. Then where did that sound of something being cut come from?

Theor belatedly realized that the spirit claws he'd released had been miserably cut off.

"Looks like I need to trim your nails quite a bit."

After muttering that toward Theor with his blank face, Rudger slowly raised the staff in his hand.

Theor thought he should dodge seeing that, but his body absolutely wouldn't cooperate.

'Wh-what is this!'

The feeling of facing a giant mountain. His whole body was crushed by the pressure and couldn't move at all.

Soon Rudger's staff tip slowly rose and tapped Theor's forehead.

"Take a nap."

Simultaneously, Theor's form was flung backward like a cannonball.