I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 839 – Side Story 112: Like a Midsummer Night's Dream (2)

Rene's expression was serious. It was less of a question and more of a half-coercive look that said let's do it again.

Rene seemed unwilling to end the real-time data about the mirror world, which she had finally obtained, with just one opportunity. Beyond that, she also had certain ulterior motives.

"How enthusiastic. But the more so, the more careful you must be. What if you get caught up in something dangerous?" 

"Where in the world is there research related to magic that doesn't come with danger? That aside, you know that we two are the ones who can most effectively handle this danger, don't you?" 

"Heh." 

"You know it. Right now we're doing clinical trials on animals, but someday people will have to use this directly. When that moment comes, if something goes wrong, people who know nothing will die without being able to respond. But we're different."

Rene emphasized the word "we." The two of them were mages who handled spatial magic, of which there were few in this world. Because of that uniqueness alone, they had the highest probability of being safest from the dangers that would occur when using the mirror world.

Rene's argument was rational. If the mirror world had to be used, it was right for the people who could most rationally handle unforeseen situations to do it.

However, Rudger sensed a strange ulterior motive hidden within Rene's rational persuasion. Though he called it an ulterior motive, she didn't actually have any truly wicked plan.

If he had to compare it, it was like watching a young child barely squeezing out a scheme to secretly eat hidden candy without their parents knowing. Even though he obviously knew, that appearance was so cute that he couldn't help but pretend not to know and let himself be fooled.

Rudger was curious anyway. What kind of world would the mirror world lead them to on the second use?

If they went with the same person, would it be the same as the first time? Or would they go to a different world due to some variable? If it was the latter, what kind of world would unfold there?

The intellectual curiosity that a mage should naturally possess suddenly raised its head.

‘Ah.’ 

Rudger let out a small sigh inwardly. Rudger knew himself well. Inner contemplation was essential for a mage. As a high-ranking Rudger, he immediately grasped what thoughts he was having.

'Even if I say it's dangerous or whatever, the one who wants this more than anyone is none other than myself.'

In that case, refusing wouldn't look good either.

"Alright. If it's just once more, it should be possible."

Rene's expression brightened considerably. That alone was enough to create the illusion of flowers blooming around them. She was originally beautiful, but after becoming an adult, her beauty was in full bloom. He had always thought of her as just a young sister, but now she suddenly seemed like a different person.

"Then, shall we go?"

Rene extended her hand. Unlike the first time when she extended it shyly, it was a natural motion, as if she had gotten somewhat used to it.

"Yes. Let's explore a new world."

Rudger took Rene's hand and activated the mirror world once more.

The rings spun fiercely and light arose. With flashing radiance, the two figures disappeared from reality.

Warmth soaked his body. Rudger slowly opened his closed eyes. Through the window, warm sunlight tickled his eyes.

Rudger tried to get up from the bed but chuckled at the warmth he felt in his arms.

"Rene. It's morning. You need to get up now."

He called her while lifting the blanket. It was the name of his utterly lovable girlfriend. As sunlight entered, Rene, who had been hiding under the blanket, curled up even more. Then she hugged Rudger and buried her face even deeper in his chest.

"Mmm."

A whining sleep-talk came as a bonus. Rudger stroked Rene's head once at that cute sight. Her sneaking into bed while he was sleeping and falling asleep together was now such a common occurrence that it was too bothersome to point out.

And he knew well how to deal with these situations too. Rudger slowly unwrapped Rene's arms that were hugging his waist. Having done this more than once or twice, he had developed know-how. He carefully laid Rene down on the bed so she wouldn't wake up, then drew the curtains.

Even if he woke her, she wouldn't get up forcibly, and anyway, when meal time came, she would wake up on her own because she was hungry.

Rudger left the room. He went downstairs following the stairs. It was an ordinary two-story house located in downtown Leathervelk.

Considering the money he earned, he could have built a grand mansion, but he deliberately didn't.

As he went down to the first floor, a sweet aroma wafted from the kitchen. When he went inside to check, a woman with ash-gray hair was cooking.

She had tied her long hair up behind her so it wouldn't interfere with cooking, and she slowly turned to look this way, perhaps sensing Rudger's presence.

"Oh my. You're up? What about Rene?"

Rudger stared at her blankly for a moment. He didn't know why. Even though they had known each other for many years, why did his heart feel so heavy looking at her now?

Rudger composed himself for a moment and answered.

"She's still sleeping." 

"That girl. She snuck into your bed again, didn't she?"

Instead of answering, Rudger gave a meaningful smile.

"Even though I nag her not to do that, she doesn't listen. I wonder who she takes after." 

"I don't mind. I'm used to it, and I might even feel empty without it." 

"Oh my, oh my. How can you say such pretty things?"

Mother smiled gently and made breakfast.

"Don't you need to go wake her?" 

"She'll wake up on her own when the time comes anyway." 

"But she'd prefer if you woke her."

Rudger wondered if that was necessary, but decided to accept the advice at Mother's serious look.

When he went up the stairs and returned to the room, he saw Rene sitting up with the blanket half-draped over her.

She still looked dazed as if not fully awake. That appearance somehow reminded him of a panda at a zoo, making Rudger chuckle.

"Are you up?" 

"Mmm." 

"You still can't speak properly."

Rudger neatly removed the blanket that was about to slip off.

"Ugh. Cold."

Rene muttered in a dazed voice and snuggled tightly into Rudger's embrace. Rudger looked down at the top of Rene's head like that, then had no choice but to hug her back.

"Hehe. Warm."

Rene's body temperature always dropped a lot in the morning, so she liked hugging like this. She needed warmth, she said. It contrasted with how she refused to cover herself with the blanket right before sleeping, saying it was hot.

"Come. Let's get up now. Mother has prepared breakfast."

"Breakfast... I need to eat."

"You need to go to work too."

At the mention of work, Rene's arms hugging him tightened a bit more. It was a silent expression that she didn't want to go. Though he wanted to give in when seeing such charm, Rudger knew how to separate public and private matters.

"Didn't you say you were scolded for being 5 minutes late last time?"

At that point, he felt Rene flinch. Cold water had probably been poured on her half-dreaming mind too.

Rene shook her head, but Rudger wasn't fooled.

"Let's have breakfast. If you stay in bed like this, Mother might come looking herself."

Rene eventually gave up and got up from the bed. Rudger found that appearance cute and lightly kissed the top of her head.

At the sensation on top of her head, Rene startled and distanced herself from Rudger.

"What's wrong?" 

"My, my hair is still. It's messy because it's morning."

Rene blushed, embarrassed. Rudger gave a gentle smile, finding that appearance cute.

When the two headed to the kitchen, the prepared breakfast was already laid out on the table.

Fried eggs and bacon, and toasted bread with blueberry jam. Mother smiled at the sight of the two and said.

"I'm busy today, so I made it a bit simple." 

"Do you have work?" 

"I have a lecture related to the academy."

Mother was currently giving lectures at the Arcane Chamber. She was busy explaining theories related to spatial coordinates, so this was her busiest time. Even coming over in the morning to make meals like this was not common.

"But once this season ends, it'll be vacation after a long time, so don't worry. When that time comes, shall we go somewhere for fun?"

 "With Uncle Gabriel?"

Rene asked slyly. At Gabriel's name, Rudger felt some nameless heaviness and longing. Gabriel Cosmo. A mage who handled the concept of time. He too was often with Rene's mother, working diligently at the Arcane Chamber.

But they didn't ask that just because the two worked together. The expression on Rene's face asking the question was filled with mischievous playfulness toward her mother along with curiosity.

"You, you really."

Mother blushed and subtly avoided answering.

"Huh? What's that reaction? From that, it seems like it's true?" 

"It, it's not like that! Anyway, Mom's leaving! Eat well! Don't be late for work!"

Mother quickly tidied her apron and hurriedly left. Rene and Rudger, left behind, naturally sat at the table.

"It's the first time I've seen Mom so embarrassed."

Rene said while spreading jam on her toast. Rudger nodded while taking a bite of bacon.

"She's been alone for so long. It's about time she met a good partner again." 

"Uncle Gabriel, huh. If it's Uncle, I approve too. Actually, I wonder why the two of them got together so late. I thought it would happen about 5 years ago." 

"That's saying that the person called Gabriel Cosmo is that indecisive and incompetent." 

"Ahaha."

Though it was gossip, Rene laughed out loud. She knew that Rudger and Gabriel's relationship wasn't that good. Not because something happened, but just because their dispositions didn't match. Gabriel was indecisive and obviously weak, while Rudger was neat and decisive.

"I'll admit that. Uncle does have that side. No, actually, very much so. Still, looking at my mom's reaction, there seems to have been a lot of progress. Then should I call him not uncle but new dad now?" 

"Hmm."

When Rudger's expression hardened slightly, Rene asked.

"What's wrong?" 

"New dad. That's a bit..." 

"Hm? Ahaha. I get it. If Uncle becomes new dad, from your perspective he'd become your father-in-law, so that's why?"

At the words hitting the mark, Rudger silently took a sip of coffee. Gabriel being his father-in-law? That was something Rudger could absolutely never accept. Just imagining that man strutting around telling him to call him father-in-law made his insides twist.

"Don't worry too much. There's plenty of time. Thinking about Uncle's personality, even when it's almost done, he'll hesitate again, right? Rather, my mom might be the one getting frustrated." 

"I'd rather have that." 

"More importantly, you have some time today? Not going to work?" 

"I don't have morning classes. I can go leisurely. Rather, what you should worry about is your work time."

At those words, Rene puffed out her cheeks.

"Really. I know too, you know? Do you think I'm still a Theon student? I'm a proper working adult." 

"You haven't even been working for a year yet. From my perspective, you're just a student who just graduated." 

"I graduated, so how am I a student!"

After finishing breakfast exchanging such banter, Rene quickly finished washing up and completed her preparations for work.

"I'm leaving now. If I dawdle any more, I'll get nagged by my superior." 

"So you were aware."

Instead of answering, Rene spread both arms toward Rudger.

"..."

When Rudger looked at her with a gaze asking what that meant, Rene just grinned and waved her hands. Rudger let out a small sigh and hugged Rene.

"Hehe. Were you not going to give me a 'have a good day' hug?" 

"We were hugging all day while sleeping." 

"The more we hug, the better it is."

Rene said that and launched a surprise kiss on Rudger's cheek.

"That's all for today! If I'm any later, I'll be in big trouble too. See you after work!"

Rene waved her hand and left the house. Rudger waved back at Rene like that. As soon as Rene left, another voice was heard from the kitchen.

"What a ruckus you're both making." 

"...Master."

Rudger looked at his master, Grandel, who was standing leaning crookedly against one wall.

"How about using somewhat more dignified words?"