Don't Feed the Professor! - Chapter 64

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How would I know someone like you?
I shot him a look that said “go ahead, keep talking,” and to my surprise, his eyes brightened.
“I like that expression! Since we’re on the subject, could I do a quick camera test? The natural light is perfect right now.”
Just as I was about to stop him from pulling the blinds cord, I suddenly realized where I’d heard this man’s voice before.
“Wow, you’re taking all the calls, huh?”
“Don’t keep doing this—it’s a problem. Every time you show up on screen the film burns up completely. Do you have any idea how many complaints come down from above?”
“Haha, I guess I never learned proper manners, so my tone must have been rough. Sorry, I apologize, student.”
“You’re the person who called during course registration, aren’t you?”
There was no doubt—this was the owner of that crude voice, the one who’d been saying things I didn’t understand about how I’d passed through the Labyrinth too easily.
Back then he’d immediately apologized for being overbearing and retreated, but seeing him now, he still struck me as the type of person with poor character.
“Did you come looking for me on purpose?”
When I asked while staring straight at him, that’s when he finally looked startled.
“Ah, I was rude to you on first meeting! I was just so glad to see you…….”
With that, he fumbled to pull out a business card and offered it to me.
‘Morrison?’
The Gwangryun University logo was stamped next to his name.
“I worked in broadcasting on the outside, and I’ve dabbled in various things here too, but these days I’m university staff—staff, that is. You could say I’m something like the PR department.”
There’s a PR department?
‘Well, I suppose there’s everything else.’
The man laughed a little, reading my doubtful expression.
“If you really don’t believe me, ask around. I’d bet there’s not a single resident in this area—or in the entire Fortress, for that matter—who doesn’t know my name.”
“No, well…… So what brings you to me?”
“Would you sit for a moment and talk?”
With that, he gestured to the seat across from him.
“Um…… I can’t really do that.”
“It really won’t take long. It’s almost closing time anyway, isn’t it?”
How did he even know when I get off work?
Just as I was about to refuse again, my eyes met Goldilocks’ from behind the counter. She pointed at her wristwatch and smiled warmly.
A sign to wrap up early and head home.
“You seem to think it’s fine?”
The man said this with obvious delight.
“…….”
“Come on, just sit down already. I’ll get us something to apologize for my rudeness earlier.”
I hesitated for a moment, then sat down.
Goldilocks gets proper meal expenses, and besides, I have unlimited meal vouchers, but I can’t exactly turn down a free meal from someone.
Plus, the fact that Goldilocks is watching over this means the man probably isn’t dangerous.
“It’s nothing serious, but I’ve been working on something like this.”
Saying that, Morrison—the man’s name—spread a stack of magazines across the table.
The cover, featuring Gwangryun University in the background, had a chunky title emblazoned on it.
“Today’s University……?”
That title is absolutely terrible.
Thinking that, I carelessly flipped the cover, and then—
―Beep.
“Ugh!”
Morrison quickly covered the magazine with both hands, but a thin trickle of blood was already running from my nose.
“Oh, ah, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t expect you’d have such little tolerance for it.”
For some reason, Morrison apologized while glancing at Goldilocks.
But at this point I wasn’t even surprised. I wiped my nosebleed with a paper napkin and asked.
“It’s not a magazine for humans, is it?”
Morrison nodded vigorously.
“It hasn’t been officially published yet, but doesn’t this feel pretty good? Don’t you get that sense that this could really be a solid business venture?”
“Well…… I don’t know. Are there people out there who actually buy and read paper magazines these days……?”
Morrison waved his hand with exaggerated gestures. “That’s talk about the Human World. The Higher Beings view records in a much more sophisticated way. A tangible image, a tactile structure.”
Morrison held up the magazine proudly.
“The latest information from the Human World plus numerous interviews with Fortress residents! Who else in the Fortress would’ve thought to put something like this together?”
So it’s an information magazine about humans aimed at Higher Beings? That’s okay?
At any rate, from the way he’s talking, he’s definitely human. A human working as university staff—that’s pretty convenient.
Looking at the excited Morrison, I spoke.
“I get the general idea. So what exactly do you need from me? You haven’t told me that yet.”
“The thing is, this cover—isn’t it a bit dull? I mean, this isn’t even a high school newsletter. How are we supposed to catch anyone’s eye like this?”
“……Could you just get to the point?”
At my words, Morrison’s eyes lit up as if he’d been waiting for this.
“Amelie, would you become the cover model for the first issue of our ‘Today’s University’?”
“What……?”
This has to be a joke.
Morrison gestured for me to wait, then pulled something else from his briefcase. A tablet.
“I figured you probably haven’t seen it directly, so I brought the original footage specially prepared for you.”
“……What footage?”
Morrison held out the played video in front of me, as I just blinked blankly.
[I’ve been studying film a bit lately, you know. There’s this rule called setup and payoff—meaning that any setup presented at the start of a story must eventually be resolved.]
“……?”
[But look—the camera’s already zoomed in on this emergency exit twice. At this point, there’s no way it wouldn’t play some role later.]
I gasped and paused the video.
On the screen, I was grinning smugly while pointing directly at the camera.
“What, what, what is…… this…….”
“See? That defiant look in your eyes? That’s the kind of face cameras love. Look at the depth in your features!”
I remained frozen, not even hearing what Morrison was rattling on about.
Of course I remembered what happened at the Nest Building. I distinctly remembered how I’d provocatively posed and taunted Jusija.
But I’d never imagined that someone had actually been filming me the whole time.
“Why are you so shocked? Where else could you get such an impressive film debut?”
“But…… but that was all just a concept, wasn’t it? You’re saying that was actually a real ‘film’……?”
Wait, more than that—a ‘debut’?
“Are you telling me other people have seen this?!”
“It was quite a sensation. Though I don’t think any ‘humans’ were among the viewers. Say, why was Professor trying so hard to keep such talent hidden away?”
‘Ah.’
Now I understood.
〈Don’t look straight at the camera, I told you. You’re drawing all the attention.〉
So that’s what Mallo meant.
Jusija hadn’t just been roleplaying. What happened at the Nest Building had actually become a film that was being screened somewhere.
The audience? Probably Higher Beings.
“I understand you must be bewildered. But this is only the beginning. You, Amelie—you have the potential to become a Star! I didn’t happen to take notice of you during course registration for nothing!”
I stood up without listening further.
“I’m leaving. It’s time to clock out.”
Morrison shouted something at my back, but I didn’t hear it.
My mind fuzzy, I changed clothes and came out through the back door. That’s when I realized Morrison’s business card was still in my hand.
On impulse, I was about to tear it in half, when—
“I should probably get business cards made too.”
The sudden voice made me jump. Mallo, seeing my reaction, laughed in that easy way of his.
“Everyone seems to carry one around.”
“……What are you doing here?”
Before I could stop myself, my tone came out sharp.
Instead of answering, he extended his hand to me.
“……?”
Without thinking, I extended my right hand in return, and he tapped the tips of my fingers with a low chuckle.
“Not that one.”
“Huh?”
I opened the business card I’d been holding in my left hand.
He wanted this?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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