The Graduate Student Wants to Assassinate the Professor - Chapter 60

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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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Chapter 60

Part 8: The Honor of the Demon Race

“What exactly are you asking me to do?”
Khalid regarded Shebril, who had sought him out, with eyes as cold as rotting fish.
“Well, you see, the Sentient Species Peace Accord Organization has designated Halderion Academy as a model multi-racial academy this time, and to commemorate it, each race is supposed to give a speech. We were hoping you might do the same, Professor.”
“Why me?”
“Because you are the only Demon Race professor at our academy, sir.”
Shebril bounced on her feet with an earnest expression.
“Would you consider it?”
“Ugh, how bothersome. Forget it. I’m not doing it.”
“Please, won’t you at least try?”
“Come on, Khalid. Occasionally giving a speech on a topic outside your field of expertise isn’t so bad, is it?”
Leoryna and Zigzagel urged him again from beside him, but Khalid continued while scratching his ear.
“You’re just trying to drag me into this because you have to give a speech yourself, aren’t you, Zigzagel?”
Zigzagel then nodded vigorously.
“Exactly. Since I have to do it, I’d like you to join me. We’re best friends, after all.”
“Is that what best friends are? I’m done being your best friend. Leave me alone.”
“Just do it. How hard can giving a speech be?”
When Leoryna spoke as if it were someone else’s problem, Khalid replied with genuine irritation.
“I said no! I’m already swamped with my research! Where would I find time for such a speech?!”
“But Professor, there’s even a participation fee….”
“Which amounts to nothing but pocket lint.”
Khalid waved his hand dismissively, shaking his head firmly.
“I’m not doing it. I’m not.”
“Come now, Professor, please don’t be like that….”
“No! I said I’m not doing it!”
Khalid protested vehemently, but his resistance did not last long.
“You will do it.”
Oddrigo, the Chancellor of Halderion Academy, issued the command with unwavering authority, then lifted her teacup with an elegant gesture and took a sip of the tea Leoryna had poured for her.
Khalid buried his face in his hands and let out a silent scream.
“You are the only member of the Demon Race among our faculty. I find it unacceptable that you would shirk such a responsibility.”
“Why is it unacceptable?”
“Currently, humans comprise 54% of our academy, elves 28%, Dragons 11%, and hybrids approximately 6%. The Demon Race, however, accounts for less than 1%.”
“So what?”
“I wish to encourage enrollment from diverse races. Since there are inherent differences in the characteristics of each species, the curricula suited to the development of humans, elves, and Dragons must necessarily differ. This is why our academy conducts specialized classes tailored to each race. However, as long as the Demon Race remains a minority, the shortage of their numbers….”
“Makes it difficult to maintain those classes?”
“Precisely. Opening a class for only a handful of students places an undue burden on the academy. Given our perpetual shortage of faculty due to budgetary constraints, it is simply not feasible.”
“That’s true.”
“Professor Huaderica. I wish to increase the number of Demon Race students at our Academy.”
At Oddrigo’s words, Khalid’s eyebrows twitched.
“Since you’re also of the Demon Race, I thought you’d understand my position.”
Khalid let out a pained groan.
“For the future of the Demon Race…”
“Ugh…”
“Activities outside of lectures are also reflected in your professor evaluation. It’s an opportunity to make up for that pathetic evaluation of yours…”
“Fine, fine! I get it! I’ll do it!”
Khalid raised both his hands and feet in surrender. He huffed indignantly and threatened Oddrigo.
“You won’t regret this later, will you?”
Oddrigo laughed without fear, swallowing his tea with a gulp.
“Then I look forward to it.”

* * *

The day of the event.
Khalid came to work as usual, lectured as usual, and conducted research as usual. Leoryna watched as the time for the Species Exchange Event drew near, yet Khalid paid it no mind whatsoever, and she asked him.
“Professor, aren’t you preparing your speech for the Species Exchange Event?”
“I did.”
Leoryna scanned Khalid’s desk but found no speech notes or preparation materials.
“There’s no script. And I’ve never seen you writing one either.”
At that, Khalid tapped his index finger against his head.
“It’s all up here.”
“Hmm…”
Leoryna’s eyes narrowed.
‘Will that really be okay?’
Confident that no script was necessary, Khalid left his Research Laboratory just as the speech time was approaching and headed toward the Event Venue.

* * *

By the time Leoryna arrived at the Event Venue following Khalid, Zigzagel had just descended from the podium after concluding his speech. Zigzagel grumbled at Khalid for his belated appearance.
“Why are you only now arriving?”
“I’m not late.”
The Host, noticing Khalid’s arrival, promptly called out his name. Applause rippled through the audience, and Khalid took the podium with a lackadaisical demeanor.
Leoryna spotted Shebril seated in the front row and took the seat beside her.
“Good evening. I am Kaladniel Sigelo Huaderica.”
Khalid cleared his throat several times, then surveyed the people seated before him as he spoke.
“Dragons are revered as divine beings beyond the reach of other races. Humans are regarded as diligent, progressive peoples with exceptional cooperation. Elves are called forest sages, shrouded in mystery. Dwarves are thought of as noble, steadfast craftsmen. But…”
Khalid’s voice took on a sharp edge.
“What of the Demon Race? They are treated as monsters. They lack proper nations, scattered and dispersed, breeding social problems and crime—darkness incarnate. This is how other races perceive the Demon Race. Is this coexistence?”
A direct assault! He had struck from the very opening!
The audience froze at Khalid’s words, and Leoryna, Zigzagel, and Shebril stared at him in shock. Yet Khalid did not pause.
“The Demon Race has a high crime rate? That’s a fact. I acknowledge it. But why would it be high? This societal structure—which makes basic survival impossible without resorting to crime—is what drives the Demon Race into criminality.”
From this point onward, Khalid began rattling off the reality that the Demon Race, being a minority, received inferior treatment compared to other races in each nation, and the unjust structures they endured.
“Therefore, is this not precisely the moment when other races must abandon their prejudices against the Demon Race?”
“Um, um, um, um, shouldn’t someone stop him?”
Leoryna trembled as she pointed a quivering finger at Khalid, asking those around her, but the Host instead listened with evident fascination to Khalid’s words.
“Why is there only one Demon Race professor in this Academy? Because of prejudice against the Demon Race! Many complete only basic education before abandoning their studies.”
Zigzagel muttered with reluctant acknowledgment.
“Well… he’s not wrong.”
Which meant there was no reason to stop him.
“But coexistence? Coooexistence? On this tilted playing field, the Demon Race must first receive preferential treatment, not mere coexistence!”
Khalid continued his tirade for another thirty minutes. So earnestly did he speak that he gulped down water from his bottle without ceasing his words.
The Host, who had initially enjoyed the spectacle, grew increasingly anxious as time wore on, watching Khalid consume the event schedule. Eventually, he reluctantly picked up the microphone.
“Um, Professor Huaderica?”
“What?”
“I believe we should conclude your speech now… there are time constraints.”
“I still have much more to say.”
Faced with Khalid’s obstinate refusal, the Host chuckled and pressed a button on the device beside him. Khalid’s microphone went dead.
“So, regarding the current situation… what? Why is this happening?”
As Khalid tapped the microphone while glaring at the Host, the Host made a zipping motion across his lips with his hand.
“Hey! I haven’t finished yet! I have so much more to say!”
Khalid’s protest fell on deaf ears.

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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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