The Graduate Student Wants to Assassinate the Professor - Chapter 61

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

Chapter 61

The microphone had cut out, but Khalid didn’t step down from the podium. Instead, he continued his speech with a booming voice, forcing the words out with sheer determination.
“So! To conclude with a few final remarks—this is something other races must also work toward, but nations that have accepted the Demon Race as citizens must increase welfare benefits for them at a national level. Do you understand?! Do you?!”
Khalid had no choice but to wrap up his speech there.
Clap, clap, clap…
The applause sounded noticeably more subdued than before.
Even after his speech ended, Khalid remained on the podium, scanning the crowd as he spoke.
“Any final questions?”
Someone brave enough raised their hand.
“Um… there are rumors circulating that the Demon Race intends to establish their own nation. What are your thoughts on this?”
“I support it. We would certainly prefer to have our own nation. We wouldn’t need to scatter ourselves across different lands, and we wouldn’t face discrimination. Do you understand how sorrowful it is not to have a country of our own? Nations founded by humans are more convenient for humans to live in, and nations founded by elves are more convenient for elves. But a nation founded by the Demon Race? There isn’t one, is there? So how inconvenient must it be for us?”
The crowd murmured at Khalid’s cold, rapid-fire words delivered without pause for breath.
“But even so, wouldn’t there be territorial issues?”
“That’s precisely what we need to resolve.”
“How do you propose that? No nation willingly surrenders its own territory.”
…
Khalid fell silent for a moment before continuing.
“We must find a way to divide the land peacefully.”
Leoryna, who had been listening to Khalid’s words, flinched.
‘The land splits apart.’
It was an expression from the oracle.
‘I don’t know what Khalid is thinking. But is he really going to become the Demon King? Is he planning to split the land of this world as the Demon King?’
Recently, Leoryna had been uncertain whether Khalid truly matched the figure in the oracle, but with such precise phrasing aligning perfectly, she could only conclude that Pope Beronas’s prediction was correct.
‘But is it even possible to divide land peacefully?’
“So what exactly do you mean?”
As if reading Leoryna’s thoughts, someone posed the question. Khalid let out a deep sigh and responded in a rather irritated tone.
“If I knew that, would I be standing here doing this?”
“Ah…”
The questioner was left speechless by Khalid’s confident answer, and Leoryna found herself equally stunned.
His blunt response made the attentive audience seem foolish, leaving everyone wondering what purpose all his scathing criticism up to this point had served.
‘Now that I think about it, a peaceful method… dividing the land doesn’t necessarily have to lead to war. There could be a nation willing to give up territory somewhere…’
But Leoryna quickly shook her head.
‘What foolish nation would do that? War will inevitably break out. There’s no such thing as a peaceful solution.’
While Leoryna remained lost in thought, Khalid received another question.
“Any other questions?”
But silence fell over the crowd. Khalid confirmed there were no further questions and gave a slight nod.
“Thank you.”
With an unusually dignified bearing, he raised his chin and descended from the lecture platform.
Khalid flopped down beside Zigzagel, Leoryna, and Shebril, crossing his arms and legs.
“What, why, what.”
Ignoring the three piercing gazes fixed upon him, Khalid asked bluntly.
“He’s my friend, but he’s remarkable, truly.”
At Zigzagel’s ambiguous remark—whether admiration or sarcasm—Khalid snorted.
“I don’t know. I’ve never said anything wrong.”
“In any case….”
The three exhaled in unison.
Then a shadow fell across Khalid’s path. Oddrigo had approached unnoticed and stood before him with a smile.
“Professor Huaderica. Please come to my office a little later.”
All three except Khalid wore expressions of doom. Yet Khalid nodded with unshakeable confidence.
“How fortunate. I had something to discuss with you as well.”
As Khalid showed not the slightest hint of remorse or intimidation, Oddrigo’s smile deepened.
Leoryna laughed helplessly, her expression one of resignation.
‘I know nothing. What good would my worry do?’
Khalid’s fate was none of her concern. Whether his affairs turned to ash or flourished, her role was to remain at his side, waiting for an opening to strike—to slit his throat cleanly….
‘Remain at his side…?’
Leoryna came to her senses belatedly with a gasp.
‘Wait. If Khalid gets fired from the Academy because of this, my infiltration as a Graduate School student becomes completely pointless, doesn’t it?’
Leoryna’s eyes wavered as she glanced back and forth between Khalid and Oddrigo. But Khalid merely continued to sit with his legs crossed, tapping his toes idly.
‘Please, please don’t charge at the Rector again!’
Leoryna wept silently within.

* * *

“Professor Huaderica.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Before Oddrigo could say another word, Khalid seized the initiative. He leaned his elbow against the sofa’s armrest, slouching at an angle as he continued.
“You mentioned wanting to increase the number of Demon Race students, didn’t you? Most demons receive little formal education beyond High Academy. They learn magic from their families instead. But Halderion Academy’s structure requires a High Academy diploma for admission.”
“And?”
“Grant the Demon Race a privilege to enter Halderion Academy without requiring a High Academy diploma.”
“Hmm.”
Oddrigo fell silent in thought before speaking.
“But if that happens, other students will certainly object.”
“I told you—what the Demon Race needs now isn’t fair opportunity, but privilege and advantage. Objections? Who cares? If they don’t like it, they can become demons themselves.”
“I understand. Since you put it that way, I’ve given it considerable thought while listening to your speech.”
“I’m honored.”
“We’ll revise the system to allow the Demon Race to enter Halderion Academy without a High Academy diploma. I have the authority to make that decision.”
“That’s excellent.”
“And I’m willing to establish this admission track starting with next year’s cohort immediately.”
“I always say the Chancellor and I understand each other perfectly.”
“To accomplish this, we’ll need to review this year’s admission process and promote the new track to the Demon Race.”
Khalid nodded in agreement once more.
“In my opinion, promotion alone won’t suffice. I think establishing a recommendation admission system where we directly scout and nominate talented demons would be equally beneficial.”
“I agree. Since there are already many exceptional demons, even this much should draw considerable interest.”
Every word from the Chancellor satisfied me completely.
People really do need to push forward first and worry later. That’s how you actually get something done. Yes, absolutely.
“Then going forward, Professor Huaderica will participate in scouting Demon Race talent.”
At those words, my head tilted sideways where it rested against my arm.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why… why me?”
“Because you’re our Academy’s only Demon Race professor.”
“Uh…”
“If I were to find someone who understands the Demon Race’s nature better than anyone and possesses the eye to identify exceptional students, no one would be more suitable than Professor Huaderica.”
“Haha, well, that’s not entirely wrong, but…”
I forced my twitching lips upward and continued speaking.
“I have research piling up… you know how it is. I have over twenty ongoing projects alone…”
“A professor’s duties extend beyond research. If you only wanted to conduct research, you should have taken a position at a Research Institute. Professors must scout and teach students while also participating in Academy affairs.”
“Ugh…”
I clutched my head and groaned. I couldn’t argue against the Chancellor’s words. After all, her every statement could alter my research budget.
“You’ll do it, won’t you?”
“…”
“Hmm?”
“Fine, fine! I’ll do it! Just let me do it already!”
“Very well.”
Oddrigo interlaced his fingers with evident satisfaction, resting his chin upon them.
“Then let us anticipate the remarkable achievements of Professor Huaderica.”

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