The Graduate Student Wants to Assassinate the Professor - Chapter 67

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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 67

Part 9: The Tale of Meeting a Rival at the Academic Conference

Leoryna wanted to die.
Not for any particular reason—it was simply that after spending several sleepless nights preparing her paper presentation for the conference, she now found herself yearning to perish and sleep eternally instead.
As Leoryna shuffled through the Conference Hall like a zombie, Khalid asked her in a cheerful voice.
“We have quite a bit of time before our turn. Should we listen to some other presentations? Which field interests you? I’m personally drawn to the topic of controlling and utilizing magical power radiated externally from the body.”
“Sigh….”
Leoryna, who simply wanted to find a suitable place to sit and rest rather than worry about presentations, exhaled deeply. But Khalid was already examining the guide pamphlet he’d received at the entrance, marking down presentations that intrigued him.
Pongko, who had been walking beside Leoryna, clicked his tongue at Khalid’s vibrant energy despite having stayed up all night in anticipation of academic exchange, calling him a research fanatic.
“Meeting you again this year, Professor Huaderica.”
Someone spoke to them in a crooked tone. When Leoryna lifted her head, an elf with an arrogant expression was staring at Khalid.
“I thought you’d be busy looking after your students. Oh, but you don’t have any students to look after, do you? They all fled your classes because you kept failing them or tormenting them.”
Khalid slowly rolled his eyes to regard him.
“There was no real need for us to exchange pleasantries, Yoprim Undreike. And you—I thought you were still making mistakes in your mental magic research, your memories coming and going?”
“I’m not senile.”
“I do have a student to look after.”
Leoryna glanced between the two of them, and when Khalid gestured toward her, she nodded politely in greeting.
“Hello.”
Khalid spoke with exaggerated pride.
“She’s my graduate student. Her name is Leoryna Yuren.”
Yoprim seemed genuinely shocked.
“A graduate student of that Huaderica lunatic? She must be either insane, out of her mind, or a pervert—yet she looks perfectly normal?”
“Professor, isn’t that person being openly rude?”
Leoryna whispered into Khalid’s ear.
“Yoprim is always like this in front of me. I hate him, and he hates me.”
“Why?”
“Why? Our research fields overlap, so we’re constantly competing over investors and trying to undercut each other.”
‘Isn’t that basically being in love, or at the very least being soulmates?’
Leoryna held back what she wanted to say and nodded awkwardly.
“Anyway. I’m looking forward to your presentation this year too. Though it’ll probably be more tedious than mine.”
“I have something to say about that.”
Khalid spoke while looking at Yoprim’s presentation topic, which was briefly summarized in the pamphlet.
“Your research on semi-permanent preservation of magical formulas—you couldn’t have conducted that research without the foundational theory I presented.”
At those words, Yoprim’s face showed a moment of realization. Khalid continued with an irritating smirk.
“Seems like you can’t do without me after all?”
“I’m going to kill that bastard today and be buried in Seraphinum’s embrace!”
As Yoprim’s voice grew louder and he began to rage, Khalid grabbed Leoryna and quickly fled.
“You bastard! Just you wait! I won’t let this slide!”
Yoprim’s seething voice followed the three fleeing figures from behind.
Leoryna and Pongko walked briskly without so much as a glance backward and asked.
“Did you really have to scratch him like that?”
“Why is Khalid being beaten?”
“It’s fun.”
Leoryna couldn’t fathom Khalid’s disposition—adding another reason for Yoprim to despise him when their relationship was already strained. Yet since Khalid seemed genuinely delighted, she held her tongue and said nothing more.
“Should we pick apart his presentation later with some pointed criticism?”
Khalid hummed a tune as he pulled Leoryna toward the Lecture Hall.

* * *

After parting with Khalid, Yoprim couldn’t bear his anxiety and gnawed at his lower lip.
Once celebrated as a prodigy, Yoprim had shown no significant achievements in recent years and had fallen into a slump.
He had barely managed to complete one research project worthy of presenting at the Academic Conference, but compared to his previous work, it was smaller in scope and lacked the impact to influence the academic world. Moreover, if he failed to secure investors this time, he would have to abandon the research entirely.
‘This is all because my previous investor attached himself to Professor Huaderica.’
Yoprim ground his teeth, thinking of Khalid—a thorn perpetually lodged beneath his skin, always irritating him.
When he had encountered Khalid moments ago, he had bluffed, but he harbored no genuine confidence that things would go smoothly. Compared to his previous research, this work was unremarkable, and he couldn’t be certain how much appeal it would hold for investors.
Still, if he packaged it well enough, someone would surely step forward to fund his research. Fortunately for Yoprim, Khalid’s field of research this time didn’t overlap with his own.
‘My pride takes a hit, but… at least I don’t have to compete with that damned bastard.’
With no desire to listen to other researchers’ presentations, Yoprim made his way to the Cafe on the first floor to collect himself over a cup of coffee.
“Oh, Dr. Yoprim Undreike.”
Someone called out to me, and I turned to see my face instantly shift into a professional smile.
“Chairman Jordiо!”
At Yoprim’s ingratiating demeanor, Jordiо smiled warmly and spoke.
“How have you been? How’s the research progressing?”
“I’ve been doing wonderfully, as always. Thanks to your support, Chairman, I was able to prepare for today’s presentation.”
“That’s fortunate indeed.”
Jordiо nodded contentedly with a satisfied smile.
“I’m looking forward to today’s presentation. As for support for follow-up research, I’ll decide after hearing what you have to say.”
“Yes, yes. I’m certain you’ll be satisfied!”
As Yoprim spoke with confident assurance, Jordiо patted his shoulder and left. But the moment Jordiо disappeared from view, Yoprim exhaled a deep sigh.
“Sigh… What am I going to do…”
He clutched his bag containing research materials tightly to his chest.
‘People need to find it interesting… somehow it’ll work out.’
Despite his lack of confidence, he had to project certainty, so Yoprim straightened his chest and walked forward. This was legitimate research with concrete results. All he needed to do was not fail during the presentation.

* * *

Khalid sat in a rather unbecoming posture, legs crossed, waiting for the next presenter. Beside him, Leoryna reviewed the research summary she had obtained beforehand, while Pongko, who had no interest whatsoever in such research, simply chewed on the carrot she had given him.
“Professor, regarding this person’s research… it seems some of it overlaps with your own work.”
“I’m aware.”
Khalid nodded with indifference.
“However, the direction differs from my research, and in terms of depth, mine is superior.”
Khalid seemed entirely unconcerned with Yoprim. Leoryna tilted her head in puzzlement.
“Still, if he presents first, won’t people later say that you followed his work?”
“That’s commonplace among researchers. Progress comes from mutual influence and exchange.”
“I suppose so.”
While they conversed, Yoprim entered the presentation hall. He bowed respectfully to the audience before displaying his research materials.
“Then, I shall present my research on maximizing efficiency in the semi-permanent preservation of magical formulas.”
“Hmph….”
At Yoprim’s opening remarks, Khalid let out a scoff of disdain.
Yoprim paid no attention to Khalid’s direction and continued explaining his research findings. Throughout the presentation, Khalid sat with his chin resting on his hand, listening intently in his own way.
Not because his research was fascinating. He was simply listening carefully to find fault. His transparent intentions were so obvious that Leoryna wore an expression of mild exasperation.
‘This is what happens when you make an enemy of a Demon Race member.’
I should have killed him before making an enemy of him.
Regardless of how disdainfully Leoryna regarded Khalid, he kept his eyes wide open and didn’t miss a single word of Yoprim’s presentation until it concluded.
“Well then… does anyone have questions?”
The moment those words left his mouth, Khalid’s hand shot up.

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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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