The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 118

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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 118
Her body felt weightless, as though she were suspended in zero gravity even though her feet touched the ground.
Unable to find words for this strange sensation, Rachel could only tighten her grip on Lucas’s hand.
“Rachel.”
“Yes, Lucas.”
Rachel answered softly. At the same moment, his form began to fade. Startled, she reached out to grasp him, but his figure vanished in an instant.
‘What am I supposed to do now?’
With Lucas, she could endure anything. Alone like this, fear crashed over her. Rachel’s expression hardened.
—Rachel Swan.

Someone called her name. The terror was overwhelming.

Yet Rachel could guess who was calling to her.
‘…The Sun God.’
Rachel drew a deep breath and maintained her composure, acting as though nothing were amiss.
“Yes, Sun God.”
Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.
—You are not of this world.

The Sun God’s voice resonated through her body.

‘Does he want an answer?’
It seemed she had to answer truthfully. Rachel managed to nod.
“No, I am not of this world.”
—So you are not of this world, yet you seek my Recognition. Is this what you mean?

She tried to read emotion in the Sun God’s voice, but he revealed nothing. Because of this, conversing with him felt impossibly difficult.

—Rachel Swan.

The Sun God spoke her name. Rachel held her breath, waiting for what would come next.

—I do not see why I should grant you Recognition when you are not of this world. Not when you have proven nothing to me.

The Sun God was right. Rachel had proven nothing to him. In such a state, there was no reason whatsoever for him to acknowledge her.

“What must I prove to you?”
—Show me your will.

The Sun God’s voice resonated through Rachel’s body once more.

‘My will…’
Rachel considered what her will truly was.
‘To make Tirnes a strong nation, to nurture countless children through education—that is my will.’
Rachel’s conviction was unshakeable. She would establish a school so that every child in Tirnes could learn to read.
With this clarity, she spoke without hesitation.
“I will make Tirnes a strong nation. I will share much with the children of today who will lead Tirnes in the future. Every child in Tirnes will attend school and learn to read.”
—A foolish dream.

The Sun God dismissed her words lightly. Yet Rachel continued.

“Please believe in me. I will ensure that every child in Tirnes receives proper education.”
Rachel spoke with fierce conviction to the Sun God. Then came a soft laugh.
—Lucas Maxim spoke words much like yours to me.

“Really…?”

Was Lucas also being tested by him? Rachel’s thoughts turned to him.
—Though I cannot trust you, I find myself wishing to trust Lucas Maxim.

Power infused the Sun God’s voice. In that moment, Rachel understood that he had made his decision.

—Rachel Swan.

“Yes…!”

Rachel answered at once. Then before her appeared a figure of light in human form.
‘The Sun God…’
The Sun God had revealed himself. Without thinking, Rachel bowed deeply to him.
—I will grant Lucas Maxim my Recognition.

“You… you truly mean that…?!”

—However, I shall withhold my judgment on you.

Though Rachel had believed both would be acknowledged, the Sun God remained resolute.

“If you withhold judgment…”
—Return to me in five years. In five years, I shall verify whether the promises you have made are properly fulfilled.

“I will keep my promise!”

Rachel answered with a radiant smile. Her voice carried an unmistakable note of triumph.
—Go. Return with Lucas Maxim.

The Sun God raised his hand. A brilliant light engulfed Rachel’s body. Her weightless form suddenly grew heavy, descending downward. Her feet, which had drifted through emptiness, came to rest upon cold marble.

The light withdrew. Rachel became aware of the warmth lingering in her hand.
It was Lucas. The hand holding hers.
A sea of faces. A dais in the midst of them. And above it, Lucas and herself standing side by side.
The situation was unmistakable. The Sun God’s trial had ended.
Lucas, who had been regarding Rachel with gentle eyes, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
He drew the blade.
The sword blazed with golden light.
Roooar!
A thunder of acclamation erupted from the crowd. Lucas—he had finally won the Sun God’s Recognition.
* * *
The moment Lucas received the Sun God’s Recognition, the Emperor clutched the back of his neck and staggered.
The Sun God’s Recognition that he himself had never obtained—his own son had just claimed it. With the First Emperor’s Sword, no less.
‘The entire empire backs Lucas.’
The Emperor trembled with fear. The Empress, in particular, had her hand pressed to her forehead and could barely rise from her seat.
‘If it has come to this, then perhaps….’
The Emperor steeled himself.
“Summon Lucas.”
As the Emperor, having gathered his thoughts, called for Lucas, the Empress seized his hand urgently.
“Your Majesty, what are you thinking?”
“And why shouldn’t I think it?”
“Your Majesty!”
No one read the room better than the Empress. She grasped the mood at once and shook her head in horror.
“You mustn’t! You cannot do this!”
“He is my son by blood. Surely he would not harm me.”
You need not worry—he shares your bloodline—but I do not, and that is precisely the problem…!
The Empress barely held back the cry that threatened to burst from her throat. Then she grasped the Emperor’s hand and shook it desperately.
“Your Majesty! Please, I beg you—reconsider!”
“Hmm….”
The Emperor was immovable. He had already made his decision.
* * *
“I’m told the Emperor wishes to see me.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The Emperor had shown no reaction since Lucas received the Sun God’s Recognition. Now, belatedly, he summoned the Crown Prince.
Lucas rose from his seat and extended his hand to Rachel.
“Rachel, come with me.”
“Am I to come as well…?”
“You should hear this too. It concerns you as much as anyone.”
At Lucas’s words, Rachel placed her hand in his.
‘What could this be about?’
It seemed likely the Emperor meant to conclude the negotiations regarding the Sun God’s Recognition. He would appoint her as Crown Princess, perhaps, and authorize the construction of the school.
‘Whatever else happens, I’m truly grateful about the school.’
Rachel smiled quietly. With teachers, textbooks, and students all prepared, only the Emperor’s approval remained.
‘But my appointment as Crown Princess….’
Beyond the matter of the school itself, Rachel felt some anxiety about assuming such a lofty position. She wondered whether she possessed the ability to fill such a role.
‘I will trust in Lucas.’
Rachel resolved to have faith in him. However uncertain she might be, if she walked at his side, all would be well.
The Imperial Palace came into view. Rachel walked with studied composure. Lucas likewise walked beside her as though nothing weighed upon him.
‘Perhaps he carries the same feelings as I do.’
Rachel felt her heart pounding roughly. When they stood before the Audience Chamber, the rhythm of her heartbeat grew even more intense.
The chamber doors slid open. Rachel entered the Audience Chamber with Lucas.
Many high-ranking nobles filled the chamber. Before Rachel could even wonder why they were here, the Emperor spoke.
“Lucas Maksim.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Lucas bowed his head in respect. Then the Emperor, punctuated by fits of coughing, spoke once more.
“From this day forward, I shall cede my throne to Crown Prince Lucas Maksim.”
‘……!’
The Emperor’s declaration struck the chamber like thunder. Rachel froze, her eyes fixed upon the Emperor.
“In exchange, you must guarantee the safety of myself and the Empress. Before these witnesses who stand here.”
The weakened Emperor laid bare his true intent. This was the final negotiation he could manage.

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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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