I'm Not the Mastermind

Chapter 32

『Yujin, may I ask you something?』

‘Go ahead, Tia.’

As Yujin walked toward where Professor Reina Sahart had retreated, having finished his conversation with the headmistress, he nodded at Tiamat’s question.

『You called that punishment for the headmistress, but all you did was forbid her from speaking about your identity as a dragon. Was that enough?』

‘Yes, it was sufficient.’

Yujin’s answer was straightforward, but Tiamat’s expression grew curious.

『I know it’s strange for me to say this now, but don’t you think you were much more lenient this time compared to what you did with that elf? Just letting her off with a gag order seems... uncharacteristically merciful.』

‘Ah, you’re referring to Mirien. The circumstances were different back then.’

Yujin chuckled quietly before replying to Tiamat.

‘Honestly, the blame falls largely on me. Just because I was appointed as a professor at the academy doesn’t mean I had the right to trespass. Even if I had my reasons, heading toward the student dormitories without proper authorization was inappropriate. From the headmistress’s perspective, I must have seemed like an intruder.’

『Hmm...』

‘The headmistress had every right to try and stop what she thought was a trespasser. So her actions weren’t entirely unjustified. Punishing her severely for that would’ve been unreasonable.’

As Yujin spoke, he glanced back at the headmistress, who was trailing nervously behind him. Her timid demeanor made him chuckle softly, and he addressed Tiamat once more.

‘That’s why I let it go. Even if she harbored hostility and killing intent toward me due to her misunderstanding, her actions were ultimately justified. I simply accounted for that.’

『I see. That makes sense.』

‘Of course, I still imposed the restriction regarding my identity as a dragon. It’s better to keep that under wraps for now.’

Dragon Tongue could alter even the laws of reality. Inscribing a binding decree into a single human soul was trivial for Yujin.

When considered in that light, the power of dragons truly was unfair. To think a single word could control a person’s fate so completely.

‘Then again, that’s the way it is with those in power.’

Yujin chuckled bitterly at the thought and continued walking.

Meanwhile, Reina Sahart was pacing nervously in the headmistress’s office, which was located in the deepest part of the academy. She stared out the window toward the garden with an anxious expression.

Having brought the princess to what she believed to be the safest location, Reina felt both relieved and uneasy. Nothing had happened so far, which struck her as strange.

‘No incidents at all... What’s going on?’

The garden, which should have been the center of chaos, was eerily quiet. There was only silence.

Could it be that they’d relocated to avoid drawing attention? But would that man really leave so easily?

She couldn’t tell. Perhaps everything had ended before she could react, or maybe this was all just a misunderstanding on their part.

The latter felt like wishful thinking, but without knowing the true extent of that man’s power, Reina couldn’t help but cling to that hope.

After all, he had effortlessly subdued even the Archmage, the president of the Mage Association. While she didn’t want to believe the headmistress would be easily defeated, the worst-case scenario loomed in her mind.

Hoping it wasn’t the worst-case scenario, Reina could only watch the princess, who was lying on the office sofa, her expression conflicted.

Suddenly, the door clicked open.

“!”

Reina turned immediately.

"Headmistress!"

She breathed a sigh of relief as the familiar figure entered. The fiery red hair and noble golden eyes of the headmistress were unmistakable. Reina’s tense expression softened.

"Professor Sahart," Ines Karrandar greeted her with a smile.

"Thank goodness... I was so worried something might have happened to you."

Reina hurried toward the headmistress but froze mid-step as something caught her eye.

"Hello, Professor Sahart. Haha, it feels like we’re meeting after two days, doesn’t it?"

A man with jet-black hair and inscrutable eyes stood just behind the headmistress, as if nothing had happened.

Yujin.

He was there, casually following the headmistress as if they were simply acquaintances.

"How... Why...?"

"Ah, Professor Sahart. There’s no need to be alarmed. This person... No, Professor Yujin is not a black mage."

Seeing Reina’s eyes shake as though an earthquake had struck her pupils, Headmistress Ines quickly tried to explain.

"It was all a misunderstanding on our part. So please, calm down and hear us out."

"......"

Reina paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Right... She had considered the possibility that this was all a misunderstanding. After all, they had no solid evidence—only circumstantial clues that painted a suspicious picture.

Maybe it really was just a misunderstanding. If that were the case, there was no reason to overreact.

‘But... this person...?’

‘Being a professor here should be interesting. I’m already thinking about what to teach the students and how to prepare.’

『You seem quite excited. It’s good to see. Do your best.』

Immersed in this conversation, Yujin hardly noticed the awkward tension.

Eventually, they arrived at the staff accommodations. Yujin’s first impression was one of admiration.

"Oh, this is quite an impressive place."

The staff residence was a luxurious facility, rivaling the opulence of a modern five-star hotel. With amenities like a swimming pool, hot springs, and a spa, it was a place even professors with separate residences frequently used as a retreat.

"Professor Yujin, you’ll be staying here from now on."

"Understood. Thank you for showing me the way."

After a pause, Reina hesitated before speaking again. "I... I’d like to apologize once more. My misunderstanding caused you undue trouble, Professor Yujin."

"Hmm."

Yujin turned to look at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

‘...I feel like playing a little prank.’

With a faint smile that seemed both amused and cryptic, he spoke. "It’s fine."

"But—"

"No, really. It’s fine. Besides, it wasn’t entirely a misunderstanding."

"...Pardon?"

Reina’s eyes widened slightly as she looked up at him. The man before her smiled in a way that reminded her of a snake about to strike, his expression unreadable.

"Professor Sahart, do you know what pus is?"

"Pus...?"

Her confusion deepened. Why was he suddenly bringing up such a topic?

"When a wound becomes infected and pus accumulates, it must be drained before the wound festers and rots away. What about demonic energy?"

"...!!!"

Her eyes widened further, her face paling as she processed his words.

"What happens when sealed demonic energy festers and rots away? I wonder... How should we handle it? Truly, it’s a perplexing problem, isn’t it?"

Tap. Tap.

She unconsciously took a step back, her body trembling slightly.

"Y-you..."

"Professor Sahart, you have a sharp intuition. I actually like people like you."

Step.

Yujin took a step forward, and Reina retreated two steps in response.

"Playing it safe is good, but isn’t it dreadfully boring? Sometimes, adding a bit of thrill makes work much more enjoyable, don’t you think?"

"......"

"So, shall we play a game?"

Yujin’s smile was radiant, almost innocent in its purity. But the words that followed were anything but.

"Try to guess who I really am. Then, reveal the truth."

"...!"

"Simple, isn’t it?"

Reina, her face ashen, took several steps back before abruptly turning and running down the corridor.

Yujin watched her flee with mild amusement before calmly entering his assigned room.

『Yujin.』

Tiamat, who had observed the scene, looked at him with a puzzled expression.

『Why did you say such strange things to her? Were you trying to scare her?』

"Ah, that?" Yujin feigned indifference, looking off to the side before grinning. "It was just a little prank."

『......』

"Honestly, I just felt like teasing her a bit. Since I was already mistaken for a black mage, I thought I’d lean into it and act the part. How was it? Convincing, wasn’t it?"

Tiamat sighed internally, her expression a mix of exasperation and resignation.

『Too convincing. You’re quite the troublemaker, aren’t you?』

"Thank you for the compliment."

『It wasn’t a compliment.』

"Ah..."

Yujin scratched his head awkwardly, a sheepish smile on his face.