Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 295: World Tree Specialist (1)

Once the meeting ended, everyone was given time to regroup.

Ludger left the tent and made his way to a secluded spot behind the temporary storage unit where relief supplies were being distributed.

"Hans."

"You’re here?"

Hans, who had been waiting there, stood up from the wooden crate he had been sitting on.

It looked like he’d gone through a rough time in the sewers—his complexion was noticeably haggard.

"I received the information you passed on. Good work."

"Honestly, I was surprised. Since when were you acquainted with the Imperial Royal Guard? That Passius guy. He’s a Swordmaster, isn’t he?"

"I haven’t known him long. We met after I entered the Imperial Castle."

"And yet you introduced him to me and Bellaruna without a second thought?"

"Don’t worry. He’s someone we can trust. Or rather, a subordinate of someone trustworthy."

Truthfully, Ludger didn’t trust the First Princess completely—but for now, they were in the same boat under the name of alliance, so it didn’t matter.

"Well then..."

Hans didn’t question it further.

Just as Passius had recognized something odd about Hans, Hans had seen through the darkness in Passius as well.

Despite being a Royal Guard, the man gave off an unusually dark aura compared to the other knights.

And lately, Hans’s sense of smell had become noticeably sharper—he’d picked up the stench of blood that couldn’t be masked. The kind of blood scent that lingered only in the underworld.

"Still, having someone that strong we can rely on isn’t a bad thing, I suppose."

"Let’s skip ahead and get to the point. Hans, what exactly did you see down there?"

He’d already heard Passius’s report, but not the full details.

"Well..."

Hans began to recount what he’d seen and experienced underground to Ludger.

The dead World Tree. The chimeras.

And the massive underground facility beneath the sewer tunnels.

"I honestly couldn’t go deeper. No matter how unexpectedly powerful Bellaruna turned out to be, that place was crawling with dangerous bastards. We had no choice but to retreat before we could even touch the World Tree."

"Because of the Liberation Army officers and the black mages?"

"Exactly. And judging by the chimeras’ level of completion, those black mages down there are definitely not average. In fact, it’s not just one or two of them. They’re moving as a team."

"A team? Got any guesses who they might be?"

"You know how black mages usually work alone, right?"

"Most of them are lone wolves."

"That’s ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) because when criminals cluster together, they attract attention. Still, some black mages get along and stick together. There are even groups that work in numbers."

Ludger thought of the Bug Brothers.

They’d used insect magic and, true to their name, had always operated together as siblings.

Both had died by Ludger’s hand, of course.

So it made sense—black mages weren’t always solitary.

"There are even factions among black mages. I’m not sure how formal they are, but they refer to themselves that way, so let’s go with it."

"Factions, huh. I get the idea. So you're saying one of those groups is involved in this?"

"Exactly. The ones into biotechnology."

"I’ve heard of them."

"They deal with artificial lifeforms, chimeras—trying to extend human lifespan. They used to be proper mages, but they were branded criminals after dabbling in human experimentation. I’ve no clue how they ended up teaming up with the Liberation Army."

Among black mages, the Biotechnology School was infamous for being shut-ins who devoted themselves solely to research.

Now those same people were cooperating with a rebel group trying to overthrow the Empire? It didn’t add up.

But Ludger had a theory.

"It’s probably the work of the Black Dawn Society."

"The Black Dawn?"

"Yes. They’ve got some kind of link with black mages. Every secret facility they use for research always has a black mage or two lurking around."

Even in the abandoned factory where Ludger met Victor Dreadpool, a First Order of the Society, there had been a black mage.

One who had modified his own body to the point where he could tear knights apart with his bare hands.

If that counted as biotechnology, then it was easy to deduce which First Order might be involved this time.

"So, you're saying the connection between the Liberation Army and the black mages includes the Black Dawn Society?"

"That’s the only conclusion that makes sense."

"Tch. That means we’ve got even more to investigate. Looks like it'll take more time to gather solid intel."

"I heard the rats can’t get underground, making surveillance difficult."

"That’s what I thought, too..."

"From your tone, sounds like that’s changed?"

"Yeah. Not on my own, though—I had help from that elf girl."

"Bellaruna?"

"She might not look it, but she’s dead serious about pharmacology and alchemy. A lot of the herbs and substances she studies have roots in biology."

"True."

She always tried to get her hands on samples from Hans and use him for her experiments.

If Ludger weren’t around—or if the two of them hadn’t both come from Owens—Hans would’ve long been tied up on some dissection table in Bellaruna’s lab.

As Ludger was thinking that, Hans began describing his encounter with the chimera underground.

"But then that girl dissected one of the chimeras, and suddenly she’s figuring things out left and right."

"What did she find?"

"I’m not exactly sure. But she did something—gave the captured chimera some kind of injection."

"An injection."

"And here’s the crazy part. After that injection, the chimera suddenly became docile. And then... well, I could control it."

Oh?

Ludger raised his brows with genuine interest for the first time.

"Did it strengthen your power over them?"

"More like the opposite. I couldn’t control that chimera before—but after the injection, I could. According to Bellaruna, she tweaked something in its brain to alter how it processed command recognition. I didn’t really get the details, so I just let it slide. Anyway, we planted a few of those chimeras in enemy territory."

The path that had been blocked off due to the rats’ inability to scout underground was now reopened—thanks to the chimeras.

That hadn’t been the plan when he assigned Bellaruna to the team, but it turned out to be an unexpectedly effective combination. Ludger was quietly impressed.

"So how long will it take?"

"Hard to say. The underground is deep and practically a labyrinth."

"But given enough time, you’ll learn more."

"That’s right. Give it just a bit longer and we’ll probably uncover the location of the chimera breeding facilities—and the identities of the black mages working there."

"And even the World Tree itself."

"Ah, about that—Bellaruna asked me to pass something along to you."

"Bellaruna did?"

Hans hesitated a moment, then spoke as if making up his mind.

"She wanted to know if you’d be willing to take her back down to the facility one more time."

* * *

The city was in motion.

Police worked to reassure citizens and guide evacuations. The Capital Defense Force maintained order in the streets.

Scars remained wherever the city had been damaged.

Citizens mourned the destruction of their homes—grieving and distressed.

But they couldn’t wallow in sorrow forever.

The chimeras had retreated, but the situation was far from over.

No one knew when the enemies would return.

To prevent that, the infiltration team had to act fast.

“......”

“......”

Ludger Cherish and Chris Bennimore.

The two stood facing each other in front of an open manhole cover.

Neither had expected to be working together like this.

But unlike before, there was no barking or power struggle between them.

Ludger had never paid Chris much mind anyway—but even Chris seemed unusually calm now.

"I have one question."

Chris was the first to speak.

Despite Ludger’s recent appointment as Operations Director, Chris didn’t speak to him formally.

Ludger hadn’t expected him to, so he didn’t care.

"What is it you’re curious about?"

"Where is the specialist that’s supposed to be coming with us?"

Chris had heard in advance from Ludger that someone else would be joining them for the mission.

Someone with deep expertise related to the World Tree.

"They’ll be here soon."

No sooner had Ludger spoken than someone came sprinting from afar.

Breathless and rushing toward them was a red-haired elf—Bellaruna.

Chris widened his eyes behind his glasses in surprise.

It was understandable.

Ludger hadn’t mentioned the expert was an elf.

"An elf? So that’s why you called her—because she’s a specialist on the World Tree."

"Are your doubts cleared?"

"Not yet. Can we trust that elf?"

Chris, known even at Seorn for his meticulous nature, was nothing if not thorough.

To suddenly drop an unknown elf into such a critical role without even stating her name or credentials? It was understandable that he’d be wary.

‘A natural question to ask,’ Ludger thought.

Ludger knew that no matter how eloquently he spoke, there was no way to extinguish the spark of suspicion Chris carried.

But he had already prepared a response for this exact situation.

“First Princess Aileen has given her personal endorsement.”

“......”

At the mention of the First Princess, Chris only furrowed his brows slightly and didn’t press further.

Ludger’s demeanor was simply too confident to question whether he was telling the truth.

Of course, in reality, First Princess Aileen had neither recommended Bellaruna nor vouched for her.

Ludger had borrowed her name entirely on his own.

‘But so what?’

They both knew how things worked behind the scenes. A small lie like this was negligible.

And even if Chris did end up asking the First Princess later whether she’d sent Bellaruna, Ludger was confident Aileen would sense the situation and say she had.

She’d likely be irritated that he used her name without permission—but then again, Ludger could just consider it revenge for the way she tried to mess with him during the meeting.

Chris considered it for a moment, then eventually nodded.

Just in time, Bellaruna came running up to them.

She looked at Chris with wide eyes and gave a polite bow.

“H-Hehe. Hello! I’m Bellaruna Petanada. Please take care of me.”

“...Chris Bennimore.”

After the brief introductions, the three of them stood in front of the manhole.

Other infiltration teams would be entering through separate sewer entrances.

“Are you ready?”

Ludger’s question was met with nods from both Chris and Bellaruna.

“Good. Then—”

Without hesitation, Ludger jumped into the underground sewer. Chris and Bellaruna followed right after.

* * *

At the same time, other infiltration teams besides Ludger’s were also moving into the sewer system.

Each team was mostly composed of two people.

Casey Selmore, having entered the sewers, looked around her.

The underground waterways were vast and maze-like.

Farther below, beyond this twisted labyrinth, lay the Liberation Army’s secret base—where black mages surely hid.

“Casey.”

The knight who had been paired with her, Terrina, called her name.

“Didn’t expect us to meet again like this.”

“Right? I thought it’d be under better circumstances.”

Casey let out a wry smile as she shared this unexpected reunion with an old friend.

Of course, the setting—a dank, shadowy sewer—didn’t exactly help set a cheerful tone.

“It might be a bit late to ask, but... how have you been?”

“Do I look like I’ve been doing well?”

“Not at all.”

Terrina chuckled at Casey’s dry response.

“You haven’t changed. Or maybe you have. Actually... yeah, you seem different now.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Back then, you were a bit more, um... how should I put this...”

Seeing Terrina hesitate, Casey teased with a grin.

“Just say it. I won’t get mad.”

“Then I’ll be blunt. You used to be a lot more confident. But in hindsight, maybe reckless is the better word. Like an immature fledgling.”

“That kinda makes me want to get mad.”

“But that was the old you. Now, I think you’ve matured quite a bit.”

‘Matured,’ huh.

Casey felt an odd, indescribable emotion at that comment.

Terrina said she had changed—but Casey herself hadn’t really felt it.

Still, if someone who knew her well said so, maybe it was true.

“But I was glad to see your old self still in there. Especially when you stood up to the Princess during the meeting. That was so you.”

“Ah, that...”

“It was kind of surprising though.”

“What was?”

“The way you were so emotional when you confronted him.”

The word emotional made Casey flinch reflexively.

“Casey. Do you and Ludger Cherish have some kind of history?”

“Me?”

“There was just... something about the way you talked to him. Like, it didn’t feel like you. Or maybe—something happened between you two in the past?”

“Something happened...?”

“I wouldn’t know. I mean, I can’t assume things based on a hunch. But if I had to guess the most common reason for that kind of tension...”

“What would it be?”

“It looked like a lovers’ quarrel.”

At that, Casey’s blue hair bristled like a cat’s fur.

“W-What?! No, it’s not like that!”

“Haha. Relax, I was joking. But wow, you really reacted to that. You wouldn’t have before. Is there something going on? If so, I should be congratulating you.”

“I said it’s not like that!”

“Alright, alright. I’ll drop it.”

“I mean it! It’s just...”

Casey trailed off. Her voice sank with her mood.

She had tried not to think about it—but the moment Ludger’s name came up, it all came back to her.

That day.

“...Hey, Terrina. What would you do... if someone who’d done nothing wrong was being condemned as a villain?”

The question came out of nowhere.

But Terrina knew Casey wasn’t someone who said things lightly, so she gave it serious thought.

“Being blamed for something you didn’t do, huh...”

“And you didn’t know that. You thought that person was bad. You hated them. Got angry at them. For years.”

“I see.”

Terrina looked at her longtime friend, now so unlike her usual self, and understood something had happened.

She was about to respond—when her eyes suddenly sharpened like drawn blades, locking onto something deep in the sewer tunnels.

“They’re coming.”

The shift in atmosphere wasn’t lost on Casey either.

“Looks like we’ll have to finish this conversation after this is over.”

“...Yeah. Guess I got a little sentimental.”

Instinctively, Terrina stepped to the front while Casey took up position behind her.

From the distance, waves of chimeras surged toward them like a tide.