Chapter 57: Professor Cybele’s Strange Behavior, Zeke’s Weakness
Zeke followed Professor Cybele to her office, staring at her back while deep in thought.
’First, Professor Xavier, now her... is it about the class exams again?’
No matter how much he mulled it over, he couldn’t guess the reason why Professor Cybele wanted to bring him along to her office. If it was about his knowledge of monsters, he was sure that he had already clarified that he didn’t know any more except for the Thrumgore.
The only reason he could think of was his performance in the recent class exam, but even that felt like a stretch.
Soon, they arrived in front of her office. Zeke waited behind Cybele as she opened the door, looking at her quietly. Even when the door opened, he waited for Professor Cybele’s permission before coming inside.
"What are you standing there for? Come in."
"Yes."
Zeke quickly nodded, stepping inside. He closed the door as he entered, leaving the two of them alone in her office. His gaze surveyed the room briefly, seeing nothing unchanged since he came here last time.
Professor Cybele’s lips suddenly curled up into a smile, her expression seemingly pleased. It was far cry from her indifferent and cold expression in class, startling him again. She glanced at Zeke and spoke.
"Make yourself comfortable and sit down. You prefer coffee or tea?"
"... Do you need anything, professor?"
Zeke asked uneasily. Professor Cybele didn’t strike him as the type to do something like this without a motive. It was clear to him that she wanted something from him, but he was unsure what it was specifically.
’If it’s about knowledge regarding monsters, I really can’t...’
It concerned his safety and well-being. From the cultural book he read, it was explained that monster knowledge was considered private research by various forces in the Red Land.
"How rude, Mr. Crimson."
Professor Cybele turned around, gazing at him with a pout. Zeke’s heart skipped a beat. She sat down on her swivel chair and didn’t bother.
"Well, if you insist on not having some, that’s fine."
’I didn’t insist. I do want some coffee.’
Zeke thought, but since Professor Cybele unilaterally decided for himself, he just kept the thought to himself. He stared at Professor Cybele quietly, waiting for her response.
But as it so happens, she was also staring at him, seemingly sizing him up. When her legs crossed against each other, his gaze couldn’t help but fall slightly, seemingly in a daze.
"Eyes up here, scoundrel."
"..."
Zeke wordlessly returned his gaze to her face. It wasn’t on purpose, he swore. But seeing Professor Cybele’s amused expression, he realized that she was likely messing with him.
’Can you remain professional, professor. I really like your serious attitude in class, please bring it back...’
He couldn’t help but complain in his mind. As much as he hated to admit it, he was weak to women like Cybele. Sensual, mature women who liked to tease younger people, playing with their feelings!
Zeke was mostly raised by authoritative, stern old men, so a person like Cybele completely went against everything he was used to.
"Alright, I’ll cut to the chase."
As if she finally had enough, Cybele broke the silence with a small smile.
"My research with the Thrumgore has been approved thanks to your help. I was able to confirm everything you said back then through some experiments. If nothing goes wrong, I should be able to sell it to the Rankers Association or another party who’s interested pretty soon."
Zeke was surprised, but quickly clarified. "I only mentioned what I remember. Without any experimental results, it’s nothing. It’s all your credit, professor."
"Your words make me happy, but even you don’t believe that," Professor Cybele was amused. "I can’t let you go unpaid. I’m an ethical researcher and a professor with an approval rating of 99%, so name your price."
’Why did she have to mention all of that...’
Zeke thought for a moment, bewildered. He recalled something, then asked.
"Do you have any performance-enhancing potions?"
"Potions?"
Professor Cybele thought for a moment, glancing at him with a reproachful look.
"You sure are greedy. Potions aren’t cheap at all."
"... Boosters, then."
Zeke compromised. But Professor Cybele quickly shook her head.
"I just said that they aren’t cheap, not that I don’t have them. I’m an ethical researcher and a professor with an approval rating of 99%, that’s not a problem for me. But your contributions aren’t enough to warrant the price of a potion, so..."
"I see. That’s unfortunate, boosters are fine as well, or merit points."
Zeke added quickly, but Professor Cybele stared at him, continuing her words.
"... But if you help me with something, I can consider it."
"My abilities are limited, professor. This time was just luck."
Zeke shook his head. A potion could be incredibly helpful to him now, but it wasn’t necessary. He was just trying his luck, but he didn’t expect Professor Cybele to really have one.
Professor Cybele looked at him for a moment.
"I told you, I’m an ethical researcher and a professor with an approval rating of 99%."
"I believe you, professor."
Zeke nodded solemnly. Now he finally understood why she kept mentioning it.
"Haa..."
Professor Cybele sighed, annoyed. She gave up.
"Fine, I’ll give you what you want. Just for one condition. Don’t worry, it’s not anything dangerous."
"Please speak."
Zeke raised a brow, then Professor Cybele answered.
"Stop avoiding my pupil. You don’t know how much of a headache she is when she’s not getting what she wants. She keeps on telling me how you find her annoying, keep avoiding her, and how you don’t want to talk to her at all."
"..."
Zeke was truly dumbfounded. He imagined all sorts of conditions, but he didn’t think it would be something like this. After thinking about it for a moment, he answered.
"Alright. I accept."
Between a potion and talking to Seralune, the latter might be headache-inducing, but a potion was worth it. Besides, his impression of Seralune had improved since the class exams.
Even without the potion, he wasn’t planning to avoid her as much as he used to. He was just avoiding her because of the attention he might receive, but now that wasn’t much of a concern for him. As long as he wasn’t getting the attention of those much more powerful than him, it was fine.
Seralune looked as if she were popular as well, so it wasn’t strange if he were to start talking to her out of the blue.
Seeing him agree, Professor Cybele nodded and took out a paper slip.
"Here. I don’t have a potion with me right now, but I do have a connection with that kid in the Alchemy Room. Just show this to that kid, and she’ll give you what you want. You can only have one potion from my name. If you take more than that, I’ll show you why my approval rating isn’t 100%."
"... Okay."
Zeke accepted the paper slip with some hesitation. Is this really legit?
Sensing his suspicion, Professor Cybele scolded him.
"I’m an ethical researcher and a professor with an approval rating of 99%. I won’t scam you."
’Just curious, who was that sole 1% disapproval rating? They must be an incredibly brave and pitiful person.’
Zeke couldn’t help but think, giving a slow nod.
"I believe you, professor. Is there anything else?"
"No. But remember our deal. If that girl runs to me to complain again, I’m going to punish you with a special exam."
"Understood."
Zeke quickly replied. Special exam... surely, this woman wouldn’t use an exam to extract him of his monster knowledge, would she? The more he thought about it, the more plausible it became.
Professor Cybele whisked him away.
"Get out, shoo, shoo..."
Zeke was more than happy to do so. He quickly stood up and excused himself. He couldn’t help but smile as he left, thinking about never returning here again. When he opened the door, he saw a pink-haired woman standing in front of the door, looking at him curiously.
Recalling his deal with Professor Cybele, he gave a slight nod to her.
"Seralune."
"..."
Seralune was startled. He never greeted her before! And... she rubbed her eyes, then blinked. Zeke was smiling, wasn’t he? This was the first time she ever saw him smile, and it was at her.
But before she could respond, Zeke excused himself.
"Sorry, I’m in a hurry. Excuse me."
"... Ah?"
Seralune was startled, looking at his back as he disappeared. She looked at her mentor inside the office, and Professor Cybele replied lightly.
"You can thank me for hooking him up with you by working hard. Come inside."
