How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

25 – 25. Professor Teia(3)

25.

Teia Myronel von Bernhardt was feeling good.

Taking up the basics of magic lecture enabled her to see the celebrities of the academy firsthand, which invigorated her life.

The young author who had made a significant impact on the empire’s literary world had shown quite a vivid reaction every time he attended her lecture.

Even in this lecture, he was so engrossed that it seemed as if he could not hear Teia’s words, wondering what he was thinking so deeply about.

“It’s interesting, this fame.”

Teia didn’t particularly like the stuffy wizard group ready for the coffin, or the old timers of the empire’s literary realm.

Those who were shackled by norms, disregarded progress, and only revelled in the present.

Without evolution, there can be no growth. She got bored with those humans who refused to change, indulging themselves in past successes.

So Teia pursued entertainment.

The reason the world perceived her as a woman driven by interest was because, ultimately, Teia herself had such a personality.

“Moreover, this book is more interesting than I thought.”

Teia, leaning against a large, soft down pillow, picked up the second volume of Shuren Chronicle with fascination.

Her hair, which was black with streaks of gray like a magpie, fell onto the chest of her robe of purple silk that lays bare her skin.

“The idea alone that an individual born into the empire could write the story of Kunlung is a talent itself. He insists that it’s just fiction, but…”

The author, who was no older than sixteen, portrayed virtue that contrasts intensely with the deep feelings of revenge in such a compelling manner, it was hard to believe.

Of course, as the stale novels of the empire had almost completely made her brain sour, Teia pleasantly accepted the fresh shock brought on by Allen’s novel.

“Moreover, he’s from the Mueller family. I never thought a writer could come from a family renowned for swordsmanship. And that the Sword King permitted this is also something.”

The Sword King, Duke Mueller, as far as Teia knew, was not the kind of person who would permit such a thing.

Unless he truly acknowledged Allen’s talent, there was no reason for him to allow the publication of the novel under Allen’s name.

If the Sword King himself had given permission, it implied that Allen truly had talent in literature.

“Hmm…”

Teia pondered, turning the page of the book, finding the concept of ‘clans’ quite peculiar.

“It’s a system that recognizes each other as family other than blood relations. Maybe it’s a concept of lineage present in Kunlung, translated into the empire’s language for better understanding.”

For the people of the empire, it was a difficult concept to understand.

However, more fascinating than the concept was Allen’s writing style, groundbreaking in every aspect, that excited fans.

Teia herself was captivated by reading Allen’s novel time and time again.

“Unlike imperial novels, which stretch sentences by default, this is different. The old guard of the imperial literary world would be apoplectic. Should I call it an efficient usage of sentence structure, this?”

Allen’s novel lacked the long-winded sentences typical of the genre.

At the very least, it differed from the empire’s novels, packed with ceremonial language till more than mid-page before getting down to the main subject.

That’s why it was groundbreaking.

It was clear that it was a form of novel difficult to accept for the old guard of the empire’s literary world.

Teia herself was quite shocked after reading this novel.

“And these stories about the noble dark magicians are incredible. He seems to have done quite a bit of research.”

The more Teia reads the novel, the more intrigued she became with Allen.

The ever-so-close secret amongst her academic colleagues was that Teia was so absorbed in the novel that she stayed up all night right after she got it.

At first, she was not so interested but her curiosity in Allen, the author himself, developed after reading the book.

“While warning of the dangers of dark magic, it points out that nobility can easily facilitate the practice of dark magic. Hmm, rumors have been surfacing about devil worshippers causing trouble lately…”

Did Allen predict this and write the novel?

Teia, turning the page with fascination, heard a knock on the door from outside.

“Hm?”

Is there anyone who would come to her laboratory at this hour?

Taeia got up from bed where she had casually left her books floating in the air.

***

‘…Insane!’

As soon as the door opened, Allen quickly covered his eyes at the sight of Taeia’s barely-covered figure.

She was a professor with an aggressively attractive figure so it was already a struggle not to stare, but he hadn’t expected her to step out in a slip, her skin clearly visible.

Allen thought it was fortunate he covered his eyes quickly, for if he’d had continued to gaze he might have been accused of s*xual harassment.

Taeia, who had opened the door, grinned.

“Um? A celebrity? What’s the matter?”

“She asked if you’re free. She wants to see you.”

“Yeah, right. I didn’t expect you to come straight over. Come in.”

Taeia opened the door and moved inside.

“Maya.”

“I can’t see. You can lower your hand.”

“Oh…”

Upon hearing Maya’s words, Allen, who had his hand covering his face, tried to calm his flushed face.

“You seem very… open-minded.”

“The openness is a bit excessive…”

“I’ve always known you to be like that. You’re also well known for being eccentric.”

“Hm? Me?”

Had she changed her clothes during this time?

Taeia, even with her typically magician’s wide-brimmed hat on her head, was looking at Allen and Maya.

“What are you doing standing there, celebrity? Come in.”

“Oh, sure.”

She had changed clothes, but that didn’t change the fact that the outfit was revealing.

The top, much like a crop tee, exposed her stomach. The problem was, the breast portion was overlaid with a thin piece of cloth that was see-through and therefore, bared her breastbone gap.

Furthermore, her skirt had a deep slit revealing about 70% of her thigh.

Allen squeezed his eyes shut.

‘There’s really nowhere safe to look at this crazy professor!!’

Allen shook his head relentlessly.

“A real pain in the neck.”

As Allen stood quietly, a disassembled round table smoothly emerged from the interior and was rapidly assembled.

After a similar process with the chairs, a teacup and teapot flew over and took their places. Behind them, a broom and mop were busy noisily cleaning up.

Allen watched the spectacle with an astonished expression.

“Never thought I’d see this sort of magical choreography beyond a Disney animation.”

Téa, having changed her clothes, draped a cape over her shoulders and elegantly took her seat.

“I did tell you to come around, but I wasn’t expecting you to come here so quickly, Mr. Celebrity. Though, it’s good news.”

“On what occasion…”

“Hmm, straight to the point?”

Téa smirked playfully and picked up her teacup.

“Nothing much, I simply wished to have a conversation like this. If I find someone interesting, I like to invite them over for a chat.”

“Interesting… Which part of me garnered your interest?”

“+Being the object of two princesses’ affections, making the strict Professor Quiros laugh, and smashing the conservative barriers of the empire’s literary world. A young genius, isn’t that interesting?”

“I wouldn’t call myself a genius though…”

A vague smile danced on Allen’s lips.

He was no genius.

Prodigies couldn’t be compared to Allen. Having been overwhelmed by the inherent talented geniuses in his past life, he knew that very well.

At Allen’s denial, Téa chuckled behind her teacup.

“Yet, isn’t the influence of Shuren’s saga too vast to claim otherwise, Mr. Celebrity?”

“That’s why I always say I never expected it to come to this.”

“Interesting, isn’t it?”

As this topic had been spoken of tiresomely, Allen did not wish to dwell further.

“But no one could have predicted the reaction of those old farts. Especially what thoughts might be lodged in the back of their minds.”

“I’m afraid I don’t follow…”

“The literary world of the empire is more or less a huge interest group, largely provincial nobility.”

Téa said as she put her teacup down.

“And then, somebody intrudes on a world that the nobles thought was their exclusive domain. The House of Müller. Alonso O’Donnell was it? There is a reason why that old man is so upset, Mr. Celebrity.”

Allen scratched his cheek.

So, there was a reason for that as well?

“Moreover, the same goes for the second volume. The protagonist, Shuren, is someone without status in the empire. And a noble ended up being executed by this protagonist’s hand as a black magician.”

“I didn’t intentionally set out to depict the conflict between commoners and nobles, but I see how it could be interpreted that way.”

“You’re quick-witted. I won’t deny I like quick-witted children.”

Crossing her legs, Teia rested her chin on her hand.

“You don’t seem to know too much about Kunlun’s culture, but writing a novel based on it seems quite an interesting topic of conversation. Naturally, it’s well known that Duchess Mueller hails from Eastern nobility.”

“You researched all of this?”

“More like I’m the type who hears a lot when I sit quietly. You come across things you didn’t want to know, particularly when it comes to famous people. After all, the Shuren Chronicles have been quite the talk around the staff room.”

Alan was convinced.

Indeed, there are a lot of students at the academy who are fans of the Shuren Chronicles, and Adonel Publishing is shrieking with joy, so the professors discussing the Shuren Chronicles isn’t that strange.

“Anyway… thanks to you, the Eastern swordsmanship club has seen a significant increase in members. Apparently, the clubs related to Kunlun are benefitting from the success of the Shuren Chronicles. Any thoughts on that, famous one?”

“I don’t see any reason to worry about something that I have no control over.”

“Hmm, so you don’t concern yourself with things beyond your ability? It’s clear you know when to engage and disengage.”

Alan shrugged his shoulders.

Teia chuckled and picked up her teacup again.

“Famous one, how about we try something fun?”