#14. Talent

“A genius, you say?”

“Yes, the kind that comes along once in an era, if that.”

Pelliana had a rapport with Professor Rachel.

Not exceedingly close, just the sort who occasionally met for tea.

Truth be told, she didn’t much care for that breed of ‘genius.’

Born fortunate enough to possess talent, they became arrogant, thinking the world was their playground.

There were no exceptions. They were all puffed up with self-importance, prone to looking down on others.

But Rachel was a little different.

Despite her exceptional talent, she knew how to show respect, wasn’t lazy, and possessed an unyielding tenacity.

Pelliana liked Rachel as a person.

‘Rachel Arte, you’re the best genius there is.’

So when Rachel brought up another ‘genius,’ Pelliana felt somewhat displeased. It felt like her treasured friend was being deceived by someone else.

“You’re exaggerating.”

“No, this is a child who not only grasped astonishing concepts, but also created one of their own. A true prodigy.”

Rachel insisted.

As if she’d forcibly stitched together concepts from another world.

The theory itself wasn’t overly complex, but the process of calculating the ‘value’ was absurdly difficult.

“…That significant?”

At this point, Felliana couldn’t help but feel intrigued.

She felt a sudden urge to meet them.

But…

“You will be meeting them soon.”

“Pardon?”

“That student has been granted a double major. They’ll be attending Professor Felliana’s classes as well.”

“…The application period for double majors hasn’t even begun yet.”

“The Academy seems to have made an exception. Apparently, it was an instruction from His Imperial Majesty, so there wasn’t much they could do.”

She didn’t like it.

Her reason for working as a professor at Lunia Academy was clear.

Because it was the closest thing to ‘equality’.

She believed that everyone should be given a fair chance.

Nobles or commoners, geniuses or average minds.

Everyone striving equally within the same environment. That was Professor Felliana’s ideal.

And yet…

Special treatment?

Just because they were a little smarter?

She couldn’t abide it.

“Professor Rachel seems quite fond of this student.”

Felliana spoke with her characteristic cold smile.

“But they won’t be able to excel in alchemy. Alchemy requires effort more than talent.”

*

I shouldn’t have arrived so early.

If I’d sauntered in casually, I could have avoided this awkward conversation.

I’m always like this.

Always making the wrong choices.

But that’s beside the point. Laying down a warning like that, first thing? Isn’t that a bit much?

I was filled with complaints, but I couldn’t voice them.

If the professor says so, then it must be so. Mm.

“Understood.”

“Good, take a seat wherever you like.”

Frankly, I just want to turn around and leave. After that atmosphere just now, she wants me to be alone with her? Unthinkable.

…Maybe I should just say I came to drop off my bag?

“This is insane…”

No. To do so might just paint an even worse picture.

I ended up settling into my seat.

Now what to do? It felt awkward to dally…

Ah.

I pulled out my textbook, ‘Basic Alchemy.’ Decided to get a head start on today’s lecture.

Professor Pelliana glanced at me and let out a snort.

Ha.

Something amusing, perhaps?

I gritted my teeth and began to read.

Even as I did, Professor Pelliana kept her gaze fixed on me.

And it didn’t seem to be a particularly favorable one.

“……”

Just ignore it.

For whatever reason, she seemed to regard me as a thorn in her side, but the more that was the case, the more I needed to shrink away.

To avoid giving her any reason to pick on me.

I erased my presence. Already in a corner seat, not being noticed wouldn’t be a problem.

The eternity of silence began to pass quickly. As people trickled in, the unique discomfort of utter quiet faded. How ironic. That I, who usually preferred tranquility, would long for a bit more noise.

Students entering the lecture hall didn’t react much at the sight of Professor Pelliana. As if it were an everyday occurrence.

Oddly enough, Professor Pelliana seemed to always be the first to arrive in the lecture hall.

As the room filled, Professor Pelliana’s piercing gaze gradually lessened.

And when it had finally lifted, she was preparing for the lecture.

Shortly after, the lecture commenced.

“The necessity of alchemy is by no means inferior to that of other disciplines. While ‘talent’ is essential for mages and knights, anyone can succeed in alchemy with just a modicum of brains.”

The one sentiment that arose from listening to her lecture was this:

She was remarkable.

I’d always thought Professors Rachel and Meriel gave good lectures.

But compared to them, Professor Pelliana’s lectures felt a cut above.

Thoroughly tailored to the students’ level.

Easy to listen to, easy to understand. It was the kind of lecture anyone could easily focus on.

Pelliana Mirheon was giving lectures that were the complete opposite of her reputation.

“With that, today’s lecture is adjourned.”

I felt like applauding.

But fearing it would attract too much attention, I didn’t.

“Oh, there is an assignment.”

This woman.

I wonder what the assignment will be.

“You are to write a report on all the material covered today. It should be about five pages in length.”

Pardon?

“The deadline… will be the next class.”

Pardon… me?

For a heartbeat, I wondered if I’d misheard.

“Ah… Another damn tantrum…”

The sigh from the person beside me confirmed it wasn’t my imagination.

“Ah.”

It dawned on me.

The true nature of her infamous reputation.

“And you, Rain Ortiz. A word, if you please?”

Somehow, this felt familiar.

But Professor, I’m really not in the mood to follow you right now.

Though, I doubt she’d allow me the option.

I shall go, then…

I gathered my things and made my way towards Professor Felliana.

“Is there… something you needed, Professor?”

“How was the lecture?”

A familiar question.

One that Mariel had also posed.

I offered a similar answer.

“It was… good.”

“Easy, was it?”

Objectively, I didn’t think the lecture had been particularly difficult.

“Yes, rather easy.”

“I imagine so.”

Professor Felliana cast a frigid gaze my way.

At first, I wondered if I’d given the wrong answer…

“I strive to make my lectures accessible to everyone. Easy even for those who aren’t, perhaps, a genius like yourself.”

‘A genius like yourself,’ huh.

I’m starting to suspect she just doesn’t like me.

Honestly, did you once get beaten up by a genius or something?

“There is no such thing as talent in alchemy. Only effort. Keep that in mind.”

Even if she’s a professor, this is starting to rub me the wrong way.

If inexplicable kindness feels burdensome, then inexplicable unkindness feels distinctly unpleasant.

I painstakingly suppressed the urge for my brow to furrow.

“Understood.”

Even as the inside of me began to burn.

“Good. If you understand, then be on your way.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I didn’t bother with a bow. I didn’t see the need.

Instead, I posed a question to the empty air.

‘System, what’s the current level of alchemic advancement?’

Well, good riddance.

For a while now, I’d only managed “unintended” feats.

I stumbled into creating new concepts, was shoved into solving complex problems.

None of it was anything I’d wished for.

But things are different now.

[Analysis commencing.]

I told you before.

It’s something I have to do anyway.

If there’s no choice, it’s better to have a driving force.

Decided.

I’ll use this feeling as that driving force.

“Let’s see who comes out on top.”

Even as I lamented my situation, I was secretly curious.

Just how far could this damned artificial intelligence go?

Today, I’ll see its limit.

.

.

.

The first class on the second day was, ironically, Alchemy.

I don’t believe in fate, but whenever these kind of exquisite moments appear, I hesitate.

Whatever.

Fate or coincidence, it doesn’t matter.

After a day had passed, Professor Pelliana’s gaze remained the same.

A gaze filled with an unknowable malice and contempt.

It was a glare that held the power to paralyze a person, but I have no intention of flinching today, either.

“Now that everyone seems to have arrived, let’s begin the lecture.”

Are outstanding people allowed to despise others? Absolutely not. If one is positioned in a professorship, one’s personal feelings shouldn’t be mixed into how they deal with students.

In my subjective opinion, Professor Pelliana is unqualified.

That’s why I made up my mind. I’ll make her see me differently.

“As you all know, the most remarkable creation in the field of Alchemy is none other than the ‘Restoration Potion’.”

I had already mapped out my plan.

“Restoration has, until now, been the ‘privilege’ of a chosen few. Only those with exceptional talent could heal another’s wounds through methods other than surgery. Then the Restoration Potion appeared. A consumable that could heal wounds cleanly without complicated calculations. I dare to call this invention the ‘democratization of talent’──”

“Professor.”

“…What is it? Rain Ortiz.”

I rose, a smile playing on my lips.

“I have a question.”