Surviving the Assassin Academy as a Genius Professor-Chapter 186: [Main Story] No.4 Paradigm (7)

The symposium had begun.

The faculty each presented their findings and theses on “magic, illusion, and curses.”

Since the order of presentation began with major powers, we were, unpleasantly enough, slotted right after Kreutz.

“......”

Terrified, Cain kept tugging insistently at my sleeve.

My cheek stung—because of the stares from illusion researchers from other countries.

If the glare from Gyulgyul of the Hitahita Kingdom was a bullet, the one from Kreutz was five cannonballs.

The one radiating the most monumental hatred among them was Wolfgang Yussef.

He was an Obel Prize laureate and the top senior professor of illusion magic in Kreutz.

【 Wolfgang Yussef†: “You’re telling me you killed Agion?” 】

【 Wolfgang Yussef†: “And I’m supposed to believe that?” 】

Judging by the certainty in his voice, he clearly had deep ties within the Empire’s Public Security Bureau.

【 Wolfgang Yussef†: “To us illusionists, Agion was like a god. And now you’re telling me it was an illusionist—of all people—who killed him...? That would mean the bastard’s ability is on par with or even surpasses Agion’s.” 】

【 Wolfgang Yussef†: “And such a bastard is now out here talking about the end of illusion magic?” 】

Other professors only found it confusing—what is this guy talking about?—that sort of reaction.

But to an Obel laureate with heightened sensitivity, it was far more serious.

【 Wolfgang Yussef†: “Don’t make me laugh...” 】

【 Wolfgang Yussef†: “If this is all nonsense research, I swear I’ll kill you tonight.” 】

His hatred surged.

Human history itself proves just how violent people’s hearts can be when it comes to pure academia.

Pythagoras, who believed only “pure numbers” existed in the world, fell into despair upon the discovery of √2.

1.4142135623...... a number that continued endlessly, followed no rule. A cursed figure, heralding the collapse of the paradigm he had so stubbornly believed in.

Pythagoras had his own student drowned in the Mediterranean to conceal that fact.

The look in this guy’s eyes was no different.

【 Wolfgang Yussef†: “......” 】

Startled by the killing intent, Cain tugged at my sleeve again. I lifted him and seated him between my legs like I was shielding him.

Just then, the first curse-related presentation came to a close, and the professors clapped.

“Truly an outstanding study.”

“Amazing... A possible Curse from the 100-series, and surprisingly, one not related to murder.”

I clapped as well.

The research passed like background music while I was locked in a mental showdown with Wolfgang, but it was still quite impressive.

It hadn’t even existed in the original setting:

[A study on whether a solution exists for deriving a method to trace clues to the 100-series curses.]

I didn’t understand a thing.

Because it wasn’t my field.

Frankly, who gives a damn about curses?

Illusion magic is what matters.

“Next.”

Following the Kant Federation, it was finally Kreutz’s turn.

“Wolfgang Yussef. Present.”

“Yes.”

A handsome middle-aged man with an aggressively receding hairline rose from his seat.

According to prior intel,

What they’d reached in their research was nothing short of revolutionary.

Astonishingly, they were approaching a near-perfect simulation of virtual reality (VR) using [illusion magic].

Even the project name sounded fancy.

Project HEAVEN 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍

Their conclusion was to build a tiny heaven in every household.

If this were distributed as planned, humanity would be able to freely enjoy everything they ever dreamed of. Of course, they'd have to pay the Kreutz Corporation for it.

“Greetings.”

Right now,

Wolfgang was beginning his presentation.

“I am Wolfgang Quist Yussef.”

He bowed with a graceful face and posture.

“As you all know, life is suffering.”

A heavy, calm voice.

“Fear of the unknown. Aging and dying. Conflict and competition. The endless waste of mutual benefit, endlessly pushing upward...”

“And so, nearly every academic discipline in the world has evolved toward reducing that suffering.”

“Let’s reflect for a moment.”

He took a step forward and snapped his fingers.

Snap!

Along with the sound, a [Phantasmic Construct] of a person appeared.

“Standing was painful for humans. It caused damage to muscles, bones, and cartilage. That’s why old-school engineers invented the chair—to reduce that pain.”

Snap—the person sat down.

“But sitting became painful too. It strained the lower back. The closer you are to the ground, the less strain on the body. But a hard surface was painful again! That’s why materials engineers created the bed.”

Snap—the person lay down.

“To reduce the pain of hunger, magi-chemists created fertilizer. To reduce the pain of long distances, transportation. To reduce the pain of insecurity, architecture...”

“Currency was created to quantify and pass on that pain to others.”

Snap—money appeared.

“And to fairly distribute all those different pains among people, taxes, governments, and nations were formed.”

Snap—people appeared.

“Therefore, you could say human history itself is a process of moving toward freedom from suffering.”

The illusionary human following the scene looked happy. After all, they were resting on a bed with food and a cat.

“But... is that really enough?”

Wolfgang’s eyes crinkled.

“No.”

“Even with chairs, beds, food, currency, and governments—despite acquiring so much supposed freedom in life—it’s not enough.”

Snap!

In the next instant, the phantasm changed rapidly like a cutscene.

He grew depressed looking at his overweight body, fell into despair over parents who didn’t love him, and suffered through aging. He felt immense pain at the death of someone precious to him.

Wolfgang’s expression stiffened with each shift.

“This world is still filled with suffering.”

A voice, now tinged with a pretense of fury.

The air felt like it was compressing, squeezing the space around us. It wasn’t just his level or abilities—it was the coercive aura unique to someone who had thrown everything into their convictions.

“...Until yesterday, that is.”

Wolfgang suddenly broke into a radiant smile.

“From today, things are different. Our Kreutz Illusion Society has taken one step closer to ultimate freedom.”

Snap—

With another flick of his fingers, a small helmet appeared on the head of the phantasm. Everything was freely granted to it—food, attractive partners, lost family, thrilling adventures.

“This is the ultimate future that universal, semi-permanent, and personalized [illusion magic] is aiming for. We plan to deliver paradise to everyone. The research leading up to that...”

The rest of the explanation delved into circuits, equations, and complicated research methodologies, but I nodded the whole way through. It wasn’t just the concept—the study itself was impressively sound.

“Magnificent... Truly genius.”

“Incredible. How did he arrive at such research...”

The scholars were in awe. Others, however, were visibly displeased. The research was too good.

“I object.”

Among them, Gyulgyul—the female senior professor of Hitahita—was a scholar who obsessed over theoretical completeness. If she found even the smallest flaw, she’d attack like a rabid animal.

“Ah... that part is only confirmed by observation...”

“I object. If the core hinges on an unproven assumption, you won’t be able to withstand the consequences.”

“Yes, but as you know, there's a pattern—”

“I object. Observational results have been overturned many times in the history of perceptual illusion studies.”

“Still...”

“I object...”

“But...”

“Objection...”

All the professors trembled. The notorious Objector. The Objection Constellation. The lunatic who supposedly objected to being born male and insisted on being born female!

Wolfgang barely managed to defend himself,

“I object.”

“Enough.”

Tirangstein finally °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° raised his hand.

“Professor Gyulgyul, let’s stop here for now. Must you always go for the throat and leave others uncomfortable? You may discuss the specifics once the symposium ends.”

“......”

Gyulgyul was entrance-cut at the door.

【 Gyulgyul: “I object. Why should I stop? I won’t see you again once I go home.” 】

【 Gyulgyul: “Damn old fossil. Should be rotting in a columbarium.” 】

And thus, Gyulgyul got salty!

At the same time, Wolfgang’s lips curled into a smile.

He kept glancing at me and Cain, looking down on us as if to say,

【What do you think.】

He was clearly wondering if I’d try to refute him. Clearly prepared for any counterattack.

“......”

I could refute him. Moreover, to my eyes, small errors in that thesis and its circuits were visible. But I didn’t bother. Because new theories are only completed through rebuttals.

"Excellent!!"

...It was at that moment.

A man suddenly stood up and clapped. A professor from the Empire, name unknown.

"Excellent. Truly excellent!"

With a bright expression—an absurdly handsome man.

● Imperial Senior Professor, Hicks Bohr

The moment I saw him, a strange thought crossed my mind: I had never seen anyone from Hiaka, even among the middle-aged, who was as handsome as him.

"The researchers of Kreutz have approached research so noble it nearly touches the heavens! In the old era—before the intervention of the misfortune-star□—in the 'Forest of Illusion,' they say all illusionists permanently created whatever they desired! This is more than just an imitation of that—it surpasses it!"

I didn’t know who he was, but he seemed to be a fairly reputable professor from the Empire.

The moment he spoke, all the Empire’s professors echoed their agreement: “Indeed, indeed!”

"The public once brought illusionists into the forest, and that Forest of Illusion became the Empire’s top tourist destination, generating trillions of Hika in revenue over decades! I’m not here to talk about money, but the point is: Kreutz’s research brings all of that into every home!"

"How could this be anything but a revolution among revolutions!!"

The praise burst forth. Wolfgang’s face lit up brightly. For a researcher, their research is their life. Right now, Wolfgang’s life was being praised.

"Thank you...."

Then the man laughed again and said:

"But here lies the problem, doesn’t it? For Kreutz’s research and thesis to have meaning—illusion magic has to exist."

At that moment, a ripple spread.

"......."

"......."

Everyone went silent, while the faces of the Kreutz faculty went completely stiff.

"Fascinating. Because the next presentation—by a Hiaka professor—is titled: ‘The End of Illusion.’"

Hicks Bohr pointed at us.

Eyes moved like machines and turned our way.

At me and Cain.

To have the stares of the Empire’s top scholars bearing down on you... the pressure was immense.

"Cain, Senior Professor of Hiaka, please present."

At last—it was my turn.

***

"Nice to meet you."

The human approached Eve. Then, he extended a hand and placed it on her head. Eve sniffed. It smelled almost exactly like Humanie—but something was slightly different.

"This forest is not safe for someone like you. There are enemies not far off. And the path is difficult to find. Let me guide you outside."

His mouth moved, but she didn’t understand what he was saying. She couldn’t hear it.

Still—he was Humanie. So when he began walking off somewhere, Eve trudged after him.

The smell was different. His expression was different. Even the way he spoke with his mouth was different.

She could tolerate all that.

But one thing was different.

"From here on, the path becomes like a maze. It’s an illusion someone filled with hatred laid into the Forest of Illusion. Please—hold my hand."

"......?"

This ‘Humanie’ grabbed her hand, without hesitation.

"From this point, it may look like flat ground, but it’s actually a cliff. You might get hurt going down—so let me carry you for a bit."

"......??"

This ‘Humanie’ lifted her up without warning.

"It’s raining. The rain dulls the mind. Of course, I imagine even if you’d experienced all this, you’d have escaped in three days. But... it’s better not to suffer even small pains."

"......???"

This ‘Humanie’ opened an umbrella and walked close beside her.

Despite not being alive—despite being an illusion.

Even Eve could tell that much.

"......."

As they walked together in silence for a long while—hours, maybe—

Eve looked up at Humanie.

And thought: If only this were real...

They walked together in that stillness.

"If you walk another hundred meters from here—you’ll be free."

"......."

Eve hesitated for a moment.

Then, the illusionary man smiled gently. He slowly approached and held out the umbrella. Eve didn’t take it. She just stared into his eyes.

After an indescribable moment passed, the man lowered the umbrella to cover Eve. And he ducked under the umbrella with her. Bending down, coming closer to Eve—slowly, deliberately.

Until a hand stopped him.

Skrk!

The illusionary Humanie’s face crumpled.

"Ah... I’m sorry. The mood made it feel like that’s what I should do, but... I must’ve misunderstood."

"......?"

His face had suddenly come close, so she’d blocked him—and now he was muttering something. She didn’t understand what it meant.

But—she was curious now.

He was Humanie, but not Humanie. He wasn’t Humanie’s [Phantasmic Construct] either. He was a very old Humanie... or perhaps something from before Humanie even existed.

‘Who?’

Eve moved her hand to ask.

‘Name. What is it?’

They hadn’t been able to communicate until now, but some shared understanding had taken root.

Both of them knew—this was goodbye.

And before parting, Eve asked a question she didn’t understand herself. The fake Humanie seemed to realize it too, smiling slyly.

"You wish to know my name?"

Then, he said something.

"――."

Eve couldn’t hear the sound.

But she memorized the shape of his lips, the movement of his throat.

So that’s it.

Even his name was different from Humanie.