The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 215

A week after the Kangryung riot, the Emperor summoned me.

Not Lee Han, who was busy managing the aftermath, nor the student council presidents of other grades—why me, of all people?

It was an invitation that raised many questions, but when the Emperor calls, you answer.

So, I had no choice but to go.

“The Emperor…? You’re meeting His Majesty?”

“One wrong word, and you’re on a one-way trip to the afterlife!”

“Wow… are you already climbing up the ranks?”

The ones fussing more than I was were the people around me.

Meeting the Emperor was no small affair, so they wouldn’t let me go dressed just any way. Today, they came to help me pick out an outfit.

Solia came trotting over with some clothes in her arms.

A sleek, black suit.

“Wouldn’t a black outfit look better?”

“…Isn’t that a bit too much like a funeral?”

“There have been a lot of unfortunate events in Ardel recently. Wearing something too bright doesn’t seem respectful.”

“Still, it’s too gloomy. It doesn’t suit your face; it’s too dull.”

Adela pointed out, and Solia pouted with her lips jutting out.

“But it’s made of high-quality fabric….”

Meanwhile, Yoon Haul responded from an entirely different perspective.

“Nah, they both look good. You look handsome in anything.”

His opinion was less reliable, so I needed a more objective viewpoint.

Solia’s outfit leaned more towards a formal black suit, while Adela’s had a bit of gray to add some character, still keeping it appropriately formal.

Honestly, to me, it’s all the same.

A suit is a suit. What’s the difference?

Still, picking something random would be disrespectful to those who had gone through the trouble of choosing for me.

I nudged Won’s side and asked.

“Hey, which one do you think is better?”

Won stroked his chin, seriously contemplating my question.

“Hmm…”

He was looking at the suits thoroughly, as if ready to give a thoughtful opinion.

“Just wear anything, man.”

Absolutely no help!

I clicked my tongue and looked back at Yoon Haul.

Thumbs up, Yoon Haul’s eyes sparkled.

“Really, both are great!”

In the end, it was up to me.

Adela was right about the black being a bit gloomy, but since black generally suits my face better…

Hmm.

“Yeah, let’s go with the black one.”

“…Look at that taste. I really don’t like it!”

Adela grumbled and shoved the gray suit aside.

She seemed a bit miffed, but there was nothing I could do.

“Hey, I can’t just wear half black and half gray, can I?”

“That’s great too! Totally new style! Wanna try?”

“No, thanks.”

I dodged quickly, escaping Yoon Haul’s overly enthusiastic suggestion.

Won clicked his tongue and muttered from his spot.

“Ugh, what does it matter? Just wear anything, already.”

Yeah, he’s right.

What really mattered was something else entirely.

“Why is the Emperor summoning me anyway?”

I don’t know either.

Considering the last time I was summoned wasn’t for a pleasant reason, it’s almost giving me PTSD.

“Hey, you’re not gonna die, right?”

“You’re sure this is okay, right?”

“What, isn’t this a promotion or something?”

Sure, I’ve done a few questionable things…

Yeah, well.

Thinking back on all the things I’ve said, it wouldn’t be surprising if I got arrested at any time.

But I’ll dare to believe I haven’t committed a crime worthy of death.

“Hmm.”

If it’s not that…

Did word get out about the garden fiasco?

* * *

“So, that brat Han Siha pulled one over on Abaddon?”

Just as Han Siha suspected, news of the garden eventually reached the Emperor.

The outer garden had been reduced to ashes, and investigations revealed that it belonged to the black magicians.

And the one who burned it down was none other than Han Taesu’s son, Han Siha.

On top of that, there were reports that Abaddon was fuming.

“I didn’t even know they were hiding something like that on the outskirts.”

He didn’t know how that audacious kid managed to find the garden, but the act pleased him greatly.

Wow, he burned down Abaddon’s garden?

The mere thought of Abaddon’s face made the Emperor shiver with disgust.

Before the war.

Before Ardel was even founded.

Back when the Emperor was not yet an Emperor, the two had once been fellow students.

Now they were complete enemies, and knowing Abaddon’s obsessive personality, the Emperor couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

“I wish I could’ve seen the look on his face. He must have been fuming.”

Given the situation, the Emperor was filled with pride for Han Siha’s actions against Abaddon.

“So, it was Han Siha again, huh?”

Linia, the Emperor, couldn’t hide his smile.

“Truly Han Taesu’s son.”

Though a bit eccentric compared to his father, Han Siha’s audacity was something the Emperor admired.

The boldness Han Siha had shown in front of him didn’t waver even in the face of far more dangerous black magicians.

“That’s what a true magician is.”

Unyielding and never groveling, Han Siha’s actions proved that he carried the blood of Castica.

The boy was destined to be a worthy successor to Castica.

For that reason, the Emperor personally summoned Han Siha to the audience chamber.

He intended to praise him and present him with a few choices.

Though Han Siha was still just a young academy student, by the time his own son took the throne, Han Siha would likely become a formidable vassal.

It was a decision that came from the Emperor’s confidence in Han Siha.

However,

“Count Han Taesu has requested an audience.”

“Hm? Han Taesu?”

This was unexpected.

He had summoned the son, but the father had come instead.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow at the surprising name and straightened his posture.

Han Taesu preferred staying on his own estate and was not like the other sycophantic lords who frequented the palace.

If Han Taesu had come all the way here himself, there had to be a compelling reason, and so the Emperor readily agreed to the sudden request.

“Let him in.”

Creak-

The door opened, and Han Taesu entered.

As always, his back was straight, and he wore a perfectly pressed suit.

Their relationship had been a bit strained since the last interrogation, but Han Taesu seemed entirely unaffected.

His expression hadn’t changed as he faced the Emperor.

“I have something to tell Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

Swish-

Han Taesu pulled a white envelope from his suit.

It was still the Han Taesu he knew, polite and composed, but the moment the Emperor saw the writing on the envelope, his expression turned icy.

“What is this?”

“It’s my resignation letter, Your Majesty.”

A resignation letter, out of the blue.

The Emperor frowned, looking at Han Taesu.

“You’re not at the age for retirement, are you?”

“It’s not about age. I simply believe this is the best course of action given my limitations.”

“I won’t accept it.”

“I beg you, please.”

It was so sudden that the Emperor couldn’t easily find his words.

The Castica family had always been one of his most loyal and dependable allies, and losing them would be a severe blow to the Emperor.

She struggled to keep her voice steady as she spoke.

“There must be a reason you’re doing this…”

“It’s because I lack confidence.”

“In what, exactly? Don’t tell me you doubt your own abilities. I wouldn’t believe that.”

“It’s true, Your Majesty. I lack confidence in my abilities. I am no longer capable of carrying out Your Majesty’s commands to your satisfaction.”

Han Taesu spoke calmly as he continued.

“So please, accept this.”

“I absolutely refuse. I cannot allow this. I can’t accept this resignation.”

Han Taesu looked at the Emperor with sorrowful eyes.

“I apologize.”

His expression made it clear he had already made up his mind. He had no intention of changing his decision.

But Emperor Linia couldn’t accept this.

“Have I not treated you well? Have I wronged you in some way?”

Or was it because of the previous questioning regarding Han Si-hyuk?

Desperately, the Emperor tried to address every possible reason.

“Whatever the reason, I’ll make sure you’re not lacking anything. Please reconsider your decision.”

“Your Majesty…”

“There must be some reason behind this decision! There has to be something—anything!”

“Not everything can be held onto just because you try to hold on.”

Han Taesu’s voice trembled as he cut off the Emperor’s pleas.

“It’s simply time for me to step down.”

He had already committed enough sins, and there were too many things that could not be undone.

He hadn’t been able to prevent the disasters he wanted to stop,

Nor could he hold onto the people he wanted to protect.

Han Taesu bowed his head and turned to leave the audience chamber, but the Emperor, still clutching the resignation letter, called out to him.

“I’ve summoned someone.”

“…What?”

Judging by his expression, he didn’t know yet.

The Emperor stared at Han Taesu’s furrowed brows and spoke.

“It would be best for you to meet them before you leave.”

Footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway.

The Emperor nodded, thinking the timing was perfect.

“Let them in.”

* * *

Creak-

Han Siha glanced around nervously as he arrived in front of the Emperor’s audience chamber.

It was his second time here, so he wasn’t fazed by the grandiosity, but the person standing beside him was quite surprising.

“What are you doing here?”

Fabian, the former Kangryung student who bore the title of a royal.

He was technically a member of the imperial family, but standing beside Han Siha in this audience chamber was an odd pairing.

What kind of combination was this?

As Han Siha eyed Fabian curiously, the doors to the chamber opened, and he was in for an even bigger shock.

“…!”

The first person he saw was Han Taesu.

Han Taesu, too, was clearly startled as he blinked, caught off guard.

Their gazes met in mid-air.

“Sit.”

The moment of stunned silence was broken by the Emperor’s voice.

Han Siha, maintaining a respectful posture, took a seat next to Fabian.

Although Han Taesu’s tense expression caught his attention, it seemed at least the Emperor was in a good mood toward him.

“I heard you set fire to Abaddon’s garden?”

“…You’ve heard?”

“It was such an outstanding deed that I couldn’t help but summon you.”

A world where even arson is praised.

Han Siha scratched his head and bowed his head quietly.

The Emperor continued to shower him with compliments.

Compliments so overwhelming that it was hard to believe they were coming from the famously difficult Emperor.

“You’ve been performing excellently at the academy, your relationships are solid, and the professors speak highly of you… You’re excelling in every aspect of school life. Isn’t that right, Fabian?”

“Ah… Yes! That’s right!”

Fabian, startled, responded loudly.

The Emperor took it a step further.

“You’re classmates, right? You must have learned a lot from him.”

The only lesson Fabian had learned was, “Don’t mess with Han Siha unless you want to get hit.” But in this uncomfortable setting—with Han Siha beside him, Han Siha’s father in front of him, and the Emperor watching—Fabian could only nod enthusiastically.

“Of course. I’ve learned… a great deal.”

Han Siha frowned, looking over at Fabian.

‘That sounded really insincere.’

Fabian noticed Han Siha’s glare and quickly shut his mouth.

Then, the Emperor turned to Han Siha and said,

“Yes, the heir of Castica has grown splendidly. But I didn’t call you here just to tell you that.”

“Yes.”

“So, why do you think I summoned you?”

Han Siha glanced between Fabian and Han Taesu.

Judging by their expressions, neither of them seemed to have any idea either.

The reason the Emperor personally summoned him, a mere student, to the audience chamber…

His friends had been speculating about it earlier, though they were getting overly excited. Still, their guesses had been pretty plausible.

It was a reasonable theory.

It seemed like it might actually be correct.

There was only one explanation.

“Hmm.”

After a moment’s thought, Han Siha spoke boldly, without a hint of hesitation.

“Am I… getting a promotion?”