The place where Knox and Simon had been transported felt unexpectedly cozy.
The cabin was built almost entirely from rough, unprocessed wood. The walls and floorboards bore natural textures, uneven but sturdy. Instead of a bed, a hammock hung lazily from one corner of the room. Animal furs were spread across the floor in place of a carpet, and along one wall, several pieces of game meat had been salted and left to dry in the sunlight streaming through the window.
It felt… lived in.
Click.
The wooden door opened. A tall woman stepped inside.
"Sorry for startling you, Student Knox, Student Simon."
"P-Professor Hong Feng!" Simon exclaimed.
Knox, on the other hand, simply gave a polite—yet slightly cheerful—smile.
"Professor Hong Feng."
She returned the smile and gestured lightly toward the seats.
"Please, sit."
Once they did, Hong Feng calmly explained the situation.
There had been a suspicious formula embedded within the teleportation circle. When she noticed the anomaly, she immediately ordered her assistants to investigate it. What they found was a diversion formula—one that reacted to a specific individual's Darkness and forcibly altered the teleport destination.
And the targets of that formula…
Were Knox and Simon.
"Do either of you have any idea who might have done something like this?" Hong Feng asked.
Simon shook his head without hesitation.
"I… I really don't know."
But unlike Simon, Knox remained completely calm. Too calm.
Hong Feng noticed it immediately. She turned her gaze toward him, eyes narrowing slightly with curiosity.
"Knox," she said with a gentle smile, "you don't look surprised at all. Not when you arrived here… and not even when you saw me just now."
She tilted her head. "It seems like you already have an idea, don't you?"
Knox nodded lightly.
"Mm. I don't have concrete evidence," he admitted, "but whoever did this would need access, authority, and enough understanding of high-level magic circles."
He paused. "At the very least, they'd have to be on a professor-level position."
Hong Feng's eyes widened—just slightly.
Then, they sparkled with admiration. "…I see."
That matched her own conclusion perfectly. Judging from Knox's tone, it was clear he already had a suspect in mind. Still, Hong Feng chose not to press further.
Instead, she nodded and continued.
"After noticing the tampering, I interfered with the circle and redirected the destination here—my home."
Then, her expression softened again, eyes gleaming faintly.
"Besides…" she added, "…I wanted an opportunity to speak with Student Knox and Student Simon one-on-one."
Simon blinked. "…With me too?"
Knox merely smiled.
Hong Feng noticed his reaction and thought to herself—
What a sharp student…
Then, aloud, she said, "Normally, it's against academy regulations to privately meet with students during the protection period."
Her smile faded slightly, turning serious.
"But considering someone else broke that rule first… I believe an exception is justified."
She looked straight at them. "Knox Aznable. Simon Polentia."
Her voice was calm—but heavy. "How would you feel about majoring in Magical Combat?"
Knox showed no sign of surprise.
Simon, however, froze. "…Ah!"
She continued without pause. "If you're willing, I'm prepared to accept both of you as my personal apprentices."
A direct disciple. Being personally mentored by a professor of Kizen.
Each professor was allowed up to three direct disciples per year—and each student could only belong to one professor.
The benefits were immeasurable.
One-on-one guidance. Absolute responsibility for the student's training. Resources, protection, and prestige beyond what normal students could ever hope for.
For students, it was a dream. For professors, it was a matter of pride.
And with such limited slots, the selection was never taken lightly.
"I… I don't really understand." Simon sounded genuinely flustered.
Of course, being offered a position as Professor Hong Feng's disciple was overwhelming—and he was deeply grateful. But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't understand why him.
He hadn't done anything particularly special. He had simply followed along like everyone else. He hadn't even reached the summit first—Meilyn and Hector had both beaten him.
And Knox?
That didn't even need to be mentioned.
On top of that, it was only the second day since enrollment. Professor Hong Feng still had plenty of time to observe other students, yet she had chosen him now.
He could understand why she would try to recruit Knox.
But himself?
Putting aside whether he liked the idea or not, it simply didn't make sense.
"Students tend to focus on rankings," Hong Feng said calmly, lifting her teacup. "But I look at talent."
She took a small sip before continuing.
"When you jumped across the gorge earlier and rebounded your Darkness—wasn't that your first time attempting something like that?"
Simon froze. …How did she know?
He nodded slowly, surprise written all over his face.
"Even so," Hong Feng continued, "your leap was the highest among Class A. That alone goes beyond luck or instinct."
She glanced at him. "And today's climb proved your stamina and endurance. Do you really think that deserves no recognition?"
Simon had no answer. Hong Feng then shifted her gaze.
"And as for Student Knox…"
She smiled faintly. "Even I was surprised. Based on your Darkness control during the gorge jump alone, your precision is already on par with at least a second-year."
Knox raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Combined with your battle experience as a bounty hunter," she went on, "your level of control rivals that of some veteran necromancers."
She paused, studying him carefully.
"To be honest, I'm not even certain whether recruiting you is the right choice."
Knox blinked—just a little.
"My instincts tell me you've already decided on your major," Hong Feng said. "And just from observation, it's clear you're highly proficient in multiple martial disciplines."
Her eyes narrowed with interest. "Your weapon mastery, in particular, is at an exceptionally high level."
Knox let out a quiet chuckle, clearly impressed by her accuracy.
"Hoo… as expected of you, Professor Hong Feng."
Hong Feng then turned back to Simon.
"If Student Knox is a polished gem—already shaped, yet still capable of growth," she said, "then you, Student Simon, are an unpolished one."
Her voice softened slightly. "And setting Student Knox aside… I believe I can truly help you."
She leaned forward. "That stamina. That mental fortitude. And most of all—your remarkable affinity for Darkness."
Her eyes shone with conviction.
"If you join Magical Combat, you'll blossom into the best version of yourself."
Hong Feng laced her fingers together.
Her smile faded, replaced by a striking seriousness. Even her pronunciation of Continental Common sharpened.
"In just a few years," she said firmly, "I'll shape you into someone who can surpass me."
Her gaze locked onto Simon. "Stronger than anyone."
Simon hesitated.
He could tell that Professor Hong Feng's offer was genuine. There was no deception, no hidden motive.
But… how did he feel about it?
Before Simon could sort out his thoughts, Knox suddenly spoke up.
"I'm sorry, Professor Hong Feng," Knox said calmly. "But as you mentioned earlier, I've already decided on my major."
Hong Feng looked at him.
Her expression was exactly as Knox expected—as expected, mixed with a faint trace of disappointment.
"I made that decision long before I was admitted to Kizen," Knox added.
She studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"I can't disclose the details," Knox continued, "but I believe Nefthis herself will be able to confirm my decision."
The name made Hong Feng freeze. "…Nefthis?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You mean Kizen's leader—the Death Witch, Nefthis Archbold?"
Knox simply smiled.
Hong Feng let out a quiet sigh.
"…Student Knox. It seems I was still underestimating you."
Meanwhile, Simon's mind reeled.
Nefthis…?!
He took a slow breath, forcing himself to calm down. Then, standing up, he bowed deeply.
"Thank you very much for your generous offer," Simon said earnestly. "But… to be honest, I'd like to decline."
Hong Feng didn't look surprised. She nodded calmly. "May I ask why?"
"There's another subject I want to focus on more deeply right now."
"Hm—" Her eyes curved into gentle crescents.
"Alright. Thank you for being honest. At least now I won't have any regrets."
"…Ah."
"But that doesn't mean I'm giving up on you, Simon."
"What?"
Her brown hair swayed softly as the wind passed through the cabin.
"There's still a year before you officially choose your major, isn't there?" she said lightly. "I'll just have to work harder and try to win your heart."
Simon was left speechless.
Why is she going this far… for someone like me…?
"And personally," Hong Feng added, "I'm curious to see how far you'll go."
She stood and raised her hand. A magic circle of Darkness spread across the floor.
"You don't need to be my disciple," she said. "But if you ever need help—come find me anytime."
"…Thank you, Professor."
Hong Feng then turned to Knox.
"And of course," she added, "if possible, I'd still like Student Knox to reconsider."
Knox stood as well and bowed respectfully.
"It's truly an honor to be recognized by someone like you, Professor Hong Feng," he said sincerely. "And I'm genuinely grateful for your offer."
She nodded once. "I'd like to keep today's conversation confidential," Hong Feng said. "You may both leave now."
Knox and Simon bowed again and stepped onto the magic circle.
Whoooong!
A gust of wind filled the room as both students vanished, leaving Hong Feng alone.
"Professor Hong Feng!"
The door burst open as a teaching assistant rushed in.
"What happened? What about Knox and Simon?!"
She smiled softly and shook her head. The assistant bit his lip in frustration.
"To reject the professor's offer…!"
"It's alright, Bred," Hong Feng said gently, patting his shoulder.
She turned her gaze toward the window.
"I just don't understand," Bred protested. "Why are you so taken with Simon? Wouldn't Hector be a better choice for Magical Combat? There are at least four others with great potential! And that Knox—he's famous, sure, but to think even he refused you!"
"A genius… and a monster," Hong Feng murmured.
"For Simon, I've seen countless geniuses at Kizen," she continued quietly. "But I've never seen that kind of genius before."
"…Pardon?" Bred asked.
"And as for Knox," Hong Feng said, her tone softening, "I feel both disappointed… and relieved."
"Professor," Bred said hesitantly, "is Knox Aznable truly that monstrous? If you regret this, I'll help convince him!"
Hong Feng looked at him.
It was the kind of look one gave to someone walking straight toward their own death.
She sighed.
"Bred. If you truly wish to do that," she said calmly, "then you'll need to convince Kizen's leader first."
Bred froze. "…W-What? Why is Her Excellency Nefthis Archbold involved?"
————————————
Character Voicelines · Knox: About Professor Recruitment
Knox: Honestly, no matter which world you're in, being directly recruited by a professor usually ends the same way.
Knox: You either become a highly successful student…or a highly successful slave…
Knox: Source? Hehe~ (wipes away imaginary tears)(ノ_<.)ヾ(´ ▽ ` )
Lorain (looking at Knox):(tilts her head)(・_・?)