Chapter 238: Exposed Identity
’Just what are they planning to do?’
Professor Hera peeked from behind a pillar, watching Chester and Ragnar walk side by side.
Since the last time she overheard them talking secretly in a secluded corridor, she had been keeping her eyes on them. Ever since that time, they hadn’t been seen together again, and she began to feel that she wouldn’t get anything from keeping tabs on them.
But tonight, hope returned.
Once the second class ended, she went back to the professor’s headquarters to work.
And after she worked and ate for a bit, she made it a habit to check on Ragnar.
She simply walked past the student council room, checking whether he was inside or not. Like usual, he was always there mingling with the other student council members. Professor Hera returned to work again.
Coincidentally, as she was stretching from working for hours, her eyes caught someone.
Caught Chester walking past in the corridor.
Professor Hera hesitated to follow him earlier, but decided to check. It was fortunate that she did, as Chester, after months of going no-contact, finally met with Ragnar. And these two were now heading somewhere.
’The Dragon Ring tournament is coming soon. I’m sure they were planning to take out Kai.’
Determined to unravel their plan, she continued to follow the pair.
Ragnar and Chester went to the cafeteria with unhurried steps.
Right outside, Professor Hera kept close and took a look inside after making sure that the coast was clear for her to spy on them. She saw nobody inside the cafeteria—other than the workers who seemed to be exhausted.
It was the cafeteria for freshmen, but this emptiness was strange.
Even though the freshmen were all mining and hunting outside, there should be some of them who remained behind to loiter around. After all, the group ranking had finished today, so it was time for the students to relax a bit.
Regardless, Professor Hera peeked at Ragnar and Chester.
Both of them ordered dessert in a bowl, and then sat on the other side.
Far away from the entrance, so Professor Hera couldn’t hear them.
’I need to get closer, but if I entered the cafeteria, I would stand out too much.’
A professor walking into the student cafeteria would stand out, like a sore thumb. And even if she decided to do it anyway, she couldn’t exactly sit close and eavesdrop. The moment either of them spotted her, they’d greet her politely and drop whatever they’d been discussing.
But she needed to listen to know what they were talking about.
Miss this window—and her chance to intercept whatever they were planning to do would be zero. Professor Hera inhaled deeply and decided that she would get inside and have Chester and Ragnar move places to talk.
Hopefully, the next area they picked would be easier for her to eavesdrop.
"I know you’re there. Come on in."
Professor Hera’s body seized.
She turned to look at the entrance as a frown formed on her face.
’Is he talking to me...?’
"Professor, don’t stand out there like that. No students around, so it’s fine for you to get in."
Professor Hera was standing beside the entrance, so she could not be seen. From the moment she followed the pair, she had been suppressing her aura to make sure that the two wouldn’t be able to sense her, too.
Despite those things, Ragnar somehow knew that she was outside.
She wanted to leave, but her body wouldn’t listen.
Slowly, she entered the cafeteria and saw Ragnar and Chester were still eating their dessert.
Neither seemed to be confused as to why a professor was following them.
"Do tell, Professor," Ragnar scooped the crumble, put it into his mouth—and then turned his body to face Professor Hera without standing up. "How come a professor like you decided to follow mere students like us? Are we in trouble or something?’
Professor Hera didn’t answer.
Couldn’t, to be exact.
She didn’t know what to say, but this only made Ragnar smile.
"I was kidding," He laughed humorously. "I already knew why you’re doing this."
"You... knew?"
"Yes."
Ragnar pulled the wooden spoon out of his mouth.
He then pointed it at Professor Hera, who was still standing awkwardly not too far away.
"What do you think about the upcoming Dragon Ring tournament—professor? Who do you think will win?"
"Anyone who deserves to win."
"And who do you think deserved to win?"
"The strongest student, of course. Regardless, it’s not my concern."
"The strongest student? Not the Lesser Angel?"
Ragnar grinned as he said that and then faced forward again.
Despite the odd situation, he was still trying to savour the dessert that he ordered.
It was the same for Chester.
He hadn’t lifted up his gaze from the bowl at all, as if the dessert was imprisoning his attention.
"It was the Chancellor who was adamant that the Lesser Angel couldn’t possibly survive and even triumph within the Blood Rite. No matter what I say—he was convinced someone in the academy was helping him." Ragnar continued. He was nonchalant, and his voice contained a mild humour. "So, I was forced to carry out research to find this—mole.
"And what do you know? The Chancellor was actually right."
Professor Hera’s eyes gradually turned sharp.
Since Ragnar seemed to know everything, then there’s no reason to act the fool anymore.
"How did you find out?"
"Of course, the first suspect was naturally you, as you’re the one who represented the academy in his Blood Rite, but I can’t be sure yet, so I started from the bottom. I need to know the details of what happened in that Blood Rite."
"And what better source than a groupless, desperate student?" Chester added.
He was still focused on his dessert, but there was a smile on his face now.
Professor Hera’s shoulders dropped a little in realization.
"Abigail." She whispered the name.
"Yes," Ragnar nodded. "Sweet and meek Abigail."
Not many survivors from Eventide Academy’s group in that Blood Rite. Only four, to be exact, which included Abigail. And as someone who was present in almost every major thing that happened, she might notice the odd relationship between Kai and Professor Hera.
She can’t give concrete proof, but at least she’s a witness that justified Ragnar’s suspicion.
’But still, he didn’t have proof to openly confront me like this.’ Professor Hera thought, aware that there must be more to this than a vague confirmation from Abigail. ’What does he have? And where did he get it?’
As if smelling the confusion in Professor Hera’s mind, Ragnar continued.
"I was piecing together everything that happened after the Blood Rite when I stumbled across something strange. Professor Richard. Why was he sent to be executed at the hands of a mere Lesser Angel?" Ragnar tapped his eyes, eyes narrowing as if he was contemplating. "I know the rules. I’m aware professors can be punished for interfering too much in the Blood Rite, but execution by a new Angel? That doesn’t sit right. Professors are more dignified than that.
"And that’s when I met Him," Ragnar grinned mischievously. "Or at least met His people."
"Him...?" Professor Hera tilted his head.
And then, her eyes slowly widened in realization.
It was the person behind Lion who was angry about his death.
Someone who wanted Kai dead for killing Lion despite giving the chance not to.
"He’s a very powerful man. Even more powerful than the Chancellor." Ragnar cackled, as he still could not believe how things went. "And you made a grave mistake for trying to find out who He was, professor."
Professor Hera swallowed harshly.
Even though she did it modestly, she did try to determine the identity of this man.
Determined the identity of the Demigod who was backing Lion.
And recently, she found a lead from investigating the seniors who tried to assassinate Kai.
She found out who sent them and tried to locate that person.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t find the person even after a month of searching. And it seemed rather than finding the person, it was her who was exposed for overreaching. The mistake cost her identity, and now she was exposed.
"Who are you working for, Professor?" Ragnar turned back to face her—resting his elbow on the table and leaning in leisurely. "I cannot find a single reason for you to help a Lesser Angel. Not unless you belong to that group. You know, the worthless people who refused to sacrifice for mankind—the ones still fighting for a cause that’s already lost."
Anger surged from within, and the veins around her neck and face bulged.
Mana leaked out from her as she bit her lower lip hard until she tasted blood.
Gone was the dignified persona of a strict professor.
Her bearing was replaced by something more emotional and feral.
And for the first time, Chester’s eyes turned towards her.
"Anger? Really? I must have hit the mark." Ragnar smirked condescendingly. "Go ahead. Kill me right here, and right now. Kill a meager Blooded Angel. Your people have been fighting a lost cause for years—a mole who managed to become a respectable professor only managing to kill me would solidify that you fucking bitch."
Professor Hera turned sharply and headed back toward the entrance.
Her steps were composed, but Ragnar knew better.
Knew that she was a train wreck inside.
"Off to check on your precious little puppet? The Lesser Angel?" Ragnar settled back into his seat nonchalantly, returning to his dessert. His words hooked into Professor Hera right when she reached the entrance, freezing her there. "While you’re here chatting with me, he’s already dealing with trouble of his own. He’s already fallen into the palm of my hand."
A thin scooped a spoonful of the dessert—and shoved it into his mouth, moaning in pleasure as the flavour touched his taste buds. "By now, he’s probably been apprehended—wondering why he ever bothered to survive. Thinking he should’ve died alongside his worthless sister."
Instead of answering, Professor Hera walked out and made her way through the corridor.
No reason to entertain Ragnar anymore.
Professor Hera realized how dire the situation was, and she couldn’t waste any more time.
Inside the cafeteria, Chester glanced at the entrance and then looked back to Ragnar.
"Are you sure it’s fine to let her go like this?" He asked with concern.
Even though Chester was rarely taught by Professor Hera, he had seen her a couple of times and never seen her mana go berserk like that. In fact, none of the professors had ever done that, so he was worried.
"Her time is already running out. What can she even do?" Ragnar waved a hand, dismissing the concern completely. "You’ll have to learn to deal with these things. Besides, we would not want her to miss seeing what happens to Kai, now would we?
"Tonight, there will be a purge."