The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 153 - Head Theoretical Professor Kaiden (5)

Kaiden smoothly adapted to the Academy and had now completely taken control of the Theory Department.

With his fame as a genius mage and a former member of the Demon King Slaying Special Force, not to mention his incredibly sharp mind, everyone in the Theory Department followed Kaiden's words without question.

Ismera was competent, but honestly, she can't compare to Kaiden.

The only area where Kaiden might be lacking compared to Ismera is in social skills.

Kaiden handled tasks with the precision of an advanced AI, but he barely interacted with the other professors on a personal level.

"He's always smiling, but he never engages in small talk."

"It's nice that he's efficient, but it'd be great if we could get to know him a little better."

"Sometimes, I wonder if he's not a person, but a doll with a pretty, smiling face."

That was the kind of response I got from the Theory Department professors when I asked them.

Ismera might be prickly, but she understands basic social etiquette and knows how to win people over.

That’s why, even when she pushed the professors hard during her time as the Head Professor, they carried out her orders without complaints.

Kaiden, on the other hand, lacked that kind of touch. So, even though he’s handling the work much more smoothly than before, people still find it hard to be comfortable around him.

But it would be strange to tell him to change his behavior just because of those comments.

Everyone has their own style, and Kaiden’s is that of an individualist who displays social skills only when necessary.

For Kaiden, the professors in the Theory Department are strictly professional connections, and he treats them accordingly.

Criticizing him for having his own work style would be inappropriate.

# # # # #

"Hmm, yes… of course…."

Headmaster’s Office. We were reviewing the draft for the end-of-semester assessments.

As Kaiden presented the Theory Department’s plan, Kirrin nervously nodded in agreement.

"Yes, yes… this looks good… yes, very good…."

There was no one in the Academy Kirrin used honorifics with, so it was clear how much she was intimidated by Kaiden.

Ismera, sitting beside her, seemed impressed as she listened to Kaiden's report, her face showing a satisfied expression.

"It seems we can proceed with the theoretical assessments as planned, Head Professor."

"Thank you, Headmaster. I will see to it that everything is handled thoroughly."

Kaiden replied with his usual enigmatic and serene smile.

No matter the situation, he always kept that same expression, without any fluctuation in emotion, which might make those who weren't close to him feel a strong sense of distance or unfamiliarity.

"By the way, it’s almost lunchtime…."

"Yes, it is. Sir Dian, let’s go eat."

Kaiden said, cutting off Kirrin mid-sentence.

"Oh, sure. How about we all go together?"

I suggested, and Kirrin looked pleased, while Ismera didn’t object and got up from her seat.

"All of us, together for lunch."

Kaiden maintained his subtle smile and said,

"I don’t mind."

So, we headed to a dessert cafe in the shopping district.

These days, cafes serve everything from desserts like cake to simple meals, making them perfect for a quick lunch.

As usual, Kirrin ordered a whole strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, while Ismera opted for a salad.

I planned to share Kirrin’s cake, as I always did, so I only ordered a drink.

"I see. You’re sharing a cake with the Headmaster."

"It’s a lot, so we usually eat it together. We’ve done this often."

Kaiden seemed to understand and didn't ask any further questions.

"Thank you for the meal!"

When the food arrived, Kirrin beamed as she picked up her fork.

"Uh, would you like to try a bit…?"

Then, glancing around, she nervously placed a slice of cake on Kaiden’s plate.

"Thank you. It looks delicious."

Kaiden took a small bite from the corner of the cake with his fork and offered a gentle smile.

"It’s good."

"Right? Have some more. Here, Dian, have a piece too."

Kirrin cut a new piece and placed it on my plate.

"So, do the two of you often have meals together like this?"

Kaiden asked, watching us.

"Yes. Dian and I really love this cake. If you get it by the slice, it’s too little, so it’s cheaper to just buy a whole one."

"It’s quite refreshing to see a Headmaster and a professor share a cake so amicably. It gives the academy a very down-to-earth, human feel."

"R-right…? H-hehe…"

Kirrin was visibly flustered, her smile awkward and sheepish, while Ismera looked at her with a scornful gaze, as if she found her pitiful. What’s her problem now?

"Well then, everyone, enjoy your meal."

Feeling cheerful, Kirrin took a big bite of the cake, picking up a piece with a strawberry on top.

"Ugh…!"

But suddenly, she clapped her hands over her mouth and shot up from her chair.

"Huh? Are you alright?"

"Mmmp…!"

Her eyes wide, Kirrin shook her head violently and suddenly bolted away.

But she didn’t get far before she bent over the flower bed and started to spit out everything she’d just put in her mouth.

Was there something wrong with the cake?

I quickly sniffed it but couldn’t find anything off. Just to be sure, I tasted it myself, and it was the same as always.

Weird.

"Ah, I’m sorry…"

Kirrin apologized as she returned to the table, taking her seat again.

"Are you okay?"

"Y-yes, I’m fine…."

She forced a weak smile as she picked up his fork again.

"Ugh!"

But this time, she grimaced before she even managed to get it to her mouth.

"Bleagh!"

She tossed the fork aside, dashed away again, and began retching by the flower bed.

Kaiden walked over and gently patted Kirrin’s back.

"What’s going on?"

Even Ismera sniffed at the cake, but she was just as clueless.

"Maybe she’s just feeling unwell today."

"Could be. But hey, Dian."

After inspecting the cake, Ismera turned to me and asked sharply,

"Who exactly is this person, Kaiden?"

"What do you mean?"

"Didn’t you catch how he subtly insulted Headmaster Kirrin just now?"

"Insulted? How?"

"Saying the Academy was ‘down-to-earth and human’—he was implying the Headmaster doesn’t act like a proper Headmaster!"

"Hmm, do you think that’s what he meant?"

"Of course. Do you think I wouldn’t pick up on that?"

Well, Ismera did have a knack for things like this. But why would Kaiden say that?

Ismera drummed her fingers impatiently on the table.

"I just don’t like him. There’s something off about how he looks so feminine despite being a man, and his lack of emotional expression is unsettling."

"I’ve heard people saying similar things."

"You said he was your comrade, right? What was he like back then? And are you sure he’s really a man?"

"Back then? He was somewhat like this even then. And yes, he is a man."

"How old is he?"

"I don’t know."

"You met him ten years ago, right? Did he look the same back then?"

"Pretty much."

"What about his parents?"

"He doesn’t have any. Apparently, they died in an accident while he was practicing magic at home."

"Then he’s a woman!"

Ismera tapped the back of my hand as if she couldn't believe I didn't understand.

"If he looked the same ten years ago, then even at the minimum, he’d be in his mid-twenties by now. There’s no way a human male would still have a face like that at that age."

"Maybe he just looks young."

"That’s impossible. Biologically, it doesn’t make sense."

Ismera shook her head, still unconvinced.

"Maybe it’s some kind of magic. He might not even look like that in reality."

"By that logic, everything could be magic." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"You said he’s an illusion mage, right? Maybe this whole conversation is an illusion, my salad could be an illusion, and even the reflection I see in the mirror could be an illusion. Where does it end?"

I patted her shoulder with a smile.

"If you’re here, thinking and doubting, at least that’s real."

"What does that even mean?"

"Let’s say there’s a demon, a very evil and omnipotent one, who wants to deceive me. So, he manipulates everything I see, hear, and touch—even this exact moment with you."

"And?"

"But the demon couldn’t deceive the fact that I’m doubting all of this. The very act of doubting proves that ‘thinking me’ is real. Even if the world is a lie, the ‘me that is thinking’ can’t be fake."

"So, you're saying that by thinking and doubting, you anchor yourself and find your center?"

"Pretty much."

Ismera slowly nodded, still looking a bit puzzled.

"Sorry, everyone…"

Just then, a pale-faced Kirrin returned.

"I don’t think I’m well enough to eat with you today… I’ll head back…."

"Shouldn’t you stop by the infirmary?"

"Yes, I think I will…."

As Kirrin stumbled away, Kaiden returned to his seat and remarked,

"For some reason, it seems her stomach is upset."

Kaiden said this with a knowing smile, taking another bite of cake.

Ismera shot a discreet, dissatisfied look at him.

# # # # #

On her way to the infirmary, Kirrin kept shaking her head in confusion.

Earlier, just as she was about to eat the cake, a sudden wave of nausea hit her.

The thought of sharing the cake with Dian suddenly felt extremely unhygienic.

But nothing like this had ever happened before.

In fact, Kirrin usually found that sharing the cake with Dian made it taste even better.

And today, she had even made the effort to slice the cake nicely because Ismera and Kaiden were there.

Normally, they didn’t even bother slicing it—they just dug in from opposite sides.

So why now…?

It must be because of Kaiden’s presence.

He’s such an extraordinary person, it must have made me tense without even realizing it, twisting my stomach….

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]