Magic Academy's Bastard Instructor

Chapter 95: Zen's Comet [3]

Chapter 95: Zen's Comet [3]

As the group ventured deeper into the forest, Astrid slowed her pace and walked beside Charlotte, lowering her voice.

"Charlotte, does the professor dislike me?"

"Huh?" Charlotte blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Why would you think that?"

"I just get that feeling," Astrid muttered. "It's like he avoids me whenever he can."

"But he came on this trip, didn't he?"

"That's because you're here," Astrid sighed. "I don't think he would've come otherwise."

Earlier, Astrid had tried several times to approach Vanitas—asking questions about his thesis or just trying to start small talk. 

But each time, he responded briefly, and kept some sort of distance.

She understood why. It wasn't surprising, given his personality.

However, what bothered her wasn't his cold responses—it was the way he looked at her.

A look Astrid couldn't quite put into words.

"...."

It truly puzzled her. 

She was sure she hadn't done anything wrong to him. 

Sure, there were times when she had…. followed him using Becky. But that was only because he happened to be nearby while she was controlling the metal bird. 

It wasn't stalking. And it wasn't as if she could hear anything through Becky.

No, could he have found out?

It should be impossible. Or maybe he was just keeping quiet about it?

'I should stop….'

With that, Astrid dismantled Becky—who was on standby to watch the mansion, ready for Astrid to switch lenses with.

In any case, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Professor Vanitas was deliberately avoiding her.

"Sigh."

"If you're troubled, why not go and ask him?" Charlotte suggested. "I know my brother isn't the most approachable person, but he's a good person once you get to know him."

"I know that."

Astrid was well aware. 

Her curiosity about Professor Vanitas started when she met him up close at the auction. She had thought, 'This guy seems really smart…. but the rumors say otherwise.'

The more Nicolas talked about him, the more Astrid became convinced that Vanitas might be a villain. 

But as she observed him closely, all she saw was a misunderstood man—someone with a mind full of unconventional ideas, someone who could break down magic concepts in ways no other researcher, mage, scholar, or professor could.

In other words, he was exactly the kind of person Astrid was looking for.

A master.