After accepting the proposal, Yujin returned to the inn.

In the temporary room Mary had lent him, he began organizing his belongings while reflecting on the earlier events.

"She was bolder than I expected," Yujin thought, recalling Principal Ines of the academy. Specifically, the moment he accepted her offer and shook her hand.

"Very well. In that case, I will accept the academy’s offer for a professorship."

The memory of that moment played vividly in his mind. He remembered how Ines had subtly moved her mana, seemingly attempting to probe his own. Concerned that revealing his dragon nature might cause complications, Yujin decided to erase his mana entirely, concealing it.

Her reaction remained fresh in his memory—she had tried to hide her surprise, but her eyes widened like lanterns, and her pupils trembled uncontrollably.

Well, who wouldn’t be alarmed? A mage with no detectable mana would naturally seem suspicious. While attempting to gauge the level of his abilities, she would have suddenly been faced with the possibility that he might not even be a mage.

"Is something the matter?" Yujin had asked, feigning innocence with a composed smile. He even prepared an excuse, intending to claim he had exhausted all his mana on a time-related spell if questioned.

"No, it’s nothing," she had replied, strangely deciding to let it go. It was a curious thing.

"In any case... you’ve made a good decision. Now, shall we head to the academy together? There are accommodations reserved exclusively for the faculty."

"Before that, I have a place I’ve been staying. I’d like to settle my affairs there first and bid farewell to the landlady."

"I see. In that case, take this communication crystal and contact me once you’re finished."

Now, Yujin fiddled with the crystal Ines had given him.

"Who would’ve thought I’d become a professor in another world," he mused, a peculiar mix of emotions swirling within him. It was a feeling of... anticipation, perhaps?

Back on Earth, he had occasionally taught or lectured awakened individuals in magic-related fields. Thinking about those times brought a faint smile to his lips.

"It was rather enjoyable, wasn’t it?"

It wasn’t anything extraordinary. He had served as a temporary instructor, teaching recruits at a guild or guiding newly awakened mages at the association’s request. Essentially, it had been a caretaker role.

Listening to the complaints of rookies, soothing those terrified by life-or-death combat—it was akin to babysitting. The pay wasn’t great, so most awakened avoided such roles. Yet, Yujin had preferred those tasks over slaying monstrous beasts in gates for money.

Wasn’t it obvious? Teaching and guiding people to survive in a harsh world was far more fulfilling than leading a mercenary’s life of constant bloodshed.

This inclination largely explained Yujin’s interest in becoming a professor.

Fulfillment.

A modest sense of personal satisfaction, but it felt more meaningful than work done solely for money.

Yujin wanted to live a life doing work that satisfied him.

Tiamat, having seen through his feelings, had gently nudged him toward this path.

Though Yujin rarely noticed, Tiamat was deeply grateful to him for rescuing her from the tomb and accepting their contract so willingly.

Her gratitude was so profound that she sincerely wished for Yujin to live the life he desired and to be happy.

With this sentiment in her heart, Tiamat smiled warmly and asked, 『Are you looking forward to it?』

"Looking forward to it? I suppose I am," Yujin replied, smiling back at her. He continued, "Thank you, Lady Tiamat."

『Hmm?』

"I mean, for being so considerate of me. You must want to free the dragons as soon as possible."

For countless years, Tiamat had been trapped in the tomb, waiting for someone to come to her aid, all while longing for the liberation of her kin.

Her strong attachment to her kin was undeniable. Though she had said there was no rush, claiming the dragons would remain in slumber for a millennium, Yujin knew she must wish to free them immediately.

"Even so, you prioritized my personal interests over your own. I truly appreciate that."

『......』

"That’s why I wanted to say thank you."

Tiamat seemed momentarily taken aback by his words but then smiled gently.

『Yujin, I found hope because of you.』

"......"

『Thanks to you, I was freed from my prison after countless years. And now, I hold hope that my kin can be liberated as well. For that, I should be the one thanking you. More importantly...』

Tiamat moved closer to Yujin and gently cupped his cheeks with her hands.

Strangely, though she lacked a physical form, Yujin could feel her warmth.

『You are my child.』

"......"

『My cherished kin, created with my own heart and bound to me by soul. So...』

She smiled brightly and continued, 『It’s okay to rely on me, to lean on me even a little. I’d be even happier if you trusted me more.』

"......"

Yujin closed his mouth and remained silent, his heart shaken by the profound maternal love radiating from her.

The warmth he felt from her reminded him of a family he hadn’t known in a very long time.

"...Tiamat."

『Drop the formalities, won’t you? After everything I’ve shared, calling me with such distance would hurt my feelings.』

"Haha... Is that so?"

Yujin chuckled awkwardly. He then asked, "Then what should I call you?"

『What would you like to call me? I’d love a special title just for you.』

"...Mother?"

『That’s what all the other dragons call me. I’m essentially the great mother to all dragons, after all.』

Yujin had said it jokingly, but Tiamat’s serious reply made sense. If every dragon used that term, it wouldn’t feel unique at all.

"Then... Tia?"

『Huh?』

"How about Tia? It’s a shortened, affectionate nickname," Yujin suggested with a smile.

Tiamat mumbled the name to herself a few times before smiling warmly. 『Tia... Tia. I like it. It feels special.』

"Then I’ll call you Tia from now on."

As Tiamat nodded, pleased, Yujin added, "Now that we’ve settled on a name, how about I share a secret of my own?"

『Oh?』

Yujin grinned and, with a tone that lightened the atmosphere, said, "Tia, the truth is, I’m from another world."

***

Yujin told Tiamat about Earth, the world he came from, and the circumstances that brought him to this one.

It wasn’t a secret he had planned to keep forever, but there had never been a suitable moment to bring it up. Besides, he had deliberately hidden even the thought of it, worried that the idea of this world existing as entertainment for another might shock or unsettle her.

『I see.』

Tiamat, however, showed no signs of surprise or distress. She calmly said, 『I had a feeling that might be the case. Your knowledge and the way you’ve acted so far... you’ve never seemed entirely like someone from this world.』

Yujin hadn’t exactly made an effort to hide himself beyond keeping his thoughts in check, but he hadn’t expected her to remain so unflappable.

『Still, a game, you say. You learned about this world through a form of entertainment and then crossed over? Fascinating. Was it the work of a god?』

"Is that possible for gods to do?"

『Not entirely impossible. Just as the spirit realm is linked to this world through the World Tree revered by elves, if one can perceive another world, even transcendents might be able to interfere.』

"...I see."

If that were the case, then perhaps returning to Earth was also within the realm of possibility—though Yujin wasn’t sure if he even wanted to.

『You once mentioned that you thought others from Earth might end up here too.』

"Yes, I did."

『You should consider that a real possibility. If you were brought here intentionally, I see no reason why it would stop with you alone.』

"If someone orchestrated my arrival, I agree."

『It feels like the work of gods to me… but their motives are a mystery. We may need to be cautious.』

Tiamat murmured thoughtfully, then clapped her hands lightly and addressed Yujin.

『At some point, try using the Prophetic Words of Power. Unless a higher being interferes with the future, you’ll be able to foresee things with remarkable accuracy.』

"Is that so?"

『The powers of a dragon come closest to omnipotence compared to any other. Of course, that’s why we’ve been so heavily suppressed.』

Tiamat’s tone grew slightly bitter before she spoke again.

『Anyway, if you’ve finished your preparations, let’s get going. Instead of dwelling on vague worries about the future, it’s better to focus on what you can do now.』

"That’s a wise perspective," Yujin agreed, nodding.

Since his packing had been done for a while, Yujin descended to the first floor of the inn.

"Oh dear, leaving so soon? Such a shame," Mary greeted him, her tone tinged with regret. She had grown fond of him during his stay and had learned of his new position at the academy.

"Thank you for everything, Mary. I’ve been in your debt."

"Oh, nonsense! If anything, I’ve taken too much from you," Mary replied, waving her hand as she thought of the generous rent Yujin had paid. Her expression showed a mix of amusement and disbelief at his apparent wealth.

"Well, take care of yourself, and stop by if you ever feel hungry," she added.

"Of course. I’ll always remember the food here," Yujin said with genuine gratitude, bowing slightly before stepping away.

"Safe travels! Don’t be a stranger!" Mary called out, waving enthusiastically. Yujin smiled and waved back before turning his gaze toward the academy in the distance.

The massive structures, built like an expansive city, stood near the labyrinth. Gazing at the sight, Yujin began walking.

A flash of light surrounded him, and in an instant, he vanished.

***

Meanwhile, after completing their recruitment of Yujin, Ines and Reina returned to the academy via spatial transfer.

The two were now facing each other in the principal’s office.

Ines spoke first.

“…He accepted much more readily than I expected.”

“Yes, that’s true,” Reina replied.

Both of them were reflecting on the man who had accepted their offer for a professorship—Yujin, the only mage known to have systematized spatial-temporal magic. To their surprise, he had agreed to the position with little hesitation.

“…It’s suspicious,” Ines muttered as she thought about him.

After all, a professorship at the academy was a prestigious position. The pay was high, the benefits excellent, and the accommodations unparalleled. Most would jump at the opportunity.

But not everyone who could qualify for such a position would necessarily accept it. Some had greater ambitions, sought to prove themselves independently, or had no interest in such roles at all.

The more capable a person was, the stronger these tendencies often became. Yet Yujin was an exception.

Having systematized spatial-temporal magic, he had already proven himself as someone whose abilities were unmatched within the academy. Despite that, he had accepted the offer after verifying only a few things—whether he would be forced to teach spatial-temporal magic and whether he would have time to explore the labyrinth.

He showed no interest in the salary, benefits, or other perks. The only advantage he seemed to care about was being able to deter those who were overly interested in him. But even that was questionable; someone of his caliber could easily establish his own school, creating a faction that would naturally fend off such nuisances.

More than anything, he appeared genuinely interested in the position itself. Though he paused briefly in contemplation, it seemed almost as if he had decided beforehand.

Unless, of course, he was a black magician.

“What stood out to me most was how unreadable he was. He never showed his eyes, always maintained a smile, spoke politely and calmly… At his lecture, he seemed to have strong convictions, but when I met him in person, I couldn’t discern anything.”

Ines recalled the image of Yujin at the lecture, where he had openly clashed with the Mage Association and toyed with its president.

At the time, she had thought he was driven by a conviction to expose the association’s corruption. Yet, in their face-to-face meeting, he seemed devoid of any clear principles.

Eyes hidden, a consistent smile, and a polite, even-toned voice.

Meeting him directly, she couldn’t shake the impression that he took nothing seriously, mocking everything in his path.

“Did you sense any dark magic from him?” Reina asked cautiously.

Ines frowned, her expression one of profound confusion. “I sensed nothing. Not even mana.”

“What?”

“I couldn’t feel anything at all. For someone of my level to sense absolutely nothing—it’s incomprehensible.”

She recalled the encounter vividly.

“Why do you ask?”

Yujin had smiled as if mocking her attempt to probe him, without the slightest hint of unease.

“No… it’s nothing,” she had replied, withdrawing instinctively, much to her own frustration.

Ines bit her lip. Reina’s expression also grew grave.

“Are you saying that someone of your strength couldn’t detect even a trace of his aura? That the gap between you is that immense?”

“…I don’t want to believe it, but… that’s my assumption,” Ines admitted.

For someone to conceal their presence so completely from a mage of Ines’s caliber, they would have to be a transcendent being.

“That’s absurd! That would mean he’s practically a transcendent!”

Though this was the truth, Reina struggled to accept it. Ines added, “I don’t think he’s truly a transcendent. It’s possible he used a relic from the labyrinth to conceal himself. Black magicians, for instance, have been known to use dragon relics to suppress their dark magic and pose as ordinary mages. But… the problem is, I didn’t sense the presence of a relic either.”

“……”

“I don’t know… I simply don’t know.”

As Ines’s frustration deepened, Reina couldn’t help but voice a pressing question.

“…Are you really planning to let someone like that into the academy?”

“…Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. And since we can’t gauge his strength or intentions, it’s better to keep him within reach for observation,” Ines replied.

“But what if the students are in danger?”

“I will not let that happen. Even if I have to stake my life on it,” Ines said with a faint smile. Reina’s expression remained heavy.

“Besides, he might not be a black magician at all. Perhaps it’s all a misunderstanding, and he accepted the professorship out of a genuine desire to teach,” Ines suggested, though she wasn’t entirely convinced.

“…I hope that’s the case.”

Even as the two edged closer to the truth, they clung to the possibility that it was all a baseless worry.

Just then, the communication crystal linked to Yujin lit up with a soft hum.

“!”

Ines and Reina tensed momentarily before Ines picked it up.

“This is Ines. Are you ready?”

A man’s calm voice came through the crystal.

[Ah, Principal. Actually, I’m already at the academy.]

“…What?”

Already? So quickly? Had he used spatial transfer?

But the academy’s surroundings were warded with labyrinth relics to twist spatial coordinates, preventing intrusion unless one knew the precise configurations. Only someone with Ines’s level of access could bypass them.

Yet, without spatial transfer, how could he have arrived so soon?

[The academy is certainly vast. I’m worried I might lose my way… perhaps near the student dormitories?]

As the two women remained stunned, Yujin’s voice continued with a light laugh.

[So, could you come find me before I accidentally wander into the wrong place?]

Both of them froze, completely speechless.