Academy’s Undercover Professor-Chapter 109: Preparations (1)

As soon as his class ended, Ludger changed into his outdoor clothes and headed straight for Rederbelk.

There were only five days left until the auction.

With time running short, he needed to handle the preliminary groundwork as quickly as possible.

“You’re here?”

The moment he stepped into the meeting place, Alex greeted him.

Only—Alex didn’t look quite like himself today.

It was his outfit.

“Well, someone’s looking sharp.”

“Wasn’t that the point of putting me in these clothes?”

What Alex wore wasn’t the usual suits or casual clothes seen in the city.

It was a loose, white garment wrapped around him in layers, embroidered with gold thread. On his head sat a turban-like cloth, accentuating his naturally exotic look, especially with his tanned skin.

He held up a sleeve, admiring the fabric.

“Violetta, was it? She’s impressive. I didn’t think she could actually recreate the southern desert kingdom’s noble attire this perfectly.”

“How’s it feel?”

“Don’t even get me started. It’s not just for show—this thing is unbelievably comfortable. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind wearing this all the time.”

“Good to hear. Don’t forget—from now on, you’re a noble from the southern kingdom.”

“I know. Al Guar Musla, eighth son of Al Jahad Musla’s concubine. Lost all claim to inheritance, but got his father’s favor and runs part of the mana essence mining rights. Oh, and a heartthrob of the times.”

“Leave that last part out.”

“Rough.”

Alex chuckled, playful as always.

But of course, he wasn’t running this mission alone.

Ludger turned to Phantos, who stood like a bodyguard at Alex’s side.

“You ready for this?”

“If it’s an order.”

“It won’t be hard. Alex will do all the acting. You just stand there and keep the mood serious.”

Phantos’s role was Alex’s personal guard. He, too, wore the traditional clothing of the southern kingdom.

With his naturally darkened skin and wild, lion-like white mane, he didn’t look out of place at all.

“If you’re both ready, let’s move.”

“Phew. This is making me nervous.”

Here was the plan:

First, Alex, posing as a southern noble, would meet Ivan Luk.

Though called an auction house, Kunst provided luxurious accommodations for its high-profile guests.

It was essentially part hotel, part auction venue.

This upcoming auction was a major event lasting three days, and many guests were already arriving ahead of schedule.

These guests were all highly valuable contacts.

“Leader, do you really think Ivan Luk will meet with me?”

“He will.”

“He doesn’t usually spare a glance for anyone who’s not important.”

“You’re not just anyone.”

Waiting outside was a car, sleek and black, gleaming under the sun—clearly a top-tier model.

The three of them got in smoothly, and Ludger continued his explanation.

“As you know, the Luk Corporation is one of the top conglomerates in the Exilion Empire. There’s barely a field they haven’t touched.”

“Right, I’ve heard that.”

“But even the Luk Corporation has areas they can’t get into—specifically, anything related to magic artifacts and enchanted tools.”

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

“Artifacts, huh? Makes sense. Those are controlled by the elite magic families.”

“Exactly. Businessmen who can’t use magic don’t stand a chance in that field.”

The car began moving, gliding smoothly as the city passed by outside.

“But even then, there’s always a crack to wedge into.”

“And that’s the mana essence?”

“Correct. Mana essence is the raw material used to make magic stones, which are essential for artifacts. And there are only a few places where you can get high-quality mana essence. One of them is...”

“The southern Fatima Dynasty.”

“The Fatima Dynasty has a long, rich history. It’s a harsh land, all searing sun and endless desert—how do you think such a place lasted as a kingdom?”

Because of the mana essence, known as the blessing of the gods.

The Fatima Dynasty had built immense wealth on the vast reserves of mana essence buried deep beneath their land.

And # Nоvеlight # recently, it was confirmed they also had massive coal and oil reserves, crucial for scientific advancement.

“Mana essence from the Fatima Dynasty produces the highest grade of magic stones. Luk wants in on that. They can’t make artifacts themselves, but if they secure the rights to the raw materials, that changes the game.”

“I see. So from Luk’s perspective, getting into a new market like this is a top priority. And the identity I’m playing fits the bill perfectly.”

“You’re not well-known—a child of an eighth concubine—but still a connection. To them, that’s a lifeline.”

“Haha. Not that I’m really some eighth concubine’s son. Eight, though? Does anyone really have that many wives?”

Ludger answered seriously.

“They do.”

“Huh? Really?”

“In the Fatima Dynasty, it’s common for nobles to have over twenty wives. Being the son of an eighth concubine is actually pretty low-profile.”

“...Leader, I seriously want to be a noble from the south now.”

“Too bad. They care about pure bloodlines. No chance to climb from the bottom. Plus, their religious rules are strict.”

“Damn. That’s disappointing. Still, I’ll make the most of this role. But what if Ivan doesn’t recognize me?”

“Don’t worry. The rumors are already out.”

Eeeek.

The car came to a stop.

Ludger, seated by the window, opened the door and stepped outside.

He couldn’t go to the auction house with them. From here on, it was all on Alex and Phantos.

Before closing the door, Ludger held something out to Alex.

“Take this.”

“Huh? What’s this?”

Alex looked puzzled at the small object in Ludger’s hand.

It looked like a strange little pebble—he couldn’t tell what it was for.

“A portable communicator.”

“Communicator? This tiny thing?”

“Seridan made it. Wear it in your ear, and we can talk in real-time, no matter the distance. Try it now.”

Alex fitted the small device into his ear.

“Like this?”

[How’s that? Can you hear me?]

“...Wow. Yeah, I hear you perfectly. It doesn’t block out other sounds either.”

[It’s still a prototype, so it won’t last long.]

“How long?”

[Three hours, max.]

“That’s plenty.”

With the communicator working, Ludger gave one last word before closing the door.

“Alex. I trust your skills.”

“Well, now I have to live up to that.”

“Phantos. I’m counting on you too.”

“Understood.”

Ludger closed the door and tapped twice on the roof.

The driver started the engine and the car rolled away.

Ludger watched them go for a while, then slipped into a nearby alley.

He was also wearing one of Seridan’s communicators.

All he had to do now was listen.

* * *

“Ssshh... haaah.”

At the entrance of Kunst Auction House, Ivan Luk paced anxiously, fidgeting with his pocket watch and checking it repeatedly.

“They said he’d be here... so where the hell is he?”

“Director Ivan, please calm down. The message just arrived, he should be here soon.”

His bodyguard cautiously offered reassurance, but Ivan wasn’t calming down in the slightest.

A noble from the Fatima Dynasty... I have to get close to him for the sake of the company’s future.

Even if he was just a parachuted-in executive, as a director he still had some grasp of how the company was run.

And he knew where Luk Corporation was vulnerable—and where its weaknesses lay.

“Wouldn’t it be better to wait inside...?”

“Hey. Are you not getting the situation here? What if I’m inside when he arrives? What kind of first impression would that make? You gonna take responsibility for that?”

“N-no, sir.”

“Then shut it. This is our chance to kick Roschen out and really expand the business.”

If he could secure the mana essence trade rights, he’d finally have a chance to win back the trust he lost with his father.

Of course, even without that, it was something the company desperately needed—but after what happened at the banquet, he was even more desperate.

At that moment, a sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of the auction house entrance.

It wasn’t just any car—just from the look of it, Ivan knew.

He’s here.

Ivan instinctively realized the guest he’d been dying to meet had arrived.

And he was right.

The driver hurried to open the rear door, and out stepped a tanned, exotically handsome man.

He’s really here!

Ivan fought to keep his excitement in check, quickly brushing off his clothes and straightening his appearance.

He cleared his throat and approached the man.

“Ahem. A pleasure to meet you. I’m Ivan Luk, director of Kunst Auction House.”

“Oh, is that so? A pleasure indeed. I’m...”

“No need for introductions. I’ve already heard. Al Guar Musla, eighth son of Al Jahad Musla.”

Alex—now playing the role of Al Guar Musla—flashed a confident smile, slipping smoothly into character.

“Haha. For you to recognize someone like me, cast out from my own family... I’m touched, really.”

“Please, don’t say that. I’d never judge a man by such things. Come, let’s go inside. You’ll be treated like royalty.”

“Let’s.”

“And your bodyguard...”

Ivan glanced toward the massive figure stepping out from the front passenger seat—and fell silent.

His own bodyguards were big, but this man? He towered over them, muscles straining against his clothes, wild white hair like a lion’s mane radiating raw power.

Ivan swallowed hard.

“Ha, haha... your guard is... truly impressive.”

“Oh? You noticed? This guy’s worth more than a hundred soldiers. And he’s a beastkin, too.”

“O-oh! A beastkin warrior? Of course, I should’ve known!”

Ivan quickly played along, forcing a laugh.

He then signaled his staff with a subtle glance.

The pre-briefed guards and hotel staff snapped into action, lining up in formation and clearing a path.

Other guests, caught off guard by the over-the-top welcome, stopped to gawk at the scene.

But Ivan didn’t care about them—his focus was entirely on the man in front of him.

“Please, this way, Guar.”

“Haha, Ivan, don’t be so stiff. Just call me Guar. We’re about the same age, right? It’s more comfortable that way, no? Let’s be friends.”

“R-really?”

Ivan’s face lit up like the sun.

Trying to cozy up to someone important was one thing, but having him initiate friendliness? It was like he was floating on air.

And so, under Ivan’s lavish hospitality, Alex entered Kunst Auction House.

Speaking quietly into the communicator, he whispered, “Leader. I’m in.”

[Got it. Good luck.]

“What was that?”

“Oh, I was just admiring the interior. It’s so different from what we have back home—it’s fascinating.”

“Hahaha! You’ve got a good eye! This place was designed by none other than Lidenars, a rising star in architecture...”

As Ivan rambled on excitedly, Alex nodded along, taking in every detail of the auction house.

Hmph. The security around the entrance hall is pretty tight.

Just as Hans had informed him, Blackguards in jet-black armor were stationed all over, standing like statues.

If he hadn’t known better, he’d have thought they were just ornamental.

But he could feel eyes watching from behind those dark helmets—they were very much alive.

I need to check out the other areas too.

Though he had memorized the blueprints, seeing it all in person was different.

Led by Ivan, Alex continued his "tour" through the auction house.

Ivan never once doubted Alex’s identity. The clothes, the exotic looks, the calm, easy demeanor—he was everything Ivan imagined a noble would be.

And Alex’s vivid, detailed stories about life in the Fatima Dynasty? Flawless.

“Hey, Ivan, my friend. I almost forgot something.”

“Forgot?”

“On my way here, I received something quite valuable. But here in this foreign land, I don’t really have a safe place to store it.”

With a snap of his fingers, a man acting as his driver and porter stepped forward, holding a bag.

The nearby guards tensed, preparing for the worst—but Ivan raised his hand to stop them.

“What’s that?”

“Our family’s been experimenting with a new refinement method for mana essence—producing higher-quality magic stones.”

Magic stones!

Ivan’s eyes gleamed with greed.

“R-really?”

He tried to play it cool, but Alex knew he had him hooked.

“And what are you planning to do with them?”

“Nothing’s decided yet. That’s what I’m here to figure out.”

“W-when are you planning to decide?”

“I’d like to soon, but I came here to relax for a bit first. But I can’t exactly carry this precious prototype around everywhere, can I? It’s stressful just thinking about it.”

“Haha, of course, I understand.”

“But I’ve got no idea where to store it safely. That’s why I’d like to ask you, my friend—do you know a good place?”

Alex dangled the bait.

And Ivan took it, hard.

“Of course! Come with me! I know just the place.”

Ivan took the lead immediately.

Watching his back, Alex gave Ludger the signal.

“Leader. This is <Hugo>. I’m starting the operation with <Melville>.”

[Understood.]

Code name <Victor Hugo>: Alex.

Code name <Herman Melville>: Phantos.

The two of them descended into the depths of Kunst Auction House.