Chapter 2: Professor Alder

In the academy corridor.

Locke was pondering ways to break his predicament when the history teacher, Alder Franklin, suddenly appeared.

Alder Franklin, about sixty, wore a black eyepatch over his left eye and gold-rimmed glasses over his right.

A student accompanied him.

Locke recognized her instantly: Angel McLincoln, the youngest daughter of Viscount McLincoln from southern Anjou Kingdom.

She and the original Locke had been part of the same social circle at the academy.

Now, Angel was chatting and laughing with the old man, while Professor Alder spoke to her with a smile.

“Angel, I know you can’t afford this semester’s tuition. I can’t waive it, but I can offer you a way to earn money. Come to my office after your last morning class to copy historical texts for an hour each day.”

Professor Alder said with a kind smile, “The pay is ten gold coins per session.”

Angel’s face lit up with interest.

Ten gold coins a day wouldn’t cover a semester’s tuition at Aurelian Academy.

But since her family cut off her funding, maintaining her former lifestyle was a struggle, and her old friends had turned against her.

She was desperate for money.

Angel said, “Professor, I’m willing. Thank you for this opportunity.”

“You’re truly a kind person.”

“I never realized how generous you are.”

Professor Alder smiled, then noticed Locke Augustine, his expression flickering with surprise.

“Strange, it’s been over a week.”

“Could it be…”

Professor Alder’s smile widened as he addressed Locke, “Locke, you haven’t come to my office for three days. Are you facing difficulties?”

“I still welcome you to copy historical documents for an hour each day. Your work has been excellent.”

“You’re the most outstanding student I’ve seen.”

Locke frowned, alarm bells ringing in his mind.

He knew his transmigration was triggered by the original Locke’s death, which happened after copying documents for this old man for less than a week.

But no matter how he sifted through the original’s memories, he couldn’t understand how copying history books led to death.

In the days before his death, the original grew weaker, more listless, and increasingly frail.

On the final day, while copying texts in Alder’s office, he returned to his dorm in a daze and died suddenly, allowing Locke’s soul to take over.

Locke hadn’t figured out why copying texts was so dangerous, so he absolutely refused to work for Professor Alder again.

It was too risky.

Locke forced a smile, trying to sound normal. “Professor Alder, thank you for your praise.”

“But I’m looking for other part-time work recently…”

Alder waved dismissively, “Until you find something, you can keep working for me.”

“Start today at noon.”

“I’ll be waiting in my office. I’m very pleased with your work.”

Locke’s heart skipped a beat. This old man wasn’t letting go.

Targeting Anjouans like him for work was likely deliberate.

Locke quickly declined, “Professor Alder, I appreciate your high regard, but I’ve been feeling unwell lately.”

Alder smiled, “Feeling unwell doesn’t stop you from working. Young people face hardships. I know you’re in low spirits, but that’s exactly why you should work harder.”

“Look, Angel will be copying texts in my office this noon too.”

Angel thanked Alder, “Thank you, Professor.”

“I didn’t expect a teacher to help me in such tough times.”

She glanced at Locke with confusion and suspicion.

She couldn’t understand why Locke would refuse Alder’s kindness.

With their families’ support gone and daily expenses at the academy so high, how could they afford to reject the professor’s offer? Did they have better options?

Professor Alder nodded, satisfied.

Locke glanced at Angel, this naive girl, and persisted, “Sorry, Professor.”

“I’m really tied up for now.”

Alder’s smile vanished, replaced by clear displeasure. He stared coldly at Locke, “Then, Locke, history is a mandatory course. Besides tuition, you’d better settle this semester’s history course fees soon.”

“I expect you to pay the six hundred gold coins for the course by our next meeting.”

“Otherwise, don’t bother attending.”

History, language, and swordsmanship were Aurelian Academy’s three mandatory courses. Failing to pay for them would likely mean expulsion.

Alder took a few steps, then added, “Of course, if you work for me, I can delay your course fees for another month.”

“If you change your mind, Locke, come to my office.”

“I still think your work is excellent.”

Feigning anger, Professor Alder turned and stormed off.

Angel hurried after him, then paused, turned back to Locke, and scolded, “Locke, what’s wrong with you!”

“You made the professor angry.”

“He’s being kind. Who else would give Anjouans like us such an opportunity? You’re so ungrateful.”

“You’d better apologize to him. Things aren’t like before. You’re no longer an earl’s son, and I’m no longer a viscount’s daughter.”

Angel rushed off to catch up with Alder.

Locke watched her, shrugging.

Angel had been part of his circle, always orbiting the original Locke due to her lower status as a viscount’s daughter. But with Anjou’s fall, she no longer needed to curry favor.

He’d considered subtly warning her out of goodwill, but now saw it was unnecessary.

Character shapes fate.

With her attitude, if he warned her, she might betray him to Alder.

Locke began to think. “History class is twice a week, with the next one in three days.”

“If I can’t find a solution, I’ll either be expelled at the next history class or forced to resume copying texts for Alder.”

“I need a way out, fast. Or I need a plan for what to do if I leave the academy. Returning to Anjou is too dangerous.”

“Become a wandering noble?”

Locke glanced at the synthesis cube, which showed forty-five minutes until completion.

“Language class is starting soon. I’ll head there.”

“The most important courses at Aurelian are the three mandatory ones, but they’re ranked.”

“Language class is likely the most critical.”

“Then history, then swordsmanship.”

Locke recalled that in other academies or places, grammar teachers typically held lower status.

In this medieval-like era, martial prowess was valued far more than culture among knights, so swordsmanship should outrank history and language.

But at Aurelian Academy, that wasn’t the case.

Here, the language teacher, also the academy’s dean, held immense authority, often overriding other courses.

If the Outstanding Graduate quota was tied to any course, logic suggested language class was the most likely candidate.

That might be his way out.