༺ Negotiation Table ༻
“Shall I bring some tea?”
When the maid who accompanied Caren and the Dean asked, Deus gestured for her to step back.
“It’s fine.”
Because he was openly being treated like an uninvited guest. The Dean’s facial expression twisted, but he managed to suppress it with great effort.
After all, he was a man who held the position of ‘Dean’ at the Academy.
Even when his emotions ran high and his judgment became clouded, he was someone who made rational choices.
“I apologize, Professor Deus.”
He began to speak politely, while slightly bowing.
“Your dismissal as a professor was highly unfair and proper verification procedures were not followed. The focus was placed solely on rumors and neglected the facts.”
This was partly because it was supported by the testimony of trusted professors, Erica and Gideon.
In the first place, Deus was just an invited professor.
Moreover, he was Erica’s connection, and since she had supported his dismissal, there was no need to keep him around, so he was easily pushed aside.
“I don’t need an apology.”
Deus replied emotionlessly. He truly seemed indifferent.
“Has your doubt regarding my actions been resolved now? That’s what I want to ask first.”
He asked while knowing the entire situation.
Caren knew that Deus was demanding an answer on purpose, but from the Dean’s perspective, he had no choice but to answer. Currently, Deus held the upper hand.
“Yes, I understand that it was due to the evil spirits haunting the academy.”
“…”
“I… No, we were inexperienced in dealing with such beings. We apologize for our incompetence.”
Spirits.
In other words, ghosts.
They were truly mysterious beings.
Among the Dark Mages, there were those who manipulated corpses and turned them into undead creatures.
These individuals were called Necromancers.
While they could use corpses, they couldn’t handle the souls that resided within them.
That’s why among Dark Mages, a Necromancer who could manipulate souls was an even more precious existence.
Regarding this topic, Caren stepped forward.
“I have one question, Professor Deus.”
The Dean was taken aback by the unexpected interference, but Deus shifted his gaze toward Caren.
“What is it?”
“I have crossed numerous battlefields and gained experience. During my tenure as a mercenary, I have also encountered matters related to Necromancers.”
Deus motioned for her to continue.
“I understand that souls find eternal rest after death; they fall into an everlasting sleep. However, I have heard that among them, those with deep grudges or strong egos can sometimes awaken as evil spirits.”
Deus remained silent. But from his expression, it seemed that she was right.
“We know that most of these spirits cannot be seen, touched, or interfered with by us. And if we have to guess…”
Caren glanced at Darius and Deia, subtly gauging their reactions.
“…Perhaps only a Necromancer would be capable.”
Twist
Deia maintained her composure, but Darius seemed slightly unsettled.
‘There’s a 50% chance of him being a Necromancer.’
Caren increased the odds in her mind and continued speaking,
“To be honest, in order to resolve this situation, we secretly brought in a Necromancer.”
Darius and Deia held their breath. Not only that, but the Dean was glaring at her, asking why she said such a thing and revealed this information.
But there was no choice.
She wanted to shake the man, who had maintained a poker face throughout this conversation.
‘Now, what will his reaction be?’
What kind of reaction would he show?
Caren wondered.
“Huh?”
However, upon looking at Deus’ expression, Caren let out a startled breath.
Because.
He was furious.
Extremely furious.
To the extent that veins popped out on his forehead, which were hidden under his black hair.
“Tsk. Idiots.”
Deus spat out the words as if he was expelling his breath. His reaction was strong enough to make Darius and Deia step back.
The atmosphere around them changed.
It was beyond a simple chill, it was like a frigid cold settled firmly in the room.
Everyone present was aware this was because of the man named Deus.
“I clearly wrote it in the letter. Did you ignore what was written on number 8?”
“…Number 8, number 8! That was the missing number you mentioned!”
At that moment, even Deus’ eyelid twitched slightly. He closed his mouth for a moment, exhaled, and returned to the same emotionless countenance as before.
“I see. So, the situation has escalated to this extent.”
Deus seemed to have understood something on his own. Curious, Caren asked.
“What exactly was written in number 8?”
“…”
Deus glanced at Caren subtly, as if it no longer mattered, and uttered abruptly.
“It said, ‘Do not provoke them recklessly.’”
“Ah.”
“After bringing in the Necromancer, the situation became even more serious, didn’t it?”
The Dean quickly responded as if he had been waiting for that statement.
“Y-Yes! That’s true! Because of what happened, the students and professors are suffering greatly. It’s even more so for the students who are living on the second floor of the dormitory, they are in a state of sleep and can’t wake up!”
Upon hearing those words, Deia swallowed her breath as her emotions seemed to soften, and she glanced at Deus.
No matter what, it was unfortunate that such a situation occurred for the students.
However, Deus declared,
“We’re done with sentimental nonsense. Let’s put an end to this chit-chat and start.”
The Dean intended to use the students as a way to persuade Deus to some extent, but the latter asserted himself coldly.
Caren also took out the contract from her bag and handed it to Deus.
After briefly reading the contract, Deus responded,
“It falls far below the standard I had in mind.”
“What, yes?”
The Dean’s voice grew louder as he opened his mouth wide like a toad, expressing disbelief in Deus’ words.
“This is what the best professors get! Sir Deus is still a new professor with no experience! In fact, even this much makes no sense!”
“In that case, you can go back.”
Looking at Deus, who didn’t intend to continue the negotiations at all, the Dean felt as if his insides were burning.
What if they couldn’t bring him back…?
He could already hear the cries and screams of students coming from the academy, and the ensuing blame from their parents.
Even their support from the Royal Family would be cut off.
Feeling dizzy, the Dean asked with trembling lips,
“T-Then, how much more do you want? If you tell me the amount, I will try to match it as much as possible.”
“200 million, exactly 200 million gold; we have ourselves a deal.”
“Ah…”
What did this lunatic just say?
This was a situation where his intestines felt like they were twisting. Sweat dampened his entire body, beyond the point of being able to wipe it away, almost like he was caught in a storm.
He subtly sent a signal to Caren, asking her for help.
She must have experienced a lot of negotiations regarding compensation during her time as a mercenary, right?
Compared to the Dean, who sat at his desk all day and only used his head to think, Caren, who had personally experienced such situations before, seemed more capable than him.
In the end, Caren stepped forward and intervened.
“No matter what, 200 million is too much. Professor Deus. To be frank, even I earn a salary of 70 million. Isn’t it too excessive of a demand as a newly appointed professor?”
“Hmm.”
“You should at least compromise to around 150…”
“If you’re thinking of negotiating like we’re in a market, then go back.”
Deus placed his hands on the desk and interlocked his fingers, interrupting Caren’s words.
He didn’t budge an inch. Deus sat firmly like a mountain, exuding a strange sense of oppressiveness towards the other party.
With every word he uttered, the Dean would show a reaction as if he was close to fainting.
“No, that’s not possible! 200 million? Are you serious? What kind of nonsense is this?”
“Hmm.”
While the Dean was practically begging, Deus took the pen next to him and added something to the contract.
“Additionally, annual research equipment support.”
“W-What is this!”
Didn’t he just say negotiation was impossible?
The Dean was so confused that he couldn’t distinguish whether it was sweat dripping down his face or if it was his own tears.
“Pl-Please give us some room for compromise. 200 million is too much!”
“Hmm.”
Again!
Again! That ‘hmm’!
The Dean wanted to sew Deus’ mouth shut. Every time the bastard opened his mouth, it felt like a year was taken off of his lifespan.
“Privatization of research equipment used for four years. After all, the other professors won’t be able to use my experiments.”
“Ahh!”
Does this mean that after four years, the items bought with the academy’s budget would become his property?
This is absurd!
“What kind of nonsensical idea is that! You want to claim the items purchased with the academy’s funds as your own?!”
“And access to the Index Librorum Prohibitorum in the Millennium Library of the Royal Palace.”
‘I feel like I’m losing my mind.’
Right now, the only desire the Dean had was to slap that bastard’s mouth. However, because of the giant named Darius glaring at him from the side, he couldn’t do anything but clench his fists.
“No, please make a more rational judgment! Please!”
“Also, quarterly expenses for personal business trips regarding research-related investigations and on-site inspections.”
“Aaaah!”
“Wait a minute.”
Caren hurriedly covered the Dean’s mouth. She was disgusted by the damp sweat on her palms, but it couldn’t be helped; the more the Dean talked, the more demands Deus was making.
Caren exhaled and asked,
“First, let me confirm one thing. If Professor Deus returns, will the current situation truly be resolved?”
“Yes.”
A simple, straightforward, and audacious statement. It gave even more credibility precisely because it didn’t require any additional explanation. It was a declaration of confidence, indicating that he was so sure of himself that he didn’t need to add anything else.
Deus then declared,
“It seems like you’re mistaken about something.”
He leaned back on the backrest slowly. If there was a cup of tea, he would have enjoyed it elegantly and leisurely, creating an atmosphere of grace.
“This is not a negotiation.”
It was a very accurate statement.
It was not a negotiation but rather a threat. It said that they should pay as much as he wanted if they wanted to save the academy.
It was a mistake to simply view him as a professor they had to bring back. In fact, this was what decided the academy’s fate.
That’s why Caren voiced a sudden question.
“Do you truly have thoughts of returning to the academy?”
Deus paused for a moment.
“No, I do not.”
And to that, he replied firmly.
