is just a system task.

"..."

Rod leaned against the wall and sat helplessly on the ground.

The rain separated him from Luna, preventing him from seeing her face.

Even though Luna pierced his chest, he didn't blame her at all.

Because the story has progressed almost exactly as Rod predicted, steadily advancing according to the script he laid out.

The only surprise was that Luna didn't manage to kill him with a single blow.

Why does this discrepancy occur?

Rhodes reviewed his past actions, which were basically in line with the predetermined fate to advance the plot, while also completing the system's mission objectives.

The predetermined fate he saw was actually composed of countless fragments of memory, not a complete future. Many of the unclear parts could only be filled in by his own imagination.

……

The system's first task objective requires him to [successfully complete all the courses he is responsible for teaching].

After much deliberation, Rhodes decided to present himself as an incorruptible and rigid professor.

This aligns with Professor Rhodes's character while also serving as a pretext to subtly advance the plot and achieve the mission objective.

So Rod spent a tremendous amount of time meticulously preparing each lesson and giving fair evaluations to each student.

The subsequent developments showed a very enthusiastic response.

Many students and even teachers came to audit the classes.

This made Rhodes breathe a sigh of relief.

However, the second objective, [to recruit Luna, the heroine of Destiny, and train her to become a talent], proved to be a challenge for Rhodes.

As the destined heroine, Luna has an exceptional ability to cause trouble and is always able to encounter various crises.

To prevent Luna from dropping out of school due to various accidents, Rod often had to step in to clean up her messes.

Fortunately, after the initial pretense at the start of the semester, Rhodes's image of fairness and seriousness has been firmly established.

This allowed him to get involved in major events.

When Luna clashed with the children of aristocratic families, Rod spoke up for her and successfully resolved Luna's crisis of dropping out of school.

When Luna encountered difficulties in her studies, Rod would criticize her harshly, and then give her extra help.

When Luna applied for a student loan, Rod glanced at it casually, then signed it without a second thought.

When faced with a life-or-death crisis, Rhodes would either secretly provide strategy tips in class beforehand, or personally step in to resolve the crisis that was beyond Luna's capabilities.

All of Rod's efforts eventually took root and blossomed at the end of the first year.

That evening, Luna suddenly stopped Rod in the corridor.

"You should know who I am, right? Why did you go to such lengths? Is it because you feel guilty for killing my parents?"

"..."

Faced with Luna's direct attack, Rod was momentarily at a loss for words.

You can't just say "it's just a system task," can you?

According to Professor Rhodes's memory, he did indeed kill Luna's parents.

But now is not the time to admit it. He hasn't completed the system's mission yet, and admitting it now would probably cause the plot to fall apart.

After a moment's consideration, Rhodes decided to answer in a roundabout way.

"You are my student, an unpolished rough stone. I want this rough stone to shine with its due brilliance, nothing more."

This actually contains a hidden hint.

He was implying to Luna that he could polish her into a precious gem, so hurry up and get her into the pot... to become his apprentice.

I don't know if the suggestion worked.

Anyway, Luna submitted her application the following year.

Rod read the application carefully, then signed his name indifferently.

My heart was already bursting with joy.

The second goal has also been achieved.

All you need to do now is hold out until Luna graduates, then tell Luna the truth, let her get her revenge, and then Rhodes can peacefully exit the stage.

Professor Rhodes is a perfectionist with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

To make this final farewell, he had already started making plans a month before graduation.

The time was set for the night of graduation, a night with a light drizzle, which would enhance the tragic atmosphere...

The location was chosen right in front of my own house, where it was quiet and secluded late at night, and almost no outsiders would dare to break in...

The attire must be the ceremonial dress for the college gala, reflecting both the distinguished status of the chief professor and the suddenness of his death at the pinnacle of his life…

In addition, the sword should be given to Luna as a graduation gift, making sure that it was the very sword she was wearing at the time...

He wanted his student to use the sword he had given him to stab him to death, in order to avenge his parents who had been murdered by him.

This was the perfect farewell that Rhodes had prepared for himself.

So when Luna, following the clues deliberately provided by Rhodes, came to the main gate of the mansion to ambush him, Rhodes felt nothing; he even wanted to laugh.

However, Luna's next words silenced Rhodes.

"Teacher, please tell me... even if it's a lie... none of this is true, right?"

"..."

Luna's voice was thick and terrifying, almost like the agonizing groans of a dying person.

The heavy emotions contained within are so overwhelming that they make it hard to breathe.

This was far beyond Rhodes' expectations.

Rod had no idea that Luna had such deep feelings for him.

After all, he maintained an indifferent attitude towards everyone from beginning to end, and at least on the surface, he never showed any favoritism towards Luna.

To be honest, Luna's current state is making Rhodes a little scared.

However, since things had come to this point, Rod had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue.

"It's true, I killed your family."

Rod wore a poker face to hide his guilty conscience.

To make Luna make up her mind, Rhodes gritted his teeth and recounted in detail the scene from his memory where Professor Rhodes murdered Luna's parents.

This became the final straw that broke the camel's back.

Chi.

The elegant longsword pierced Rhodes' chest.

But just before piercing Rhodes' heart, the longsword inexplicably deviated by a fraction of a millimeter.

……

This was an unbearable torment for Rhodes.

For a moment, it was impossible to tell whether Luna's shift of a few millimeters was due to love or hate.

The sharp pain in his chest constantly assaulted Rod's nerves.

Don't be fooled by his seemingly calm demeanor; it's all an act to maintain his image as the chief professor. He's just gritting his teeth and putting on a brave face.

In reality, he was already in so much pain inside that he wanted to roll on the ground in agony.

Fortunately, given the current rate of bleeding, he will bleed to death if he can hold on for just a little longer.

"This is the last lesson I'll teach you."

"Rhodes said softly."

Looking up at the girl before him, the light rain blurred Rhodes' vision, and the excessive blood loss shrouded his eyes in darkness.

All that could be seen was the outline of the girl with her head bowed and the dewdrops sliding down her cheeks.

I don't know if it's rain or tears.

"There's no need to be sad. For both of us, this is the best ending..."

Rhodes can complete the final mission, [dying at the hands of Luna, the heroine of Destiny], return to his own world, and gain Professor Rhodes's talent.

As is destined, after successfully avenging her parents, the strong-willed Luna will overcome her grief and embark on a journey to save the world with her companions, becoming the true heroine of her destiny.

This is undoubtedly the best outcome for both of them.

Finally, I'm free...

A genuine smile appeared on Rod's face.

He is now beyond saving and is about to die, so there is no need for him to wear that hypocritical mask anymore.

That's great, he's going to die.

Good riddance.

Everything is under control.

"teacher?"

Suddenly, another voice came from afar.

Rod's smile froze instantly.