I Need the True Ending to Graduate - Chapter 60

Without realizing it, I swallowed the saliva pooling in my mouth as I cautiously watched Jeran Ennessy’s expression.

Those light green eyes, gentle yet cold with intellect, stared straight at me.

The thin silver-rimmed glasses he wore caught the spring sunlight and gleamed sharply like a blade. My chest tightened before I even got stabbed.

As I nervously waited to hear what kind of criticism would come next, Jeran Ennessy spoke in a voice that was so soft it startled me.

“You’re headed in the right direction. Keep going as you are.”

“…?”

“You did well preparing this.”

He smiled gently at me.

It was a smile so perfect it could have belonged in a royal portrait, flawlessly beautiful, but I was too stunned to appreciate it.

‘What’s happening right now? What did I just hear?’

The unexpected praise left me dumbfounded. Meanwhile, Jeran Ennessy asked calmly, as if nothing strange had happened.

“By the way, I noticed the magic circle diagram wasn’t included. I’m curious how you plan to handle that part. Can you explain it to me?”

I had expected this question while preparing the materials, so I tried to answer as calmly as possible.

“I’ve organized most of the theoretical groundwork, so I plan to focus on the magic circle design during the remaining month.”

That’s what I said, but in truth, designing a magic circle was something completely beyond my ability. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t do it.

Digging into the history of dimensional transfer magic was something I could fudge my way through with my past experience. But drawing an actual magic circle? That was impossible.

I planned to harass the system nonstop over the next month until it handled that part for me.

Completely unaware of this, Jeran Ennessy looked pleased and nodded. “I see. I believe you’ll do well, Miss Even. If you ever need my advice or help, don’t hesitate to ask. Ah, it might be good to meet again about a week before the presentation.”

I couldn’t believe I’d have to go through this again, but my answer was already decided.

“Ah, yes… Then I’ll bring my updated draft when the time comes.”

“Good. I’ll be waiting.”

Just as I thought our conversation was wrapping up, accompanied by another flawless smile, Jeran Ennessy spoke again.

“And I noticed a few areas in your presentation that could use some revisions.”

He took out a pen and paper, then began to jot down notes while explaining the sections that needed correction.

‘Of course. It couldn’t possibly end this easily.’

I silently accepted my fate and readied myself, folding my hands neatly in front of me, prepared to watch my draft get torn apart by his tongue.

“First, I found a few typos. You probably checked several times, but it seems you missed some. Be a little more careful next time.”

“….”

“And here, as well as here. These citations are missing their sources. It’d be best to double-check them.”

“….”

“Lastly, did you know there’s a newly published study on ancient magic that could help your research?”

“…No, I didn’t.”

At my answer, Jeran Ennessy smiled softly, his gaze warm.

“I read it in advance, and it’s one of the finest works I’ve seen lately. I think you’d benefit from reading it too.”

“….”

“So, I got an extra copy for you. It arrived this morning, and I can give it to you as a gift. Take it with you.”

‘…?’

I had expected him to just tell me the title and author, but what came out of his mouth completely threw me off.

‘He’s giving me the book? Me?’

I was so stunned I couldn’t say a word, while Jeran Ennessy calmly opened his desk drawer, pulled out an actual book, and held it out to me.

I looked back and forth between the book being handed to me and Jeran Ennessy’s face, trying to read the situation. I couldn’t tell whether I was really supposed to accept it or not.

‘In my life, since when do professors give students books as gifts instead of shredding their souls like wheat in a thresher?’

An impossible scene was unfolding right before my eyes, and the look Jeran Ennessy gave me, warm and gentle, was both moving and confusing.

“Go on, take it. It’s a gift I bought to help with your research, Miss Even. You don’t need to feel burdened. Please, accept it comfortably.”

In any case, refusing a gift from a professor didn’t seem polite, so after hesitating awkwardly, I accepted the book.

It landed heavily in my hands. The cover was thick and luxurious, clearly expensive.

Even if I told myself he was just being cautious and considerate toward me after what happened with Karl Evenhart, this level of kindness felt excessive.

“Could it be that Jeran Ennessy, like Ruad, ended up falling for me or something…? No, that can’t be it, right?”

Even as I sharpened the blade of suspicion in my mind, outwardly, I bowed my head politely toward him.

“Thank you, Professor. I’ll read it carefully.”

“Don’t feel pressured. It’s simply a gift given out of hope for your success, Miss Even.”

I smiled politely. Somewhere between happy, awkward, and embarrassed. That was the best reaction I could manage.

‘Well, I’ve done everything I needed to, so I guess it’s time to leave.’

Silently gauging the mood, I decided it was time to free myself from this seat of thorns and reclaim my freedom.

“Thank you again for the book, Professor. Then, I’ll be going now….”

I quietly gathered my presentation materials and his notes to my chest, ready to make my escape, when Jeran Ennessy suddenly called out urgently.

“Wait, Miss Even! There’s something I need to tell you…!”

Startled by the most desperate tone I had ever heard from him, I froze mid-step.

Jeran Ennessy’s shout slowly faded into the still air.

When I turned to him with wide eyes, he seemed to realize only then that he had raised his voice, and he quickly offered an apology.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you, Miss Even.”

“No, it’s alright, Professor. But what was it you wanted to tell me…?”

I trailed off cautiously as I asked.

Though his sudden outburst had startled me, my curiosity about what Jeran Ennessy wanted to say now outweighed the surprise.

After all, I had already achieved the purpose of my visit—to have him review my presentation draft—and there shouldn’t have been anything left to discuss.

At my question, Jeran Ennessy’s complexion turned pale in an instant. His lips parted hesitantly as if he were struggling to speak, and his long silver eyelashes trembled uneasily as he glanced at me.

‘What on earth is he about to say to make that kind of face?’

Was he about to tell me that my presentation draft was garbage and I should throw it away?

But that didn’t make sense.

Just a moment ago, Jeran Ennessy had praised my work, not criticized it. The only things he had pointed out were obvious issues like typos and missing source citations.

‘Surely he’s not suddenly going to tell me, after this conference presentation, that he can’t be my advisor anymore and that I have to find a new one?’

It was already closer to summer than spring. Considering that it had been the middle of winter when I first fell into this world, quite some time had passed.

But imagining having to go back to square one—returning to the day I first arrived and searching for a new advisor all over again—made my vision go dark and filled my chest with despair.

“I hope you won’t be too shocked by what I’m about to say.”

“….”

The first words out of his mouth couldn’t have sounded more ominous, but I stayed silent, waiting for him to continue with the resigned calm of a prisoner awaiting execution.

“This isn’t a threat, Miss Even. Nor am I trying to pressure you. Even if you refuse, I have no intention of harming you or putting you at a disadvantage. I only wish to ask your opinion, that’s all. Do you understand?”

Instead of answering, I quietly nodded.

Seeing the severity of his expression and hearing how firmly he emphasized those words, it didn’t seem like what I had been imagining.

‘Then what is it? Surely he’s not about to ask me to present at another conference, right?’

No, that couldn’t be. I hadn’t even given this one yet. How could another one already be waiting for me?

Just as my mind started to spiral into panic again, Jeran Ennessy looked at me with an apologetic expression and finally spoke.