25 – External Instructor(1)
Approximately one week had passed since the festival ended.
As expected, everything at the academy was peaceful after the festival.
Well, thinking about it, it was only natural.
This place wasn’t a battlefield, and what could possibly happen in just a week.
‘I’m disappointed that I haven’t been able to find out any information yet.’
There’s no gain in being impatient.
Whether it’s about Lisa or a renegade, whenever you get impatient, doesn’t your perspective narrow?
‘Yeah. There’s no need to get desperate.’
Thinking this, I looked at the student in front of me.
Subsequently, I nodded my head after seeing the circuit she created.
“That’s good enough.”
“Phew.”
As soon as my words ended, Maria exhaled a shallow breath.
The magical aura that had been undulating from her body began to wane.
In the next moment, she looked at me with expectation-filled eyes.
“How did I do?”
“Indeed. So far, you can consider that as if you’ve mastered your thunderbolt.”
At these words, the other students gasp in shock.
There has been no one who has completely mastered the assignment since the first lecture.
Most often, the form collapses in the middle, or the circuitry gets tangled.
However, the S-level group showed some noteworthy progress.
In the case of Elina Elaine, she kept her form better than others.
She even managed a few successful attempts now and then.
Of course, that doesn’t mean she was successful every time.
On the contrary, Maria…
‘I guess she’s fully mastered it now.’
She uses her thunderbolt in her unique form without making mistakes.
Considering Maria’s talent, she could likely use other spells in her style.
‘It’s not like she’s Mary’s daughter for nothing.’
This is the moment I realized Maria had exceptional talent.
-♩♪♬
The bell rings indicating the end of the lecture.
I prepared to address my students.
“Today’s theoretical lecture ends here. We will make progress in the next lecture, so anyone who has not been successful should revise and attempt at least one successful execution.”
With that, I was about to leave the classroom.
But just then,
-Ah. Professor Cael. Please come to the president’s office immediately.
A sudden call for me emanates from the crystal in the classroom.
‘Why? Do they need something from me?’
I moved towards the principal’s office, filled with doubt.
***
The distance between the classroom and the president’s office was not far so it didn’t take long to get there.
Upon reaching my destination, I prepared to gently knock on the door.
It was at that moment.
“Please come in.”
The president made the first move.
Upon hearing those words, I gently opened the door.
Then, Makarov, who was handling the mountain of paperwork, came into view.
Despite my arrival, he seems far too busy to look this way.
“You may sit wherever you’re comfortable.”
“I will do so.”
I silently sat on a seemingly soft sofa.
Then, the president, having put down his quill pen quietly on the desk, let out a shallow breath.
Soon, he initiated a question.
“How is your life at the academy?”
“Hmm, certainly not bad. Teaching the students after studying alone in my room led me to realize how the world revolves.”
Although truthfully, I realized how pathetic the present-day wizards are.
“It seems you’re greatly disappointed?”
“Well, I can’t deny it.”
“With your perspective, I guess it wouldn’t be abnormal to feel that. Even if magic is one thing, you must be greatly disappointed in the practical lectures?”
“Yes… I am.”
Indeed, magic is a realm of talent, so it can be such.
An extent of cover is possible through hard work, but doesn’t that also have its limits?
However, the practicality is an entirely different story.
The determination to somehow land a hit on the opponent even if you fall.
There are times when this single determination can overcome even the impossible.
But, think of the current students.
Excluding those in the S grade class, most of them lack the will to hit once.
‘Although they haven’t experienced a real battlefield yet.’
Still, from my perspective, it’s hard not to be disappointed.
While I was thinking so, Makarov said with a benevolent smile.
“Learning, by nature, never ends. Whether you’re a student or a professor.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I myself learned much during my professorial days.”
“Hmm.”
“So, Kael, you too should grow as a professor over time. Then, you will understand the hearts of ordinary students.”
“Yes… But is this why you called me?”
I stared silently at Makarov.
Not that our current conversation is bad, but no matter how I thought about it, it didn’t seem like he would’ve summoned me for something like this.
And of course, I was right.
“Let’s move on to the main subject. There are no lectures by Kael scheduled for the next three days, correct?”
The crux of the matter spilled from his lips.
I nodded in response to his question.
“Yes, there are none scheduled.”
“Then, would you be able to assist the external lecturers who are coming this time?”
“External lecturers?”
Caught off guard by the unanticipated suggestion, I made a puzzled face, prompting Makarov to stroke his beard while elaborating.
“We have invited some external lecturers this time, and thought they might be unfamiliar with the academy environment, so we decided to assign a professor to assist them.”
“That would be me?”
“That’s right. All other professors are busy, you see.”
“Hmm…”
Well, it doesn’t really matter.
Thinking realistically, I have nothing to do for these three days.
“So who are these external lecturers?”
“I think it’d be better to call them in rather than tell you.”
Saying so, the director pulled out a communication magic device.
Shortly after, he opened his mouth.
“Nell, send the professor in now.”
-Understood.
It appeared that Nell was the one who had been called to guide me this time, as before.
‘This makes it seem like Nell and the chairman have quite a friendly relationship.’
While I was musing this, Nell had arrived beyond the door unawares.
-Chairman, I will send him in.
With those words, the director’s office door slowly opens.
A door opening slowly.
I turned my head.
The next moment, I opened my eyes wide at the sight before me.
That’s because the women who had just appeared were not a warrior party.
‘Can it be…?’
I realized instantly as soon as I saw them.
The external lecturer the director was talking about.
They also seemed surprised, staring blankly at me with bulging eyes.
“Kael…?”
Whether she heard Jane mumbling or not, Nell alternates between looking at us.
Soon, she tilts her head with a question mark above it.
“Do you know each other?”
“Yes. Well…”
Jane hesitantly scratched her cheek in response to the question.
The director also looked somewhat surprised.
“Heh. I didn’t know you all knew each other. Then, there’s no need for introductions, is there?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“In that case, Kael. As I mentioned earlier, I’m counting on you.”
“Understood.”
I nodded, rose from my seat.
And then, as my gaze moved, they wore expressions full of guilt.
Ignoring their reactions, I opened my mouth.
“Miss Nell. I will guide you from now on.”
“Oh, is Kael going to guide us?”
“Yes, I have some spare time.”
“Hmm. I see.”
She breathes a sigh of relief.
‘What’s this? Why such a reaction?’
I pondered to myself as I bowed my head to the director.
“Then I will get going.”
With that, I led the heroes’ party out of the director’s office, ignoring the weighty gaze that I could feel on the back of my neck.
***
Jane silently watched Kael’s retreating figure.
‘I can’t believe Kael was a teacher at the academy.’
She had been quite surprised when first guided by Nel.
Who would have guessed that the woman Kael watched the fireworks alone with would turn out to be an academy professor.
Moreover, Kael too turned out to be an academy professor.
Furthermore, it was decided that he would guide this time.
Those facts inevitably made the current situation very awkward for them.
Just a few days ago, he had rejected their proposal.
“Is anyone teaching a lecture this afternoon?”
At that moment, Kael turned and asked.
The three who were dumbstruck suddenly came to their senses.
Then, Seria answered in an awkward voice.
“Uh, um. I think I had one this afternoon?”
“We should check then.”
“Ah. Uh-huh.”
Seria quickly checked her schedule.
“Uh, I’m scheduled to teach this afternoon.”
“I had planned to help with lectures, can you explain what today’s lecture is about?”
“Ah. Uh-huh!”
Seria then elaborately explained to Kael about today’s lecture.
Kael just listened to her explanation, his face as expressionless as always.
As Seria seemed to notice something while continuing the explanation.
“Professor!”
Suddenly, a few students approached Kael.
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Looking back, they were students from the S-class.
Kael prepared to answer Elaine, who called out to him.
But at that moment.
“Huh?”
Elerain stared at Seria with a surprised expression.
Hmm? What is it? Is anything wrong?
Not only her, but the others in the group were also fixating their gaze on Elerain.
“Elerain. What’s wrong?”
“What’s the matter?”
As Maria and Rei tipped their heads in confusion, Elerain looked at Seria and blurted out an unexpected remark.
“Sis?”