Elite Instructor at a Third-Rate Academy

31 – Though I do not know the will of the gods☆

As she listened, she became curious.

Bran Dilla talked about her homeroom teacher throughout the entire meal. She listened attentively and learned that he was devoted to everything from “grammar and pronunciation correction” classes to individual student consultations.

“Is this something my teacher gave me?”

Since the invention of printing, the cost of books has dramatically decreased. However, it was still on par with the price of wigs. Diana harbored suspicions about her teacher’s willingness to readily purchase an explanatory guide on academic terms.

“Is there some strange intention behind it, like last time with the homeroom teacher?”

“No, Mr. Temulik isn’t interested in me. I tend to write my books a bit messily, and he doesn’t even comment on that.”

If there were impure motives, that would have been an excuse to strike up a conversation.

“What about Ochiaha?”

Suddenly, Luede interjected.

“Of course. The homeroom guy tries anything… Ugh, just thinking about it disgusts me!”

“And Selana endures it every day?”

When Diana asked this time, Brandila smiled slightly.

“All the time. He follows her around whimpering, calling her an incompetent crybaby, but she doesn’t pay any attention.”

Everyone grumbled, but Luede remained unresponsive.

─Why is he like that?

Although Diana assumed she understood Luede through and through, unlike herself, who laid bare her innermost thoughts, she couldn’t fully grasp the cautious demeanor of the girl, especially when she silently contemplated something, as she seemed to be doing today.

“So, do you also think the homeroom teacher is good?”

When Diana asked with a metaphorical undertone, Brandila vehemently shook her head.

“I hate the man. But, because other kids show interest, I’m a bit curious.”

“Is it going to turn into a saint’s situation?”

Brandila snapped.

“Laughable, nothing like that ever happened!”

“I was kidding. Why get angry?”

“Diana. It’s a private conversation among us, but sometimes you speak too recklessly.”

Luede quietly nodded.

─No, I was just being honest.

While thinking that, Diana pretended to respect the intentions of Brandila and Luede.

“Ivonne Dikio is different. She has no interest in guys and works hard at whatever she does.”

“I can’t boast about the homeroom teacher anymore.”

“Saint will be back to school soon, so our class will finally be okay.”

Brandila shouted as if she had just remembered.

“Jeffrey!”

“Oh, don’t talk about him if that’s what it’s about.”

When Diana issued a warning, Bran dealt a peculiar expression and addressed Lude.

“Well then, since it’s just the two of us talking, are you going to get up?”

“Really, you seem more wicked than me.”

“In my opinion, it seems sincere, but you have no intention of accepting, do you?”

In response to Bran’s question, Diana clearly indicated her rejection.

“It’s disgusting and gives me the creeps.”

“Jeffrey, she’s not a bad person, though?”

“You were secretly following her around and all that.”

Even without experiencing it, Bran apologized at the jab that she was speaking easily.

“You’re foolish.”

Suddenly, Lude interjected. Diana somehow felt supported on her side and responded immediately.

“Even Lude sees it that way?”

“Yeah, oblivious and dull, totally.”

“For heaven’s sake, if even Lude says that, Jeffrey must be really bad!”

Gradually, the three women transitioned to a new topic, and the conversation continued with one speaking and the other two adding comments. After all the stories were over and they got up from their seats, Lude suddenly said there’s a place she needs to go.

“Where?”

Diana asked.

“I need to feed the cat.”

“Oh, Lude likes cats!”

When Bran cheerfully exclaimed, Lude chuckled mysteriously and distanced herself. As she disappeared, Diana, who felt a strange sensation, spoke.

“Is Lude acting a bit strange today?”

“Yeah, seems like something unpleasant happened.”

“All because of Jeffrey.”

“Right, even blaming him for the sun rising in the east?”

At Bran’s joke, Diana laughed heartily and said she didn’t even know if Lude liked cats.

[#31 – Love Story]

Today was the day for counseling with Saint. She arrived earlier than the appointed time, and her complexion was brighter than before. It seemed like she had gained some weight. The saint’s robes clung tightly to her body, making any slight changes in her figure easily noticeable. This made self-care seem like a destiny for the saints.

“I’ve reviewed all the courses you’re currently taking, but all your grades are good, so I don’t have any recommendations.”

“Oh… is that so?”

“Yeah. Your attendance so far has been good, and the evaluations from instructors are positive, so I think it’s better not to advise on the academic side.”

“Then, is our consultation already over?”

“No.”

Without any hesitation, he said they should share some personal stories since they had spent over an hour.

“I’m fine with that.”

“Well, there is one thing I need to talk about.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“First, Tara Simond. In other words, the homeroom teacher of Class A-1 wants to have a meeting with you.”

Senit’s eyebrows slightly furrowed.

“He doesn’t have any bad intentions.”

After speaking, Kenis stood up from his seat. Seeing Senit blink continuously, he opened all the doors and windows in the classroom. Thanks to that, a fresh breeze entered, diluting the scent of the saint’s perfume. When he turned his head, her expression had become noticeably more relaxed.

“Have you heard the reason?”

“He said it’s strange that a grade A student is still in a grade C class.”

─Seems like I’m speaking too informally with the saint.

For a moment, Kenis was lost in that thought before examining Senit’s complexion.

“And?”

─Her expression.

“Since it’s not my judgment to make, I would like you to have a meeting and let me know.”

“And what about Teymurik?”

“Just as I said earlier.”

He reiterated his permission for her to make her own judgment and decision.

“No. Teymurik asked me what I wanted to do.”

─She has strong preferences and a firm inner core.

“It’s a bit complicated to say because it might influence your decision.”

“I want to hear it.”

“Then, I have one question I need to ask first.”

“I asked the question first, so you should… give me the answer first.”

─Undoubtedly, the followers can be exhausting in this aspect.

For them, the process itself was the essence, so there were times when it was suffocating. He could understand this because he had worked with such people in the past, but many soldiers refused the purification missions commissioned by the sect for various reasons. The rewards were clear, but the superiors they had to work with were too demanding and communication was difficult.

“I hope you will stay.”

“Why…?”

“Our class needs a focal point, and I hope the Saint can take on that role.”

“Is that all?”

“There are other reasons, but it’s just speculation, so it’s hard to say.”

“I want to hear it.”

“Very saintly of you.”

“Is it by any chance…a compliment?”

Kennis pushed aside the document that displayed Senit Caelin’s personal information and spoke.

“Zenoha Ban Cliff wants to transfer to our class.”

“Ah…Zenoha?”

“I have no intention of accepting.”

Judging by the lack of questioning, Zenoha seems to be a touchy subject for Senit.

“Our class already has sufficient focal point.”

Kennis honestly stated that he believed Senit would better lead the class than her.

“I appreciate you seeing it that way.”

“But remember, this is only my opinion, so you can just listen and let it go.”

Then she carefully chose her words.

“In my view, because their personalities are similar, there might be conflicts if they are in the same class.”

“Us?”

As if surprised, Senit raised the end of her sentence and continued explaining.

“Call it conviction or stubbornness, it’s all the same.”

From her perspective, both of them prioritize their own intentions over conforming to others’ will. Therefore, it was better for them to be in separate classes, and she was afraid that if the two A-grade students showed too much intimacy in the C-grade class, other students might feel inferior.

“As a supervisor, Zenoha is highly evaluated, but as a homeroom teacher, only Senit is needed.”

In Kennis’ opinion, Senit is burdened by Zenoha’s attention as a friend. She wanted to casually ask what had happened between the two, but it wasn’t the right time yet. If she pried too much, the Saint, who had just promised to go to school, could easily fall back into her prayers, so she decided to wait a little longer.

“Do you need me?”

“As a homeroom teacher, yes.”

“Am I more needed than Zenoha?”

They responded affirmatively without words.

“In that case, I don’t want to meet with Terra.”

“No, meet and reject.”

“I can’t.”

I have made up my mind, but taking away someone’s time is committing a sin.

“If that’s the case, there’s no need to worry.”

Right after the consultation ended, Kennis revealed the fact that he had decided to have a duel with Tera Simond. He tried to briefly explain the situation before and after, but Senit kept questioning him, taking up two hours.

“I told them I would take you as a witness, but you don’t need to come if you don’t want to.”

“No. I have to convey my intentions to Tera-nim as well.”

“If I win the duel, Zenoa will be on our side.”

“That… is the will of the gods.”

-Senit, you have to learn to hide your expressions. If you continue to show your emotions fully like this, the Knights Templar will reject you.

“Shall we go check what the will of the gods is now?”

Kennis distanced himself from Senit and headed to the gymnasium. The clinking sound of chains somehow felt like the sound of a military trumpet and brought a solemn feeling. The battlefield without comrades, where he couldn’t go back to those times, was just something to reminisce about. He arrived at the promised meeting place, making a vow not to go back again.

“You’re here!”

Tera Simond greeted them warmly. Zenoa stood with her arms crossed under the practice stage. As Senit lowered his head first, Tera smiled and greeted him. At a glance, their relationship seemed without any problems.

“Shall we start right away?”

When Kennis asked, Tera asked if he didn’t need to warm up.

“I’ll do it.”

Then he picked up a practice sword for the duel. It was only about the length of a forearm, quite short.

“I don’t know the will of the gods, but-“

Kennis shook the practice sword and stared at Senit.

“I know the will of the saint.”

Kennis didn’t overestimate his own skills, but he was certain of Rotelon’s abilities. Based on his skill in martial arts, he was the best warrior. Although he had lost every duel so far, it was mainly due to the circumstances, so he could defeat anyone of average ability.

“If my brother and the war hero fight, who would win?”

A long time ago, Bissare asked an innocent question, and Kensas answered readily.

“Rotelon.”

“How is there absolutely no chance that my brother would win?”

“If it was in the past, I don’t know, but in this era, definitely Rotelon.”

Bissare looked disappointed and asked again.

“But what if it was a duel where my life was at stake? Would the war hero still win?”

“I won’t engage in such a duel.”

“It’s just a hypothetical situation. You don’t have to be serious, can’t you just answer?”

After thinking for a long time, Kennis spat out his true feelings.

“I’m going to die.”

He continued to disappoint her and said,

“And Rotheiron is going to die too.”

After putting on protective gear, Kenneth politely bowed and greeted him. Immediately, the match began. Terra Simond was undoubtedly talented. He had the ability to teach students, but not to disregard others. As they fought each other with swords, the disciples below tightly clenched their fists.

“Now?”

Kenneth first swung his sword to ward off Terra’s attack and then swiftly moved in closer. He reached out his left hand and grabbed Terra’s throat, immediately releasing it. Jujutsu was a martial art in which Rotheiron excelled, so he was also skilled as an opponent. Terra, who was taken aback, retaliated excessively. After enduring two blows without resistance, he knelt on the ground.

“I lost.”

When Kenneth raised his head, Terra Simond’s face was filled with shame. He understood what it meant to be caught by the throat during sword combat. The sound of jingling rings beneath the practice stage seemed to mock him, making him feel angry all the way to his throat.