Elite Instructor at a Third-Rate Academy

9 – Looks like a Female Student Died ★

Ochia had just realized why he had trusted the new instructor.

─ Talk to me while looking into my eyes.

Before facing discrimination for being a mixed-blood, he had experienced the mocking glances of the man who clung to him. After adolescence, due to the increasingly blatant stares, he always had to wear ill-fitting clothes.

“Um… Teacher… I have a question.”

Carefully avoiding the tone of a minority, he spoke cautiously, and the instructor stopped writing on the blackboard.

“You said the language is what I lack the most, right?”

─ What should I do!

Overwhelmed with excitement, he used the impulsive tone as it was. However, the instructor explained without batting an eye.

“If you don’t know the vocabulary, it’s difficult to work in the administrative field. The words used in the palace, the military, and academia are subtly different. It’s a prideful struggle to maintain each one’s identity, but since the system is already established, questioning it is foolish. You have no choice but to adapt. If my tone makes you uncomfortable, I’ll try to fix it.”

He added right after saying that.

“The homeroom teacher is familiar with the students’ tone. I don’t intend to nitpick because you came from the North, but if it bothers you, I’ll correct it.”

“Um… then… what… books… should I… read?”

Speaking more hesitantly than before, Ochia, the instructor moved a couple of steps to the side and wrote on the parchment.

“Lailand Academy seems to need to expand its curriculum. Correction of grammar and tone is usually offered in many places, but it’s strange that there are no linguists or majors dedicated to it here. Right now, you need to learn how to write administrative documents, so it would be good to read these books. I’ll go to the library as the homeroom teacher and check if they are available. If not, I’ll apply for them separately. If that doesn’t work, I’ll use my own funds to get them, so wait.”

Ochia found himself getting excited again, unknowingly.

“Pronunciation?”

“You’ll have to find someone to teach you separately.”

It was said that if private tutoring was allowed, it could be forced, but it might be difficult here at Lailand, which was too closed. Even though she knew it was a difficult request, she tested him for no reason. Ochia, being a born fox, had never reflected on the fact that he acted like a fox, even though he knew he did.

“Can’t you do it for me, teacher?”

“I’ll suggest it to the headmaster, but the homeroom teacher isn’t particularly skilled in that area.”

“Okay… No, I mean… it would be good if you could open a course… that’s what I meant.”

The homeroom teacher looked at him. With a slight nod, he advised that since other grades were good, it would be better to supplement the rest through self-study. Impatience arose at the sight of her already trying to finish the counseling. He wanted to learn more. Since coming here, Ochia felt for the first time that he might be able to grow. Therefore.

“Hey!”

─ Ah, why are you here so soon?

Selana appeared with sauce on her lips. Ochia instinctively disliked her. Like all women, she probably had a fox-like side, just like him.

“Why are you stealing my counseling time?”

“I was going to leave… originally… it was my turn… wasn’t it.”

“Ochia is right, Selana Rapisardi.”

“What?”

As if about to turn back immediately, Ochia furrows his brow as he steps only slightly away. There are few women who don’t know that Selana wears multiple layers of underwear and multiple layers again under her robes. She always provokes and captures attention in that way. From her perspective, hiding herself is shameful and vulgar.

“Is it alright to show your thighs?”

For some reason, there was a slipping sensation inside. Looking ahead, the blackboard is filled with writing for Selana. It states how to improve her sword skills from levels 1 to 7, and according to that classification, she is still at level 2.

“I also… want to hear… no, instead… Teacher?”

“Speak.”

“I didn’t finish the meeting today… Can I consider this as half-done?”

“No.”

Disappointed by the answer that betrays her expectations, resentment swiftly rises. Wasn’t it her own time originally? She twitches her bangs again and the instructor grabs Selana’s wrist, leading her to sit next to him. She doesn’t like it. If she stays here any longer, her bad temper might show.

“When grammar and pronunciation classes are offered, I will let you know first.”

“Yes, that’s good… um, please.”

Although she used informal speech sneakily, there doesn’t seem to be much point since there is an impolite woman sitting right next to her. The homeroom teacher told her to leave. Nevertheless, Ochia could still hear the voices coming from Class C-8 as he leaned against the classroom wall. Unlike when it was filled with students, Selana continues talking while suppressing her voice.

“What you need to achieve at your level right now is growth in absolute strength and muscle power.”

“But…”

Seeing that she seems to be listening well even though she doesn’t agree, she wants to open the door and expose everything.

“You’re just acting, aren’t you?”

Ochia’s sweet imagination is always born in his stomach and dies below his throat. There is no victory, but for some reason, he turns his steps as if he had been defeated. He will meet Amy and expose everything. As he walks towards the dormitory, his steps feel heavy and don’t fall into place today. She was too young to realize that she was even foxier than Selana.

[#09 – Meeting]

The consultation with Selana went surprisingly well.

Kennis attributed the cause of this dramatic change to the teenage girl’s facade. She looked like a delinquent no matter how you looked at her. This type could be found anywhere. In front of others, they acted tough, but once the facade was peeled away, they were nothing but empty bluffs. They were no different from barking guard dogs, unnecessarily aggressive.

“This is the beginning of your ascension.”

At Kennis’ words, Selana folded her legs and pondered.

“Does that mean I will become a first-class examiner?”

-No, it means you will become a delinquent in the third class.

“Well, regardless, I’ll become stronger than now.”

“Ah, I don’t know. If that’s the case, it’s fine. If you still don’t understand after that, you can ask, right?”

“I will check if there are regulations that allow private tutoring from the homeroom teacher.”

“Wow, I can smell it.”

“I don’t know what the smell is, but I will be careful from now on.”

“Teacher, tell me honestly. Have you ever been with a woman?”

─I think your lack of understanding might not be about women, but rather about men.

“I won’t answer.”

There was a woman he loved. There was also a woman he pondered if she’d accept his love.

However, for Kenneth Lada, a workaholic, the most important principle was laboring for at least 80 hours every week. Since assuming his post, this priority had never wavered. For him, romance always took a backseat to sleep.

“Pity.”

“Do you think you sympathize with me being your homeroom teacher?”

“Your tone is killing me.”

“Rather than using informal language like you… I don’t understand why you argue with students.”

“It’s not arguing.”

“Whether you call it a debate or reconciling differences, the meaning doesn’t change.”

“Isn’t it about getting closer?”

“Fine. I’ll take that as the meaning.”

“Do I smell like a bachelor?”

Kenneth clenched his fist, then displayed patience and stood in front of the blackboard again.

“Increase the weight of your shoulder blades immediately. Keep the same form, but there should be a steel core inside. If there isn’t, order a custom one. If you practice in a way that stands out, your intentions will be revealed. It’s a third-rate move to attract unnecessary attention. If you have time, learn archery separately. You can learn the techniques for the back and waist.”

“Why aren’t you scheduling this as part of the curriculum?”

Kenneth fixed his gaze on Selena’s eyes. After a long stare, he subtly averted his gaze; his neck below the collar was red. It couldn’t be. They’ve only met twice, and she probably doesn’t even know how much is in her account like a bank teller.

“I haven’t observed any other classes yet.”

“Teacher, was I really that clueless?”

Kenneth leaned against the teacher’s desk, tilting his waist towards Selena.

Suddenly, with a bang, he fell backward, shouting, as another color of stool was revealed underneath. What he did was truly at the level of a third-rate punk, almost cute in its audacity.

“Ouch… I fell because I was surprised by the bachelor’s face.”

─Selena Rapisardi, you can only intimidate those far inferior to you with your bluff.

“You said the previous instructor wasn’t good?”

“Oh, now you’re being informal!”

“Ivon Dicio didn’t know, but after all, as my students, recommending any instructor is not my role.”

“Your speech… What’s with it? Can’t you speak normally?”

“I heard the saint had a rough time. So, I planned to carefully report and get approval from the homeroom teacher and subject instructors to arrange the curriculum. It might take some time, so for today, let’s conclude the counseling here and you can go back.”

Kenneth erased the board without a word. As he gestured for her to leave, Selena hurriedly packed her things. However, her gait was odd. She limped slightly with her right foot. He asked in an indifferent voice…

“Are you hurt?”

“I don’t know, it feels a little painful.”

“Do you know where the infirmary is?”

“You’ll feel better if you eat something delicious.”

“The priority is to go to the infirmary for treatment.”

“I don’t know where it is.”

“How can you not know?”

I wondered if it was impossible for her to not know, even though she may have some doubts inside and even in front of others, she called me dad.

“I’ll finish organizing here and then take you there.”

“I can go alone.”

“You said you don’t know where it is.”

“We’re going to have something delicious at the central square, not the infirmary.”

Kenneth crushed the chalk in his hands and said.

“I got injured during a personal counseling session. As your homeroom teacher and a student, it is only natural for me to take responsibility for any problem that arises in your body. Even if there’s no issue, it needs to be confirmed. Do I have to tell you about all this?”

“Oh, well… I’ll do as you say.”

“We’ll finish soon, just wait a little longer.”

“I did as you told me, so shouldn’t you grant my wish, too?”

“You’re being disrespectful again.”

“You used informal speech too.”

“I’ll decide after I listen.”

“I got hurt, so I want to eat something delicious.”

“Go ahead and eat, if you want menu recommendations, ask.”

“Buy it for me, Sir.”

─What’s with the pretty talk, asking me for a meal treat?

This time Kenneth twisted his left hand tightly.

“First, sit down.”

“Sir, you saw my underwear. That’s practically paying for the meal, right?”

“I don’t want to argue, so just choose a menu.”

“Okay, great!”

It took about 15 minutes to clean up. Checking each item, Selena muttered. Kenneth thought about where the closest restaurant was from here. Anyway, since Selena was a patient, he had to consider minimizing her walking as much as possible.

“From the infirmary.”

“Is that so?”

With Selana in tow, he led her to the classroom attached to the adjacent school building. A female teacher responsible for duties known as health care in school, welfare in academia, medical affairs in the military, and relief in the royal court was seated. Fortunately, as a student who couldn’t show her underwear to just anyone, a man couldn’t be allowed to touch her bare body.

“I twisted my ankle during sparring.”

When Kennes dryly explained, the health teacher glanced at the bruise on Selana’s cheek before turning her head.

“What’s this?”

“That’s from my own wrongdoing.”

Unexpectedly calm, Selana defended herself in a composed voice.

“Anyway, since I have no complaints, skip the nonsense and check my ankle instead of blabbering to the homeroom teacher.”

The health teacher took out a rubber hammer and examined the condition of her ankle.

“No problems.”

“Now let’s go eat dinner with the teacher!”

As Kennes was about to express a fundamental question, ding-ding-ding— the bell rang three times. It was a method of bell ringing that replaced the funeral bell. The startled health teacher drew the curtains and looked at the crowd rushing to the dormitory, murmuring.

“It seems to be female students.”