Chapter 72

Sharon and I decided to skip our classes. Some might say that coming to school is pointless, but the biggest advantage is being able to use the library for free. In fact, there are many students in the library who, like us, skip their lecture classes. We’re not the only special ones.

Moreover, one of the good things about attending the academy is that we can hear stories from Professor Kitry Elbain, an old acquaintance of Ridley. She studies gods and spirits, particularly conducting research on the existence of gods through ruins and ancient documents. Because of this, she is also well-versed in how to use the power of spirits efficiently.

"…In other words, chanting the names of the Eight Pillar Attribute Gods to gain the power of the corresponding spirits is, in a sense, a misconception. The Attribute Gods are merely symbols; they don’t grant permission to the spirits."

I tilted my head slightly.

"Does that mean we don’t need to chant the names of the Attribute Gods?"

"…Yes. If you just want to activate magic, it should work even without chanting. The key is the image. However, considering the efficiency of magical power, it’s better to include the names of the Attribute Gods in the spell."

"In other words, magic can be activated without incantations, but the efficiency drops. The names of the Attribute Gods, which are symbols, help the spirits understand the caster’s intentions, but if you have a clear enough image that the spirits can understand, the incantation is unnecessary."

Kitry nodded slightly and smiled, "That’s right."

"But, you know, those symbols are quite effective. For example, it’s difficult to explain a concept using only pictures without using words, right? Think about it… wouldn’t it be quite challenging to explain the concept of money without using words?"

Through such conversations with Kitry, my knowledge of magic increased. Sharon, who was listening with us, sometimes had trouble keeping up, but she would ask me questions on the way home and try to understand. As a result, her knowledge also improved significantly.

We made it a point to attend homeroom on the days we went to the library. Well, since we often go to the forest on sunny days, we only show up in the classroom about once every three days.

Then, on September 22, about twenty days after we started school, it happened suddenly.

It was a gloomy day with light rain from morning, so we stayed in the library to study instead of going to the forest. Kitry, who knew we were there, would usually drop by. We stayed in the library until around three in the afternoon, then headed to the classroom.

When we opened the classroom door as usual, something was missing. Our desks, which should have been at the front, were gone. Sharon was at a loss as to how to react to the situation.

(I don’t know who initiated it, but it’s a childish prank. I have a pretty good idea who did it, but…)

As we entered, giggles started to break out. I went to where my desk should have been and stood there. Sharon stood beside me, still unsure of what was happening and looking anxious. I whispered to her, "Leave it to me," to reassure her. She nodded slightly, and at least her surface-level agitation subsided.

After a while, our homeroom teacher, Mr. Alick Bennett, entered the classroom. Seeing me standing near the entrance, he was momentarily taken aback.

"Mr. Lockhart, Miss Jakes, what’s going on? Why are there no desks?"

I answered calmly and matter-of-factly.

"We’re standing because there are no chairs. As for the missing desks and chairs, neither Miss Jakes nor I know anything about it."

Mr. Bennett narrowed his eyes slightly and rebuked me in a somewhat stern tone.

"Can’t you even manage the school property assigned to you?"

I was irritated by his words but maintained my calm tone.

"Are you asking us to manage it even when we’re not here? Shouldn’t we be checking who did this prank instead?"

His tone became even more forceful in response to my words.

"Are you saying someone in this class did it! Can’t you trust your classmates!"

I was puzzled by Mr. Bennett’s unnatural behavior.

(Even if he has a grudge against me, it’s excessive to say this to children. What’s going on…)

"I didn’t say someone in this class did it. I just said we need to check who did it."

Mr. Bennett, angered by my words, retorted, "Don’t be pedantic!"

"I’m not being pedantic. We are the ones most inconvenienced by this situation. I have no reason to do this. I thought someone was playing a prank."

"You not only skip my classes but also play such pranks. If you’re not attending classes, you don’t need desks or chairs, do you?"

I became even more confused by Mr. Bennett’s thinking.

(It’s excessive to dislike me to this extent. Does he want me to quit? For what reason? If I, the top student, quit, the teachers’ qualifications would be questioned. What’s the benefit of attacking me? Maybe I should push him a bit.)

"Are you saying we moved our desks and chairs somewhere ourselves? Are you suspecting us without any evidence?"

Mr. Bennett, perhaps not expecting me to counter, replied hesitantly, "I didn’t say that." But he quickly scanned the room and added,

"But there’s no student in this class who would do such a thing. At least, not from what I see in class."

"Then, it must be us, or someone outside this class. Can you tell me if you suspect us?"

He laughed and answered, "Of course, I trust you."

"But even the best students sometimes feel like playing pranks."

"So, you don’t suspect me, but you think I might have played a prank. If that’s your logic, it’s not strange for a student in this class to have done it on a whim, is it?"

Mr. Bennett’s face turned red, and his voice grew harsh in response to my counterattack.

"I didn’t say that! Can’t you do anything but defy me!"

At that moment, I was observing the classroom. I thought someone would react to this argument.

I sensed that Quentin Wagman, who sat next to Sharon, and Anita Isherwood, who sat further back, were trying to suppress their laughter. I also felt a few other students giggling in the back. Mr. Bennett was still saying something, but I ignored him and continued to think about the situation.

(I understand that Quentin and his group did the prank. But I can’t understand why Mr. Bennett is acting so childishly. If I were a normal child, I might be so shocked by bullying from the whole class and the homeroom teacher that I would skip school or quit. But I can’t see the benefit for Mr. Bennett in making me quit. It should be a disadvantage for him. Yet, he’s throwing insults at me… It’s possible that Mr. Bennett is more childish than I thought, but even so, it’s strange…)

I said to Mr. Bennett, who was still insulting me,

"Talking any further will just lead to a stalemate. I understand. I’ll consult with another teacher. Yes, Mr. Raspede always says to come and play anytime, so I’ll consult with him…"

When I said that, Mr. Bennett hastily interrupted, "There’s no need to consult with other teachers! Are you making fun of me!"

At that moment, I was quite angry.

(What’s wrong with this teacher! A normal child would be hurt by such insults from an adult! If I weren’t here, what would have happened to Sharon…)

I ignored Mr. Bennett, who was still insulting me, and continued to analyze the situation.

(Still, I’m curious why Mr. Bennett is acting so foolishly. It seems like he’s just being stupid, but it’s excessive. Maybe he’s following someone’s orders…)

I told Sharon, "There’s no point in staying here," took her hand, and tried to leave the classroom. I heard Mr. Bennett’s voice from behind, "Wait!" but I ignored it and walked out. A few students were smirking, but most looked confused.

(It seems that the prank was led by a small group. If that’s the case, Quentin Wagman is likely behind it. His father is a guild councilor. As long as we’re in this school, we shouldn’t defy him…)

Then I realized that Mr. Bennett’s behavior might be influenced by Quentin.

(No way! Is Mr. Bennett following Quentin’s orders? Even if he’s the son of a councilor, it’s not a hereditary position. I can’t imagine he has that much influence…)

I had no intention of continuing to endure this harassment.

(I might be at fault for skipping classes, but I haven’t broken any rules, and there are other students who do the same. Moreover, this is not how a teacher should behave towards a child. Even if he hates me, he should properly discipline the students who played pranks… More importantly, if the son of a councilor has more power than I imagined, there’s a possibility I won’t be able to stay in this town. He declared that from the beginning. If that’s the case, I need to take steps to protect myself…)

When we left the classroom, Sharon asked me,

"Mr. Zack, are you okay? Does the teacher and everyone else dislike us?"

She asked, looking worried, so I smiled and replied, "No, that’s not it."

"Probably just a few students playing pranks. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it."

When I said that, she smiled and squeezed my hand in return.

It’s still busy, but I’ll try to go back to updating every two days.

(It might become twice a week again, though)