Chapter 11

◈ Chapter 11: First Class (1)

When I was first invited to have a meal.

I didn’t think, “Is spring finally coming for me?”

Since we were both new teachers, it made sense to try to build a relationship by having a meal together. Such heart-pounding illusions are only allowed during the fiery days of youth.

When I followed Selina, I found that there were three others besides me.

Two men and one woman.

Each of them looked as distinctive as if they were shouting, “I’m a wizard!”

“Haha. Nice to meet you.”

The first to extend his hand for a handshake was a man with a very warm and friendly appearance.

He was plump and had a round, gentle face. He seemed quite old, but his hearty laugh made him seem like a friendly neighbor.

I shook his hand lightly.

“I’m Rudger Chelisi. I handle the Manifestation field.”

“I’m Brino. I’m in charge of Golems in the Summoning field.”

Next, a beautiful woman with long, light purple hair that covered one eye spoke to me.

“Oh. You’re handsome. Nice to meet you. I’m Merida, in charge of Enchantment and Illusion in the Curse and Blessing field.”

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

The last person was different from the first two.

He had dark blue hair styled in a side part and wore rimless glasses, giving him a rather strict appearance.

He seemed to be unhappy about being here, and his expression was consistently sour.

When I looked at him, he glanced at me and then turned his head away, indicating that he didn’t even want to introduce himself.

What’s with this guy?

When I was puzzled, Merida chuckled and explained in a low voice.

“This is Mr. Chris Benimore. As you can see, he’s a noble, unlike us commoners.”

Ah, that’s why.

I’ve heard of the Benimore family. They are an ancient baronial family in the empire.

For Chris, even if we are teachers at the same academy, he probably doesn’t want to be close to commoners.

In my case, being a fallen noble, it’s natural for him to look down on me.

“Surely, Mr. Rudger, you’re not ignoring us commoners, are you?”

“I don’t care.”

When he answered that it was absolutely not the case, Merida’s eyes widened, and she then smiled gently and stepped back.

Hmm. So, including me, there are five new teachers this time.

One noble, one fallen noble, and three commoners.

But since we are all teachers at this Seorun Academy, they must be experts in their respective fields, unmatched anywhere.

“Hmph. I can’t stay here any longer. I thought the new appointees would be different, but they’re just a fallen noble and commoners.”

Before I could suggest going to eat together, Chris’s cold voice cut through the air.

Brino gave an awkward smile, Selina shivered and looked flustered, and only Merida glared at Chris with a disapproving look.

Me? I don’t really care.

I’ve seen nobles with their sense of superiority many times.

If he wants to leave, let him.

But Chris shot me a sharp look.

“Don’t act superior.”

Then he turned and left.

Why did he single me out like that?

Was he originally acquainted with Rudger? It doesn’t seem that way.

‘It would be nice to get along with the other teachers, but it seems I won’t be able to get close to him.’

I ignored the departed Chris and observed the remaining three.

They are my colleagues who were appointed at the same time, but I can’t let my guard down.

There might be a spy planted by a secret organization among them.

‘Could one of these three be a First Order member?’

Currently, nearly 40 secret organization members are hiding in Seorun Academy.

Of course, 40 is a small number compared to the total population of the vast Seorun Academy, but it’s not impossible to run into one.

Apart from the Third Order, some Second Order members might have infiltrated as students.

Especially for the First Order, even teachers are not exempt from suspicion.

‘Since Rudger has taken a teacher’s position as a First Order member, it’s not impossible for another First Order member to do the same.’

The question is, who is it?

If he had said he came in the same semester as me, it would have narrowed down the possibilities.

The problem is that the phrase “came in earlier” can be interpreted in many ways.

Did he come much earlier than me, or around the same time but a bit earlier?

Naturally, I can’t help but suspect those who invited me to eat with them.

Is this invitation a subtle way to test me?

I can’t afford to let my guard down at all.

I maintained a neutral expression and followed my colleagues to the dining hall.

At least I won’t be eating alone, so it’s not bad.

* * *

Selina, the new Elemental Studies teacher.

She recently joined Seorun Academy and became a teacher of Elemental Studies in the Summoning field.

She entered with a heart full of excitement but was also quite nervous.

Seorun Academy is renowned not only in the empire but also in other kingdoms. The students here are geniuses who will shape the future and are worthy of respect wherever they go.

Teaching such students was a significant burden for her.

‘What if I make a mistake? What if I can’t teach them? Besides, there are so many noble students here!’

The gap between commoners and nobles is significant.

Thanks to the development of magical engineering, the world has changed, and commoners can now become lower house representatives and participate in politics, but the barrier of status remains high.

I heard that five new teaching positions opened up this time because the teachers who handled those classes last year retired.

The reasons for their retirement are unknown, but it’s not hard to guess.

Before coming here, my acquaintances, who are mages, warned me about the noble students’ cliquishness.

They said that some students subtly look down on teachers and try to dominate them, and that I, being particularly sensitive, should be careful not to be taken advantage of.

Selina was frightened.

‘Especially, there are even royal family members here.’

The third princess is in the second year. Although she teaches first-year students, knowing that such a prominent person attends Seorun made her even more nervous.

The orientation on the first day of the semester went smoothly, but her low self-esteem still made her feel uneasy.

Thinking that she couldn’t continue like this, Selina decided to build a relationship with the other new teachers.

Having colleagues to share the difficulties with might improve her life at the academy.

She formed a bond with Merida and gradually invited others, eventually finding the last one.

Rudger Chelisi.

A noble by birth, but not a commoner. His family had fallen, so he wasn’t as intimidating to approach.

Until I met him, I thought that was the case.

‘Wow.’

When the crowd in the corridor parted, I wondered what was happening.

Was it a royal procession?

But what approached me was a neatly dressed man. Gray suit, black frock coat, and a silk hat.

‘Wow, unbelievable.’

When Selina first saw Rudger, her impression was one of extreme admiration.

I heard he was from a fallen noble family.

Seeing him, Selina realized she needed to correct her narrow-minded thinking.

He exuded more nobility than any noble she had ever seen.

His every step was like a painting, and she found herself staring absentmindedly. Recalling her purpose, she hurriedly called out to him.

‘Scary.’

When he stopped and turned to look at her, her heart sank.

Still, Selina forced a smile and carefully invited Rudger to have a meal together.

She regretted it immediately.

She expected him to look at her with disdain and say something about commoners.

“Sure.”

But Rudger accepted her invitation with ease. He even adjusted his pace to match hers and maintained a respectful distance.

His small actions showed consideration for others.

‘He’s surprisingly warm despite his appearance.’

When introducing him to the other colleagues, Rudger didn’t care whether they were nobles or commoners.

Even when Mr. Chris Benimore openly showed hostility, Rudger didn’t react.

Normally, he would have been angry or annoyed, but he didn’t lose his dignity.

He seemed to stand alone, like a cloud above the sky.

I later learned that he was a former military officer and had even submitted several academic papers to the Magic Tower.

‘Mr. Rudger is truly remarkable.’

She wanted to be a teacher like him, with such charisma.

Even during the meal, Rudger was silent and ate quietly.

His posture with the fork and knife was so refined that it seemed he lived in a different world.

Even passing students glanced at him.

He acted as if it was all normal or didn’t care about the reactions around him.

He was like a living statue, and throughout the process, there was a sense of conviction.

When they finished eating and said their goodbyes, Rudger’s demeanor remained the same.

Even when everyone waved goodbye, he simply nodded.

Despite the situation, his behavior was consistent.

Walking back to the dorm with Merida, Selina recalled her brief encounter with Rudger.

She took a deep breath and tried to make her face look stern.

Merida, walking beside her, noticed and asked.

“Selina, what are you doing? Why the frown?”

“Mr. Merida, do I look a bit tough like this?”

“What?”

Merida