Chapter 12

◈ Chapter 12: First Class (2)

About three days ago, on the first day of orientation.

When Rudger showed his boldness by keeping his teaching methods a secret, the students' reactions were not so good.

Many students harbored resentment at the idea of a new teacher, especially one from a fallen noble family, acting this way at Seolren Academy.

In particular, the noble-born students were the most furious.

—How dare a new teacher from a fallen noble family.

However, ironically, the students who actually witnessed Rudger's orientation did not say much.

Only a few prideful noble students grumbled, feeling as if they had been ignored. Out of the more than 50 students in the lecture hall that day, nearly 40 were impressed by Rudger's boldness.

After all, he had become a teacher at Seolren Academy; surely he must have some redeeming qualities?

Of course, since there was still no detailed information about Rudger, the students couldn't help but be cautious.

It was all too clear that if they chose the wrong class on the first day of the semester, they would suffer for the entire term.

If only some information about Rudger could be revealed, they might be willing to give his class a try once, but otherwise, they couldn't afford to be guinea pigs.

The next morning, as many students were pondering this, a post appeared on the Seolren Academy student-exclusive magic communication platform, commonly known as the <Akashic Record>.

Title: Have you heard about the new teacher, Rudger Chelisi?

A title intentionally crafted to draw people's attention, neither clearly good nor bad.

Naturally, the students couldn't help but click on it, and the contents unfolded as if they had been waiting.

Summarizing the lengthy content, it was this:

An extremely laudatory article about Rudger Chelisi.

Youngest 4th Rank. Appointed as a military officer. Contributions to Cryptid hunting. Listed in the Magic Tower as a freelance magician, and so on.

It detailed Rudger's past achievements.

For the students, who were unaware that this was a desperate behind-the-scenes operation by a secret society to boost the First Order, it was enough to make them wonder, "Is it really true?"

Especially the most enthusiastic person was a Second Order member who had been the first to contact Rudger.

'The First Order's class can't be ruined! I have to make as many students as possible attend!'

He spent the whole day writing about how amazing, great, and incredibly skilled Rudger was.

Thanks to his persistent praise over two days, the number of people interested in Rudger's class grew more than those who reacted negatively to the excessive praise.

In particular, the fact that first-year students could attend the same class and the curiosity of the freshmen, who knew nothing, played a significant role.

As a result, the number of students wanting to attend Rudger's class during the registration period increased sharply and eventually filled the maximum capacity of 80.

And the much-anticipated first day of class.

The students all sat in their seats, filled with a fluttering sense of anticipation, waiting for Rudger.

Half out of pure curiosity, half out of a competitive spirit to see how good he really was.

And at the moment the clock struck 9:00 AM, signaling the start of the class.

The door to the lecture hall opened, and Rudger entered.

* * *

What is this situation?

The lecture hall was packed with no empty seats.

The number of students, which I thought would be around 30 at most, had reached its maximum.

Standing in front of 80 students, I felt a headache coming on.

Why is this happening?

I clearly hinted that my class would be a minefield during the orientation three days ago.

Wouldn't anyone, except for fools, think that taking this teacher's class would be a loss?

Most importantly, the students with blue name tags on their uniforms.

They are the newly admitted first-year students.

They made up more than 60% of the students gathered in the lecture hall.

'Why are the first-years here?'

Why are they here to take a class with second-years? Shouldn't they avoid it because it would be burdensome to study with seniors?

I never expected there to be so many first-years.

At this point, it seemed like someone was intentionally trying to make things difficult for me, spreading malicious information about me from somewhere I didn't know.

'Maybe I underestimated the students.'

Seolren Academy is a place where only the most carefully selected students, who have gone through fierce competition from the moment of admission, can enter.

Given that it gathers the best from the entire continent, not just the empire, thinking of them as ordinary students is a problem.

I humbly accepted my mistake.

Instead of raising their guard, my actions had ignited their pride.

Look at those gazes.

They have the eyes of wild hyenas, ready to tear me apart if I make the slightest mistake.

It's my first class, and I'm already feeling this much pressure.

If this continues, I'll be devoured by the students in the lecture hall.

'Given this situation, I have no choice but to give my best in the lecture.'

I surveyed the students gathered in the lecture hall.

They all had heads full of unique and colorful hair, which is apparently common in this world.

Among them, a few stood out.

Especially a female student with animal ears on her head. She is a beastkin from the southern continent's desert region.

Well, in a world where magic and witches exist, beastkins aren't that surprising, but they are a very minority race in this world.

Especially at Seolren Academy.

Beastkins were a race that had been colonized and used like slaves until 50 years ago, and even now, 50 years later, the remnants of discrimination and oppression against them still remain.

Even now.

The other students around her were looking at her with subtle gazes, evidence of this.

This child, who seems to have just enrolled, will likely have a tough time ahead.

'Well, I'm not in a position to worry about others right now.'

First, I need to focus on the class.

"I am Rudger Chelisi, who will teach the general process of manifestation."

"Does that mean you'll cover all four specializations?"

Someone raised their hand and asked. It was a male student with a somewhat unpleasant look.

I immediately warned him.

"Only ask questions when I allow it."

"…Yes, I understand."

"Since it's the first day, I'll let it slide this time. But if anyone disrupts my class again, I will give them a demerit. The same goes for anyone who openly challenges my authority."

At the mention of demerits, some students gasped, claiming they hadn't heard such a thing.

"But conversely, students who do well will be given merit points. The more merit points you have, the more benefits you will receive, so try your best."

Of course, it's a known fact that first and second-year students, who are in the prime of their lives, don't really care about demerits, unlike third-year students who are nearing graduation.

However, there is a big difference between a teacher openly warning about this and not doing so.

"To answer the question from a moment ago, 'yes.' I will teach you the general aspects of all four specializations in the manifestation category: <Emission>, <Attribute Elements>, <Telekinesis>, and <Enhancement>."

Most of the students looked skeptical.

Even if I am teaching a manifestation class, each specialization within the same category is a distinct field.

The <Emission>, <Attribute Elements>, <Telekinesis>, and <Enhancement> I mentioned earlier are the four specializations of the [Manifestation] category.

They are commonly referred to as the four major specializations of manifestation.

While it's usually enough to teach just two of them, I claimed I would teach all four.

To the students, it must sound like I'm just showing off or telling an unbelievable lie.

But this is absolutely not a lie.

I may not have achieved top-tier status in any one area, but with the years I've lived, I pride myself on having a broad spectrum of knowledge.

So.

"I will start the class."

I show them what I prepared for this moment.

* * *

"Hey, Cheryl. Isn't that teacher really amusing?"

At the sound of her name, Cheryl tried to hide her rising anxiety and turned to her friend sitting next to her.

A girl with long, dark blue hair that reached below her waist and skin as white as snow.

Her beauty and charm, combined with her proficiency in both arts and martial skills, made her look like a painting come to life. She was known as a 'genius' among the second-year students at Seolren.

Even students called geniuses in the outside world become ordinary at Seolren Academy.

The city and country gather only geniuses, which has led to an excessive standardization of student levels, making those with lesser talent relative ordinary students.

It wasn't surprising for a child who was considered a prodigy in their hometown to end up being one of the last counted in this place.

But Flora was a girl recognized as a 'genius' even in Seolren.

A glimpse of her extraordinary talent in magic was evident.

With a good family background, beautiful appearance, and exceptional abilities, she was someone everyone admired, one of the most famous figures at Seolren.

Except for one thing.

Her personality.

Flora Lumos was notorious among the teachers and students of Seolren Academy.

She, being a genius, refused to receive proper instruction from anyone. Instead, she challenged the teachers' authority and emerged victorious.

It was common for her to point out incorrect spell formulas in the middle of a teacher's lecture.

In fact, she once devised a superior spell on the spot, far surpassing what the teacher was teaching, and completely discredited the teacher in front of the students.

She had steadily built this reputation since her first year, and it continued even now that she was a second-year student.

Especially because of her, two teachers who taught manifestation last year had resigned, a fact well-known throughout the academy.

Now, Flora was a second-year student and had returned to take a manifestation class.

Moreover, this time, she was attending the class of Rudger Chelisi, who was already being evaluated as extraordinary from his first appearance.

Cheryl, Flora's friend, prayed that this time would be different, but looking at Flora's expression, it seemed her hope was in vain.

Flora was known among the teachers as the little devil of the Lumos family, someone who could strip a teacher's soul and drain their energy with every class she attended.

Considering how those who had suffered at her hands shuddered and called her a demon, not just a little devil, the nickname was quite cute.

Flora had chosen Rudger as her prey for this semester.

"Cheryl, isn't it funny? A teacher who looks like he's only in his twenties, claiming to have mastered all four major specializations of manifestation. No, he could have mastered them. But to teach all of them, isn't that a bit exaggerated?"

"That's…."

Cheryl couldn't help but agree.

Whether it was out of pride as a new teacher or because he truly had the ability, she couldn't confirm his true worth yet, so she had to be skeptical.

'But can he really teach all four major specializations with such proficiency?'

There are five major categories in magic, each with its own specializations.

The [Materialization] category includes <Material Creation>, <Transformation>, and <Alchemy>.

The [Manifestation] category includes the four major specializations: <Emission>, <Attribute Elements>, <Telekinesis>, and <Enhancement>.

The [Summoning] category includes the four major specializations: <Elementals>, <Golems>, <Familiars>, and <Necromancy>.

The [Curses and Blessings] category includes the six major specializations: <Astrology>, <Enchantment>, <Illusion>, <Pharmacology>, <Location Craft>, and <Enchanting>.

And the last, fifth category is [Unique].

[Unique] is a category that, while ambiguous as magic, clearly refers to a type of magic that can be manifested.

It includes secret magic passed down through generations in a family or those who have pioneered unique methods.

Naturally, no teacher teaches such unique categories.

Just then, Rudger engraved a magic formula on the magic board.

As he channeled mana into the blank board, the formula drew itself.

It was [Dancing Flames], one of the 3rd Rank fire element spells.

Even though it was just a 3rd Rank spell, it required the precise placement of seven elements to manifest.

With enough time, the students in the lecture hall could also use it.

"Since it's the first class today, I'll teach you something to pique your interest before we dive into the main course. It's a method to manifest a spell much faster than the conventional way."

Faster manifestation?

Curiosity sprang up in the students' minds for the first time.

"Let's see. The speed, yes, is at least three times faster than the conventional method."

At those words, the students' eyes widened.