Chapter 57

◈ Chapter 57: Assistant Selection (2)

In response to Ms. Selina's question, I quietly placed the utensil I was holding on the table and said,

"I haven't felt the need yet."

It's a lie.

In fact, I didn't even know if there were assistants.

'Now that I think about it, I don't remember seeing other teachers walking alone.'

Most teachers usually had people around them.

At the time, I didn't know they were assistants and just thought they were students following the teacher to ask personal questions.

Or perhaps they were servants doing odd jobs.

They were assistants, it turns out.

So, could it be that everyone except me has been using assistants? And I was the only one who didn't know?

My answer clearly surprised Ms. Selina.

"Really? Then, how did you manage things like organizing assignments, student lists, and preparing lecture materials...?"

"I did everything myself."

"Oh, aren't you tired?"

What's so tiring about it?

Well, guiding nearly 80 students individually, organizing materials, and preparing lectures was a bit troublesome.

Especially, the most difficult part was checking each assignment against the list.

Still, I didn't feel exhausted, so I shook my head.

"Not really."

"Hmm, I see. How many students did Mr. Rudger have in his class?"

"80. It was a full class."

At that, the other teachers who were dining with us gasped.

"Then, you've been handling 80 students all by yourself since the start of the semester?"

"Isn't that normal?"

"It's not normal."

"Isn't it?"

"Yes."

I see.

Since I didn't closely observe other teachers, I couldn't tell what I was doing wrong.

"Then, do you have assistants, Ms. Selina?"

"Yes. I only needed a few hands, so I chose three."

Only three when you said you didn't need many?

Do others usually bring around 10 each?

I glanced around and suddenly noticed a teacher passing by the restaurant.

The teacher, Chris Benimore, had a nervous and hysterical look. Since his defeat in the last bet, eight students have been anxiously following him.

...That's a lot.

"It would be good for Mr. Rudger to choose assistants this time. With 80 students in your class, you'll need at least five."

"I agree."

Ms. Merida joined the conversation.

"It might be fine now, but it will get more difficult over time."

"Do I need them immediately?"

"You don't have to choose them all at once. You can gradually increase the number."

"I see."

Hmm. With such strong recommendations, I'm starting to consider it.

Moreover, from the reactions around me, it seems that not having any assistants might draw too much attention.

It seems I need to choose suitable people soon.

"Understood. I'll try to choose assistants as soon as possible."

"Mr. Rudger is popular, so many students will apply when you post the notice."

"Thank you for the compliment, even if it's just a formality."

"It's not just a formality..."

"Then, I'll finish my meal and get up."

After standing up, I greeted everyone and left the restaurant.

* * *

"Hmm."

Back in the faculty office, I stroked my chin while reading the materials on assistant selection.

'Even new teachers can have assistants, and usually, they have more than six. It seems I should have some.'

After all, in the world of mages, the relationship between master and disciple is common, so why not in a magic academy?

Even the Magic Tower has masters for each school, with dozens of disciples under them.

Of course, these disciples are often used as labor, but nominally, they are disciples.

This tradition has been established, and the Seorun Academy, which teaches magic, is no exception.

Surprisingly, Seorun also has a student system.

After the fifth year, instead of graduating, students can stay to research magic and write papers under the guidance of a professor...

In other words, they are like graduate students in the 21st century.

What an innovative academy.

In both good and bad ways.

Anyway, setting that aside...

'I don't feel the need for assistants since I'm not overwhelmed yet, but having someone to handle odd jobs wouldn't be bad.'

After all, this isn't a real Magic Tower, and there's no need to worry about security for my forbidden magic materials.

I just need them to organize materials related to my classes.

'As an assistant, they get extra credits or more personal guidance from the teacher, but that's all.'

There's no obligation to teach forbidden magic.

If such a clause existed, teachers would likely protest.

After scanning through the terms, I crossed my legs and interlaced my fingers.

'If I must choose, it would be best to pick capable people.'

The simplest way to choose assistants is to post a notice.

If I announce that I'm recruiting a few assistants, applicants will come, and I can select from among them.

Typically, seniors close to graduation become assistants, but there's no age limit.

New teachers often choose 1st and 2nd-year students from their classes.

'Should I choose from my students?'

If I choose from my class, the assistant will take on the role of a class representative for my lectures.

So, I need someone who can command and manage the students well.

A few names come to mind.

Notably, Flora Lumos and Erendil von Exilion.

Both are high-ranking nobles and royalty, and they have natural charisma, making them adept at controlling the atmosphere.

'However, these two wouldn't do such a lowly job as being my assistant.'

First, Flora Lumos, whom I've criticized a lot, would be awkward to choose, and as for Princess Erendil, it would be even more uncomfortable.

Asking a princess to be an assistant...

Even in Seorun, which advocates equality, this would be too much.

Even if she agreed, I would have to refuse.

'In the end, I'll have to put it on hold. If I post a notice, applicants will come, but I'm hesitant to choose unverified candidates.'

If I must choose, it would be better to pick someone easy to manage.

Since thinking about it now won't yield an answer, I decided to return to my quarters.

Putting on my coat, I left the faculty office and walked down the corridor when I suddenly sensed a familiar presence and stopped.

"Sedina."

"Yes, yes!"

At my call, Sedina Roschen, who was hiding around the corner, jumped out in surprise.

She still looked at me with a reverent gaze, as if she had been secretly waiting for me.

Does she have nothing to do?

"What do you need?"

"Ah, no, nothing..."

She seemed anxious, as if afraid of getting scolded.

I was about to tell her to go back when I considered her position and spoke.

"Is that so? It's convenient."

"Yes, yes?"

"You, be my assistant."

"Yes. Ah, yes."

Sedina nodded reflexively.

And, five seconds later.

"...What?!"

Sedina exclaimed in surprise.

Just one word, and such a varied reaction.

"Unwilling? If you don't want to, I won't force you."

"No, no! Ah!"

At my words, Sedina hastily tried to say no but bit her tongue.

Her gesture of covering her mouth with both hands made her look like a real squirrel.

"Then, you accept?"

Nod, nod.

Sedina nodded vigorously without speaking.

"I'm glad. Since there's still time, fill out the application and come to my office."

"Really? Is it really okay for me to be an assistant?"

"There's no reason why not. Why would I lie about this?"

"No, no!"

"The deadline is two days. Remember that."

I left after giving Sedina the instructions.

From her behavior as a member of the Black Dawn, she seems specialized in gathering information.

Having her around could provide more opportunities to learn about the Black Dawn.

Instead of setting up meetings at specific times and places, it would be much easier to interact as a teacher and assistant.

Most importantly, it would eliminate any suspicious glances from third parties.

Choosing her was a good decision.

'For now, Sedina is confirmed. I can gradually increase the number later.'

I've gained a loyal servant faster than expected.

* * *

A few days after the public duel between Eidan and Jeban Pelio.

The duel was still a topic of conversation among students, but as usual, they were more interested in new gossip.

And this time, the topic was something that would certainly draw attention.

"Hey, it's noisier than usual, isn't it?"

Rine casually asked Erendil, the Third Princess, who was sitting next to her.

Despite the vast difference in status between a princess and a commoner, they became close friends quickly because neither had many friends.

They didn't care about such trivial matters.

"Yes, Rine. Lately, there's a strange rumor among the students."

"A strange rumor?"

"Yeah. It's about Mr. Rudger recruiting assistants."

"Wow, that's intriguing."

Rudger Chellis not having assistants was a well-known issue among students.

Considering that most teachers have assistants, it was quite unusual for a new teacher to have none.

Some even joked that Rudger might not have known he needed assistants.

'Of course, Mr. Rudger wouldn't be that clueless.'

It was hard to imagine such a thorough person having a blind spot in this area.

Students were just joking.

If Rudger decides to recruit assistants, his office will likely be swarmed with students vying for the position.

Given his dislike for noise