Chapter 11

"Good morning."

I greet everyone I pass on my way to the academy. About half of the students return my greetings.

I don’t feel that the education here is very good. Greeting is a basic courtesy.

As I was thinking this, Shenli, who was walking beside me, looked up at me.

"Ah, um... Are you going to teach the high school classes, Mr. Aoi?"

"Today is my first day, so I’m not sure yet."

"Huh? Your first day?"

While smiling at the confused Shenli, I entered the school building, which looked like a castle, and headed for the principal’s office.

Since there was still time, I decided to bring Shenli along.

It seemed that the school building was divided into sections, as the people I passed gradually became adults. I greeted everyone as I walked down the hallway, but most of them looked at me with strange expressions.

"Excuse me."

Finally, I stood in front of the luxurious door. I knocked and waited for a response.

"Ah, Mr. Aoi...?"

Shenli, who seemed anxious, tugged at my sleeve and called my name, but I opened the door when I heard a response from inside.

"Oh, Aoi. Good morning."

As soon as I opened the door, Glen, who was sitting comfortably in a chair, raised his hand in greeting.

"Good morning, Principal. I thought I would start by observing the classes today."

"Hmm, that’s right. You could have spent the whole day touring the academy, but if you prefer...? Oh? Who is that child?"

Glen noticed Shenli, who was hiding behind me. When I placed my hand on Shenli’s back and stood her next to me, Glen raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, Shenli Lu Rosenstiel. A rare case of a beastkin student skipping grades. Good morning. Do you know Aoi?"

While maintaining a gentle attitude, a hint of complex emotion flickered in Glen’s eyes. Shenli, trembling, bowed her head.

I glanced at her and then turned to Glen with a sharp look.

"...As I become a teacher, there are a few things I would like to request."

When I said this, Glen leaned back with a clearly displeased expression.

"Ugh... I don’t want to hear it... I have a terrible feeling. It’s like when I was young and the king of Caravan called me to slay a dragon. Owen, who I had slain the dragon with, was... in the audience chamber..."

"First, one thing."

"Y-You won’t even listen to the end... Aoi, you’ve inherited your master’s unnecessary traits. No, I’m sorry. Don’t look at me like that. I’m an old man, a very old man. I’m kind and timid. Please be gentle with me."

I folded my arms and glared up at Glen, who was making a fuss. He straightened up and adopted a polite posture to listen.

After confirming this, I unfolded my arms.

"...I hate discrimination. Racial discrimination and class-based discrimination, such as that between nobles and commoners, should not exist in the academy. Students should learn magic, the use of power, knowledge, and the art of living purely, and teachers should be good role models and understanding mentors for their students."

"U-Um... That’s the ideal."

I nodded in response to Glen’s agreement and stepped forward.

"To achieve this, I will reprimand anyone I see engaging in discrimination or bullying, regardless of who they are. In severe cases, a lecture may not be enough."

"Y-Yikes!"

Glen let out a strange cry at my words. I assumed he had agreed.

"Then, the second thing."

"O-Oh... My heart is still racing..."

"I would like to open the school to parent-teacher conferences. I will announce to the parents that I will reprimand their children if they misbehave."

"Oh..."

Glen put his hand to his head and looked up at the sky. After thinking for a moment, I exhaled and spoke.

"Is that all for now?"

"No, that’s enough. I’m full of anxiety."

I smiled back at Glen, who laughed in a resigned manner, and confirmed again.

"Is that okay?"

Glen burst out laughing and exhaled deeply.

"...Yes. I used to have such resolve, but lately I’ve been avoiding trouble. It might be good to have it once in a while. Alright, I’ll let Aoi correct the atmosphere of the academy."

Glen said this, stood up, and walked over to me. He crouched down in front of Shenli, who was standing next to me, and placed his hand on her small shoulder.

He smiled gently at the confused Shenli and spoke.

"...This is the first time we’re speaking directly. I am Principal Glen Molt."

"Y-Yes! I know. It’s an honor to speak with you..."

Seeing Shenli’s nervousness, Glen frowned sadly and bowed his head. Shenli’s eyes widened in surprise, but she froze when she heard Glen’s next words.

"I’m sorry... I heard about the bullying from some of the staff, but... I didn’t take action because of the backgrounds of the students who were bullying."

His apology was sincere and filled with regret. Shenli, moved by his words, burst into tears and bowed deeply.

"Such... Just knowing about me, just saying such things about me, I... I..."

She couldn’t form words and sobbed. Glen looked up with a sad expression and nodded slightly.

After watching the two of them, I turned to Glen and said.

"Is an apology enough? If so, you remain guilty... but if you think that apologizing to Shenli will absolve you, that’s a problem. As an adult, you must clearly state how you will prevent such situations from happening again. That’s true sincerity."

"Oh..."

Glen, deflated, slumped his shoulders.

"In that case, if I go too far, please don’t betray me, Principal."

"I understand... Truly, Aoi, you’ve inherited all of your master’s unnecessary traits..."

Seeing Glen’s wry smile, I smiled and laughed.