Chapter 13

Famous, known as a senior teacher candidate, was defeated by a newcomer.

Such rumors spread quickly, and for some reason, Eliza ran to me.

"A-Aoi-san!? Didn't you do something incredible on your first day!?"

Eliza, with a voice like a scream, leaped at me. As Eliza, who is petite and has a childlike face, clung to me with teary eyes, my protective instincts were stirred.

"Why are you petting my head!?"

"Without thinking."

"Ugh!"

The angry Eliza is also cute, so I pet her head one more time. In response, Eliza puffed out her cheeks and put some distance between us.

"Don't play with me! This is no time for that!?"

Eliza, who was furious, began to explain while waving her hands.

"Mr. Famous is from the Glaus family in the Caravan Kingdom and is said to be about to become a senior teacher! And yet, you beat him up!"

"I didn't beat him up..."

"Mr. Aoi! Can I talk to you for a moment!?"

Eliza, who wouldn't listen to anything, started talking.

According to Eliza, this academy is a simulated proxy war ground for the six major countries. When a student who has completed the advanced or special classes appears, it enhances the reputation of their home country.

The six major countries constantly monitor the academy's dynamics, and the noble teachers and students are trying to increase their influence within the academy.

Famous had been raising his status within the academy, which had significantly elevated the Glaus family's reputation in the Caravan Kingdom.

However, it seems that I had insulted Famous.

"...I didn't insult him. Rather, I was the one who was insulted."

"Ah... I can easily imagine that..."

Eliza looked sad at my words but quickly returned to her usual self.

"But, you shouldn't fight seriously! Some of the noble families, especially the higher nobles, don't hesitate to use any means. You might even be killed!"

"...I understand. I'll be careful."

While saying this, I smiled wryly, thinking that Eliza herself might be one of those higher nobles.

After that, I calmed Eliza down and was led to the cafeteria, where we had an early lunch together. The food was delicious and luxurious. Since it was free for teachers, I enjoyed the meal without hesitation.

In the afternoon, I was able to attend the wind magic class.

Strass came to pick me up.

"...Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you."

We exchanged somewhat awkward greetings and followed Strass out of the building.

We arrived at a large arena-like area behind the building. It was about the size of a 400-meter track, surrounded by a wall about three meters high.

About fifty to sixty students were already gathered and standing in a line.

"...I will take attendance."

Strass checked the names of the students on the list. There was no greeting or introduction for the start of the class, but I assumed it was okay to wait.

I crouched down and touched the reddish-brown earth with my palm to feel its texture. After checking all the names, Strass looked at me.

"...Now, I will conduct the beginner and intermediate wind magic class, but first, I would like you to introduce yourself."

"Huh?"

Caught off guard by Strass's sudden request, I stood up, brushing the dirt off my palm.

"...I am Aoi Konominato. I have become a teacher from today. Nice to meet you. If you have any questions about magic, feel free to ask."

After introducing myself and bowing, I received sparse applause from the students.

Strass nodded in satisfaction.

"Then, let's start the class. Form a line and cast the basic wind magic, the gentle wind, towards this side."

Strass, having regained his composure, began the class, and the students hurriedly followed his instructions.

The students started chanting and raised their hands to face level.

Some quickly cast the magic, and the skilled ones could produce strong winds that pushed their bodies. On the other hand, the less skilled could only produce a slight breeze.

Despite the varying levels, I was interested to see how Strass would teach them.

As I watched, Strass rearranged the students' positions one by one.

He placed the skilled and less skilled students alternately and had them cast the wind magic again. As a result, the overall strength of the wind increased.

While observing this, Strass spoke.

"Wind becomes stronger when gathered. Even though you can't see the magical wind, you should be able to feel its shape, movement, and strength with your senses. Now, you should feel a different sensation from the wind created by the person standing nearby. Don't forget this feeling."

After saying this, Strass cast the same wind magic as the students.

The wind blew fiercely like a gust.

"Wind might seem intangible, but I think of it as something similar to water. If you want a strong and sharp wind, first release a wide wind and then quickly narrow it down at the tips of your palms."

As he said this, Strass gradually narrowed the wind and increased the pressure.

The moment the intensity reached a certain level, a sharp wind blade cut through the red earth, leaving claw marks as if a dragon had clawed the ground.

The students gasped in amazement, and a few nodded in understanding.

It was a very clear and easy-to-understand lesson. With this, everyone should be able to learn intermediate magic well.

As I smiled, Strass looked at me.

"Mr. Aoi, do you have any advice?"

Again, I was caught off guard and hesitated but then cast water magic.

"Mist"

I whispered, creating a dense fog in front of the students.

While the students and Strass were surprised by the sudden event, I spoke.

"The mist can be visualized by being caught in the wind. Let's have each student use the magic in turn to learn how to use it."

Strass, who had been stroking his chin, nodded.

"...I see. Indeed, this makes it easier for teachers to teach. Also, it will make more complex magic easier to understand."

As he said this, Strass cast his magic towards the dense fog.

The wind magic swirled and soared diagonally upwards, causing the students to gasp in amazement.

Impressed, one of the students said, "I want to see Mr. Aoi's wind magic too."

Everyone's gaze turned to me. I thought Strass would stop them, but he looked interested too.

There was no choice. If I didn't, it wouldn't end, so I decided to show an interesting magic for the students' benefit.

"...Then, everyone, watch closely as I go through the steps from the beginner level... Changing Tornado."

I cast the wind magic towards the center of the dense fog. The wind swirled and rose towards the center, gradually ascending.

"I will increase the mass by gathering the wind. Make the force strong enough to pull everything in, but minimize the force that escapes upwards."

As I spoke, the wind, which had enveloped the dense fog, formed a wind dome and began to build up power with a rumbling sound.

While the students held their breath and stepped back, I raised one hand.

"The direction of the wind can be freely chosen. So, this time, let's release it upwards."

As I said this and released it, the wind dome transformed into a tornado with a loud roar.

The raging tornado rose skyward with a force that seemed to pierce the heavens, leaving the students in a state of shock.