Chapter 18

The academy has senior instructors who excel in fire, water, wind, and earth magic, as well as a senior instructor in healing magic.

Generally, magicians who become senior instructors are deeply involved in their research, and it is beneficial for both the individual and the academy to publish their results and byproducts.

Therefore, unlike regular instructors, senior instructors only teach one or two days a week at most.

In particular, Foa Perno Roses, the senior water instructor, is devoted to her research and only teaches once a week for two hours unless there is a special reason.

Because of this rare class, I was in the schoolyard with the students on my third day as an instructor, from early morning.

As expected, the students studying at the advanced level are mostly seventeen to eighteen years old. There are twenty of them, all standing with serious expressions.

However, two of them, Rox Kilbegan and Felter Kearne, occasionally glanced at me furtively.

Those two, are they excellent in their studies?

As I secretly wondered, a man in a black robe appeared in the schoolyard, which resembles an arena.

He had long, smoky gray hair and a beard, sharp eyes, and was a thin man in his fifties. His black attire made him look like a true magician.

As everyone straightened their backs in tension, Foa Perno Roses stopped in front of us and looked around.

"...I will take attendance."

Without any greeting, Foa began checking names one by one. Finally, he glanced at me.

"...Lastly, Instructor Aoi Konominato."

"Present. Nice to meet you today."

After bowing, I received an impolite gaze from Foa. As he scrutinized me from head to toe, making me feel uncomfortable, Rox spoke up from the side.

"Instructor Aoi was hired as a senior instructor despite being new to the academy. You must be an incredible magician."

After saying this unnecessary comment, Foa narrowed his eyes. Glaring at Rox, who closed his mouth in response, Foa looked at me.

"...At this academy, those with ability become instructors. However, as a senior instructor, a certain level of decorum is required. In this regard, nobles, who have learned various manners and studies from a young age, are considered suitable for senior instructors... I heard that Instructor Konominato is of commoner origin."

After calmly presenting his theory and confirming it, I nodded while looking straight back at him.

"Yes, I am a commoner. I am from an unknown country, but is that unsuitable?"

After saying this, Foa fell silent for a few seconds, as if thinking.

Then, he exhaled and spoke.

"...I will judge based on your future actions. If I determine that you are not suitable as a senior instructor, I will appeal directly to the principal. Remember that."

With a stern voice, Foa finally began the class.

The class was on advanced water magic. Apparently, Foa can use supreme water magic, as well as advanced fire and wind magic. Given his exceptional skills, he cast an advanced water spell with just a few words.

The incantation time was only two to three seconds, which is almost equivalent to a non-verbal spell.

Moreover, the power of the spell was impressive.

"Surging Water Stream."

The moment the spell was cast, a massive sphere of water appeared in front of Foa, releasing a huge amount of water. It was like a tsunami.

It would sweep away soldiers or carriages without any resistance.

The students, like children, watched in amazement and admiration.

Then, they were divided into groups of five and took turns casting advanced water magic. Interestingly, even if they could cast advanced magic, the speed and power varied.

Even if the casting was slow and the power low, when five people worked together, it could create a tsunami comparable to Foa's. Conversely, if each person had high power but the timing was off, the result was less effective.

Additionally, the techniques for abbreviating incantations varied. Some students could cast with the shortest three lines, while others used four lines as a reference.

This allowed them to understand the characteristics of the magic and gain hints for improving their own spells.

The class was well-designed.

While observing this, I noticed Rox, who was studying diligently among the advanced students, looking at me.

"...Instructor Foa, for future reference, I would like to see Instructor Aoi's magic."

When Rox said this, Foa showed a gesture of thinking for a moment and tilted his chin.

"...Hmm. I am also interested in that. It took me fifteen years to become a senior instructor, which is relatively fast even among senior instructors. I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious about Instructor Konominato's abilities."

After muttering this and glancing at me, he exhaled shallowly.

"But now is not the time. Regardless of Instructor Konominato's level, it would not be useful for you at this stage. First, practice until you can cast advanced magic in three lines."

Unexpectedly, Foa rejected Rox's proposal.

I was surprised, but it seemed Rox was also surprised. He glared at me in frustration but said nothing and put down his guard.

In the end, Foa, judging me as an observer, did not have me do anything throughout the class.

Because of this, I wanted to talk to Eliza during lunch.

"I didn't think Instructor Foa had such a strong sense of nobility."

Tilting my head, I said this, and Eliza, who was biting into a bread as big as her face, also tilted her head.

"Hmm... Is that so? We rarely have the chance to talk to Instructor Foa... Maybe it was just a rumor."

Suddenly, Eliza raised her head as if remembering something.

"Oh! By the way, there's a rumor among the students!"

"...About me?"

When I asked, Eliza nodded several times.

"Yes! It's only among some students, but someone with clear malice is spreading it..."

"Bad rumors? What kind of content?"

When I asked, Eliza hesitated for a moment and then spoke sadly.

"...Instructor Aoi, being a commoner, is hostile towards nobles and uses her position as an instructor to oppress them unfairly..."

After muttering this, Eliza quickly waved her hands from side to side.

"I know, I know! Aoi treats all students equally and teaches them right from wrong! But this academy is strongly influenced by the noble society... If someone with high family power spreads a rumor, it spreads as if it were the truth..."

Eliza, looking down in frustration, said this, and I smiled and nodded.

"It's fine. I don't care about the noble society's connections. I'll face it head-on."

Smiling, I said this, and Eliza's cheeks twitched as she let out a dry laugh.

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