Chapter 23

The sound of footsteps on the stone pavement, mechanical and in unison. The high-pitched clatter of metal. And the hooves of the large carriage being pulled by horses advancing through the center.

The rough sounds combined as the knightly procession advanced to the front of the academy and came to a temporary halt. A knight mounted on the lead horse dismounted gracefully and walked toward the reception desk.

"We have come from the capital. His Majesty, Queen Lea, and four hundred royal guards wish to enter."

"Sure, sure. You're the first visitors of the morning. We'll take all your weapons. Now, please sign your names one by one."

"Hm, one by one... We can't afford to spend that much time..."

"I'm sorry, but it's the rule. Here, I'll lend you the register."

Taking the notebook, the royal guard hurriedly instructed his subordinates to write down their names.

An hour later, King Midleton, Queen Lea, and their entourage entered the Fidic Academy.

The faculty and staff were in a flurry, and students gathered to watch the commotion with interest.

Following the guide, the royal party walked through the chaotic academy. Three guides accompanied them, one of whom was Speyside.

As Speyside, who was breaking out in a cold sweat, led the way, Midleton nodded calmly and cast a sharp gaze around the academy.

"...There are quite a few students walking around. Hasn't class started yet?"

"Y-Yes, class will start shortly. We planned to have a meeting with the principal in the morning and a class observation in the afternoon."

"Hm... I heard that the reason we were called here today is a new teacher named Aoi Konominato."

"Y-Yes, that's correct. I apologize for any inconvenience."

Nervously responding to each word from the king, Speyside led the group to the reception room on the second floor of the academy.

Opening the heavy double doors, they entered the reception room, where four leather sofas and a low table surrounded by chairs were arranged.

At the far end of the room, Principal Glen was seated, and Aoi stood beside him.

The king and queen entered the reception room, accompanied by only two royal guards.

"Welcome to Fidic Academy. It's a pleasure to have you here."

Glen greeted them warmly. The two royal guards glared, but the king raised a hand to calm them and smiled.

"You haven't changed, Duke Glen Malt. Just having you in our country prevents the other five great nations from underestimating us. We rely on you."

"Hahaha, that's too kind of you to say about an old man like me."

The two exchanged such casual words, and the queen laughed.

"Well, you two seem to get along well. But it's impolite to talk just the two of you and keep the teacher waiting."

Gently reprimanding the queen, the two laughed awkwardly and looked at Aoi.

"Hm, so you're Aoi Konominato. I am King Midleton Inish Kilbeggan of the Varted Kingdom. I've heard that you will tell me about my son, Rox, the second prince. I look forward to it."

Midleton said, and Lea stood beside him.

"I am his wife, Lea Berry Kilbeggan. It's nice to meet you."

Lea smiled warmly and moved to a sofa. Midleton and Lea sat down side by side, and Aoi sat alone on the opposite sofa.

Looking at them seriously, Aoi began.

"Nice to meet you. I've just started working as a teacher at this academy. My name is Aoi Konominato."

"Um-hum."

Nodding calmly, Midleton listened as Aoi introduced the topic of the day.

"Today, we have the parents of Rox, who is studying magic in the high school, here."

"...Hm, yes. Your phrasing sounds a bit loaded, doesn't it?"

Raising an eyebrow, Midleton asked, and Aoi nodded.

"Yes. Therefore, I will speak to you not as a king and queen but as the parents of a student."

Aoi's clear words made Speyside, who was standing by the door, change his expression. His face stiffened, and he turned pale, which made Glen quietly chuckle.

Meanwhile, Midleton frowned and leaned back.

"I see. I'll listen carefully."

Lea laughed brightly at Midleton's words.

"Don't worry. You've heard reports from your son's classmates and servants, haven't you? Rox is diligent in his studies and is now considered a genius in the academy..."

Lea said happily, but Aoi shook her head sadly in response.

"Unfortunately, that's not true, Mother."

Hearing the blunt denial, Lea froze. Glen and Midleton, who had been smiling awkwardly, also froze.

Whether she noticed or not, Aoi continued at her own pace.

"Rox may have talent in magic that surpasses the average student. However, he lacks diligence. I wish he would take his classes more seriously, but that's a different issue."

Aoi's matter-of-fact statement made Speyside almost roll his eyes.

Watching Speyside struggle to maintain his composure, Midleton spoke with a grim expression.

"...Is he not studying diligently?"

"Yes. From what I know, he has also disrupted other students' studies. Some teachers no longer want to teach Rox."

"...Is this a mistake? The reports I've received are quite different."

In response, Aoi said, "It's not a mistake."

"That's one issue, but the main reason I wanted to discuss today is something else."

Aoi then described Rox's daily actions and violent behavior to the two of them without any embellishment. Except for when Speyside complained of feeling unwell and left the room, Aoi's calm voice was the only sound in the room.

"That's all. Do you have any questions?"

By the time Aoi finished, Midleton's face had turned frightening, Lea was on the verge of tears, and Glen was expressionless.

In the silent room, Aoi nodded.

"Since there are no questions, I will discuss the future plan."

"Wait a moment."

Just as Aoi was about to continue, Midleton spoke in a low voice. The two royal guards broke out in cold sweat.

"What is it?"

When Aoi asked, Midleton glared at her with a bitter expression.

"...Is it possible that Rox's bullying of the child from the Shenley viscount's family was the original cause? We should hear the story from both the child and our son..."

"No matter the reason, it's wrong to use magic to injure a classmate. Chasing down the weak with a group of people is wrong, regardless of whether you are royalty or nobility. It's also wrong to look down on beastfolk, lower nobility, or commoners just because you are royalty. Using magic against a teacher is also a mistake. Don't you agree?"

Aoi's icy gaze made Midleton pull back and fall silent.

Glancing at the speechless Midleton, Lea, with tears in her eyes, spoke.

"It's hard to believe that our son would bully a girl. Do you have any evidence? In an academy that attracts attention from the six great nations, the scandal involving royalty could lower the country's influence. Someone might think that way..."

In a tearful voice, the confused Lea pleaded, and Aoi coldly replied, "No."

"Because of the attention from the six great nations, any clumsy scheme would backfire. However, if you still can't accept it, I will show you the evidence."

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