Chapter 25

Aoi was to accompany the class observation from noon.

Since the class Rox was in was a water class, the teacher was Speyside.

When they entered the classroom, Speyside, who was usually stiff with tension, was checking the attendance list while wiping cold sweat.

"Hmm. There are more people than I expected. I thought it would be quite limited at the advanced level."

As Middleton entered and said this, a commotion arose among the students.

Then, Rox, who was sitting at the top, saw Aoi enter with Middleton and raised the corners of his mouth.

"Then, today we will conduct an advanced water magic class. Since all the students present can handle the magic, the goal of the class is to shorten the incantation by one verse."

Speyside, who was unusually polite, explained the class content, and the students looked at Speyside and Middleton with interest.

Noticing that he was being amused, Speyside's face twitched, but Rare, who had just entered the classroom, nodded.

"This is a high-difficulty class. At the advanced level, just being able to use magic isn't enough, is it?"

Aoi tilted her head slightly at these words, but Speyside continued with a relieved expression.

"First, we will cast the spell with the usual incantation."

Saying this, he performed a five-verse incantation and created a small water ball. The water ball was densely packed with magic power and could cause a powerful water jet.

"This spell will disappear if not cast on a target. Now, everyone, try it."

Following Speyside's instructions, everyone began their incantations.

However, Rox, folding his arms and smirking, spoke up.

"…Teacher Speyside, this is a waste of time. We have an advanced teacher, Aoi, here. Why don't you split the class and teach us?"

Saying this, Rox began his incantation and cast the spell in just three verses.

Some of the students were genuinely surprised, but Middleton and the others frowned.

Rox deepened his smile, floating the water ball in the air, and looked down at Aoi.

"Or can't Teacher Aoi teach us? I thought it would be easy for an advanced teacher, even in name only, but maybe I was mistaken."

Rox, unusually full of himself, leaned back and said this. Middleton and Rare's eyes sharpened, but he didn't notice.

"Of course, Teacher Aoi can cast spells with a shorter incantation than me or Teacher Speyside, right? You're good at secretly casting spells, but if you want to cast different spells in succession, you'll have to do it in front of everyone. How about casting a basic fire spell and then a water spell?"

Rox, who was giving orders in a condescending manner, made Aoi sigh and speak.

"It's Teacher Speyside's class now. Please don't speak out of turn."

When Aoi ignored Rox's assertion and told him to behave, Rox's eyes widened.

"What? Did you just say that to me!? To me, a member of the royal family!?"

Rox exaggeratedly feigned surprise, and the wrinkle between Middleton's eyebrows deepened. Rare's smile also froze.

"…As I said before, in the academy, there is no distinction between royalty, nobility, and commoners. Rox, you are a student, and I and Teacher Speyside are teachers. Listen and take the class…"

Aoi tried to calm Rox down, but he interrupted her mid-sentence and shouted.

"What!? You're telling me to listen to a commoner!? To me, a member of the Varted Kingdom's royal family!? Who do you think is standing next to you!? You don't know, do you!? Let me tell you!"

Rox shouted back at Aoi's reprimand and loudly asserted his position. Aoi sighed deeply and then spoke.

"…Movement Seal."

Immediately, a spell was cast, and Rox froze like a stick. Felter, who had been observing, exhaled through his nose with his arms still crossed.

Seeing Rox immobilized, Middleton gave an order to the royal guards.

"Take him out."

"Yes, sir!"

Amid the frozen students and Speyside, Rox was carried out solemnly by two royal guards.

Middleton, with a smile that seemed to deny the previous commotion, raised a hand and addressed the classroom.

"Sorry for the disruption. Please focus on the class."

With that, he walked out into the corridor, and a dull sound like heavy objects colliding echoed. Then, Rare, with a plastered smile, bowed and followed him out.

A sharp sound like a clap echoed.

As the remaining students were stunned, the door opened, and Rare poked her head in to look at Aoi.

"Teacher Aoi, can you come here for a moment?"

"Y-yes… Then, Teacher Speyside."

"Please go ahead."

When Aoi confirmed the summons, Speyside nodded repeatedly in agreement.

When she stepped outside, she saw Middleton, with a radiant smile, grabbing Rox's hair with one hand and walking down the corridor.

Aoi, looking at Rox being dragged with sympathy, was asked by Rare with a smile.

"Is there a place nearby where no one will come? Preferably a well-insulated room. Oh, how about a torture chamber?"

"…Not a torture chamber, but I think the laboratory is relatively sturdy and well-insulated."

"The laboratory! That sounds good. Can you show us the way?"

Saying this, Rare seemed delighted, and Aoi nodded with a twitching cheek.

"…This way."

As she walked, Rare called out to Middleton.

"Teacher Aoi knows a good place. It's a sturdy room and well-insulated."

"Ah, that's good. Please show us the way. I want to have a heart-to-heart talk with my son for the first time in a while."

"Yes, really."

The royal guards walking alongside them were pale-faced.

Aoi, looking at Rox being dragged, quietly clasped her hands together.

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