Chapter 6

Advancing down a corridor that looked and felt like a Western castle, I aimed for the top floor of the castle.

The thick carpets, intricately crafted stone walls and ceilings, and countless magic stone lamps. Considering the abnormal size of the academy, the construction was quite luxurious.

The corridors and staircases were unnecessarily wide. If the classrooms were also made as wide, it would make sense why the academy was so large. Perhaps beneath the numerous spires were gymnasiums, martial arts halls, and practical training buildings.

In any case, it had been about twenty years since I last attended school. It was quite a nostalgic experience. Well, not only the school building, but the students and teachers were also very different from the school I knew.

"Here it is."

As we were touring the academy, Strass, who was walking in front, stopped and said so.

It seemed we had arrived while walking in a sightseeing mood.

Looking forward, there was a huge double door behind Strass, who had stopped and turned to face us. The ceiling was high, making the door appear even more massive.

The door was made of black metal with silver decorations. It looked very heavy, but when Strass knocked, it opened automatically from the inside.

The door, which opened more easily than expected, led to a surprisingly calm and large room. The ceiling was high, and the walls were adorned with bookshelves filled with a large number of books and large windows. The room smelled of wood and books, unlike the strong smell of stone and leather that had been prevalent until then.

At the back of the room was a large desk, about three meters wide, and on the other side of it sat an old man with a white beard.

The old man looked up at me and smiled, spreading his hands wide.

"Oh, so you're the one in the letter. A lovely young lady. I am the principal, Glen Molt."

"Nice to meet you. My name is Aoi Konominato. Thank you for seeing me despite my sudden visit."

In response, Principal Glen nodded and raised a hand.

"Very well. So, how is Owen Millers? It's been decades since I last saw him."

Glen asked with a somewhat delighted look.

"He's more energetic than ever."

In response, Glen laughed joyfully and nodded several times.

"That's to be expected. Unlike me, a half-elf, he is a pure-blooded elf. He should still look and have the magic power of a young man."

Laughing heartily, Glen picked up the letter and held it in front of his face. I hadn't noticed, but Glen was wearing small glasses, which he adjusted with his finger before speaking.

"So, the letter says to make you a teacher at the academy. Is it not a mistake and should it say 'student' instead?"

"No, I'm very honored, but apparently, there is nothing more for me to learn at this academy. However, I was told that working as a teacher would be faster in achieving my goal... Besides, considering my age, being a student would be too difficult."

"Hmm, may I appraise you?"

"Yes, that's fine, but..."

In response, Glen immediately used an appraisal spell. I felt a unique discomfort when receiving the appraisal spell, which made me slightly itchy.

It was a slight discomfort, but those with strong magic power could sense it. Incidentally, if there was a significant difference in magic power, the appraisal would be deflected.

The fact that the appraisal was successful is evidence that Glen is indeed a formidable magician.

After all, until now, only Owen Millers and Glen, my teachers, could appraise me.

Glen squinted and grunted as if reading a book, and finally, his face turned to one of astonishment.

"...I'm surprised. Not only do you surpass me in magic power, but some parts are even unreadable to me... You're like one of the Six Heroes."

Glen muttered, looking flabbergasted.

At his words, Strass, who had not spoken a word until then, opened his mouth in shock.

"The Six Heroes...? Such a young girl...?"

Strass said, as if he couldn't help it, and Glen sighed.

"...This is also surprising, but it seems Aoi is twenty years old. Not much different from your age."

He said something rather impolite.

"...Unbelievable, isn't it?"

And Strass, with even more impolite behavior, said such a thing. It had happened many times on the way to this academy, but everyone treated me like a child.

Even I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"...Is there something about my age?"

When I muttered this, the two of them jumped and gasped.

"N-no, nothing, nothing at all."

"W-well, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it."

The two hurriedly made excuses and apologized. I glared at them for a while, but knowing they had no ill intent, I decided to forgive them.

"...So, will you hire me as a teacher?"

When I asked, Glen nodded, though his face was contorted.

"S-sure. However, being able to use magic and being able to teach it are different. First, could you show me the magic you are good at? By the way, even if you can't teach magic, there are teachers for mathematics, languages, geography, history, culture, and magic tools."

"...Then, can I demonstrate water magic?"

"Ah, that's fine. Water magic is one of the most well-staffed areas, alongside fire and earth. If you can teach a few of your advanced magic, you can certainly be hired as a teacher."

Glen smiled and looked at me with anticipation. While Glen, who looked like an excited child, waited, I thought about what to teach.

Perhaps a magic that is easy to explain theoretically.

"...Then, about the Water Jet."

"Hmm, an intermediate magic."

Nodding at Glen's words, I first turned my palm upward and floated a ball of water in the air.

For a moment, the expressions of the two changed, but I decided to explain anyway.

"When handling water magic, first, you need to understand the properties of water. The amount, shape, and flow speed... The basics are these three. Increase the amount, shape it according to the purpose, and by maintaining a certain speed, it becomes a versatile magic useful in various situations."

"Uh-huh, uh-huh."

While Glen and Strass nodded, I changed the shape of the floating water ball.

I extended a line of water from the bottom of the floating water ball, gradually making it thinner.

"By changing and maintaining the shape and increasing the flow rate to the limit, this magic can rival advanced magic. Furthermore, by mixing powdered abrasives, it becomes a special-grade magic, a high-pressure water jet that can cut through even orichalcum shields and armor..."

"Hold it! Hold it!"

Just as I was explaining the magic well, Glen called out.

"What is it?"

Frowning, I asked Glen, who opened his eyes wide and exclaimed.

"N-no, no... You were casually explaining something incredible, but I didn't even know about a high-pressure water jet magic. Moreover, who would think of mixing abrasives into a manifested magic..."

"I created it as an original magic."

"You created it!?"

"An original magic...?"

The two were surprised again. My teacher, Owen, had said that top-notch magicians usually develop one or two original magics.

"...Then, for now, I'll teach you how to make a water ball, the basis of the intermediate magic, Water Jet."

"Hold it! Why are you suddenly explaining intermediate magic as if nothing happened!? Please, I beg you, teach me the original magic!"

Glen was greatly shaken, stood up, and pleaded. Indeed, as the principal of a magic academy, he might be very interested in new magic.

"But, isn't this a test to become a teacher? First, I should explain intermediate magic in a way that students can understand..."

"Fine! You're hired! You're hired! Quickly, the original magic...!"

Glen shouted with bloodshot eyes, and my teacher's test was easily passed.