Chapter 9

As a teacher of noble birth, I was highly popular and respected among the students, and this year I was primarily in charge of the advanced water magic classes. Yet, I made a surprising mistake.

If things had continued as they were, I would have reached a senior position in one or two years.

However, this failure is significant.

I had never seen the principal angry, nor had I ever heard of such a thing. He was always calm and had a broad, gentle nature. That was the impression I had of Principal Glen.

But after hearing the details of this incident, the principal looked at me with a clearly displeased expression.

It was more disappointment than anger, or perhaps the look one gives to something trivial.

That look was directed at me.

I had clearly left a bad impression. All the achievements I had built up as a teacher were now in vain.

I went out into the town to search for the girl I had turned away, but my steps quickened with anxiety.

"Damn it, where could a woman go? To an inn... No, it's not yet dark. She looks like a country girl. There's a good chance she's wandering around the town. Then, it must be the main street."

Why must I, of all people, chase after a plain-looking commoner woman so desperately?

I bribed the guards to search for inns on the main street while I myself walked around trying to find her.

But I couldn't get any leads. Of course not. In the crowd that filled the streets, no one would remember a plain commoner.

She might be nearby. Thinking this, I walked the main street again.

As the day grew dark and I still couldn't find any leads, I returned to the academy.

"Damn... She probably stayed at a cheap inn in the back alleys. I should have started there. If I think about it, she wasn't wearing anything fancy."

Frustrated with myself for not realizing this, I walked down the lit street and encountered a rare figure.

It was Strass, a teacher of the same year. He came from the lower nobility, the Clyde Baron family of the Varted Kingdom, but for some reason, he could use excellent wind magic.

Well, regardless of his magic, his lack of grace and elegance was typical of a lower noble.

I usually wouldn't even look at him, but since he was close to a commoner, he might know where that woman was.

Come to think of it, his bad attitude is similar to hers.

"Strass, can I have a moment?"

When I called out to him, Strass glared at me with a frown. I was so angry I wanted to kill him, but as a member of the Oud family, it would be shameful to lose my temper to such a lowly person. I had to endure.

"What is it?"

As I clenched my fists and forced a smile, Strass spoke in an unpleasant tone.

"Ah, yes. A woman with black hair visited the academy today. I need to find her for certain reasons. Of course, I have no frivolous feelings, but I must find her. She's a plain-looking commoner. Have you seen such a woman?"

While holding back my anger, I asked, and Strass sighed and crossed his arms.

"If you mean Aoi, the woman that Lord Speyside refused to see, I escorted her to the principal. She's supposed to stay in the teachers' dormitory from today. That's all."

Strass passed by me without any respect.

"What, what do you mean!? Why you—!"

I couldn't help but shout with emotion. Strass glanced at me and exhaled through his nose.

"Because you turned Aoi away."

I was speechless at his words.

Ignoring me, Strass left without a word. Although titles are irrelevant in the academy, his attitude was still extremely disrespectful.

But I had no energy to call him out on it.

"Damn. How can I make up for this blunder..."

I groaned, holding my head. It's all that woman's fault.

"I will definitely get my revenge."

---

**Strass**

A mysterious girl... No, a woman.

Thinking back, she did have the courage not to flinch even when faced with a weapon, despite her youthful appearance. Normally, if someone were about to be enslaved in a back alley, they would be scared or something.

But Aoi didn't panic or show fear.

This meant she had the confidence to handle the situation.

"...She shouldn't have been able to chant a spell with a weapon pressed against her."

Muttering to myself, I stood by the stream that flowed through the academy. In the dark, the water, illuminated by the streetlights, reflected the scattered light, creating a somewhat fantastical scene.

I extended my hand forward, palm facing outward.

One verse, two verses of incantation.

"Little Spirit Light."

The faint magic power was lost, and a soft light floated in the air.

This is one of the basic spells, and all new students start their lessons with this spell when they first enter the academy.

The same applies to transfer students. In the case of transfer students, the lesson is to see if they can reduce the five verses of the Light spell.

Academy mages can reduce it to two verses, and the principal can cast the spell with one verse.

However, no matter what, a spell cannot be cast without an incantation.

This means that in close combat, where the opponent is within range, the mage is at a significant disadvantage. Being in close contact is even worse.

In fact, I couldn't see the moment Aoi cast her water spell.

"...I would like to talk about magic with her..."

Not only the incantation process, but also her thoughts and ideas about magic research.

As I thought this, I realized I was smiling.

"...Come to think of it, this is the first time I've been so interested in someone."

I looked at the water, which reflected the light, and laughed softly.

---

**Eliza**

As the day grew dark, I realized I had run out of snacks and headed to the tavern in front of the academy.

"Hold the drink, drink, drink, drink, drink. Morning drink, noon drink, evening drink, night drink, and bedtime drink, every day is a party!"

Singing the dwarf drinking song, I saw a soft light floating over the river.

And the face of a man illuminated from below by the light...

"...Eh, scary!? What is that person doing! Ah, it's Strass! Wow, he's laughing!? Why is he laughing alone while casting the Little Spirit Light!?"

I saw a completely incomprehensible scene and shuddered with fear.

But standing by the river at night, I noticed something about Strass.

Strass, who always had a stern face and bluntly criticized everyone, had many enemies. He usually didn't talk to anyone and spent his time quietly.

So, today's conversation with Aoi and me must have been quite enjoyable for him.

At night, Strass was thinking about Aoi and me and laughing?

"...Hehehe. As expected of me. I am called the delicate witch princess of the dwarf country! To be able to charm even Strass!"

---

**Strass**

A mysterious girl... No, a woman.

Thinking back, she did have the courage not to flinch even when faced with a weapon, despite her youthful appearance. Normally, if someone were about to be enslaved in a back alley, they would be scared or something.

But Aoi didn't panic or show fear.

This meant she had the confidence to handle the situation.

"...She shouldn't have been able to chant a spell with a weapon pressed against her."

Muttering to myself, I stood by the stream that flowed through the academy. In the dark, the water, illuminated by the streetlights, reflected the scattered light, creating a somewhat fantastical scene.

I extended my hand forward, palm facing outward.

One verse, two verses of incantation.

"Little Spirit Light."

The faint magic power was lost, and a soft light floated in the air.

This is one of the basic spells, and all new students start their lessons with this spell when they first enter the academy.

The same applies to transfer students. In the case of transfer students, the lesson is to see if they can reduce the five verses of the Light spell.

Academy mages can reduce it to two verses, and the principal can cast the spell with one verse.

However, no matter what, a spell cannot be cast without an incantation.

This means that in close combat, where the opponent is within range, the mage is at a significant disadvantage. Being in close contact is even worse.

In fact, I couldn't see the moment Aoi cast her water spell.

"...I would like to talk about magic with her..."

Not only the incantation process, but also her thoughts and ideas about magic research.

As I thought this, I realized I was smiling.

"...Come to think of it, this is the first time I've been so interested in someone."

I looked at the water, which reflected the light, and laughed softly.