Chapter 26

"What's the matter, Cecilia?

It's too early for you to be back, even if you came home after checking Allen's acceptance results. Did something happen?"

Startled by his wife's sudden return, Viscount Belwood continued to water the eggplants he was growing as a hobby, undeterred.

"Allen has been accepted into Class A.

However, he is suspected of cheating, and there is a possibility that an investigation will be sent from the capital.

I believe the suspicion of cheating against Allen is a frame-up.

But to prevent you from being confused by unexpected visitors and causing any trouble, I took a shortcut through the mountain path.

We cannot afford to hold Allen back.

Please call Grimm and Zold."

"W-What! Allen got accepted? And in Class A?!

And he's suspected of cheating?!

Did you take a shortcut through the old road that's in Dosfarnas's territory?!"

The viscount was greatly confused.

◆

"Lord Godolphin"

When called by Muzika, Godolphin turned around and realized from his expression that the news was not good.

The location was the staff room. The leather sofa placed beside the glossy wooden table was, according to Godolphin's taste, extremely hard.

"I apologize, but the scouting of Zold Bainfeld has failed."

"Hmm. I thought it wouldn't be easy... But did someone else get to him?"

Muzika's face twisted even more.

"No, all the scouts have been refused. It seems that no camp has been able to extract even a condition they can agree on."

Saying this, Muzika placed a piece of paper on the table.

It read as follows:

――――――――――

Zold Bainfeld

Report on Character Evaluation and Scouting Status

Ability (S)

Character (S)

Scouting Difficulty (S)

――――――――――

Holding a thick file, Muzika began the report.

"I'm not sure where to start..."

Muzika began the conversation with a troubled expression.

◆

First, regarding the investigation and scouting of Mr. Zold by the Information Department's Scissors, it took 13 days from receiving the order to visit the Lovaine Viscount's residence.

From Draglade to the fortified city of Claubia, where the Lovaine Viscount's residence is located, is a rural road with no maintenance stations for magic cars, and it is an incredibly remote area, requiring the crossing of several mountains. There was no other effective means of transportation besides a carriage, and it was impossible to hurry any further.

Upon arrival, it seems that the Lovaine Viscount himself came out to greet them.

He congratulated his son on being accepted into Class A without much surprise, as if it were a matter of course.

When asked for the reason, the response was, "That Allen has been taking things seriously lately."

From this, it can be inferred that at least the family recognized the potential for Class A acceptance.

When the situation was explained, it seems that the Lovaine Viscount fully cooperated with the investigation of Mr. Zold.

And the reason for Allen Lovaine's sudden improvement.

It was due to the 'Absolute Passing Project' devised by Mr. Zold.

Here is the curriculum he obtained.

From 8 AM to 7 PM without a break.

Lunch was only a portable emergency solid food, eaten while reviewing the afternoon's lessons, which is a tough schedule for a boy of that age.

When asked why he could endure such a rigorous schedule, the response was, "The young master decided the schedule himself and followed it."

The lecture content was also impressive.

Here are the results of his last kingdom-wide subject test.

And here are the results of the Royal Academy entrance exam.

When analyzed by the person who created the test questions, it was said that the lecture content was completely focused on Allen Lovaine. It is believed that there is no more efficient curriculum to improve test scores.

The range of score improvement and the content of the curriculum are strongly believed to be consistent.

According to Mr. Zold, "The young master verified past questions himself and devised the curriculum."

It is inconceivable that a 12-year-old boy could come up with such an exam strategy on his own, but when questioned about this point, Mr. Zold dismissed it, saying it was a matter of the young master's motivation.

From these points, it is believed that Mr. Zold focuses on fostering independence in his educational theory, not just providing a curriculum but guiding the student to discover and solve problems on their own.

However, the reason why he could solve the advanced problems in magic power conversion mathematics, which were a topic of discussion among the examiners, was not clear from this curriculum.

When this point was confirmed, it was revealed that the secret lies in the form of Mr. Zold's lectures.

It seems that Mr. Zold often takes a form of discussion and guiding the student to derive the answer together, rather than just explaining to the student.

Regarding the magic power conversion mathematics, it seems that it became a topic of discussion at some point, and "We discussed it quite deeply while roughhousing with the young master. This level is a piece of cake," he laughed heartily.

He appears to be a gentle person, but he also has a passionate side.

However, when questioned about the seemingly wasteful behavior before the exam, he dismissed it, saying, "You are right. But you cannot confuse short-term goals with long-term plans. That was the young master's conclusion."

It is reasonable to assume that he focuses on nurturing the person rather than just the immediate exam.

In relation to this, when asked why there was a sudden improvement three months before the exam, the response was, "The young master's mental preparation was ready at that timing."

Once the mind is prepared, he had confidence that he could improve to the passing line in three months. Until then, he focused on mental development rather than just passing the exam.

From the above, it is concluded that his ability as a tutor is among the best in the country.

Next, regarding his character.

When the story about Mr. Zold giving lectures without even taking a toilet break while wearing diapers was confirmed, he casually admitted, "In a life-or-death battle, who cares about the toilet?"

At first, he seemed to be a gentle old man, and it was hard to reconcile this with the image of Zold Bainfeld, the 'Eternal Battlefield.'

Scissors deliberately provoked him by questioning the suspicion of cheating, and he reported this as a mistake.

Mr. Zold, who had been smiling until then, suddenly became serious and declared, "That young master would never cheat. If such a conclusion is reached, this old soldier will immediately cut his belly."

The killing intent was overwhelming, and the words were not a joke. ... The report was written in trembling letters.

Finally, regarding the bowing gesture that has attracted attention.

It seems that such a form of greeting does exist.

The name of the form is 'Ojigi.'

The details are unclear, but it is said that there are different forms of bowing depending on the situation, such as 'Rirei' (standing bow), 'Zarei' (seated bow), and further subdivided by the degree of respect, such as 'Eshaku,' 'Keirei,' and 'Saikeirei,' which differ in the depth of the bow and the duration.

It is reported that the focus should be on the profound philosophy behind the 'Ojigi' rather than the gesture itself.

The 'Ojigi' is just one form of 'Rei,' which is an attempt to systematize the profound theme of 'the path one should walk.'

Allen Lovaine and Mr. Zold always performed this 'Rei' as a bow at the beginning and end of each lecture.

◆

"Mr. Zold also explained that this is all a repetition of what the young master thought of."

Muzika concluded the report.

Godolphin, who had been listening silently, could no longer hold back and pointed out, "What? That's impossible..."

"You're right.

Mr. Zold is well aware that we don't believe it.

It can be inferred that he is content to be the supporting role and is determined to keep Allen Lovaine in the spotlight and not come forward himself.

From this, we can deduce that Mr. Zold has a clean and upright character and a broad-minded disposition.

It is expected that he will not be swayed by money, status, or honor.

In fact, he refused all offers, including the extraordinary reward of becoming a Royal Academy honorary professor, a promotion to a higher rank, and a medal from the king, which I was willing to allow in certain cases."

"...People like that do exist."

Godolphin shook his head.

"Yes. The world is wide.

In some cases, we may need to involve His Majesty."

Godolphin nodded.