Chapter 28

"Please make me your disciple, Mr. Godolphin!"

With the class tardiness issue resolved, I stormed into the staff room that evening.

Now that the class was set, there was no reason to hold back.

The other teachers looked at me with warm, understanding eyes, but I ignored them.

I decided to just go for it, no matter what.

I bowed my head at a precise 45-degree angle and asked Godolphin to take me on as a disciple again.

"...Hmm.

Feel free to speak your mind.

I dislike formalities.

...But being asked to take you on as a disciple...

I am your homeroom teacher, and I intend to answer any questions you have.

In that sense, all the students in 1-A can be considered my disciples.

...What exactly do you want to ask me?"

I answered, bracing myself for laughter.

"...I have no talent for external magic, especially for property transformation.

But I want to use external magic no matter what.

The reason is that it looks cool.

There's no logical reasoning behind it.

I heard that Mr. Godolphin struggled with a lack of talent for external magic when he was young.

Could you please train me to use external magic?

...Even if you can't give me a clear answer, could you at least point me in the right direction?"

I kept my waist bent at a 45-degree angle, raised my face, and looked Godolphin in the eye as I spoke.

Godolphin didn't laugh; he looked at me seriously, stroking his white beard for a while.

"Is this a request made with full awareness of the disadvantages?"

"I know that focusing on physical enhancement is the best option for me."

"Hmm."

Godolphin folded his arms and closed his eyes.

I waited for his response.

"...I understand your request.

But I had a talent for property transformation even when I was young.

I have no idea how to meet your expectations.

Even if I take you on as a disciple, I can't give you what you seek.

However—"

He stroked his white beard again.

"I might have an idea about the direction."

"Really?!"

I latched onto his words.

Despite my own ongoing investigations, all I found was negative information, showing how high the wall blocking what I sought truly was.

It was only natural that I latched on.

It took a while for me to realize that I had been dancing to the tune of this old man.

"However.

There is a condition."

Godolphin continued, looking me in the eye.

"Fix the mess in the morning..."

◆

This morning, everyone arrived in the classroom by 9 AM.

But the classmates who had exhausted their magic were in no condition to practice.

Most of them had no choice but to do the training to compress and restore their magic.

"I'm at a loss here.

I've said it many times, but I didn't suggest they do this.

I have no right to stop them."

"Ho ho ho.

I have no intention of stopping them.

They are doing the basic training, which most people dislike, with such intensity on their own.

Even if it means sacrificing some classes, it will surely be beneficial for you all.

...However, they can't keep compressing magic forever.

So, I want you to guide your classmates so they can attend classes properly in the morning.

The period is two months.

If you can do this, I will give you the direction I think is right."

Two months...

I quickly calculated in my head.

"I have two questions.

First, I will only advise those who are willing.

Everyone was here this morning, but not everyone will continue.

It's not necessary for everyone to continue.

Some may have priorities other than physical enhancement."

"...Alright.

However, you must not slack off with those who are willing.

...Why not make the morning training an extracurricular activity?

Most clubs don't have proper activities anyway, and most students are only nominally part of clubs.

It's possible to be in multiple clubs, and if you are the coach, it will be easier to give instructions to your classmates."

Godolphin said something shocking.

"Most clubs don't have proper activities?!

What about the Magic Research Club?!

Isn't it active?"

Surprised by my outburst, a blonde, capable-looking female teacher who was sitting nearby came to my aid.

"The Magic Research Club doesn't exist.

According to records, it was disbanded about 300 years ago.

Now, those who want to learn magic mostly attend the famous Simplicius Magic Academy in the capital.

Many also hire famous mages as private tutors.

...Please call me Ms. Musica.

Allen Lovain."

...A tutoring school?

What do these people think youth is for?

"...Alright.

If it's only for the willing members of the club, that's fine.

How do I set up the club?"

Ms. Musica answered this question.

"Decide on a name for the club, and we'll handle the procedures.

We already have a good idea of the activities.

Would you like Mr. Godolphin to be the advisor?"

"Ho ho ho.

Alright.

However, I have no intention of interfering with the activities."

So, a nominal advisor.

...That's fine.

I can consult him if needed, and it's great that he will let me do things freely.

I then asked about something that was bothering me.

"One more thing.

Can I interpret your mention of 'direction' as you becoming my teacher and showing me the way?"

The phrase 'I might have an idea about the direction' was too vague.

Even if I'm tricked, as long as I can become Godolphin's disciple, it will be worth the time I invest.

"Hmm.

As I said, I can't provide what you seek.

So, I will introduce you to the right person."

"Another person?

...Who is it?"

I looked at Godolphin with suspicion.

"Hmm.

He is the current commander of the 3rd Army of the prestigious Kingdom Knights.

Naturally, he is extremely busy, and it would be almost impossible to become his disciple without my introduction.

Let me make it clear: I will only introduce you.

Even if you manage to become his disciple, don't expect him to teach you everything.

He will only give you occasional advice."

Wow!

It seems a specific person is already in Godolphin's mind.

This means he has a clear idea of what I seek, and it's not just empty talk.

Fantastic!

I noticed that Ms. Musica was also surprised.

He must be a very important person!

I steeled my heart and decided to train my classmates thoroughly, even if it meant making everyone quit the club.

"...I'm glad we've come to an agreement.

By the way, what will the club be called?"

The capable Ms. Musica asked.

I thought for a moment and answered.

"I'll call it the 'Hill Club.'"

"...What do you think?

...It doesn't really matter what you call it, but...

Won't it be inconvenient if the name is too far from the activities?"

It was just a spontaneous idea with no deep meaning, but I felt a bit embarrassed explaining it, so I spoke with conviction.

"It's not far from the activities at all!

Running up a hill with all your might and running down without falling is, in a sense, a 'path' in life!

A hill represents adversity.

Facing adversity head-on and reflecting on oneself...

That's the essence of this club!"

"???

Well, if you say so..."

Later, the prestigious 'Hill Club' of the Royal Academy, which would be called the 'Foundation of the Unicorn Generation' and the 'Unofficial Required Course of the Royal Academy,' was born from Allen's hobby and a spontaneous idea.

◆

After Allen left the staff room.

"Mr. Godolphin...

Isn't that condition a bit too harsh?

At yesterday's staff meeting, you said that if they were doing such intense training voluntarily, it would be worth canceling morning practical classes for six months.

And now it's only two months..."

"Ho ho ho.

There's no point in making him do something he can already do.

I want to see how he tackles this challenge and how he develops people."

Musica sighed and shook her head in exasperation.

"Moreover, the reward is an introduction to Mr. Dew, who specializes in physical enhancement magic...

What if Mr. Dew refuses?"

"Ho ho ho!

Dew is a man who was appointed as the commander of the Kingdom Knights at the young age of 38.

If he gets a talent like this boy, he won't refuse.

Ho ho ho ho!"

Godolphin laughed, clearly enjoying the situation.