Chapter 43

I quickly went through the stack of reports I placed on the desk, Mr. Mujika said.

Then, his eyes widened at the content.

It's no wonder he was surprised.

I myself have been amazed at the richness of the content in recent reports.

Mr. Mujika glanced at Godolphin and reported matter-of-factly.

"…These are detailed data on the progress of all members' training.

…In addition, there is an analysis of each member's challenges, advice on improvement methods, predictions for future growth, and even mentions of each member's health and schedule.

At this point, 13 students in 1st Year Class A have met the criteria set by the old man.

Most likely, everyone will meet the criteria within no more than two months.

It's an astonishing rate of growth."

Upon hearing this report, the old man's eyebrows twitched.

In place of the silent Godolphin, Mr. Mujika asked me.

"Rovene, in addition to the Hillside Club activities, you initiated the establishment of the External Magic Research Club, the Geography Research Club, and you serve as the honorary supervisor of the Bowing Research Club, and on top of that, you raised your rank from G to E in just over a month, right?

Why such detailed analysis?

Are you getting enough sleep?"

I had started the External Magic Research Club, with Al as the president, out of boredom, and also the Geography Research Club to study the geography of the Rondine continent in this kingdom.

The president is Coco.

The study of geography has infinite possibilities.

A map is not just a simple representation of positional relationships.

For example, it can show the distribution of monsters and flora and fauna, elevation differences, important information such as water sources, the planting status of crops, and various other things like climate information and history, all of which can be analyzed from the perspective of positional relationships.

And the maps in this world are far from comprehensive, being quite rudimentary.

One day, Coco and I got excited and started the club on a whim.

Well, it's part of promoting club activities.

Regarding the rank-up as an explorer, it's against my will.

I argued with the receptionist at the East Branch of the Explorer's Guild that it was too early for my rank to rise so quickly, but she stuck to the rule, and I couldn't break through her defenses.

I went to protest at the headquarters, but they played hooky.

"Of course, I'm not doing it alone.

Rather, I'm doing nothing.

This is data compiled by the managers of the Hillside Club, organized by Kate, the club's general manager.

I just created the manager system at the beginning, and the content of the reports is all compiled by the managers, who think about what the members need and do it voluntarily."

I honestly said it wasn't my own effort.

While looking back at Godolphin, who was staring at me, I asked a question that genuinely puzzled me.

"Are you not going to read them yourself?

To be honest, compared to the reports compiled by experts in the field that you've read so far, there might be some soft spots.

But I think the richness of the content in such a short period is admirable.

I genuinely think, 'These are the students of the prestigious royal academy of this country.'

This stack of reports is not a half-hearted job done just because they were told to do it by a supervisor.

I think you can see their overflowing enthusiasm in various places.

I'm fine with my own challenges.

But I hope you will pay attention to their efforts.

If you don't even do that and focus only on the results...

Then you are indeed an unfit educator.

Earlier, I said I neither agreed nor disagreed with Zold's recruitment to this school, but let me correct that.

I will take a firm stance against it.

It's a waste of time."

I said this and stood up.

This is my honest opinion.

Zold probably doesn't have much ability.

But his enthusiasm as an educator is genuine.

Talking to someone who lacks the resolve to nurture people is a waste of time.

Then, I declared to Mr. Mujika.

"I will retire as the supervisor of the Hillside Club today.

Please handle the procedures."

"No!

After building such an organization in a short time, if you suddenly retire, how much confusion will it cause them!"

Mr. Mujika cried out.

Seeing his face, desperately considering the impact on the students, I thought, 'Ah, this person is an educator.'

"It's not my problem.

As I said earlier, this is not my challenge but Godolphin's.

I don't have the enthusiasm of a mentor.

I don't think I'm great enough to teach people.

All I had in my heart was to show my answer to the challenge Godolphin faces.

And in exchange, I will ask for an introduction to a master.

That's all.

The spirit of the Hillside Club and the managers are part of that answer.

By the way, I haven't even set a training policy for the members.

I've entrusted the responsibility to Rio, Dan, and Stella for each grade, and they are working hard according to their own discretion.

In a few months, when the structure is solidified, we will decide on a president and unify the overall training policy.

So, there won't be any confusion like Mr. Mujika is worried about.

The Hillside Club is not a fragile organization that can't function without me."

At that moment, Godolphin, who had been silent, finally spoke as I was about to leave.

"Wait.

I will read them too."

After reading the reports for a while, Godolphin smiled happily.

"Truly, they are rough.

But indeed, I can feel a dazzling enthusiasm, a good report.

...Indeed, there are differences in the educational policies for each grade.

Each one reflects their beliefs, and it's very interesting.

I can clearly see their struggles with the challenge of nurturing people, which has no right answer."

I smiled, and Godolphin smiled too.

"...Until now, I have only thought about how to guide them strictly.

I believed that those who couldn't climb up were just not cut out for it.

I was not, as you say, sincerely facing the challenge of nurturing people, was I..."

I was surprised by those words.

It's not something a man in such a position could do, to admit his faults after being lectured by a student.

For the first time, I felt respect for Godolphin.

"I think that approach is also important.

There are skills that can never be acquired just by being taught step by step.

Indeed, Mr. Godolphin, you have improved yourself that way.

But if you stop thinking there, as a professional educator in an educational institution, I think it's still too lenient.

The attitude of always pursuing the best for the students.

That's the back of the educator, Zold Vainfors, that I have seen."

Those words are also true.

No matter how harshly I criticized Zold, he never blindly accepted my words, nor did he outright oppose or get angry.

He only thought about what was best for me without compromise, which is why I could clash with him without worry.

"Is the life in the general dormitory also your doing?"

Godolphin stroked his chin and asked.

"That's also their own decision, and they moved in without my knowledge.

I did nothing."

I answered with a frown, looking genuinely annoyed.

Godolphin closed his eyes for a while after hearing my words.

Then, he opened his eyes, looked at my face, and corrected the result of the challenge.

"I was an amateur as a teacher...

Allen Rovene.

I will correct and apologize for my words earlier.

And the challenge I gave you is passed.

However, you will remain as the honorary supervisor of the Hillside Club.

Is that okay?"

...I never thought this stubborn old man would so easily overturn the result and bow his head...

Damn, he's a tough old man.

"Alright.

I also apologize for the numerous impoliteness I showed to Mr. Godolphin."

The grudge against the president is still unfulfilled, but there's nothing I can do.

This is probably the best resolution.

I accepted the position of honorary supervisor of the Hillside Club.

Hearing those words, Mr. Mujika let out a breath.

"That's good.

I was worried about what would happen..."

"Hmph.

This kind of scuffle is a daily occurrence with Zold.

Think of it as your bad luck to be assigned to a brat like me and give up quickly."

Hearing those words, Godolphin laughed even more.

"Fufufu.

No, I am lucky.

Through you, I can indirectly absorb Zold's teachings.

That alone is fortunate.

...However, 'I don't have the enthusiasm of a mentor,' you say?

What a poor lie!

Fufufu!"

...It's true, though...

◆

After Allen left the staff room.

Mujika collapsed onto the sofa.

"Phew, I'm tired.

Exactly, how much of it was acting and how much was real, Mr. Godolphin?"

Godolphin was in a good mood.

"Fufufu.

There was no acting, it was exactly as you saw.

Well, I did provoke a bit to draw out the boy's thoughts.

To be reduced to silence by a child's lecture is a sign that I still need more training!

Fufufu!"

"...But, everything went exactly as you planned, didn't it?

Another win for you, Mr. Godolphin...

Phew. Well, it's good that it all worked out.

However...

'I did nothing, they did it all,' you say.

Allen and Zold are indeed similar, aren't they..."

◆

Of course, the unbelievable rumor that the 'Benevolent Godolphin' gave Allen Rovene a difficult challenge over several months, failed him, and then got into a scuffle, was completely defeated, apologized, and corrected the result to a pass, spread throughout the capital in less than three days.

In response to this rumor, three people in the capital burst out laughing.

Explorer's Guild Headquarters—

"Hahaha!

Did you hear that?

That old man was lectured by that brat and had to bow his head!

Hey, Satowa! What's his rank now?"

Satowa answered.

"Well, he's up to E.

His contribution and character evaluation are A, so he can raise his rank with one successful request if he demonstrates his abilities.

He should reach C rank, where he can receive named requests, soon.

He came to protest at the headquarters once, but we played hooky."

Shel smiled.

"That rabbit-eared kid is easily hunting those things, so he's probably already showing the skills needed to reach C rank.

Raise his rank one level every time he pulls up a herb!"

Royal Palace—

"Hahaha!

I was worried about the rumor that you were thoroughly defeated by a 12-year-old, but that's what happened...

What an interesting kid."

"Indeed, I am ashamed.

I still have the temperament of a knight.

I only realized it when a child pointed it out.

Moreover, while I was taking my time, he was even nurturing people who can nurture others.

I was thoroughly defeated."

Godolphin laughed happily.

"Hmm.

But, he has a unique way of looking at things.

If you want to nurture top-notch people, not just in the knights, pushing them hard and making them climb up is a common educational policy.

Is it the influence of that rumored tutor...

Or does this child have a unique sensitivity that others don't have...

...Very well. I will write to Oriana.

However, hearing these rumors so frequently, I am starting to want to meet him...

That Allen Rovene, or whatever his name is."

At that moment, the king of the country firmly remembered the name.

Royal Capital Central Garrison of the Knights—

"Is that you, Godolphin!

Pfft.

I heard, old man, that you were lectured by that brat and ended up with teary eyes?!

I told you, that kid's got a twisted spirit!

Hahaha!"

Dew pointed at Godolphin and laughed heartily.

"Shame on me...

I promised to introduce you as a master if he passed the challenge, so I didn't intend to recognize anything less than a remarkable achievement for your busy schedule...

But I was thoroughly defeated.

I'm sorry, but please take care of him."

Godolphin told Dew with a kind old man's face.

Dew, who had been laughing, immediately froze.

"...Don't joke with me!

Do you know how much work I have?!

And to be the guardian of that brat?!

No way!

I absolutely refuse!"

Godolphin looked surprised.

"Oh, oh!

Did I jump the gun...

I thought you would be happy to take it.

I even wrote a letter to the commander from His Majesty and just handed it over..."

At that moment, a knight ran up to Dew with a piece of paper.

"Your orders, Commander Dew!"

"Ugh, you dirty old man~!!!!"

For about a week from today, I will be busy with some matters, so updates will be a bit delayed.

Thank you to everyone who visits every day, bookmarks, and rates the story.

It really boosts my motivation!

Thank you to everyone who left comments.

I've been wondering if I should reply, but I haven't, though I really appreciate it!

I have almost no backlog, so I'll take a break tomorrow, but I hope to post every other day or so!

Thank you for your continued support!