Just as we reached that point in our conversation, we heard Shenley’s footsteps coming out of the shower, and we fell silent.
After that, we had a light meal with Shenley and tried to distract ourselves with small talk before Eliza left the room.
By late evening, Shenley had calmed down considerably and was able to talk with me.
She spoke enthusiastically about things she liked, such as classes, the academy’s facilities, and the well-stocked library.
Feeling that we had become somewhat closer, I decided to make a bold request.
“If you don’t mind, can I touch your ears a little?”
“Eh?!”
She recoiled.
Apparently, that wasn’t something to say upon first meeting. I had been curious about her twitching ears, but I couldn’t force her. I sincerely apologized. Perhaps because of that, Shenley seemed to warm up to me even more.
Having cheered up, Shenley agreed to stay in my room, and my first night in the dormitory unexpectedly ended up with me sleeping alongside a student.
The next morning, I woke up early, unaccustomed to the new room and bed. Regretting not having gone shopping earlier, I took out ingredients from my master’s handmade magic bag.
I sautéed rotwurst meat with leafy vegetables, salt, and pepper. Then I fried an egg on one side, sprinkled it with salt, added some herbs for fragrance, and sliced some baguette to accompany it. A simple breakfast was complete.
As I was considering preparing some homemade jam, Shenley woke up.
“Ah, good morning…” she said, approaching awkwardly.
I offered her a chair.
“Good morning. Come on, eat.”
Shenley sat down hesitantly and, following my suggestion, ate some meat with her fork. Her eyes widened.
“…It’s delicious,”
I smiled and started eating my breakfast too.
The meat was tender even when seared on the surface, releasing its umami with every bite. The spiciness and aroma of pepper, along with the saltiness, were a bit strong, but when eaten with the vegetables, it balanced out nicely. The fried egg provided a good contrast with its sweet flavor.
“After eating, shall we go to the academy together?”
Shenley seemed to consider for a moment before nodding in agreement.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
“Good morning,”
I greeted every student we passed on our way to the academy. About half of them returned the greeting.
I couldn’t help but feel that the education here wasn’t very good. Greetings are fundamental.
As I was thinking this, Shenley, walking next to me, looked up at me.
“Um… Will you be teaching in the high school division, Sensei?”
“Today is my first day, so I’m not sure yet,”
“Eh? First day?”
I laughed at Shenley’s confusion as we entered the school building that could be mistaken for a castle. For now, I headed towards the principal’s office.
Since we still had time, I allowed Shenley to accompany me.
As we progressed through the building, it seemed to be divided into sections, and we started encountering more and more faculty members. I greeted everyone we passed in the hallway, but most of them gave me strange looks.
“Excuse me,”
I said, finally standing in front of the elaborate door. I knocked and waited for a response.
“Um, Sensei Aoi…”
Shenley called my name anxiously, tugging at my sleeve, but I heard a response from inside the room, so I decided to open the door.
“Oh, Aoi-kun. Good morning,”
Glen greeted me, raising one hand as he sat comfortably in his chair.
“Good morning, Principal. I was thinking of observing classes starting today, if possible,” I said.
“Hmm, I see. It would have been fine to just tour the academy today, but if that’s what you want… Hm? What about that child?” Glen noticed Shenley hiding behind me.
I placed my hand on Shenley’s back and brought her to stand beside me. Glen raised his eyebrows.
“Oh, Shenley-Lou-Rosenstiel. The rare beastman who skipped grades. Good morning. Are you acquainted with Aoi-kun?”
Despite his gentle demeanor, a hint of complex emotion flickered in Glen’s eyes. Shenley bowed her head timidly.
Observing this from the side, I fixed Glen with a sharp gaze.
“…As I become a faculty member, there are some things I’d like to request,”
Hearing this, Glen visibly recoiled, leaning back in his chair with an overtly displeased expression.
“Oh no… I don’t want to hear this… I have a terrible feeling. Yes, it reminds me of when I was young, summoned by the King of Carvan Kingdom for dragon slaying. Owen, who went on the quest with me, in the audience chamber…”
“First of all,”
“You won’t even listen to the end?… Aoi-kun, you’ve inherited the unnecessary parts of your master. No, I’m sorry. I apologize, so please don’t look at me like that. I’m just a feeble old man, you know? A kind-hearted and timid super-senior. Please be gentle with me.”
As Glen rattled on, not wanting to hear my requests, I crossed my arms and glared at him. He then straightened up and assumed a posture of attentive listening.
Confirming this, I uncrossed my arms.
“…I dislike discrimination. Racial discrimination or discrimination based on royal or noble status should be completely unnecessary in the academy. Students should purely learn about magic, how to use power, knowledge, and life skills, while teachers should be good mentors and role models for the students.”
“Y-yes… that’s the ideal,”
Nodding in response to Glen’s agreement, I stepped closer.
“For this reason, when I witness discrimination or bullying, I will scold the perpetrator, regardless of who they are. In particularly severe cases, a scolding might not be enough.”
“Eek!”
Glen let out a strange cry at my words. He had probably agreed.
“Now, for the second point,”
“O-oh… my heart is still unable to hide its agitation, but…”
“It might be difficult with many students coming from other countries, but I’d like to hold open classes. I’ll announce to the students’ parents that their children will be scolded if they misbehave.”
“Oh,”
Glen exclaimed, putting a hand to his head and looking up at the ceiling. I thought for a moment before sighing and speaking again.
“I think that’s about it for now.”
“No, that’s plenty. I’m filled with anxiety,”
Glen laughed exasperatedly. I smiled back and confirmed once more.
“Is that alright? If not, I’ll make home visits independently of the academy.”
At this, Glen burst out laughing and let out a big sigh.
“…Indeed. I used to have such spirit in the past, but lately, I’ve been avoiding troublesome matters. With your abilities, Aoi-kun, it might be good. Alright, I’ll leave it to you to correct the academy’s atmosphere.”
Saying this, Glen stood up and walked towards us. He crouched in front of Shenley, who was standing next to me, and placed a hand on her small shoulder.
With a gentle smile to the confused Shenley, he began to speak.
“…This is the first time we’re talking directly. I’m Principal Glen Molt.”
“Y-yes! I-I know. I-it’s an honor to speak with you…”
Seeing Shenley’s tense reaction, Glen furrowed his brows sadly and bowed his head. Shenley’s eyes widened in surprise, but she froze at Glen’s next words.
“I’m sorry… I had heard about the bullying from some faculty members. But… considering the family backgrounds of the students involved in the bullying, I couldn’t intervene.”
The apology was sincere and filled with regret. Shenly, seemingly moved by these words, bowed deeply with tears in her eyes.
“No… Just knowing that the headmaster was aware of me, just saying such things about me, I…”
Unable to find words, Shenly sobbed. Glen raised his face with a sad expression and nodded slightly.
I looked at the two of them and then said to Glen:
“Is ‘I’m sorry’ all you have to say? That leaves you still guilty, Headmaster…”
“Guilty!?”
Glen jumped up with a scream-like voice at my words. Shenly also looked surprised while still crying.
“A-Am I guilty…?”
I nodded firmly to the anxious Glen and put my arm around Shenly’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, but if you knew about the bullying and did nothing, you’re just as guilty. I don’t want you to think you’re forgiven just because you apologized to Shenly. As a responsible adult, you need to clearly state how you’ll improve to prevent similar situations in the future. That’s what true sincerity means.”
“Oh…”
Dejected, Glen’s shoulders slumped.
“So, Headmaster, please don’t betray me even if I go too far.”
“I-I understand… Really, Aoi, you’ve inherited all the troublesome parts of your master…”
Seeing Glen say this with a wry smile, I raised the corners of my mouth in a smile.
Visit the request page If there’s a Japanese Light Novel (LN) or Web Novel (WN) you’d like me to translate
When the donation goal progress bar above hit 100% one novel will be chosen for translation
| Table of Contents | Next* |
Support the Author by Buying the Original Books!
