Chapter 4: Anger
The academy has senior instructors who excel in fire, water, wind, and earth magic, as well as healing magic. Their number is less than ten percent of the over hundred instructors.
Typically, mages who become senior instructors are deeply engaged in research. Publishing their findings and byproducts benefits both themselves and the academy.
Therefore, unlike regular instructors, senior instructors only teach classes one or two days a week at most.
In particular, Foar Perno Roses, the senior water instructor, is devoted to his research and only teaches a two-hour class once a week, barring exceptional circumstances.
As this rare class was being held, I, despite being only on my third day as an instructor, was in the schoolyard with the students from early morning.
As expected of students studying advanced magic, they were mostly 17 to 18 years old. There were twenty of them, all standing with serious expressions.
However, I could see that two of them, Rocks Kilbegan and Felter Cairn, were occasionally stealing glances at me.
I wondered if those two were exceptional students.
As I was secretly surprised, a man in black robes appeared in the schoolyard, which resembled an arena.
He was a thin man in his fifties with long, dull gray hair and beard, and sharp eyes. Combined with his black attire, he looked every bit the wizard.
As everyone tensed and straightened their backs, the senior instructor, Foar Perno Roses, stopped in front of us and looked around.
“…I’ll take attendance.”
Without greeting, Foar began checking names in order. Finally, he glanced at me.
“…Lastly, Instructor Aoi Konominato.”
“Yes. It’s a pleasure to work with you today,” I said, bowing slightly.
Foar gave me an unabashed stare. As I felt somewhat uncomfortable being looked up and down, Rocks interjected from the side.
“I heard that Instructor Aoi was hired as a senior instructor despite just arriving at the academy. She must be an incredible mage.”
As soon as he uttered this unnecessary comment, Foar narrowed his eyes sharply. Glaring at Rocks, who shut his mouth under that gaze, Foar turned to look at me.
“…In this academy, those with ability become instructors. However, to be a senior instructor, a minimum level of refinement is required. In that respect, nobles are suitable for senior instructor positions as they learn various etiquette and academic subjects from a young age… I heard that Instructor Konominato is of common birth.”
After quietly explaining his theory, he said this as if confirming. I nodded while looking straight back at him.
“Yes, I’m a commoner. I’m of unknown origin, but is that unsuitable?”
Upon hearing this, Foar fell silent for a few seconds, looking thoughtful.
Then, exhaling briefly, he spoke.
“…I’ll judge based on your future actions. If I determine you’re unfit to be a senior instructor, I intend to appeal directly to the headmaster. Remember that.”
After saying this in a stern voice, Foar finally began the lesson.
He demonstrated advanced water magic. Apparently, Foar can use special-grade water magic and advanced fire and wind magic as well. Being able to use multiple special-grade magics puts him on par with court mages of various countries, so Foar’s ability is certainly impressive. Moreover, he cast advanced water magic after uttering just two words of incantation. It seems he’s also been researching incantation time reduction.
The incantation time was only about two or three seconds. This is nearly as good as casting without incantation.
Skipping the incantation makes it harder to adjust the magic being cast, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for him.
“Rushing Water Flow: Daedalus Wave”
The moment he activated the magic, a huge water sphere appeared in front of Foar, and a massive amount of water was released forward. It was like a tsunami.
Soldiers or carriages would be swept away helplessly.
The students, childlike in their enthusiasm, let out sounds of admiration with shining eyes at this magic. It’s understandable, as being able to use even one advanced magic is enough to qualify for graduation.
Then, they formed groups of five and took turns casting advanced water magic. Interestingly, even though they can use advanced magic, the activation speed and power aren’t the same for everyone.
Even if the activation is slow and the power is low, when all five cast together, it becomes a tsunami comparable to Foar’s magic. Conversely, even if each individual has power, if the timing of activation is off, the result is mediocre.
Also, the technique of abbreviating incantations varies. Some students can activate with as few as three verses, while those who activate with four verses were learning from them.
They can learn about the characteristics of magic and also get hints for their own magic by observing others.
This class seems well-thought-out too.
As I was thinking about this while watching, Rocks, who was studying seriously in the advanced class, looked over at me.
“…Instructor Foar. For future reference, I’d like to see Instructor Aoi’s magic once.”
When Rocks said this, Foar showed a thoughtful gesture for a moment, then nodded slightly.
“…Hmm. I’m interested in that too. It took me fifteen years to become a senior instructor. Even that is considered fast among senior instructors. It would be a lie to say I’m not curious about Instructor Konominato’s ability.”
He muttered this and glanced at me, but quickly let out a shallow sigh.
“However, now is not the time. No matter what level Instructor Konominato’s ability is, it wouldn’t be of much use to you all yet. First, train until you can activate advanced magic in three verses.”
Unexpectedly, Foar dismissed Rocks’ proposal with these words.
I was surprised, and it seems Rocks himself was surprised too. He glared at me frustratedly but didn’t say anything more.
In the end, Foar, having judged me as an observer, didn’t have me do anything until the very end.
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Because of this, I wanted to ask Eliza about it during lunch.
“I didn’t think Instructor Foar’s noble consciousness was high enough to be a problem,” I said, tilting my head.
Biting into a bread as big as her face, Eliza also tilted her head.
“Hmm… Is that so? Most of us don’t have the opportunity to talk with Instructor Foar… Maybe it was just rumors?”
As soon as she said this, Eliza raised her face as if remembering something.
“Ah! Speaking of which, I hear it’s becoming a rumor among the students!?”
“…About me?” I asked.
Eliza nodded several times.
“Yes! It’s only among some students for now, but clearly someone with ill intentions…”
“You mean it’s a bad rumor. What kind of content?”
When I asked, Eliza hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth sadly.
“…They’re saying that Instructor Aoi, because of her common birth, sees nobles as enemies and is unfairly oppressing them using her position as an instructor…”
Murmuring this, Eliza quickly waved both hands.
“Strauss and I understand, you know!? We know that you’re trying to teach students right from wrong equally! It’s just that this academy has such a strong sense of noble society… If someone with high family power spreads a rumor, it spreads as if it’s the truth…”
As Eliza said this, looking frustrated and downcast, I smiled and nodded.
“It’s alright. The entanglements of noble society don’t matter to me. Let’s face it head-on.”
When I said this with a smile, Eliza gave a dry laugh, her cheeks twitching.
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