Chapter 9: Foar-Perno-Roses
I peek into the classroom from the hallway during a lesson.
It’s fortunate that today happens to be one of Foar’s weekly classes.
Incidentally, since it’s a valuable advanced instructor’s class, most of the participating students seem to be older ones from the high school division.
He appears to be teaching water magic, but the content isn’t too difficult. Probably, he’ll teach more advanced applications based on today’s lesson in the future.
“…As you can see, the unabbreviated incantation for the Water Ball actually contains keys to advanced magic. It’s possible to turn water into ice or shoot a straight stream of water. In fact, some fire and earth magic spells share common phrases. Wind is slightly different, but by correctly understanding these commonalities, you can also find inspiration for creating new magic.”
Saying this, Foar began his incantation.
“…Diamond Mist of Freezing Ice”
The moment he spoke, a shimmering mist appeared around the podium. The white mist swirling around Foar instantly freezes anything it touches.
As murmurs spread through the classroom, Foar lightly tapped the now-white walls and podium, explaining:
“This is a magic I developed independently, a type of water magic. It would be quite difficult to defend against this formless magic, like a fog. Also, I’ve only activated it in this small area now, but at its maximum, it could freeze this entire classroom.”
“The entire room!?”
“To think that’s water magic…”
“Indeed, if caught off guard, we’d be frozen before we could think of a way to defend.”
The students listen to Foar’s explanation with great interest. Hmm, so advanced instructors’ classes are listened to this attentively. For some reason, it’s frustrating.
As I’m gnashing my teeth while watching from the edge of the window, Foar sighs and narrows his eyes during a break in his speech.
Then, he starts talking in a casual tone.
“Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about the new instructor, Aoi Konominato. Certainly, showing advanced magic with incantations so shortened you can’t even tell when they were spoken is impressive. However, teaching students things they can’t do is not what an instructor should do.”
So, the topic of me came up. It doesn’t seem to be a positive one, though…
As I’m thinking this while listening, Foar continues:
“…For a commoner to reach that level, there must have been blood-sweating training, but in the end, they’re what you’d call a genius. Geniuses are generally poor at teaching ordinary people. You all should think carefully about what you’re learning and gaining from your precious time at the magic academy.”
With that, Foar returned to his lesson.
“…Could it be because of these words?”
When I turn back to check, Strauss and Eliza have difficult expressions on their faces.
Next to the two who are groaning, Aile opens her mouth, looking furious.
“This is definitely it. We’re talking about a top-level advanced instructor, right? That Sensei Foar is essentially telling students not to attend your class.”
As Aile pouts angrily, Court smiles ambiguously.
“However, he didn’t explicitly say not to attend. It’s all advice based on Sensei Foar’s assumptions. Probably, he didn’t mean any harm, but…”
Eliza sighs at this and shakes her head.
“Even so, this is not something an advanced instructor like Sensei Foar should be saying. Especially for students who definitely want to take Sensei Foar’s classes, those words have a huge impact. Particularly that part about ‘thinking carefully about which classes to attend.'”
At Eliza’s words, everyone fell silent.
By the time we finish discussing, Foar’s class is about to end. If we don’t act now, Foar will leave.
I reluctantly shake my head lightly and stand up, opening the classroom door.
“W-wait, Sensei Aoi…!?”
I hear Eliza’s scream but pretend not to hear it.
Whether he’s aware of it or not, his words are affecting my classes. I need to convey that to him.
As I enter the classroom, not only Foar but all the students’ eyes turn towards me at once.
The end-of-class Belle rings, as if on cue.
“Sensei Foar, could I have a word?”
“…Let’s hear it.”
When I call out to him, Foar complies readily.
As the students in the classroom start to make a commotion, I point outside. Foar agrees to this as well and comes out into the hallway.
Once in the hallway, Foar looks at Strauss and Eliza, then at Court and the others, stopping his gaze on them.
“…I thought you were a more intelligent child.”
At those words, Court smiles wryly and exhales briefly. Meanwhile, I raise an eyebrow at Foar’s words.
“…Is attending my class such a foolish thing?”
When I ask, Foar slightly furrows his brow.
“I wouldn’t say foolish, but it’s a waste of time. Without engaging in intensive classes, research, and training that nourish you, you cannot rise as a magician.”
“…Have you ever seen my class, Sensei Foar?”
I try to confirm, just in case. However, Foar shakes his head as if it’s obvious.
“I haven’t. But one can estimate without actually attending. Even from the rumors I hear, it’s all about advanced magic and excellent incantation shortening. Such magic is too early for students. I don’t recognize anyone who shows off their own skills without considering their students as a proper instructor.”
I can’t help but laugh at being told such things. Foar looks puzzled, which makes it even funnier.
“Certainly, I think Sensei Foar’s classes are easy to understand, teaching magic basics even to high school students. However, that’s underestimating the students’ talent and potential too much. They could learn more difficult magic if taught.”
When I say this, Foar snorts and looks at me with contemptuous eyes.
“It’s just as I said. You’re a person who doesn’t understand the feelings of ordinary people. Well, you should try it. You’ll understand eventually. If you teach thinking everyone can do the same as you, you’ll get frustrated when results don’t show and progress is slow.”
Hearing this, I cross my arms and glare back.
“Please say that after seeing results from my method. It’s somewhat unpleasant to be judged without even seeing. First, please attend my class.”
At this, Foar visibly distorts his face in displeasure.
“…You lack manners towards your seniors. Is that also because you’re a commoner?”
“If you’re a noble, I’d hope for more composure. Looking at you now, Sensei Foar, who would think you’re a noble? You seem no more than an upstart small fry…”
“Wait! Please wait! I-I-I was wrong! So please, both of you, stop!”
As Eliza clings to me crying, I close my mouth for now.
Then, as if his mood was ruined, Foar averts his gaze and returns his expression to normal.
“…If you insist so much, I’ll participate in your next class. I’ll see directly what kind of class you’re conducting.”
Saying this, Foar turned his back to us.
Eliza watches Foar walk away with her eyes, then collapses weakly on the spot.
“T-that was scary…”
As Eliza mutters this tearfully, Strauss nods shallowly.
“Advanced instructors are second only to the principal in this academy. No one dares to complain to them. It’s understandable that Sensei Foar became so emotional.”
When Strauss says this, Aile raises her arm angrily.
“But I think that way of speaking is terrible! After all, Sensei Aoi’s classes are so interesting and very educational!”
As everyone tries to calm down the angry Aile, I start thinking about the next class.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
[SIDE: Foar]
Her magical prowess is undeniable.
You can tell just by hearing the rumors. Her wind magic and fire magic must be first-rate. And even water magic.
I can use other types of magic too, but water magic is the only one I can confidently say I excel at.
That’s why I can understand Aoi Kōnominato’s pride. At such a young age, she’s standing shoulder to shoulder with the top magicians. Anyone would think themselves special and mistakenly believe they can do anything.
However, that’s a mistake.
I, too, have a similar past. Though I’m of noble birth, I was born into a minor viscounty with barely any land to speak of, and neither of my parents were magicians.
I happened to have a talent for magic and was able to attend the academy, but after that, it was miserable.
I studied desperately to understand magic more deeply than anyone else, trained rigorously, and exhausted every avenue of research.
Before I knew it, I had become the top student at the academy, and from there, the path to becoming a teacher opened up. My efforts weren’t in vain. If I could make others put in the same effort, surely anyone could become a first-class magician. If I could achieve that, I would undoubtedly become the first senior instructor from the Holy Empire of Maple Leaf.
And then, I wasted several years. Due to family circumstances, I was desperate to produce results. But the more I rushed, the worse the outcomes became.
In the end, I angered the son of a duke from the Bushmills Empire and was nearly expelled from the academy.
Even someone like me was able to settle down after ten years. Students won’t understand unless the content is comprehensible to everyone.
Teach in a way that even a monkey could understand, and consider it perfect if they can use one or two advanced magic spells while at the academy. As I continued with this approach, I became a senior instructor, and my family was elevated to the rank of count.
Aoi Kōnominato’s methods won’t lead to such results.
“…Excuse me.”
I called out as I opened the door. Entering the classroom, I was surprised to see more people than I expected.
No, many of them aren’t students. The students – Court, Aile, Liz, and Belle – were sitting together in a group, while Shenley sat in the middle of the front row. There were also Dean and… I was surprised. Felter Cain? Even Rocks was there.
But there were only seven students. The rest were Strauss, Eliza…
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