novelraw Chapter 117 : Chapter 117
Chapter 117 : Chapter 117
117
“We had a minor problem for a moment, right? Ahaha. Since my body is a bit weak…….”
How's his body?
The Imperial Academy students couldn't regain their composure.
Only about 10 minutes had passed since that instructor named Cassian started the class.
But what he showed was something on a different dimension.
Could we even call something like that education?
However, there was someone even more shocked than them.
‘……No way. Right now, I…….’
It was precisely Ailen.
‘Did I reach the 4th-circle?’
The 1st-circle refers to an existence that realizes mana, the heterogeneous power existing in this world, and can utilize it.
The 2nd-circle refers to the level where one can alter the pure form of mana and transform it into natural attributes such as fire, ice, or lightning, and the 3rd-circle refers to an existence that can strengthen mana.
Typically, academy graduates had skills around the 2nd to 3rd-circle.
And the 4th-circle.
It was a rank awarded only to those who established their own form of magic implementation, deviating from conventional magic theory.
The magic she used was not a magic system established by existing theories.
Since she forcibly melted her magic into the space called the sword, depending on the person, there was room to consider it as 5th-circle or 6th-circle through stories like having glimpsed the order of the sword.
‘That's nonsense.’
Ailen knew her skills objectively.
Only the way of expressing magic had changed, but she was still at the 2nd-circle.
She didn't have the confidence to control the intensity of the numerous magics wrapping around her body.
One is recognized as having reached the 3rd-circle only when they can freely wield magic and utilize it as their own.
In other words, she merely learned a new magic in a new school.
‘But I created that magic?’
That meant no one could teach her magic.
Suddenly, Ailen felt as if her future became bleak.
Whether he knew Ailen's state or not, Cassian continued the class.
“Since my body is weak, I don't think I can check the sword for everyone one by one. However, this level isn't difficult, so you will be able to find it yourselves. And…….”
Cassian smiled brightly and took out a book he had brought in his arms.
“This is a book that explains the process of finding that well. It is a basic manual I wrote.”
……?
‘Selling a book in this atmosphere right now?’
‘No wait, wasn't this the timing to talk about some awesome lesson or message?’
‘The sickly handsome middle-aged man sells books well……?’
Of course, Cassian also knew well enough that the atmosphere would be ruined if he brought out a textbook.
But this was the best he could do.
‘My body is struggling.’
To awaken Ailen, I melted mana quite deeply into my voice.
From the wolf pattern Ulf drew for me, I constantly felt a buzzing shock as if I had suffered a burn.
It was the first time I even had a nosebleed like this after drawing the pattern.
That meant I used mana to the limit.
If I swung the sword a bit more in this state, it was certain I would show a pathetic appearance in the sparring match tomorrow.
‘Although there is no instructor sparring.’
Even in the sparring between students, if a dangerous situation like just now arose, I had to respond immediately.
It was a sparring match of students who use Aura, no less.
Clumsy intervention was worse than not doing it at all.
“That manual, it's really good. We also have classes with that manual at our academy.”
Starting with Freizier, Akarind Academy students began to speak up one by one.
“Actually, isn't this better? Our teacher is here for only one day, but if you buy that book, you can keep checking it.”
“Even if you listen to the class without being prepared, you won't be able to take it as yours. It's better to build from the basics with that book.”
The most effective was Pan's story.
“I haven't even properly learned the teachings of that manual yet.”
Even the swordsman who was running wild emitting Aura right in front of their eyes just now hadn't mastered those teachings.
The sound of swallowing saliva, gulp, was heard.
“H, How much is it?”
A student raised his hand and asked stealthily.
“Today, it is free.”
Originally, the one distributing this textbook was Avril.
However, since the relationship with the Goldline Merchant Guild was severed, it was difficult to receive textbook sales profits, and receiving non-sale copies of the books being sold was also a distant hope.
‘This is a more recent edition.’
So I independently published the book edited directly by the author and released it here as a non-sale item.
At the word free, students' eyes sparkled and they flocked forward in a crowd.
“Shasha.”
Shasha, Cassian's escort and half-teaching assistant, piled up the books brought to one side of the podium.
As students took the books one by one and returned to their seats, Cassian looked at the second-floor auditorium.
“Since I am feeling a bit unwell…… please have other instructors come and look after the students a bit. Since they are more excellent people than me, they will provide good teachings.”
* * *
After the class ended, I returned to the accommodation supported by Hati.
The Empire's instructors seemed to want to stay and talk together, but other professors sensibly blocked them.
I heard that the instructor named Jerome got extremely excited and pestered Pan.
Saying things like he is a talent who will complete his own swordsmanship before Jerome himself, or an existence who can complete the most artistic sword, he tried hard to recruit Pan.
Of course, there was no way Pan would listen to such talk.
‘I also received a scouting offer from a Senior Knight at that Imperial Academy.’
‘……!’
‘But I said I wouldn't go. Isn't it all similar there or here?’
No matter how stubborn a person is, there's no way he couldn't understand Pan's words.
In the end, it is said he quietly took the textbook and went back.
Students clung to the instructors asking for teachings even exceeding the class time.
However, the schedule was tight, and above all, sparring had to take place tomorrow.
Even for the students' safety, extended classes were unreasonable.
“……You are cancelling tomorrow's sparring?”
It should have been unreasonable.
Professor Hollians burst into laughter unlike him.
“It seems you showed a magic show while I was away. The young ones were all bewitched, throwing away their pride and making a fuss to watch the show one more time.”
The young ones mentioned here referred to the instructors, not the students.
“But the schedule…….”
“They said they would accommodate everything from lodging and meals to all other conveniences. They even pleaded with me to persuade you. Since that sight was funny, I came personally.”
If they went as far as to ask the oldest professor to come, it seemed they were really desperate.
“But…….”
“In the first place, there are no students who can win in a sparring match against you guys in the current state. The fellows here are empty shells with neither spirit nor passion.”
“You are scathing.”
“It's because this academy is rotten to the core. It was like that in your time too. Except for you, everyone was a living corpse.”
Professor Hollians closed his mouth and clicked his tongue, tsk tsk.
Inside that, I could feel all the lingering attachment and affection of the old professor who had watched over this academy for a long time.
So I knew like intuition.
“……Are you perhaps unwell?”
“Why. Does it look like I'm going to kick the bucket to you?”
You are still hale and hearty.
I should have said that, but I couldn't open my mouth.
For some reason, it seemed the smell of ash was constantly flowing near Professor Hollians.
It was the smell of death I had smelled during numerous journeys.
“Wait until you become my age. It's an age where living day by day is a miracle. I am not living day by day, but approaching death.”
“Teacher.”
“Then did you think an old man over 80 wouldn't die? The time to go has already passed. It was foolish to hold on like this just because of lingering attachment.”
I escorted the teacher inside my accommodation.
I seated the teacher on the sofa for guests.
The teacher didn't refuse and sat down, but perhaps standing for that short time was difficult, his legs trembled faintly.
When an old person ages, muscles decrease.
Thinking only of his fiery personality, I had been too indifferent.
Of course, as soon as the professor sat on the sofa, he refreshingly cursed about the academy.
“This academy is all problematic. It should all disappear.”
Of course, according to Rozalin, the academy will close soon.
There's no way leisurely education would take place when demons invade to destroy the world.
Although the shell of the academy exists, this place was scheduled to be remodeled into a military academy solely for fighting demons.
“Isn't it the place where Teacher dedicated your whole life? Thanks to that, it is still boasting the best reputation in the world.”
“Vain, vain, and vain again. Instead of raising talented people, it has become a monster obsessed with education itself. Do you know who is the most successful among the graduates after you left?”
The most successful among the graduates of the Imperial Royal Academy…….
Well. I don't know well.
Since I intentionally kept my distance from the Imperial Academy's personnel and stayed away from rumors.
“Can you block rumors just because you stay away? With your memory, you would have remembered everyone even if they passed by. There simply wasn't anyone.”
Phew, a deep sigh flowed out.
“Do you regret it? Still, aren't there students living well all over the world with the teachings Teacher gave? And it was Teacher who taught not to rush since learning accumulates and develops slowly.”
“Regret? Of course I do. But my regret is not about such things. I regret that my teachings were inadequate.”
I quietly closed my mouth and looked at the teacher.
“I heard everything. That you looked after each student's swordsmanship and took care of the will they want to pursue?”
“Yes.”
“This academy has too huge knowledge, so both professors and students are suppressed by it. So ultimately, what is created are merely parts 1, 2, and 3 of The Empire. It shouldn't have been like that. Like you, I should have taken care of the students more, advised them to live freely, and kicked them out even by kicking their butts.”
“Teacher.”
“Yet my pride is strong, so I am living satisfied in this narrow space…… Why didn't I know that The Empire is also just a slightly wider well.”
I slowly held the professor's hand.
From some point, he wasn't simply lamenting his lot but walking into deep regret.
If this person's lifespan really isn't much left, the end shouldn't be dotted with regret like this.
Because what this person did for knowledge, for the world, for The Empire.
And for me, wasn't something of that level.
I looked into the professor's eyes, which had lost much focus under his bushy eyebrows.
“My educational philosophy came from Teacher. Teacher created my educational philosophy for the first time, and I live trying to realize Teacher's teachings.”
“Haha.”
“So you don't need to worry.”
Teacher held my hand back.
It was a bony hand, but strangely enough, the strength of that hand was firm.
It felt like he was entrusting the future and asking for care.
“Tonight, there will be a guest looking for you. Please teach that child too. That The Empire is narrow, The Empire's foolishness, and The Empire's rudeness.”
“Yes, understood.”
After finishing his request like that, the teacher moved his steps slowly with a relieved expression.
I stared at the teacher's back until he disappeared beyond the hallway.
And that night.
“You must have seen me during the morning class. The place where the sun is up all day, the ruler dominating great kings, the Imperial Royal Bloodline who will create brilliant history. I am Leferil Lion Trakimano.”
An Imperial Grandson came to my accommodation.
It was the guest the teacher requested.
From now on, I had to tell this guest that The Empire is stupid, The Empire is rude, and The Empire is narrow and knows nothing.
……Teacher, do you dislike me?