Chapter: 290
Today, the Principal’s back looked particularly pitiful. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way since the student council competition.
“The Academy is open to those who wish to learn. The difference in bloodline does not dictate opportunity, and differences in nationality do not determine outcomes.”
Still, it seems like the Principal’s despair hasn’t consumed his brain entirely, as his speech was quite normal. The Academy doesn’t mistreat common students, nor does it give terrible grades to foreigners—how splendid!
Yet, despite being wholly reasonable and good words, why does it make the listener feel all sentimental? Anyone overhearing might think, “We’re peaceful and fair, so please don’t cause any trouble,” which sounds like a plea.
‘Is it really a plea?’
Honestly, it does feel like one.
Anyway, following the Principal’s stirring speech, the Vice Principal took his turn, followed by the heads of each department who continued with their own words of advice.
‘It’s the same as always.’
Seeing the familiar lineup that firmly endures amidst the chaos of the Academy soothed my heart. After all, it’s not like the head teachers change unless there’s a significant event.
The heads of each department can technically change without a fixed term based on merit, but in reality, the same four people have held their positions for over ten years.
Swordsmanship, Magic, Priest, and Academia. The top authorities of the four departments that form the Academy are known throughout the continent, not just the Empire. Given that they teach the Empire’s royalty and nobility, they wouldn’t appoint just anyone. Naturally, they bring in the big names, hence why these heads are like defending champions in their domains.
Thus, achieving the position of head teacher is considered an honor, and students from high-ranking families tend to show them respect. In fact, new students who see a head teacher for the first time look at them with eyes full of admiration—so I’ve heard.
‘…But this is way too blatant.’
Even with the head teacher standing in front, the students were buzzing. It was obvious they were gawking not at the head teacher but at the person behind them.
An unexpectedly neglected head teacher might feel offended, but he seemed to understand the attention and was hastily trying to wrap up his speech, almost eager to look at the person behind him.
‘Well, makes sense.’
The students’ gazes and the head of the Magic Department’s quick sidelong glance were directed at me. Specifically, at the person standing next to me.
Following that gaze, when I subtly turned my head, there was a woman quietly resting her eyes. With hair so long it almost swept the ground, and ears that seemed to pierce the sky, she made an impressive sight.
“─Next, we have some words from Duke Marcilio, the dispatched instructor from the Magic Tower.”
At those words, Duke Marcilio opened his eyes slightly.
The head teacher of a top-level field? A defending champion holding his post for over ten years? Who cares! Here stands a living legend, practically synonymous with the field itself. The head teacher of the Magic Department kneeled in salute as soon as Marcilio teleported in. Seeing an elder gentleman like him act that way was honestly a bit embarrassing for me.
“Feel free to speak. Whatever you say, they’ll love it.”
“Hoho, thank you for the advice.”
As Duke Marcilio stepped up to the podium, I offered my encouragement and support while he gave a gentle smile.
Honestly, I’m a bit worried. Duke Marcilio is a recluse who only lives in the Magic Tower and doesn’t have much experience speaking in front of crowds. I wonder if he’ll spew out some complex stuff and leave students confused, or if he’ll wrap it up before the applause even ends.
Of course, given his reputation, even if he swore profusely, everyone would probably still love him.
As expected, Marcilio’s speech ended to loud cheers. The response reminded me of aspiring pirates who’ve just heard about the existence of the One Piece.
“Ask me anything during class. I’ll teach you everything I know, but the effort to learn depends on you.”
It’s a declaration rivaling One Piece, but there’s a catch.
The moment Duke Marcilio declared, “I’ll teach everything,” it sent the magic students into a frenzy. If your skills don’t improve under the continent’s top magician, it just means you’re talentless and should probably give up on magic altogether.
Thus began the frenzy among the magic students, ending the opening ceremony and freshman orientation with cheers and applause fueled by Duke Marcilio’s fame.
“Baby, let’s go.”
And here comes Marcilio, smoothly approaching me and taking my hand, making me wonder. Sure, I could head to the club room like this, but doesn’t Marcilio have classes? Is he really going to skip his first day?
“What about your class?”
“My class is the fourth period, so it’s alright.”
True. It’s not unusual for a substitute instructor to miss some classes.
If Marcilio didn’t have such a high reputation, he’d probably have to roll up his sleeves to demonstrate worth. But who could possibly push around someone above even the Principal?
“I want to see the club room. I want to see it in person.”
“Sure thing.”
Seeing Duke Marcilio’s eyes sparkle made me chuckle slightly. Though the club room is just a clean space with decent facilities, for him, it’s a dreamland he’s only heard about.
Specifically, it’s a space where I spend more than half my day, so for me, it’s definitely paradise.
*
It’s been a while. My heart hasn’t raced like this since being rejected by Louise.
I know it’s a somewhat pathetic analogy, but it’s true.
‘Duke Marcilio.’
Even though the opening ceremony is over and I’ve exited the grand auditorium, it still feels like he’s right in front of me. I can almost hear his voice echoing in my ears.
I never imagined this would happen. Before the winter break, before I returned to my homeland, who could have predicted such an encounter?
‘The Duke as a professor.’
My hands began to tremble. I desperately held on to my composure to maintain my royal dignity, but even that couldn’t suppress a magician’s instincts.
Last year, I was just satisfied learning from an ordinary substitute from the Magic Tower. And not just any magic, but systematic and perfectly organized teachings from the Empire’s Magic Tower. So, learning from a magician of the Tower seemed a tremendous boon for my future, which turned out to be true with many accomplishments.
But now we have Duke Marcilio—the pinnacle of all magicians on the continent, the symbol of the magical world—here to teach us.
‘It’s an unparalleled fortune.’
Indeed, it’s genuinely an unparalleled fortune, one I wouldn’t experience again even if I were reborn. For a magician, it’s even more fortunate than being born with royal blood. To a magician, Duke Marcilio is a king—no, more than that. In terms of absolute reverence, he could be compared to a god.
“Ask me anything during class. I’ll teach you everything I know, but the effort to learn depends on you.”
The memory of the Duke’s words caused my previously calm heart to start racing again. The grace of being able to ask the Duke anything during class, realizing I had a privileged status compared to other students—it was exhilarating.
Of course, I’m not trying to flaunt my royal status to gain favoritism. A Duke of the Empire holds a status equivalent to that of a prince; how could I cling to him just because I’m royal? The fact that his likely future partner is the advisor of the pastry club, and that his only apprentice is the same Louise from the club, are the points I can leverage.
Having absolutely no connection versus having even a weak one is like day and night. And being the friend of the future partner and the lone apprentice? That’s not just a vague connection.
‘But I can’t just rely on that.’
Yet, I can’t push my luck with unreasonable requests simply based on that connection. The advisor is the future partner? I already owe her a great deal from last year’s first semester. As for Louise? I’m sure she’d grant my request, but the guilt from rejecting me before would probably make her go above and beyond out of pity. That would only make me feel more guilty.
‘I need to have something to offer too…’
Other than Louise, who’s likely to overreact, I’m left only with the advisor, but what could I offer the advisor in exchange for a request? An exchange is only possible if the other party has needs.
It’s complicated. What cards do I have? What can I present to request opportunities to see Duke Marcilio outside of class?
“──Hah.”
At the very least, I need to be able to provide something the advisor wants so I can get what I want.
“Duke Lather.”
‘Ah.’
It suddenly dawned on me. I couldn’t even hear someone calling right next to me while getting lost in thought—talk about embarrassing.
“Just call me senior here.”
“Ah, yes, Senior Lather.”
I quickly pulled myself together and turned to see a very familiar face.
Rachel Sorta, a freshman from a noble family in the United Kingdom of Yuben. Initially, she decided to attend the Academy due to her connection with me, but she almost went wild when she heard about the Duke’s dispatch.
“What’s up?”
Seeing her face made me blush even more. I caught myself zoning out in front of someone close.
Fortunately, she didn’t seem to mind much and casually spoke.
“Didn’t you say you’re in the pastry club?”
“Yeah.”
Since it’s nothing to hide, I answered nonchalantly, but I noticed a faint glimmer of fanaticism in her eyes.
“When’s the club membership period open?”
Her question made it clear what she was after. The rumor that the Duke’s future partner is the advisor has spread far and wide. With that in mind, aiming for pastry club membership means she’s trying to leverage that connection like I did.
The level of initiative among magic users is scary. They all quickly brainstorm ways to benefit from this situation—
‘…The initiative of magic students.’
For a moment, my thoughts shifted in another direction. With countless magic students driven by a desire to get closer to the Duke, everyone knows about the pastry club. The advisor will invariably be bombarded with club applications.
I’ve got it. I’ve found a card I can offer the advisor.
‘But I’ll need to keep them under control.’
I can use the advisor as a stepping stone to control the swarm of magic students rushing in, blocking the barrage of applications. Then the advisor could avoid the headaches and get some peace.
In exchange, I could make a subtle request to the advisor. Given her character, she won’t coldly reject me.
‘This is worth a shot.’
Thanks to Rachel, I’ve managed to formulate a solid strategy.
Of course, Rachel will be included as someone to control, but if I get a proper education from the Duke, I could teach her in return, so I hope she won’t hold a grudge.
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