Chapter 230
Chapter 230
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.51 – The Knight Makes House Calls (2)
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Lee Han's home visits unexpectedly proved to be a massive hit.
"…Isn't this basically unanimous approval?"
Surprisingly, the home visit request forms had garnered approval from nearly ninety percent of the families.
Those who hadn't agreed were cases like Geumdung or Taechang, whose family situations were a bit complicated, so in reality, it was close to full agreement from all the cadets.
In a world where home visits weren't even a familiar concept, how was this possible? Wondering about it, Lee Han checked with his disciples just in case.
"You remember I said only sign if you want this, right? It's not mandatory."
He worried there might be some misunderstanding causing this, but his concerns were unfounded.
"No, my parents were thrilled. They were curious about my grades too."
"They signed right away when they heard they could meet you, Instructor. Beyond the grades, they seemed really interested in how my swordsmanship improved so drastically."
"Ours too."
"…My parents really want to hear your thoughts on my future."
…Did this world have academic fervor too?
Lee Han could indirectly feel the passion of parents who were surprisingly enthusiastic about their children's education, and he wore a bemused expression.
Indeed, regardless of era or world, excessive worry about a child's future seemed universal among parents.
"Hmm, this is too many. Visiting all 73 households wouldn't be a joke…."
"Then, like last time, have the parents come here?"
"Wouldn't that make it parent observation class instead of home visits?"
"So, are you going to visit them all personally?"
"…I'll hand out new forms."
For Lee Han, it was an inevitable choice.
He'd expected less than half to agree, not this many.
So he decided to follow the cadets' opinions, but even so….
"Still, some might not be able to come. Tell me about those families separately. I'll definitely visit them."
"Uh, then our house…."
"Ah, mine too."
"Here as well."
"Y-Yeah, at this rate, it's doable…."
Right, compared to 73 households, about 20 was manageable, wasn't it?
"-It wasn't."
After finishing visits to ten households, Lee Han found himself groaning in exhaustion.
Lee Han realized for the first time that being an educator was tough.
'Those folks had their own hardships, huh?'
Honestly, Lee Han didn't have a great impression of teachers.
During his school days in his previous life, there were some decent ones, but he'd overwhelmingly encountered trashy teachers.
Especially the one he'd beaten up at the great temple the day before.
So his view of teachers was close to human scum who went around collecting bribes and venting on kids.
…Well, when he became an adult and watched the news, it seemed teachers were suffering in various ways, as if paying for past karma.
'But the ones who should be punished are the old ones, yet it's the young ones getting the fallout….'
Was it because he'd become an educator himself?
Lee Han felt pity for his fellow professionals bearing the karma of the bad ones and shook his head bitterly.
"Instructor, what are you doing?"
"…Pointless stuff."
"Pardon?"
"…Just tired, random thoughts."
"Y-Yeah, you look really worn out."
Levi, who had volunteered to follow him like a secretary, looked at Lee Han with concern.
It was the first time she'd seen him so drained.
However.
"I-I think it's understandable to be this exhausted."
Having assisted him all day, Levi recalled the households they'd visited.
Nobles, commoners, merchants, lower class, etc.
Parents of cadets from various backgrounds.
-Thanks to Sir Turtle, I've been holding my head high lately, hoho. Grades aside, his swordsmanship improved so much! As expected of the renowned teachings of the White Silver Lion Knights. So, could you perhaps tutor my youngest privately? I'd spare no reward. Our family may have a short history, but our influence rivals any prestigious house. So, it shouldn't be a bad deal for you, Sir Turtle….
Parents requesting private lessons instead of consultation.
-Um, excuse me, c-can our child become a knight? P-Please teach him, Instructor! It c-can be done, right?! Right!! If he can become a knight, I'll do anything! So please, make him a knight, milord!!
Parents who seemed more interested in fixing their own fate through their child than for the child's sake.
-Huh, he's at the academy? …When did that happen?
Even parents utterly uninterested in their child's life….
Lee Han and Levi had encountered a true parade of human types, and Levi had been on edge the whole time.
She feared that if he got angry, his mere presence might send someone to their grave.
Fortunately, unlike her anxiety, Lee Han handled them quite gentlemanly.
Levi honestly expected him to snap, so his gentleness puzzled her. When she asked about it.
-Well, it happens. Requests or desperation aren't bad. Some guardians are indifferent, but not to the point of ruining the kids' lives. Anyway, not my place to interfere. …As long as they don't hurt the kids.
-Ah.
At that moment, Levi felt grateful once more.
She knew best what he meant by the 'threshold of harm.'
"…Master, you really seem like an excellent teacher."
"Me? I'm just average, aren't I?"
"I doubt it? Hehe."
"?"
Lee Han tilted his head at his disciple's suddenly brightened mood.
What was making her so happy?
He was groaning, yet she was smiling….
'…It's nice to see.'
Thud.
Lee Han lightly patted her head.
Her blue hair looked cool at first glance, but it was just slightly chilly, with a softer, warmer feel dominating.
"Hehe…."
She smiled happily, like someone receiving a treat, and Lee Han found healing in her pure reaction.
As the two enjoyed their respective healing moments, smiles blooming.
"…So, when will you visit?"
…Arno quietly raised an objection from the side, where it was hard to interject.
Without reading the room.
House Ophen, the swordmaster family.
Compared to most prestigious houses boasting over five hundred years of history, it had a relatively short lineage of around two hundred years.
Yet no one dared ignore the name Ophen in society.
And for good reason: House Ophen was renowned for producing exceptional swordsmen.
Among them were prestigious knights, mercenaries famed from wars, and even swordmasters who elevated Pendragon's name across continents.
Thus, despite its brief history, House Ophen wielded undeniable authority and power in noble society.
Especially in the knightly kingdom of Pendragon, its influence was even greater.
And that influence grew palpably stronger the closer one approached the Ophen estate.
"…Am I imagining it? Sword dojos everywhere?"
Were sword dojos overflowing in places that should have shops, taverns, or inns?
"It's no illusion. Most of this area is settled by disciples of House Ophen, so dojos are abundant."
"That explains why there are no riffraff around."
"The weak can't survive here…."
Just as a famous bakery revives an area's commerce, becoming the local specialty and spawning more bakeries nearby, the Ophen domain brimmed with dojos and swarmed with swordsmen.
Children carried wooden swords instead of books, and even rare inn or restaurant owners had calluses on their palms.
Not from cooking, but from sword training.
"What a fascinating place."
"[Ophen spares no teaching]—that's the family motto."
"They don't teach just anyone, though."
"True. Certain conditions must be met."
First was character.
Second was effort and character.
Third was passion and character.
"—Fourth is responsibility and character."
"……Somehow all the conditions sound similar?"
"That's how much they value character. They used to prioritize talent more, but talented ones often betrayed or were overly ambitious. That's when they started emphasizing character. Especially…."
"Hm?"
"Since that lord proved geniuses don't automatically become the best, they have no choice but to value character even more."
Arno said this proudly, directing a gaze of respect toward a certain statue.
"……."
A massive statue visible the closer they got to the Ophen estate.
It depicted an elderly knight holding his sword aloft, and Lee Han's eyes naturally turned to it.
…Soon.
"……Impressive."
He let out an exclamation, his eyes gleaming.
"Master?"
"Bearcub, take a good look at that statue. It might be your role model goal."
"Huh?"
"That statue was carved with a sword. A rapier, no less."
"!!?!"
Levi's eyes widened as she looked at the statue again.
Even from her master, it was hard to believe.
And for good reason.
'…That's bronze, isn't it?'
Carved with a rapier?
That perfect bronze statue?
"Ha…."
Master, the benchmark you set is too high….
Levi made a tearful face.