My Inevitable Assignment as Temporary Professor
“Are you serious? Erewon, you passed the entrance exam because you showed outstanding swordsmanship….”
The next morning, Headmaster Aipman stared at the enrollment form I had filled out for the courses I wanted, utterly bewildered. “You’re serious? You want to enroll in my lectures?”
“I’m completely serious. I plan to focus mainly on magic.”
“Hoooh…”
The Imperial Academy operated on a credit system. Each lecture awarded exactly one credit, and students could choose anywhere from five to eight courses. Most professors taught at most two lectures per week, from Monday to Friday. That gave students full freedom to rearrange their schedules. They could even skip lectures entirely, or focus on private study and training. The curriculum was generous, but advancing to the next year demanded results. Moreover, completing a certain number of credits earned rewards, which only stoked the students’ already fierce drive to learn. The courses I had chosen were as follows.
Magic Fundamentals (Mon, morning) — Professor Rolan
Basic Administration (Tue, morning) — Professor Sineid
Commanding Presence (Tue, afternoon) — Professor Price
Community Service (Wed, morning and afternoon) — Sister Riela
Because Community Service ran all day, it counted as two credits. “There isn’t a single lecture on swordsmanship. I’d love to use my authority as headmaster to refuse your request, but…”
“I know you won’t do that.”
“Of course not. I’m simply disappointed. If you had taken swordsmanship, the other students could have learned so much from watching your blade.”
“I was actually thinking of taking Professor Akan’s lecture.”
“Professor Akan’s?”
When I checked the roster that morning, Professor Akan’s name had already been removed. “Hoh, exactly as I feared. Akan is taking leave because of you. After sparring with you and your sword, he said he wasn’t fit to teach right now and would return once he regained his strength.”
“What a fine man.”
“The problem is that Akan’s departure leaves a gap. The students who were attending his lectures will have to train without a professor for now. Which is why I’m asking…”
“Please go on.”
Aipman slid a single sheet of paper across the desk. It was a document bearing the signatures of numerous professors in agreement with the request. “What is this?”
“You would be taking on the role of temporary swordsmanship instructor. The other professors have already given their approval.”
“What do you mean? I’m a brand-new student!”
“But you defeated the Academy’s top swordsman during the entrance exam with ease.”
I had taught before. In my past life I had raised Pine as my disciple and guided her and the other knights in the Deputy Commander’s unit. Yet…
“Professor, I’m only fifteen years old.”
“That makes no difference. Age has nothing to do with it. Our Academy values skill above all. There is no swordsman here who is stronger than you.”
“But I’m a scholarship student from the Empire, and I’m also a prince of Solea. I don’t need financial compensation as a professor.”
“Did I think of that? Of course I did. I’ve prepared a special reward just for you. I’ll give you the three missing credits you need to complete your full load.”
I swallowed hard. Eight full credits earned a reward that covered travel to any place I wanted during the Academy’s periodic vacations. If I took that, I could openly move around the world, quietly preparing for the coming demon invasion. Aipman read the conflict in my eyes and chuckled. “If you refuse, I’ll have no choice, but…”
Before he could pull the paper back, I reached out and snatched it. “Why? Are you really going to do this?”
“Of course. I’ll give it my all.”
“Then please take care of it, Temporary Professor Erewon.”
We shook hands firmly. Since I was now a temporary professor, I would have to teach swordsmanship. But because I was still a student, I decided to hold the lectures only on Thursday—two sessions, one for basics and one for advanced material. When I stepped out of the office, Luar was already waiting outside. “How did it go?”
“I received an unexpected gift.”
“You mean the position changed, right? How did it change?”
“Now I only have to teach on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”
“How is that possible?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
Luar looked somewhat disappointed as he entered the room, curiosity still unquenched. The previous evening, when we had discussed it, Luar had chosen these lectures.
Basic Physical Conditioning (Mon, morning) — Professor Braun
Culture and Etiquette of the Various Kingdoms (Mon, afternoon) — Professor Sineid
Basic Administration (Tue, morning) — Professor Sineid
Commanding Presence (Tue, afternoon) — Professor Price
Community Service (Wed, morning and afternoon) — Sister Riela
Swordsmanship Basics (Thu, morning) — Professor Akan
The King’s Studies (Thu, afternoon) — Professor Machiavelli
‘Hm? So I’ll be taking three lectures with you on Thursday….’
Luar had enrolled in the same three courses I was now teaching: Basic Administration, Commanding Presence, and Community Service. Which meant I would be teaching Luar. After submitting the forms, we received our textbooks and headed to the Academy to be fitted for our uniforms. Luar’s face was radiant with joy. “What’s so happy about, Luar?”
“I’ll be receiving swordsmanship instruction directly from my brother!”
“I’m not very good at teaching, you know.”
“I’m sure you are. You’ve never taught before, after all.”
I shook my head firmly. My only disciple, Pine, had reached the sixth circle, and I had toppled Deputy Commander Lezar at the seventh circle. But that victory had cost Pine everything—body broken, tears held back, following my brutal training. ‘Even so, this is an Academy lecture. I should teach it gently.’
The reward was too tempting, so I had accepted. But today was Wednesday, and I had to start teaching tomorrow. Too many things to plan, so I worried whether I would even sleep tonight. Luar took my hand tightly. “Don’t worry, brother. The Erewon I know can do anything if he sets his mind to it. If I had wanted to learn swordsmanship on another day, I would have transferred to your lectures.”
Even Luar, who spoke so warmly, was one of the students I had to teach. When he mentioned transferring, something clicked in my mind. “But what about the other students? They’ll come to my lectures, right? Even if the professors approve…”
Luar nodded vigorously. “Absolutely! Anyone who heard your name at the entrance exam will want to take your lectures. Me too!”
“I’m only fifteen, after all.”
“Age doesn’t matter. The Imperial Academy values skill above all else.”
Fortunately, Luar kept encouraging me gently, watching my face the whole way. Yet I felt uneasy. The next morning, my first lecture finally began. The problem was…
Only three students had enrolled. “Hello, Professor! Nice to meet you!”
“I’m looking forward to it as well….”
Two boys and one girl. The girl was Luar, my little sister. The two boys were…
“Brother, I mean, Professor… I’m honored to learn swordsmanship directly from you!”
The boy with the booming voice came from a wealthy merchant family. At twenty-five, he was Macbeth Woodman. His tall, sturdy frame suited his voice and build perfectly. I had to look up at him. The shy boy, a member of a noble family that had produced countless knights, was Elson Bernard, sixteen—only a year older than me. His small stature and timid nature were immediately apparent. The moment I saw them, I realized something. All three were complete beginners. I let out a long sigh, certain of it. This lecture would be far harder than anything I had faced since my regression—filtering out the Empire’s spies.