14
Chapter 14
Perhaps because she was a Practical Instructor, it didn't take Amelia very long to catch her breath.
About three minutes?
She had recovered, but her face was beet red, likely embarrassed that she'd collapsed without even being able to answer.
"Your face is still flushed. It seems you haven't fully recovered, so why don't you rest a bit longer?"
"I'm fine."
Judging by the fact that she can talk, she seems to be doing better.
"Now then, we're all good, right?"
"I'll admit you gave us something you're capable of doing. But this training is far too demanding for the trainees."
"Does training work if it's easy?"
"Still, you should increase the intensity gradually. Physical strength doesn't just jump up because you push them mindlessly like this."
I showed her the way, and she's still like this.
"Instructor Amelia, what is the purpose of these supplementary classes?"
"It's to prepare for Greeta, obviously."
"You're well aware, then. In that case, do you think a trainee who can't even keep up with basic physical training could actually achieve any results at Greeta?"
"Our kids haven't even finished a single semester yet, so it can't be helped. And were you napping during the meeting? The Dean said we're letting them participate so they can get some experience."
"I heard that too, but my opinion differs. I doubt they'll even make it past the qualifiers, let alone the finals. Wouldn't an overwhelming defeat be more likely to cause trauma than provide experience?"
"Then you should have said that during the meeting."
"Because I didn't realize the trainees' stamina was this poor. I'm a Theory Instructor, aren't I?"
Whether my sophistry worked or not, Instructor Amelia was rendered speechless.
Now that I have the upper hand, I have to keep pressing.
"You should know the trainees' level better than anyone. Don't you think you lack affection for them?"
"W... what did you say?"
"I simply don't want the trainees I teach to go through such a traumatic experience."
"No, I mean, what on earth..."
"I'm not finished yet. In the first place, I gave the trainees a clear warning before we began training."
"What kind of warning?"
"I told them that while there were no restrictions on applying, since these supplementary classes are for the Greeta competition, those who couldn't keep up with the level of the class wouldn't be able to continue."
As I spoke with a smirk, Amelia's already pale complexion crumbled completely.
It was clear she hadn't heard about that; there was no need to waste my breath explaining further.
"Oops, it's already getting dark. If you have nothing else to say, I'll be taking my leave. I'm a bit tired since I haven't run in a while. Oh, by the way, Instructor Amelia, you still have two laps left, right?"
"What? You've already finished, so why should I run again?"
She looked at me with a face of utter disbelief.
"Come on, since you've already started, you should see it through. You're an instructor, after all; it would be a shame to just... give up... halfway, like the trainees. Please finish your laps. I'll be going now."
I bid her farewell and hurried back to the dormitory, worried she might try to grab onto me.
Glancing back, I couldn't tell if my sophistry had worked or if she was just too furious to move, but fortunately, she didn't chase after me.
'I wonder if that woman will tattle and make things annoying for me again?'
'Let her try. I can just tell the Dean the same thing.'
That I tried teaching as requested, but was truly shocked that they couldn't even handle basic physical training.
I'll just suggest that since I didn't realize the trainees were at this level, it would likely cause trauma rather than experience, so we should just give up.
Humming to myself, I took a shower and opened the window.
The gentle breeze felt wonderful.
If I can just navigate the conversation with the Dean tomorrow, I'll be free from this forced role as the supplementary class instructor.
Now that the weight is off my chest, I should try the training Ark told me about.
I sat with my legs crossed and kept my back straight.
He called this posture the 'lotus position' in his time; it was quite uncomfortable at first, but I've grown used to it now.
According to Ark, it was a Mental Cultivation Method used by one of the Seven Stars?
He said it was similar to the current Mana Cultivation Methods but slightly different, though the explanation was so complex I still don't really get it.
I'm not sure how effective it actually is, but I feel refreshed whenever I do it, so I practice whenever I have a moment.
For some reason, though, I can't seem to concentrate today.
I've successfully blocked Amelia's interference and everything is going according to plan, yet something in the back of my mind feels uneasy.
Things always seem to go sideways when I feel like this. I wonder if tomorrow will be a mess?
But that's highly unlikely.
I didn't exactly ask for it, but the Dean trusts me quite a lot.
I can't focus and my eyelids are getting heavy; but regardless of my anxiety, I should get some proper sleep.
****
I thought it was just another ordinary day.
I woke up at my usual time, grabbed breakfast at the dining hall, and went to work; nothing unusual happened at the faculty office either.
I had planned to get ahead of the situation, assuming Amelia would tattle to the Dean first thing in the morning, but the Dean hadn't come in.
When I asked the Chief Instructor, I found out the Dean had taken a two-day leave starting yesterday.
I'd even scripted out the whole conversation during breakfast, so it's a bit of a shame, but I can just talk to them when they return.
However, the moment I stepped into the classroom for the first lesson, I sensed that something was different.
The students' glares were so piercing that I almost wondered if I had walked into the wrong classroom.
My reputation was already poor because I only ever assigned self-study, but they'd never looked at me as if I were trash before.
Was this because of yesterday's supplementary class?
I suppose some of the trainees must have had their hopes up.
Ignoring them, I started the attendance check, and then I noticed something.
"Is Trainee May absent?"
"May is in the infirmary right now."
"The infirmary? Is she sick?"
Huh? Did I say something wrong?
There's nothing wrong with asking if someone is sick when they're absent, yet the students' expressions grew even more hostile.
"Don't you think you're being too harsh, Instructor?"
"What exactly is 'too harsh'?"
"Look who caused May to end up like that..."
The nuance clearly suggested that it was my fault.
Do they think I actually beat May up?
No matter how much I want to be fired, I'm not the type to lay a hand on the students.
If I did that, I wouldn't just be fired; I'd be going to prison.
It was obvious she just had muscle pain from overexerting herself yesterday; it's honestly ridiculous.
"It seems she's come down with something because of yesterday's supplementary class. Understood. I'll mark it as sick leave."
"What?"
"Is that not it?"
"Um, Instructor, May was missing during the evening roll call at the dormitory, and after looking for her, she was found collapsed in a corner of the Ranger Training Ground and moved to the infirmary."
"The wizard in charge of the infirmary said she should rest until today, so she's currently recovering there."
...I guess this was the source of that uneasy feeling I had yesterday.
I felt as if I'd forgotten something important.
To be honest, it crossed my mind right before I fell asleep, but it was so late and she looked so exhausted that I assumed she'd naturally given up and gone back.
"I see. Since it's not serious, we'll begin the lesson now."
"Wait. Is that all?"
"It's class time, so shouldn't we focus on the lesson?"
"You should apologize. Even if you are the instructor..."
"As those of you who attended yesterday's supplementary class know, I explicitly stated before the training began that if you couldn't handle it, you should give up and go back."
None of the trainees disputed this, but the looks of disgust on their faces didn't change one bit.
"While I did step away for a moment during the session, it wasn't for personal reasons; Instructor Amelia came to find me."
"Don't use Instructor Amelia as an excuse. As the instructor in charge of the supplementary class, you should have come back to check on us!"
"Before I left, Trainee May looked as if she were on the verge of giving up. By the time I finished speaking with Instructor Amelia, the dormitory roll call time had already passed, so I assumed she had returned. Do I need to explain further?"
Because I explained myself firmly without shrinking back, the piercing glares softened slightly.
Though, the majority of the looks were still quite hostile.
'You heartless bastard. Do you really have to put it that way? The girl collapsed.'
'Girl? Trainee May is twenty. In the Beluga Empire, you're an adult starting at sixteen.'
'Whatever... forget it. Ugh, I shouldn't even bother talking to you.'
I realized now wasn't the time to be messing around with Ark.
"I admit there was a lapse in my judgment. However, the person I would be apologizing to isn't here right now, is she? I will speak with Trainee May privately about this, so let's begin the lesson."
I managed to start the class, but the piercing glares persisted throughout the entire period.
Of course, I acted as if I didn't care at all, having them read the materials and engage in self-study as usual.
Between this and the previous issues, I felt as though my already poor image had been dragged through the gutter.
Normally, one or two students would come to ask questions during self-study, but today there wasn't a single one... then I remembered, one of those regulars was May.
I had a lot on my mind as well, so I didn't sleep today.
As soon as the bell rang to signal the end of class, I gave a brief farewell and left the room immediately.
'You mean monster. Don't you feel any guilt?'
I responded harshly because I didn't want to show any weakness to the trainees, but honestly, I'm only human—it's not as if I don't feel bad.
In fact, my heart had been heavy ever since I heard she'd collapsed while training alone.
What on earth is so special about Greeta that she'd go this far?
May? Her written scores are legendary, but her practical skills are abysmal.
Even if she entered Greeta, she wouldn't win anything; in fact, she wouldn't have even been picked if the school representative had been chosen normally.
While I feel sorry for her, I genuinely wonder what she was thinking, pushing herself until she collapsed.
Why would someone so intelligent do something so foolish?
Well, I'll find out once I hear it from her directly.
Skipping lunch, I rushed to the Academy Main Building where the infirmary is located.
This was my first time visiting, but I remembered being told during orientation that the infirmary was in the main building.
Following my memory, I went up to the second floor and walked a short distance before I saw it.
I gave a light knock and opened the door to find a woman in her mid-twenties with short blue hair standing right in front of me.
Judging by the white robe she was wearing, she seemed to be the wizard in charge of the infirmary.
"How can I help you?"
"I heard one of my trainees collapsed yesterday and is being treated here."
"If you're Trainee May's instructor... Ah! You're the culprit?"
Rumors have reached here too... I guess it'd be weirder if they hadn't, given the circumstances.
"I'm Bio, the Theory Instructor for the Ranger Class. For the record, I am not the culprit."
"If you're not the culprit, is there another Ranger Instructor? Instructor Amelia mentioned someone else was handling the supplementary classes."
Seeing her bring up Amelia, it seems they're acquainted; it's better if I keep my words few.
There's no way that woman said anything good about me.
"There are two instructors for the Ranger Class, and I am indeed in charge of the supplementary lessons, but I cannot agree with being called a 'culprit'."
"I was told you pushed the students too hard and that's why the girl collapsed. Are you saying that's not true?"
"You're mistaken. I never once forced the trainees to train."
"If you didn't force them, then why did she push herself until she collapsed...?"
"That is exactly why I'm here. Where is May?"
"Instructor Bio?"
Speak of the devil; the curtain to the left pulled back and May appeared, dressed comfortably.
"There you are. I heard you collapsed yesterday. How are you feeling?"
"I'm actually fine, but the wizard here says I need to keep resting... I'm sorry for missing class."
She bowed her head in apology, and seeing the girl who had collapsed acting like this made me even more uncomfortable.
A true honor student, worrying about her lessons even in this state.
"I've already marked it as sick leave, so don't worry about that. Since you say you're feeling okay, let's have a quick chat."
After speaking, I looked at the wizard.
She had a look of confusion on her face; perhaps being Amelia's friend made her completely oblivious.
"It's lunchtime. Aren't you going to eat?"
"I usually eat lunch late. Besides, it's not like it's proven that you aren't the culprit. It's also a bit inappropriate to leave a sick trainee alone with you."
...I can wrap my head around the other parts, but the 'inappropriate' comment is just absurd.
What exactly does she think I'm going to do to a trainee?
I considered saying something, but decided against it.
No doubt Amelia badmouthed me to her.
It's almost lunch, and I don't have time to get into a brawl with this woman.
It's not like we'll be close anyway.
"In that case, we'll have to move. Can you walk?"
"Yes."
As I tried to help May stand up, the wizard blocked our path.
"The energy from the medicinal herbs used during treatment hasn't fully worn off yet, so she shouldn't move too much."
"Did you use Largo?"
It's an herb used to wake unconscious patients; while effective, the potency is so strong that moving without sufficient rest leads to dizziness and nausea.
"I guess you really are a Ranger Instructor. Fine. I'll get out of the way, so just talk here."
Would it have killed her to step aside from the start?
"Oh, I almost forgot. See that crystal ball up there? It doesn't record audio, but the video is crystal clear, so don't even dream of doing anything funny."
*Sigh*, I've had enough.
I let it slide once since it was our first meeting, but putting up with it twice is only for suckers.
"Wizard Eriel, you've been at this for a while now, but our instructor isn't that kind of person. Why do you keep talking as if he's some creep? Apologize right now!"
I was about to give her a piece of my mind, but she beat me to it.
What is wrong with this girl?
'Wow, I think this time it really is a green light?'