23
Chapter 23
'Hey, I think May is seriously misunderstanding something.'
'What?'
May was taking off the robe just as I told her... wait a second, why is she trying to take off her clothes underneath?
"May, what are you doing?"
"Oh... the inside... is it your preference to... strip me yourself...?"
What on earth is she talking about?
'I knew this would happen. This is why you should have explained things properly.'
'What do you mean?'
I did explain properly.
When Ark first explained the Wild Ginseng, he said it would be difficult to control unless one was at least a Sword Expert or had mastered a superior Mana Cultivation Method.
Since failure to control the energy could reduce the effect or even cause internal injuries, I decided to help May.
Especially since Ark said the Beluga Mana Cultivation Method May learned was subpar.
Not to mention, May wasn't even at the Beginner level, let alone an Expert.
Also, having experienced it myself, I told her that an intense heat would surge through her body after taking the Wild Ginseng, and while it might be a bit painful, a sweet reward of increased Magic Power awaited her if she endured it.
As for the washing, I just told her she'd need to wash up anyway once the impurities were expelled.
Isn't that a proper explanation?
This is so unfair.
'Tsk tsk, I guess you didn't get it either. You never actually told her you were going to make her eat Wild Ginseng, did you?'
'So what? I can just take it out now and explain it.'
'You should have explained that first. Try thinking from her perspective.'
'Huh?'
'You idiot! Imagine you're May. Your instructor suddenly brings you to an inn, books a single room, tells you to sit by the bed, and then tells you to take off your clothes. What would you think?'
Oh my god. It clicked instantly.
I was just in such a rush to get May back before the evening dormitory roll call that... no, I was just too rushed.
"Instructor... I'm prepared..."
Prepared? Prepared for what on earth?
As far as I know, if an instructor makes a move on a trainee, it's at least ten years in prison.
Of course, since May is an adult, the sentence might be slightly reduced... Wait, why am I even thinking about this?
I gave May a flick on the forehead as she looked at me with a meaningful expression.
"Ow! Why... why did you do that?"
"Why? Because you're having a ridiculous misunderstanding. Get a grip. The reason I brought you here is to solve the problem with your lacking Magic Power."
"Y-you don't have to make excuses now... I've already made my peace with..."
I'm seriously going crazy.
I considered giving her another flick, but figuring that a quick explanation would be more effective, I used Subspace Magic to pull out the Wild Ginseng.
As I explained the effects of the Wild Ginseng and how the process worked, May's face turned bright red.
"You could have told me sooner..."
'Look at her. She's the one who jumped to conclusions, and now she's blaming you?'
'You just called me an idiot, so it is mostly my fault.'
"The instructor was in a rush and forgot. My apologies."
'Still, considering everything you've done for May, if she really trusted you, she wouldn't have thought...'
'Stop trying to drive a wedge between us.'
Like I said before, I never act unfairly.
This time, I was definitely the one who messed up first.
"Oh, no. Come to think of it, I was overthinking things... I'm sorry."
"Forget it, let's just get started."
I fed May the wild ginseng and had her operate the mana cultivation method.
"From now on, don't speak; just focus on the circulation. No matter how hard it gets, you must not lose consciousness."
I'd help by funneling magic power into her, but if she lost consciousness, she wouldn't be able to control it.
Just like I did during every makeup session, I placed my hand on May's shoulder and injected magic power.
I wrapped the wild, erratic energy with my own magic power to soothe it, rotating it according to the method.
May let out a few groans, but as I repeated the process, the energy—which had been rampaging like a blinded ogre—gradually calmed down.
By the time we had completed about five rotations, May stopped groaning and the energy settled in.
The wild ginseng was truly impressive; not only did the magic power in her lower abdomen's mana core increase significantly, but a single circle appeared where there had been none.
If there had been just a bit more energy from the ginseng, I think she could have formed two.
It's a bit strange.
Though our levels are different, for me, it seemed the focus was on the mana core without much effect on the circles.
Is it different for everyone?
Perhaps it's the difference between a mental cultivation method and a mana cultivation method.
Also, unlike me, May didn't give off any foul smell.
It's probably because her level was so low, so I don't think I need to prepare a bath for her.
"I think this is enough."
I withdrew my magic power as soon as I spoke.
I'm glad it ended well without any accidents, contrary to my worries.
"Thank you."
"How are you feeling?"
"I feel like I have much more magic power."
"It's not just that you have more magic power. You've formed a circle."
"A... a circle?"
May closed her eyes again, seemingly trying to verify it.
"It... it's really true. Thanks to you, Instructor, I can take magic classes now. Thank you so much."
Magic isn't the exclusive domain of wizards.
Since knights and rangers can also use magic as long as they have a circle, Belliard Academy offers magic classes for non-majors.
Usually, knights rarely sign up because their swordsmanship classes are so grueling, so it's mostly trainees from the Ranger Class who take them.
However, there is one requirement to take a magic class.
One must possess at least one circle.
Without a circle, no matter how much theory they learn, they can't actually cast magic.
"You won't be able to sign up this semester, so I'll teach you the basics during our makeup sessions."
Since I'm a 5th Circle wizard myself, I'm confident I can teach the basics.
"Really? Thank you!"
'Am I pushing her too hard? What if she tries to learn too many things and ends up forgetting everything?'
It's a valid point.
Not just Ark, but the general consensus and the experts I've met who reached a certain level all said that digging deep into one path is far faster for progress than dabbling in various things.
But that's only in the long run.
To win the bet, it's better to have her learn as much as possible.
Honestly, I haven't taught her anything that impressive, and May is smart.
'I believe in May.'
****
Time flies.
It's already been nearly two weeks since May and I went out.
Two weeks ago, I clearly said I believed in her, but now I'm regretting those words.
The selection match is the day after tomorrow, and I'm not satisfied with May's progress.
Her stamina has increased enough that she can now handle the entire routine in one go.
I already knew that progress in weaponry is naturally slow.
Her progress in the magic she started learning is also fairly decent.
Even if her casting speed is a bit slow, she's mastered most of the 1st Circle spells.
However, just like last time, the magic power... no, May herself is the problem.
Thanks to the wild ginseng, May now has a circle and a significant increase in magic power within her mana core.
With the amount of magic power in her core, Aura Emission—shooting aura—might be too much, but Aura Manifestation—coating a weapon—should be entirely possible.
But far from manifesting aura, May can't even reinforce her weapon by funneling magic power into it.
I've helped her and explained the knack multiple times, but she just can't get the hang of it.
I think I completely overlooked the fact that she lacks talent in this area.
It's gotten to the point where I'm wondering if I'm just a terrible teacher.
Between my time in Seinti, helping train Black Agents, and even my own training days, I've never seen anyone like May.
She even reminded me of Zero, whose mana affinity was practically zero.
Even he had so little talent that he lacked magic power comparable to May's, yet he managed it easily once he gathered a certain amount.
It's so frustrating that she's quite good at magic with only one circle, yet can't utilize the far greater magic power in her mana core.
And actually, while magic power is an issue, there's a much bigger problem.
Was it since a week ago?
At first, it was obvious she was working hard to prove her determination, but since then, she seems unable to concentrate in class.
It's not that she's skipping the makeup sessions or rebelling against my instructions.
She shows up regularly and does what she's told, but she spaces out more and more often, as if her mind is blank.
It feels as though her body is in the training ground, but her heart is somewhere else.
She used to be so motivated, asking what to do next as soon as she finished a task...
At first, I thought she was just frustrated that her progress remained slow despite the increase in magic power, but that doesn't seem to be it.
From what I've seen of May, she's the type to work harder rather than fall into despair.
I suspect there's something else going on, but whenever I ask her, she just says nothing's wrong, which is incredibly frustrating.
I checked to see if Viscount Giltain was playing some trick to worry her, but there were no issues there.
As promised, Viscount Giltain paid a substantial amount in compensation.
Shortly after, he was summoned by Duke Carlos and executed.
I expected it to end with the stripping of his title or a demotion to Baron, but the Duke was angrier than I thought... no, that's not important right now.
Honestly, the situation isn't that bad.
I had judged that we had a good chance of winning even before the wild ginseng.
Now that she's learned magic and has good weapons, there's an 80% chance May will become the representative.
Barring any major variables, I'll win the bet, but I can't be satisfied with just this.
I didn't go through all that trouble just to settle for an 80% win rate.
"That's all for today's lesson."
I finished class a bit earlier than usual and left the room.
Up until now, I hadn't pressed May because I didn't want to add more pressure to her, but now I really need to know.
Determined to find out during today's makeup session, I headed back to the faculty office.
As soon as I arrived, Instructor Lamia, who teaches 2nd-year swordsmanship, approached me.
"Instructor Bio, the Dean asked you to come to his office after class."
"Really? Do you happen to know why he called for me...?"
"How should I know? Anyway, I've delivered the message."
She answered irritably and snapped her head away.
I had never been on great terms with the other instructors, but lately, it felt like they were avoiding me even more.
Of course, I didn't have the energy to worry about that right now, as my focus was entirely on the bet with May.
I left the faculty office and made my way to the Dean's office.
I knocked twice and opened the door.
"I heard you were looking for me...?"
"Ah, Instructor Bio, you've arrived."
Something felt different from usual.
The Dean, who usually welcomed me with open arms because he trusted me so much, now looked incredibly grave.
Did I mess something up?
"Is something wrong? I have to leave for a makeup session soon..."
"I've heard there are strange rumors circulating around the academy lately. Have you heard them as well?"
Rumors? Out of nowhere?
"I've been so preoccupied with the makeup classes that I haven't had a spare moment. Is it something I should be aware of?"
Recently, I had been too worried about May and brainstorming solutions to care about rumors.
Even if I had the time, I probably wouldn't have cared, as the academy's closed nature often led to all sorts of bizarre rumors that disappeared as quickly as they appeared.
"I see... If you had known, you wouldn't be acting this way toward me."
Just what kind of rumor is it for him to be like this?
The Dean remained silent for a moment before letting out a deep sigh.
"Instructor Bio, I want you to leave the academy."
What?
Does telling me to leave the academy mean he's firing me?
I was genuinely shocked.
Because getting fired was the goal I'd been dreaming of since before I even arrived at the academy.
I wanted to agree immediately, but I still needed to know the reason.
If I left without knowing why, it might lead to problems later on.
Not to mention, I still had the bet with Instructor Amelia to settle.
"I don't understand why you're saying this. Is it because of those rumors you mentioned?"
The Dean sighed again and nodded.
"At first, I didn't believe it either. I even thought about punishing the students or instructors spreading such rumors, but..."
It's frustrating how he keeps trailing off.
"Just tell me plainly."