Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Academy’s First Class
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Academy Opening Day.
Early in the morning, I called Theo to check on my attire.
"How does it look?"
"It suits you perfectly, sir. You truly look like a professor."
"I am a professor now, after all."
"Haha."
I had asked the tailor I'd met before to make me a new uniform.
It's a similar navy blue, but the design is slightly different.
That time was for a banquet, but this is for the Academy's first day of class.
It has a neat and tidy feel, rather than being ostentatious.
It's nice that there are no strange cloaks or hats.
Speaking of which, why do the people here like such flashy accessories so much?
"Then please have a safe trip."
"Right."
After greeting Theo, I went outside and boarded the carriage.
I didn't pack much.
Under normal circumstances, I would have received a room like the other students and lived on campus.
But I have many family members living with me, and the mansion is close by, so there's no clear need to move rooms.
'For now, it'll be a commute.'
If it becomes inconvenient, I can reconsider then. It won't be too late.
Edward was waiting at the main gate.
On days when there was no theater performance, he had volunteered to stand guard.
It was his own idea.
"I feel uneasy leaving it to the hired help, so I figured it'd be better if I took care of it."
"...I won't stop you."
He seems to have a deep attachment to the building.
I can understand that.
The sun had only just risen.
The Academy was extremely quiet.
Everyone must still be asleep.
It would probably take another hour for them to wake up, shower, and finish breakfast.
That doesn't mean I can just laze around.
If I came early, I need to prepare diligently accordingly.
The first person I met was Victor.
"I'm thinking of holding a skill test instead of a lecture today."
Victor nodded at my words.
"That's a good idea. In fact, that's the very first thing I did when I was up North."
We need to know the students' level to concretely decide on the lecture content for the future.
"Would you care for some tea for a moment? It's still a long way until nine o'clock."
Victor offered me a cup.
It smelled faintly of time.
"Let's do that. Let's talk while we drink."
I sat facing him.
"Speaking of which, it seems Professor Erdi hasn't arrived yet."
"Ah, that guy— I mean, he will be taking the afternoon class."
The afternoon class.
In other words, an advanced course.
Students who score high on the skill test will be entrusted to Erdi.
They'll skip the basics and go straight into practical training.
They'll learn various techniques and expressive skills.
The plan is for Victor and me to teach the fundamentals and select the raw gems, then for Erdi to polish them with his outstanding sense.
Students who stand out there will receive one-on-one personal lessons from me.
But there's still a long way to go.
First, there's a mountain we have to overcome.
"I wonder how many will skip the basics and move on to the advanced course."
At my question, Victor stroked his chin and thought.
"I think about 30 people."
Thirty.
Considering there are about 300 new students who enrolled in the Academy.
It's a number that could be considered many or few.
"I'm quite looking forward to it."
I wonder if Victor's prediction will be correct.
"Everyone has improved a lot since before. There must be some who have been honing their talents even before enrolling."
Shortly after.
The bell rang to signal the start of class.
Victor and I entered the classroom.
***
"I'm truly delighted to be with all of you."
"Wahhh!"
The students cheered and clamored as soon as I finished my greeting.
I expected this kind of reaction, but...
Is it okay for an Academy to be so informal?
As I was thinking that, Victor stepped forward and extended his palm.
"Quiet!"
The noise vanished like a ghost.
'Impressive.'
Is this the authority of a professor?
I need to learn from that kind of demeanor.
Even if the people before me are scions of noble houses, by that logic, I'm the eldest son of a Count's family too.
I have a responsibility to maintain the order of the Academy.
'A professor's dignity and duty.'
So, I need to get the first button right today.
"I'll be taking my leave now."
"Ah, of course."
I'm saying goodbye to Victor here for now.
Since there are so many new students, we decided to hold lectures in two places at the same time.
Another class of students will be waiting for him in the classroom next door.
Anyway.
Using the moment it got quiet, I quickly raised my arm exaggeratedly.
"I'm sure you've all heard what today's class will be about."
When I spoke in the sternest voice I could, a few students, overwhelmed by my aura, nodded unconsciously.
One of them caught my eye.
'...I think I've seen her once before?'
I walked up to her and asked for her name.
"Se... Selena Winter."
"Ah."
Selena Winter.
I definitely remember her.
The girl who asked for my autograph in the North.
It seems she quit that Academy and re-enrolled here.
"It's good to see you again."
"I... I'm glad to see you too, Anto... Professor..."
"Tell me what kind of class is being held today. You said you knew, right?"
"Ah... Ah!"
She let out a short cry and shot up from her seat.
She could have answered while sitting down.
"I understand there will be a skill test!"
"That's correct."
To be honest, I was a bit worried since it was a last-minute announcement this morning.
But at this level, I won't need to explain it twice.
"Please come up one by one and play for us. The theme is free."
By the way, the order is random.
"First... Azbella Viviant."
The name was quite difficult, so I double-checked to make sure I hadn't mispronounced it.
A girl with black hair walked out.
She had a small frame, but her expression was full of confidence.
It's like her appearance matches her name.
"I am Azbella, the second daughter of the Viviant Baron household."
"Please begin whenever you're ready."
She sat down at the piano.
"May I play while looking at the sheet music?"
"By all means."
She then pulled a few sheets of paper from her chest and spread them on the music stand.
I was curious, so I took a closer look, but it was a melody I had never seen before.
At my level, I can tell what piece it is just by looking at the score.
"I will begin now. Please excuse me."
Azbella, who had been carefully rotating her wrists on the keys, gently flicked her fingertips.
It started with a cheerful 4/4 arpeggio.
G major chord, 4th chord.
The 2nd and 5th repeat to form a rhythm, and an appropriate melody is added on top, creating a very elegant tune.
It's a piece of music I've never heard before.
Yet, it was quite pleasant to listen to.
It brought to mind a swan leisurely enjoying itself by a lakeside, and at times, the ripples of a surface disturbed by raindrops.
'It's new.'
As I listened quietly, I found myself unknowingly captivated.
I didn't even notice when the performance ended.
"Professor?"
"Ah."
"Then, I will take my seat."
"That was wonderful."
Azbella Viviant, was it?
This was completely different from what Victor had hinted at.
"I'm sure many students will be playing your pieces, Professor. I experienced it myself."
But from the very first turn, the expectation was missed.
By a wide margin, at that.
I didn't expect her to have prepared an original composition.
After confirming that Azbella had returned to her seat, I called the next student.
"Othalo Servan."
"Luphe Eclin."
"Risanrod Acker..."
However.
The skills of those who came out after were all average.
No one was so bad that I'd call them terrible, but neither did anyone give a performance that stood out.
In particular, the performance from Selena, whom I had high expectations for, did not meet them.
"I... I'm nervous... what's wrong with me?"
"That can happen. It's okay, take your time."
I gave her several chances, but she made repeated mistakes, and her basic technical level was almost that of a beginner.
Of course, it wasn't that my standards suddenly shot up because of the initial shock.
If I lacked that level of objectivity, I wouldn't have been given the title of professor in the first place.
Azbella's music was truly excellent.
That is an undeniable fact.
At the same time, the average skill level of the students was far below my expectations.
If Victor's lecture, being held at the same time, is similar, then perhaps only one person will be moved up to the advanced class today.
About an hour passed.
Before I knew it, all the students' tests were over.
"The results will be posted on the dormitory bulletin board by tomorrow morning."
After saying my final words, I left the classroom.
***
"How was it?"
I answered Victor's question by shaking my head.
"One person stood out. The rest of the students were mostly at a beginner level, more than I expected."
"I had a similar experience."
"Well, anyway, we established the Academy for the sake of education. It's not a problem that they lack skill right now."
I'm just worried if Erdi will be too bored.
He must have had some expectations as well.
"In my lecture, there was a pair of siblings from the Benderlin Baron household, Dirk and Beatrice. The younger sister, in particular, was quite impressive."
Victor said.
"The Benderlin family... have I heard of them?"
"Probably not. I heard they are a vassal family from a territory at the southern end, and they don't seem very famous."
"Well, a family's fame isn't what's important."
Speaking of a territory at the southern end.
It might be related to Aiolin.
I'll have to ask about that later.
In the end, we decided to move the Benderlin siblings, along with Azbella, to the advanced class.
It's only three people, much less than the 30 we expected.
But that's fine.
We can increase the number later.
As I said before, isn't that what the Academy is for?
"I will introduce the three of you to Professor Erdi."
Victor stood up from his seat.
"No. Wait a moment."
There's something I need to do first.
"First, I need to have a private talk with them."