A Dubious Weapon Application
Before the students arrived, “Good morning~.” “Ughhh. Good morning.” “No, Professor Ena. Why does your face look so haggard?”
The weekend had passed and weekdays had returned. The break was over, and it was that early morning hour when everyone prepared to get moving again. At a time when most people would only just be waking up, the academy professors had already finished their commute.
“When on earth did you get here?” “Haha. When did I get here… I’ve been here since yesterday evening, so it must be around twenty hours by now.” “Oh my god… You’ve been in this building since yesterday?”
Libra, who had only just reached the faculty room, widened her eyes in shock at the professor sitting beside her—who looked utterly exhausted, as if she had been there for who knew how long. No matter how you looked at it, it didn’t make sense. Everyone else was resting on their day off, yet here she was pulling an all-nighter.
“No, what in the world…” As she spoke, Libra noticed the stack of documents in Ena’s hands. “There’s an absolute mountain of these?”
“These are the things I’ve been researching and organizing since yesterday.”
After quickly scanning the contents, Libra immediately understood why Professor Ena had shown up a full day early and was doing work that no one had even asked her to do.
“Are these candidates for the territory experience…?”
“Calling them candidates feels generous. I haven’t even asked anyone yet.”
The territory experience. A program for second-years where each class’s homeroom teacher selected a territory. The students would live there for about a month, studying the region while providing help in a mutually beneficial arrangement. It was only natural for a homeroom teacher to be meticulous about choosing the best possible territory. Even so.
“Isn’t this a little early?”
The territory experience was originally held in the latter half of the second semester. There were still several months left. Even with that much time, Libra couldn’t understand why Ena was already staying up all night worrying about it.
In response to her reaction, Ena ruffled the back of her hair and answered.
“Well… our entire class is made up of commoners, so we don’t have any personal connections to rely on.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, this is your first time as a second-year homeroom teacher, isn’t it, Professor Ena?”
“Exactly. Since it’s my first time, I keep overthinking everything. I’m worried I should start contacting the nobles I know right now to lay the groundwork, but ugh… I just couldn’t sit still.”
“Don’t worry too much. There has never been a single class that failed to participate in the territory experience.”
Libra spoke as if being a commoner was no big deal. Ena seemed extremely nervous because this was her first time handling second-years, but it was a completely pointless concern. Even if she did nothing, she would be flooded with offers. Why stress over it? Commoners? On the contrary, people would love that they weren’t tied down anywhere and would compete even harder to recruit them.
Having witnessed such cases many times, Libra lightly shook her head. Telling her the truth right now wouldn’t convince her anyway. So instead, she decided to shift the topic slightly.
“Well, if you’re still anxious, why not focus on the Hwangyeon that happens at the end of the term? The territory experience comes right after, so the timing actually works out perfectly.”
“R-right! There was that!”
At Libra’s suggestion, Ena shot up from her seat and exclaimed. While the territory experience was designed for second-years, Hwangyeon was a massive event that involved first, second, and third-years alike. If one were to compare it to modern terms… it was probably easiest to think of it as a sports festival.
“His Majesty the Emperor always attends, along with most of the notable nobles and even people from distant frontier regions. If the kids simply stand out, landing a good job afterward will be a piece of cake.”
Gulp.It’s hard to deny it when examples like that happen all the time.
“…You’re right, Professor Libra. Instead of worrying about the territory experience, it would be better for both me and the students if we focus on helping the children shine during Hwangyeon.”
Ena roughly shoved aside the documents she had prepared since yesterday and burned with renewed enthusiasm. Watching her, Libra offered a small, silent apology in her heart.
Sorry in advance.
The ones who would take center stage in this year’s Hwangyeon were none other than the newly enrolled first-years. Unfortunately, there would be almost no spotlight left for the second-years. Well, a few lucky ones might still manage to stand out. And even if Class 2-C failed to draw attention during Hwangyeon, the disaster Ena feared would never come to pass, so there was no need to feel too guilty.
“Now that I think about it, Professor Libra… are you doing okay lately?”
“Hm? About what?”
Not understanding what she meant, Libra tilted her head. Ena lowered her voice in case anyone else might overhear.
“You were assigned to first-year Class C and got incredibly angry about it last time, remember?”
Ah, right. That did happen.
“We were all so shocked. It was the first time we’d ever seen you like that—I genuinely wondered if I was dreaming.”
“H-ho ho~ Was it that bad?”
“You seem back to your usual self now, so I figured your anger had passed.”
Yes, it had passed. The moment she found that child. If not for him, she probably would still be furious even now.
But it was worth getting angry about, wasn’t it? Taking me and sticking me with Class C?
The academy divided classes based on skill, talent, and—most commonly—background. Class A gathered the most exceptional students and those from families destined to wield influence after graduation. Class B was for those who were quite talented but fell short of A. Everyone else went to Class C.
It was common knowledge that Class A was the strongest and Class C the weakest. That was why Libra had been unable to contain her rage when she was made homeroom teacher of Class C.
Outstanding students deserve outstanding teachers.
She had experience as both the prince’s escort and his magic instructor. She possessed a warm personality, exceptional magical knowledge, and close-combat and weapon skills that rivaled most vanguard fighters. What part of her deserved Class C?!
What irritated her even more was that the homeroom teacher for Class A was none other than Garein. He was nearly her polar opposite—stubborn, cold, a rigid muscle-brain—and the fact that others rated him higher than her made her stomach twist with anger.
But none of that matters anymore.
Because a student possessing monstrous talent that no one else had noticed was in her class.
The class that would shock everyone during this year’s Hwangyeon wouldn’t be A. It would be theirs—C.
Of course, for that to happen, that boy needs to find some confidence and motivation.
Unfortunately, that part wasn’t easy. If he simply applied himself properly, he would grow beyond merely useful—to the point where he might even stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her.
Still, there’s plenty of time left.
There was no need to rush. She could approach him slowly. Thinking that, Libra turned her gaze toward their target—Garein, the homeroom teacher of Class A. This time, she would crush that arrogant nose of his.
But why does he have that look on his face?
To others it might appear to be his usual expressionless mask, but Libra—who had spent years at his side—could tell that Garein was currently flustered. Garein was flustered?
“What are you staring at so intently?”
“Ah, Libra.”
How could she possibly hold back? Libra immediately strode over to Garein and peered at the paper in his hands. Her eyes widened on their own at the unexpected document.
“This is a weapon additional application form. Why are you carrying this around?”
“A student in my class requested it.”
“Huh? A first-year is already applying for one of these?”
Garein nodded at Libra’s question. He had received a message from Zeon yesterday evening stating that he needed the form to register a new weapon. He had prepared it accordingly, but even he couldn’t easily decide whether this was the right choice.
“And what’s this? A main weapon? Not an auxiliary one?”
“That’s how it turned out.”
“What do you mean, ‘that’s how it turned out’! They must have received a weapon from the academy. Why would anyone ignore that and deliberately try to use something else?”
The weapon additional application form was usually submitted by students who used bows or magic tools and wanted a melee weapon for self-defense. A main weapon? They had already been issued one by the academy—so why would they need another?
No matter how poorly a weapon seemed to suit its user at first, after using it for even a short time they would realize, This weapon was made for me! On top of that, the weapon would grow stronger alongside its owner. There had never been a single fool who abandoned such a weapon to choose another.
“And yet now there is one.”
“Mm.”
With nothing left to say, Garein simply swallowed a quiet groan.
“What reason did they give for changing weapons?”
Libra’s curiosity was piqued by the idea of requesting a main weapon. After a moment of hesitation over whether he should answer, Garein finally spoke.
“The weapon’s durability is insufficient.”
“Ha?”
What kind of dogshit excuse was that?