The Holy Relic Knows the Answer (3)

I collected the Holy Relic in good spirits and left the Order.

Perhaps because the cardinal saw me off, the Inquisitor was nowhere to be seen.

Furthermore, judging by Flora's expression, she seemed to have had a pleasant time on her end as well.

While I had acquired a Holy Relic, Flora had her arms full of fruit.

She had likely toured the place to her heart's content with the archbishop and left a favorable impression.

I asked Flora, who was munching happily on an apple.

"Anything happen?"

"It was wonderful!"

Her answer ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was utterly devoid of falsehood.

Flora handed me an appetizing apple and spoke.

"The archbishop treated me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠incredibly well. They showed me around the Order, gave me all this fruit, and even told me to come again sometime."

"Glad you had a good time. No sign of the Inquisitor?"

Flora nodded without a moment's hesitation.

"They never showed up after that first encounter."

"The way they vanished all at once is definitely suspicious."

"It felt as if they'd already gotten the information they wanted."

The strong impression was that they had achieved their predetermined objective and disappeared, just as Flora had described.

If they went so far as to violate a rule prohibiting private use, it had to mean something was going on.

The cardinal did mention conducting a separate investigation, so I decided not to meddle in Order affairs.

Getting tangled up wouldn't do me any good.

I was a busy man who had to hunt Demons.

So I issued a simple directive to Flora.

"Avoid conflict with the Order as much as possible. Respond only in the event of an accidental encounter."

"Understood. I'll report back if anything comes up."

The way she handled things without requiring detailed explanations was proof of how long we had been together.

From here on, she would stay vigilant against the Inquisitor and report any irregularities immediately.

A day where the underworld and peaceful daily life coexisted after so long wasn't half bad.

With my business concluded, it was time to thoroughly enjoy my free period.

* * *

When I returned to my quarters, the news I'd been waiting for had arrived.

Alcyone had finished her investigation and left a note.

'When it comes to intelligence work, there's no one I trust more.'

Judging by the timing, it didn't seem like long since she'd departed.

I was truly pleased that the Holy Relic and the information were converging at the same moment.

"Let's see here."

I perched on the edge of the bed and spent some time evaluating Alcyone's skills.

The note was detailed enough to meet expectations.

The claim that Demons were in the slums was true, and it seemed another faction had bolstered its strength while I was away.

Looking at the name, it rang a bell somewhere.

"Long-Tailed Rat… I've heard that before. Where was it?"

I stopped reading at the strangely familiar term.

I rummaged through my mental archives, using my time before imprisonment as a reference point.

"Ah, those guys."

They'd once attacked us out of ignorance, having gotten too big for their britches while expanding their influence in the past.

At the time, I'd been busy working in the Gray Zone and tried to let it slide, but they pushed my buttons.

Perhaps thinking I would cave to petty provocations, they spread vile rumors about me.

Saying I'd been scared out of the turf war, and that I'd gotten too arrogant.

Unfortunately for them, that reached Flora's ears.

Starting that day, exactly half of the Long-Tailed Rat faction vanished.

They claimed it was just a moderate example, but the damage reports were severe.

So I'd assumed they were beyond recovery, yet they tenaciously clawed their way back while I was in prison.

That grit-their-teeth-and-endure willpower wasn't inherently a bad thing.

However, those bastards crossed a line.

They had come into contact with Demons during their recovery.

That made the story simple.

I just needed to add the Long-Tailed Rat to my Confession.

The Long-Tailed Rat by water, and the Demons by Holy Water generously infused with Divine Power.

Conveniently, the timing coincided with the Hamel family head's visit, so the date of action fell on my next class day.

That meant I could teach in the morning and pay them a visit in the afternoon.

It was, in a word, a perfect schedule.

I couldn't ask for a more fulfilling day.

"If Flora didn't knock some sense into them, I'll have to go pay them a visit myself."

I intended to use this chance to instill some discipline.

* * *

Class day arrived in the blink of an eye.

So much for thoroughly enjoying my free period—I'd been buried under backlogged work.

Once I finished everything, something important crossed my mind.

I hadn't prepared what to do for this week's lesson.

So in a pinch, I decided to sanitize the methods I'd used when I first taught Alcyone.

Instead of running her ragged until dust filled the air, I'd turn it into a simple skill assessment.

After the lecture ended, I planned to deal with the slums, then head to the library to find academy textbooks or curricula.

Consequently, from today onward, the class would be held outdoors.

The venue was the gymnasium where Ayla had been reviewing with the Golem.

Grateful to the chancellor for handling all the paperwork, I was walking along with a file folder in one hand when—

"This should do."

I picked up a fallen branch in front of the gymnasium.

The still-unwithered flowers on it matched perfectly with the teaching material I had in mind.

It was good enough to use for skill testing.

I treated it with care, making sure the petals didn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fall, as I entered the gymnasium.

The first things to catch my eye were Ayla and Flora, who seemed full of anticipation.

Beside them was Gilbert, absorbed in studying something intently.

Finally, I exchanged a light nod with Camilla, who made eye contact with me, and stepped to the front.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and focused on me.

"It's been a while. Did you do your assignments well?"

"Yes!"

Before we began, I swept my gaze around and inspected their assignments.

Everyone's energetic responses made it perfectly clear that their physical condition was sound.

"Good. Please wait a moment while I prepare for the lecture."

I took a Magic Device I'd brought for the lesson from my inner pocket and placed it on the floor.

A zone formed within the gymnasium, generating a safe area.

Wuum!

This device was responsible for the students' safety, reducing the force of all attacks.

That said, getting hit would still hurt just the same.

You could consider it maximizing the sense of realism.

After confirming the Magic Device was fully activated, I announced the topic for today's lecture.

"Today I intend to gauge your levels. I plan to teach you according to your individual skills and circumstances, so I hope you'll take this seriously."

At those words, Ayla's hand shot up immediately.

"What method will you use to gauge us?"

"It's simple."

I carefully displayed the branch I'd tucked into my pocket.

I continued my explanation to the students, who were tilting their heads in curiosity.

"You just have to make the petals attached here fall off. Breaking the branch would be even better."

Then I dropped a bombshell that would stun any student attending the academy.

"If you accomplish it in today's class, I'll give you an A+ regardless of the remaining lessons."

Despite the small class size, a ripple of excitement ran through them.

They had every reason to react that way since I'd suddenly declared I'd give out a perfect score.

Everyone's motivation was fully charged, their spirits soaring sky-high.

The first to reveal this was Flora.

"Professor~"

"Student Flora, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it's instructor."

She made a faint sound as if clicking her tongue in mild disappointment.

"Weapons are allowed, right?"

"Of course they are."

Thanks to Flora's question, I recalled something the chancellor had mentioned a few days earlier.

Tracing my memory, I retrieved practice swords from the gymnasium storage.

Flora's eyes sparkled as she took one.

The rest were mages, so they didn't take any special weapons.

After confirming everyone had returned to their places, I launched into the lesson in earnest.

"Any student want to go first?"

"Me!"

"Please."

By the narrowest of margins, Flora raised her hand before Ayla.

Ayla reacted as if she was secretly disappointed.

The two students who had been gauging the mood then cautiously raised their hands as well.

"We'll proceed in this order: Flora, Ayla, Camilla, Gilbert."

I determined the order and handled attendance in one go.

I drew circles on the roster sheet, then set the file folder down in a corner of the gymnasium.

Brushing my hands off lightly, I called for Flora.

"Student Flora, step forward."

"Yes!"

Flora rushed at incredible speed, practice sword in hand.

Her eyes were filled with an earnest desire to begin right that instant.

Normally, she'd already be fighting, but this was the academy.

One must act according to time and place.

I conveyed a simple rule.

"I'll stay still, so you may attack freely. The time limit is one minute."

"Isn't one minute too short?"

"No. It's plenty."

Flora gave a lukewarm reaction at the news that the sparring time was only one minute.

I calmly switched the branch to my left hand.

Flora's condition today looked to be at its peak.

It was obvious she'd attack relentlessly without giving me a moment's rest.

As if to prove it, she adjusted her grip on the practice sword she'd been toying with like a plaything moments ago and spoke.

"I could go all day."

Simultaneously with those words, she surged forward on her toes.

The first exchange came as a clean, arc-shaped slash from the front.

Kwaang!

She closed a distance of about 10 meters in an instant, aiming straight for the branch, but I calmly blocked it with a Defensive Magic spell.

It was a clean attack with nothing to critique.

Immediately after, she pressed in with attacks targeting my vitals and the branch simultaneously.

By forcing a dilemma, she coerced me into protecting my vitals.

However, an innate gap in skill couldn't be closed.

Even dampened by the Artifact, the depth of our levels was on a different plane.

I dodged the attacks and simultaneously circled behind Flora.

"H-Huh?"

Before she could ready a stance to promptly behead me, I gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Let's stop here."

"Has a minute passed already?"

"It's been exactly 35 seconds, but this is sufficient."

Flora's swordsmanship was as sharp as ever.

Even though she'd been buried under paperwork for three years, her skills showed that the gap had meant nothing.

Nevertheless, the branch and its flowers were perfectly unscathed.

Although Flora wore a regretful expression, she simultaneously reacted as if she'd had fun.

She'd just have to look forward to going all out later.

"Good work."

"You too, Professor Karon."

As Flora returned to her spot humming, applause followed, as if the short spar had left a good impression.

The tests proceeded rapidly after that.

Ayla had definitely improved since our first meeting.

The effort she'd put into utilizing the Mana Interference I'd taught her that day was commendable, making her truly rewarding to teach.

Next, I verified the levels of Camilla and Gilbert.

Naturally, both of them were crushed miserably, but I discovered something peculiar.

Their judgment and actions gave off a scent different from the preliminary first-years I'd seen at the practical exam.

It felt as if third-years had joined a first-year class, at the very least.

I opened my file folder and checked the attendance roster.

"Hmm."

Taking a closer look, I realized I hadn't asked their grade levels on the first day.

The chancellor said it was aimed at first-years, not that only first-years could attend.

I decided to hear it directly from the parties involved.

I approached Gilbert and Camilla, who were enjoying a break.

"Gilbert, Camilla? Do you have a moment?"

"Of course."

"What year are the two of you in, by any chance? I forgot to ask during the first class."

"We're fourth-years. Currently in our graduating semester."

My speculation hit the mark precisely.

I immediately asked them how they'd come to take this course.

"It was designed for first-years. May I ask why you applied?"

Without much ado, Camilla revealed the reason they were taking the lecture.

"We wanted to fill credits quickly while also learning fundamentals for the Magic Tower Practical Exam. Same goes for Gilbert."

Gilbert nodded and added:

"We're both aiming for the Magic Tower. Our theory's fine, but we're lacking in practical application."

They were aiming for the Magic Tower, huh.

A peculiar interest sparked within me.

"When do applications begin?"

"Exactly four months from now. So once this course ends, we plan to spend the remaining time dipping into our own pockets for private tutoring."

"Is there a reason to go as far as private tutoring?"

The timing lining up perfectly was quite nice.

However, I couldn't comprehend the need for private tutoring.

At my perplexity, Camilla let out a deep, heavy sigh.

"There aren't many practical classes, and the few available are completely full, so we can't get in. It's always been like that."

The chancellor had given me advance warning, but I hadn't expected it to be this bad.

It was worth proposing, even factoring in the terrible connection that still made me suspect him.

In that instant, a brilliant thought flashed through my mind.

If the two students passed the exam, I would be able to receive minor tidings from the Magic Tower that Alcyone might miss.

For me, increased sources of news meant scattering influence in every direction.

I immediately offered with a gentle smile.

"Shall I lend you a hand?"

"Truly?"

Their answer came back so fast it was clear how desperate they were.

Confidently, I held up my fingers and emphasized the three months.

"I'll have you fully prepared for the Magic Tower Practical Exam within the course period. In return, it will be incredibly demanding."

Gilbert asked in a trembling voice.

"D-Don't tell me it's a Crash Course?"

"What would be the point of that?"

To reassure the two students, I revealed a plan tied to today's lesson.

"Starting next session, I intend to apply solutions tailored to each of you. Today's test was conducted with that in mind."

"Instructor…"

Perhaps because an opportunity had presented itself from an unexpected place, the two students wore continuously blissful expressions.

"In any case, that will be all for today's class. Please take your time to think it over until next session, you two."

With that, the second session had concluded successfully.

Now it was time to depart for the slums.