Lecture (2)
Lecture (2)
The lecture room was exactly as I'd expected.
Desks were arranged in neat rows facing the lectern and the chalkboard.
And since I'd arrived late, bits of conversation drifted my way.
The first thing that reached my ears was:
"Got any idea who's teaching?"
"No clue. I don't know either."
They were trying to figure out who I was.
If they knew my identity, they'd be from the Intelligence Bureau, the Magic Tower Master, the chancellor, or one of my own people.
Oh, right—add the Emperor to that list too.
Anyway, I walked up to the lectern without any fuss and stood before it.
I set down my file of papers and slowly surveyed my surroundings.
The room fell silent in an instant.
Since they were first-years, I hadn't expected it, but I spotted Flora and Ayla in the very front seats.
Flora greeted me with a bright smile, while Ayla offered a silent nod of acknowledgement.
Adding in the two students behind them who kept sneaking glances around, a grand total of four people were enjoying the privilege of my company.
The headcount was pitiful compared to the size of the lecture room.
There were more empty seats than people.
Though, that stood to reason.
According to the chancellor, the course had been added late, so few students had spotted it.
If anything, it was remarkable that anyone had found it at all.
I tacked on a brief greeting and cut the starting line.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Karon, the instructor in charge of Mana Control Application and Practice. It is an honor to be here with you all."
Applause followed my introduction.
Ayla with her eyes sparkling and the broadly grinning Flora stood out the most.
The other two students' expressions betrayed a mix of anticipation and worry.
I continued with my explanation.
"We will prioritize the practical over the theoretical—to be precise, actual combat. Typically, that means confronting Demons and Monsters. Among that…"
"Professor~"
Just then, one student shot her hand up.
I saw who it was—Flora, of course.
I considered pointing out the word 'professor,' but chose to focus on the lecture.
"Yes. If you have a question, please go ahead."
"You just mentioned actual combat, sir. Do you really mean we'll be fighting Demons or Monsters?"
I could feel a ripple of unease run through the room at Flora's question.
When you talked about prioritizing real combat and then brought up Demons and Monsters, worrying was only natural.
Who would eagerly volunteer if they came to learn and found out they had to put their lives on the line?
I answered carefully so as not to stir them up further.
"You've put your finger on an important point. Naturally, nothing like that will happen."
I turned around and began writing out on the chalkboard the plan that had just come to mind.
Lecture Plan - Brief theoretical explanation followed by practical training and sparring for comprehension
Objective - Subdue an opponent of Level 4 caliber
Course Duration - 3 months
There wasn't that much to write.
Real improvement came through firsthand experience, not text.
And on top of that, there was also a more advanced, difficult course.
"As a separate matter, none of you will be doing this, but if you truly wish to experience real combat, there is another method."
I added the method I took pride in.
Crash Course - 1-month course, regardless of being a mage or swordsman
I discreetly drew a line underneath it for emphasis.
Watching this, Flora gave a reaction as if to ask whether I was being serious.
On the other hand, I could feel Ayla staring holes into the chalkboard.
A brown-haired male student, unable to hold back his curiosity, raised his hand.
"Instructor. What's the Crash Course?"
"It's a course that guarantees improved skill but is extremely dangerous."
"What do you do that makes it that way?"
"Good question."
I'd only planned to mention it in passing, as something that existed, but since they showed interest, I figured I should explain briefly.
First of all, the Northern Region of the Continent was a restricted zone.
Famous as the Empire's front line, it was swarming with Monsters, and occasionally you could spot Demons as well.
Public order was so bad that the Border Guard was stationed there permanently, arresting criminals and holding back the enemy.
You used that environment for training in conditions closely resembling genuine combat.
"In plain terms, we dump you on the Northern Region of the Continent, and you survive for one month."
"Huh?"
At those words, the students other than Flora cocked their heads to the side.
If literal question marks had popped up over their heads, I doubted they'd have looked out of place.
The brown-haired male student spoke up, his voice trembling.
"Th-then, would you… would you be protecting us there, Instructor? Or is it conducted near the Border Guard garrison?"
"Why would I need to? You won't improve that way."
"…"
Seeing their expressions darken by the second, I stressed once again that they would not be taking the Crash Course.
"So I think it's enough for you to simply know that something like this exists. You don't need to worry."
"You mean as long as we keep up with the lessons, right?"
"Exactly."
Flora had given my words extra weight at just the right moment.
Thanks to her, the others seemed to move past it with a sense of relief.
"It's the first day, so I'll leave it at explanation for now and start properly next session. Are there any other questions?"
With that, I observed the students quietly for a moment.
When no one said anything further, I opened my file and made an attendance roster.
In order: Ayla, Flora, Gilbert, Camilla.
The brown-haired male student was Gilbert, and the blonde girl beside him was Camilla.
With so few people, memorizing them wasn't hard.
Even though I hadn't really done anything, I felt drained and let out a small sigh.
"Hoo."
Considering I'd improvised the whole first session, it had a degree of completeness of its own.
I spent the remaining time just letting them relax.
While I was tidying up and erasing the chalkboard, an important reminder suddenly surfaced in my mind.
I turned back around to face the front.
"You have one piece of homework."
"Aww…"
A single mention of 'homework' caused an enormous ripple.
Everyone stared at me with wide round eyes.
Gilbert froze stiff on the spot.
A silent clamor of pleading to uphold the unwritten rule spread out around me.
In the middle of it, Ayla looked as if she had already guessed what the homework was.
"Your homework is to return next time in one piece. Simple, isn't it?"
Gilbert and Camilla both wore baffled expressions, as if they'd never heard a homework assignment like it in their lives.
The pair nodded slowly, as if it were no big deal.
"It really is no big deal…"
"If you'd prefer an assignment, I can give you something demanding."
"Ah, n-no. I'll be sure to get plenty of rest!"
Gilbert's answer completed all the setup I needed.
I intended to make every one of them capable of facing opponents up to Level 4 within three months.
Even accounting for individual differences, they would certainly be able to subdue Level 3 for sure.
I smiled benevolently and spoke.
"You all worked hard today. I'll see you at the next lecture."
* * *
The very first thing I did upon returning to my quarters was to get Flora's feedback.
"How was the lecture today?"
"The lecture? You never normally ask me things like that."
Flora turned around while moving some academic books.
I could feel the weight of her gaze, as if this was a rare sight.
Usually, when something like this came up, I spent time calmly analyzing it on my own.
Mostly I'd examine whether there were areas needing feedback from an operational standpoint.
But this time I'd taken on the role of a genuine educator, and my old methods weren't working.
I needed the perspective of a student, no doubt about it.
And just in time, a ray of hope existed for me in that regard.
Even if Flora was also here in the role of a watcher, she was still an academy student, wasn't she?
Still holding a book, Flora settled lightly onto the bed.
"What sort of direction are you looking for?"
"Just tell me honestly."
"Then that's simple."
Flora rose from her spot and walked over to me.
She placed both hands on my shoulders and met my eyes.
"Did you give the kind of lecture you wanted to give, Boss?"
"Of course."
"What about the Crash Course you seemed a bit regretful about?"
"I'm planning to have Alcyone handle that."
At that, Flora let out a soft laugh.
"Wouldn't it be enough just to make sure those two sitting in the back keep up well?"
"You mean Gilbert and Camilla. That helps."
"For the rest, it seems like you can just figure things out over the three months. It's only the first day, after all."
In the end, Flora's answer meant it was too soon.
I decided not to rush and to take things gradually.
From there, the conversation naturally turned toward Ayla.
"Are you going to be teaching Ayla twice a day?"
"I've already given that some thought."
The Running Crew, which I had lured her into under the pretext of teaching magic, now overlapped with the academy lectures.
Just as Flora said, I'd ended up having to teach her twice.
Traffic management was urgently needed.
Since exterminating Demons was the top priority, I had to clearly decide what to do and what to set aside.
"Our dawn runs will serve only to build stamina. Everything else will need to be handled at the academy."
"Won't time be a bit tight?"
"No. It's enough."
If I broke down the areas where Ayla was lacking, there were parts that overlapped with what I was teaching in the lecture.
If anything, combining things with appropriate theory would increase her absorption rate.
When I answered with that confidence, Flora narrowed her eyes.
"Hmm~ What about me?"
"…?"
With her chin resting on her hand and her eyes fixed pointedly on me, I answered her with silence.
"You'll teach me too, of course?"
"You probably already know all of it anyway."
Despite my dry response, Flora simply smiled brightly, showing no sign of backing down.
"You never know… Maybe I could reach Level 6 learning from you, Boss."
Flora looked as though her energy had drained a little somewhere.
For some reason, Flora had been stuck at the very edge of Level 5 for a long time.
Given the right conditions, she could easily aim for Level 6 at any time—Level 7, even.
It was the one secret of hers I didn't know, and I didn't press for the reason.
I'd assumed there were unavoidable circumstances.
I would find out when the time was right.
Flora couldn't hide her regret, perhaps recalling the occasional mock duels we'd had.
"I'd like to spar with you again, it's been so long. It's a shame."
"I'll do it once the situation settles down."
"Sigh. Who would have guessed the Boss would end up at Level 5."
The focus naturally shifted to the root of all evil—the Artifact.
Flora pulled a lukewarm expression and flopped down onto the bed.
"I've looked into Artifacts here and there in my spare time, but there isn't one that's usable. We might just have to go see the Magic Tower Master."
Flora burrowed right into the blanket.
With just her head poking out, she spoke.
"You have to tell me whenever you need help!"
"Alright. I'll keep that in mind."
I felt grateful to Flora for laying the groundwork even without my asking.
Since the topic had come up, I figured I should borrow a small hand, and I perched briefly on the edge of her bed.
"Flora. Are you free sometime soon?"
"Of course I am. I can even carve out time I don't have."
"I have some business at the Calde Order. How about it?"
"…!"
Flora shot upright in bed and straightened her posture.
Her eyes were full of curiosity, as if she'd become certain something interesting was about to happen.
"Why there?"
"I'm going to meet a cardinal."
Flora had always wanted to visit the Calde Order at least once, so her reaction was to be expected.
"I am absolutely coming with you!"
I hadn't expected her to respond this well.
I'd thought this would be a good chance to leave my mark on the pride of the Empire.
But reality had no intention of bending to my will.