Teaching the Geniuses
After the finals period at Arcadia Academy wrapped up, Dante headed straight to the club room today, unlike his usual routine. Normally, he'd hit the physical training room or the training grounds right away, but...
"What? You actually showed up on time without being late."
"Can't be late on the first day."
"True enough. You're the club president, after all."
A study group to prep for the finals. Today marked the grand beginning of that momentous endeavor.
Luel's here, Belloa's here... looks like the two most essential members are all present.
There was supposed to be one more person coming.
"What about Dorothy-senpai?"
"Who knows? I mentioned it to her, but she's always so busy~."
"Ah... we could've sucked the pure honey from her past papers."
His honey pot hadn't arrived. What a heartbreaking disappointment.
Having past papers from a fellow magic department major—and the academy's top student overall—would've made things even easier. Farewell, my light...
"You're being way too obvious about your regret. Luel and I aren't exactly slouches either, you know?"
"Yeah. I even brought all my notes from studying because of you."
Luel and Belloa sighed deeply, chiding him for his attitude.
Well, regrets were regrets, but he had no complaints about the current lineup. The top students from both the magic and knight departments—what more could anyone want?
"More surprising is you suggesting a study group like this."
Belloa set down her book and stared straight at him.
"Surprising? If I don't study, I won't know the material."
"You gave off total lone wolf vibes up until midterms."
"...That wasn't intentional. I just didn't need anyone else; I was fine on my own."
Back when prepping for midterms, he'd been on high alert. It was his first proper exam at the academy, and he'd been tense about the dying knight showing up too.
Honestly, not being tense would've been the real issue.
But these finals lack that same edge.
The act of taking the exam was the same, but the risk to life and limb was minimal. Plus, practicals were basically a guaranteed perfect score, so nailing the written part was all it took.
"Is that so? Then this time, you should reclaim the top spot."
"If I can, I will. Doesn't mean I'm skipping the study group, though."
"Obviously. Skipping it wouldn't tank your grades anyway."
Just as she said—the study group was purely for convenience. Prepping for the written exam didn't require it at all.
"If anything, we'll be learning more from you~?"
"Not in a position to teach yet."
"Your practical skills are plenty."
He nodded without thinking. True, if it was practicals over theory, he could teach them just fine. Both Luel and Belloa were within his reach, knowledge- and skill-wise.
"Mm-hmm! Shall we kick off the study group proper, then?"
"I'll just cover magic fundamentals for now. First day and all."
"Yeah. Let's take it easy since it's day one."
Seated around the large table in the center of the club room, they launched their historic first study session.
Thirty minutes into their enthusiastic start, as he listened to the two taking turns explaining, one thought crossed Dante's mind.
They really are top-tier, huh. Doesn't hit you until you're right here with them.
In some ways, they weren't far behind him at all.
But.
"...You two really suck at teaching."
"......Huh?"
"Belloa, how do you solve that mana circuit application problem from earlier?"
He sighed deeply, focusing on Belloa's explanation beside him.
"So, there's that circuit, right? You plug in the formula from the textbook and solve it."
"Yeah, yeah. Plug in the formula and solve. Got it."
Belloa's words were spot-on, no flaws. The professor had flagged it as a likely exam question, solvable via textbook formula.
The issue? Each formula was unique, applied in totally different contexts.
I get it thanks to Insight, but... geniuses are geniuses, alright.
Instinct skipped the intermediate steps. She probably thought it was basic and omitted them as obvious...
But to an outsider, it was gibberish.
"Alright. Luel, what about that imperial basic swordsmanship form from earlier?"
"Yeah? It's kinda like this."
Luel stood, grabbed a wooden sword, and swung at the air.
Even with his Heavenly Martial Body, it was flawless—no wasted motion. It matched the professor's description perfectly.
"So, transitioning from horizontal to vertical slash—how's that feel?"
"Grip it like this and whoosh?"
"Mm. Yeah, you're a natural explainer."
Were all geniuses like this? Luel's explanation wasn't much different from Belloa's. If anything, worse.
Belloa skipped steps; Luel had no steps at all. Pure intuition in, intuition out.
That's why geniuses can't see from a normal person's view.
Having gone from average to talented, he saw both sides. The normal view actually revealed more.
"Anyway, that wraps today's study material, right?"
"Yep. You got it on the first try anyway. Wasn't that hard."
"Same here. It's basic—just do it and you're good."
Super geniuses, every one. Entrusting the world's future to them felt reassuring, but...
"Alright... your turns are done. Now I'll teach."
"Already starting practical drills?"
"No. Today, it's about broadening and applying what you just taught."
With both genius and normal perspectives, he could show them what talent blinded them to.
"Let's start by breaking down your sword forms again, Luel."
The study group's dynamic flipped after just one day.
The 1st Finals Prep Study Group concluded successfully.
"Master. Was all that hassle really necessary?"
"You mean earlier?"
"Going that far for talented kids..."
Well, fair point. Geniuses would figure it out themselves, right?
"They haven't fully internalized it yet. Sometimes, only normals see certain angles."
Luel and Belloa could grasp and execute via talent and partial understanding. That's why he'd drilled the basics in exhaustive detail.
Fundamentals could branch into endless applications with the right mindset.
"Anyway, here I am cleaning up alone again."
Sighing, he tidied the messy club room.
Normally, Belloa and Luel would've helped, but...
Of all things, calling all the girls' dorm residents.
Rumor had it there was an issue at the girls' dorm, so they were mustered.
Thus, he soloed the snack wrappers and drink trash.
"Not bad, though? Pretty clean now."
"Yeah. No more pigsty vibes."
If even Lilia said that, it was good enough.
Club president duties done—time to head out.
Creeeak!!
As he approached the door to leave, it swung open. A familiar face entered.
Light purple eyes that could captivate anyone.
"...Dorothy-senpai?"
"What~? I'm laaate~."
Three hours past the agreed time. Showing up now?
"Activity's over. Just finished cleaning."
"Oh? Should've come later, then~..."
She seemed ready to bail easily. He sighed in relief—no more cleanup.
"Dante, what'd you do this weekend~?"
"......Pardon?"
What? Did she sniff out the black market help?
No way—even Dorothy couldn't pierce Perception Impairment magic that easily.
"Oh, just went to the adventurer's guild with Belloa."
"...Adventurer's guild?"
"Yeah. Figured it'd come in handy for club activities later."
"I see~?"
Dorothy finally looked away, nodding absently before yawning with zero interest.
Thought I was busted for a sec. Her instincts are sharp.
Getting caught wouldn't be catastrophic—just no need to mention it, avoid hassle.
"Oh, right—you went to Belhalm's birthplace last time, yeah?"
"We did."
"Got any interest in Belhalm~?"
Belhalm... the great archmage he knew?
"Well... as a senior mage, sure, some interest."
"Cool~. I'll help with your intro magic studies later, then."
Sudden, but no reason to refuse. Intro magic had a notorious rep.
Fine. Sudden or not...
Jackpot.