Chapter 256 - A Teacher's Duty: Guiding Seferon's Little Devil
Jacqueline Carol had graduated top of her class from the Seferon Foundation's gifted education curriculum. Now summoned by the middle school year coordinator, her face was etched with worry. She'd heard that two elementary students were pretending to smoke cigarettes with their wands. And one of them had to be NoName.
In Jacqueline's eyes—or Jackie's, as the kids called her—NoName stood out even among the other geniuses. She showed zero interest in lessons, yet seemed perfectly content with academy life overall. That was her quirk. She voluntarily refused to skip grades, stayed friendly with her peers despite her skyrocketing fame, and even helped control the rowdy ones during practical sessions. Far from causing trouble, she was a helpful student. But Jackie couldn't shake the feeling that NoName was too much for her to handle.
Jackie was only in her second year as a teacher. How was she supposed to deal with a kid who had already surpassed her teaching limits? She pondered deeply.
She's a child carrying deep wounds inside, though she never shows it on the surface. She has a tendency to charge headfirst into danger sometimes, so please keep a close eye on her. And if Nami ever acts in ways that defy common sense, don't let her lead you around—guide her firmly.
Cheon Professor's earnest request echoed in her mind. Having received his wish for Nami to live an ordinary life, Jacqueline learned once more that the girl had caused a major incident—right after the unauthorized 4th-circle spell in early semester.
"No, even if it's not real cigarettes! Don't you know magic use is banned on campus? And you, her friend—when your buddy does something bad, you stop them, not cheer them on! Oh, Teacher, you're here. Are you these students' homeroom teacher?"
"Yes, yes. I'm Jacqueline Carol, homeroom teacher for 2nd Year Class A."
"Your homeroom teacher has issues too. How could you not know your kids were messing around in some academy corner?"
"Messing around...?"
"Cough...!"
NoName let out an awkward cough between them. Wisps of hazy mana still lingered as vapor, leaking faintly from her mouth.
The year coordinator realized yelling at the kids wouldn't help and handed the matter to Jackie.
"Outsiders visit the academy sometimes—what if they'd seen this disgrace? I trust you'll handle it, Teacher. I'll be off. And you lot! No more playing in dark corners—stick to your playground, got it?"
With that, the coordinator hopped the fence and vanished, switch in hand.
Jacqueline glared at NoName and Yo-han, eliciting varied reactions. Yo-han trembled in fear, while NoName stared off at distant mountains.
Does she think, 'Scold me if you want'?
In a magic academy, teachers like Jacqueline were generally strict with students.
"Can you tell Teacher directly what you did wrong?"
But such strictness didn't faze NoName. Instead, she shoved Yo-han.
"Yo-han, head back to class first."
"...?"
"You're not at fault. It's fine—I'll handle Teacher."
"I can't..."
"Go on."
NoName sent Yo-han away from the awkward spot.
Even here, Nami protects her friend first.
Then, abruptly, NoName pointed at the building where Yo-han had gone and spoke.
"Actually, Yo-han started it."
The response was utterly unexpected.
* * *
To convince the class that Bae Yo-han—the one with the crush on me—wasn't the confessor, the teacher's role was crucial above all. So, I had no choice but to confess everything to Jacqueline about what just happened. And since I only promised secrecy to my friends, it wasn't breaking any vow.
"Ah, so Nami got a sudden confession and panicked...! Trying to cheer up Yo-han, right?"
"Something like that."
Kids these days are so fast... Jacqueline muttered.
"Still, Nami. I think teaching similar acts can foster a longing for smoking. You're smart—you get what I mean, right?"
"Yes, I understand."
"So you admit everything you did wrong?"
The conversation veered oddly, so I held back my reply.
"Don't you think you did anything wrong, Nami? I don't."
"Teacher, a few months ago, remember how sickly I was, chugging liquid potions daily? Even then, I vaporized them to swallow. If you still think that was wrong, I'll admit it all..."
Jacqueline's view wasn't wrong. But I hadn't broken any laws, and the old principal had specially permitted free use of 2nd-circle or lower magic. If Yo-han picked up smoking years from now because of this, we could scold him then—no need to overreact.
"Huh?"
I poured out pitiful eyes, begging her to understand my grievance. Jacqueline turned away, avoiding them.
Tougher opponent than expected. After agonizing, she suddenly slapped her cheeks and issued an ultimatum.
Did it work?
"NoName."
"Yes."
"First, hand that over to Teacher."
"Ah..."
Operation failed. I'd steered toward cigarettes to distract her, but she didn't bite.
"You know wands are banned in classrooms, right?"
"Yes..."
"I'll return it after school. Don't bring it next time. And after classes, help the PE teacher clean the auditorium—then I'll forgive you completely. Promise with Teacher!"
"Okay..."
Snatching even my pinky, Jacqueline snorted triumphantly, like she'd won.
"Great! Let's head to class, Nami! Your favorite sparring practice, right?"
I twisted my face.
"Love it... If only we had sparring every day for an hour..."
If only I could toy with the kids daily to my taste.
"Want me to suggest it? Up to five hours a week?"
She smiled softly, asking my opinion—easing my mood post-scolding.
I seized the chance.
"That sounds... great! But five's too few—maybe seven?"
"Got it! I'll bring it up at the next staff meeting!"
"Yes!"
* * *
It was autumn. A little devil descended on Seferon Academy.
"2nd Year Class A! The vice principal called—I need to go. Twenty minutes left, so stay outside the gym, okay?"
"Don't worry, Teacher. I'll watch them."
"Right, you're our class gym leader—take good care. Leaving the key; ring the bell and lock up."
"Yes. Be safe."
The sole hero to slay the devil was nowhere in sight. On tiptoes, confirming Teacher's departure, NoName snatched the key.
Clank—
Sealing the gym doors perfectly, a chill silence blanketed the vast space.
Brave Seo Yu-na scurried over.
"Nami, why lock it...? We trained hard—break time?"
"Seo Yu-na, can you handstand on one arm now?"
"N-No... You just taught me—how could I?"
"Then follow me."
NoName shook her head, shoving Yu-na toward the auditorium center.
Small groans echoed. Handling aura tied to muscle use; kids practicing full-body aura lay sprawled, whining variously—numb limbs, sore backs, aching butts.
Bam!
"...!"
NoName stomped, silencing them. Eyes glared fiercely.
Initially, learning aura from Teacher and NoName was fun—like floating to the moon.
What now?!
Please stop!
But overuse brought backlash. NoName astutely pushed limits—arms numb, then legs—tormenting systematically.
"Warm-ups done? Let's start."
She swung arms, drawing aura. But that was the warm-up.
"Seo Yu-na, position."
"Po-Position!"
"Handstand."
"Hngh!"
Thanks to vacation training, Yu-na nailed two-arm stands.
"One-arm's hard—normal. No need to quit early. We'll ramp up slowly. Copy me—I'll check form."
"..."
"No handstands, no lunch."
Fourth period—pre-lunch. NoName smirked at their flop-repeat cycle.
"Nami, I did one-hand...! Whoaaa!"
"So close. Again, Yu-na."
A thousand miles begins with one step. NoName's special training had just begun.