Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: First Class (1)
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Talented individuals are like lanterns.
The darker the era, the brighter their light shines.
"Thus, I can only hope."
That my sword might become the flame to illuminate this age.
-Wandering Swordsman's Epic Tales, Volume 5.
-Hero of the Turbulent Times (Complete)
"Urgh..."
Aphria Academy's chancellor, Aaron, let out a sigh of admiration. Immersed in the lingering resonance of the book's final page, he closed his eyes.
'Talented individuals are like lanterns... What a splendid line. Truly splendid.'
Chewing over those words, Aaron opened his eyes.
A mountain of paperwork still awaited him, but now he felt he could tackle it with a joyful heart.
"Serving one's era is a joyous thing."
Aaron steepled his fingers under his chin.
It was time to make the decision he'd been putting off.
Lately, a rumor had been circulating through the academy. It was less a rumor and more an incident, but either way, it wasn't something to brush off lightly.
'Someone who can wield the Balance has appeared.'
And among the assistant professors, no less.
The moment Aaron heard it, one person sprang to mind. And sure enough, his hunch had been spot on.
"Lania van Trias."
Rosel's adopted daughter.
He'd expected her to shine eventually, but not this quickly, and not this brilliantly.
'She can wield the Balance.'
If the rumor hadn't pointed to her, Aaron might have dismissed it as nonsense. The Balance wasn't some trivial matter.
But Aaron knew of that girl's talent.
The image of her solving the Magic Society's conundrum on the spot was etched deeply in his memory.
Perfect circuit interpretation.
Mana manipulation without a shred of waste.
She was truly the darling of talent.
'For that child, it might not be mere hearsay.'
The odds were high that the rumor was true.
Aaron tapped the table rhythmically, chin still resting on his hands.
Balance.
The trade with the stars that forms the origin of all spells.
The highest-order incantation that brokers it at will.
Mages who can wield the Balance are exceedingly rare. It resides in the realm of the profoundly gifted. Aaron didn't expect every student to master it.
Merely brushing against its fringes would suffice.
That was his belief.
'A fragment of the truth at the origin of all incantations.'
Encountering it would enrich their path in the magical arts.
'That's why I made Mana Trading a required course...'
Yet there had been no suitable instructor.
To teach Mana Trading—to explain the concept of the Balance—required what were called "sages."
But how easy was that?
Even mage towers with their colors were lucky to have one. Despite pulling every string, Aaron had only managed to recruit Rosel.
An important subject.
Yet instructors capable of teaching it were few and far between.
"Hmm..."
Aaron's gaze drifted to the report his secretary had submitted.
- Mana Trading Studies, Week 3 Class Report And so.
- Lania van Trias summoned a mock Balance. - Time to summon: Short. According to students, less than a minute. - This suggests she can wield not a mock, but the true 'Balance.' The implications of this were enormous.
"Hmm..."
Aaron stroked his chin, deep in thought.
'Should I assign her a class?'
It was unprecedented.
Handing a full class to someone appointed assistant professor less than a month ago... It was bound to stir controversy.
"Still..."
Aaron's eyes shifted to the edge of his desk.
Two letters lay there.
Top student: Resti.
Second: Aila.
Letters from the representatives of this year's freshmen. Different senders, same content.
- Professor Lania van Trias's class... - Her class... Lania van Trias.
They wanted to attend her class.
Aaron couldn't help but chuckle at their passionate pleas.
'It must have left quite an impression.'
A faint smile on his lips, Aaron looked up. His old friend had slipped in unnoticed and taken a seat.
"Rosel."
"What is it, Aaron?"
"Letting external opinions deprive students of learning opportunities... That wouldn't do, would it?"
Rosel shrugged at that.
"Do as you please. I don't mind."
"Your adopted daughter might face slander. You're fine with that?"
"She's not the type to care about such things."
If he put it that way.
Aaron steeled his resolve.
"Then, may I entrust her with a simple class? Something to assist you."
"Didn't I say do as you like?"
"Thanks for understanding."
A line suddenly came to Aaron's mind, and he voiced it.
"I hope that child becomes the lantern to light up Aphria."
What lingering resonance indeed...
Aaron nodded in satisfaction. Not bad for his own words, was it?
"Aaron."
As he nodded contentedly, Rosel shot him down bluntly.
"You reek of an old man."
"...Even you?"
Aaron pulled a face.
2.
Lately, I'd picked up a new hobby.
One that started after joining Aphria: finishing lunch and gazing out the cafe window with a warm cup of tea.
'Window seat, savoring a coffee in leisure.'
Quite the refined pastime, no?
The past five years had offered little time for such personal, serene moments. To me, this felt precious.
'Personal time is so vital.'
It makes you so relaxed.
With moments like this, I might have endured those crazy women's bullshit for another year or two.
"Mm."
'This coffee's delicious.'
I could have enjoyed my usual leisurely sip in peace, but...
"Oh my."
Unfortunately, there was an uninvited guest today.
With a jingle, she entered the cafe.
The 4th Princess, Aila.
She beamed and waved at me.
"What a coincidence."
Didn't look like one.
She'd locked eyes from afar and marched straight over without hiding it.
I opened my mouth slowly.
"...What brings you here?"
"Does a student need a reason to meet her professor?"
With that, she sat beside me. Utterly natural.
"......"
I tried to shift away, but she dragged her chair right up against mine. Then pointed at my robe.
"Wearing the robe I gave you?"
"You sent it."
"Hm."
She smiled with her eyes.
Seemed pleased.
"That solution you gave me helped on the battlefield."
"Glad to hear it."
"That's all you have to say? The knights keep asking about you—er, Professor. Your identity, over and over. It's a huge breakthrough."
"The knights have always been dramatic."
They'd been like that since way back.
Hailing victory cheers for every little thing.
"Pardon...? No, that's not what I—"
"Yes?"
"No, I mean... Professor, you seem to know the knights well?"
"...A few acquaintances in the order."
"Hm."
She giggled mischievously.
Something off about that laugh—I edged back. I'd always found this 4th princess a bit uncomfortable.
'Her intuition's too sharp.'
Being near her felt like she'd see right through me. Plus, my mana prickled.
"Why the distance?"
"You're too close."
"How rude."
Aila shrugged, propped her chin, and peered out the window with me. Then spoke.
"Just stopped by to say thanks. Hard to do in front of others."
"...Thanks?"
"For the academy problem solution, among other things. Never properly thanked you. And..."
She tilted her head, gazing at me.
"Figured it'd be good to stay on your good side?"
"Pardon?"
Then she smiled.
"As a princess, and as a student. Seems like there's much to learn from you, Professor Lania."
"...I'm grateful for your regard."
"So perfunctory."
Aila brushed off her collar and stood.
The owner arrived with her coffee just then.
"Coffee's here, so I'll be off."
"Not staying to drink it?"
"Oh, should I?"
"......"
"...No need for that face; I was leaving anyway."
Grumbling, she took the cup.
"Ah."
Holding it in one hand, she turned back as if remembering something.
"See you soon, Professor Lania."
"Pardon?"
"In the classroom this time."
With that, she left.
Watching her go, I tilted my head.
'...Did Master say something about subbing again?'
I didn't recall that.
I finished my coffee and headed to the faculty office where Master was. Just in case.
As I walked...
"......"
Gazes kept following me.
Blatant stares poured in. There were always some eyes on me, but this was intense.
'...What's with the staring?'
Especially the assistant professors—sharp as daggers.
They used to avert their eyes quick on meeting mine, but now they held my gaze.
enduring those looks, how far had I gone?
Near the faculty office.
The bulletin board for academy notices.
I stopped there.
A crowd blocked the way.
The vast hallway might as well not exist with that throng.
Professors and students mingled alike.
Step.
As I approached, someone spotted me. Gestured. Nudged another. Gazes converged.
Amid the murmurs.
All eyes turned to me.
'...What's on that board?'
I looked at the bulletin.
A large notice caught my eye.
📋 New Course Notice - Mana Trading Studies (Basics) - Instructor: Lania van Trias What the hell.
Why's my name there?.