The Old Classroom, Just Like Back Then

The next morning. I opened my eyes on the sofa in the teachers' office.

"..."

My back was arched like a bow.

"Ugh..."

Grabbing my bent waist, I struggled to lift my body from the sofa. The hard sofa. The low backrest. The strangely stiff muscles below my neck. And the memories of last night that brought all this pain into sharp focus.

Irel. The bed. The scream. The door. Pajamas. Armed. Bed inspection.

"Hahaha..."

A laugh escaped me. If I didn't laugh, I felt like I might actually cry.

I stared blankly at the ceiling of the teachers' office for a moment. Morning sunlight was streaming in through the windows. It was a refreshing morning. Birds chirped, flowers bloomed, and the day at Lagrange Academy was beginning peacefully as always.

Of course, not for me.

I had lost my bed yesterday. That bed had been mercilessly ravaged by my disciples, and I couldn't resist. I had left behind the bed filled with their scents.

Patting my waist, I picked up the clothes and towel I had set aside in one corner of the teachers' office. They were the items I had grabbed while fleeing yesterday. It was truly a teacher-like, dignified action.

A teacher who had his bed stolen by students and slept on the sofa in the teachers' office. The future of the education sector was indeed bright.

"...Let's wash up."

I washed first. I splashed cold water on my face, tidied my hair, and changed out of my wrinkled clothes. The me in the mirror looked more put-together than I expected. The circles under my eyes were a bit dark, and my expression was lifeless, but at least I was alive. That was enough.

I took a slow, deep breath. Classes were starting today.

The Returned Students' Co-habitation Adaptation Course. A curriculum personally approved by the academy director. The three-year graduation course I was responsible for in the Hall of Stars.

And the problematic timetable.

"..."

I quietly folded the timetable. Then unfolded it again, repeating the process about five times. The content remained unchanged.

"Director."

I muttered very softly while looking out the window.

"Someday, I will definitely repay this."

Of course, there was no way I could actually repay her. My opponent was the strongest being in this world. The insane director who adjusted the world's trajectory while sipping tea. The only revenge I could manage would be putting one less spoonful of sugar in her teacup. She'd probably notice even that.

"...Fine."

I tucked the timetable into my pocket. I wanted to run away. I truly wanted to run away. But that wasn't the solution.

The disciples had returned. No matter why they had come back, no matter what crazy future plans they had, those children had come to attend my classes.

And I was their teacher. The one who had once been responsible for them. The one who had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠vowed to nurture them into the most brilliant stars.

Just as there is no paradise in running away, it was time to steel my resolve and take responsibility.

The Hall of Stars looked far too peaceful under the morning sunlight. At least on the surface.

Well-kept paths. Clean windows. A small garden situated between the academic and residential buildings. And the twenty-layer barrier encompassing it all. It truly looked secure.

The issue was that I couldn't be certain whether that barrier was there to protect me or to imprison me.

As I stood before the classroom door, I could sense presences on the other side. Fifteen of them. All seated. The children were quiet. Exceptionally quiet.

I reinforced my resolve in that silence, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

Inside the classroom, all fifteen stars were seated in their respective places.

Elena sat with impeccable posture. Serena held her hands neatly folded. Brunhilde stared silently ahead. Luciel looked at me with her book closed. Ariel smiled quietly. Ria was leaning slightly forward in her chair, but she was at least sitting. Valeria had her arms crossed. Tethys smiled serenely. Irel sat in a seat by the window. Mirabel rested her chin on the desk, her eyes sparkling. Roselia sat with proper etiquette. Astella was smiling, but at least she hadn't done anything yet. Asteria remained quiet. Bellina sat with her hands clasped, looking toward me. Ophelia had a document file spread open.

I paused for a moment at the sight. It was strange. They were the same children as yesterday. The same dangerous children as yesterday. Yet seeing them sitting in the classroom like this, an oddly old memory overlapped with the scene.

Small. Awkward. Dangerous. Lonely children.

Children who would respond with different expressions each time I called their names.

The stars who could have swallowed the world, back when they still breathed within the small orbit of a classroom.

I stood at the lectern. I picked up the chalk. On the blackboard, someone had already written the class title in very beautiful handwriting.

"..."

I stared at the writing. I thought for a moment. Should I just erase it? If I erased it, would someone cry again? No, they probably wouldn't cry. There would be protests instead.

I sighed and wrote a new line beneath it.

The classroom fell silent. I set the chalk down and looked at the children.

"All right."

The children looked at me.

"The class title may look like that, but a class is still a class."

I continued, "And since I am the teacher in charge, this class will be conducted my way."

No one objected. Ophelia raised her hand slightly.

"Speak."

"May I record that the original class title will be maintained for administrative purposes?"

"..."

"Modifying the director's timetable without authorization could cause administrative issues."

"Record it."

"Thank you."

"I'm not thankful."

Ophelia calmly wrote something in her documents. I pretended not to see it.

"What we will learn today is not how to become a bride."

The atmosphere in the classroom shifted slightly.

"If you wish to stand by someone's side, what must you learn first?"

I pointed at the blackboard.

"That is what we will study."

Ria tilted her head. "Then isn't this still a bride class?"

"If you look at it broadly, you could insist that it is."

"Then it is a bride class."

"If you look at it narrowly, it is not."

Ria thought for a moment, then nodded. "Difficult."

"That's why we're learning it."

"Okay."

Ria nodded more obediently than I expected. I felt a brief sense of relief. How long that relief would last, however, I couldn't know.

"First."

I wrote on the blackboard.

"If you wish to stand by someone's side, you must not treat them like a possession."

Valeria reacted immediately. "That is obvious."

"Yes, Valeria. Very good."

I genuinely praised her.

"A teacher is not a possession."

Valeria spoke with an arrogant, supremely confident expression.

"He is a treasure."

"..."

Had I praised her too soon?

"Valeria."

"Speak, Teacher."

"Are those two very different?"

"They are different."

She spoke as if it were obvious. "A possession can be replaced. If you lose it, you can fill the gap with something else."

Valeria's red eyes turned toward me.

"But a treasure is unique. If it disappears, a hole is left not in the treasury, but in the king's heart."

"..."

I was momentarily speechless. It was an extremely self-centered statement, difficult to call a proper answer, but the emotion contained within it was not light, so correcting her was difficult.

In the end, I tapped the blackboard with the end of the chalk.

"All right. Then let us organize it this way."

I added below.

"It is fine to cherish the other person. But you must not forget that they are a being who can move, think, and choose for themselves."

Valeria watched me for a moment, then nodded.

"Difficult."

"You can learn it."

"Very well. This king is not stingy when it comes to learning."

That was fortunate. At least one point had passed.

"Second."

I wrote on the blackboard again.

"If you are to live together, you must confirm the other person's intentions. Just because you like something does not mean the other person will naturally like it too."

This time Roselia raised her hand.

"Teacher."

"Go ahead, dear."

"May I understand that as meaning I must ask for permission?"

"Yes. That is very accurate."

Roselia smiled quietly.

"Then is it the correct attitude to wait until Teacher gives permission?"

"..."

I closed my mouth for a moment. It wasn't wrong, but... that was exactly why it was a problem.

"Waiting itself is correct."

"I see."

"However, you must not pressure the other person under the pretext of waiting."

Roselia thought for a moment.

"What is the difference between pressure and earnestness?"

"Whether the other person can breathe or not."

"..."

Roselia slowly mulled over my words. Then she bowed her head.

"I will remember."

Her voice was serious, not playful. I was slightly surprised by that answer. Roselia was truly learning. Or perhaps she had always been like this.

These children had been like this since they were young. Dangerous, willful, and difficult to understand, yet during class they listened to my words.

I cleared my throat once and continued.

"Third."

The chalk scraped across the blackboard.

Serena quietly looked at me. Feeling her gaze, I spoke.

"Living together does not mean a relationship where only one side sacrifices. The one who cares must also be able to receive care."

Serena slowly lowered her eyes.

"Those are the words Teacher once said to me."

"...Yes."

"You said that forced sacrifice is not true goodwill."

"I did."

Serena smiled softly.

"Then the same applies to Teacher."

At those words, my busy hand stopped.

"Teacher has always cared for us. Even when you were sick you hid it, even when it was hard you said you were fine, and even when it was dangerous you stood in front of us first."

"That was as a teacher..."

"Exactly."

Serena's voice was low and gentle.

"Teacher must also be able to receive care."

"..."

I could not refute her. My own words had come full circle and sealed my mouth. They were words I had once said to a crying Serena long ago.

I simply looked at the blackboard. Chalk dust clung to my fingertips.

"You're right."

I finally nodded.

"Receiving care itself is not a bad thing."

Serena's expression brightened.

"Then starting today, I will record your meals and sleep..."

"However, that is not surveillance."

"What a shame."

"Don't be disappointed."

The good atmosphere did not last long. But that was fine. Classes were originally like that. They became a little serious, veered off course a little, then returned. Repeating that process, they moved forward little by little.

I wrote the next sentence.

Brunhilde's gray eyes quietly turned toward me. I looked at her.

"Brunhilde."

"Yes."

"Do you remember these words?"

"I remember."

Her answer was short. But the weight within it was not light.

I spoke slowly.

"Even someone who protects others may look strong, but that does not mean they do not grow tired. It does not mean they do not get hurt, nor that they do not break."

Brunhilde listened silently.

"Therefore, those who protect must sometimes know how to entrust their backs to someone and rest."

"Then Teacher must do so as well."

"..."

"Teacher stands in front too much."

Brunhilde said, "So we must make you stand behind."

I quietly closed my eyes. The words were correct. The conclusion was just a little rough.

"Making someone stand behind ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you and blocking the path with a shield are two different things."

"Are they different?"

"They are."

"Understood."

Brunhilde nodded immediately.

"Then I will ask first."

I felt a little touched.

"Yes. That's it."

"Teacher. Stand behind."

"That's an order."

"It is a request."

"Brunhilde."

"Please stand behind us."

"...That's a little better."

The class was progressing. Yes, it was truly progressing. The class title was insane, the situation was insane, and the students were somewhat insane as well. Nevertheless, a class was still a class.

I was calmer than I had imagined.

"Fifth."

I wrote on the blackboard again.

The atmosphere in the classroom shifted slightly. They probably all knew. This statement applied to every single person in this room.

The heroes who saved the world. The saint who pushed back death with holy power. The warrior who held an entire battlefield at bay. The mages who wielded night and space. The high elf with the divine bow. The non-humans who became kings. The stars of the demon race.

These children were all strong. Far too strong.

Because of that strength they had once saved the world. And because of that strength, they could just as easily swallow the world if they were not careful.

"You have all become strong."

I spoke slowly.

"Far more than I had imagined."

No one spoke; they simply listened with full attention. I smiled widely, truly proud, and said,

"I am incredibly proud of that."

Elena's eyes widened slightly. Ria's tail stopped moving. Asteria looked straight at me.

"I am truly proud. That you returned alive, that you have grown so wonderfully, that each of you has become a star in your own place."

I brushed the chalk dust from my hands.

"However, becoming strong does not mean you can do anything you want."

The classroom was quiet.

"Power is not something that exists only to suppress others."

I looked at each child in turn.

"Sometimes it is needed to stop. Sometimes to wait. Sometimes to let go."

Asteria nodded quietly. These children remembered. The words I had spoken. The lessons I had given. Even the sentences I myself had forgotten.

The children remembered them all. And now those memories were all returning to me.

"...All right."

I nodded.

"Then this is the conclusion of today's lesson."

In the center of the blackboard I wrote the final sentence.

I set the chalk down.

"If you wish to stand by someone's side, you must learn to wait before you learn to drag them there by force."

I looked at the children.

"Listen to, watch, and think about what the other person truly wants."

For a while, no sound could be heard inside the classroom. The children were listening to my words. Just like before. Truly just like before.

The realization made my breath catch for a moment.

Then Elena quietly raised her hand.

"Go ahead, dear."

Elena looked calmer than usual.

"Then, Teacher."

"Yes."

"It is all right for us to say that we want to stand by your side, correct?"

"..."

I opened my mouth, then closed it.

"That is..."

I could not say it was wrong. Saying you like someone. Saying you want to be by their side. Saying you want to become family. Forbidding the words themselves would go against everything I had taught. It would be a contradiction.

"Yes. Saying it itself is fine."

Elena smiled slowly. Brightly. Straightforwardly. Just like long ago.

"Then I will wait."

"..."

"Until the day Teacher truly sees us."

I could say nothing. Serena nodded quietly.

"I will wait as well. However, when Teacher overworks himself, I will take care of him."

"...That means you're still going to touch me."

"I will take care of you while waiting."

Brunhilde spoke briefly. "I will wait. But if it is dangerous, I will pull you behind me."

"Is that really waiting?"

"I can protect you forcefully."

Luciel placed her hand on her book. "There is also an answer that involves waiting."

"Luciel."

"However, the answer where Rowell runs away is not the best one."

"Let us handle that in the next class."

Ariel smiled quietly. "I will wait. To us, it is only a fleeting moment."

"...Why does that sound so frightening?"

Ria wore a slightly complicated expression. "Waiting is hard."

"That is why it is a lesson."

"Then I will learn."

That answer was unexpectedly serious. I looked at Ria for a moment, then nodded.

Valeria spoke with her arms still crossed. "I understand it as learning how to gaze at a treasure for a long time."

"It's about half wrong, but if you continue attending class it will improve."

Tethys smiled serenely. "The sea is used to waiting."

"That is the scariest thing you could have said."

Irel glanced out the window once. "The wind is not good at waiting, but I will try too."

"Please tell the wind as well."

"Yes. I will tell it to go in just a little."

"Tell it not to come in at all."

Mirabel rested her chin on the desk and laughed. "Teacher, this actually feels like a real class."

"Because it is a class."

"It's fun."

"Then reduce the pranks and listen properly."

"Yes."

Roselia quietly clasped her hands. "I will remember to wait for permission."

"Good."

"Therefore I will strive to earn that permission."

"...Yes."

Astella smiled gently. "Then I just need to keep acting until Teacher reacts first, right?"

"Do not interpret it strangely."

"Yes."

"Please... I beg you..."

Asteria remained silent for a while before speaking. "I will not... wield power recklessly."

"Good."

"I will wait."

"...Well done."

Asteria's eyes trembled ever so slightly.

Bellina clasped both hands and bowed her head. "This girl will also wait, Your Grace."

I tensed slightly.

"In truth?"

"During today's class I will not entangle you, Your Grace."

"During class?"

"Outside of class I will learn again, Your Grace."

"...Yes. Let us handle that in the next class as well."

Ophelia continued recording without a word until the very end. I looked at her.

"Ophelia."

"Yes, Teacher."

"What are you writing?"

"The core points of today's lesson."

"Read it."

Ophelia looked down at her documents. Then she spoke with perfect politeness.

"Do not possess the other person. Seek permission. Care must not be forced. Power can also be used to wait."

"Good."

"And wait until Teacher truly sees us."

"..."

"Is the record incorrect?"

I closed my mouth. It was not incorrect. Truly. Terribly, it was not incorrect. Because of that, I grew even more tired.

"Class is dismissed."

The bell rang. The timing was truly impeccable.

The children did not rise from their seats. They were all looking at me.

I placed my hands on the lectern and closed my eyes for a moment.

I had survived. The first period. At least the first period had been survived.

And strangely... a little. Just a little. It felt like I had actually given a proper class.

When that thought came to me, one corner of my heart felt strangely lighter.

"Good..."

I let out a small sigh.

"At this rate, I might somehow manage."

At that moment, the timetable attached to the upper part of the blackboard began to glow softly. I slowly raised my head.

"..."

The classroom fell silent. Ria raised her hand first.

"Teacher. I brought meat."

Tethys smiled softly. "I prepared deep-sea ingredients."

Serena said, "I also prepared a menu that is good for digestion."

Astella rolled a small bottle between her fingertips. "There is dessert as well."

Roselia lifted a glass slightly. "You will need a drink as well, yes?"

Valeria declared boldly, "I have prepared a meal befitting this king's treasure."

I looked up at the ceiling.

Director. It seems today I will die from my stomach.