Academy's Top Instructor (3): Your Recommendations Boost the Consecutive Update Odds
After bidding farewell to his comrades, Yushin headed down the corridor toward the exit. His subordinates had told him they were residing in Santander Castle. It was treatment far beyond what a human-born slave deserved.
He wanted to express his gratitude to Bilen Santander, but with Ardena currently in the office discussing matters with him, there was no time for that.
"Hey, human."
A girl called out to him. He'd seen the castle servants nod curtly as they passed, but this was the first time one had stopped him. Her voice halted Yushin's steps. He turned toward the source.
There stood a red-haired young lady with her arms crossed, looking thoroughly displeased. The pose made it impossible to miss her impressively shaped, ample bosom.
"Are you Yushin Gilliard, one of the Kingdom's Seven Swords from the Valua Kingdom?"
"That's me. Got a grudge against Valua or the Seven Swords? If so, drop it. I'm a Valencia slave now."
"...No grudge."
"You look pretty pissed for someone without one."
No sooner had Yushin spoken than the high elf girl with red hair nodded, her expression darkening further. What was her problem? Yushin stared at the familiar-looking high elf girl's face.
"Feels like I've seen you somewhere before."
"We've met. In Pamplona."
"Oh, right."
Leticia Santander, the lady of Santander Forest. Yushin's delayed recognition made her eyebrow twitch. It was a minor thing, but Leticia was already in a foul mood—thanks to this human.
She didn't like Yushin Gilliard one bit. He was the human who'd handed the undefeated Ardena Valencia her bitter first defeat.
"No clue what I did, but you look seriously upset. Thing is, I'm broke right now. Can't pay up even if you demand cash."
"I don't need money. I've got plenty anyway."
"Damn, lucky you."
She was the epitome of a rich girl. Those perfectly developed breasts must've been nourished by all that wealth. As the princess of the family called the Golden Santander, she undoubtedly commanded enormous assets. Yushin briefly wondered if being sold to Santander instead of Valencia would've been better.
"I can't accept it. The story that you beat Warrior Captain Ardena."
"Normal not to believe it. Without all those witnesses, her people wouldn't have admitted their captain lost to one of Valua's Seven Swords."
The twelve warrior captains were the pinnacle of the Liberia Elf Kingdom's forces. For one to fall to a Kingdom's Seven Swords was a national disgrace. Yushin could understand Leticia's resentment. Treating it like a child's tantrum, he listened to her complaints.
"Beating Ardena armed with the White Lily Scale is impossible. How could a human—with mana control worse than half-elves—pull that off?"
"Yeah, how did I manage it?"
Leticia's confusion showed at Yushin's question-for-question response. She'd expected anger, boasts of his clear victory, appeals to the honor of the Seven Swords. But Yushin defied expectations, patiently hearing out her challenge to the duel.
He'd faced plenty of protests from losers or their associates before.
"Tough now, but next time we meet, I'll prove my skills."
"Next time?"
"Probably soon."
Yushin knew this Santander heiress was in the same class as Alonne. She'd told him herself—though not in flattering terms. He'd run into Leticia again at the academy, serving as Alonne's attendant.
But Leticia didn't know that, so she just looked baffled.
* * *
No matter the world, kids hating school was universal.
"I don't wanna go. Tell the teacher I'm sick. Or just ditch early before first period homeroom? They count it as present anyway."
Alonne whined despite being fully dressed. The maids tending her suggested this was a daily morning ritual. Yushin watched quietly, figuring he'd get used to it.
"Master Gilliard."
A maid in an apron offered him a sword. An ornate scabbard studded with gold and jewels marked it as a fine blade—but it was a blunt practice sword. Academy rules banned real weapons for students and attendants. High elf attendants flaunted family prestige with flashy fakes instead.
"A practice sword? Do I really need this...?"
"Attendants of academy students are skilled swordsmen. They double as bodyguards."
The maid explained politely. Attendants served as knightly protectors for high elf heirs. Bria Academy trained future national pillars—all pure high elf youths.
She added that its defenses outmatched any elven fortress.
"Then why the guards? You warp straight inside, and warp home after classes too."
"There's an important reason. It's where attendants are most needed."
"What's that?"
As Yushin asked, Alonne—who'd finally decided to go—yelled.
"Hurry up, Master!"
"Got it."
Knowing the high elf kid's whims, Yushin quickened his pace. The castle's warp gate linked directly to Bria Academy—a perfect commute. He'd used warp gates in Valua plenty, but never one to an academy.
"Packed everything?"
"Duh."
"Better than my school days."
"What were you like, Master?"
"Good kid who ate lunch alone every day."
"...?"
Yushin stepped onto the warp gate with Alonne. It activated automatically, teleporting them to the set coordinates.
* * *
Bria Academy had far fewer students than most. Pure high elf bloodlines were rare; only a handful of families preserved them. Entry required a recommendation from one of the Yetzirah Council's fifty nobles—entry barriers were sky-high.
"So this is the fancy rich-kid school!"
The gate inside led to an auditorium. Sunlit windows overlooked countless warp gates. Each activation flashed blue, depositing high elf students with sword-bearing elf attendants at their sides.
"That impressive?"
"Hell yeah. Not like I've ever been to a place like this."
"Thought you went to some big academy. Valua's got tons, even if not like ours."
"Was already an adult when I got here. No need."
Chatting, they exited the auditorium. Outside stretched dense green trees—massive mana-bearing trunks. Qabalah trees, birthing mana orbs like fruit, diffusing mana-laced air everywhere.
"Qabalah trees? Those are rare even on sacred peaks—one or two at most."
Eco-friendly to the core, the academy blended lush forest with nature-loving elven ways. Yushin walked the path between them toward the lecture halls, breathing fresh tree-shaded breezes under mana-fruit-laden branches.
Everything was novel. He'd roamed the continent for years, seen countless sights—but Bria shattered his assumptions, a whole new world. He drank it all in with wide eyes.
"Loser Valencia."
"Flunkie's here again. Gonna skip and run off?"
Voices soured Yushin's refreshed mood. High elf girls—most of the group—blocked the path like delinquent debt collectors.
Witnessing it, Yushin nodded: bullies exist in every era.
"Eek!"
Alonne recoiled. She could flatten them, but no—their attendants wore practice swords. No matter her skill, she couldn't beat family-chosen warriors.
That's why she always dodged her tormentors.
"Brings back trauma."
I had days like this. Yushin asked the trembling girl hiding behind him.
"Want me to crack some skulls?"
"You're crazy?! They're high elves. A human touching them means instant execution!"
"Death for a lesson? Your elf hierarchy's messed up."
"W-well, there is a way..."
Alonne trailed off, then explained. Yushin finally got what the maid had meant to say.
"Who's that human?"
"New attendant? Looks lame."
"Valencia so broke they need a human? Pitiful. Ardena's the only impressive one anyway."
The girls giggled, sneering with eyes and words. Yushin approached, closing the distance. As he neared, their attendants stepped up—all pure elves with practice swords, no half-breeds. High elves prized bloodlines, sending only full elves.
They blocked the apparent threat.
"Hey."
Yushin pulled out a handkerchief and tossed it at their feet.
"Rooftop. Follow me."
High elves couldn't fight each other. Academy disputes settled via attendant duels—like noble proxy combats. Valua had trial by combat: ignoring evidence, champions decided guilt.
Attendants' true role: duel in place of students during squabbles.