Act Naturally (1)
Right now, Esdinas Academy is a relatively dangerous place for men. The moment they're caught by women, their pride shrinks, and they can't fulfill their roles as men properly. There's even talk that a prince from one kingdom had to step down as crown prince after suffering a mana drain.
That's why the special class students admitted under special exceptions to the academy—especially the students in the Zhuque Class—found themselves fretting over the Red Sun Phoenix, who brimmed with overflowing mana yet lacked any apparent physical defenses against such threats.
But let's consider it from a traditional perspective. A golden-haired, tanned man with bronze skin and a carefree attitude. People call guys like him the epitome of a gold tanning sun. If it weren't for the mana drain issue, the academy might have half-jokingly discussed isolating this gold tanning sun somewhere separate.
Yeah. You shouldn't judge people by appearances, but sometimes those looks fit a stereotype perfectly. Phoenix was exactly that. His gold tanning sun vibe was so spot-on that the special class students worried about him in an entirely different way.
Gathered in one of the audiovisual rooms in the old school building of Esdinas Academy.
[Hmmm...]
The three female students of the special class, along with Instructor Cardisha, stared at the widely spread chalkboard divided into four quadrants broadcasting Instructor Esta's bedroom in real time, lost in complicated thoughts.
"See? Did you see that?! I told you so!"
Unia pointed at the gold tanning sun who was straddling Instructor Esta's lower body, diligently kneading her back.
"He said it's really just a massage!"
"I don't believe it."
Rydmila shook her head firmly at Unia's words.
"He could suddenly flip and pounce on Instructor Esta. All men are like that."
"That's...!"
"That's reality. That's how it's always been."
Unia tried to retort to Rydmila's sharp words but faltered under her serious gaze, unable to speak.
"There were plenty of men in mercenary groups who tried to lure women into a one-night stand at the slightest opening. Some even committed outright crimes."
"Th-that's ridiculous. Gale? I've never heard that the mercenary world is like that."
"It's not the kind of thing that makes the news, Princess Evangeline."
Evangeline couldn't easily believe what Rydmila was saying either, but Rydmila had entered the adult world far earlier than the others.
"There were mercenaries who stayed far from such crimes. But most groups of men? If there's a beauty around, they go 'ooh la la' and make a move. Phoenix is no different."
Rydmila stared straight at Unia as she continued.
"The fact that he hasn't touched you isn't because you're not attractive. It might just be that, from his perspective, you're 'not an adult yet.'"
"That's why Instructor Esta is testing it out herself right now."
Instructor Cardisha pointed at the image broadcasting on the magic chalkboard and lightly tapped the screen.
"Otherwise, even Instructor Esta wouldn't let a man touch her in a state that's basically naked. Not the White Sword Saint."
"Th-that makes sense. But..."
Evangeline's face flushed red as she covered it with her hands, peeking through her fingers at the screen.
"Instructor Esta seems like she's genuinely enjoying the massage...?"
"Pardon?"
"N-no, I mean, that expression looks just like the one my grandmother makes when she's lying down... ah, no, I mean..."
Evangeline stammered, trying to backtrack her rushed words, but everyone in the audiovisual room shared the same thought they couldn't shake.
[Hnnng...]
[I'll loosen up the knotted parts.]
The gold tanning sun's hands kneaded and released various spots on Instructor Esta's body, who seemed peacefully asleep. There was no lewd intent in his actions. It was like an artist meticulously shaping a masterpiece, his face radiating a sublime work ethic.
"L-look. Does that look like the face of a guy about to pounce on a woman?"
"Mm..."
Unia defended Phoenix, while Rydmila crossed her arms and silently watched Instructor Esta.
[Haah...]
"Um."
Evangeline cautiously raised her hand.
"If anything, it seems like Instructor Esta is the one feeling it more lewdly... ah, it's nothing!!"
"......"
Gulp.
The four swallowed in unison at the same moment.
[Ah, haang...]
How warm and skilled must his touch be for even Instructor Esta to let out such pleasurable moans? And moreover...
[Shall I do the front too?]
[Uhn...]
Not just her back—she was even whining as if asking him to do her front as well—
"N-no, stop!"
Unia shot up from her seat.
"This, this is too much!"
* * *
"Uhn..."
"Sleep well?"
Esta felt groggy somewhere deep inside. She'd fallen into a pleasant sleep, but upon waking in bed, a bronze-skinned naked man was propped on one elbow, smiling faintly at her.
Not a stranger. It was Phoenix—but a somehow more mature Phoenix. Not blond, but with dark hair and brown eyes. It was as if the academy-era blond tanning punk had dyed his hair black, removed his lenses, and become a proper version of himself—
"Honey, you must be exhausted."
His sweet, loving whisper made Esta reluctant to shake off the hazy sensation.
"Want to sleep more?"
"Uhn... no."
Esta sat up, tousling her hair. In the mirror, with only a thin blanket draped over her, her hair fell to her waist—no, to her hips. More mature than usual. The form she'd only dreamed of, longed for, was unfolding before her eyes. Slowly, Esta began to realize.
Ah. It's a dream.
"Up you go."
"!!"
Even knowing it was a dream, Esta couldn't resist as Phoenix scooped her up like a princess.
"Maybe it's from pushing too hard yesterday, but you feel even lighter."
Look at this man supporting her firmly from below with solid muscles and strength.
"You okay, honey?"
Look at him gazing at her with eyes full of love, as if he'd never show her to anyone else—holding her tight yet handling her like she might break.
"...Of course."
Esta nestled into his chest, surrendering to his embrace.
"How could I stand at the podium like this?"
"Huh...?"
"Who'd believe the academy's swordsmanship professor is someone who acts this spoiled every day?"
"......"
At those words, Esta sensed it instinctively.
"Hey."
"Yeah."
"Do you think... I could become that?"
This was her dream—and in another sense, a 'dream.'
"Could I really become an academy professor? Not just teaching swordsmanship as etiquette to nobles... but real swordsmanship for survival, so students can live through any danger."
In other words, her 'wind' and 'wish.'
"......Of course."
The man kissed her cheek with a kind smile, his face free of any doubt or hesitation.
"It will definitely happen."
"Won't the students... think it's weird?"
"What?"
"I'm a unicorn contractor too..."
"That's all just talk to tear you down."
He laid Esta down on the sofa like a baby.
"Corsets. Corsets."
"Cor...sets?"
"They use the unicorn as an excuse to demand you stay a virgin forever. Jealous women who want you single and alone for years."
"......"
"If that's how you want to live, then do it. I won't deny your choices."
Esta felt the warmth of his hand stroking her hair.
"No matter what you choose, who you choose, I'll always be on your side. Don't forget that."
Smack.
"But..."
The warm touch on her lips was a tenderness she'd never felt in life.
"If you choose someone... I want to be by your side."
"......"
Esta reached out unconsciously—
[Instructor!!!]
"!!"
The man and everything vanished like a mirage, and Esta felt as if cold water had been dumped over her entire body.
"Ah... right."
The world crumbled.
"I... was an instructor."
Esta returned from the sweet dream to reality.
* * *
Clunk.
A voice calling for Esta came from outside the door.
[Instructor!]
"Rydmila?"
I figured Unia would be the one yelling if they knocked, but unexpectedly, it was Rydmila looking for Esta.
As expected.
She'd been on guard, fearing I might do something harsh, and now she'd made her judgment.
About an hour. Esta had slept soundly, and I'd loosened the knotted mana in her body, sweeping away her fatigue.
"...Mm."
Waking gradually to the voices outside, Esta—
"Phoenix."
"Yes, Instructor."
"...Step aside for a moment."
Her face sank like someone with low blood pressure forcibly awakened—or someone greeting the second day of training camp after a blissfully happy dream. She rose from the bed.
Thud, thud.
Clad only in her bikini, she opened the door.
"Instructor! Is something wr—"
"No problem."
Slam!
Despite Rydmila's worried words, Esta opened the door, then slammed it shut roughly.
Thump, thump.
She flopped right back onto the bed where I stood awkwardly.
"......"
"...Instructor?"
"...Um."
Esta pressed down on the instructor pad on the desk, peeking at me sideways in her prone position, whispering softly.
"...Next time, could we make it a bit longer...?"
"Mm."
I wiped the sweat from my forehead and nodded vigorously.
"Shall I prepare a 120-minute course next time?"
Esta simply nodded briefly and closed her eyes.