The First Day at the Academy
The first day at the academy. The first day at the academy. Standing at the podium, I flashed a relaxed smile as I surveyed the students.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Allen Jest, and starting today, I'll be serving as the assistant homeroom teacher for Class 1-A. I may have zero experience as a teacher, but I'll share my knowledge and experiences with you all and do my best to support your growth."
Pulling off that good-guy act wasn't easy. The students, who had looked bored at my words, suddenly focused their gazes on me.
"Allen Jest? The founder of that famous Allen Trading Company? Why would someone like him bother becoming a new teacher at the academy...?"
"I figured a guy who made it big at such a young age would be a total arrogant prick, but he seems nice and friendly for someone so accomplished."
"His face is pretty average, though."
The students buzzed with recognition after my introduction. Fame really does make a difference. But that one who called my face average—I've got your face memorized. Just you wait.
Whoops. Can't think like that. Image management. Image management.
"It's a pleasure to be working with all of you. Thank you."
"Alright, everyone. As you all know, Mr. Allen is an incredible person whose name is renowned across all of Hipnia, despite his young age. He's graciously taken on the role of teacher here at the academy for the sake of students like you. So, for the coming year, make sure you follow Mr. Allen's guidance diligently."
Lydia, the homeroom teacher for my assigned class, wrapped up my introduction with those words. Was she uncomfortable? She avoided my eyes and ended morning homeroom. She had this fragile, timid vibe. I worried she might get pushed around by the students later.
As the assistant homeroom teacher, the last thing I wanted was the homeroom teacher getting steamrolled by the kids.
The students had to keep moving between classes without a break during lessons, but I wasn't here as a student—I was here as a teacher. No need for me to shuffle around classrooms like them. One perk of being faculty.
Following the homeroom teacher's lead, I headed to the staff room and settled into my seat, slowly sorting through my current situation and what lay ahead.
Everlight Academy. The name of the academy where I'd been assigned, and the setting of this story.
The students here might look like ordinary kids at first glance, but just like in any typical fictional academy, they were all prodigies gathered from nations around the world, each with exceptional talents.
I'd been appointed as the assistant homeroom teacher for Class 1-A. My subject? Gifts. But teaching wasn't what interested me. I'd never imagined myself as a teacher in either my past life or this one.
Still, there was one reason I'd taken the job: this academy was the center of the world.
Sounds like the ravings of a madman, but I had proof. I was a reincarnator. Someone granted a second life with memories of the first intact.
The moment I saw the invitation to teach at the academy, it hit me. This world was one of the countless comics and web novels I'd read in my previous life—a classic academy story.
I didn't remember the exact title. There were too many academy tales out there, and decades had passed since reincarnating.
But receiving that invitation and seeing the academy's name triggered an intense déjà vu that electrified my veins. This had to be one of those stories I'd read.
Trusting that gut feeling, I immediately replied accepting the position, packed my bags, and headed straight for Everlight Academy.
Details about the world would come back to me as I worked here. What mattered was what happened at the academy.
Academies were places where anything could go down—from sticky, sordid upper-class intrigues to the revival of an ancient demon king that once threatened humanity, or even world-shaking duels that decided the fate of nations.
If it was just petty drama, fine. But if a tale shook the world's destiny, how could I pretend ignorance and live my daily life?
So, step one—getting hired as a teacher—was a success. Now, to ride the main storyline, I needed a plan...
"Um, Mr. Allen, why did you decide to come to Everlight Academy, if I may ask?"
"Feel free to speak casually. You're the homeroom teacher, after all."
"Oh, no, I prefer it this way."
Maybe the silence after I entered the staff room got to her? Lydia, the homeroom teacher for Class 1-A, hesitantly spoke up, gauging my mood. Did she think I was struggling to adjust to the unfamiliar atmosphere?
"Why I chose to come here? To teach the students, of course. They're Hipnia's future, its budding sprouts. Helping them grow into fine adults—that's the most valuable thing one can do for the world, don't you think?"
"Wow... That's truly admirable. As expected of you, Mr. Allen Jest. To achieve such great feats and still aspire to be an academy teacher... incredible."
Her eyes shone with genuine respect.
"Don't say it like that. Being an academy teacher is a noble and remarkable profession in its own right, isn't it? People like you, Ms. Lydia, sharing precious knowledge and experience with students—that's why I believe the world's future is bright."
"Mr. Allen..."
I gave her a warm smile and praised her, and she didn't hide her感动. It was just flattery for image management, but she bought it without question. Seemed I'd successfully planted a good impression with the homeroom teacher.
Though, as my mentor, shouldn't she be the one earning respect from her assistant?
Figuring prolonged chat with Lydia would eat into my time planning the academy schedule, I stood up. Glancing around, I noticed not just Lydia but the other teachers had been eavesdropping intently. The way they averted their eyes when our gazes met confirmed it.
Looks like my name drew interest from more than just students. Adults were no different.
Their reactions only strengthened my urge to leave the staff room.
"Mind if I take a quick tour of the academy? I'd like to familiarize myself with the layout since I'll be here long-term."
"Oh, then I-I could come with you and show you around..."
"No need. Don't you have your first class for your subject today, Ms. Lydia? I wouldn't want to interrupt your preparations. I'll wander around on my own."
At my words, Lydia's face lit up with realization—she did have lessons to prep. Truth be told, I needed to prepare too, but neither she nor any other teacher called me out on it.
...
I'd initially just wanted an excuse to plan quietly, but stepping out and exploring turned out to be genuinely useful for learning the grounds, as I'd said.
Knowing the building layout would help with scheming academy plans.
Everlight Academy was absurdly vast, as expected of a fictional academy. The main buildings were divided by year: 1st Main Building for first-years like my class, 2nd Main Building for second-years, 3rd Main Building for third-years, and so on.
Beyond educational facilities, it included the academy headquarters, dorms, sports fields, a pool, library, botanical garden, observatory, art gallery, and more conveniences—bigger than most universities from my past life.
Today, just circling the 1st Main Building would be tight.
Class 1-A, where I'd introduced myself that morning, was at the far left end, followed by B, C, and so on, with the staff room in the center. Past that, more classes.
The first floor felt like a hub for students and staff, while floors two and three held empty lecture halls.
Though structured like a high school with homerooms, classes operated on a university-style free elective system. Very Western. No—actually Western.
First-floor classrooms felt more like homeroom spaces than actual lecture halls. Since it was the first day, we'd gathered there in the morning, but normally, no one would linger.
Floors four and five had multipurpose rooms: lounges, study halls, club rooms, storage.
Overall impression after a full lap of the 1st Main Building? Even if bigger, school facilities were pretty much the same everywhere. I'd hoped for something fantastically unique, but it was disappointingly ordinary.
Maybe other buildings would surprise me...
Ding-dong-dang-dong—
The break bell rang, and students began spilling out of classrooms.
"Oh, hello."
"Yes, hello."
"...So, they say the bread at the tuck shop is insanely good—wanna go together?"
A student who recognized me as a teacher bowed politely, then chattered with a friend as they passed. End of first period, around 10 a.m.
With students milling about, aimless wandering felt awkward. Time to wrap up exploration for the day. Lunch was still a ways off, but I could hit the tuck shop for a snack.
Curious what they sold, anyway.
...
Heading to the tuck shop from the 1st Main Building, something caught my eye in my peripheral vision.
A female student climbing over the wall.
Over the wall? During class time?
I hesitated, watching her back. Sure, I was a teacher, but I wasn't the type to zealously scold a truant kid, especially on my first day.
"Haa..."
But in stories, the conspicuous weirdo is always a key character. Better to make her acquaintance.
Slipping away from prying eyes, I sighed quietly and approached the girl struggling over the wall.
"Hey, miss."
"Kyaa!!"
She yelped in shock and slipped. I dashed forward, catching her princess-style in my arms.
Ah. A Class 1-A student. Name was...
"Hahaha. A grown young lady climbing walls? Elaine Astria, you need to be more careful."
"Kyaaaa!!"
Despite my friendly smile for a strong first impression, she responded with a piercing scream. Her eyes filled with raw terror.
Terror?
"Calm down first. I'm not some creep. I'm a teacher here at the academy. I introduced myself during morning homeroom, remember? I just called out because I saw you trying to climb the wall dangerously."
"...Ah. Sorry."
The fear vanished in an instant, replaced by a serene apology as she bowed.
What was that? My imagination?
"Anyway, shouldn't you be in class right now?"
"It's fine. I have a free slot this period."
"Ah, got it."
I'd assumed truancy, but right—free electives. Past life high school habits and no higher ed this time around tripped me up.
Caught a perfectly innocent girl for nothing.
"So, what brings you outside?"
"I forgot something important in the dorm this morning. Just heading back to grab it. I'll return once I have it, of course."
Reason checks out perfectly. Why did I peg her as skipping?
"Haha, my mistake. Won't keep you—go get it from the dorm."
"Yes. Thank you."
Elaine bowed once and headed off through the main gate toward the dorms.
......
Ah. I got it.
The reason I'd mistaken her for a truant when I first saw her back. Why climb the high wall instead of using the proper gate?
To avoid being seen?
The belated question arose, but she was long out of sight.
...
At the tuck shop, I bought a lemon madeleine. The refreshing citrus scent was pretty good.
Thus, my first day at the academy passed without incident. I returned to the faculty dorm and turned in.
...
The first day at the academy. Standing at the podium, I flashed a relaxed smile as I surveyed the students.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Allen Jest, and starting today, I'll be serving as the assistant homeroom teacher for Class 1-A. I may have zero experience as a teacher, but I'll share my knowledge and experiences with you all and do my best to support your growth."