An Unexpected Proposal
"You've worked hard." ...So this was what it was all about? I'd assumed it would just be a quiet meal with Guillermo and a few of the knights. Instead, not only the knights and soldiers but nearly every hero party stationed in Rosenburg had shown up. I shrank into myself. After spending five years alone in the forest with only one other person, this kind of atmosphere felt strangely foreign now. The curse didn't help matters. I had no choice but to shrink even further. Just imagine—people hissed and recoiled the moment I drew near. How could I not shrink back? Of course the stronger ones suffered less from the effect, but that didn't make me any more comfortable.
And of all places, my seat was directly across from Guillermo, the commander of this fortress. Dead center, in other words. I'd tried to decline, saying an important seat like this didn't suit someone like me, but he'd declared, "Who else but Lady Altair could possibly sit here!" leaving me no choice but to take it. He wasn't wrong. If we measured purely by the number of monster skulls cracked, no one here could match my record.
Looking around now, though, I realized everyone seated near me was either a powerful knight or a member of a hero party—people strong enough to resist the aura of my curse. Maybe Guillermo had seated me here on purpose. Or maybe it had simply worked out that way.
"Is something troubling you?"
"Not at all. What could possibly be wrong when we're on the verge of something as wonderful as a truce?"
"True enough. Hahaha!"
"Ahaha..." I laughed along, though the sound came out weak.
"By the way, Lady Altair. Now that the war is over, what are your plans going forward?"
"Well..." After a brief pause, I answered. "I was thinking of finding a quiet place with clean water and spending the rest of my days in peace."
I couldn't exactly say I planned to live like a secluded hermit, so I dressed it up a little.
"What? But you're still so young!" Caleb, seated beside me, widened his eyes in genuine surprise.
"As you all know, the curse makes it difficult for me to live among others."
"It doesn't bother me at all. Don't you think you're worrying a bit too much? Haha!" Guillermo let out a warm, booming laugh.
That's because you're strong enough to ignore it, you big oaf. Hadn't he seen how the regular soldiers treated me? Still, since he clearly meant well, I decided not to argue the point.
"In any case, for a young woman with such a promising future like Lady Altair to become a secluded hermit... Ah, what did I just say, Caleb?"
"You called her a secluded hermit, sir."
"Ahem. A slip of the tongue. My apologies, Lady Altair. The words escaped before I could stop them."
Guillermo cleared his throat, then continued more carefully. "What I meant to say is that the world would suffer a tremendous loss if you chose such a path."
He studied my expression before pressing on. "With that in mind... would you have any interest in teaching others?"
"Teaching?"
"Yes. I happen to know the dean of a rather famous academy. He's been looking for a swordsmanship professor lately. I immediately thought of you, Lady Altair. You'd be perfect."
Teaching. It had never once crossed my mind.
"As I mentioned, my curse..."
"The knights here overcome it without issue, don't they? Caleb, does Lady Altair's curse frighten you?"
"...Of course not! How could it?" His answer came just a fraction too late.
"But the students won't be anywhere near a knight's level. They'll sense my aura far more strongly."
"For the privilege of studying under an exceptional swordsman like yourself, that's a small price to pay."
"Absolutely," Caleb chimed in quickly, clearly trying to recover from his earlier blunder. "Please don't give the curse another thought."
"Hmm... I've never taught anyone before..."
"Nonsense! Why borrow trouble ahead of time? You never hesitate when facing monsters." Guillermo let out a hearty chuckle. "Any child with real talent will gain enlightenment just from watching you swing a blade."
"If you feel that strongly about it... I'll consider it."
"Excellent! Allow me to pour you a drink. This is a forty-year-old Termolize. I've been saving it specifically for a day like today!"
He filled my glass. I drained it in a single gulp.
*
"I'll do it. As a professor."
"Truly?" Guillermo's face lit up.
"Yes."
Now that I thought about it, Guillermo hadn't made the suggestion because he was the dean. From his perspective, I probably didn't look like some madwoman swinging a sword while wrapped in darkness. Perhaps this kind-hearted old man had simply wanted to drag me back into the light.
"You've made an excellent decision! I'll send a letter to the dean at once!"
"What is the academy called, by the way?"
"Delphiana Academy."
Delphiana Academy? Isn't that one of the most prestigious schools in existence? It was the flagship institution of Solentia, one of the alliance's core nations. The fact that even someone as uninterested in such things as me knew the name said everything.
"But will they even accept me?"
In my original life, being a former member of a hero party would have been more than enough. Any academy would have fought to recruit me. But I'd altered my identity. All I have left are the achievements I earned here. In terms of pure skill I had absolute confidence, but... Will I even pass the interview?
I tried to look at it from the other side. A candidate walking into the interview room radiating ominous energy... If I were the interviewer, I'd reject me on the spot. Why would they risk exposing growing students to someone like me?
"Accept you? What are you talking about?"
"To become a professor, wouldn't there be interviews and qualifications and— I don't even have any certifications."
Guillermo burst into laughter. "Good heavens! As if we'd subject someone of your caliber to tests! It's absurd. I'll make sure they understand there's no need for any of that."
"Really?"
"Of course! Testing someone with your record? The world itself would laugh at the idea!"
I realized all over again just how influential this man truly was. A top-tier knight across the entire alliance. Supreme commander of Rosenburg. Combat ability that even the strongest heroes wouldn't dare underestimate, paired with immense social standing.
And he's able to simply place someone like me—whose background is murky at best—into a professorship at Delphiana Academy.
"Understood. Then I should begin preparing to leave."
His eyes widened. "So soon?"
"If I'm going to be a professor, I need to go. There's nothing keeping me here."
"At least let us throw you a proper farewell—"
"We already had one yesterday. There's no need."
He looked genuinely disappointed. "Still, please wait just a moment. I have something to give you. Even if we skip the party, you should at least say proper goodbyes."
"I do need to finish packing anyway."
"Please do."
When I returned with my bags, the soldiers and knights of Rosenburg stood in neat formation. Several familiar hero parties had gathered as well.
"You really didn't have to do this..."
"We most certainly did." Guillermo, expression solemn, held out an envelope.
"May I open it?"
"Of course."
I, Guillermo, Commander-in-Chief of Rosenburg, hereby certify the identity of the bearer, known as Altair.
The bearer has achieved extraordinary merit in the defense of humanity against demonic forces at Rosenburg and is recommended without reservation for any suitable position, including that of Swordsmanship Professor at Delphiana Academy.
Let no one question her character or accomplishments.
There was also a generous sum of money inside.
"Goodness, you really didn't have to..."
"It's nothing compared to what you've accomplished, Lady Altair."
He extended his hand. I took it firmly. Then I shook hands with the other knights and the members of the hero parties. Finally, the regular soldiers approached hesitantly.
Unlike the knights and heroes, they were heavily affected by my curse. Simply coming near me clearly took great effort.
"If it's too difficult, you don't have to force it."
But one soldier whose name I didn't know shook his head.
"Even if it's difficult, some things must still be done."
He was right. So we shook hands.
"You've worked hard."
*
Theodore, dean of Delphiana Academy, smiled with satisfaction as he read the letter that had just arrived.
"A recommendation from Guillermo? Then the skill must be beyond question."
And it wasn't a casual endorsement, either. Guillermo had openly declared that this was a swordsman who had performed incredible feats at Rosenburg. For someone as sparing with praise as Guillermo to go this far, there could be no doubt about the applicant's ability.
My head was aching over faculty shortages just a month ago. Several professors had retired at the end of the previous semester, and with so many exceptional new students enrolling this term, the school desperately needed to reinforce its teaching staff.
Of course, Delphiana Academy always drew outstanding talent, but this year felt different. Perhaps it's because the war has ended. An unusual number of promising young talents had gathered. Even just among the new swordsmanship students, several names stood out immediately.
Bastian, son of the renowned swordsman Viscount Saphier and said to possess talent that surpassed even his father. Rilke, the commoner swordswoman who had supposedly swept up every promising talent in the Sicilian region. Among the princesses, the Third Princess Ditrua—who had chosen the sword despite how rare that was for royalty—and whose ability was rumored to be extraordinary. Countless other young talents with growing reputations had also made the enrollment list.
Fortunately, the new faculty appointments had been completed before the start of the semester, ensuring these students would receive excellent instruction. A few former members of hero parties had been recruited for other departments as well.
The only lingering concern was this person named Altair. If she turns out to be unsuitable as a professor... Since Guillermo himself had recommended her, she couldn't possibly lack qualifications. Still, if any problems arose, they'd need to fill the position quickly. Otherwise the swordsmanship department's complaints would echo through this very office every single day.