Hired as the Punishment Instructor
I'm not particularly inclined to argue about it, but is this really something you could call a "job"? Of course, I have no complaints. Being entrusted with such an important task means they recognize me. But if I had to put a label on it, wouldn't "spy" be more accurate?
"...Therefore, we hereby appoint Lee Hyun as Luna's Punishment Instructor from this day forward."
As expected, the students gathered in the auditorium buzzed with discontent, refusing to accept this appointment ceremony. It wasn't just the students—the professors were the same. Only a scant few professors had gotten the memo beforehand; the rest were frantically asking each other if they'd heard anything about it.
"Punishment Instructor Lee Hyun will henceforth impose strict penalties on all of you for improper conduct, duels, schemes, and any actions that bring disgrace to the academy. Keep that in mind."
"If it's 'punishment', does that mean you're going to suppress the students' free activities?"
At that moment, a witch stepped forward from the front row and raised her voice. She had a stocky build, dark purple hair tied up high, and arrogant eyes that looked down on me just as much as Julia's. Her shrill, grating tone and irritated speech radiated the vibe of a full-blown personality disaster. Strangely enough, the long line of students behind her murmured in agreement with her words, as if she were their leader.
"I can't comprehend how you could grant a mere servant the authority to punish us. Isn't this an abuse of the principal's power?"
Opposing the principal's decision wasn't common, but no one called her out. Everyone agreed—students and professors alike.
"Because he is suited for this role."
"I don't think so at all. We might accept it if the instructor were a professor. Say, someone like 'Professor Magapi'."
Her pointed mention of a specific professor drew all eyes in one direction. On the platform at the front of the auditorium, an elderly professor seated in a chair stood up without a hint of discomfort from the attention and raised his voice.
"I agree with Student Eri. Principal Helena, even as the principal, I oppose appointing a human boy from another world as instructor."
His face oozed slyness and sleaziness. With his noticeably graying hair and cunning eyes, he was no one you'd take a liking to.
"Does he even understand our world? Does a mere commoner man who's only been here three months have the qualifications to punish students?"
His words didn't anger me as much as I'd expected. Maybe because their disdain for non-magicians was so predictably arrogant. That's just the kind of guy he is. That was all that came to mind. Pitiful, really.
"I hate to agree with Eri, but..."
Who else now? This time, a tall woman who towered over the witches around her suddenly chimed in. She had long, nearly golden brown hair, an elegant figure, and sharp eyes. Her expressionless face had lips that would probably curl into a nasty smirk if she smiled. Compared to the yapping Eri, she seemed the type to bite hard—someone who'd excel in a fight, as they say.
"I find it hard to accept as well, Principal. I didn't even know this man existed until today."
Not every student knew me. Or better put: not every witch bothers remembering servants. The academy was full of factions, and their leaders were often too noble to keep track of underlings. I'd definitely seen this woman before. Tall, so she stuck out. Her name was Ios Savin, leader of a faction infamous for combat magic.
"A low-status servant whose face and name we don't know, who can't even use magic, punishing us? Unacceptable."
Students from Ios's faction began stirring agreement. The murmurs showed no sign of dying down, but Helena just stood there with her usual gentle smile. Meanwhile, I was stuck awkwardly on the platform.
The backlash is worse than I thought.
I'd figured they'd fall in line once the principal spoke. She is the principal, after all! So many students rejecting her felt like a coup—it was shocking.
How long did she let them rant? As the noise finally started to fade from exhaustion, Helena finally spoke, her voice laced with chill.
"Student Elias Quinnel. Student Ios Savin."
The calm, affectionate tone everyone knew was gone, replaced by a low growl. Silence instantly filled the buzzing auditorium.
"So you don't like it?"
The magician closest to the Realm of Magic in this era. Even Eri and Ios snapped their mouths shut under her overwhelming pressure. Professor Magapi had shamelessly sat back down and was now glaring at the students.
"Lee Hyun is an excellent instructor. He'll show you—and all magicians—the path to overcoming the limits we all face."
She stood firm against the opposition. Defending a lowborn servant like me would only erode her own support. What did she gain from tarnishing her reputation to push me forward? An infinite magical future in the Realm of Magic? A better academy reputation? Proving her vision right amid dissent? Whatever it was, it was a thorny path full of needless risks and losses.
"You can believe it. No, please believe. He's proven the path to a better academy and superior magicians, and he'll prove it to you all too."
"That servant?"
Skeptical stares bored into me, tightening around my throat like a noose.
"Principal?"
One student shot her hand up, demanding to speak. She was as tall as Ios—maybe taller? With slightly tanned skin and short black hair, she had a boyish vibe and wore the male magician's uniform. Like a women's basketball player, if I had to compare. She scratched her cheek awkwardly, grinning sheepishly as she spoke up boldly.
"I'm Nagisa. You said the Punishment Instructor will punish us—what kind of punishment?"
A Japanese name? Why a Japanese name here...? Anyway, thanks to Nagisa's question, the rebellious mood softened a bit.
"What do you think it is?"
"Uh, well... a ban on magic for a few months?"
"Would spanking your butt be acceptable?"
Nagisa made a weird face and glanced at me. The other magicians did too.
"Uh, the butt?"
"The butt works, but stimulation is essential, no exceptions."
"S-So it's literal punishment, then. Is it really... necessary?"
"If you hate it, you'll go to the Intensive Punishment Room."
Intensive Punishment Room. Helena had personally recommended this advanced punishment course, and even I was shocked when I heard about it—asking if it was really okay.
"Intensive Punishment Room? What's that?"
"You'll receive advanced punishment there, kept from public view. You can even try it if you want."
"Huh? Oh... uh, sure. I'll try it later."
That was the natural reaction. Who'd guess "advanced private punishment" meant sexual torture?
"I don't care if you're the Punishment Instructor or whatever! Just punish me already!"
True to her straightforward style. Nagisa flashed a bright smile and fell silent. Helena followed up with more details on the Punishment Instructor role.
"I advise against resisting the Punishment Instructor's penalties. Persistent defiance will result in forced escort to the Intensive Punishment Room."
Grouchy murmurs rippled around. Helena pressed on undeterred.
"Also, reporting any punishment is prohibited."
"Pardon?"
This was a blanket pardon for whatever I did. Even if I stripped them naked and raped them under the guise of "punishment," the academy would turn a blind eye. Despite the intensified backlash, Helena ended the assembly without a flicker of unease.
"Sena. So you finally showed your true colors, huh?"
Elias—known as Eri—openly despised Sena. Her expression and body language screamed she'd grab Sena by the hair if she could. Eri confronted the impassive Sena.
"Putting your servant in the instructor position? No more tiptoeing—you're gonna run the academy however you want now, right?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Sena replied coldly with her usual icy demeanor.
"Don't play dumb, you shameless bitch. Who puts a servant in charge?!"
"It's the principal's decision. Has nothing to do with me."
"Hmph. Still lying? Everyone knows you're related to the principal!"
Sena barely acknowledged her, clearly uninterested. As she turned coldly away, Eri's arrogant barbs stabbed at her back.
"The more your family monopolizes the principal seat, the more you tarnish Luna's honor! You're nothing but poison to the academy!"
Sena ignored her completely as she left—a clear sign she wanted zero involvement with that woman.
"Even Principal Helena's judgment has hit its limit! Propping up her little sister's ego by seating a servant as instructor?"
In a spot where everyone could hear, Eri yelled for all to catch.
"So it's true! The rumors about Helena weakening! If you—the top candidate for next principal—show no interest, it's obvious, right?"
Sena was gone. Undeterred, Eri spat her final line like she was declaring her ambitions to the world.
"This means we all have a shot at taking Luna."
"This still feels wrong."
I went straight to Helena after assembly. She welcomed me gently with tea and a soft smile.
"The students' backlash was worse than we expected. If we don't calm them, they might turn against you..."
"Don't want to do it?"
"My opinion doesn't matter. You're the one in danger, Helena."
How could she stay so composed? This leisure felt like it was hiding anxiety.
"Let's put it on hold and find another way..."
"Instructor Lee Hyun."
She was already calling me "instructor"—and her tone showed no intention of backing down.
"I believe in you."
"Believe in me?"
"It's not just about punishment. You're the one to light the way for us lost magicians."
Helena extended her hand. I hesitated, then placed mine in it. She stroked it softly, giving a smile that somehow felt heartbreaking.
"They hate me?"
"..."
"Say I'm weakening."
"...Yes."
"Plotting to oust me and steal the principal seat?"
"...Some might be."
"Do I seem like a witch who can't handle that?"
Honestly, no idea. I don't know Helena well enough for certainty.
"You can handle it."
"That's enough. Instructor, do your job."
"Will they obey?"
"Plenty of ways if they don't. Crush them with force."
Ha, I let out a dry laugh.
"Me—a powerless commoner—against witches who wield magic freely?"
"That's why you have growth potential."
"...You're not saying I should learn magic?"
"If anyone could learn magic, everyone outside the academy would have a shot. But the world isn't fair."
Then how? Oh, right—Grand.
"I can introduce people to train you if you want."
"There are candidates. But can that alone let me suppress witches?"
"The academy will help. Swordsmanship alone can't beat magicians, but a swordsman with magic? Plenty possible."
Helena stood abruptly and headed to the balcony. I followed.
"I'll do as told for now, but this decision feels rash. Unlike you—impatient, even. Am I wrong?"
"...Why? Worried the rumors are true?"
Rumors of Helena weakening. Probably nonsense, but if true, it explained her haste.
"No need for those thoughts."
She turned. Sunlight bathed her—radiant, haloed, ethereal and holy. Yet to me, it looked bittersweet.
"All magicians weaken with age. That's all."
"...Pardon my rudeness, but how old are you?"
"Oh, if it's rude, don't ask."
She giggled behind her hand and lightly tapped my chest.
"I'm the youngest principal in academy history."
"You look early thirties."
"Right. Haven't aged that much."
Right? Really? Should I check her ID?
"Sigh, then—shameless as it is—can I ask a favor?"
"No shame needed. Instructors get full support rights. What?"
"I don't want to punish men. Handle them separately."
Too direct? Luckily, she got it.
"...Pfft. Got it. I'll handle the men."
How long did we talk? Leaning on the railing, gazing at the academy, Helena called without turning.
"...Instructor Lee Hyun."
"Yes?"
"Growth through punishment... it doesn't just apply to students, right?"
"No. All magicians."
"...Yeah, that's right."
She turned, cheeks faintly flushed, smiling shyly.
"I'll contact you soon."