Going to the central plaza, many people had already gathered. Since there would be a presentation soon, most people were looking toward the center of the plaza.
“I’ll go check on Hennessy-sensei for a moment.”
“Ah, understood.”
“Then I’ll look for Dean-kun!”
“That sounds good. Please do.”
After this exchange with Aile and the others, I headed toward Hennessy, who was taking deep breaths at the side of the plaza. Hennessy usually lets her red hair hang down casually, but today it was properly tied up and set. However, her expression was frozen with tension.
Hennessy was a teacher who came to me for help with teary eyes when her presentation preparation became urgent. Though we usually only exchanged greetings, I understood she had a withdrawn personality, so I was worried whether her presentation would go well.
“Hennessy-san.”
When I approach, calling her name, Hennessy turns around with a face about to cry.
“Aoi-sensei…! I-I’m nervous…!”
Her voice already sounds like she’s about to cry. Eliza aside, I didn’t think Hennessy was the type to fall into such anxiety just from being quiet.
“Even if you fail, you won’t die, you know?”
“Y-you’re encouraging me, right? I feel like your word choice is strange, but you’re encouraging me, right?”
Hennessy asks such a thing with teary eyes, wondering how to interpret my words. I nod and place my hand on Hennessy’s shoulder.
“Of course. If anything happens, I’ll collect your bones for you.”
“C-collect my bones!? What’s going to happen to me!?”
It seems I’ve failed at encouragement again. Perhaps it was too old-fashioned.
While I’m tilting my head, Hennessy sighs and looks at me.
“…Aoi-sensei is amazing. You really don’t seem nervous at all. If I were told to present in place of Headmaster Glen, I’d be bedridden for a week.”
“Nervousness? Let’s see… I do feel it somewhat, of course. But if I focus on what’s in front of me instead of the audience, strangely the nervousness fades.”
“Focus on what’s in front of me…”
Hennessy repeats my words and thinks. Then, when she looked up a few seconds later, there was a strong light in Hennessy’s eyes.
“…I’ll try my best.”
The moment she answered that, the sound of a bell rang throughout.
“Please do your best. I’m rooting for you.”
When I say this, Hennessy heads toward the center of the plaza with a wry smile.
“Honored guests. I am Hennessy-Najena, a general teacher of Fidic Academy. Today, I will present a combination spell of fire magic and wind magic. Please watch over me.”
When Hennessy bows and greets, applause returns from the venue. And the presentation began.
Hennessy calmly chants fire magic and creates a flame tornado the size of an adult man. In that situation, she further activates wind magic. The method of activating separate spells in sequence and mixing them is Hennessy’s idea. When she felt the method I advised was too difficult, she asked if this way would work, and I devised this method.
Since Hennessy couldn’t imagine placing a lump of oxygen above a flame tornado, she adopted the technique of creating a tornado first and then whirling up wind to send oxygen into it. This is also one form of application, and could be said to be a good example of solving problems in areas where one is weak through alternative methods.
As a result, a flame tornado reaching several tens of meters in height arose before us, and the spectators were astounded.
“…This concludes my presentation. Thank you very much.”
When the presentation ends, Hennessy politely greets and bows at the end. Immediately after, thunderous cheers gather around Hennessy.
“That was amazing!”
Aile and the others are also overjoyed. While smiling at this, Liz turns toward me and speaks.
“Ah, speaking of which, I found Dean-kun.”
“Really? Where was he?”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
When I ask back, all three turn toward the same direction. Looking that way, I spot dark green hair. It’s Dean with a somewhat strained expression. The woman with green hair standing next to him must be his mother. She’s tall with a dignified expression as her characteristic feature. She looks completely opposite to Dean, who always lacks confidence and is timid.
Then Dean notices me and looks to his side. While watching them exchange a word or two, I approach from this side.
“Good afternoon. I am Aoi-Konominato, a teacher of Fidic Academy. Are you Dean-kun’s mother?”
When I say this while looking at the woman, she properly turns toward me and bows.
“Nice to meet you. I am Tis-Stone, Dean’s mother. I have come representing the Stone Baron family of the Carvan Kingdom today. I hear that Dean is always in your care, Aoi-sensei. Please continue to look after him favorably.”
When I give a light greeting, Tis returns a very formal greeting. I hurriedly bow again.
“Thank you for your politeness. Dean-kun is a very excellent student, and I look forward to his future. He also has a presentation scheduled for the final day, so please look forward to it.”
When I respond this way, Tis looks up.
“A presentation? Dean will?”
“You weren’t aware? Ah… perhaps he was keeping it secret from you to surprise you…”
Becoming startled and looking at Dean, he averts his gaze while sweating from his forehead. This is very bad. I may have made a terrible mistake.
Involuntarily, I hold my breath and observe both of their reactions.
Then Tis narrows her eyes sharply and looks down at Dean’s profile.
“…Dean? You deliberately hid this, didn’t you?”
“Hic.”
At Tis’s single word, Dean holds his breath. For some reason, Dean seems very frightened. Perhaps she’s the type who extremely dislikes secrets.
While I’m thinking this, Aile and the others join us from behind and greet Tis.
“Good afternoon! I’m Aile-Hedge-Butler!”
“I’m Liz-Stuart!”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Bell-Barclay. I often attend Aoi-sensei’s lectures together with Dean-kun.”
When the three greet her, Tis temporarily suspends her pursuit of Dean and turns toward them.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Tis-Stone. Are all three of you Dean’s classmates?”
When Tis asks, the three show agreement.
“I see. Is Dean causing you any trouble?”
“Dean-kun is quiet, so he’s fine.”
“If anything, we might be the ones causing trouble?”
“That’s not funny. It’s not just Aile—our parents are here too.”
While the three have this conversation, Tis nods lightly and looks at Dean.
“Dean. Don’t just attend lectures—learn properly from your seniors’ magic too. Do you understand?”
“Y-yes…!”
Dean responds reflexively to Tis’s words. She seems like a serious, good mother, but Dean still appears frightened.
I’m a bit concerned, but there will be another colleague’s presentation soon. I can’t dawdle too much.
“Well then, until later.”
I bow lightly and say this, then try to head to the next venue with Aile and the others. Then Tis furrows her brow and speaks.
“Excuse me, but could you spare some time?”
“Eh?”
When I turn around, Tis is looking at me with a serious face.
“…Aoi-sensei. I apologize for bothering you when you’re busy, but could we talk briefly… I’m aware of the content of the annual report cards distributed to each family, but I’d like to hear about his daily life attitude and his current skill level as a magician from the teacher’s perspective. I’m sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me in as much detail as possible?”
Saying this, she bows deeply.
“N-no, Aoi-sensei is busy, so…”
Dean shows restraint regarding Tis’s request. Indeed, this might not be something to ask of a teacher meeting for the first time. However, I have a favorable impression of parents who show interest in their children’s school life and studies.
So I decide to respond properly.
“No, it’s fine. However, there’s another colleague’s presentation in about thirty minutes, so I can’t take too much time. If it’s alright with you, would you like to have lunch together? That way, we could talk leisurely.”
When I ask this, Tis nods deeply.
“That would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your valuable time.”
Tis gave such a polite response.
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