Chapter 11: Emergency Three-Way Meeting and Duel
The other instructor’s presentation was water magic. They created a mountain and made spring water flow from its peak, forming a waterfall. Then, they froze that waterfall to create an ice castle. This presentation followed the advice I had given them, but they had added their own innovations to the incantation. To maximize the size of the ice castle, they had expanded the freezing range. What was truly admirable was how they had accurately mastered the incantation we had worked on together and then elevated it even further.
It was a very good presentation. As proof of this, not only Aile and the others who watched the presentation with me, but even Tis was clapping loudly. Though, she was clapping with such an intensely serious expression that it was somewhat frightening.
After finishing our observation of all the morning presentations, we decided to have our meal at a restaurant in front of the eastern plaza for my afternoon appointment. When I heard that she was from a baron family, I suggested we go to a restaurant in town, but at Tis’s request to have as much time as possible to talk, we ended up dining at a shop within the academy.
Seeing that intense atmosphere, I judged that this would become a complicated discussion and instructed Aile and the others to go see presentations at other venues.
“Excuse me. I’d like to conduct a three-way meeting, so could Aile-san and the others please go observe presentations at other venues?”
When I asked this, Aile and the others nodded while glancing sideways at Tis’s serious face.
“Understood!”
“Well then, we’ll go for a bit.”
“We’ll be back later!”
Aile and the others said this cheerfully and left the place together in good spirits. Watching their backs as they departed, Tis turned back toward us again. Involuntarily, both Dean and I straightened our backs and corrected our posture.
“For now, shall we finish our meal first?”
When I said this, Tis shook her head from side to side and opened her mouth.
“No, it’s fine to talk while we eat. Please, let’s begin right away.”
“…Understood. Well then, let’s order.”
Accepting Tis’s opinion, who seemed to consider every minute and second precious, I placed our order. Considering that she was a noble lady, I chose the most refined food possible.
With the dishes arranged before us, we each held glasses containing our drinks. After a brief lunchtime greeting, Tis opened her mouth.
“That was truly a wonderful presentation earlier. I was moved by the skill truly befitting an instructor of Fidic Academy. Will Aoi-sensei also be giving a presentation?”
Unexpectedly, instead of immediately moving to Dean’s topic, Tis asked about the presentations.
“Me? I’m scheduled to give the final presentation tomorrow.”
When I answered, Dean spoke up before Tis could reply.
“She’s presenting in place of Principal Glen. Something like this has never happened before.”
“Is that so?”
Tis nodded honestly at Dean’s words and showed her admiration.
“…I understand Aoi-sensei’s abilities. From Aoi-sensei’s perspective, how is Dean?”
Tis asked such a question. Dean seemed to freeze at the direct content, but since I wasn’t going to convey anything bad, I decided to answer without concern.
“Dean-kun is a very serious and excellent student. Particularly regarding the magic he’s currently studying, he’s achieving better grades than upperclassmen. He grasps concepts quickly, so if he continues working hard like this, he’ll be able to become a very skilled magician.”
When I answered this way, I could see Dean breathing a sigh of relief in my peripheral vision. And Tis nodded with a serious expression.
“I see… Then, depending on his efforts, in the future he could even become a court magician…?”
When she asked this with a grave face, I involuntarily tilted my head.
“That would certainly be possible with sufficient effort… Why a court magician? Perhaps the Stone family has traditionally produced court magicians?”
When I asked back, Tis shook her head from side to side.
“No, that’s not the case, but I want Dean to aim to become a court magician.”
“I see.”
After nodding at Tis’s words, I shifted my gaze to Dean. There was Dean with a pale complexion. He must have been eating something. He still had a fork in his mouth.
Seeing this, I somewhat understood the reason. Probably, Tis was a bit too enthusiastic about education. During my teaching career on Earth, I often encountered parents who went overboard with their children’s education. I could understand the part about being strict for the child’s sake, but I think such cases generally tend to become excessive.
Though I might be lacking knowledge about what education for nobles and magicians is like in this world, judging from Dean’s cowering appearance, it must be quite strict.
So that Tis wouldn’t become too obsessed, I conveyed my opinion with as much sincerity as possible.
“Tis-san, it’s alright. Dean-kun will be fine if he continues working hard as he is now. He’s already putting in a lot of effort.”
I said this to reassure her, but Tis remained with a serious expression and looked down.
“…Thank you. However, there should be no such thing as trying too hard.”
Tis said this while glancing sideways at Dean’s face. Feeling that gaze, Dean shivered slightly.
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“Well, that may be true, but…”
With an atmosphere that suggested no words of comfort would satisfy her, I also became unsure of what to say.
For now, the problem wouldn’t be resolved unless Tis was convinced of Dean’s abilities. For Tis, the issue was whether Dean would succeed as a magician. In that case, if she could see Dean’s magic and the results would reassure Tis, that would be good.
With this thought, I decided to tell her about the final day’s presentations.
“Tis-san, as I mentioned earlier, there will be student presentations on the final day. Among them, Dean-kun is one of the main participants. This is truly amazing, being among upperclassmen. Moreover, many people come to observe this cultural festival. Of course, the royalty and nobility of the Carvan Kingdom are no exception. Duke Lorette-Black was here as well, and Dean-kun’s magic will surely catch attention.”
When I told her this, Tis’s eyes widened.
“D-Duke Lorette-Black too? T-that’s wonderful. If Duke Lorette-sama comes to know of him, surely the path to becoming a court magician will…”
The moment she heard the duke’s title, Tis’s eyes clearly sparkled. I involuntarily tilted my head at this sight.
In the past, I had seen many parents enthusiastic about education. But Tis’s enthusiasm seemed a bit different. Rather than worrying about her child’s magical improvement, she seemed more concerned about what job he would have in the future.
Well, even the educationally enthusiastic parents I’d seen in the past probably wanted their children to enter good universities and join first-class companies, but I think most of them were concerned about academic rankings before that.
“…This might not be something I should pry into, but may I ask one thing?”
When I asked this, Tis showed slight wariness but nodded.
“…Yes, what is it?”
She had an atmosphere of faintly sensing what she might be asked. It was something difficult for me to ask as well, but I needed to understand the situation my student was in.
“Well, is the Stone Baron family not in a very good situation? It seems like your expectations for Dean-kun have grown too large.”
After asking, I thought it might have been too direct, but Tis’s expression had already darkened. Dean also seemed surprised by this appearance and stole glances at her.
Tis sighed deeply and shook her head lightly.
“…Until now, we’ve managed to get by modestly. As a baron family, we properly held government positions in the royal capital. However, we incurred the displeasure of someone from the magician corps…”
After murmuring this anxiously, Tis noticed Dean’s gaze. Seeing Dean’s complicated expression, she hurriedly raised her face.
“I said unnecessary things. Aoi-sensei, our baron family has never produced any renowned magicians. To show up that person, please teach us the skills and knowledge necessary to become a court magician. I want to give Dean assignments so he can study magic even outside of Aoi-sensei’s lectures.”
When Tis declared this with a hard voice, Dean groaned “Ugh.” Imagining something, his complexion was poor.
“…By the way, what kinds of assignments have you been giving him so far?”
When I asked back anxiously, Tis nodded with a serious face.
“Yes. To train his magical power, I made him use magic until his mental strength gave out, made him eat medicinal herbs and monster livers said to enhance magical power… and to make him learn magical knowledge, I had him read ten books of magic texts and magical history books every day.”
Hearing this content, I replied “I see.” It wasn’t that different from what I had been doing. If there was a difference, it would be whether the person teaching had deep knowledge and skills as a magician. However, that was also the biggest difference.
“For growth as a magician, deepening knowledge of magic and learning diverse techniques is the fastest way to improve one’s abilities. In that sense, the method Tis-san was using might be good.”
“Is that so…!”
When I affirmed this, Tis’s face brightened. She was rejoicing, convinced that her educational policy hadn’t been wrong.
“However, it’s not appropriate.”
But when I finally voiced words of denial, her expression froze. It seemed cruel, but I couldn’t let Dean’s time be stolen by incorrect education.
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