Chapter 19 : Storm’s New Instructor (3)
by AfuhfuihgsThe journey from Sachsen to Tristan, the task of organizing my personal research lab, and meeting my newly assigned senior—all of these events made for a rather eventful day. Afterward, we wrapped up the first day by staying at the Royal Special Hotel. Thanks to Ray’s meticulous reservations, there were no particular inconveniences at the hotel.
And the next morning, I was on my way to the Swordsmanship Department of Tristan Hero Academy for my first day at work. Beside me, Ray, who had now taken on the role of my assistant, was reviewing the schedule.
“In the morning, there will be an assignment and welcome ceremony for the new swordsmanship department instructors at Tristan Hero Academy.”
“Is that an official event?”
“Yes. It seems that today marks the official announcement of the new instructor selection throughout the kingdom.”
“So, the fact that I’ve become a lead instructor will also be made public. My father will probably be surprised.”
Once the announcement of the new instructors is made public, the news that I’ve become an instructor will surely spread. The fact that the second son of the Marquis of Mulick has become an instructor in the Swordsmanship Department is surprising enough, but being assigned as a third-class lead instructor from the start would be even more of a shock.
This could become quite the topic of discussion. I might even have to deal with the nuisance of clearing up suspicions of special treatment due to my noble status.
However, Ray suddenly shook her head at my words.
“The news that you’ve been selected as an instructor has already spread throughout Tristan.”
“Hm?”
Surprised by the sudden statement, I tilted my head in confusion. Ray pulled out a bundle of newspapers from her coat and handed them to me. It was quite literally a bundle—an enormous stack of articles all tied together.
Ray, as if it were nothing, casually explained, “These are the daily articles from this morning’s kingdom newspaper and various other publications. The front pages are all about you, Edgar.”
I blinked several times, unable to process the situation. Slowly, I began to scan through the articles.
- The Second Son of the Marquis of Mulick, Selected as an Instructor for the Swordsmanship Department! With a Rank of Third-Class!
- No One Expected This! Edgar Mulick Passes the Swordsmanship Department Instructor Exam at the Top of His Class!
- Single-handedly Defeated Fifteen Mid-Level Monsters? Kingdom’s Investigation Team and Administration: ‘We Are Currently Verifying.’
- A Noble With No Talent for Magic Finds His Talent in the Sword! Heroes Who Witnessed Him Say in Unison: ‘At Least the Third Path…’
“……”
Every single article, without exception, was about me.
Was yesterday’s battle, where I exerted myself to minimize collateral damage, really that impressive? The eyewitness accounts from the heroes who were present, as well as the news that I was selected as a third-class instructor, had already made the headlines.
‘…Ah.’
My head throbbed slightly. I had expected that the battle would generate some buzz, but I didn’t think it would make me famous enough to fill the front pages of various newspapers.
“Congratulations. You’ve become quite a famous instructor overnight.”
Even before the semester had begun, on my very first day, I had already become a well-known instructor.
“Selena. You are hereby appointed as a new instructor of the Swordsmanship Department at Tristan Hero Academy, with the rank of fourth-class instructor. You are assigned as a research instructor, with all the rights pertaining to that rank. This is a legitimate decision, authorized by the Academy’s Chief Dean, Antonio Seifen…”
In the grand auditorium of Tristan Hero Academy’s Swordsmanship Department, the official welcome ceremony for the newly selected heroes as instructors was taking place as scheduled.
In truth, the welcome ceremony was more of a formal event where I would meet the senior instructors I encountered during the instructor exam, receive my official rank assignment, and be appointed a senior instructor. It was a far cry from the kind of “welcome ceremony” cadets experienced.
From the moment we became instructors, we were essentially beginning our professional careers, so it made sense that the event would have a more formal tone.
‘Finally…….’
However, this ceremony wasn’t meaningless. It held significant value for heroes who didn’t just stumble into teaching as a side job, but who genuinely loved teaching and aspired to be instructors.
For those individuals, this event held significant meaning.
Selena, the newly appointed instructor, had been a hero with the sword for a long time, but even before becoming a hero, her lifelong dream was to be a teacher. Since becoming a hero, she had never once abandoned her dream of becoming an instructor. Rather than reigning as a hero who dominates the continent, she wanted to be someone who nurtured such heroes. That was Selena’s pure ambition.
‘Instructor Akina…?’
From afar, Selena spotted a figure with striking red hair standing confidently. It was Akina Crowflin, the Sword Hero known as the Kingdom’s Star and considered the top swordsmanship instructor at the academy. She was Selena’s idol. Selena wanted to wield a sword like Akina, and she wanted to teach students just as Akina did. Becoming an instructor had been Selena’s only dream for so long. Now, as an instructor, her new dream was to become as outstanding as Akina.
The meeting with her senior and the instructor assignment—this event was a stepping stone for Selena to get one step closer to that dream.
‘I may not have been the top graduate, but…’
Though she had narrowly missed out on being the top graduate because of some monster-like man, her passion and abilities were fully recognized within the department. As a result, she was assigned the position of research instructor, with the rank of fourth-class. It was an achievement she could be quite satisfied with.
“Congratulations, Selena.”
After the event, a man with a scar etched above his right eyebrow approached and offered his congratulations. He was the sword hero who had slain the Saber Tiger at the Borderlands, a famous instructor known as one of the four captains of the Swordsmanship Department—Instructor Jackson. He was to be Selena’s senior mentor for this semester, and they had already exchanged greetings the day before.
“Thank you, Instructor Jackson.”
“You can call me senior. We’ll be working together from now on.”
“Yes, senior.”
“As I mentioned yesterday, we’ll start practicing lectures today. I’ll carve out some time from my lectures this semester for you to handle, so you’ll need to be thoroughly prepared.”
“Yes!”
This was the opportunity Selena had been waiting for, given her strong desire to teach. With that, the two of them left to move to the training area. However, as they were walking, Selena suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.
‘Instructor Akina…?’
She glimpsed Akina Crowflin’s back as she walked ahead. And next to her was a man. Selena recognized him immediately.
‘Edgar Mulick…?’
He was the hero who had taken the top graduate spot from her. He had also single-handedly slain fifteen mid-tier monsters known as Keleil in the Red Brushlands, demonstrating incredible skill. Just this morning, his name was splashed across the front pages of newspapers like The Kingdom Times.
- Isn’t this just another case of noble favoritism?
- How could a new instructor take down fifteen Keleil alone?
- The newspapers must be desperate for content, reporting unverified rumors like this.
- Did he really earn the top spot, or was it just his family’s name and wealth? Maybe they bribed someone.
Some of the other instructors dismissed these stories as mere rumors. Because Edgar was from a noble family, it was natural for some to harbor doubts and disbelief. There were even heroes who were jealous and mocked Edgar out of spite.
…But he was the real deal.
Selena, who had witnessed the scene firsthand, knew better than anyone that the rumors were true. She had no qualms about Edgar being the top graduate. He had the skill to back it up, and his noble status had nothing to do with it.
“Hm? Oh. Instructor Akina is Edgar’s mentor, it seems. Both are from prestigious families and incredibly talented, so I’m sure they’ll be quite the dynamic pair.”
Instructor Jackson, noticing Selena’s pause, shifted his gaze in the same direction and commented nonchalantly.
Akina Crowflin and Edgar Mulick. The pairing of these two noble figures from distinguished families had already become a hot topic among the senior instructors.
Selena nodded in agreement.
“He’s certainly skilled. His rank and position as a lead instructor make perfect sense.”
“Hm? Ah. Selena, didn’t you mention that you were also present at the Red Brushlands?”
“Yes. I saw it all with my own eyes.”
The astonishing ability that seemed like fate, his flawless, swift swordsmanship—like a gust of wind or a storm.
The swordsmanship demonstrated by the new instructor was more than worthy of such high praise. Selena, recalling the scene, couldn’t help but marvel again. Jackson, observing her expression, let out a soft chuckle.
“Judging by your face, I’d say he really put on a good show, huh?”
“…Yes. Honestly, as a fellow instructor, I was shocked. It felt like there was a vast difference between us, starting from his Awakened Path.”
“Haha, I can understand that. Instructor Edgar surprised even us examiners during the trials.”
Jackson laughed heartily. Then, as if remembering something, he added with a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“But you know, Edgar didn’t earn the top spot and the lead instructor position just because he’s a talented hero.”
“Pardon? Then what else…?”
Selena’s eyes filled with curiosity. Jackson narrowed his eyes as if to emphasize his point.
“Instructor Edgar… that guy can teach like no other. He received perfect scores in the teaching simulation evaluation. Even I was tempted to take notes from him.”
“…?”
“I think Instructor Akina didn’t supervise that particular evaluation, so she might not know… but Edgar? He doesn’t need to practice lectures. He’s already a natural.”
After the event, we moved to the designated area for lecture practice. As I demonstrated a simple teaching session, Akina quietly asked me, her voice calm and measured.
“…Instructor Edgar, have you ever taught anywhere before coming to the academy?”
I answered truthfully.
“I’ve only given directions to guests of the family estate, nothing more…”
She fell silent.
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