Ch.229EP.51 – The Knight Make House Calls (2)

Ihan’s home visits unexpectedly enjoyed a great boom.

“…At this rate, isn’t this almost unanimous consent?”

Surprisingly, the home visit request forms received nearly 90% approval.

Those who didn’t agree were students with complicated family situations like Geomdeungi or Taechang, so in reality, it was close to having consent from all students.

In a world where home visits weren’t familiar, Ihan wondered how this was possible, and asked his disciples just to be sure.

“You remember I told you to sign only if you wanted to, right? This isn’t mandatory.”

He was concerned there might have been some misunderstanding, but his worries proved unfounded.

“No, my parents were quite pleased about it. They’re curious about my grades too.”

“As soon as they heard they could meet you, they signed right away. Besides grades, they’re also curious about how my swordsmanship improved so rapidly.”

“We, we’re in a similar situation.”

“…My parents seem eager to hear your opinion about my future.”

…Did academic enthusiasm exist in this world too?

Ihan could indirectly feel the passion of parents who were more enthusiastic about their children’s education than he expected, and he made a wry face.

Regardless of era or world, it seemed all parents shared the same excessive worry about their children’s futures.

“Hmm, this is too many. Visiting 73 households seems like no joke…”

“Then why not have the parents come to you like last time?”

“Wouldn’t that be a parent observation class rather than a home visit?”

“So, are you going to visit all of them personally?”

“…I’ll hand out new papers.”

Ihan had no choice.

Originally, he thought less than half would agree, so he hadn’t expected so many to respond.

He decided to follow the students’ suggestions, but even so…

“Still, some parents might not be able to attend. Let me know about those households. I’ll make sure to visit them.”

“Oh, then my home…”

“Me too!”

“Here as well.”

“Y-yes, I suppose twenty households is manageable…”

Yes, compared to 73 households, around 20 shouldn’t be too difficult, right?

“—Or not.”

Ihan found himself groaning after completing visits to just ten homes.

* * *

Ihan realized for the first time that being an educator was a difficult profession.

‘Those people must have had their fair share of hardships.’

Honestly, Ihan didn’t have a very good impression of teachers.

During his past life’s school days, though there were some decent teachers, he had encountered overwhelmingly more terrible ones.

Especially that teacher he had beaten up at the Grand Temple the day before.

So Ihan’s perception of teachers was close to that of human trash who went around collecting bribes and taking out their frustrations on children.

…Well, by the time he became an adult, the news seemed to show teachers suffering in various ways, as if atoning for past sins.

‘But the ones who should be punished are those from the past, yet it’s the young ones who suffer…’

Was it because he had become an educator himself?

Ihan shook his head bitterly, feeling sympathy for those in the same profession who inherited the karma of the bad ones.

“Instructor, what are you doing?”

“…Nonsense.”

“Pardon?”

“…Just having some random thoughts because I’m tired.”

“Y-you certainly do look very tired.”

Levi, who had voluntarily attached herself to Ihan like his secretary, looked at him with concern.

It was the first time she had seen him looking so exhausted.

However.

“I-I think it’s perfectly understandable that you’re tired.”

Levi, who had assisted him all day, recalled the homes they had visited.

Nobles, commoners, merchants, lower class, and more.

When they met parents of students from various social standings.

– Thanks to Lord Turtle, I’ve been walking with my head held high these days, haha. Not just the grades, but how much the swordsmanship has improved! The teachings of the renowned Silver Lion are truly remarkable. So I was wondering, could you perhaps privately teach my younger children? If you would do that, I wouldn’t spare any compensation. Though our family’s history is short, I believe our influence is no less than that of distinguished families. So this shouldn’t be a bad proposal for Lord Turtle either…

Parents requesting private tutoring rather than consultation.

– Um, e-excuse me, c-can our child become a knight? P-please teach them, Instructor! I-it’s possible, right?! That’s right, isn’t it!! If they can become a knight, I’ll do anything! S-so please make them a knight, my lord!!

Parents who seemed more interested in changing their own fate through their children than in their children’s welfare.

– Uh, they’re at the Academy? …When did they enter?

And even parents who showed no interest in their children’s affairs…

They had met truly diverse types of people, and each time, Levi had been on edge.

She feared that if he became angry, his aura alone might cause someone’s funeral.

Fortunately, unlike her anxious state, Ihan treated them all quite gentlemanly.

Levi had honestly expected him to get angry, so his kindness was puzzling to her, and when she asked about it.

– Well, they can be like that. There’s nothing wrong with requests or desperation. There are indifferent guardians too, but they’re not ruining their children’s lives completely. This isn’t something I need to interfere with. …As long as they don’t hurt the children.

– Ah.

At that moment, Levi felt grateful once again.

She knew best what he meant by his “standard of hurt.”

“…Master, you really seem like an excellent teacher.”

“Me? Aren’t I just average?”

“I don’t think so. Hehe.”

“?”

Ihan tilted his head at his suddenly cheerful disciple.

What was making her so happy?

While he was groaning in exhaustion, she was smiling like that…

‘…It’s nice to see.’

Thump.

Ihan lightly patted her head.

Her blue hair, which looked cold at first glance, was only slightly cool to the touch, but the soft and warm feeling was more prominent.

“Hehe…”

She smiled happily like someone who had received a reward, and Ihan found healing in her pure reaction.

As the two were enjoying their healing time in their own ways, smiling brightly.

“…Excuse me, when will you be visiting?”

…Arno raised a quiet objection, finding it difficult to interrupt the two.

How tactless.

* * *

The House of Ophen, a family of swordsmen.

Compared to other distinguished families that mostly had histories of over 500 years, Ophen had a relatively short history of about 200 years.

However, no one in society would dare disrespect the name Ophen.

This was because Ophen was a family famous for producing outstanding swordsmen.

Among the swordsmen, there were many renowned knights, as well as mercenaries who made their names in wars.

There were also swordsmen who elevated the name of Pendragon on other continents.

Because of this, despite its short history, Ophen was a family with undeniable authority and power in noble society.

Especially in Pendragon, known as the kingdom of knights, their influence was particularly strong.

And this influence became more apparent as one approached the Ophen mansion.

“…Is it my imagination? There are sword training halls everywhere?”

Was it his imagination that sword training halls were overflowing in places where shops, taverns, or inns should be?

“It’s not your imagination. Most of this area is settled by disciples of the Ophen family, so there are many sword training halls.”

“No wonder I don’t see any riffraff around.”

“It’s a place where those lacking skill cannot survive…”

Just as a famous bakery in an area can revitalize the entire commercial district, making bread the best specialty and causing bakeries to spring up one after another around it, the area within Ophen’s domain was flourishing with sword training halls and numerous swordsmen.

Notably, children carried wooden swords instead of books, and even the rare innkeepers or restaurant owners all had calluses on their palms.

Calluses not from cooking, but from sword training.

“What an interesting place.”

“‘Ophen spares no teachings,’ that is the family motto.”

“But I doubt they really teach just anyone?”

“That’s true. Certain conditions must be met.”

First is character.

Second is effort and character.

Third is passion and character.

“-Fourth is responsibility and ‘character’.”

“…Somehow all the conditions seem similar?”

“That’s how much they value character. In the past, they placed more importance on talent, but talented individuals often betrayed them or had tremendous ambition. That’s when they started emphasizing character. Especially…”

“Hmm?”

“He proved that being a genius doesn’t automatically make one the best, so they had no choice but to value character even more.”

Arno said this while proudly directing his gaze toward a statue, showing his respect.

“……”

A massive statue that became visible as they approached the Ophen mansion.

It was a sculpture of an old knight raising his sword high, and Ihan’s gaze naturally turned toward the statue.

…Soon.

“…That’s incredible.”

He exclaimed with admiration, his eyes sparkling.

“Master?”

“Gomsun, take a good look at that statue. Perhaps this is the role model you should aim for.”

“What?”

“That statue was carved with a sword. And not just any sword, but a rapier.”

“!!?!”

Levi widened her eyes and looked at the statue again.

Even coming from him, it was hard to believe such a statement.

After all.

‘…But that’s bronze?’

And he’s saying it was carved with a rapier?

Such a perfect bronze statue?

“Ha…”

Master, the standard you’ve set for me is too high…

Levi made a tearful face.