Ch.83EP.23 – The Knight Conducts an Interview (2)

The so-called “Monster Subjugation Terror” had ended more than two weeks ago.

The power struggle between the Chancellor and the Royal Inspector continued, and while many problems remained, these issues were now merely extensions of politics.

It wasn’t something for subordinates to get involved in.

Thus, classes and the atmosphere in other departments had long since returned to normal, and gradually the echoes of the terror were being forgotten.

They say humans are creatures of forgetfulness—truly an apt assessment.

Yet there was good reason for everyone to be enjoying this peace. After the midterm evaluations ended, there would be a “summer recess”—essentially a two-month break—so both cadets and faculty inevitably became more relaxed.

Recess.

What a sweet-sounding word.

No matter how ambitious one might be, nobody dislikes a break.

Many were already excited, and some were even making systematic plans for how to spend the recess.

The Swordsmanship Department, like other departments, had a somewhat relaxed atmosphere when—

“—Today, we’ll have consultation sessions after class ends.”

—??

Their instructor suddenly made an announcement that raised the tension.

Oh, perhaps…

“We won’t be having any sparring matches, so just accept it as is. As your instructor, I should provide something like counseling before the break. It’s troublesome…”

—…Phew.

Thank goodness. Their instructor wasn’t an inflexible person after all.

…They had worried they might end up hospitalized at the Grand Temple for the entire break.

“You brats! Anyone watching would think I’m the kind of guy who sends people to the hospital every time we spar!”

—…….

…Does he have no conscience?

“Not looking me in the eye?”

—Ahem.

They obediently lowered their gazes.

* * *

‘What’s going on? Did they all coordinate before coming here?’

The consultations were conducted one-on-one, and Ihan truly thought they must have planned this together.

Somehow—

“I plan to return to my domain and train with the knights. However, personally, I’d like to request your instruction. If I were to invite you… would you be willing to come to my domain?”

These were the young masters.

“I’m thinking of taking on some work from the guild. From light exploration to odd jobs—earning money while gaining practical experience. And, if it’s alright, could I visit you personally? I’d like to receive training…”

The bears.

“The debutante season starts in the fall semester. I’ll probably be living at my salon, preparing for autumn. So, Instructor, perhaps you might need a partner—… Ah, it’s nothing!! I misspoke, ahem.”

…And even the chicks.

These were the three teams he had deliberately divided for easy distinction, and most of what came from their mouths was quite similar.

The young masters would return to their domains for training.

The bears would take on guild work to support themselves.

The chicks would engage in activities befitting noble ladies…

They couldn’t have coordinated, yet each of the three teams gave answers identical to their teammates, making Ihan feel awkward at how excessively diligent the children were.

To his reaction:

“Even during a break, how many cadets truly rest? Even if we weren’t expelled from the academy this year, there’s no guarantee we’ll survive the next, so building our capabilities is the normal choice. I’d actually like to see anyone who plans to play around. I’m curious how someone could have the guts to relax.”

This was the answer from slave—no, teaching assistant number one.

It was a well-organized explanation, as a fellow cadet would best understand another cadet’s hardships.

Ihan thought once again that the teaching assistant was perfect in every way except for his personality.

“But aren’t you returning to your domain?”

“…Are you rubbing salt in my wounds? I’m currently disowned, you know.”

“Ah, right, that’s true.”

“……”

He had habitually scratched at a sore spot.

He knew it was a bad habit, but it wasn’t easy to correct.

‘It feels good to hit.’

Ihan muttered to himself that it was more satisfying than a punching bag, while Damian Pollet could only wear a pitiful expression.

Anyway!

Except for such special cases, most were working toward their own development, and he was freshly reminded how duties varied according to status and gender.

“—So, what are you three planning to do?”

After finishing consultations with most cadets, with few remaining, Ihan asked the trio he had called together.

Wondering what they would do during the break.

“Why did you call all of us Kunta together?”

“Weren’t these supposed to be individual consultations?”

“Instructor, we have private lives too…”

The trio, summoned together, expressed their dissatisfaction.

Why were they the only ones not getting individual consultations, but called together?

However, Ihan ignored their complaints.

It was fine to call those three as a set anyway.

After showing their dissatisfaction briefly, but seeing it had no effect, they stopped complaining and proceeded with their answers.

“Kunta was invited by Arno.”

“I heard his hometown is far away. My family has agreed to let him study with us. He’s a good sparring partner, and he’ll be a great stimulus for my family’s disciples.”

“I was invited too, but unfortunately, I need to go see my old man. Sigh, I’m already dreading meeting that gentleman.”

These were schedules befitting them, and Ihan nodded in acknowledgment.

Then:

“Hmm, want to have a serious sparring match before the break? I’ll take all three of you on.”

As if to compensate for the break, Ihan showed consideration by making a special offer.

With a look suggesting he would bring them to their peak form.

And so the trio…

“K-Kunta, I don’t want to return to the embrace of nature yet. T-the instructor looks scary…”

“The aura emanating from your body is much more violent than before. You seem to have grown… if we clash, one of us might end up disabled.”

“What did you do to improve your body so much? Tell me the secret too.”

They expressed strong rejection with pale faces.

Unlike other cadets, the trio had recognized through their exceptional talent that Ihan had achieved exponential growth, and they decided to flee quickly before getting caught in his trap, turning their bodies swiftly.

Whoosh!

The three disappeared with a zero-to-hundred speed rivaling a cheetah’s, and Ihan:

“Tch, those sharp-witted kids.”

It was disappointing.

They would have been perfect for adjusting to his changed body condition.

As he was dwelling on his disappointment:

“Ah, you’re here, provisional teaching assistant number three.”

“…Just call me blackie instead.”

With an unusually sour expression, surveillance target number one—the returnee—frowned, and Ihan tilted his head.

Wondering why everyone hated his teaching assistant proposals.

“What’s wrong with being a teaching assistant that everyone dislikes it?”

“After seeing how you treat Damian Pollet, do you think anyone would want the position?”

“…What’s the problem?”

“…The very fact that you have to ask is terrifying.”

“??”

Ihan couldn’t understand at all.

And for good reason.

‘Compared to my non-commissioned officer days, I’m treating them quite humanely…’

Compared to what he had endured, what teaching assistant number one experienced was nothing, and he felt disappointed that this wasn’t appreciated.

“—We’re currently identifying those who summoned the Demon King the other day. I hear that ‘His Highness the Grand Duke’ has already tracked their traces.”

“Well… it’s not my place to say, but are you on bad terms with your father?”

Somehow the consultation had drifted toward a noir-like atmosphere.

He didn’t want to sense the darkness of another family in this way…

Ihan tried to lighten the mood playfully, but betraying his expectations:

“How could there be good or bad terms? ‘For a mere illegitimate son’ like me?”

“Yes, I can clearly see that the father-son relationship is terrible.”

Ihan became solemn.

‘That man seemed normal when I met him… Is he the type who treats his people well but fails as a father?’

There are occasionally such types—men who perform well outside but neglect their families.

Judging by how the blackie kid rarely showed resentment, his prediction was likely correct.

“…I heard you met His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“Well, it just happened.”

“Be careful. His Highness is a willful person. Despite that, he has no ‘greater cause.’ It’s best not to get involved with such a person.”

“…Could you stop exposing your family’s darkness in front of me?”

Ihan had never had children, but he thought he would be hurt if his child showed contempt toward him as they would toward others.

…Though that stone-faced gentleman probably wouldn’t suffer emotional wounds.

But his empathy for the father’s hardship was brief.

A coldness appeared in Ihan’s eyes.

“So, you found ‘traces’…”

Traces of the vermin who summoned the monsters.

Ihan recalled the incident, feeling his blood run cold as his voice lowered.

“It seems to be reliable information.”

Roen set aside his personal feelings and expressed confidence in the information the Grand Duke had inquired about.

Though he might be a heartless father, he was not an incompetent person.

He probably had crucial information with about eighty percent certainty.

“For details, you’d have to go hear it directly, but if you wish, I can share the information separately.”

“…There have been many rats around me lately, so it might be difficult to share secretly.”

“Fortunately, I have an overly qualified subordinate.”

“……”

Ihan finally understood the source of this guy’s boldness in revealing such important information within the academy.

Jack.

The guy who always stuck to him like his right arm.

A fellow born with talents more suited to an assassin than a knight.

He must be catching suspicious elements in the vicinity right now.

“That ordinary guy, he’s also skilled at dealing with rats?”

“It should be quiet for a while.”

“Thanks. I’ll repay him separately later.”

“He’ll be pleased.”

Ihan and Roen nodded with similar smiles.

Though their appearances and backgrounds were worlds apart, both had lived desperate lives.

Hence, the two men exuded somewhat similar auras and felt no awkwardness facing each other.

It was an unusual relationship of trust.

“I’ll take my leave now. I believe I’ve conveyed everything I needed to.”

“This was supposed to be a consultation, but somehow it turned into a clandestine conversation.”

“Neither you nor I are people who can live quietly, are we?”

“…I really want to decline, I want to retire, please.”

“It won’t be easy. The world isn’t soft enough to let capable people rest.”

“…Damn it.”

“Haha.”

Roen laughed lightly and turned to leave.

As if his business was finished.

…He paused.

But midway, he stopped his steps.

What was in his mind?

Even he couldn’t grasp his own feelings, but somehow now…

‘I thought meddling wasn’t for me…’

Had he learned this meddling from the man he first acknowledged as his master?

In the past, he would have acted narrowly, dismissing such emotions as worthless and without greater purpose, but…

‘…I don’t want that.’

If he lived exactly like ‘before,’ wouldn’t the outcome be the same?

Roen, the man who had defied the flow of time, resolved to try a slightly different path and opened his mouth.

“—Levi Jeanne d’Arc. She’s probably still in the royal capital.”

“……”

“I know it’s unnecessary meddling, but I thought I should mention it.”

“Meddling doesn’t suit you.”

“I realized that myself.”

Roen gave a light bow and turned around.

No more words were needed.

He could already see that the man wouldn’t remain idle.

‘…Perhaps I didn’t need to push.’

Roen smiled bitterly, thinking that people indeed shouldn’t do things they’re not used to.

* * *

“……”

Ihan watched the door Roen had exited for a moment, then opened his desk drawer.

“Hmm, the Chancellor will scold me?”

According to school rules, it should be submitted today, but…

“This kind of thing should be handed over in person, shouldn’t it?”

Riiip.

Ihan tore the envelope marked [Withdrawal Form] in half and stood up.

To catch the ‘delinquent bear cub’ who had been absent without leave for five days and hadn’t even come for the consultation.

After all.

‘It’s always the diligent kids who cause trouble once in a while.’

Ihan was freshly experiencing the hardships and sorrows of being a teacher.