Can You Entrust That Child’s Management to Us?

There was a meeting.

About the annual duel between the top and second-ranked students.

About the fight that broke out between the commoners and those in power because of it…

‘That child must be expelled.’

…No.

It was about the treatment of the boy who committed an unbelievable act in front of thousands, who some might rightfully call a monster.

‘No, that child must be detained immediately. If we send him back like this, he could become a danger in the future…’

The moment most of the teachers sympathized with that opinion.

The meeting tried to develop in the direction of making plans for that.

To someone who doesn’t know the circumstances, it would seem truly detestable.

‘I’ll take charge.’

But even if I explain in detail, they wouldn’t understand.

So I just bluntly stated my business to them.

That the jurisdiction of this matter belongs to me, not them.

That because that child trusted me, I must live up to his trust.

‘Take charge, you say? A mere new teacher?’

‘She’s not an ordinary new teacher. She’s from the Red Cross unit.’

‘That reputation of going to the front lines to save people… I’ve heard about it.’

‘Hoho, I don’t know what it is, but she seems capable as a soldier. But teaching children should be considered separately…’

Of course, the achievements I made before coming to this school might be considered trivial to them.

Even though the war lasted over half a century, not everyone set foot on the battlefield.

But even so, there were those who supported me.

‘That child said he awakened the power he had by receiving education from Teacher Saine when he first entered the school. As that child also trusts Teacher Saine, I think there is no one more suitable to manage that child in this academy than Teacher Saine.’

Lloyd Saintslow.

He, who entered the school at the same time as me, argued that I was the most suitable person for this job, citing the fact that I had taken in that child right after the entrance ceremony.

‘I guarantee it. Probably that guy… no, there’s no one in this academy with better ability to deal with unavoidable dangers than Teacher Saine.’

Gale Harsion.

He, who had the nickname of Hero, briefly appealed about when he encountered me on the front lines, instilling trust in them.

Although we were enemies then, there’s no grudge relationship now.

Of course, even so, both are in positions where it’s difficult to exert influence within the school.

If it weren’t for the last person, the child might have been forced to leave this school regardless of his will.

Who was this amazing person…

“Ahaha~ Saine. You don’t look happy~”

…Ah.

At least this one didn’t agree.

As the chairman and principal should observe the situation from a neutral point of view as much as possible, they hardly interfere with the progress of the meeting.

“I’m sorry to bother you when you’re busy, but are the documents ready?”

“Of course they’re ready, one carefully prepared marriage document announcing the start of my and Saine’s cozy newlywed life♡”

“……”

“…Just kidding”

Yes, it should be a joke.

Seeming to notice that my mood wasn’t very good, she handed over the necessary documents without extending her usual line of jokes.

Documents specifying the addition of rules within the school.

It’s something that requires approval not only from faculty members but also from the highest authorities in the school, including the principal and chairman.

It was the moment when the infirmary attendance system I had promised that child finally came into being in this academy.

And…

“Then I’ll excuse myself.”

“No, wait a moment.”

Mariel stops me as I’m about to leave the office.

My gaze, holding the documents in my hand, turns slightly towards her.

“…Do you have something else to say?”

“There’s one piece of news that Saine might find quite satisfying.”

“Satisfying…?”

“You know that teacher who shot magic at that time? We’ve decided to permanently expel him from this Maris.”

“……”

“…Oh my, you seem quite surprised.”

Yes, I was certainly surprised.

Considering the relaxed attitude that guy showed when he used magic, I thought it would end with light punishment like a salary cut or ban on going out at most.

In fact, I knew he had been working here for over 10 years, but to immediately expel such a person without giving any other chance.

“Is it okay?”

“It’s fine~ There are plenty of people across the continent who want to become teachers at this academy anyway. If we’re short on staff, we can just select suitable people from among them.”

Mariel Aries answers my words calmly.

I, who had been watching her for a long time while being indebted to the Aries family, knew well that this attitude wasn’t just bravado.

“And given the current situation, using magic on a student couldn’t be taken lightly for any reason. If we’re not careful, it could trigger another war.”

Yes, considering how heated the fight that broke out in the training ground was at that time, we can’t rule out the possibility of the oppressed class rising up when that news spreads to various places.

Isn’t this an era of peace that has just arrived?

From the standpoint of leaders like her, unlike arrogant teachers who rely only vaguely on their background and experience, they would surely want to avoid such things happening.

The fact that she doesn’t mention any other punishments probably means she wants to make an example by purging just that one person.

To calm the anger of the oppressed class and to warn the ruling class as well.

“Well, personally, I did it because I was angry that Saine ended up like that~”

“…Please refrain from abusing your power.”

“I don’t go this far unless I have a reason~”

So you can grab and beat anything as long as you have a reason?

Considering that the starting point of the fight that broke out at that time was children’s nitpicking unable to acknowledge Dale’s victory, even this statement doesn’t sound very good to me.

“So, how do you feel? Are you a little refreshed?”

“……”

I couldn’t immediately answer her final question.

Refreshed, she says…

Yes, I do feel a bit lighter.

But that’s just like scratching an itch inadequately, and seeing that I’m not satisfied with this level, I seem to be a terribly greedy person.

Even though the person who lit the fire for the inevitable situation that would occur someday has been driven out, rather, the current situation has clearly exposed the rift between each other.

As that conflict deepens, it won’t happen that the child returns to his original class again.

“…You must have kept in mind that the same kind of person will fill that position instead, right?”

Above all, because I know that the situation that occurred at that time was not due to an individual.

It was caused by a problem that wasn’t resolved even by half a century of war.

“We have to be prepared. For the sake of peace.”

Mariel responds with a relaxed attitude to my warning.

There was no trace of the timid and weak appearance from when we first met.

That too must mean that she is growing while feeling responsibility.

Unlike me, who hasn’t changed at all since the war ended.

---

Yes, everyone was a victim in the war.

Many people died, and those who inherited their sacrifices will remember them throughout their lives.

The leadership responsible for all these people has no choice but to be more cautious than before.

The only exception to the war that shook the entire continent would be the lawless areas where the eyes of the world don’t reach, without empty words.

In such an era, not having inherited anything from adults might be considered not just a talent unparalleled in this world, but even a ‘blessing’.

A miserable blessing that could be considered a curse if there’s no one to guide.

“…Quitting smoking is out of the question.”

Realizing that weight, I lit a cigarette in my mouth while standing on the rooftop of the school building.

The smoke bursting out of my mouth spreads out beyond the railing.

Eventually, it spreads out as if hiding the world spread out below.

“Damn wide.”

Yes, it’s really a wide school.

Beyond the walls surrounding such premises, a truly wide city is spread out.

“A damn peaceful place too.”

The distant city in front of it was no different at all from before I came to this school.

No, has it gotten a bit wider? Certainly, this city is still expanding, so it’s not just an illusion.

Looking at that scene, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“…It would be nice if it continued like this in the future.”

I hope this tranquility continues in the future as well.

That was certainly sincere.

In this unfamiliar world I was suddenly dragged into, time continues to flow even after the period corresponding to the ending in the game.

Even though I half thought it was a game back then.

As time continues to flow even after the end of the war, I felt that everything I had experienced so far was approaching as reality.

Even now, if I close my eyes, can’t I hear it?

The sound of bombing that could overturn an area.

The shouting of thousands and tens of thousands of armies that even pierces through that, and the painful breaths and screams heard in the silence afterwards.

‘I miss mom…’

And the crying sound of the child who desperately sobbed while grabbing my clothes.

“…I thought I could rest a bit now.”

I want to take care of the path those children will go…

I chose this path thinking it would be a means to soothe my weary heart, but I realized that dedication is needed even to protect it.

The fact that I only realized this now probably means that I’m still immature too.

As a soldier or believer, I might not, but.

I always realize the awareness that I’m still lacking to teach someone.

“I guess I can’t take a vacation when it hasn’t even been half a year since I started working.”

But haven’t I already set foot on this path?

Even if this path is more painful than I thought, there’s no guarantee that doing something else would be easier.

Moreover, since I’ve taken in a child who needs me, I can’t back out anymore even if I want to.

“…Let’s try a bit more.”

Yes, if you can’t avoid it, the answer is to step forward boldly.

As I was trying to organize my thoughts along with the cigarette that had burned out, I began to feel someone’s presence from behind.

An enemy?

“You shouldn’t smoke here.”

No, it’s a student.

And a student with quite a stern atmosphere. I, who extinguished the nearly burned-out cigarette by pressing it with my thumb, faced a student who had followed me to the rooftop.

A white-colored school uniform with a beret that reminds me of the ‘navy’ if I were to compare it to my previous life… No, that style is usually called a service cap.

The medal attached to the chest shows that he has achieved merit in this school, and what’s tied to the arm shows that he has authority in the place he belongs to.

“Are you the head of the disciplinary committee?”

“…You recognize me right away.”

“Well, only the disciplinary committee has such an outfit in this academy.”

Of course, regardless of position, he’s still a student of the school.

As a senior and teacher, he’s clearly a subject of consideration for me.

“Still, since we’ve met like this, shall we start with self-introductions? Nice to meet you, Mr. Head of Maris’s Disciplinary Committee, I’m Saine, the school nurse.”

“…Nice to meet you, Teacher Saine. I’m Waden Smith, a second-year high school student and head of the disciplinary committee of Maris Academy.”

The head of the disciplinary committee slightly bows his head while grasping the brim of his service cap as he introduces himself.

Only after naturally gazing at his fingertips did his face enter my eyes.

Sharp and stern eyes unlike a boy who will soon have his coming-of-age ceremony.

I had seen it in the game.

“If it’s Smith, are you the heir of the Wesson & Colt trading company?”

“…You seem to know.”

“Ah well. Of course I do.”

Wesson & Colt, a weapon-specialized trading company led by the Smith family.

According to the setting, they were responsible for the weapons of the Allied Nations, and even sold weapons to the Imperial Army through black market deals to secure their interests.

As they do anything for profit, like the Jogret family, they’re a family cursed in buckets by both the Imperial and Allied sides.

The person in front of me was someone who had become the heir to a family that should never be left out in the game, but can’t be called clean at all.

“So, why has the next head of the Smith family come here? I don’t think you’re just here to give me demerit points for smoking.”

“…Let’s talk straight to the point.”

As I faced him while leaning on the railing, he grasped his service cap and said.

Opening his characteristically fierce eyes sharply.

“Dale Enberton. Could you entrust the management of that child to our disciplinary committee?”

Waden Smith, the head of the disciplinary committee, bringing up a topic I absolutely can’t overlook.

But I wasn’t particularly surprised.

Even if it’s a story concluded at the faculty meeting, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing for other people to intervene with.

“…I’d like to hear a detailed explanation.”

I just realized at this moment.

That the incident centered on that child wouldn’t end with just this one time.