Ch. 7 - Teachers’ Dormitory

After giving a brief lecture on the original spell and deciding to teach practical applications on another day, I was eventually let go.

Glenn, with a delighted look on his face, privately announced that I would be treated as a senior teacher and immediately instructed Strass to show me to the teachers' dormitory.

Senior teachers were those who served as grade or subject heads, receiving privileges such as priority access to academy facilities and personal research rooms. They also obtained higher salaries and better dormitory rooms.

In the past, the only cases of people immediately becoming senior teachers upon hire were court magicians from other countries or renowned magic book authors.

While I expected that the special treatment might cause trouble, I nodded in agreement when I heard that the privileges included a dedicated library and a personal research room.

While I was lost in thought, we arrived at our destination.

Strass stopped in front of the entrance to a medium-sized tower, turned to face me, and pointed at the tower. "This is it. This building is the dormitory for female teachers. The first to third floors are for general teachers. The fourth floor and above are for senior teachers. Ask the dormitory director for more details."

Strass was about to leave when I called out with a furrowed brow. "Wait a moment. Could you please introduce me to the dormitory director?"

Strass frowned in annoyance. "Men aren't allowed to enter the women's dormitory. Even if I shout from here, the dormitory director won't come out."

Just as Strass said this, a petite woman appeared from the tower.

She had green hair tied in braids, a youthful face, and cute large glasses. With pointy ears and a short stature, she was most likely a dwarf rather than an elf. Her outfit was reminiscent of traditional Swiss attire on Earth, though it was rarely seen here.

Although she looked about fifteen years old, dwarf women typically had petite bodies and were baby-faced, so her appearance likely didn't match her age.

"Ah, Strass-san! What brings you here?" the dwarf woman shouted as she approached Strass.

Strass ignored her and turned to me. "You came at the right time. This is Eliza Woodford. Despite her appearance, she’s an earth magician who teaches intermediate and advanced magic. Ask her if you need anything."

"Hey! Did you just call me 'this'?" Eliza protested part of Strass's statement.

However, he just sighed deeply and shook his head. "She's noisy but not a bad person. She may be really noisy, but she’s well-intentioned. If you can tolerate her noisy remarks, she'll be helpful."

Hearing Strass repeatedly call her noisy, Eliza jumped up and down, complaining, "Noisy!? That's harsh! I'm going to submit a complaint about my treatment! You just think I'm noisy because you're so quiet! In the Dwarf Kingdom, I was known as a modest lady!"

"… I definitely don't want to go to the Dwarf Kingdom."

"Wh-what did you say?!"

The two began arguing, leaving me out of the conversation. It was lively and amusing, but it wasn’t going anywhere.

I cleared my throat and turned to face Eliza. "Excuse me. My name is Aoi Konominato, and I'll be staying here starting today. I would like to meet the dormitory director."

At my introduction, Eliza waved her hands in a fluster. "S-Sorry! I didn't expect you to be a teacher… You look so young!"

You shouldn't be the one saying that.

I almost said it, but I kept my composure and tilted my head.

Losing her earlier momentum, Eliza smiled shyly. "I'm sorry for the delay. I'm Eliza Woodford, a dwarf. Aoi-san, you're human, right? It’s nice to meet you. I'll take you to the dormitory director's room. Please follow me."

Bowing repeatedly, Eliza began leading the way.

Strass sighed deeply, raised a hand, and left. "See you around."

"Thank you very much."

After parting ways, I watched Strass leave, who now looked exhausted.

Eliza walked to my side with keen interest. "Excuse me, Aoi-san, are you perhaps royalty?"

"No, I'm not. Why do you ask?"

Eliza looked surprised and explained. "When someone from a duke's family becomes a teacher, there are always pre-hiring rumors. Usually, they stay in general lodging facilities before and after the hiring process, not in the dormitory… So, you must have an impressive background, right?"

"I don't have any remarkable background. I've just spent all my time training as a magician."

"Really? In that case, you must be able to teach at least intermediate magic. What magic do you specialize in?"

"Water."

"Wow, that's a popular one! Students usually favor fire or water the most. That's great. Earth magic is kind of dull…"

Chatting with the talkative dwarf Eliza, I finally entered the dormitory.

"I am Glenora Nova Scotia, the dormitory director. I received a message from the principal. You are Aoi Konominato, correct?"

"Y-yes, that's me," I answered timidly, startled by her powerful presence

The tall, brown-haired woman looked down at me, furrowing her brows. She appeared to be roughly forty years old and slightly plump, but her aura suggested that her bulk was all muscle.

This formidable woman who resembled a female professional wrestler was the dormitory director. She examined me from head to toe with keen eyes. "I see. Well, then, I'll show you the last remaining senior teacher's room in our dormitory. Follow me."

"Understood."

As soon as I responded to Glenora, a high-pitched voice spoke up.

"Senior?! Aoi-san, you're a senior teacher? Even though you're new?!" Eliza yelled.

Glenora approached her silently and dropped a fist on her head.

With a dull thud, Eliza fell to the floor.

"Be quiet."

"… Y-yes, ma'am… I'm sorry… " Eliza replied in a mosquito-like voice, face down on the floor.

Glenora entered the tower, and I hurriedly followed.

Sensing Eliza's unsteady attempt to stand up behind me, I silently resolved never to oppose the dormitory director.

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