Ch. 172 - Aoi's Perspective

"I'm a teacher, not the headmaster, so maybe I see things differently. But I would probably impose stricter penalties. However, I don't know if that would truly be right either..."

After stating this, I recalled the past.

During my time as a teacher in Japan, bullying was a very familiar problem. Without fail, such incidents would arise within a year. Most were minor personal squabbles, but some involved groups or included violence.

Therefore, anyone becoming a teacher had to learn the bullying response manual. It covered things such as teachers noticing problems as early as possible, creating an environment where bullying was unlikely to occur, moral education for students, and how to communicate with them.

If bullying did occur, I also learned how to speak with the perpetrators and their parents, and what precautions to take, in addition to caring for the victim.

Bullying was a serious issue; it affected not only the victim but also the mental development of the perpetrator.

If I were to find an answer based on that learned knowledge, I absolutely must inform the parents of the students who committed the bullying.

"……Headmaster Glenn. Do you know what became of the students who committed that bullying?"

When I said this, Glenn's eyebrows drooped into a sorrowful shape.

"……I, I know, but……"

"Please tell me. I want to visit their homes, one by one, to conduct home visits."

"I knew it……!?"

At my words, Glenn cried out, his face looking like he was about to cry.

"A-Aoi...! I understand home visits, but the elven students and the ringleaders are no longer at the academy...! The ones who remain are just those who followed older students and joined in the bullying..."

"The Elven Kingdom, then. You know where it is, right?"

"Oh……"

When I confirmed, Glenn assumed a pose as if clamping his head between both hands and looked up to the heavens.

The holiday I promised Solare was in three days. There's still plenty of time.

"Tomorrow, I only have lectures in the morning."

"U-Yes? Morning lectures indeed. S-So, what about it...?"

"Where is it located?"

"N-No, no... It's between the Cote Highlands Federation and the Grantz Highriver Grandsands, but it would take over a month by horse-drawn carriage."

Hearing this, I unfold a map in my mind.

"……I see. In that case, it seems we could do it in an overnight trip. Where are the other students from?"

"……Cote Highlands."

Glenn answered with an air of resignation.

"Perfect, isn't it?"

When I told him this, Glenn hung his head and nodded.

"……I think so too."

I had his agreement. Now it was just a matter of putting it into action.

"Excuse me."

Right on cue, the master brought our food. I had thought this was a somewhat spacious table, but as the master placed one dish after another laden with food upon it, I experienced the illusion that it was shrinking.

Before I knew it, the table was completely full of food.

"Oh, this looks delicious."

"It really is delicious!"

Shenley happily affirmed Glenn's words.

"Well then, let's dig in."

Announcing the start of the meal, we all enjoyed the food together. The seasoning must have satisfied Glenn as well, as smiles filled everyone's faces.

When we had finished about half the meal, I remembered something and spoke up.

"I'll need you, Headmaster Glenn, to accompany me to the Elven country and Cote Highlands as well."

"Pfft—!"

As soon as I uttered this request, Glenn, still holding his fork, choked. Watching him cough as if he was being strangled, I waited quietly for his response.

"……I- I have to go too? It would take considerable courage for me to return to the Elven country……"

"I don't know what they look like, so it would take me far too long alone. Please cooperate, for Solare's sake."

"I feel like you, Aoi, would probably manage to find them without any trouble even without me……"

"Headmaster Glenn."

"Yes. I will accompany you."

I was about to ask again since Glenn seemed reluctant, but for some reason, he agreed immediately. His sudden obedience bothered me a bit, but I suppose he's worried about his grandson after all.

Smiling at Glenn, who showed the side of a kind grandfather, I picked up my cup and brought it to my lips.

I enjoyed the flavorful tea and let out a relaxed sigh.

The Elven Kingdom. Aqua Vitae. I've heard of it from Owen as well. Magical knowledge and development was clearly different from other countries... What kind of documents and research results were stored there?

I had a great interest in the magic of the Elven country.

However, for now, my priority was confirming the discriminatory attitudes rooted there. If there was prejudice against half-elves or a strong ideology of elitism, that would certainly be an issue to address.

Now, how should I approach this? I heard the Elven country has a longer history and a more unique culture than any other nation. It won't be easy.

"……For this trip, let's just meet the students and their parents and gauge the situation."

When I murmured this quietly, Glenn and Shenley both turned their faces towards me in unison

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