Ch. 25 - Classroom Observation

The royal couple decided to accompany me to observe the afternoon class.

The class Rox was attending was a water magic class taught by Speyside Ord.

When I entered the classroom, Speyside was nervously checking attendance and sweating profusely.

"Oh. Surprisingly, there are quite a few people here. I thought the number would be quite limited at the advanced level," Middleton commented as he entered, causing a stir among the students.

Rox, sitting at the top row, smirked when he saw me entering with Middleton.

"Today, we will conduct a class on an advanced water spell. Since all attending students are able to use this spell, the goal of today’s lesson will be to shorten the chant by one verse," Speyside explained more politely than usual, causing the students to glance curiously between him and Middleton.

Rhea, who had entered last, nodded and glanced sideways at Speyside.

Speyside’s face twitched when he noticed everyone found him amusing.

"This seems like a difficult class. At the advanced level, is just being able to cast the spells not enough?" Rhea asked

I tilted her head slightly at her words, but Speyside continued with a relieved expression.

"First, we will perform the spell with the usual five-verse chant."

He chanted the five verses and created a small water sphere dense with mana that was capable of causing a flash flood.

"If you don't specify a target when casting the spell, it will dissipate. Now, everyone, please try it."

With Speyside’s instruction, everyone began chanting.

Rox crossed his arms and said arrogantly, "Speyside-sensei, dawdling like this is a waste of time. We have a senior teacher, Aoi-sensei, here. Why not split the class?"

Then he chanted and cast the spell with just three verses.

Some students were astonished, but Middleton and Rhea frowned.

With a deepened smile, Rox floated the water sphere in the air and looked at me arrogantly. "Or perhaps Aoi-sensei can't teach? I thought it would be easy for a senior teacher, even if you’re only a nominal one, but maybe I was mistaken."

Not noticing Middleton’s and Rhea’s increasingly sharp looks, Rox felt more smug than usual and suggested sarcastically, "Of course, Aoi-sensei, you can cast magic with shorter chants than I or Speyside-sensei, right? You’re quite good at silent chanting, but if you want to cast different types of spells in succession, you’ll have to chant in front of everyone. How about starting with beginner fire magic, followed by water magic?"

I sighed. "This is Speyside-sensei’s class. Please refrain from speaking out of turn."

Rox’s eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Did you just say that to me? To me, a member of the royal family?"

Rox exaggeratedly expressed his shock, causing Middleton’s frown to deepen and Rhea’s smile to freeze.

Wanting to get Rox to behave, I explained calmly, "… As I’ve said before, within this academy, there is no distinction between royals, nobles, and commoners. Rox-kun, you are a student, while Speyside-sensei and I are teachers. Please follow our instructions—"

"What?!" Rox interrupted angrily. "Are you telling me to listen to a commoner?! Me, a member of the royal family of the Verted Kingdom!? Do you know who stands next to you?! You probably don't know, do you?! Let me tell you!"

Rox's loud self-assertion made me fall silent and sigh deeply before casting a spell. "[Action Seal, Freeze]."

Immediately, the spell took effect, and Rox froze like a statue. Next to him, Felter Cairn, who had been watching quietly with his arms crossed, snorted.

Seeing the immobilized Rox, Middleton ordered the royal guards, "Take him away."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

While the students and Speyside were stunned in place, two royal guards solemnly carried Rox out.

Middleton smiled as if the commotion had never happened, raised a hand, and addressed the classroom. "Sorry for the disturbance. Please refocus on your class."

With that, he swiftly exited the classroom, followed by the dull and heavy sound of something colliding. Rhea forced a smile, bowed, and left the classroom as well.

As the door closed, a sharp, clap-like sound echoed, leaving everyone remaining in the classroom dumbfounded.

The door opened, and Rhea peeked back in. "Aoi-sensei, could you come with us for a moment?"

"Uh, sure… Speyside-sensei." I turned to confirm.

Speyside nodded repeatedly. "Please go ahead."

I stepped outside and saw Middleton dragging the frozen Rox by his hair down the hallway.

Smiling brightly, Rhea asked me, "Is there a secluded place nearby, preferably soundproof, such as a torture room or something?"

"Uh… there’s no torture room, but the lab is quite sturdy and soundproof."

"A laboratory! That sounds perfect. Could you please lead the way," Rhea said cheerfully.

My face twitched as I nodded. "…This way."

As Aoi led the way, Rhea called out to Middleton. "Aoi-san knows a good place. It's sturdy and soundproof."

"Hm, I see. That's great. Please lead us there. I'd like to have a private talk with my son," Middleton said.

"Yes, indeed," Rhea agreed.

The royal guards walking alongside them turned pale.

I looked at the dragged Rox with sympathy and clasped my hands together in a silent prayer.

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