Ch. 13 - The Talk of the Academy

Famous, a candidate for a senior teacher, was defeated by a newcomer.

The rumor spread like wildfire, and for some reason, Eliza came running to me. “A-A-Aoi-san?! You did something amazing on your first day!”

Eliza jumped at me with a scream. Her small stature and childlike face, now teary-eyed and clinging to me, evoked a protective instinct.

“W-why are you patting my head?!”

“It’s instinctive.”

“Muu!” Eliza pouted.

Even when she was angry, she looked adorable, so I patted her head again.

She puffed her cheeks and stepped back. “Don’t play around! This is serious!”

Eliza started explaining while waving her arms. “Famous-sensei is from the Earl Grouse family in the Karvan Kingdom and will soon become a senior teacher! Yet you humiliated him so badly!”

“I didn’t exactly humiliate him…”

“… Aoi-sensei! Can I have a moment?!”

Ignoring my words, Eliza continued her explanation.

According to Eliza, this academy was a proxy battlefield for the Six Great Nations. When a teacher was promoted to senior teacher or a student graduated from special-grade classes, it would raise the prestige of their home country.

The Six Great Nations maintained a close eye on the developments within the academy. Noble teachers and students were striving to increase their influence within the academy.

Since Famous had been increasing his status within the academy, his family, the Earl Grouse family in the Karvan Kingdomn, also gained a significant reputation.

However, it seemed I had humiliated Famous.

“I didn’t humiliate him. If anything, I was the one being humiliated.”

“Ah, I can easily imagine that…” Eliza looked sad but soon regained her composure. “But you mustn’t confront nobles directly! Some noble families, especially high-ranking ones, will stop at nothing. You might get killed!”

“… Understood. I will be careful.” I smiled wryly.

I remembered that Eliza herself was from a high-ranking noble family.

After I calmed Eliza, she led me to the dining hall, where we had an early lunch. The food was delicious and luxurious. Since it was free for teachers, I enjoyed my meal without hesitation.

In the afternoon, I had the opportunity to accompany a wind magic class.

To my surprise, it was Strass who came to pick me up. “…Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

After exchanging somewhat awkward greetings, I followed Strass outside the school building.

We arrived at a large, arena-like place behind the school building. It was about the size of a 400-meter running track, surrounded by three-meter-high walls.

About fifty to sixty students had already gathered and were standing in line.

“… I will check attendance.” Strass checked the students' names on the roster. There was no introduction or greeting, so I wondered if I should wait.

I squatted down and touched the red soil with my palm to check the texture.

Once Strass finished checking attendance, he looked at me. “… Now, we will begin the beginner and intermediate wind magic class. But first, I ask you to introduce yourself.”

“Huh?” Surprised by the sudden request, I dusted off my hand and stood up. “I am Aoi Konominato, a new teacher. Please feel free to ask me any questions about magic.”

I introduced myself and bowed, receiving sparse applause from the students.

Satisfied, Strass nodded. “Now, let’s start the class. Line up and cast [Gentle Breeze Hand, Wind Touch], a basic spell of wind magic.”

The students hurriedly complied. They began chanting and raising their hands to face level.

The skilled ones quickly cast the spell, generating strong gusts that pushed them back, while others produced only a gentle breeze.

Strass rearranged the students, alternating between those good and bad at wind magic.

When they cast their spells again, the overall wind strength increased.

While observing, Strass said, “Wind becomes stronger when combined. You should be able to feel the shape, movement, and strength of the magical wind with your senses, even if it’s invisible. Remember the different sensations from the winds created by the students nearby you.”

He then demonstrated the same wind spell and created a powerful gust like a storm. “Wind may seem elusive, but I consider it similar to water. To create strong, sharp wind, you should gather the dispersed wind and compress it at the tip of your palm.”

Strass gradually compressed the wind, increasing its pressure.

When it reached a certain level, a sharp wind blade cut through the red soil, leaving claw marks as if a dragon had gouged the ground with its talon.

Gasps of admiration came from the students, and some of them nodded in understanding.

It was a very clear and easy to understand lesson. With this, everyone would be able to learn intermediate magic.

As I smiled at the effective teaching, Strass looked at me. “Aoi-sensei, do you have any advice?”

Again surprised by the request, I invoked a water spell. “[Dense Fog, Mist].”

I created a thick mist before the students.

Looking at the astonished students and Strass, I explained., “You can visualize the wind by mixing it with the mist. Let’s practice magic one by one in this situation.”

Hearing what I said, Strass stroked his chin thoughtfully. “… I see. This makes it easier for teachers to teach and students to understand more complex magic.”

He then cast a spell at the mist.

The wind swirled, lifting the mist upwards, surprising the students.

While admiring the demonstration, someone suggested, “I want to see Aoi-sensei’s wind magic too.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to me. Even Strass looked intrigued.

With no choice, I decided to show them interesting magic that would help their learning. “Alright, everyone. Watch closely as I demonstrate spells starting from the beginner level… [Shifting Tornado, Wind Talker].”

I cast the spell toward the mist. The wind gathered toward the center of the mist, creating an upward spiral.

“Gather the wind to increase its mass. Use the momentum for swirling, and minimize the power that escapes upwards.”

The wind formed a dome, rumbling while gathering power.

The students watched with bated breath.

I raised my hand. “You can direct this wind freely. For now, let’s release it upwards.”

The moment I released it, the wind dome howled as it turned into a raging tornado that pierced the sky.

The students were left speechless in awe.

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