Elite Instructor at a Third-Rate Academy

20 – It’s a request worthy of you☆

Upon receiving the letter, I knew immediately who had sent it.

Becoming a lord in a region comes with its own set of discernments. The carefully penned missive, sealed with wax, openly revealed the sender’s identity and their hope for someone to handle the matter.

“Major, did you know that there’s an expert infiltrator in our territory?” Lord Gasgot, the owner of Tenar, couldn’t help but inquire. Just how much information did the operations department possess about the nobility? How could a retired individual, openly known for his vices, exert such influence?

“However, despite all this, if Belasquez del Tor expresses remorse and pledges to abide by the aforementioned conditions, release him. Inquire one last time before executing any barbaric punishment without giving him a chance. If he manages to break free, monitor him annually, check if he displays repentance, and enforce penalties if he violates significant promises. Handle it carefully, please.”

“Major, that’s quite a request from you.”

In the end, the person who couldn’t give up hope for humanity was undoubtedly Kennes Lada.

Gasgot found the author truly fascinating. Issuing such flawless instructions and yet, at the end, displaying compassion was paradoxical. Perhaps it was the seemingly vulnerable human nature that made his subordinates so loyal.

“But here on my territory, that’s not possible.”

Just as Kennes had his own way, Gasgot had his own methods. The infiltration had already taken place. Belasquez, now without manhood, would have to sit and urinate for the rest of his life.

While there was joy in mocking a woman, the agony of being unable to reach climax in any way would be more tormenting. A body boiling with desire, yet unable to enjoy it. The major must have considered even that when sending the handwritten manuscript.

“Deacon.”

He called his trusted aide.

“Yes, my lord!”

“Have they caught the culprits?”

“If they were thieves who harmed Confucius, they’ve already been thoroughly investigated and dealt with.”

“They were going to die anyway.”

“How is their physical condition?”

“They have a slight fever, but their lives are not in danger.”

“The lower half is numb, right?”

“According to the physicians, it seems unlikely that sensation will return.”

“Regrettable. How did these thieves mistake Confucius for an enemy spy?”

“They shared a grudge with someone whose hair color was identical to Confucius.”

“Such a tragic incident over a mere resemblance!”

“So, we took punitive measures.”

“Did you catch the ones who cut off the suspicious tavern owner’s genitals?”

“Sir, as you suggested, they were sent to another territory and even underwent identity laundering.”

“We’re searching everywhere, but their whereabouts are elusive, causing concern for Confucius.”

“As the lord here, I cannot stand idly by. I must pay a condolence visit soon.”

“But how could that be your fault, my lord?”

In response to Deacon’s words, Gascoth sincerely apologized as if he knew nothing.

“Anyway, since it happened in my territory, I should apologize and compensate.”

─ The effort and the money I spent will be repaid on the day when the lieutenant is reinstated.

Even if Kennes doesn’t return to duty, there are many places, be it the imperial family or the Rada family, where favors can be returned. It’s just a matter of doing a profitable business, balancing the books by executing a few condemned prisoners. All of this was done according to the lieutenant’s instructions, so there shouldn’t be any repercussions. However.

─ Is it appropriate to send this letter?

He dismissed his subordinates and read the letter the lieutenant wrote to the southern landowner.

「(Strategy)… On the day I quarreled severely with Amy, if she had known to come and apologize even this late, I would have gone to see her. However, I really didn’t expect that. I realized how foolish I was after she disappeared and blamed myself, but it’s already too late. Now all I can do is apologize to her family, whom I once loved. I will send 50 silver coins annually, as much as the time Amy lived if she had. It will be at least 50 years, so I hope to save up and use it as a dowry if my younger sisters get married.」

Gascoth turned to the next page.

「Because I cannot expose my status as the son of my noble family, all of this will proceed unofficially. Since I am donating silver coins to a place unknown to others, this money will be sent annually in the form of a pension with my emblem. I couldn’t write the letter myself, so an agent wrote it for me, but please understand that it was transcribed from the manuscript I wrote. I sincerely apologize and express my deep gratitude once again for the love she showed me in the past.」

The carefully written characters on the letter started to blur slightly.

「If you contact the family, all I can do is vehemently deny it, and my father will be angry, so please understand this miserable me. Finally, the sender written here is the result of a conversation we had once about what name we would give if we married and had a child. Although she was never born in this world, I would truly appreciate it if you considered the letters sent by Amy’s children each year as a sincere gesture. The front is a male name, and the back is a female name.」

『Sent by Walter Tesera.』

Gascoth sealed the letter with wax and personally sent it.

[#20 – Saint]

Kennes decided to try a different approach to teaching, incorporating some of Freida’s advice. On the first day, there were a total of seven students who applied for the class. Five were from Class C-8, and two came from Classes A and B, one male and one female.

“Genoa, are you taking this too?”

In response to Selana’s question, she replied casually.

“Yeah.”

“You’re from the central region, right?”

“I’ve never taken a grammar class.”

Everyone seemed to treat Genoa differently, probably because she was Genoa Van Cliff. Despite the prestige of her family, it was evident from her appearance that she was outstanding compared to other students. Kennes knew that it was a bias, but there was a common rule that the more diligent a student was in holding the folds of their clothes, the more diligent they were.

“The instructor received criticism for having a boring class.”

“Is it true what they say about him talking like an old man?”

This time, a male student from Class B, who was meeting them for the first time, muttered. Selana gave him a slight look, but she didn’t seem to care much, probably because they were from different classes. She spoke with the same soft tone and used casual language as usual.

“So, after introducing ourselves, how about forming groups and proceeding?”

“If you assign group assignments, we’re done for!”

“I’m leaving unless I’m in a group with Genoa and Ochia!”

Selana and Mercadia complained, but since she couldn’t address each one individually, Kennes wrote a brief self-introduction on the blackboard.

“Come out according to the attendance, say this as your first sentence, and then tell your story.”

“Teacher, if you keep asking us to do strange things, we might run away.”

“Um… Teacher… Do we have to be concerned about pronunciation… that kind of thing?”

“I agree with Selena. It’s the first day, and if you point out mistakes right away, it will make us self-conscious.”

“Just… Can’t we just do it?”

A male student from Class B said. Just as Kenis thought it was a good opportunity, she called him to stand up.

“You start.”

“I didn’t even say my name?”

“You can say it now.”

He introduced himself briefly. The pronunciation was relatively good. There were a few issues, but Kenis didn’t point them out. These students are weak in the third class. When they become the second class, direct criticism will be accepted, so it was best to praise them right away.

“Well done.”

Next, Genoa volunteered.

“I will do it.”

“Hey, if you do it, everyone will be intimidated and won’t be able to do it.”

Kenis was surprised that Selena could speak sensibly.

“Call them up in order of attendance.”

Genoa sat down and Jeffrey started. He didn’t do as well as he thought. In other words, they hadn’t prepared at all. The worst at C-8 was Ochia and Mercadi, and the best was Brandilla. Depending on their origins, the influence of dialects was significant the further away from the capital city.

“Pair the top students with the lower students.”

“No, are you trying to make idiots again?”

“Teacher… I don’t think… it’s a good idea!”

“Yeah, dividing us by speech style would really feel bad, right?”

There was no choice. Growth comes with wounds. Trying to avoid it, they would not improve their skills. Kenis divided them into groups A, B, and C for those who were good and those who were not. Genoa and Brandilla were in group A. Jeffrey and Adson were in group B. Selena, Ochia, and Mercadi were in group C.

“Yahoo, in this class, I’m in group A!”

Brandilla murmured innocently, and Ochia grumbled in dismay.

“I… am… still… in class C.”

“Teacher, this is discrimination. We thought you would take care of us as the homeroom teacher, but what will happen if you harass us more?”

The three girls from class C grumbled. If everyone was taking the basic course, they should aim for the average in the lower class, but if it was a course for skill improvement, they had to keep up with the middle class. At least that was the case for training. Among them, only those who had a willing attitude should be taken care of, so their complaints were ignored.

“Genoa and Brandilla from class A will be the group leaders of each group.”

And she instructed the two in group B to guide the students in group C.

“That’s too much!”

“It’s cruel… even from the first day.”

“Only one person left, then who will I learn from?”

Mercedes asked, and Kennes replied.

“You’ll have a one-on-one session with an instructor.”

“And me, Saim?”

“Not me… no.”

“I don’t mind learning from anyone, so why is Geoffrey in the B class?”

—Let’s not gossip; they’re the type who won’t stop talking if you engage.

Kennes sat on the podium students use and began personal tutoring for Mercedes. Soon, other students followed suit. Geoffrey, teaching Selena, seemed to be struggling, sighing repeatedly. Adson from Class B, teaching Ochia, gradually made her uncomfortable with his gaze wandering oddly.

On the other hand, Genoa and Brandila were reading the supplementary textbook Kennes had created. It explained the difference in terms between combat and academia and earned admiration for its well-organized structure. They studied well through their discussions.

“Mercedes, always emphasize the accent.”

After about an hour of teaching, there was some improvement.

“I still don’t get it. Can you give me any sentence to try?”

Kennes asked him to write and repeat a sentence. He did well except for frequently trailing off at the end. Kennes explained precisely where the problem was, pointing it out with his hands.

“Pronounce it ‘hang-hae,’ not ‘hang-hae.’ Assume you pronounce only the first syllable while sticking them together.”

Still struggling to grasp it, he practiced pronouncing ‘hang’ and ‘hae’ separately. Finally understanding how to control the accent, he blinked rapidly when praised.

“Let’s have a midterm test.”

After a while, calling all the students, he had them reintroduce themselves. Ochia and Selena showed no improvement, and Geoffrey and Adson were still in a state of suspension due to teaching. Genoa and Brandila, having no issues, were not the subjects of evaluation. Only Mercedes had remarkably improved pronunciation.

“Am I a bit talented?”

Kennes glanced at Geoffrey and Adson, sending a questioning look.

“Teacher, since I’m now about B-class level, can I teach Selena and Ochia?”

As Mercedes bounced around, Kennes offered the reward that novices loved.

“You can go.”

Then, with a cheer, they left, shouting that they were the dropouts towards Ochia and Selena. Among the girls with wrinkled faces like paratroopers, the one with a tough personality stood up.

“Teacher, I don’t want to learn from a B-class idiot!”

In response to Selena’s outburst, Geoffrey raised both hands. Ochia, with a gaze suggesting a change of partners, looked at Kennes, teasing Adson. Except for Mercedes, who left, the class was a complete failure.