Elite Instructor at a Third-Rate Academy

37 – The Same Color as Your Pupils☆

Something was wrong.

Georg exited the new commander’s tent, thinking so. Before leaving, the lieutenant advised him to leave everything else untouched but to keep the negotiations with the nobles as they were. Could the changes the princess wanted in the military supplies also be part of such negotiations?

“The order itself is reasonable.”

Said his aide.

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“You don’t understand how the previous commander worked because you’re new.”

“Is there a problem?”

“I like everything about the lieutenant, but there are just two things I don’t like.”

“It’s not defamation, is it?”

Georg raised his eyebrows and continued.

“I don’t like that he’s too competent, so the workload increases.”

“Come on.”

“So the Northern Army Commander has excessive authority and information.”

It was a legion led by none other than a war hero, and even in the royal palace, they acknowledged him before the princess eventually succeeded as the chief strategist. If the commander-in-chief had the same authority as the other strategists in the east, west, and south, there would have been no tragedy of royal personnel being dispatched.

“What else is there?”

“He was someone who handled everything within his own domain.”

Kenneth Rada always negotiated from the shadows. Like a skilled negotiator, the previous chief strategist only made agreements through secret pacts, from coordinating the terms to making final decisions. In other words, even if there were shortcomings or invalidations on the nobles’ side, it was never exposed or reported to the higher-ups. According to Georg’s knowledge, there were extremely sensitive issues among them, such as suspicions of rebellion.

“I’m asking because I really don’t know, but aren’t both of those advantages?”

“Why don’t you try combining overwhelming authority and secret handling of affairs?”

“I don’t quite understand.”

“Did you graduate in the top 5%?”

“Otherwise, you would never have made it here.”

It was the lieutenant who had made the secret pacts with the nobles, not the princess.

What they believed in was not the royal family, but the person who would protect their secrets from the royal family. What would happen if they tampered with the existing military supply contracts in this situation? Setting aside the reactions of the parties involved, it could create unexpected repercussions.

“Lieutenant, if you can’t even handle the handover, what are we supposed to do?”

Georg found himself resenting Kenneth after a very long time.

“At first glance, it’s just an ordinary military supply contract, isn’t it?”

“Not quite.”

“But if it were a secret pact, we wouldn’t know how they would react if we made changes.”

There was a reason why they didn’t amend the obviously strange contract contents. His superior was that kind of person. He often consulted with his subordinates for minor decisions but always made major decisions alone. Although Georg knew it was a form of consideration to avoid blame being collectively placed on the allied nations, it was a headache-inducing reality after he left.

“Don’t report that it can’t be done.”

“Are you telling me to raise objections to a obviously reasonable revision?”

Do you want a taste of internal inspection? He tightly sealed his lips, wondering if Sowhi would also agree.

“Hey, did you prepare the documents regarding the family that made this contract?”

“I’ve already made it into a report.”

“Well, kid, you might end up in the Northern Army after all.”

This guy seemed eccentric on usual occasions, but the fact remains that only the elite can come here. Even without being told, seeing that he had processed the information he dealt with showed his diligence. In fact, Barus couldn’t communicate properly, but he was managing the military affairs competently. Since he took office, the workload had increased slightly, and the fatigue of the soldiers had also increased, but there had been no irrational orders.

“Major, here is the Engelar family history and a copy of the military supply contract.”

Georg slowly reviewed the materials that Sowhi had organized.

“It’s connected by blood with Viscount Van Cliff?”

“A match was arranged through royal intervention a few years ago.”

“Is it a son?”

“Yes, he’s not a particularly remarkable person.”

“It’s strange considering he had a daughter.”

“Oh, he must be a scumbag, considering he enrolled in Lailand.”

“I’ve never even heard of that place.”

“Captain, did you know that Engellar was originally from a noble background?”

“No, it says here that he defected three generations ago.”

“Oh, I found out while I was making the report.”

“So, there must be a reason why the Lieutenant entered into a military supply contract secretly.”

“Well, he’s a descendant of the Van Cliffs, so would he really engage in meaningless acts without going crazy?”

Sowee added her opinion that Engellar had very little chance of leaving the military supply contract through modification.

“Should we ask through a letter?”

No, it’s risky to convey military secrets through the military administration. If the Lieutenant does that, he might face disciplinary action and be told not to leak information again. Moreover, it goes against professional ethics to share something the Major has entrusted to us regarding confidentiality.

“Hey, starting today, open all the military supplies coming from Engellar no matter what.”

“Why are you saying that?”

“Our previous commander gave the order.”

-Lieutenant, please send a letter to the princess. The message is to follow the plan as before and not to touch the system created by someone more competent than you. If we mess up, you know we’ll be the ones held responsible, right?

[#37 – School Refuser]

Kenneth presented an opportunity to re-enroll school refusers, receiving the utmost hospitality from Hailon.

“Come in.”

He asked for black tea, but was given green tea instead.

“I will drink it.”

“And I received a letter from the administration official too.”

-Warren, you don’t need to come to the kids’ sports day in person.

“Yes.”

“I didn’t even know you would donate a prize, thanks to you, this year will be quite lively.”

Kenneth discreetly turned his head, uncomfortable with the oily smile of the principal. As a result, he met the eyes of Ochia, who was raising her hand. She was surprised and hastily hid behind the curtain. He didn’t know why, but recently she had been avoiding his gaze.

“I want to receive the scholarship.”

“Oh, so that’s why you wanted to meet?”

He laughed again, but this time she turned away, feeling like something was wrong.

-I didn’t realize that the prestige of the military administration official was so great.

If I reveal to Hailon that I was the strategist of the Northern Army, what would happen? It would surely cause quite a commotion, being the one with access to the information of several noble families, a unique and important position. Even imagining it is uncomfortable. If it’s intentional kindness, I’ve been receiving it since I was born as the second son of the Rada family, and now I’m tired of it.

“No problem.”

Is it true that he read it properly?

“For the re-enrollment, we can use rough language and physical force if necessary.”

He clearly wrote that, does that mean he gives permission?

“The fourth item, any issues?”

“I’m getting old, my eyesight isn’t very good.”

“Um… Should I go get your glasses, Headmaster?”

“Oh, Ochia, if you’re done with cleaning, you can leave.”

– He can’t avoid responsibilities, but it seems like he’ll let it slide.

“Understood.”

“I’m counting on you to take care of the students.”

It’s actually better to work with someone like this. It’s more comfortable to have someone flexible rather than someone rigid.

“Well, then, I’ll go.”

“Please also convey my gratitude to the Headmaster for attending the school event.”

Kenis nodded and left. There’s no reason why he couldn’t listen to Hailon’s wind, but Warren was in charge of the overall supplies for the entire army. Why would such a high-ranking official come to watch a frivolous academy sports event? It’s even a tournament that lasts for three days. It would have been enough if he sent a prize. This amount of excessive courtesy is impropriety.

“Teacher…?”

When she entered because the dormitory was open, Ochia flinched again. She was wiping Panati’s portrait, so that’s surprising.

“Leave that alone.”

She was a timid woman, so I spoke comfortably.

“But… Is it really okay?”

“What’s wrong with a little dust?”

– It’s not like I’m using it anyway.

Kenis finds it difficult to deal with the women he meets here. If Freide is unfamiliar and Cellana is incomprehensible, Ochia is anxious because she might break at any moment. Senite has the typical characteristics of a church member, so she can handle her, but everyone else is a little uncomfortable.

“Well, then… Shouldn’t I clean it now?”

“Sure.”

“Yeah… Okay, got it.”

It seems like she’s happy for some reason, so Kenis secretly thought that Ochia must be tired of cleaning.

“I’m going to write a letter.”

“Oh, yeah… I won’t make noise.”

“Leave,” he meant, but it seemed the message didn’t get through. Despite considering driving him away, Kenees dipped his quill pen in ink.

“Don’t come.”

He contemplated adding more words below, but this guy had a tendency to explode for no reason.

“It’s not a significant competition that requires your presence. Just send a lieutenant to fulfill the formality.”

If he wrote any more here, the guy might get offended and show up unexpectedly like a persistent bullfrog. Despite not looking like a man, he had harbored a crush on my younger sister for years. He was so fixated on the theme of a small fry that he even reached the rank of a colonel. I had to be careful with my words.

“…Bisalle.”

Kenees stopped writing there and put down the quill pen. I wanted to know how the meeting went, whether they decided on the next heir. Yet, I refrained from asking. I feared it might force her to come looking for me. That would be more regrettable than my younger sister, Bisalle, who had become my former lover, ever finding me.

“You’ll think I’m dead by now.”

Now that her last name had changed, it was better to be considered a dead person.

“Um… Professor?”

Turning at Ochia’s voice, she approached cautiously. Her steps were like those of a frightened cat, and I felt a bit sorry for her.

“Yeah.”

Unconsciously, I found myself speaking more comfortably.

“A gift… Would you like it?”

Her laughter, blossoming like a copied flower, was overwhelming, unfamiliar, and worrisome.

—I should be cautious; rumors might spread again.

Thinking so, I stood up from the desk. The height difference seemed to be around 20cm. I always thought I was on the shorter side due to my hunched back, but I was taller than I imagined. Being around 183cm, Ochia was certainly over 160cm.

“This… Please take it.”

As she extended her hand, there were six pieces of candy and a note shaped like a sticker.

“Are you giving it to me to eat?”

“Yes… I bought it with what was left under the floorboards.”

“That was supposed to cover the cost of the books.”

“I still have some left… If you don’t like candy, should I eat it and give you something else?”

“No.”

I wasn’t fond of sweets, but the thought of someone offering to eat it on my behalf crossed my mind, so I accepted.

“It’s just for me to eat.”

Kenees opened one, put it in his mouth, and laid out the remaining five on his palm, asking, “What flavor does Ochia like?”

“The same as what you just ate, Professor.”

—I don’t know what it is, though.

Rolling my tongue, it tastes like cherry, but I can’t tell which candy it is. Judging by the packaging alone, he has never been able to distinguish candies he enjoyed eating. In his lifetime, even Louis despised snacking. Non-Saléna things were more to his liking. Perhaps it was because different preferences were ingrained in the bloodlines of Janelle and Chardis.

“This looks good.”

Kennis, displaying improvisation, picked up a candy wrapped in emerald green packaging.

“Why…?”

She slowly exhaled sweet breath while moistening her lips. At this moment, Kennis suddenly felt awkward with the feminine vibe Ochia emitted. As he furrowed his brows, his disciple, who was staring at him, also didn’t avert her gaze, expressing indescribable emotions. He blurted out the prepared words.

“It’s the same color as your eyes.”

Kennis placed the emerald candy on Ochia’s palm. The disciple delicately unwrapped it, pushed it into her mouth with her tongue, and smiled playfully. As the tense s*xual tension circulated, Kennis gestured for her to leave.

“We haven’t finished cleaning yet…?”

“I need to check something.”

Alone again, he would be in trouble when he met Selena, so he rolled the candy on the table and puffed up his right cheek.

“Yes, I’d be in trouble…”

“Good job.”

Kennis took out a handkerchief from the drawer. Seeing Ochia’s eyes widen, he said charmingly.

“To have a conversation between men, this is necessary.”