I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

47 – Tutoring

The first class as a precision mage was over. I slouched in my assigned research lab after the class.

Leaning back in the chair, I let out a deep sigh.

“Haah… Somehow, I managed to do it.”

Being in the position of a teacher felt completely different from what I had seen as a student. Mostly in a bad way.

From the perspective of an educator, I had to carefully choose every word during the class. Not only that, I had to cross-verify information I already knew, and I made an effort to show courtesy to each student individually.

“…It was easier when dealing with upperclassmen who could handle things on their own.”

Originally, the reason I could work as an assistant professor was because the position for combat magic, which was easy for me to teach, was vacant among upperclassmen.

However, the first-year students are different. It’s not possible to conduct combat exercises with those who haven’t yet mastered proper control, and this is a crucial time for laying a solid foundation. As a result, my concerns deepened even further.

“I haven’t even gone through the assistant professor period, and how did Professor Codelia, who started as a full professor from the beginning, manage it?”

I slouched in my chair, recalling memories from my school days.

Between teaching and maintaining decorum… with so much to worry about, how did Professor Codelia start her classes?

“What’s this? They call it the Alpha class, but there’s nothing but idiots here.”

Argh, my head…

I hastily buried the memories of the past. Yeah, Professor Codelia, in the first place, wasn’t the type to fuss over various things like me. She was someone who tailored herself to the students.

Trying to imitate someone like that wouldn’t be of any help. Honestly, Professor Codelia wouldn’t have been an educational help even if it weren’t for her skill.

Thinking this way, I took out the first-year textbook.

Yeah, I should review the content and cross-check the first-year textbook. If I said something wrong, it could instill bad habits in young minds.

At that moment, there was a knock on my lab door.

“Who is it?”

It was Professor Codelia. What? Did she come to punish me for criticizing her in my mind? My pupils shook for a moment.

However, it seemed that wasn’t the case. Because in Professor Codelia’s hand was a bottle of alcohol.

“…What are you doing?”

I stared at her, puzzled. Professor Codelia smiled brightly and said,

“Well, congratulations on your first class?”

Upon hearing that, my face crumpled.

“Are you insane?”

Professor Codelia grabbed my ear.

“There’s nothing a student can’t say to a teacher. Absolutely nothing.”

“I’m a full professor now, just like you.”

To that, Professor Codelia, still with a bright smile, replied,

“So what?”

Damn it all.

I furrowed my brow and looked at her.

“… Did the professor throw a celebration party after the first class?”

She didn’t seem like the type to do such a thing.

In response to my question, Professor Cordelia replied.

“No, I cursed silently that there were only idiots. I feel a sense of reluctance in being an academy professor itself. What kind of congratulations is there to give?”

Can the inside and outside be so transparent? Perhaps, having lived a lifetime as a genius and a strong person, she never felt the need to deceive herself. No, it’s not just cursing silently.

I looked at Professor Cordelia with a cold gaze. Professor Cordelia met my gaze with her red eyes and smirked.

“A person like that is still managing to be an academy professor.”

“Well, I’ve adapted to how idiotic the average human kids are by now. And… having a disciple like you, things are quite satisfying.”

She said while patting my buttocks.

“Don’t think I won’t drink just because you praise me.”

“Have you seen such a dense person?”

This is maddening. No matter how I think about it, she must have made a contract to restrain the madness she showed during the first class with alcohol. Damn it, is this a professor or an alcoholic.

“Are you just making an excuse to drink because you want to?”

“How did you know? You’ve become quite clever.”

“Damn it.”

I couldn’t hold back and cursed. Hearing my curse, Professor Cordelia laughed heartily.

“Work for a few more years. You’ll end up just like me. Other professors in the Magic Department are all people like me.”

“Where the hell did I get a job?”

Professor Cordelia shook her bottle of alcohol.

“So, you should toughen up your liver in advance. I’ve taken the first step as a proper professor.”

“I refuse.”

“Come on, it’s not fun if I drink alone.”

“I’m not drinking.”

Professor Cordelia pouted and left for somewhere else, protruding her lips. After confirming that Professor Cordelia had left, I closed the door.

Again, how much time had passed? Someone knocked on my door once again.

“I told you, I don’t drink….”

Before me was not Professor Cordelia, as I expected, but a girl with green hair. She was Jezelle Ircalli.

“…What drink?”

Jezelle looked puzzled, and I ushered her into my private research room.

“Have a seat there.”

After pouring tea, I placed it on the table. Jezelle nodded lightly and took a sip of the tea.

“Why have you come?”

I asked Jezelle politely. I used honorifics with her, just as I did in class and exams.

To that, Jezelle replied, “You used informal language when we first met. You can speak comfortably now.”

I took a sip of the tea. Damn, did I drink it too hastily? My tongue stung slightly.

Ignoring the tingling sensation, I asked her, “Well, let’s go with that. Why did you come?”

“I want to further develop myself. And you’re the one teaching basic magic.”

To grow further. I looked at Jezelle and said, “Why did you think that?”

Jezelle hesitated for a moment and then spoke, “After the last exam, I almost died. After that, I felt it. That I am far from enough. Even though I boasted about setting up the ball and chasing criminals, it wasn’t a wise judgment. It was closer to suicide.”

It seemed like she held herself to the same strict standards she used to evaluate others. I looked at Jezelle and said, “Why? In the end, the results were good. Thanks to you, we caught the criminals, and everyone didn’t die.”

“If you hadn’t helped at that moment, I would have died.”

As soon as I heard those words, I felt a twinge deep in my conscience.

“Just because the results are good doesn’t mean everything is fine. Above all, if I had reached the level of an expert, I wouldn’t have been in such a crisis. In reality, Vanessa Delfier handled them all without a hitch.”

I closed my mouth. Then, Jiselle lifted her head to look at me.

“So, I want to advance further. Honestly… even the Alpha-class education doesn’t help me at all.”

Well, that makes sense. They said it’s a level that can handle even transformation magic.

“I want to reach the level of an expert as soon as possible. Professor… I heard she’s a high expert. I came to ask for help because I want to find the path as quickly as possible.”

“No… I mean, what if I refuse?”

Honestly, due to my uncomfortable feelings, I strongly felt like pushing her away. Jiselle spoke without hesitation.

“I’ll ask another professor then.”

“Well, if that’s the case…”

As I was about to respond to her, Codelia’s words came to mind.

“If you were the perpetrator, you might feel uncomfortable and want to avoid. But you’re the victim. So stand up confidently and move forward.”

“…

I sighed. Damn, why did that thought come up now?

After a moment of hesitation, I spoke.

“…Fine.”

Yeah, damn it. Why should I avoid? I haven’t committed any crime, and she hasn’t done anything to me. Of course, there’s still a sense of guilt psychologically.

“You want to become an expert? Just to let you know, even without going to such lengths, there’s a high probability you’ll reach expert level just by practicing for a few months on your own.”

“I know.”

“…And, since it’s the method I learned from my direct mentor, it can be tough enough to make you want to die.”

Jiselle looked straight into my eyes. Deep emerald eyes were visible.

“If it’s the method from Professor Codelia, I trust it more.”

Damn. I bit my lip once, tousled my hair, and said,

“…Alright, so go back for today, and come here from tomorrow.”