Please Do Not Abandon the Adopted Heroine

Chapter 23 – Guilty! You’re Guilty!

“Defendant, I will grant you the opportunity for a final plea, Judge Wondine.”

“… It’s unfair. I haven’t done anything wrong. It’s a false accusation.”

“You’re not even going to make excuses?”

“I swear by the goddess. I am innocent.”

“You’re swearing by the goddess, teacher? You’re just full of lies! Rejected! It’s a rejection! Hearing ‘oppa’ from a foreign woman is already a guilty verdict! Clearly guilty! I sentence you to 1000 years in prison! No, it’s life imprisonment! Since Wondine’s incarceration will take place in her room, pack your bags right now! Click! Click!”

Bang! Wondine picked up the baton lying on the floor and struck herself hard.

“Wondine, what’s all this about being a foreign woman…?”

“Except for me, she’s the only outsider among the women. Even the teacher… it’s embarrassing for me to say such things…”

It didn’t seem like a joke as she chuckled, covering her cheeks. I reprimanded her as gently as possible.

“Undine, take good care of Lynn. She’s just crossed ten years. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

As Lynn hesitantly lingered by the well, glancing around, she was startled and clung to Freya. Undine seemed belatedly pricked, flinching.

“Ugh…”

“See, no one finds it strange when I’m called ‘big brother,’ right? It’s just Cecilia and you who overly react.”

“I-I didn’t mean to…! Th-then…! Please tell us about the teacher’s ideal type, so we don’t misunderstand!”

Barely skirting between being a sibling and a niece, it was just about within a marginally acceptable age difference. Although the reality of having to explain this was cruel, if shutting Undine’s mouth required only mentioning an ideal type, it was a small price to pay.

“Of course. I have a very normal view of the opposite s*x.”

“Heh… So confident? Should I give it a try?”

With a huff, I took a deep breath. Suddenly, all eyes in the room were on me.

“My ideal type is someone taller than 170 cm, an Imperial standard intelligence test score above 135 points, a chest size between C and D, with a grip that’s snug but not too tight, not drawing too much attention from other men but still noticeable. They should possess enough hugging power and a generous heart to understand my nonsense, and I’d prefer it if they found my reactions amusing. Age-wise, give or take five years. Of course, considering conversion based on race might be possible. However, if they happen to die before me, I’ll politely decline the short-lived species.”

“Lower your standards immediately!”

“Why?”

As I responded in a muffled tone, Cecilia, who had been quietly observing, suddenly raised her head.

“It seems like the teacher prefers tall women.”

“… Huh? Well, it’s not bad if they’re tall.”

“Hmm… If I include my fox ears, I’m quite tall, you know…”

“Wait a moment! This blasphemy! Where in the world do you get off suddenly spouting nonsense! And who measures height by ear length! Come here this instant… You… I mean it!”

In an instant, chaos ensued, with Undine and Cecilia creating a whirlwind of dust, jumping around.

Various documents were flying through the air, and ink bottles were spilling.

…Hey, guys. Let’s clear the dust.

And let’s not throw knives. If it sticks to the wall, I have to fill the hole. Will you do the cleaning?

Ignis shook his head and disappeared, and Freya, trembling with Lin, also left the room.

I had no choice but to do my best to stop them without even getting a chance to introduce Lin.

“Anyway, I don’t know about this! Teacher, you handle it yourself, hmph!”

Undine, who had reached her limit, declared so.

But still, Freya, if there’s a solution to the shortage of personnel, what will happen if you go without saying anything?

***

In the center of the school, there exists a huge garden called the “Middle Garden.” It’s a place where many eyes gather, as students often visit.

As lunchtime was coming to an end, students gathered on the long benches in the middle of the garden, holding drinks and enjoying their youth.

Amidst the fresh and vibrant youth, beautiful scenes unfolded. As a teacher like me passed by, my legs trembled with the energy of youth alone, forgetting any embarrassment.

But today was different. I couldn’t help but cry without caring about their eyes or feeling any shame.

“Undine~ for heaven’s sake….”

Since that day, I had nowhere else to lean on, so I clung to Undine.

Undine puffed up her cheeks like a yeast-sprinkled bread, humming and huffing.

I grabbed her pumped-up arm.

“For heaven’s sake… help me fight with Cecilia… If you’re not there, we really don’t have a team. If we rank in the top 3, I’ll grant you one wish…”

I didn’t miss Undine’s hesitant gaze.

“A… wish…?”

“Sure, a wish!”

“Heh… heung~ Anything?”

“I’ll grant anything.”

“Really? For real? Promise?”

…Wait. I think I just made a slip of the tongue… Could it be they were aiming for this?

Even Freyja, who was with me, looked at me as if I were pathetic.

“Your nose is long again.”

You too, huh?

As I was rolling my rock-hard brain around, I suddenly felt a presence behind my shoulder.

It’s annoying when someone completely useless in brain rotation comes to visit.

It was a familiar face, but I couldn’t remember the name. While internally slowly assessing who the heck this guy was, Unidine made the first move by politely offering a handshake.

“No, who is this! Isn’t it Professor Eugene Sir Neperna! hahahahaha!”

“… Who?”

Putting aside the names obscured by various thoughts, I couldn’t remember my own name, and unexpectedly, the uninvited guest number one abruptly asked for a handshake.

“No, who’s this! Our Eugene Sir Neperna, right! hahahahaha!”

“… Who?”

Leaving behind my inability to remember the name, Unidine, in a refined manner, extended his greetings first.

“Oh, how are you, Professor Fernandez?”

“hehehe, Unidine, my student. You worked hard last semester. I always applaud your efforts in counseling. You’re a pride of this school.”

At least now, thanks to Unidine, I could remember the name. Right, yes. The third son of the Fernandez family.

The surname of this man who was smiling confidently is ‘Fernandez.’

“Thank you for the praise, Professor Fernandez. But all my achievements are thanks to the guidance of Professor Neperna.”

“Ha-ha! Being too humble can become poisonous.”

I’ll clarify one thing. I did express it as ‘acting arrogant’ earlier, but there’s a flaw in that statement.

Regrettably, that guy is genuinely outstanding.

Born into a prestigious family, received a formal education from a young age, and not only that, but he steadily climbed the elite ladder. On top of that, possessing innate talent, he passed the 6th Class National Exam at a tender age.

Even though there were plenty of temptations for pleasure and indulgence, he never indulged in any of it, gaining recognition within the family, possessing impeccable character, and enjoying a good reputation externally.

Excelling in self-discipline, always impeccably dressed, there are even rumors that he spends a staggering two hours every morning just on grooming… Princesses of this country don’t even do that. He’s undoubtedly insane.

Anyway, coming from a good family, having an exceptional background, and possessing remarkable personal abilities, Fernandez holds the remarkable business card of being a Professor at the Magic Academy at a young age.

If there’s something regretful about him, it would be that his unrequited first love was none other than Freya.

“Ah, Professor Freya. Even the midday sun pales in comparison to your beauty.”

“…Ah, yes. Um, thank you.”

“Have you had lunch? In case you haven’t…”

“I already ate. Just now. With Eugene and Wendy.”

Fernandez’s face momentarily stiffened at the name Eugene, but soon after, he regained his smile, amiable as ever.

“…Oh, that’s good to hear! I was just concerned if Professor Freya had skipped a meal.”

“…It’s very kind of you to worry, but you don’t need to concern yourself; I never skip meals.”

As Fernandez takes a step closer, Freya takes a step back.

Rumor has it that he’s confessed more than thirty times already.

If it were any ordinary person, it might have been harmless, but to Freya, it’s nothing short of poison.

The fact that she had a previous life as a man was a well-known fact even within the school, and the other party must have been well aware of it.

Nevertheless, Fernandez never knew when to give up. He’s truly insane, no doubt about it.

At that time, someone came running and changed the situation.

“Ah! Freyja unnie!”

“…Ah! It’s Lin! …It’s dangerous! Don’t run, take it slow!”

“Yes! Yes! …………… Ugh… Huh…? Huh? Ah! Ugh! Mom!! Ugh!”

“What do I do, it must hurt…! I told you to be careful…!”

Just then, Lin, who had been coming closer from afar, stumbled over a rock, startling Freyja. After dusting herself off and getting up, Lin blushed in embarrassment.

“Did you go to see Rani?”

“Yes, because Professor Aegis asked me to come over.”

Lin, who had changed so much in just a few days, was now unrecognizable from the disheveled figure I had seen on the street before.

Her bright smile and pure appearance brought a refreshing vitality to the surroundings.

Beyond Lin’s back, pure white wings fluttered and a few white feathers fell. It was Fernandes who had been muttering “Mom…? Mom…?” all along, picking up a feather and suddenly yelling out of nowhere.

“This… This feather…!”

“…Hm? Oh, that’s Lin’s feather…”

“Yoooouuun Senor Fernaaandooo!!!”

“…Ah, it tickles my ear… Why are you suddenly like this?”

“I was trying not to bring it up, but I simply cannot overlook this! This is an ethical issue!”

…Ethical? Suddenly?

“I know that you are being pointed fingers at for riding on your father’s reputation and the director’s coattails, but still, I have always respected you! Even if you received criticism for lacking in leadership, I believe that your abilities should never be underestimated! Even with the director’s recommendation, it is only natural for the school to recruit outstanding talents!”

I never thought Fermeski would think of me like that.

Suddenly, I started feeling sorry for not even being able to remember his name.

Sorry. In my head, there’s only the attendance register for classes stored.

“Even if strange rumors occasionally reach my ears about Undine students, I pretend not to know! I believe it’s wrong to spread gossip about students, but I never thought of invading your privacy!”

“Kya… ♡ I don’t know ♡ Apparently, people around me were already looking at me with those eyes! It’s too early! I haven’t even stamped the marriage declaration yet~”

Undine, your carefully crafted mask is being torn off. But she remained immersed in her delusions.

“Above all, Professor Neperna, I knew that you were close to Professor Freiya!”

“That’s right.”

“In the end, you’re also a man. Falling for Professor Freiya is the natural order of things.”

“………… Are you kidding?”

“But… Kheheheuk! To think there’s such a splendid child!”

“………… What?”

“What I can’t tolerate the most! Professor Neperna! Your dissolute lifestyle! Thinking that even with Professor Freiya by your side, you were playing around with other female students… Isn’t Professor Freiya pitiful!”

… This must be a joke, right?

Lyn, who was watching with wide eyes from the side, alternately glancing at me and Freiya, giggled with a nod.

“Wife…? Married…? … Ah… Ah! Was that it!”

… No, please don’t misunderstand.

Lyn, who quickly understood the situation as I playfully teased, nodded her head.

She’s quite clever.

“Oops! Um… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that… It seems there’s a misunderstanding…”

“Ah! I’m sorry! To curse in front of a child, I’ve done something terrible! It’s okay, dear. I heard you call Freiya ‘mom’ with my eyes and ears like wormholes.”

“No, it’s not like that…! I…! It’s just that, I suddenly tripped…!”

“It’s okay, you’re not at fault. Just cover your ears for a moment; I’ll talk to your father directly.”

“Let me speak!”

“You brat! Eugene! Seo! Neperna!!!!!”

Flutter, and a glove flies. A glove sticking firmly to the face. Before I could get disgusted with the intense scent of men’s cologne, Fernandez’s words followed.

“I challenge you to a duel!”

“………….”

“I would like to immediately attend to Professor Freya’s distress here, but as educators molding the mirrors of students, bodies becoming educators on the sacred stage of education, we cannot engage in vulgar fights!”

Quite a healthy way of thinking. Isn’t there an option to reflect on one’s own actions?

“Taking advantage of the interaction among the students in this lunar festival, I challenge you to a duel. Using the camaraderie of students as a tool is painful, but I believe they will understand!”

The words are crystal clear, very straightforward.

Meanwhile, the actual participant in the match, Wundi, is muttering something ridiculous like, “Ehehehe♡ we’re a couple♡.”

“If our team wins, we will… bless your future…!”

What are you trying to do with that good head of yours?

No, maybe because the head is good, it’s not realizing that it might be wrong.

“……….”

Considering how Freya’s expression is right now, I retreated, thinking that if Fernandez had seen it even once, the situation wouldn’t have escalated to this point.

I can’t handle it, so figure it out yourself.