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Woosh!

Like Yuna had done, Vilkas also unveiled his most powerful magic from the start.

Flare Dragon.

An orange blaze took the shape of a dragon from Vilkas’s hands.

Casting speed.

Magic technique.

And efficiency of channeled mana.

Befitting a golden age member, Vilkas’s magic was flashy and mighty.

“Hmm.”

‘So this is the golden age I’ve heard of.’

Their skills were certainly outstanding.

But only outstanding by student standards.

Seeming to notice his puzzlement, the Principal whispered to him.

“The center of the golden age is Miss Roanna. Miss Roanna anchors them and elevates their level. There’s a big gap between those two students and Miss Roanna.”

“I see, that’s why.”

He nodded his head.

They were undoubtedly exceptional for students, top-tier even.

But fell short of being called the golden age.

‘They’re clearly different from the students Ethan taught.’

Yuna and Ron had surpassed student level.

The remarkably skilled golden age students.

And the two who transcended student level.

‘A difference in educators.’

All the students at this Ivecar Academy are talented.

How that talent is nurtured is the measure of an educator’s ability.

‘It may be presumptuous, but I believe the academy’s teachers should receive a composed evaluation.’

Jeryd thought the gap in ability between Ethan and Duty was immense.

As Ron’s case showed, Ethan did not confine a student’s talents.

If a student specialized in the greatsword, he would teach tailored to that.

‘In terms of efficiency, Duty’s approach is probably correct.’

There is one teacher but many students. To teach them efficiently, he must instruct in areas all can learn and grow together.

‘Time is limited, after all.’

But this is Ivecar Academy.

The students have already found their own efficiencies, either through their noble houses or self-discovery.

‘Then their individual talents should be cultivated. Ivecar must do so to live up to being the top academy.’

By that criteria, Ethan Whiskers is far ahead of Duty, beyond comparison.

‘An educator looking to the future and taking that extra step.’

Versus an educator teaching just to get good grades at the academy.

Woosh!

Anyone can guess which educator would receive higher evaluation.

“That’s all.”

“Waaaaaah!”

“As expected from Vilkas!”

“I can’t tell how this situation will unfold!”

Vilkas’s outstanding magic, like Yuna’s, was enough to elicit cheers from both sides.

Witnessing high-level magic brings joy to the eyes and quickens the heart.

Jeryd also applauded.

They were magics deserving of ample applause.

But his mind was already leaning.

‘The students are not to blame.’

Beyond a certain level, students can no longer be faulted. They merely followed their teacher’s instruction.

“I can’t tell who will win.”

“Vilkas will probably win. That magic earlier looked no joke just from watching.”

“Ron was good too, but unfortunately being a greatsword user, he couldn’t even swing much.”

“The impact was immense, though.”

Everyone favored Vilkas’s edge.

If Vilkas won here, the third match would be Mason and Serana’s turn.

Both were certainly strong students, so the observing students already anticipated the third match.

“I’ll announce the results shortly. First, I want to commend both students for their efforts. Excellent swordsmanship, excellent magic.”

At Jeryd’s words, Ron and Vilkas simultaneously bowed.

After exhaling deeply, Jeryd discreetly spoke to the Principal.

“Senior, I aim to say something presumptuous, if I may.”

“That’s why I called you here. Ivecar needs reform. And it’s better to be critiqued by an outside party rather than me, an insider.”

Jeryd realized he wasn’t here solely as an evaluator.

And he keenly felt his senior was truly determined to reform Ivecar.

“I’ll take responsibility, so speak your mind.”

“Yes, sir.”

With permission granted, Jeryd immediately continued.

“Mr. Ron’s swordsmanship well brought out the greatsword’s unique style. I could feel the power. Likewise, Mr. Vilkas, your magic was excellent. The rugged feel inherent to fire magic would normally be a flaw, but it was impressive how you sublimated that into a strength instead. With that level of magical control, you would certainly receive good grades at the academy.”

Jeryd briefly paused.

“However.”

All attention was on his mouth.

“This may be presumptuous, but I believe academy grades are supplementary. Those attending the academy mustn’t aim solely for high grades.”

Jeryd forcefully continued as he looked around.

“The academy is a place for growth, not just getting good grades. Mr. Vilkas’s magic was excellent, but such magics, while graded well within the academy, will not be outside of it.”

Jeryd’s words seemed to shock everyone.

“In contrast, Mr. Ron’s swordsmanship may not be highly graded at the academy, but it can receive good evaluation outside. If deployed in actual combat, he could surely take the vanguard with that powerful strength. Greatsword wielders are quite rare, after all.”

Jeryd shrugged.

“Of course, I don’t expect many of the students here to actually see combat.”

It was only natural, coming from high noble families.

“But as someone who experiences real combat daily, Mr. Ron’s swordsmanship appeals to me more. If I were choosing an adjutant, I would pick Mr. Ron.”

Saying this, Jeryd gestured toward Ron.

The vice-principal below took Ron’s hand and raised it.

“The winner of the second exchange bout is Mr. Ron Bears!”

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

“Ron Bears!”

“I knew he’d win! I knew it!”

“I’m sorry I doubted you! I’m sorry!”

The Swordsmanship Department students were tremendously excited.

“In this exchange event, the Swordsmanship Department is victorious!”

2:0.

Despite not sending out their full force, Mason, the Swordsmanship Department had achieved complete victory.

“Teacher Ethan!”

“I definitely want to take your class next time!”

“Hurrah for the Swordsmanship Department!”

The Swordsmanship Department’s cheering squad led the students in a festive atmosphere.

“Damn it.”

The Magic Department side was utterly gloomy.

Duty in particular was trembling.

The gazes he felt on his back were piercing.

But more unsettling than those gazes were Jeryd’s words.

Undoubtedly, Jeryd was right.

What he had taught was merely how to get good grades at the academy.

‘But that’s not wrong. I just did what I could.’

Of course, he knew it wasn’t wholly good for the students either.

Yet he had no choice. He had to produce results.

If he churned out students with outstanding grades, that would become the teacher’s accomplishment.

From the start, Duty never intended to stay long as a teacher at this academy.

This was just a stepping stone.

That’s why he lost.

He had the right perspective on students, but lacked the matching teaching methods.

“I’m sorry, sir. I’m really sorry.”

Vilkas, returning in defeat, grit his teeth. Though trying to endure, tears streamed from his eyes.

Seeing this, Duty’s mind went blank.

What had he been doing until now?

Watching Vilkas bitterly crying made him feel struck hard on the head.

“Vilkas.”

Duty wasn’t always like this.

The sense of inferiority from witnessing Claudie’s class had made him this way.

“You did well. The problem was…me. I did you all a disservice.”

“No, sir. If you hadn’t maximized my strengths, I would still be unaware of my talents. I’m really sorry for failing to meet expectations.”

“No, no……”

Jeryd’s words stung deeply.

Academy grades are a visible metric of effort. But the true essence the academy should pursue is student growth. There is unseen growth beyond just grades.

Teachers have an obligation to nurture students’ growth.

Duty had neglected that duty.

“It was my fault. Let’s do better next time.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll do better.”

Vilkas wiped his tears.

“Both teachers and students, please come up to the stage!”

The Interdepartmental Exchange Event.

While there were winners and losers, its essence was displaying abilities and interacting.

Six students and two teachers stood on the stage.

The previously noisy hall gradually quieted.

“Greetings!”

The students who showed good form greeted each other.

The two teachers also approached and shook hands.

“To be honest, I had underestimated you a bit. But there was definitely a reason you defeated Claudie to become the representative. Yuna and Ron were truly excellent students who received excellent education.”

“Teacher Duty, you have a genuine eye for students. In contrast, I lack that ability.”

Completely unexpected words.

Duty could only be surprised.

He never expected to be praised.

“That remarkable ability is something no other teacher at this academy can match. Even I, fortunate to win today, cannot.”

Normally it might sound mocking, but somehow Ethan’s words rang as sincere praise.

“Today we competed, but are we not teachers of Ivecar? Today ends today. I look forward to the year-end. With a superb teacher like yourself, Sir Duty, and teachers like Sir Claudie on the same team, we could even beat Freya Academy.”

Today was the only day they faced as foes.

At Ethan’s words, Duty blinked.

His feelings toward Ethan had been immensely complex after today’s defeat.

But those complicated thoughts vanished with this remark. Ethan was not a foe, but an ally – a fellow teacher for future academy exchanges.

The swirling emotions in his mind simply dissipated.

“…Yes.”

Duty smiled faintly, then let out a small sigh.

With that sigh, he expelled all his previous thoughts.

His mindset changed.

Claudie and Ethan, who he had seen as rivals.

Now he would be on the same team with these two for the academy exchange. That thought felt reassuringly solid.

“I’m counting on you.”

As Ethan smiled again, Duty firmly gripped the joined hands.

“Yes, Teacher Ethan.”

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