An Old Man from the Countryside Becomes a Swords Saint: I Was Just a Rural Sword Teacher, But My Successful Students Won't Leave Me Alone! Chapter 119

Published at 9th of August 2022 07:01:31 AM

“Oh, Beryl. Thank you for coming,” Lucy said.

When I opened the door to the Headmistress' office and went inside, Lucy was sitting behind the desk by the window.

When she sees me, she spoke those words and moved to some chairs in the center of the room, they seemed to be for receiving visitors.

“… What is it?” Lucy asked. “Is something wrong?”

“Ah, no…” I said.

It was only for a few moments, but Lucy seemed bothered about my scanning the room while I hadn't moved from the entrance.

I had an image of a more complicated room, but there were surprisingly few things in the Headmistress of the Magician's Academy's office, and it seemed to be neat and organized.

“I thought it would be a little messier,” I said.

“Beryl, what do you think of me…?” Lucy asked with a wry smile.

“Hahaha, sorry, sorry,” I said.

I mean, in a way, it can't be helped. Well, on the outside, she's the head of the Magic Division and at the same time the Headmistress of the Magician's Academy, but I didn't have a very good impression of her in that regard when it came to our relationship.

To be honest, I could only think of her as a woman with no life skills who had her private life in shambles. Well, it's too rude to say this to someone's face, so I'll just keep it in my head.

“My apologies for calling you right after a lecture,” Lucy said. “Care for some tea?”

“Mm, I don't mind,” I said as I sat down on a nearby chair. “Well then, please go ahead.”

Somehow, Lucy is as considerate of other people as she is selfish, which is quite unexpected in my mind.

I have a strong impression that she is always acting arrogantly. Well, from what I've heard, she's much older than me and has a high position, so I can imagine that she's also quite polite.

“Huh,” I said. “I think this will taste pretty good.”

“Thank you,” Lucy said.

I hold a cup of freshly brewed tea before me.

Unlike water, it has a pale color and a faint sweet scent. I don't know the difference between black teas at all, but even so, I had an idea that this would probably be of good quality.

“… Halwi is at home, and this is a place for work, not for research,” Lucy said.

“… I didn't say anything,” I said.

“I was just answering your question, Beryl,” Lucy said.

For a moment, I wondered if there was a spell to read people's minds. I want to think that notion was ridiculous. If it existed, Lucy would definitely want it, considering who she is.

No, perhaps that sort of spell does exist in this wide world. I can't even imagine it.

“… Mm, this is delicious,” I said.

“I'm glad to hear that,” Lucy said. “Though, it's natural since I brewed it, of course.”

“Hahaha, your skill's pretty good,” I said.

When I took a sip, I felt a refreshing aroma and a faint sweetness. It soothes my throat and is wonderful. It wasn't overly sweet, and it was a nice flavor for an old man like me.

Lucy drinks from her cup as I put my mouth on mine. The way she behaves is so sophisticated that I can't help but feel like I'm someone who shouldn't be able to interact with someone as high up as her.

“Well then, how do you see things going?” Lucy asked.

The question was a little short, but the intent was simple.

“They're all good kids,” I said as I drink from my cup. “They kind of remind me of my dojo at the village.”

At first, I felt uncomfortable teaching swordsmanship at the Magician's Academy, but when I tried it, I was able to do it unexpectedly well. To be honest, the day-to-day is not much different from what I taught at the dojo in Bidden Village.

It didn't feel as bad as I thought. I'm not able to teach magic, though, so it's not like there aren't slight hitches.

“Kukuku,” Lucy said. “Beryl, the children seem to really like you.”

“What about you, Lucy?” I asked.

“I'm sure I'll be recognized wherever I go,” Lucy said. “Haah, being famous is tough.”

“Sounds like you say that a lot,” I said.

Lucy's complexion and tone seemed to be so weak, it was as if she was about to tip over at the slightest poke.

Leaving aside her attitude and tone of voice for the time being, I think she's only popular because she looks like a child from the outside. At a glance, she only looks like a 10-year-old girl.

“So, do you think you can keep doing it?” Lucy asked.

“Yeah, well,” I said, “I think I'll be happy teaching them what I can.”

“That's good to hear,” Lucy said.

And now the question becomes whether I can continue to be like a professor here.

I decided on this when I first saw the class. I can't be with them all the time, but I honestly thought that I'd like to see the growth of the five of them and, to a certain extent, Thyssel as well.

“I'm counting on you,” Lucy said. “I won't be here for a while.”

“Huh, are you going somewhere?” I asked.

It feels a bit unusual for Lucy to go on an extended trip when she said she spends her days only doing research. Although, I don't know how far from “here” she means.

“I'm going on a little business trip to the Empire,” Lucy said. “I think I may be back in about a month or two.”

“That's also… a really big deal, isn't it?” I asked.

An Empire. Speaking of Empires in the continent of Galea, is it the Saluazark Empire located southwest of the Kingdom of Rebelis?

It seems that there was a history of conflict with Rebelis, but I hear that they are now on relatively good terms. An official trip means that there is some exchange between the countries.

“I'm a celebrity of sorts, aren't I?” Lucy said.

“I think you might be one if you say so,” I said.

“Bastard,” Lucy grumbled.

Even so, no matter what title you hold, it's hard to think that someone who isn't a member of the royal family is going on an official trip overseas.

Even Alexia rarely leaves the Kingdom of Rebelis for matters other than those involving the royal family.

I think it's probably related to magic, but I don't know anything about the educational standards of other countries. I myself don't think I'll ever leave the Kingdom of Rebelis, so I don't have much interest in crossing international borders. To begin with, even leaving Biden Village was unthinkable until a little while ago.

“Ah, yes,” Lucy said. “About the matter that I summoned you for, it's finally been settled.”

We enjoyed tea and chatted for a while, then Lucy slid a piece of paper on the table as if to say it was time to get to business.

“I'll take a look, then,” I said.

I picked it up and scanned the document.

I think it's good to be able to read at times like this. It was thanks to my Old Man, who not only taught me the sword but also helped me become literate.

I don't know anything about the literacy rate of the people of the Kingdom of Rebelis, but even so, I'm grateful that I was able to receive a minimum education even in the remote countryside of Biden Village.

By the way, Miu's studies are also progressing relatively smoothly.

As long as you have the magical capability, the Magician's Academy doesn't care about your origins. Therefore, a wide range of people knocks on its doors, from the sons of nobles and merchants to those on the verge of becoming rogues.

So, it seems that the education for those in the latter category was held up to a certain standard and level. As a result, Miu is currently on the path of both literary and martial arts.

Well, it wasn't that she couldn't read or write in the first place. In that respect as well, the high level of education in this country can be seen.

“Let's see…” I said.

All that said, Miu's education isn't what's important right now.

I skimmed over what was written, but it didn't seem like anything was that difficult.

The first thing I noticed was that I would be hired as a temporary lecturer at the Magician's Academy, but there was no fixed term. For the time being, it was written that I would be paid a fixed salary according to the number of lectures I completed.

By the way, the key word here is “no fixed term.” To be more precise, the wording is “consultations will be on a case-by-case basis.”

It seems that I'm allowed discretion to some extent, and just by looking at it, I can see that there is considerable consideration for me.

“Huh…?” I asked.

“What is it, are you dissatisfied with something?” Lucy asked.

However.

It seems the most important thing in this contract was the terms of my compensation. I couldn't help but gasp when I read the words.

“No… isn't this too much for a salary?” I asked.

That's right.

Somehow the written amount is much higher than I expected. I looked at the amount once, looked twice to see if I had misunderstood, rubbed my eyes once, and looked at it a third time.

“I think it's a fair reward for your skill,” Lucy said, dodging the question.

Hmm. In terms of rewards for my skills, I have already received a sufficient amount of money from the Knights of Revelio… or more specifically, from the Kingdom of Rebelis

It's true that I can't give away my skills and experience for free, but even so, I think this is a bit too much. It's a magnitude different from what I expected number.

“Even then, I think this is too much,” I said.

“You also have to consider Miu,” Lucy said. “She's going to cost you money in the future, regardless.”

“That's true, but come on…” I said.

Attending the Magician's Academy isn't free, and until Miu graduates and starts earning her own money, she'll cost me. I understand that.

Since I'm paying for two people's food expenses, it is naturally better to have more money. However, on that premise, it is also relatively important whether I, myself, am convinced I deserve that money.

“I had to work hard to get these terms,” Lucy said. “There are a lot of people with big heads here at the Magician's Academy.”

“I wish you didn't go through all that trouble…” I said.

The explicit employer in the document is the Magician's Academy. As expected, it doesn't make sense for Lucy to hire me personally. That's probably why they prepared the official seal of the Academy, but putting aside the other conditions, there shouldn't have been a unanimous agreement on this amount of compensation.

Even this document wasn't made by Lucy alone. The drafts may have been hers, but her employer needs to know and approve them.

“Aren't there opposing voices on part of the Academy?” I asked.

“Well, yes,” Lucy said. “That little Faustus boy was quite keen on protesting.”

Faustus. By Faustus, does she mean Faustus Brown, the Vice Headmaster who I passed by in the hall before?

That person was undeniably an old man, but even he's just a “little boy” to Lucy, so her age continues to be a real mystery.

“… I've been wondering about this for a while,” I said.

“Hmm? What is it?” Lucy asked.

It may not be a good question to ask a woman. But even so, I felt like there were too many things to worry about with her behavior.

Besides, if it weren't for an opportunity like this, I wouldn't be able to ask it at all.

“How old are you, Lucy?” I asked.

“Of course, Beryl, that's a maiden's secret, isn't it?” Lucy asked.

“Eh…?” I asked.

I was planning to ask a fairly heavy question, but somehow I was easily dodged. No, well, I'm not going to listen to press and dig.

Come to think of it, I know too little about her. Even though I've been asking favors from her for this and that.

“Kukuku. But, well, you're right,” Lucy said. “I'm probably older than you imagine, Beryl.”

“… I understand,” I said. “I'll just leave it at that.”

“So be it,” Lucy said. “Don't ask such a thing to a young maiden.”

“Didn't you just say you're older than I think…?” I asked.

In my imagination, I thought she was around 50 or 60 years old, but could it be that she's even older? Over 100 years old? I feel both the absurdity and the strong conviction that Lucy was.

But I had a hunch that even if I pursued it now, she wouldn't speak up.

I wonder if Alexia and Thyssel would know about it. It was a question to unravel the mystery even a little, but somehow the mystery has deepened.

“To get back on topic, for the time being, I told Faustus to wait and see,” Lucy said. “This isn't something that will give immediate results.”

“Well, I suppose so,” I said. “I think it's the same as magic.'

Lucy brought us back on track, after getting derailed.

I suppose she was a good instructor.

And that if she was teaching, that student had great talent.

Even if those two conditions are met, it takes time for talent to bloom. Among my students, Alexia and Selena are abnormal, not everyone develops so quickly.

In the first place, if the world was made that simple, there would be no need for an instructor.

“Even with this, I took the opinion of the Academy's side and cut it down from the initial amount,” Lucy said. “I'd be in trouble if you want to get greedy.”

“Huh…?” I asked.

What do you mean by cutting more than expected with this amount? How much was this lady trying to get me to accept?

But well, unlike the incident involving Ibroix, the Suphine Faith, and other incidents, this is a legitimate concern that could be mentioned publicly.

At least I won't be held responsible. It's a bad way of saying it, but if something happens, it's Lucy's fault after she recommended me, and Alexia's fault since she approved my being loaned. Of course, the premise is that I'm not doing anything wrong.

“Hmm…”

I don't know how long this temporary lecturer position at the Magician's Academy will last. Well, I don't know how long the Special Instructor position within the Knights of Revelio will last, but even so, this is just temporary. I can't stay there for years, and if I do that, the next generation of teachers won't grow.

Considering that I'm not only teaching those five students but also educating Thyssel on the side as an instructor, it might be a reasonable amount of money. I don't really understand what's going on here.

“If you think it's too unsuitable, I'll cut it even further,” Lucy said. “I don't think it is, however.”

“Yeah, well, I think that's natural,” I said.

I don't think anyone would want to spend money disproportionately on someone who can't produce results.

However, it's kind of strange that the person receiving the money negotiates to lower the amount instead of negotiating to raise it. Since the other side says they'll give it to me, I wonder if it's a good idea to take it if she doesn't feel guilty about it.

“… I understand. Let's drink to it. I'll make an effort to match this amount,” I said.

“If you do that, I'll be quite grateful. Here, take this,” Lucy said, handing me a pen.

And then, after a little bit of deliberation:

I accepted these terms.

Come to think of it, the Special Instructor of Knight Order of Revelio was by letter of appointment by the King, or rather, it was more like an imperial decree, so I didn't sign anything.

The local dojo is of course my family's home, so I didn't have a formal employment contract. It's quite refreshing to write your own signature on a document from another place like this.

“Is this okay?” I asked, handing over the signed document.

“Mm. Certainly,” Lucy said after she examined it.

With this, on paper, I was indebted to both the Knight Order of Revelio and the Magic Division. It was a situation that I could not have imagined since I was just in Bidden Village.

Should I thank Alexia for pulling me up from the countryside? I had no negative feelings about it, but I still can't get used to being carried off all of a sudden at my age. Or rather, I feel like it's bad for my heart.

“Well then, I'm counting on you again,” Lucy said, grinning. “Temporary Lecturer Beryl.”

“Hahaha…. Well, I'll do what I can,” I said.

Yeah, now that I accepted the offer, I will do my best. Of course, to the extent that it does not hinder the instruction of the Knights of Revelio.

For now, let's go eat something delicious together with Miu.

Somehow, I was in that kind of mood.

Chapter end