Chapter 28 : Attendance, I will call you (2)

<Welcome, Cadets, to Tristan Hero Academy!>

A huge banner hung over the academy’s main gate.

It was a signal that the semester was officially starting and a welcome to the hero cadets entering as freshmen.

Inside the academy, heroes in various outfits walked around, as if marking the beginning of it all.

Facing this massive crowd firsthand, it really felt like the new semester was finally here.

“Feeling nostalgic?”

“Hmm?”

I turned at Ray’s sudden question.

“Weren’t you here as a cadet until last year? I thought it might feel different for you now.”

“Ah, haha, yeah. That’s right.”

I laughed awkwardly, reminded of something I’d briefly forgotten.

Come to think of it, I had been a cadet here just last year.

Right after returning, I quickly adapted to this job after taking the instructor’s test and dealing with various events, but outwardly, I was still just a rookie instructor, new to the working world.

‘It’s his own way of being considerate.’

I could sense that Ray was subtly trying to ease me into my role.

Leaving behind the past as a cadet and embracing a fresh start as an instructor.

Though he’s usually so reserved, there was a hint of that consideration in his small words.

“Still, it doesn’t feel at all like my days as a cadet.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. After all, I was in the Magic Department back then. Now, the buildings and the people around me are completely different. It doesn’t feel the same at all.”

“I understand.”

The Swordsmanship Department and the Magic Department are quite far apart, even within the academy.

If you divide the academy grounds down the middle, the Swordsmanship Department occupies the right side, while the Magic Department’s buildings are mostly on the left.

It would take quite some time even if I made an effort to go there.

Because of that, I hadn’t had any reason to visit the Magic Department since I started as an instructor.

Honestly, I had been worried when I was appointed, given the notorious rumors I had spread around as a cadet. But fortunately, since there’s no one I interact with there, nothing of concern has come up.

“What’s the schedule for today, Ray?”

“There’s the scheduled Valut Swordsmanship lecture in the morning. Other than that, it’s empty. Instructor Akina requested a joint study session this afternoon, but since it was a last-minute request, I haven’t responded yet.”

Other than the morning schedule, my day is open.

In other words, aside from the lecture, I’ve got nothing.

The simple schedule report left me scratching my head as I asked her again.

“That’s really it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“…Is it normal for an advisor to have this much free time?”

“It’s because you’re a new instructor, Edgar. The number of lectures assigned to you is low. There’s only one assigned time slot for Valut Swordsmanship, after all.”

When an instructor opens a class, usually 2-3 sessions are opened in different time slots.

But my <Valut Swordsmanship> class is newly offered this year.

On top of that, I’m a newly appointed instructor.

Naturally, my assigned time slots are limited.

If I get good grades and evaluations this semester, I’ll probably be able to increase them in the following semester.

Nodding, I realized there’s still a long way to go.

“Alright. Then go ahead and accept Instructor Akina’s request as well. There’s no other plan for the afternoon anyway.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, and join me as an assistant in the Valut Swordsmanship class this morning, Ray.”

Pause—

Ray, who had been organizing some documents in silence, froze at my words.

Then she looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“You mean… me?”

“Yes.”

“Edgar, I’m an assassin hero.”

“That’s fine. Teaching swordsmanship will be my job anyway. Your role will be in the details. You might serve as a light sparring partner or help with tasks related to the lecture. Either way, you’ll be a great help in the class. And…”

It’s rare for instructors to bring assistants into their lectures, but I had planned on teaching alongside Ray from the start.

As both an assistant and as my steward.

She’s been so capable so far that I’m confident she’ll be helpful in class as well.

And above all—

“Having you around also puts me at ease.”

Someone to calmly handle administrative issues if any unexpected situation arises during class.

An assistant who even excels in certain areas more than I do as an instructor.

That’s Ray.

With reasons like these, I thought I could logically persuade her.

Yet, she seemed to lower her head slightly, avoiding my gaze.

That unexpected response took me by surprise.

What’s this?

Does she not want to do it?

Kaela walked into the classroom with a nervous heart.

This semester’s <Valut Swordsmanship> class is being held in the Swordsmanship Department’s third building.

Lectures take place in Room 311, while practical sessions are in Training Ground No. 7.

However, as it was the first class, it had been announced that only the theory portion would be covered today, so Kaela’s destination was Room 311.

“It’s not as big as the main auditorium, I see.”

<Valut Swordsmanship> is a small class with an initial cap of 30 students.

Naturally, the classroom wasn’t that big.

But Kaela actually preferred it this way.

To her, the ideal academy lecture was one where the instructor and students could interact closely and receive detailed guidance.

A special class where her enthusiasm could fully reach.

In that sense,

<Valut Swordsmanship> was just the kind of class Kaela had hoped for.

“And the instructor is… the teacher.”

Instructor Edgar Mulick.

Calling him “teacher” made Kaela flush and lower her head in embarrassment.

“This is crazy, seriously.”

She had never called him “teacher” out loud, but in her heart, she already saw him as such.

Wasn’t he?

He was the one who opened up her “second turning point of destiny” and guided her in her first real battle with monsters.

Until now, she had only trained to handle a sword, but he was the hero who taught her how to fight in harmony with it.

That was Edgar.

It’s just that calling him “teacher” still felt awkward.

“Who’s a teacher?”

As Kaela lightly tapped her own head, a clear voice came from somewhere.

With a refreshing, adorable face that naturally brought the word “bright” to mind.

Unlike Kaela’s light green hair, this girl had pale sky-blue hair.

And she had a refined air about her as well—

Clearly, she wasn’t just any hero.

“Wh-Who are you?”

“Oh, nice to meet you. I’m Miren Tilopé. Since <Valut Swordsmanship> is a first-year class, we’re classmates, right?”

Miren Tilopé.

Kaela had never heard the name before, but the family name “Tilopé” was familiar.

Alongside the Mulick marquisate, they were one of the prominent magical families in the kingdom.

In particular, Count Iden Tilopé, the head of the family, was both the master of the Northern Mage Tower and a figure of both power and fame.

Kaela, as the daughter of a major trading family in the kingdom, was well-versed in such information.

She bowed her head out of habit.

“It’s an honor to meet a member of the Tilopé family…”

“Oh, no need for that! We’re just classmates. And these days, all heroes are practically nobility. Just be casual; it’s easier for me that way.”

“Is… that okay?”

“Of course!”

Miren was unexpectedly laid-back and straightforward.

A cadet more interested in abilities as a hero than in titles.

Vibrant and focused on swordsmanship, she actually had a lot in common with Kaela.

In just under ten minutes, the two exchanged names and quickly became friendly.

“By the way, what was that about ‘teacher’ earlier? Kaela, have you trained with Instructor Edgar before?”

“Oh, remember when Edgar became famous for hunting down those Kelleil creatures?”

“Oh, yes! That’s how I first heard about him too!”

“Well, I was there at the time, and he gave me a bit of guidance. We had to hunt monsters during the mission.”

“Oh… really?”

For a moment,

Miren’s gaze shifted subtly.

But Kaela, unaware, just gave an awkward laugh as she replied.

“It’s not like he took me on as a student or anything. I’m just the one calling him teacher. Haha. To me, he’s a true mentor.”

“Hmm… I see.”

As the discussion on their shared topic continued, more students gradually entered the classroom.

Some came in groups, while others, like Kaela and Miren, arrived alone.

“Hmm?”

But as Kaela observed the newcomers, she noticed something peculiar.

Firstly, most of the students were dressed in fine clothing.

In today’s era, one could easily wear luxurious garments if they had the money, but the distinct crests emblazoned on their chests revealed that they were all noblemen from different houses.

And secondly—this was actually more striking.

“Miren.”

“Yes?”

“Why are all the students entering this lecture nobles, especially young ladies?”

More than half of the students were female.

While it felt strange to call them “young ladies” given their status as heroes, it was clear that the women who filled the classroom had been raised with care in noble families, receiving admiration and privilege.

“Oh, that?” Miren began to explain in response to Kaela’s question.

Creak!

At that moment, a man stepped through the classroom door.

With bright blonde hair and blue eyes, his tall, well-built frame exuded the charm of a nobleman.

Despite his princely appearance, the sword he carried and the aura he emitted signaled that he was not someone to be underestimated.

When he drew his sword, he became the hero who had shocked the kingdom multiple times.

“Greetings. I am Edgar Mulick, the instructor for this semester’s Balut Swordsmanship course.”

The lead instructor of this class.

Edgar Mulick.

As he made his grand entrance, Miren quietly continued her explanation.

“…And that’s why.”