Chapter 11 : Instructor Assignment

“This semester, quite a few talented individuals are joining us.”

“Yes, even the names alone are enough to surprise us. Many famous figures are enrolling.”

“As such, the selection of positions for the new instructors is crucial. We need to nurture talented instructors in advance, so that they can, in turn, cultivate talented cadets.”

Tristan Hero Academy, Department of Swordsmanship.

With about two months left until the start of the semester, a fierce meeting was underway within the department.

Despite all the flowery language, the topic boiled down to one thing.

Position assignments.

It was about assigning positions to the new instructors selected through this year’s instructor exam.

“There certainly are a lot of successful candidates.”

“The more 5th-grade instructors we have, the better. They’re the ones we need most for practical training.”

The position that new instructors are primarily assigned to is that of a 5th-grade instructor.

This position, also known as a “disciplinary instructor,” is responsible for basic education, managing the cadets’ daily lives, and assisting the lead instructors with their duties.

In essence, it’s a role similar to that of a teaching assistant.

As such, there were instances where lead instructors would forgo having teaching assistants and instead work solely with disciplinary instructors.

“There are three 4th-grade instructors in total. That’s a reasonable number.”

“Considering there was only one last year, this is quite a good result.”

“Among them, the instructor named Selena has particularly outstanding teaching abilities. I personally conducted her interview, and she’s a strong candidate to quickly advance to the level of lead instructor.”

A 4th-grade instructor is referred to as a “research instructor.”

These are the candidates who achieved the highest scores in the instructor exam, and their role is to assist lead instructors in academic research or the preparation of lectures.

Sometimes, under the supervision of a lead instructor, they may conduct supplementary lectures, and through this, a few have occasionally gained popularity and made a name for themselves among the cadets.

From this rank onward, the position is truly worthy of being called an instructor.

Along with the higher rank comes greater authority, and they are even granted a personal research office or an assistant of their own.

And this time, three research instructors were selected.

This was a cause for celebration within the Department of Swordsmanship, as it meant that a considerable number of talented instructors had joined.

“Hmmm, and…”

“Huh? Why would the administrative office make such an assignment…?”

However, the real issue lay elsewhere.

Most of the instructors were clearing their throats awkwardly, while a few glanced around nervously.

The instructor ranking report issued by the Department of Swordsmanship’s administrative office contained an assignment that left everyone astonished.

“A new instructor being assigned as a lead instructor—does that even make sense?”

“I heard they scored perfect marks on every subject in the instructor exam, overwhelmingly taking the top spot.”

“No matter how good the grades are, assigning them to a 3rd-grade instructor position is just…”

“Ahem. It’s because they’re from a prestigious noble family, and with such good grades, they were able to easily jump ranks.”

“Hah, as if none of us have ever been top of the class.”

The issue was with the 3rd-grade instructor.

One of the new instructors had been assigned the position of a 3rd-grade instructor, which involves taking on the full responsibilities of a lead instructor.

This was a rare occurrence, one that only happens once every few years, and only a true genius could receive such an assignment.

Moreover, geniuses of this caliber don’t usually become academy instructors.

They typically join the kingdom’s knight order, the monster hunting squads, or the continental defense forces—groups considered the “true elite.”

No matter how much pride the instructors took in their work, being an academy instructor wasn’t a particularly attractive job for the top-tier heroes.

And because of this, it was even more difficult for a new instructor to take the position of a lead instructor (3rd-grade instructor).

The current instructors, who were already in practical roles, couldn’t help but feel a subtle dissatisfaction.

To make matters worse, the person in question was from a prestigious noble family.

It was an assignment that inevitably evoked complicated feelings.

“Hmph.”

“Ahem…”

However.

Since Akina Crowflin, the star instructor and most skilled member of the Department of Swordsmanship, was present, no one dared to express their dissatisfaction openly.

She was also a genius who had been assigned as a 3rd-grade instructor when she first became an instructor.

And similarly, she too was from a prestigious noble family.

Raising a bigger complaint here would be tantamount to declaring, “I want to get on bad terms with Akina.”

“Well, we should start selecting a successor instructor…”

“…”

Naturally, the selection of successors was also causing headaches.

The newly appointed instructors would each be assigned under a senior instructor, from whom they would learn more specifically about their duties as an instructor and the education of cadets.

It was essentially a mentor-apprentice relationship.

Thinking about this, the instructors became even more hesitant.

“Who wants to take on that troublesome successor?”

“Anyone but me.”

This was already someone who had drawn resentment by being handed the position of a 3rd-grade instructor.

And now, to take on a noble successor?

That would bring nothing but headaches.

This noble instructor was also notorious for their bad reputation, so there was a risk of anything from simple title disputes to outright insubordination.

And then.

“I’ll take the new instructor as my successor.”

In the midst of everyone hesitating, Akina Crowflin boldly raised her hand.

It was a decisive move that instantly wrapped up the sluggish meeting.

“G-good!”

“Haha, Instructor Akina would certainly be able to mentor a successor better than anyone else. And they’re both nobles too.”

The other instructors nodded enthusiastically, their faces lighting up.

Fearing that she might change her mind, they immediately began drafting the report without delay.

However, Akina showed no sign of reconsidering her decision.

In fact, there was a certain intense curiosity in her gaze…

The peaceful Mulick family mansion.

The annex, already feeling empty due to its distance from the main house, seemed even quieter today, likely because Father and my siblings had all gone to the royal palace.

As expected of the geniuses of a great archmage family.

They spent more days handling matters outside than staying quietly at home.

Meanwhile, I was sitting in my room, reading a newspaper by myself.

It might seem lazy, but it was a productive pastime in its own way.

Lately, I had developed a habit of reading the newspaper to keep track of the world after my return.

“Akina Crowflin… She’s even more remarkable than I thought.”

Today’s newspaper featured none other than Akina Crowflin.

She was the female instructor I encountered during the third practical exam of the instructor test a few days ago.

If I passed the instructor exam, she would become my senior.

When I first heard her name, I had been surprised, recalling how my father used to speak of her so often.

But now, seeing her prominence in the kingdom through the newspaper, I was even more impressed.

She was the eldest daughter of the famous Crowflin family, and five years ago, during the Great War, she was the hero who saved the kingdom from crisis.

In fact, her nickname in the kingdom was “The Star of the Kingdom.”

Thinking about the fact that I had been personally interviewed by such a prominent figure filled me with a strange sense of interest.

“Lord Edgar, it’s Ray.”

Just as I was lost in these idle thoughts, Ray knocked on the door, as usual.

“Come in.”

At my words, Ray entered the room immediately.

Her flowing blue bobbed hair and beautiful appearance filled my vision.

She was dressed in her usual butler’s uniform.

It was already peculiar that there was such a thing as a female butler’s uniform, and Ray pulling off that uniquely aesthetic outfit was quite impressive.

I was certain there wasn’t another butler out there who could wear it as well as Ray.

“A letter has arrived from Tristan Hero Academy.”

The news she brought was exactly what I had been waiting for.

“Could you read it for me?”

“It’s a notice of acceptance. You scored full marks in both the second and third practical exams. In addition, you received perfect scores in the practical interview, the administrative office interview, and the teaching demonstration…”

Ray suddenly stopped reading and stared at me.

“Ray, every time you look at me like that, I get scared.”

“…How did you do it?”

“Do what, exactly?”

“I can’t believe these are really your scores, Lord Edgar. I can accept the rest, but the teaching demonstration… How did you manage that?”

The teaching demonstration.

It was an additional interview conducted for the final candidates to assess whether they had the qualities to become a lead instructor.

Of course, I scored full marks here as well.

Teaching was surprisingly easy.

After all, I had experience instructing subordinates during my tenure as a Knight Commander, and those years of accumulated teaching skills hadn’t just vanished.

“Perhaps being an instructor is a job that suits me.”

“The Lord Edgar I know wouldn’t say that.”

“I feel like we’ve had this conversation before.”

At my words, Ray quickly shook her head, clearly wanting to put an end to this banter.

She proceeded to read the last part of the letter.

“Edgar Mulick, you have passed the final stage of the Tristan Hero Academy instructor examination. You achieved the top score, and after discussions with the administrative office, your instructor rank has been set to 3rd-grade. This notice comes under the authority of His Majesty, the Great King, Lucius de Richel Clep—”

“W-wait, Ray.”

This time, I interrupted her, surprised.

“Wait, what did it say my rank was?”

“3rd-grade. It’s a rank that qualifies you to serve as a lead instructor.”

“…I was under the impression that achieving 3rd-grade was extremely difficult.”

“That is correct. You’re the first 3rd-grade instructor to be appointed in five years, since Akina Crowflin.”

The first new 3rd-grade instructor since the war hero Akina.

Even I was momentarily speechless at this incredible result.

Although the academy hadn’t made an official announcement yet, once this news got out, it would undoubtedly make the front page of the kingdom’s newspapers.

‘Even my family will be astonished.’

A new instructor had been appointed as a 3rd-grade instructor.

And the one in question was none other than the second son of the great archmage family, the Marquis of Mulick?

It was an unbelievable story that even my family wouldn’t easily accept.

I had bragged to my father that I would pass the exams in other departments, but even I hadn’t expected to achieve such overwhelming results.

“Ray, aren’t you even a little surprised by this?”

I asked, observing her rather calm expression.

Without blinking, Ray replied, “I am incredibly astonished.”

“…You don’t look it at all.”

“I’m currently rationalizing the situation by considering that you may indeed possess the qualities of an instructor, Lord Edgar.”

“That’s quite a convenient reasoning.”

“I’ve learned a lot by observing you.”

I wish she hadn’t learned such things.

Ray, unperturbed, continued reading through the letter.

From the written exam to the practical tests and interviews, she was the only member of the household who had consistently monitored my performance.

Perhaps that’s why she was more accepting of the outcome than anyone else.

In fact, it wasn’t the result that had surprised her, but the process. After observing me repeatedly achieve such results, she had likely developed some immunity.

‘It seems she’s grown more comfortable with me now.’

Her subtle joke indicated a shift in Ray’s attitude towards me, a far cry from the stiff and strictly formal manner she had when we first met.

“When is my first day of work? I should prepare to inform Father.”

Though the academy wouldn’t open for some time, instructors would likely be assigned earlier to handle administrative duties.

Curious, I asked, and Ray, checking the end of the letter, responded.

“It’s tomorrow.”

“What?”

I couldn’t help but ask again, sounding like an idiot.

Ray, still calm, confirmed the date on the letter.

“It seems Tristan Hero Academy tends to handle things with a sense of urgency.”

“…”

That damn academy administration.

From the exam schedule to this acceptance notice, why do they always rush everything?

At this rate, I’d have to pack and leave immediately, with no time to prepare.