Chapter 21 : Storm’s New Instructor (5)

“You’re right.”

“And recently, I heard there’s a new instructor who was appointed as a lead instructor after Akina. It seems the flow of talent into the instructor positions is steady.”

“Ah, you must be talking about Edgar Mulick.”

Duke Crowflin had already heard about Edgar Mulick.

The second son of the Grand Magic family had become an instructor in the swordsmanship department, and his skills were so exceptional that he immediately earned a third-rank instructor title.

As someone who walked the same path of a sword hero, Crowflin couldn’t help but be intrigued.

“I heard he’s opened the Fourth Crossroads.”

“That’s just baseless talk.”

“Haha. I think so too. The newspapers have always been prone to exaggeration.”

• Edgar Mulick has opened the Fourth Crossroads and become a fourth-level hero!

Such rumors were circulating, but sword heroes working in the field did not believe it.

It wasn’t about believing or not believing; it was simply impossible.

After receiving one’s first destiny, the fastest a hero can reach the second crossroads is at an incredible speed. On rare occasions, once-in-a-century geniuses might start at the third crossroads.

But progressing from the third to the fourth crossroads takes at least five years.

Edgar had only graduated from the academy a year ago, and before that, he had been studying in the magic department. Could he already be a fourth-level hero?

Even if you generously considered Edgar a genius, the speed was absurd.

The newspapers pointed to the “simultaneous hunt of fifteen Kelleil monsters” as evidence, but any third-level hero in the Clephe Knights could have achieved that result.

‘Still…’

Duke Crowflin felt a surge of curiosity.

Even if it was exaggerated, it was still remarkable.

A person who had just switched to the path of a sword hero had reached at least the third crossroads and obtained a third-rank lead instructor position.

And he was the son of the Marquis of Mulick, a family closely tied to the Crowflin Duchy.

There was no shortage of reasons for Edgar to draw attention.

That’s why all the newspapers were in such a frenzy, writing articles about him.

“Rick, didn’t the Kingdom’s investigation team make a request for cooperation recently?”

Duke Crowflin was the type to address his curiosity immediately.

He had just thought of a suitable solution and asked one of his knights.

“Yes? Ah, yes. They requested cooperation because there’s a possibility of high-level monsters or beasts in the Red Thicket area. If it turns out to be a beast, it’ll fall to our knights to handle it.”

“Then prepare an additional special cooperation request letter.”

“Where should I send it?”

“To Tristan Hero Academy.”

More precisely, to the swordsmanship department of the academy.

The request was directed to the new instructor, Edgar Mulick.

It was a cooperation request for additional investigation into the Red Thicket, with Edgar serving as a referenced collaborator.

With only a month left until the academy term began, I had been spending my days quite busily.

I had been learning the duties I would undertake as an instructor in the swordsmanship department, as well as participating in research and regular meetings, all of which consumed a lot of time.

Additionally, as a member of the academy, there were many administrative tasks I had to handle.

On top of that, I had been appointed as a lead instructor for this semester.

I needed to focus on preparing the new course that would be launched.

Because of how busy I had been, I had to delay a planned meeting with my father.

I did wonder if I really needed to be working this much, but since I was genuinely interested in my new duties after returning, I didn’t have many complaints.

“It seems you finally have a bit of free time.”

Ray, who was organizing documents beside me, spoke with a calm expression.

At first, I found his manner of speaking a bit stiff, but after hearing it enough times, it started to feel oddly comforting.

“Yes. Ray, you’ve worked hard as well. There must have been a lot to handle.”

“I was only assisting you, Edgar.”

Ray and Akina’s support had been immensely helpful during the long adaptation process.

Ray, with his background as a butler, efficiently managed all the small tasks as my assistant, while Akina, as the senior instructor, meticulously taught me everything I needed to know.

Thanks to their help, my new course on <Valut Swordsmanship> passed administrative approval smoothly and was confirmed for launch.

Now, all that remained were the cadets’ course registrations, which were taking place today, and the start of the academy term, about a month away.

“Edgar, the course registration results will be out in one minute.”

“Hmm.”

“Are you nervous?”

“Haha, Ray, you joke too much. Why would I be nervous about something like this?”

“…”

Ray sighed as if my appearance, clearly showing nervousness, was obvious to anyone.

At Tristan Hero Academy, course registration takes place one month before the start of the term.