Side: Carol
The General Academy’s classes start with morning assembly at 9 AM, followed by lessons from 9:30 AM. There’s a 10-minute break every 50 minutes for preparation and moving to the next classroom. Lunch is for an hour starting at 12:30 PM, then two more classes, and finally dismissal. The campus is quite large, and depending on the department, students might have to travel from one end to the other. They say the curriculum will be reviewed starting in April.
However, today, right after the first class ended, all students were instructed to move to the training grounds on the school field. This is because today, Helios Orb is holding their first Element Class, and Yamato, who has updated the highest level, will be conducting combat lessons for all students.
Despite this, some students look unwell. The reason for this is the five Hunters who eagerly rushed out of their classrooms as soon as the previous lesson ended. Yamato’s class is open to all students, and absence or withdrawal is prohibited unless there’s a reason like illness. However, as far as we know, nearly 20 students have requested to withdraw. Some of these are aspiring Hunters who were initially excited, but there’s a reason for their change of heart.
The reason is that the five Hunters are threatening other students to withdraw from the class. They enrolled in the academy to receive training from Yamato, and they possess a highly selfish mindset, believing it doesn’t matter what happens to other students as long as they achieve their goal. In fact, they have been warned by teachers several times to change their way of thinking, but they have not only ignored these warnings but have also disregarded them. Rumor has it that some teachers have witnessed them threatening students to withdraw from Yamato’s class. While it’s considered a rumor since they haven’t been punished, Royalty witnessed the incident and issued warnings. More importantly, we heard from Yamato himself that the rumors are true, and the reason they haven’t been punished is intentional. It seems their punishment will be decided based on the outcome of today’s lesson.
“Even with that being said, I still can’t understand what they’re thinking.”
“It’s probably pointless to try and understand them.”
“Indeed. I don’t even want to consider employing those kinds of people.”
Raus, Sir Yuri, and Laura are openly expressing their exasperation as they watch the five Hunters facing Yamato. I can empathize with their feelings.
“Sparring with Yamato is something even ordinary Hunters can’t do easily. If we miss this chance, who knows when we’ll get another opportunity.”
Rebecca is right. Even Hunters active in the field don’t get to train with Yamato. The Raid Union, which includes Ancient Classes, conducts frequent training, but that’s because they are deemed trustworthy. We had to make special requests to accompany them to Torencia, Bacion, Solemne, and Retisencia, so it was a special situation. Ritters have their share of training, but this is also part of their duties, as Yamato is an R-rank Order, albeit an Outside one. This is the first time it’s happening at the General Academy, and frankly, Yamato is one of the founders, so he’s quite invested in it. Therefore, even with the circumstances, Yamato had planned to conduct combat training lessons.
“That’s likely part of it, but don’t you think they’re thinking of either sparring with His Highness Yamato until time runs out, or worse, trying to become his disciple?”
“They probably are. They’ve been warned by both teachers and Royalty, so they must be anxious.”
The moment the class started, they were the first ones to stand before Yamato, and as His Highness Raio said, they have an atmosphere about them that suggests they won’t be switching out. As Sir Yuri mentioned, they’ve been witnessed directly threatening teachers and Royalty, so their anxiety is undeniable. However, their thinking is undeniably too shortsighted. Nevertheless, this essentially confirms their severe punishment, which is expulsion.
“We’re already having dropouts in the first year; won’t that be a problem?”
“I believe these issues are arising precisely because it’s the first year. Having a precedent set would be beneficial for the future.”
“Exactly. Problems are bound to occur, but the higher-ups must have things figured out.”
Some students were expelled right after the entrance ceremony, and with five more at this juncture, that makes six dropouts in less than a year since the academy’s opening. However, as Sir Yuri and Laura said, setting a precedent is important, and the academy’s higher-ups and the country have been informed in advance, so they have also considered any potential problems. In fact, precisely because they have considered them, their expulsion is being deliberated, and depending on the outcome, it could indeed be carried out as punishment.
“Ah, but if they get expelled, what happens to the Guild?”
“Since they’re already active as Hunters, that part should be fine. But naturally, the Hunter’s Guild will keep an eye on them due to the high possibility of problematic behavior.”
Raus answers Reina’s question, and it’s mostly accurate. To add a little context, registering with other guilds will become extremely difficult, and they will be deemed unsuitable as protectors of the country. Therefore, registering with the Ritter’s Guild, including Outside registration, will be impossible.
“It’s entirely their own fault, so we don’t need to worry about what happens to them afterward.”
“As Laura said. More importantly, Raus, when are you three—Raus, Rebecca, and Carol—going to make your public debut?”
Laura and Seras are harsh, but I understand their feelings, so I’m not particularly interested. Rather, as Seras mentioned, I’m more curious about when our Library will be revealed. I, along with Raus and Rebecca, have been assigned to guard Royalty within the academy due to our evolution into Ancient Classes. The reason for keeping it undisclosed in the first place was to protect not only Royalty but also the academy students from the former prince of the Count Enlo Istlias. He was deemed problematic for his actions at the entrance ceremony and has already been expelled and confined in the Count Enlo Istlias. However, the contents of the Library are personal information, and there’s no inherent need to disclose them. But the selfishness of those five is becoming a problem within the academy, and it’s starting to affect lessons. Therefore, by publicizing our licenses, we intend to rein them in. Of course, that’s not the sole reason, but it certainly served as a catalyst.
“It will likely be within a few days. On another note, what about that situation over there?”
“We anticipated this, so we’ll leave it to Yamato.”
Regarding our licenses, it’s not something that needs immediate attention. The more important issue is how to resolve the immediate problem. Even though it’s entrusted to Yamato, it’s quite troublesome.
Side: Yamato
Today, I visited Memoria General Academy with Meena and Mako. After all, today is the day I conduct combat training for all the students. With nearly 200 students, one-on-one training isn’t feasible in terms of time, so they’ve been organized into teams of several students. Since it’s part of the combat training curriculum, withdrawal is prohibited unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Despite this, nearly half of the students, particularly those aspiring to be Crafters, Scholars, or Pristers, suddenly requested to withdraw a few days ago, instead suggesting that Hunters and Ritters be prioritized. I’m sure those Hunters are pressuring them, and some teachers have even witnessed it firsthand. Honestly, what are they thinking? Naturally, it’s part of the curriculum, so there’s no reason or justification for me to give them special treatment.
However, after the first spar in the class, things became chaotic.
“…And what are you guys doing?”
“What do you mean? We’re just asking for continued training.”
“We’re more talented than them, so it’s only natural that we receive instruction from His Highness Tenju preferentially, right?”
They spout such nonsense and show no signs of letting the next group take their turn. Moreover, if they think of themselves as talented, they’re frankly third-rate at best. Have the lessons from the autumn monster subjugation training and Mako’s recent scolding been completely meaningless?
“It seems you haven’t grown at all. At the very least, I won’t be giving preferential treatment to such selfish individuals. Now, hurry up and switch out.”
“B-but!”
“It will definitely be more useful for us to receive training than those guys!”
“That’s right! Please!”
Their self-centered thinking is truly remarkable. As I mentioned before, their mindset is the complete opposite of the principles behind the establishment of the General Academy. Personally, I can’t find any reason to favor them.
“No. As I’ve said many times, this is a class. It’s not about favoring specific individuals; all students have the right to receive the lesson equally. No matter what you say or do, that won’t change. I won’t say anything further. Switch places now.”
“But!”
There’s still no sign of them switching out. This is a complete waste of time, and while I had somewhat anticipated this situation, encountering it in reality is truly troublesome.
“Hii!”
“Ah… aah…”
“Don’t make me repeat myself. This is a lesson, and I have absolutely no intention of giving you special treatment.”
I released a little, just a tiny bit, of my magic power towards those brats in front of me. It might not be exactly ‘directional’, but I’m careful not to let my magic diffuse beyond the necessary range, so the other students won’t feel it. The reason I can do this is that my Father once accidentally released his Arch Class magic power at the Feel Hunter’s Guild, affecting not only the guild but also people in the surrounding area. Of course, I don’t possess an absurd amount of magic power like an Arch Class, but I am an Element Class, so it’s more than enough to affect Normal Class and High Class individuals. Therefore, I’ve been trying hard to consciously create a barrier, like a wall, for my magic power, ensuring it doesn’t affect areas beyond the necessary distance.
Putting that aside, having felt the full force of an Element Class’s magic, even while suppressed, they’ve completely lost their footing. Honestly, I didn’t intend to go this far, but if words don’t work, they probably won’t back down from their claims until I physically nod. Dealing with such troublesome individuals is something I’d rather just avoid.
“It feels a bit excessive, but I understand how you feel, so I guess it can’t be helped this time. So, what happens next?”
“Leave them there. Even though they caused trouble, it’s still during class time.”
Mako also has no intention of covering for them. Therefore, she doesn’t react much to my words. Then, using telekinetic magic, I moved them to the edge of the training grounds.
“Your punishment will be decided after class. Now, you’ve taken up my time. Let’s resume the lesson.”
With those final words, I resumed the lesson without sparing them another glance.
