NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 7
The lunchtime chaos following the training ground incident had finally settled down.
I had hoped for a happy meal, enjoying sandwiches in the fragrant lavender garden, but once again, my wishes were dashed.
“Sigh…”
“Sigh…”
I couldn’t tell if I was eating with my mouth or my nose; it was that uncomfortable, thanks to the presence seated right next to me.
“Daniel, Professor.”
“Yes?”
That low voice sent chills down my spine just by uttering my name.
The way he was sitting straight up, eating salad, was more nauseating than his tone.
“It seems the students caused quite a stir at the training ground this morning?”
“It was more of a childish prank than an accident.”
“Daniel, Professor.”
“Yes…”
“I detest the word ‘prank.’ Such excuses often lead them to evade responsibility. Even if it wasn’t done maliciously, they must bear the consequences of their actions.”
Don’t coddle the brats or they’ll get spoiled, summarized Professor Pernelson’s words.
He wasn’t wrong.
But why did he have to come at lunchtime and say this?
Was he annoyed that I—being there—didn’t crack down hard enough on the students?
Observing his perfectly calm expression, it was hard to tell if he was actually upset.
“When did you become someone who looks out for the students, Professor?”
“I did report the identities of the two students who dueled without permission to their supervising professors…”
“Well then, how many students were caught watching the unauthorized duel?”
“…….”
“All of them are subject to disciplinary action. I hope they properly understand this and that such incidents won’t happen again.”
“I-I’ll keep that in mind.”
Pernelson finished his meal before I even managed to say ten words.
He burned his used utensils and fortified himself with sterilization magic before preparing to leave.
I guess it’s hard to even enjoy a meal when you’re a popular professor at the Academy!
“Oh, right! Professor Pernelson!”
“What is it?”
“I’m starting my first lecture today. If you have any tips or advice, could you share them with me?”
“How foolish. Do you think you can replicate my teaching method?”
Professor Pernelson scowled, glaring at me with sideways glances.
I don’t understand why he insists on intimidating people with his eyes instead of outright saying he doesn’t want to help.
“It was an inappropriate question. I’m sorry, please disregard what I just said.”
“There are materials documenting past professors’ teaching methods. If you need them, come by my office to get some.”
“Thank you!”
“No need for thanks. I’m only doing this so you don’t undermine the dignity of being a Kia del Academy professor with subpar teaching.”
From Nina’s perspective, our dark protagonist is a sharp-tongued professor, but from a fellow professor’s angle, it’s quite a mixed evaluation.
He’s still cold, yet there’s a subtle hint that he wants to help—strange.
The way he personally came to point out mistakes and offered me helpful resources felt like a kindness no matter how I looked at it.
“Well, this feels refreshing. Seeing something I couldn’t in novels is nice.”
Life might not be going as planned, but there are definite perks to being reincarnated.
“Chomp!”
I popped the last remaining sandwich into my mouth and rose from my seat.
I wanted to enjoy my next lunch solo, so I’d better not embarrass myself again.
*
Giving a lecture for the first time in my life.
While I’ve attended many lectures, teaching someone else is new territory for me.
I’m not sure if I’ll do well.
I’d be satisfied if I didn’t get scolded.
“How many students showed up?”
The lecture I was leading was titled [Useful Everyday Magic].
There wasn’t a shred of charm in the name, and it would be hard to pique student interest with such a niche class.
This course was aimed at aspiring adventurers and housewives, but among magicians, few had such dreams.
After all, every magician yearns for flashy or devastatingly powerful magic.
But among those I know, there’s just one.
A girl with a simple dream of being a wise and prudent wife had come to the academy, and of course, that’s Nina.
Nina didn’t enter the Academy of her accord.
She was encouraged by the president, known as the talent scout, and after her parents persistently persuaded her, she finally enrolled.
Had she not met the president, Nina would’ve lived a peaceful life as a simple country girl forever.
Yet, owing to her enrollment at the Academy, she was bound to be tangled up in various events, sharing a tragic fate, much like mine.
“Nina will certainly take my class, and as for the others…”
Honestly, I couldn’t recall who else was there. It might not have been mentioned even once in the novel.
While that’s more likely, why bother worrying?
What’s important is that Nina is here and there’s not a single student among the special class that would be keen on participating in my course.
Which means, if all goes as planned, my lecture would become a sacred affair between just me and Nina.
“Hey everyone!”
I swung the door open and cheerfully greeted the students waiting for me.
As expected of an unpopular class, there were only as many students who could be counted on one hand.
In the front row was Nina, who bowed to me with a smile, while behind her…
“……Hmm?”
I rubbed my eyes, startled by the presence of a girl who clearly did not belong here.
No matter how many times I blinked, the illusion did not fade away.
Instead, she waved at me with a bright smile.
The problem was that it wasn’t just one illusion.
Right next to her was another female student, sound asleep with a pillow and blanket.
With just a bed, it felt like she’d set up a cozy bedroom here.
Two students from the special class. And they were the particularly notorious villainesses trespassing in my sacred domain.
In a situation where I could feel my frustration boiling, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of liberation instead.
Yeah, I saw this coming.
Having been betrayed as much as I expected, I didn’t expect anything this time.
I’m just grateful for the fact that Nina is here.
“I guess more students than I expected came! Even some who don’t seem interested in everyday magic…”
They might not need a mention, since they probably know who they are.
At the very least, the duke’s daughter and her genius swordmaster friend surely had other reasons for attending.
After all, they have their retainers to wait on them; why would they care about everyday magic?
No matter how I thought, it was hard to see this as anything but ulterior motives.
“First off, let me tell you, the course change period lasts about two weeks, so it’s advisable to choose carefully. However, for popular classes, seats fill up quickly, so if you plan to switch, it’s best to decide fast!”
If you don’t hurry, you’ll be wasting time!
I admonished the direction where Rynelle and Ailey were, but it fell on deaf ears.
The black-haired lady still wore a bright smile, while the sleepyhead remained deep in slumber.
Continuously persuading them would only tire my mouth. So, I acted as if they weren’t there and began the orientation.
“In my class, I’ll teach spells that help with everyday tasks and self-sufficiency.”
“Modern magic has developed more efficiently to eliminate enemies, but if you look back through history, in the beginning, there was only everyday magic. In other words, magic was originally used as a means for humans to lead richer lives.”
“As you can see, due to the small number of students, assignments will be individual. So don’t worry, they won’t be too difficult. However, since they’re easy, grades will focus more on attendance than on assignments. If you don’t want to get awful grades, it’s better to avoid being late or absent as much as possible.”
Announcing the course direction, intertwined history, and notifications about grading—I detailed my lecture’s essence, even managing to capture the students’ attention who had previously been gazing out the window.
It looks like the orientation was somewhat successful.
“That’s all for my explanation! Is there anyone who wants to ask questions or knows more about me?”
Silence. They didn’t seem curious at all.
Well, it’s hard to expect them to have questions for a lecture that even a child could understand.
Just as I was about to wrap up the orientation and first class, suddenly an arm shot up among the students. It was Rynelle.
“Professor! I have a question!”
This was worrying. But in a situation where no one else was asking, I couldn’t ignore Rynelle.
With a heavy heart, I prepared to acknowledge her question.
“You’re Lady Rynelle of the Agail Ducal Family, right? What’s your question?”
“I’ve been curious about this for a long time!”
“Yes?”
“How does one use contraception magic?”
…Is she out of her mind?