NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 97
As I received Ludwig’s report, I let out a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, while we were away, Class A had successfully passed Chapter 3.
Such commendable kids.
With a proud expression, I nodded to Ludwig, who had finished his report.
“Good job.”
“Heh. This is nothing.”
His pretending to be modest while clearly feeling proud was cute. I patted his shoulder. His shoulders seemed to rise a bit, as if he relished the recognition.
“So, Instructor. Have you thought about going to the Empire? His Majesty is holding a ball to celebrate this occasion.”
“A ball?”
Now there’s only the final chapter left.
I need to maximize the kids’ growth by then.
To do that, I must give it my all, but a ball, huh…
“Wow! A ball! I want to go!!”
Where did this little monster come from?
Arisha, who had jumped over to the terrace where Ludwig and I were, naturally hugged me from behind.
“It’s that, right? Dancing and all that!”
“Um, something like that.”
“I’ve never been to a ball~.”
“Hmm…”
Well, could this be an experience for her?
I released Arisha from my hug and looked her straight in the eye. She blinked at me with a smile, and I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Alright. If you really want to go, I suppose we can.”
Attending such events sometimes gives learning efficiency or extra bonuses.
If it helps in raising Arisha, then attending wouldn’t be a bad idea.
“Let’s hear what the others think first.”
The next morning, I shared the news that Ludwig had informed me about with the students during morning assembly.
Some seemed annoyed, but the majority looked eager to go.
“A ball hosted by His Imperial Majesty! That’s an honor!”
Ripa seemed the most excited among them.
Her shrieking while holding Arisha’s hand seemed to draw even the indifferent ones’ interest.
“Where will it be held?”
“At the Sun Palace.”
“The Sun Palace? Isn’t that a place only high-ranking nobles can access in the Empire?”
“Huh? Saint, you knew?”
“Yes. I’ve briefly been there after accepting a quest from the Empire to deal with heretics. It’s a truly beautiful place…”
“Wow. The Saint is amazing… I haven’t been there either.”
As Roksah, a child of a high-ranking noble, expressed admiration, Sowol chuckled lightly.
Anyway, judging by the overall atmosphere, it seemed okay for them to attend the ball.
“If anyone doesn’t want to go, that’s fine. But this could be a good experience for you, so I would appreciate your participation.”
“If the instructor says that…”
“Got it. I’ll attend.”
Even those who seemed uninterested or reluctant nodded.
Then it’s settled, we’ll attend, right?
“I’ll let the Emperor know.”
“Alright. I’ll leave it to you.”
After class, while I was checking paperwork in the instructor’s office, a knock came at the door.
“Master, do you have a moment?”
“Yeah, come in.”
Sowol, who opened the door, pointed to the seat beside me.
After I nodded in response to her gesture asking if she could sit, she gently sat down with a soft smile.
“You seem busy.”
“The instructor work turns out to be unexpectedly hefty. So? Is there something you want to say?”
“It’s about the ball, Master. Do you know that usually, one should have a partner at a ball?”
“It’s not a formal ball, so just go.”
“But I’m the Saint of the Church. For the Church’s reputation, I must always maintain proper decorum, and at such events, I should move formally.”
“Hmm. So?”
“I’d like to offer you the honor of being my partner. No, please be my partner.”
“I can’t accept such an honor. And if I become your partner, what will the others say?”
“They’d probably tell the truth. That you like me.”
“Hey, student. Your instructor has no intention of giving anyone special treatment. I love everyone equally.”
“Hehe. You’re quite greedy. Alright, so you’re saying you won’t be anyone else’s partner?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s settled then. I hope you keep that promise.”
Huh? It ends like this?
I tilted my head at Sowol, who was withdrawing more easily than I thought.
However, it wasn’t a bad thing for me, so I could smile.
“Sowol.”
“Yes?”
“I hope you don’t get too bogged down by being the Saint.”
“…Hehe. Don’t worry. It’s not that hard for me.”
“But it is hard, right?”
“…You really.”
Murmuring briefly, Sowol grasped my face.
Then she gently kissed my forehead.
“Did you know? That side of you makes me even thirstier.”
“Should I give you water?”
“Not that! I want something sweeter. For example…”
The hand holding my face moved.
Her finger reached my lips.
Slowly, as if caressing, she lightly brushed my lips and stepped back with a grin.
“Like this.”
“That’s a bit expensive.”
“Hehehe. I know that. So keep it safe.”
With a light step towards the door, Sowol turned her head slightly.
She realized my gaze was fixated on my lips.
“That’s mine, you know.”
Even after Sowol came to see me, several students visited, hoping I would become their partner. But as I told Sowol, I had no intention of showing favoritism.
It was unfortunate to see the disappointed kids leave, but I knew I did the right thing.
Thinking that, I finished up the paperwork and lay down on my bed.
I should just sleep.
A few days later, it was time to head to the Empire.
As I led the students who were changed for the Academy conquest to the Dimension Magic Circle, the Dean was waiting for us.
“Lee Hyun Instructor~!!”
The Dean rushed over with the expression close to tears and gripped my hand tightly. Why is this guy acting like this?
“I’m so grateful you came to the Academy!”
“Hahaha. What have I really done?”
“Thanks to you, the Academy’s status has risen so high that you’re saying you haven’t done anything!”
“It’s the students who worked hard.”
With the Asura sect subjugation and thwarting the Magic Empire’s terrorism, the academy’s reputation had enhanced, and the Dean trembled with excitement.
Being an old guy, I was worried he might have a heart attack from the excitement. I patted his back gently.
“I hope you raise the Academy’s status while you’re in the Empire!”
Though we were going for a ball, would there really be an opportunity to maintain status?
But it seemed pointless to talk back, so I just nodded.
“Then I’ll be off.”
“Please take care! Come back safely!!”
Anyone would think we were going to war.
I led the students through the Dimension Magic Circle.
Once we arrived at the Dimension Magic Circle near the Empire’s capital, imperial knights were waiting for us.
“We’ve been waiting. We’ll take you to the capital right away.”
Following the knights’ guidance, we entered the capital.
Perhaps because we were entering the capital of the Empire, which couldn’t compare to normal cities, the students visiting for the first time looked around in excitement.
“Wow… That’s the Imperial Palace!”
One of the students gasped at the enormous castle in the center of the capital.
It truly was impressive.
As we arrived in front of the palace, a few familiar faces were there to greet us.
“Welcome!! Lee Hyun!!”
A middle-aged man beamed as he rushed to greet us.
Well, more accurately, he was there to welcome me.
“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”
“Hahaha! Yes! It’s been a while! Have you been well?”
The Emperor.
He was the one I saved from the Great Demon, now hugging me and patting my back.
A few imperial officials looked at me curiously, but I didn’t need to care about their gazes.
“Come in! What are you waiting for? Don’t keep our precious guests waiting!”
The imperial court officials took the students and led them towards the Sun Palace. While I was watching them, the Emperor spoke in a low voice.
“By the way, have you thought about it?”
“Excuse me?”
“About my daughter and your marriage.”
“I’ll have to decline.”
What in the world?
Since saving the Emperor from the Great Demon, he had often brought this up.
His daughter was barely a girl, not yet an adult. There’s a fifteen-year age gap; what does he even mean by marriage?
“Hahahaha!! Always so consistent! Now, come in!”
“But is the ball really to celebrate this? Or is there more…?”
“You’re quite perceptive. Yes, there’s a reason I summoned you.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve discovered a gathering place for the descendants of the Magic Empire.”
Oh. Final chapter start here.