Chapter 110: The New Instructor

It has already been a full week since their return home.

During that time, Ryu steadily worked through the mountain of aristocratic duties that had piled up in his absence, handling them with calm efficiency. Esther, meanwhile, spent her days buried in dense pharmaceutical tomes, tirelessly pursuing greater wisdom as though the pursuit of knowledge itself were her lifeblood.

From time to time, the two of them were spotted together heading toward the Imperial Academy—but as of yet, no one seemed to know exactly why.

Rena, on the other hand, enjoyed a life that could only be described as blissfully smooth sailing. From morning until late afternoon she devoted herself to her studies alongside her best friend, Alice. And when she returned home each day, her beloved older brother was there to greet her with a warm presence that made her heart flutter.

A life of effort and reward. A life without a single cloud in sight.

And so today, like any other day, Rena made her way to the academy bright and early.

After finishing her morning lectures, she joined a lively cluster of girls from her class and headed to the cafeteria, where they enjoyed the daily set meal while chatting away.

Alice, who had finished eating first, leaned closer and spoke in a conspiratorial tone.

“Hey, Rena. I heard from a senior that starting today, we’re getting a new instructor.”

“Ooh~ a new instructor? I wonder which subject they’ll be teaching.”

“One’s for pharmacology, and the other’s for magic studies. Apparently, the pharmacology one was fast-tracked straight into a professor position.”

“Th-That’s amazing… If they’re that skilled, maybe they know Esther…?”

“Esther? You mean the one famous for that elixir?”

“Yup! A lot happened, and now she’s actually living at our estate.”

“…The Arden family really is strange. In a good way.”

“Ehehehe.”

Alice continued.

“Pharmacology doesn’t affect us yet, but magic studies might.”

“Magic studies instructors rotate pretty often~ I’m not a huge fan of the current one, so I hope they switch soon.”

“Ah… that noble-supremacist type, right? Honestly, I’m not a fan either.”

Pharmacology was an elective beginning in the second year, so it didn’t concern them yet.

Magic studies, however, was a required subject starting from the first year, and different instructors specialized in different types of magic. Because of that, the faculty changed regularly.

According to Rena, the current instructor openly favored aristocratic students and held strong noble-supremacist views. It was no surprise that many students disliked him.

Given that a large number of commoners also attended the academy, it was only a matter of time before that bias caused serious trouble.

With that, Rena and the others headed straight to the training grounds for their fifth-period practical swordsmanship class.

After fifth period, they returned to Classroom 1-A.

Alice’s face glowed with vitality, her eyes sparkling from exertion. Rena, by contrast, looked utterly drained, her shoulders sagging as though her soul had half-departed her body.

“Today was fun. Swordsmanship truly is supreme.”

“Ugh… I’m exhausted… I just want to go home…”

“Too bad. Magic studies is next.”

“I’ll… try not to fall asleep…”

She said that—but the next moment, her cheek pressed flat against the cool surface of her desk.

In any era, the classroom lecture that follows a physical training session is nearly impossible to focus on.

Aside from Alice, most of the students wore similarly vacant expressions, their eyes dull with fatigue.

Then—

With the ringing of the sixth-period bell, the magic studies instructor entered the room.

At once, the classroom erupted into whispers.

“Huh…? Who’s that?”

“Is that the new instructor?”

“Did they finally replace him?!”

“Yes! Goodbye to that noble-supremacist jerk!”

“Wow… he’s really handsome…”

“And tall, too. He looks insanely smart.”

“He’s totally my type…”

“Wait, but…”

“““““Isn’t the new instructor way too young???”””””

“…………”

The instructor in question ascended the platform smoothly and placed his textbook on the lectern with composed ease.

Even Alice’s eyes widened slightly.

She reached over and poked Rena’s head, which was still face-down on the desk.

“Rena. The new magic studies instructor just came in.”

Rena rubbed her eyes and slowly looked forward.

“The new instructor? Yay. The teacher finally changed, huh?—Wait…”

“Wait?”

In a voice loud enough to shake the room—

“O-Oniisama?!?!?!”

“What a coincidence, Rena. To think we’d meet in a place like this.”

Ryu gave a casual wave from the podium.

“Uh, didn’t Rena just say ‘Onii-sama’?”

“You must’ve misheard.”

“But the teacher’s waving at her. And she’s waving back like she’s thrilled.”

“Rena’s older brother is Viscount Arden, right?”

“He looks crazy young. How old is he?”

“He seems mature, but he’s probably still a teenager.”

Amid the rising speculation—

“My name is Ryu Arden. From today onward, I will be in charge of Magic Studies for Class 1-A. I look forward to working with you. Some of you have already realized this, but Rena is my younger sister. ‘Female students,’ please do take good care of her. That is all.”

“Are you serious…”

“Rena’s so lucky to have such an amazing older brother.”

“Wait—what did he mean by ‘female students’?”

The meaning was clear enough.

No males allowed anywhere near her.

Rena, having looped past shock and disbelief, now simply stared at Ryu blankly, as though her brain had temporarily shut down.

Alice leaned toward her.

“You didn’t know beforehand?”

“N-No…”

“So it was a surprise?”

“P-Probably…”

“I see. He really is a good brother.”

Alice studied Ryu more carefully.

(Hmm. So that’s the rumored Viscount Arden. Handsome, sharp-looking, clearly intelligent. Any ordinary girl here would fall head over heels instantly. But is he really impressive enough to make Rena that hopelessly devoted? He doesn’t look overwhelmingly powerful or anything… Though, if he was appointed Imperial Ambassador, he must have some kind of special trump card.)

Her gaze drifted to the sword at his waist—Kurikarā.

“Hmm? That’s… a katana, right? A long sword from Hinomaru. Does Viscount Arden use a blade as well?”

“Yep! Onii-sama’s good at swordsmanship too! Want me to ask him to teach you sometime, Alice?”

“Teach me? Me? By a viscount who’s a mage?”

“Well… yeah…”

“That’s underestimating me a bit, Rena. Even if he’s Viscount Arden, when it comes to swordsmanship, I’m overwhelmingly superior.”

At that moment, a female student raised her hand.

“Professor Ryu, I have a question!”

“Go ahead. I’ll answer anything.”

“How old are you?”

“I turned fifteen this year.”

“Wha—That’s so young!”

The class buzzed louder.

“Fifteen? If he were enrolled, he’d be a third-year!”

“Did he graduate early or something?”

“He’s even younger than I thought…”

The questions continued.

“Do you have a girlfriend, Professor?!”

“I do not.”

“No way—really?!”

“I’m far too busy. I don’t have time for one.”

“He doesn’t have a girlfriend?!”

“Should I shoot my shot?!”

“Uh… why do I suddenly feel a chill down my spine…?”

Finally, the last question came.

“What type of magic will you be teaching, Professor?”

“A good question. The magic I’ll be responsible for this term is—Lightning Magic.”

In that instant, a lightning dragon the size of a human head materialized atop the lectern. Crackling arcs of electricity danced along its shimmering scales as it beat its luminous wings and circled the classroom once.

The students’ hair fluttered in the charged air. Every eye shone with awe.

“S-So cool…!”

“What beautiful mana control…”

“Wait—he didn’t chant anything, did he?”

Rena was no exception.

“O-Onii-sama… you’re so cool…!!!”

“Viscount Arden might be even more impressive than I imagined…”

Ryu maintained a perfectly composed, cool expression.

But inside—

(Heh heh heh… Have I once again embodied Rena’s ideal image of the perfect older brother?)

He was immensely satisfied.

…And the magic lecture was only just beginning.