Chapter 111: Regarding the Previous Instructor
“Before we begin our lecture on Lightning Magic, I’d like to know what kinds of magic you’ve all studied over the past six months. Now then… the young man with glasses in the front row.”
With the composure befitting a proper instructor, Ryu pointed toward a bespectacled boy seated near the front.
“The first two months were Fire Magic, and the next two were Water Magic.”
“I see. Then tell me—what were your honest impressions after actually taking those classes?”
“Fire Magic was interesting and easy to understand, but Water Magic was, to be honest…”
The boy’s voice trailed off there.
The rest went unspoken—but the implication was obvious. The opposite of “interesting and easy to understand.”
That he refrained from loudly criticizing the instructor spoke well of his character.
Ryu, however, was far more direct.
“Was the instructor incompetent? Or did you simply lack interest in Water Magic from the start…?”
He swept his gaze across the classroom.
“Judging from your reactions, it seems to have been the former.”
(There’s no way Water Magic itself is uninteresting.)
“What kind of instructor was he? Glasses, answer again.”
“Um… well… how do I put it… he was rather… n-noble-supremacist in his thinking…”
“Thank you. I understand well enough. My apologies for making you say something awkward.”
(In a school with so many commoners enrolled, openly preaching noble supremacy is the height of stupidity. He must be some useless noble-born instructor.)
And yet—
To hold a teaching position at the Imperial Academy despite lacking skill meant one thing.
(He must be a highly connected noble. Marquis house or above.)
“By the way, what was this instructor’s name?”
“We called him Professor Nelson.”
“…Surely he wasn’t noble-born?”
(That would be unsettling in its own way.)
“I-I’m not sure…”
At that, a girl seated beside the boy chimed in.
“I think his full name was Nelson Blake…”
“Blake… ah. So he’s from the Duke Blake household.”
Rena and Alice exchanged glances.
“Blake… that’s Senior Klim’s family, right? I had no idea…”
“I will never forget what happened in the cafeteria.”
(So rotten personalities really are hereditary. If that’s the case, the Duke of Blake himself must be…)
Senior Klim, a third-year, had once targeted Rena and Alice shortly after they enrolled. In the cafeteria, he had brazenly declared something along the lines of, ‘I shall graciously add you to my harem. Rejoice.’
He had even kicked Rena’s chair—
And then, for reasons no one could quite explain, he had been struck by lightning and severely injured.
A most unfortunate young man indeed.
Then Ryu spoke in his usual tone—calm, casual, as though stating something entirely ordinary.
“In that case, I’ll have a quiet word with Her Majesty. I’ll inform her that an incompetent fool named Nelson was somehow entrusted with teaching Magic Studies to Class 1-A—the top class of the grade.”
““““““……Huh?”””””””
The classroom fell into stunned silence.
“Did he just say ‘Her Majesty’?”
“I-I heard that too…”
“We didn’t mishear, right?”
“Who exactly is Professor Ryu?”
“Does he have imperial blood or something?”
“Then does that mean Rena also—?!”
Even Alice sat there, mouth slightly agape.
“Pass a message to that terrifying Empress…? Even the head of a ducal house couldn’t do that so casually… Is the Viscount serious?”
“If Onii-sama says so, it’s probably true?” Rena replied with innocent certainty.
“No. I can’t believe that. Not this.”
Rena gave a small, mischievous smile.
“Hehehe. I’ll secretly ask him about it later~.”
This time, Ryu had pressed the academy headmaster for the position of specialized Lightning Magic instructor.
As such, he intended to carry out his duties with proper responsibility.
After hearing what had transpired, there was no way he could simply ignore it.
“Very well. As a special exception, I shall use this first lesson to properly teach you what Water Magic truly is.”
““““““…………””””””
Generally speaking, mastering multiple magic attributes is nearly impossible.
Even the prodigious Imperial Mages—those geniuses who stand at the empire’s pinnacle—tend to focus entirely on their specialty, like “Absolute Sea” with his oceanic dominion. If one wished to study a particular magic properly, it would normally require a dedicated specialist instructor.
But Ryu was different.
Lightning Magic was simply what he excelled at most—and, admittedly, what looked the coolest—so it was what he used most often. In truth, he understood and wielded other attributes at a level surpassing most so-called specialists.
This was not because he was some once-in-a-generation genius.
It was the fruit of relentless effort since childhood.
The lecture began at once.
“Water Magic, in my personal opinion, is one of the most important forms of magic. The reason is simple: like Fire Magic, with sufficient effort, nearly anyone can learn to use it at least to some extent. Moreover, for merchants, adventurers, sailors aboard trade vessels—anyone who must spend nights far from civilization—it is indispensable. Tell me, wouldn’t it be convenient to produce water whenever you were thirsty? Taking all that into account, Water Magic stands apart from other attributes in terms of practicality. It is foundational, highly versatile, and among the most essential magics one should study.”
“…Huh?”
“Yes? If I have stated anything incorrect, I will correct it at once. Or do you have a question?”
“No, not that. It’s just… Professor Nelson said something completely different…”
Ryu’s brows knit together.
“What did that Professor Nel-whatever say?”
“He said Water Magic is a chosen magic—one that only nobles, as superior beings, have the right to wield…”
“…………And when you heard that, what did you think?”
“As you said, Professor Ryu, it could be called ‘chosen’ in the sense that it’s very useful. But that only nobles have the right to use it… honestly, that part…”
“That is your answer. Your opinion is entirely correct.”
Ryu let out a long, exasperated sigh.
“Forget everything you were taught by the previous instructor. As for the final exam, I will quickly compile a collection of key problems likely to appear on the test and distribute it next week at this time. I will also speak with the instructor responsible for drafting the exam, so you have nothing to worry about. That is all. Now then—let us continue the Water Magic lecture.”
What followed was a safe, reliable, and remarkably high-level Water Magic lesson delivered by Ryu Arden himself.
By the time it ended, the day’s academy lectures had drawn to a close—
Leaving behind students whose understanding had been thoroughly rewritten.
Several days later, the magic instructor Nelson Blake—who had once wielded considerable influence within the Imperial Academy—was abruptly dismissed.
According to rumor, a very great power had been set into motion.