Quit The Hero Party

EP.25 First Class (1)

A talented individual is like a lantern.

The darker the era, the brighter that light shines.

“Therefore, I can only hope.”

That my sword has become a light to brighten this age.

– Wandering Swordsman Epic, Volume 5.
– The Hero of the Turbulent Era (End)

“Ugh…”

The Dean of Apuria, Aaron, let out a sigh. Lost in the lingering feelings from the last page of the book, he closed his eyes.

‘A talented individual is like a lantern, what a… splendid sentence. Truly a magnificent sentence.’

Chewing on those words, Aaron opened his eyes.

Although there were still many tasks to handle in front of him, he felt he could now tackle that mountain of documents with joy.

“Serving the era is a joyous thing indeed.”

Aaron clasped his hands together and rested his chin on them.

It was time to make decisions he had been postponing.

Recently, rumors had been floating around the academy. More than just rumors, they were closer to incidents, but still, they were not trivial matters to overlook.

‘A person who can handle Balance has appeared.’

Furthermore, among the assistant professors.

The moment he heard that rumor, Aaron thought of a specific individual. And, as expected, his guess was spot on.

“Rania van Trias.”

Rosel’s adopted daughter.

He expected her to stand out eventually, but he never thought it would be so fast and so dazzling.

‘To think she can handle Balance.’

If the rumor pointed to anyone else, Aaron would have laughed it off as nonsense. After all, Balance was not something so easily managed.

But Aaron knew about that girl’s talent.

The image of her solving the Magic Association’s difficult problems on the spot was deeply engraved in his mind.

Perfect interpretation of circuits.

Flawless operation of mana.

She was truly a prodigy of talent.

‘If it’s that girl, then it isn’t just a baseless rumor.’

The chance of the rumor being true was high.

Aaron, still resting his chin, began tapping the table lightly.

Balance.

The transaction with the star, the origin of all magic.

A high-level spell that arranges it at will.

Only a handful of mages can handle Balance. It resides in the realm of profound talent. Aaron did not expect all students to be able to wield it.

Just encountering fragments of it was enough.

That’s how he thought.

‘Fragments of truth that are the origin of all spells.’

If they could encounter it, their path in magic would become much more colorful.

‘That’s why I made Mana Trading Studies a required course…’

Yet, there were no suitable candidates.

To explain the concept of Mana Trading Studies and Balance, he would need to invite those who are called ‘Sages.’

But how easy would that be?

It was said there might be one such person in the color-coded magical tower. Aaron used all his connections, but the best he could do was get Rosel to attend.

It was a crucial subject.

But only a handful of people could teach it.

“Hmmm…”

Aaron’s gaze turned toward the report his secretary had submitted.

– Report on Week 3 of Mana Trading Studies.

Thus…

– Rania van Trias summoned a mock Balance.
– The time taken for the summoning was short. According to students, it didn’t take even a minute.
– Based on this fact, it would be reasonable to conclude she can handle genuine ‘Balance’ rather than just mock simulations.

The significance of this fact was enormous.

“Hmmm…”

Aaron stroked his chin, deep in thought.

‘Is it right to give her a course?’

It was an unprecedented case.

To assign someone who had just been appointed as an assistant professor less than a month ago to teach a class… would surely garner controversy.

“Well…”

Aaron’s gaze shifted to the edge of his desk.

There, two sheets of stationery lay.

Top student Resti.

Second student Ayla.

These were letters sent by the representatives of this year’s new students. Though the senders were different, the contents were the same.

– We want to attend the class of Professor Rania van Trias…
– We wish to attend her class…

Rania van Trias.

They wanted to experience her class.

Seeing those passionate letters, Aaron couldn’t help but smile.

‘Did they get quite the shock, I wonder.’

With a faint smile, Aaron raised his head and looked ahead. There sat a friend he hadn’t noticed had come in.

“Rosel.”

“What’s up, Aaron?”

“Isn’t it wrong to let outside perspectives dictate and deprive students of their learning opportunities?”

At that, Rosel shrugged his shoulders.

“Do as you please. I don’t mind.”

“Your adopted daughter could be subjected to slander. Does that not concern you?”

“She’s not the type to care about that.”

If that was the case,

Aaron steeled his resolve.

“Then can I assign that girl to take a simple class? Something alongside you.”

“Didn’t I say do as you wish?”

“Thanks for understanding.”

Suddenly, a sentence popped into Aaron’s mind.

“I hope she becomes a light to brighten Apuria.”

Indeed, what a lingering phrase…

Aaron nodded with a satisfied look. Though it was something he had said, wasn’t it rather a good line?

“Aaron.”

As Aaron was nodding contentedly, Rosel shot back sharply.

“It stinks.”

“…Even you?”

Aaron pouted.

2.

Lately, I’ve developed a new hobby.

Ever since entering Apuria, I’ve enjoyed sitting by the window after lunch with a warm cup of tea, gazing outside.

‘Sitting by the window, savoring a cup of coffee.’

Isn’t that a rather quaint hobby?

I haven’t had such personal, calm, and leisurely time in the past five years. This time felt incredibly precious to me.

‘Personal time is this important.’

It makes a person feel relaxed.

If I had just a bit of this personal time, I might have endured the madness of that crazy bunch for another year or two.

“Mmm.”

‘The coffee tastes delightful.’

While I wished I could leisurely sip coffee as usual, unfortunately…

“Oh my.”

Today, however, an uninvited guest arrived.

Jingle, the sound marked her entrance into the café.

The Fourth Princess, Ayla.

She waved at me with a bright smile.

“What a coincidence.”

It certainly didn’t seem like a coincidence.

From afar, we made eye contact and instead of hiding, she walked straight over.

I slowly opened my mouth.

“…What brings you here?”

“Does a student need a reason to meet a professor?”

With that, she sat right next to me. Her movement was incredibly natural.

“…”

Trying to subtly shift away, she pulled her chair closer, almost glued to my side. Then she suddenly pointed at my robe.

“You wear that robe, don’t you?”

“Well, it was sent to me.”

“Hmmm.”

She squinted her eyes with a smile.

Looking rather pleased.

“The solution you shared last time helped on the battlefield.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Is that really all you have to say? It’s a huge advancement, and the Knights have been asking about you… Ah, my mistake. They keep asking about the professor’s identity.”

“The Knights have always been a bit over the top.”

Since ancient times, the Knights have been like that.

Whenever they returned from a mission, they would roar in cheers.

“Eh…? No, that’s not what I meant…”

“Yeah?”

“N-no, um… But do you know much about the Knights, Professor?”

“…I have a few acquaintances in the Knights.”

“Hmmm.”

She chuckled softly.

Something about that laugh felt unsettling, so I instinctively pulled back a bit. I’ve always felt a bit uncomfortable around this Fourth Princess.

‘She has an uncanny intuition.’

When I’m close, it feels like she can see right through me. Plus, it almost feels like mana is tickling me.

“Why are you keeping your distance?”

“Because it’s too close.”

“How rude.”

Ayla shrugged her shoulders and rested her chin on them, looking out the window with me. Then she spoke.

“Actually, I came to thank you. It’s something difficult to say in front of others.”

“…Thank you?”

“I feel like I didn’t properly thank you for the academic problem-solving last time. Plus…”

She tilted her head slightly, gazing at me.

“I thought it would be nice to show my appreciation, right?”

“Really? I’m glad to hear that.”

“Don’t sound so unenthusiastic.”

Ayla brushed off her clothes and stood up.

Just then, the café owner brought her coffee.

“Since my coffee has arrived, I should be going now.”

“Aren’t you going to drink it here?”

“Oh, should I? Then I will.”

“…”

“…I’m leaving anyway, even if you make that face.”

Grumbling, she picked up the coffee cup.

“Oh.”

Holding the coffee cup in one hand, she seemed to remember something and turned back towards me.

“I’ll see you again soon, Professor Rania.”

“Excuse me?”

“This time, in the lecture hall.”

With that, she left her seat.

As I watched her retreating figure, I tilted my head.

‘…Where was my Master headed again?’

That didn’t seem to be mentioned.

I finished my coffee and headed towards the professor’s office, wondering if I would be assigned as a substitute again.

As I walked away,

“…”

I felt numerous eyes on me.

Blatant stares poured in. It wasn’t unusual for me to attract attention, but today seemed a bit excessive.

‘…What’s with all the staring?’

Especially from the assistant professors, their gazes were piercing.

Usually, they would hastily look away when our eyes met, but now they kept staring at me for long stretches.

After walking for a while under those gazes,

I reached the vicinity of the faculty office.

The bulletin board where academic announcements are posted.

I stopped in front of it.

The crowd gathered there was blocking the way.

An enormous mass of people filled the spacious hallway.

Professors and students were mixed in the crowd.

Thud.

As I took a step closer, someone spotted me. They gestured, nudging the person next to them. Gradually, the stares began to converge on me.

Amid the murmurs of gossip, all their gazes turned toward me in unison.

‘…What could possibly be up on that board?’

I shifted my sight to the bulletin board.

Soon enough, a large announcement caught my eye.

< New Course Announcement >

– Mana Trading Studies (Basics)

– Instructor: Rania van Trias.

What the hell?

Why is my name up there?