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Ethan woke up from his sleep.

Fortunately, he wasn’t discovered by anyone, but his back was quite sore.

“Ugh…”

Ethan slowly got up and stretched his body. Suddenly appearing from the bushes, he startled the students who were taking a walk in front of him.

The two students were holding hands. When Ethan’s gaze rested on their hands, they quickly let go, as if they were holding onto burning flames, and looked at each other in surprise.

“S-Sorry!”

“We’re sorry, teacher! We weren’t holding hands; we were helping each other with magic and swordsmanship!”

“T-This was just a handshake!”

Ivecar Academy strictly prohibited dating. Of course, there were those who secretly engaged in it, but if caught, the teachers had the authority to issue penalties.

New teachers were generally passionate, so if they were caught by a new teacher, they would inevitably receive a penalty.

‘What?’

Ethan was momentarily taken aback but didn’t show it on his face.

The two students thought that Ethan had been patrolling since early in the morning.

It was only the second day since he joined the school, and they were impressed by his dedication.

Of course, they didn’t know that Ethan had just been sleeping there and had woken up just now.

“Is it customary to interlock your fingers while shaking hands these days?”

“T-Teacher…”

Receiving penalties had a significant negative impact on their grades.

Of course, Ethan had no intention of giving them a penalty.

“I’ll let it slide this time. But there won’t be a second chance.”

As Ethan closed his eyes, a hint of tears welled up in the students’ eyes. If they had been caught by another teacher, they would have received a penalty without mercy.

“Thank you!”

The two students expressed their gratitude and quickly disappeared, afraid of being caught by other teachers.

“They’ll probably come to my class. Just because they feel grateful.”

If they didn’t come to class, Ethan intended to issue the penalty.

Ethan immediately took out a decoction from his pocket dimension. Normally, he could have observed the First Order’s movements with the Eye of Horus and then consumed the decoction, but Ethan chose not to.

‘Taking decoction suddenly in a weakened state would only be more dangerous.’

He knew from experience. A fragile body easily reached the brink of death due to things that seemed harmless.

‘I should be able to take it in my current condition.’

Ethan quickly consumed the decoction in one gulp.

As the decoction entered his stomach, it bubbled and boiled, quickly spreading throughout Ethan’s body, starting to restore his stamina.

“I should have it in the morning before starting work.”

Perhaps it was because he had slept on the floor, but his hunger seemed stronger than usual.

* * *

“Ethan Whiskers, is it true what I heard?”

Principal’s office.

Ethan received a summons from the principal yesterday due to the incident.

“It’s true, Principal. I disciplined Chen Garcia.”

“I heard you almost hit him?”

“I followed the teaching methods I demonstrated during the interview.”

As Ethan confidently responded, the principal’s expression became even more intrigued.

In fact, such cases were quite common.

An overly enthusiastic rookie teacher and a student from a noble family who sought to undermine the authority of the teachers.

Naturally, even if mana was limited, teachers were generally stronger.

As a result, incidents occurred frequently.

There were cases where teachers suffered, but in such instances, it usually ended with the teacher being humiliated. However, when students were affected, their high-ranking noble parents often came to visit.

And those parents were from prominent noble families.

“It doesn’t seem like you provoked this recklessly. Chen Garcia is the second child of the central noble family, the Garcias. The eldest graduated from our Ivecar Academy and serves in the Phoenix Knights, and the Garcia family’s patriarch himself held a high-ranking position in the Phoenix Knights.”

The Phoenix Knights were one of the most prestigious knight orders in the central region.

Of course, the education of their children was a mess. The incident arose from the eldest child’s exceptional talent and the second child being given a little leeway.

“Count Garcia seems to be furious. He insists on visiting the academy today to see the face of the rookie teacher who made his son like that.”

The principal spoke while looking at Ethan, curious about his expression.

Ethan had the same face as yesterday. He didn’t seem worried at all.

‘Is it a bluff?’

Most of the teachers whom the principal had seen in such situations would confidently stand their ground but bow their heads when confronted by parents. They often lost all their momentum and were completely subdued by greater authority.

“Perhaps an apology would suffice. Then Count Garcia might back down.”

“There is no reason for me to apologize.”

Once again, Ethan came out strong.

By observing his demeanor, one could determine whether it was arrogance or determination. The principal awaited Count Garcia’s arrival.

Kwaang-!

Before long, Count Garcia forcefully barged into the principal’s office.

“Principal!”

“Count Garcia, you still know how to slam the door. I warned you about that during our academy days, but it seems you haven’t changed, even as you grow older. Should I issue demerits?”

“I apologize, Principal, but isn’t this an extraordinary situation?”

Count Garcia glared at Ethan.

He was of towering height, with sharp, pointed hair that reached down to his back, resembling a wolf’s mane.

With his piercing gaze, Count Garcia was a man who suited the nickname “Gray Wolf.”

“So, you’re the one who beat up my son like that.”

Count Garcia’s demeanor began to grow more aggressive.

Of course, he posed no significant threat to Ethan.

As an external guest, Count Garcia was also limited in mana.

Thanks to the Hero’s Breathing, Ethan was impervious to any pressure and could remain calm in his presence.

“Shouldn’t a teacher educate, not beat students?”

“Count Garcia.”

“I didn’t come here to listen to excuses, teacher. Haven’t you already decided what you should say?”

Ethan looked at Count Garcia. Count Garcia had already learned all about Ethan Whiskers and sought him out.

Although they were both counts, Count Garcia held significant power and authority as a central count.

On the other hand, the Whiskers family was a local count’s family, already fallen into decline among the nobility.

The difference in power was clear.

If Ethan was expelled from here, he would have to give up his hard-earned position as a teacher at the Ivecar Academy.

Moreover, considering he had come in as the top-ranked candidate, it would be even more disappointing.

Count Garcia looked down at Ethan, scrutinizing his every word.

And he was certain.

Ethan would apologize.

Being the only one from his family present, Count Garcia didn’t expect Ethan to needlessly assert his pride and sacrifice everything.

“Would you like to experience the education? The education that Chen received, the education I provided to Chen.”

However, the words that came out were completely different.

“What?”

“I mean the education Chen received and the education I gave to Chen.”

Count Garcia looked at Ethan in astonishment, as if he couldn’t believe his audacity.

“You want to educate me?”

“Well, a demonstration of education is possible. Let’s judge based on that. Whether I actually provided education or simply beat Chen, you can decide for yourself.”

“Haha, hahaha! Unbelievable!”

Count Garcia laughed as if he couldn’t believe it.

Then he looked at the principal with intense eyes.

“Principal, no, teacher. If you don’t like the education, can I teach the teacher here according to that education? As a senior at the academy, I’m asking.”

The principal stared at Ethan with astonished eyes.

He never expected it to turn out like this.

Moreover, Ethan’s gaze was actually asking for permission from the principal.

He wasn’t being dragged along; he was taking the lead.

‘What an interesting fellow.’

“Go ahead. You’ll have to prove that it wasn’t corporal punishment. If you can’t prove it, you’ll have to apologize to Count Garcia, in the manner he desires.”

“Understood. If you consider this as education, then I accept your apology instead. It’s in the manner I desire.”

“I will, just the way the teacher wants it!”

Count Garcia revealed this with a smile.

* * *

To think that he would offer to educate him.

Count Garcia thought the new teacher’s enthusiasm was too excessive.

It was true that his second son was a good-for-nothing. However, that didn’t mean the teacher had the right to hit him.

If there was a problem, the teacher should educate him, not beat him.

If he had just apologized, Count Garcia might have been able to calm down and let it go. But now that it had come to this, Count Garcia couldn’t just overlook it.

“Go ahead and show me, teacher. Show me what you call education.”

“Is there a particular aspect that you’re struggling with?”

“What?”

“I mean the aspect where you’re struggling in Garcia Swordsmanship.”

Was he really trying to teach him?

“Why don’t you show me?”

“Do you think I’m struggling in Garcia Swordsmanship? If that’s what you mean, I can’t just let it slide, teacher!”

In an instant, a powerful aura emanated from him. It was so intense that it made the skin tingle.

“I’ve seen Chen’s Garcia Swordsmanship. Chen may have some shortcomings in his skills, but there’s also a fundamentally wrong path he’s been taking.”

So he understood that from Chen’s swordsmanship.

The principal was genuinely interested in Ethan. He wasn’t just exceptionally skilled in teaching; there was more to him.

During the interview, the principal had hoped that he could become a master someday.

However, just like he declared at the celebration party, becoming a master within a year was practically impossible.

‘Perhaps.’

Maybe it could happen.

Count Garcia, who was truly enraged, raised his wooden sword. Even though it was a wooden sword, if it hit properly, it could easily break bones.

Swish!

In an instant, he unleashed his Garcia Swordsmanship. Despite being the same swordsmanship as Chen’s, it appeared completely different, showcasing remarkable mastery.

‘Oh no.’

He felt humiliated, and it was a strike filled with genuine intent.

Seeing that, the principal wanted to intervene. No matter what, the difference in their skills was too great to consider this as mere education.

But the principal couldn’t stop him.

It was because Ethan effortlessly evaded his movements.

‘He’s looking at the tip of the sword with his eyes. Does that mean he can see it?’

Ethan had been staring at the tip of Count Garcia’s sword until the very end. The difference in their skills was undoubtedly clear.

“…!”

And now, the real fight began. Ethan swiftly spun around and delivered a lightning-fast strike with his wooden sword, almost simultaneously hitting Count Garcia’s waist and shoulder.

The speed was so fast that it was almost impossible to follow with the eyes, and even the struck Count Garcia was greatly taken aback.

If this had been a real blade, he would have suffered a fatal injury with just that one strike.

“…….”

And he realized. He understood because he had wielded a sword for a long time.

If he hadn’t defended against that attack just now, what stance would he have ended up in?

In his mind, he could envision how the sword would have swung.

“…”

No words came out. Eventually, Count Garcia lowered his wooden sword. Ethan didn’t need to say anything; he already understood.

“Teacher Whiskers.”

Count Garcia bowed his head towards Ethan.

“Thank you for educating my son.”

What Ethan had done was undoubtedly education, not punishment.

* * *

“You had him fired, didn’t you, Father? My shoulder still feels stiff. Such a person should never become a teacher…”

Count Garcia slapped his approaching son’s cheek with anticipation.

“Chen.”

“Uh, Father?”

“Learn properly from Teacher Whiskers. It might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you.”

“W-What are you talking about, Father? Learn from him? This isn’t education! I almost died!”

Startled, Chen shouted in desperation. However, Count Garcia’s gaze was filled with indifference.

“If you once again seek this father’s help through the actions of Teacher Whiskers, then you will receive education at home, not at the academy. Do you understand?”

“……Father!”

As Count Garcia left the scene, Chen looked at his retreating figure with a hopeless expression.

“What on earth is happening?”

The situation was taking a strange turn.