I got tangled up in Leo Helios of the Lion Palace’s schemes, but that wasn’t really an important fact.
Because of that, I did receive some strange looks from the professors whose meaning I couldn’t quite grasp, but that too wasn’t important.
What was truly important were the students.
It was about them achieving good results at the Olympia.
“Winner~! Senna Eos!”
With those final words from the announcer, Senna’s preliminary match had concluded.
Thus, all the graduating students I had taught managed to advance to the finals.
Of course, it was expected, but it’s fortunate they all passed safely.
“It was a rather uneventful victory. Compared to before, it ended too easily, which is somewhat disappointing.”
“I suppose you have to understand. Attacking the Holy Maiden like a madman wouldn’t look very good either.”
Cain and Angelica respectively shared their thoughts on this match.
Even if she is a student, Senna is still an official Holy Maiden, so it would be hard to treat her carelessly.
After all, no one can guarantee that there won’t be any bad blood during a tournament.
There’s always a possibility of getting on the wrong side of the lecturers and facing disadvantages later.
“Still, who would’ve thought she’d unleash Heavenly Punishment at the last moment…”
“Is image management not necessary? For someone titled as a Holy Maiden, striking from behind like that…”
“Nobody asked for special consideration, but dismissing a contestant like that is certainly wrong.”
“That may be true, but…”
The reason the professors were debating like this was none other than because Senna was left alone.
Amy’s match ended with a single spell.
Ariana’s match saw a fierce battle against Carlos, an excellent swordsman.
Lux’s match finished overwhelmingly, seemingly refusing to lose to Amy.
Unlike these three, Senna’s match dragged on.
There were quite a few skilled students.
The problem was that these talents ignored Senna simply because she was the Holy Maiden.
Without even sparing her a glance, they targeted other students instead.
As time went on, even the initially enthusiastic fighter began to notice something was off…
In the end, realizing the truth, she unleashed Heavenly Punishment out of frustration.
While we understood Senna’s feelings, others probably just saw it as… betrayal? Yeah, something like that.
“If only she had caught on a bit sooner, it might’ve been fine…”
“But that’s part of Senna’s charm too. There’s nothing we can do about it. The rest will have to be handled by our faculty. I’ll go take care of it.”
Angelica smiled wistfully and stepped outside.
She said she’d ask her close contacts at the press to publish an explanatory article or something.
Though I wondered if it was really necessary, now that she’s gone, I’ll just leave it to her.
Anyway, Senna descended from the arena with a disgruntled expression.
This kind of face from her is new…
Well, anyone would feel upset if they’re blatantly ignored, right?
Not long after Senna left, someone knocked on the door.
Knock knock—
“Come in.”
When Cain called out, a woman entered.
Judging by her neat suit, she was undoubtedly a royal palace bureaucrat.
“Excuse me. Is Colonel Allen… uh, Professor Allen here?”
“It’s me. What is it?”
“We need your assistance for a special event. Could you come with us?”
“Hmm, but there are still preliminaries left… Very well, let’s go.”
Since delaying wouldn’t change anything, I quietly followed the woman out.
As I sighed inwardly while walking down the long corridor, the woman spoke to me.
“Actually… you seem to fit the role of a professor more than I expected.”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, what is she talking about?
Does she mean I look intellectual?
Should I take it as a compliment?
Just as I was confused, she continued.
“I mean, you seem talented at teaching others rather than fighting. You don’t exactly look strong enough for the Lion Palace to recommend you…”
Ah, so she thinks I’m weak.
Is she wondering how someone like me could possibly compare to the Golden Way Zodiacs?
“Professor, this is a suggestion for your benefit. Wouldn’t it be better to make up an excuse and step aside? It’s also pre-event anyway… If we’re short by one, we can substitute another person.”
“Hmm… So you already have someone else in mind, huh? Is this person on par with the Golden Way Zodiacs?”
“They might be slightly lacking, but better than you. Unlike you, who are merely a newly appointed special professor, this person is the captain of the royal palace guard.”
“Hooh…”
So there’s someone backing her up to speak so freely…
An impressive connection indeed.
If it’s the head of the royal capital guards, they must be decently skilled.
First rank? Second rank? Still, probably lower than the Golden Way Zodiacs.
After quickly weighing my options, I nodded with a smile.
“Yes. If such an esteemed person exists, I should step aside. Honestly, I found it quite burdensome. How could someone like me dare to spar with the Golden Way Zodiacs?”
“If you felt offended, I apologize. Thank you for understanding.”
Based on my smile, she brightly replied.
Hmm, though it’s true I want to back down…
Will others let me go so easily?
Before long, we arrived at a door labeled “Office.”
Knock knock—
“Rebecca Leppen. May we enter?”
“Enter.”
Squeak—
As the creaky hinges groaned, we stepped inside to see familiar and unfamiliar faces.
The familiar face was obviously…
“Haha! Long time no see, brother-in-law!”
Still pulling that gaslighting act, Leo Helios of the Lion Palace.
“When’s the blood draw? Why aren’t you coming? Do I have to personally visit this busy body of mine?”
You, the Infantry Palace Erias Saturn, blaming me for not visiting because I was busy teaching students.
“A letter isn’t enough? So now you don’t even want to see this old man’s face, eh? Tsk, guess old age means I should die already.”
This weirdo elder, Gold Eagle Palace Paulo Robert.
“Brother-in-law? No, and the blood draw can wait a bit longer. I was busy teaching students. Once the students’ competition ends, I planned to visit. When did you start making such a fuss about finding me?”
As I rapidly countered, the three predictably chimed in with their own comments.
I placated them while subtly observing the woman beside me.
“Eh? How could you…”
Apparently, she hadn’t heard about my connections with these people.
That’s why she made such inappropriate remarks without thinking.
How should I handle this?
Just as I was pondering, a man standing nearby finally spoke up.
“Are you isolating someone? Even if you’re close, introducing us is the least you could do. This isn’t about favoritism towards strangers!”
Long brown hair tied into a ponytail.
Angular sunglasses.
Thick lips and a bronze complexion.
Western-style open clothing immediately identified him.
“Introducing myself. Colonel Allen. The empire’s strongest dual-sword master. Meeting Opposite Palace Gamifer Altaurphe is an honor.”
Opposite Palace, Gamfer Altaurphe.
Although he was the first Golden Way Zodiac I met, his information was familiar to me.
I had gathered all the data on the Golden Way Zodiacs since I kept crossing paths with them.
Surprisingly recognizing me, Opposite Palace reacted dramatically.
Another exaggerated reaction typical of Westerners.
“Woah~! You know me? I haven’t shown my knightly skills in ages since I retired within the empire.”
“Could I ever forget your past glory when you single-handedly defeated seven grand knights during the Altair Kingdom Civil War?”
“Wow… Now I get why everyone likes you.”
Satisfied with my flattery, Opposite Palace grinned widely and said.
Then the woman beside him stepped forward.
“Do you know who I am?”
Unique dialect.
Silver hair.
A long spear slung over her back.
A leather armor covering her voluptuous figure.
Even without analyzing, there was only one person left.
“Of course. How could I not recognize the empire’s greatest spear expert, Thousand Gale Palace?”
Thousand Gale Palace, Gliese Antarès.
The spear expert who single-handedly captured a fortress.
After recounting all the stored information in my head, Thousand Gale Palace gleamed with excitement.
“You memorized all this? Hey kid, you’d make a great son-in-law~ How about transferring to me?”
“Don’t say useless things. I’ve already marked you.”
Marked? What nonsense.
Looking at me incredulously, Thousand Gale Palace pointed accusingly.
“Look at that. Your eyes are full of complaints. What do you say? Want to marry me?”
“Thank you for the offer, but I don’t have marriage plans at the moment.”
After cleanly rejecting her, the elder chuckled knowingly.
“How shameless… Would that guy pass up marrying an auntie? Have some decency.”
“What did you say? Should I punch a hole through your skull?”
“Stop arguing. Let’s move on to constructive discussions.”
The menacing glare from Thousand Gale Palace was interrupted by a man in a dark-circled suit extending down to his jawline.
Letting out a small sigh, the man continued slowly.
“I’m the overall supervisor of this year’s Olympia. Budget Management Department Director Arkan Drake. Not from the beginning, but I took over after the previous director resigned. Please work together moving forward.”
His way of saying don’t nitpick past procedures.
I obediently nodded.
“Then let’s proceed directly to the match-ups…”
“Ah, sorry, but I must withdraw.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
Surely you know what an imperial decree means, right?
Shrugging off the meaningful glare, I explained.
“I wanted to participate too, but on the way here, a distinguished person advised me it wasn’t appropriate for someone like me to fight the Golden Way Zodiacs. They suggested I stick to teaching students.”
“Hmph… Who said such nonsense?”
Arkan sighed deeply while asking.
He realized I was being difficult.
Since we seem to communicate well, might as well cut to the chase.
“The civil servant here pitied me and offered advice. Her name was… Re, Re…”
“…Rebecca Leppen.”
Watching Arkan slowly pronounce the name, I scratched the back of my head and laughed.
“Ah, yes, that’s right. Sorry, I’m bad with names, haha. Anyway, for that reason, I’ll retire now. Teaching students seems more suited to me.”
Contrary to my laughter, the atmosphere grew icy.
Shall we check their expressions?
“Can you explain the situation, Miss Leppen?”
“Yes, yes…?”
The woman looked at me uncertainly with wavering eyes.
Reality won’t change just by staring at me like that, Miss Re-whatever.
“If you can’t provide a proper explanation… It’ll be boring.”
“…”
Realizing her predicament, her complexion turned pale.
So you should’ve been careful if you weren’t sure, miss.
Be more cautious next time.
Though whether there will be a next time is questionable.
