A golem is an artificial life form that uses a magic crystal as its core to move around.
Though calling it a life form might make it sound like a robot that only follows pre-programmed commands…
Anyway, the power of a golem varies greatly depending on the materials used and the magician’s mana.
Which was why it gave me quite the headache!
If the golem was too weak, it would collapse before class even started.
But if it was too strong, there’d be a risk of endangering the students.
And since I planned surprise attacks during their fight against the golem, they had to be able to counter them too…
Teaching really is such hard work!
“Hmm… seems like the difficulty adjustment was successful.”
Though they were caught off guard by my early surprises, after some time they managed to get their act together.
The Royal Ban especially stood out.
Reinhardt held the front line against the Wood Golem,
while Ariana struck from the side,
and Amy unleashed her area-of-effect magic from the back, dealing steady damage to the golem.
Senna’s divine magic refused to let any wounds on the students go untreated – truly an unstoppable party!
“If I hadn’t adjusted the difficulty with the Royal Ban in mind, this would’ve ended way too quickly.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Lux standing quietly at the back.
Even though she just stood there doing nothing, she made for a picturesque scene. But this was battle!
I sneaked up behind her silently.
“Are you feeling unwell, Your Imperial Highness?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
Yet Lux calmly looked straight at where I was, despite my Shadow Snake stealth active.
No matter how I moved, her dark red eyes stayed locked onto me without wavering.
“You can see me.”
“I have good eyesight. Though seeing you is still a bit blurry… that’s quite an impressive hiding skill.”
Lux smiled faintly as she blinked.
Her naturally mana-sensitive constitution lived up to its reputation, detecting my weakened presence even while using the Shadow Snake ability to blend with nature.
“So, were you waiting to counter my surprise attack?”
“Yes. I thought it’d be better than wasting unnecessary energy.”
“Indeed.”
That meant I needed to crank up the difficulty a bit more.
With a snap of my fingers, the golem’s eyes glowed red – the berserk mode I had installed just in case.
“The power suddenly increased! Everyone, be careful…!”
“Aaaaah!”
In an instant, the students’ formation crumbled under the heightened output.
The magicians at the back started panicking too.
“Hold on just a little longer!”
“O Goddess of Dawn, protect them!”
Thanks to Reinhardt’s excellent sword skills and Senna’s protective magic, they barely managed to hold on,
but without a proper strategy, they’d be overwhelmed soon.
Lux gave me a meaningful glance, clearly understanding my intentions.
“You have poor taste.”
“I simply can’t stand idleness.”
“It wasn’t idleness, but I understand your point, Professor.”
Letting out a small sigh, Lux extended her hand and gathered mana.
A rainbow light collected at her snow-white fingertips.
[Light Magic: Radiant Glory Spear]
The magic missile-like spell struck the wood golem’s arm as it was about to attack a male student holding a sword.
“Uaaaaaagh!”
BOOM!
“What…?”
Seeing the golem he was supposed to face stumble back, the male student turned around in confusion – one point deduction for losing focus during battle.
Having memorized his stunned face in my mind, I spoke to Lux.
“An excellent spell.”
“…Thank you for the compliment.”
“That’s all I wanted to hear.”
Passing by the slightly flustered Lux, I approached Amy who was firing spells enthusiastically from the back.
“Damn it! Is this right?! What the hell kind of professor are you?!”
Hmm, so her personality is rather aggressive, just as written in her report.
So the attitude she showed in the cafeteria last time was fake then.
Looks like I’ll have to punish her somehow.
“Over there…!”
Before Lux could yell out a warning, it was already too late.
I blew air into Amy’s ear.
“Pfff~”
“Kyaaak?!”
Amy jumped in shock.
Her spell preparation was canceled due to this, causing the frontline to fall back further because of the gap created.
Shaking my head, I offered advice.
“A magician responsible for firepower should never fail in casting spells no matter the situation.”
“Pr-rofessor?!”
“Because of you, the students up ahead are in danger.”
“When someone does something unexpected like that, anyone would…! Kyaaak?!”
Making excuses instead of humbly accepting it, huh?
You’re getting the rib-tickling punishment then.
I tormented her until tears streamed down her cheeks, then threw her aside.
“You’re eliminated. Think about what you did wrong and how you should respond next time.”
“Hii… Hie…”
“Was I too harsh?”
Leaving the disoriented Amy behind, I moved on to the next target.
“Amy! What are you doing?! What’s going on?!”
Ariana, confused by the sudden interruption of Amy’s fire magic and hearing her scream.
Clearly worried about the backline, she couldn’t properly deal with the wood golem – which meant she still didn’t feel her life was in danger.
In a real dangerous situation, she wouldn’t have the luxury to worry about the backline.
“Definitely has potential worthy of an officer rank. Makes me want to polish her.”
Smirking, I attacked Ariana’s sides.
“Urgh! Professor?!”
Oh, so the physically trained swordswoman is resistant to tickling, huh?
Then perhaps more extreme measures would be acceptable?
“Pr-professor?! Ahh… That spot…! Aaaah…!”
Just lightly grazing her back with my finger coated in faint aura made Ariana writhe in discomfort.
What with her making such suggestive noises, she’s practically asking to be labeled a criminal!
I hurriedly moved Ariana to join Amy.
“You’re also eliminated, Ariana. Reflect on your mistakes with Amy.”
“Nnngggh…”
Turning my gaze away from the two slumped-over young ladies, I assessed the battlefield.
2 fallen golems compared to merely 3 remaining students.
Without a doubt, the absence of Amy, who possessed the strongest firepower in the class, and Ariana, who solidly held the frontlines, had a significant impact.
Of course, my occasional stone-throwing while tormenting those two also contributed to destabilizing the balance…
Since all remaining students were from the Royal Ban, it seemed there was no need to continue.
“Let’s wrap it up.”
About 15 minutes left, I think.
Running toward Reinhardt, I snapped my fingers to cut off the mana connection to the wood golem.
Keeerrr-
The sudden halt of the wood golem’s movements startled Reinhardt.
“Eh? Why is it stopping…”
“Take the opportunity to finish it off.”
“Eh? Wha-?!”
I kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying.
Isn’t treating Reinhardt too harshly?
Well, I can’t treat him the same as the girls now, can I.
Not interested in tickling boys anyway.
Finishing the Shadow Snake transformation, I shouted.
“I’ll end the lesson here… Senna?”
“Y-yes, yes!”
“Please take care of those lying around.”
“Understood!”
For some reason, Senna moved briskly.
Thanks to her, the students quickly regained consciousness.
Gathering everyone, including Amy and Ariana who were far away, I slowly proceeded with the lesson.
“First, Reinhardt!”
“Yessir!”
Looking at Reinhardt, who had the military bearing of a new recruit thanks to being kicked earlier, I smiled gently.
“Your performance blocking enemies at the forefront was splendid. Deflecting my stones was also a good reaction.”
“Thank you!”
“However, don’t use your body to block unknown attacks unnecessarily. If the opponent had been a Shadow Snake, you’d be fighting for your life against their poison arrows. There are countless people who’ve died around me like that actually.”
“I will keep that in mind!”
“Lastly… never hesitate against an enemy.”
While other mistakes could be overlooked somewhat, this final action was absolutely unacceptable.
Even though it was just a lesson and the inexperienced students were still green, this was something they absolutely needed to engrave in their minds.
“A warrior at the frontlines carries the lives of those at the back on their shoulders. Do you think it ends with just your death? Your comrades behind you will die, and furthermore, your friends and family will perish. Keep that in mind.”
“Y-yes sir!”
Reinhardt shouted with a pale face.
Well, this should have driven the point home.
If he repeats the same mistake next time…
“I will keep that in mind!”
“Hm.”
I turned my gaze to the other students.
They tensed up upon meeting my eyes, as if sensing they’d develop trauma if this continued much longer.
“I believe everyone has fully understood the dangers of the barbarians. Submit a reflection on your mistakes by the next class.”
“Yes!”
“Still, everyone handled themselves very well for beginners. You’d deserve the title of A-rank recruits with this performance.”
Giving appropriate praise relaxed the students somewhat.
Just as I was about to announce the end of the lesson,
I met Lux’s gaze.
“…”
Her expression seemed to ask if I had anything to say to her.
Realizing I had scratched my cheek awkwardly.
Now that I think about it, Princess Lux was still here.
“Lux…”
Mentioning her name casually caused the students to whisper in surprise.
“…Huh!”
“B-but… informal address…?”
Ah, shouldn’t I be addressing her formally as teacher-student relationship dictates…?
Well, it’s too late to take it back now.
Only way is to brazen it out.
“If you can notice me to this extent, then unless it’s a chief-level Shadow Snake, there probably isn’t one you wouldn’t detect.”
Still, standing there with arms crossed won’t do in actual combat.
There won’t be any pre-announced ambushes like today.
“From now on, please loudly announce the enemy’s position. Or using light magic to illuminate the area would work too. Shadow Snakes become paralyzed for about a second when suddenly exposed to bright light.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Lux nodded politely in response.
Unlike the students’ over-the-top reactions, she seemed rather satisfied.
“Even the most threatening barbarians have at least one weakness. The saying ‘knowledge is power’ isn’t there for nothing. While I learned weaknesses through trial and error, you all have the convenient option of the library, don’t you?”
My implication that they should study if they don’t know had the students frowning and nodding their heads simultaneously.
If you want to live, you must study.
“Just so you know, my classes will have written exams too. So everyone, study hard.”
“Yes!”
“Then, I’ll conclude the lesson here. Everyone, good job.”
Contrary to my expectation that they’d disperse immediately, the students collapsed right where they were.
Hmm, maybe the difficulty level was a bit too high?
***
That night, after finishing her shower and lying down in bed, Amy was hit with excruciating pain.
“Ugh…”
This was due to excessive magical strain from spamming spells.
“Bad professor! That was too much…”
How long has it been since she experienced magical strain this severe that made eating difficult?
At least since entering Minerva Academy.
“… How many battles has he gone through?”
Reflecting on it, Allen’s lessons maintained a delicate balance.
When the wood golem’s eyes glowed red, it became somewhat challenging,
but with enough effort, it was a difficulty level that could be overcome with time.
Allen’s ambushes were child’s play compared to real battlefields.
Instead of laughing uncontrollably from tickling, they’d have lost their lives.
“Professor Allen must be the same. Yet he saved Earl’s life too.”
Earl, who had lost consciousness and lay in bed, came to mind.
He was poisoned by a Shadow Snake arrow.
Earl said with a smile that he would have died if not for Allen’s presence.
Somehow, Allen’s voice echoed in her ears.
“Warriors at the front carry the lives of those at the back on their shoulders. Do you think it ends with just your death? Your comrades behind you will die, and furthermore, your friends and family will perish. Keep that in mind.”
Allen wore an incredibly serious expression while saying this.
In some ways, it was scarier than her father’s face…
Yet Amy could sense bitterness and sadness in his expression.
“I need to study.”
She had never felt this powerless in her life.
She didn’t want to experience this again.
Thinking she should visit the library tomorrow, Amy drifted off to sleep.
***
Meanwhile, at that moment, Lux was also thinking about Allen.
“In the classroom too… and today as well…”
Lux, who knew about the master’s divine powers, realized Allen’s techniques stemmed from divine powers.
“What could that possibly mean?”
During the first class when Allen blocked Amy’s magic, his hands turned green.
Today, when Allen became blurry, black scales appeared on his neck.
Though uncertain how many classmates noticed,
Lux clearly spotted these changes.
“Can he… use the power of the barbarians?”
The Marquis Paulo Robert of the Gold Eagle Palace said,
perhaps Allen was the only one besides the pope who could solve his problems.
“… I must be cautious.”
Though she wanted to rush over and confess her issues immediately… her position as princess prevented her.
There was nothing to do but endure patiently.
Even if the endless emotions and various pains tormented her, she could withstand them all.
“I am a princess.”
Enduring the familiar yet never truly bearable moments of pain, Lux quietly closed her eyes.
In the tranquil air, thick darkness, and endless despair,
the image of Allen who treated her not as a princess but as an ordinary student surfaced.
“Lux…”
His words, his voice still lingered in her ears.
If only he could be the prince to save her…
She hoped and hoped again as she fell asleep.
