Seven days passed like a gentle breeze. During that time, I studied books, from basic to advanced control of aura, how magic works, the techniques that Knights use, and books that could only be obtained with Marcus's Head Professor authority.
Theories regarding aura, its restrictions, movements, and techniques were relatively straightforward.
But out of curiosity, I also studied magic, theoretically.
The structures of magic circles are based on hexadecimal marking used by the people of this world.
However, they're not entirely correct. Because fundamentally, assembly is a language that doesn't exist here.
'Knights sure have it easy,' I thought. Maybe that's why most of the powerful people in this world are magicians.
During this time, I trained my mental state for 'Perception', which I think could be my ace. A single line to cut a bottle in half is not enough, considering the power standards of this world.
"You're oddly relaxed for someone who knows there are people out there scheming rebellion in your Kingdom," Orochi spoke, leaning on the desk. As I stared at myself in the mirror.
'This appearance isn't bad either…' I thought.
Right, about Orochi. Since last time, he's made it his routine to visit me often… says he's observing me. He's still not sure about allegiance.
"I'm more worried about the class I have." I mumbled. I never taught anyone in my life.
*Tud* *Tud*
Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door. I looked at my desk, where Orochi was leaning, but the guy disappeared in an instant.
"Come in," I said.
Entering the room was a skinny guy with black hair and brown eyes. He wore circular-framed spectacles with a silver rim, and his hair was neat. Black uniform, with a black robe, suggested he was a final-year magician.
"Good morning, Professor Rile. My name is Hedge Estravo. I was the representative of last year's elite batch, section - S.", he spoke.
'Hedge? Hedgehog?' The image of a cute hedgehog was clearly flashing in my mind.
"I received a flyer from the authorities, with a request to guide you to our class, and represent my batch, in front of the head professor, who's going to be our homeroom professor in our final year," Hedge continued.
"You're a lively one, aren't you? I like that attitude," I picked up a file with a list of cadets in my batch from my table and patted him on the shoulders.
"Lead the way…"
'How I wish it were Bart…' I thought.
Apparently, Bart wasn't just a butler. He was a trained assassin. And he only stayed with Ymir, not his disguise, Marcus. Except Bart, the former 'Fired' butler who handles the matters of Riles estate, no one knew that Ymir and Marcus were the same person.
If we, of course, exclude those who have powers beyond the transcendent rank and the golden order.
I followed the Hedgehog across the corridors of the Academy. Children wearing different colours of uniforms, blue, white, and black, all stopped to bow to Marcus on his way.
Blue were the first year, white were the second, and Black were the final year cadets. Boys who were Knights wore a shirt and pant set, and girls wore a round top and a frock set. Those who were magicians had a robe of the same colour over them.
'Most of the students here are magicians…'
The architecture of the academy wasn't as beautiful as the church. But it sure was magnificent. White painted walls, complex paths, wooden doors for the classes, and marbled flooring.
As if a huge vacant castle was converted into an academy.
After a short walk, the hedgehog stopped in front of the door on the top floor of the central building of the academy. He pushed it open, revealing an auditorium-like classroom.
The bickering of the cadets stopped as everyone looked at the doors. Hedgehog bowed and stood near the corner of the first seat.
Everyone followed, standing up.
'I've seen something similar happen in the hearing, the only difference is… I was invited here, not informed by some secret organisation…' I thought, and scoffed in my mind.
Nodding, I walked and gestured for everyone to sit by waving the file in my hand. The doors behind me closed on their own, and I stood in the centre of the podium.
"Final year already, huh~" I said, appreciating their own journey of learning throughout their time in the academy.
'How I wish to be the homeroom teacher of first years where the main characters would probably have enrolled…' I sighed. 'But as a senior professor, Marcus only teaches second and final year batches.'
"…" None of the people here spoke.
These were the final year's disciplined cadets. They knew of the authority of professors; they didn't retaliate that much, their rankings were fixed, their requests for duels were minimal, and most of the weird doubts about theories and applications were already cleared.
'I've got a boring batch!' I cursed in my mind.
"I wouldn't really set any rules… You lot are disciplined enough to know what needs to be done and what's not. You can come, visit me in my office anytime. I'm your homeroom teacher, which means I represent you as a professor handling your batch's discipline, daily administration, and I'll be monitoring your progress among different classes," I said.
"Academically, I'm a professor of Aura Praxis. I guide knights in the flow of their aura, and magicians in the flow of their mana."
"Any doubts?" I asked, opening the file in my hands.
'I've got a lot of student council members in my batch…' I thought, looking at the list in my hands.
'Even the president is in my batch,' I read the name Ailsa Krell, student council president.
'Wait…Krell?' squinting my brows, I read that name again.
Is she the child of House Krells? Wasn't the council member president someone else in the game? I think her name was Stella …Is my existence already causing the butterfly effect?
I looked ahead, and there was someone already raising a hand in doubt. Sitting in the middle of the class, she had long chestnut coloured hair, light brown eyes, and a black robe over her dress. She carried the elegance befitting a Duke's house.
She was Ailsa Krell.
"…Speak your mind," I said, looking at her. It looks like my batch isn't going to be that boring after all.
"My name is Ailsa Krell, Professor Rile. I'm the student council's president. Since most of our members are in this batch. Can we approach you for matters related to the council?" She asked, standing up from her seat.
"Ailsa, right? Of course, you bring your doubts, queries, matters, not just related to the council, but anything that you feel requires counselling." I replied.
I don't want to be a strict teacher with several rules and minimal student interaction. I hate teachers like that. For god's sake, you're a professor, not handling presidential decisions to act inconspicuously.
"Thank you, Professor." She bowed and took her seat.
I nodded. "I'll take the attendance now."
And the first name on the list was of Hedgehog. "Hedge Estravo"…" Present, Sir."
"Grier Serrat…"
"Eva…"
"Vaudrey…"
"Barrett…"
.
.
.
"Alright, you may leave for your specific courses. I will also be teaching you and some other batches the course of Aura Praxis. I believe you already have a schedule by now. Our class will be held twice a week, but you need to be present here every morning for your attendance."
With that, I didn't take up much of their time and left the class. These guys were boring. Maybe that's why I don't like disciplined students.
'Wait… what kind of professor am I? Not liking the disciplined lot?' I thought.
I really need to work on my personality. It's not just my temper that's messed up.
Thinking over it, I made my way to the next class, where I'll actually be teaching something as a professor, not just overviewing the cadets.
Marcus's schedule was not hectic. He had five classes in a week. Two out of them were third-year batches.
And right now, I was heading to the second year, the less disciplined lot.
And just as I expected…
The moment I arrived near my next class, the gates of the room slammed open, and I saw a white-haired cadet sent flying out and crashing into the corridor walls, just outside the classroom.
He wore a white robe, and his shirt was torn from the abdomen. Must've taken a decent hit.
"You fucking bastard!" He screamed, staring in the classroom, and rushed back inside.
"Thanks for opening the gates, at least," I mumbled.
'Yeah, this is what I expect from students of this world…' I thought with a smile.