Chapter 169

At Eden Academy, Beatrice, the swordsmanship teacher, was deep in thought about the upcoming practical evaluation for her students. As she scribbled details onto a yellowed paper atop her desk…

SWOOSH—

The office door slid open. Looking up, Beatrice saw a familiar boy standing there. With a stiff yet respectful bow, she greeted him.

“Good day, my Lord.”

“Sir Beatrice, I’ve brought what we discussed last time.”

With a rhythmic bounce in his step, the boy plopped down beside her. Beatrice tilted her head slightly.

“You mean…?”

“The crew you mentioned. You said we needed at least four members, right?”

“Oh! Which students have you chosen?”

The boy grinned mischievously before whispering.

“First is Aru. Obviously?”

“Yes, Aru. And next?”

As Beatrice listened, her fingers clacked away on the typewriter, black ink staining the paper.

“Second is Maria. Saintess Maria.”

“…Saintess Maria? Now that you mention it, I’ve noticed you two getting closer lately.”

“Hehe, such a lovely girl, isn’t she?”

“My Lord calling someone ‘lovely’…? Anyway, who’s the third member?”

After clearing his throat, the boy continued cheerfully.

“Third is Frey the Hero. And last but not least… me! Captain of this crew! So, four members total. Sound good?”

“Yes, that works. The crew name is Magic, correct?”

“Don’t even need to ask twice. Handle it like that. Naturally, Sir Beatrice will be our supervising teacher, right?”

“Of course, if commanded.”

Beatrice’s tone was as solid as a fortress wall. The boy smirked playfully.

“If I *weren’t* commanding…”

Beatrice paused briefly before responding just as firmly.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll always stand behind you, my Lord.”

“Truly, Sir Beatrice. You’re so dependable!”

SWOOSH— Rising from his seat, the boy playfully patted Beatrice on the back, treating her like a subordinate. Despite being known as the Iron-Blooded Teacher, Beatrice allowed herself a faint smile.

But then, recalling something from earlier, her expression faded.

“Ah, my Lord.”

“Hm? What is it?”

Beatrice hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage to speak.

“About the murder incident early yesterday morning… Was it your doing?”

“Yup!”

“…Why did you do it?”

“Are we questioning me now?”

“No, I’m merely curious.”

The boy chuckled lightly.

“Veronica spent three years here at the academy… Guess you two formed quite a bond, huh? What kind of student was she?”

“She was diligent and passionate about her studies.”

“Seemed like it.”

“One side of her face had a scar, which gave her PTSD regarding coffee. She rarely opened up to others because of that. But fundamentally, she was a student who helped those weaker than herself.”

“Sounds like a decent person.”

“…Had she graduated peacefully, she might not have soared like a phoenix, but she certainly had the potential to make a name for herself. It’s unfortunate she opposed you.”

“Hmm…”

Beatrice remained calm.

The boy grinned wickedly, draping an arm over Beatrice’s shoulder.

“Veronica died because she tried to torment me. Isn’t that reason enough?”

Their eyes met—his crimson gaze locking with her brown one. After a brief silence, Beatrice nodded solemnly.

“If she dared trouble you…”

“Tch. You accept it surprisingly easily.”

“If you hadn’t killed her, I would’ve disciplined her myself. How dare anyone disrespect you, my Lord.”

“Are you not considering the possibility that I fabricated this story?”

“The gods trust in you. Even if it were false, your word is law and doctrine to me.”

Beatrice’s voice wavered not a single bit. The boy burst into laughter.

“Hahahaha! Truly blind loyalty! You’re like a faithful dog!”

“…”

“To be honest, I kinda hoped to see you mad at me, Sir Beatrice.”

Student-to-teacher boundaries didn’t seem to exist between them. Yet, Beatrice responded without hesitation.

“That will never happen.”

“Haha. Still as loyal as ever, aren’t you, Sir Beatrice?”

Like comforting a baby, the boy extended his hand. Beatrice didn’t resist.

His pinching fingers stretched her cheeks like rubber. Had anyone else seen this, they’d accuse him of casting some sort of spell on her.

“Well, I should get going. Need to inform the other crew members that registration is complete. See ya later?”

“Yes.”

Releasing her plump cheek, the boy strolled out of the office. A faint blush lingered on Beatrice’s face—not entirely due to the physical discomfort.

‘My Lord has issued a command.’

A small smile graced her lips. Her neatly tied brown hair brightened the room.

Eighteen years ago, when her lord suddenly vanished, Beatrice and Yohan crossed the continent without ties or connections. Following orders, she took up a teaching position at Eden Academy, meeting many people along the way. Due to her striking beauty, most who encountered her developed feelings for her—including romantic ones.

Boys, teachers, and outsiders alike all confessed after meeting her just a few times. But Beatrice rejected them all.

It wasn’t that she lacked interest in romance altogether. Long ago, her lord had given her a brief instruction before disappearing. Since then, she waited patiently, holding onto unwavering faith.

Because…

‘My Lord loves me.’

This misunderstanding only deepened over time. What began as a youthful misconception hardened into unshakable belief over eighteen years. To her, it had become indisputable fact.

***

A crew was both a group and a faction. Though typically led by students, adults could also form and manage crews depending on their purpose.

In Eden Academy, crews served as proof of a student’s caliber. For instance, the top-ranked crew <Panthera> was coveted by 90% of the student body. Membership alone certified one as elite without needing transcripts.

Thus, high-ranking figures supporting certain students naturally desired entry into prestigious crews like Panthera—for networking, education, and prestige.

So it wasn’t surprising that the two Holy Knights guarding Maria gaped in shock upon hearing the news.

“Maria, there’s no turning back now.”

“Yeah, don’t worry. Sharing a crew with Evans until graduation sounds fun! Hehe.”

When informed about joining the Magic crew, Maria’s reaction was cheerful. Naturally, the two knights lurking behind her heard everything.

“W-Wait, Holy Maiden! Did I hear correctly?! If you joined Panthera, they’d welcome you with open arms! Why choose a newly formed crew…?!”

“Kelth! How dare you question the Holy Maiden’s decision?! Surely she has her reasons!”

“But still… Wouldn’t forming connections here at Eden Academy benefit future diplomatic relations?!”

“The Holy Maiden’s will supersedes mere diplomacy!”

Fortunately, within the Holy Order, Maria held status akin to the Supreme God’s daughter. No mere Holy Knight could defy her choice, whether joining a new crew or otherwise.

“Making proper friends is important… Earlier, I heard she befriended some unruly beast-type user…”

Instead, their glares shifted toward me accusatorily. They clearly blamed me for leading Maria astray, ruining her chances at Panthera membership. Their judgment felt eerily accurate, especially after last night’s killing spree.

“Alright, I’ll be off. Need to tell Frey the news too. See ya!”

“Yeah, see you at dinner!”

Thankfully, Maria greeted the news happily. Likewise, Aru welcomed the crew registration without issue during our second meeting.

The third visit proved problematic.

“Ooh? What brings such a handsome gentleman here?”

“…Evans. What is it?”

As usual, Frey’s attitude was prickly…

And the scent of blood hung heavily in the air around her, Continental First Sword Liliard.

“Nothing much. Just came to inform you that the Magic crew has been established. But… wow.”

Seriously, the blood smell was overwhelming. In my past life, I’d never encountered anything like this—it almost felt inhuman.

Another like me. And her power isn’t weak either. Even as the Continental First Sword, her strength seems unnatural… Not exactly the aura of a swordsman.

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