Chapter 261

It is the duty of a teacher to guide a child in the right direction if they are heading down the wrong path.

Jacqueline Carroll, who graduated at the top of her class from the Seviron Foundation’s gifted education curriculum, had a face full of worry when she was called by the head of the middle school department.

She had received news that two elementary school students were imitating smoking with their wands. Unfortunately, one of them was No Name.

In Jacqueline’s opinion, No Name was a somewhat unique child compared to other geniuses. While showing no interest in class, they were nonetheless content with the academy life itself, which was a notable point.

Perhaps for this reason, they voluntarily refused to skip a grade and continued to get along well with friends despite the rapid rise to fame. Moreover, whenever it was practice time, they would help the teacher control the mischievous kids. Rather than being a troublemaker, No Name could be seen as a well-meaning student.

However, Jacqueline couldn’t shake off the thought that No Name was an exceptionally challenging child for her to handle. She was now only in her second year of teaching, and she was deep in thought about how to deal with a child who had long surpassed the scope of what she could teach.

[This child lives with a deep wound inside, although they don’t always show it on the surface. They sometimes have a tendency to recklessly charge into dangerous situations, so I hope you watch them closely. And if No Name behaves in a way that strays from common sense, please don’t let them lead you on and guide them firmly.]

The words that Professor Cheon earnestly requested kept circling in her mind.

Receiving the professor’s hope that No Name would lead a normal life, Jacqueline Carroll learned that No Name had caused quite a ruckus yet again after using 4th circle magic without permission at the beginning of the semester.

“No, regardless of whether it’s not tobacco! Don’t you know that magic is prohibited on school grounds? And you, a friend! If your friend is doing something bad, you should stop them, not just stand by and watch approvingly! Ah, the teacher has arrived. Are you the homeroom teacher for these students?”

“Yes, yes. I am Jacqueline Carroll, the homeroom teacher for the 2nd Grade A Class.”

“The homeroom teacher is an issue too. Have you really been unaware that the kids have been playing around like this in a corner of the academy until now?”

“When you say ‘playing around,’ what do you mean?”

*Cough…!*

No Name awkwardly coughed between them. A haze of residual mana still lingered, seeping out of No Name’s mouth.

The head of the department realized that raising his voice in front of the children wouldn’t help and handed the incident over to Jacqueline.

“External visitors occasionally come to the academy, and if they witness this kind of behavior, what would we do? I trust that you will handle this well, so I’ll take my leave now. You kids too! Don’t play around in a shady place like this; go play on your playground, understood?”

Having said everything he needed to, the department head disappeared over the wall with a switch.

As Jacqueline glared at No Name and Johann, they each showed their own reactions.

While Johann trembled in fear, No Name’s head was turned toward a distant mountain.

‘Is it a thought of “Go ahead, scold me if you can?”’

As the academy taught magic, the teaching staff, including Jacqueline Carroll, was generally strict with the kids.

“Can you tell the teacher what you did wrong?”

However, such strictness did not work on No Name.

Instead, No Name shoved Johann.

“Johann, you go ahead and sit in the classroom first.”

“…?”

“You haven’t done anything wrong. It’s okay; I’ll talk to the teacher myself.”

“That’s not possible…”

“Hurry.”

No Name sent Johann away from the uncomfortable spot.

‘No Name protects their friend first, even in this situation.’

Suddenly, No Name pointed to the entrance of the building where Johann had gone and spoke.

“Actually, Johann was the one who did something wrong first.”

An entirely unexpected answer came out.

* * *

To convince the class that the person who confessed to me was not Johann, the role of the teacher was crucial.

Ultimately, to arrange an opportunity for the one to kiss, Jacqueline had no choice but to confess everything that had just happened.

And since I had said it would be kept a secret just among friends, it wasn’t really breaking any promise.

“Ah, No Name must have been a bit flustered by the sudden confession…! So, was it to comfort Johann?”

“That’s one way to look at it.”

Jacqueline muttered that kids these days were really quick.

“Still, No Name, I think just teaching similar acts can create a longing for smoking. Since you’re smart, you understand what I’m saying, right?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Then does that mean you acknowledge that you did something wrong?”

It seemed the conversation was steering in a somewhat strange direction, so I hesitated to respond.

“Is there really nothing you did wrong? I don’t think so…”

“Teacher, remember a few months ago when I was not feeling well and drinking liquid potions every day? Actually, I also changed it to steam form to force it down. If you still think I did something wrong, I’ll accept that…”

Jacqueline’s opinion wasn’t completely wrong.

However, I hadn’t committed any illegal act, especially since I had received special permission from the former principal to freely use magic below the 2nd circle.

Even if Johann starts smoking in a few years because of this incident, I could just scold him then; there was no need to be a scapegoat now.

“Yes?”

I poured a pitiful gaze, hoping she could understand my unfair feelings.

Jacqueline turned her head to avoid my gaze. This person is tougher than I expected.

After a long period of contemplation, she suddenly slapped her cheeks and delivered an ultimatum.

Did it work?

“No Name.”

“Yes.”

“First, would you hand that over to the teacher?”

“Ah…”

The plan had failed.

I intended to steer the subject towards smoking to catch her attention, but in the end, she didn’t fall for it.

“You know wands are prohibited in the classroom, right?”

“Yes…”

“I’ll return the wand to you when I leave school later. Just don’t bring it to the academy next time. Also, if you go to the gym teacher after class today and help clean the assembly hall, I will fully forgive you, No Name! It’s a promise from the teacher!”

“Yes…”

With my pinky finger forcibly taken, Jacqueline let out a huff as if she had accomplished something.

“Great! Let’s go have class, No Name! It’s your favorite combat practice time, right?”

I contorted my face and replied.

“I do like it… I wish we could have combat practice for an hour every day…”

I wish there was a time every day for molding the kids to my taste.

“Should I suggest it to the teachers? To extend it to five hours a week?”

She asked for my opinion with a gentle smile.

It seemed that since she had scolded me, she wanted to cheer me up afterward.

Seizing the golden opportunity, I quickly bit.

“That sounds like a good idea! But I think five hours is still too little; how about seven hours…”

“Okay! I will definitely suggest it at the next teacher’s meeting!”

“Yes!”

* * *

It was autumn.

A little demon descended upon Seviron Academy.

“2nd Grade A Class! I need to go see the vice-principal for a bit, so please stay here as class still has about 20 minutes left, alright?”

“Don’t worry, teacher. I’ll take care of it.”

“Good, since No Name is our class’s physical education officer, please keep an eye on the kids. I’ll leave the keys here; don’t forget to lock the gym door when the bell rings.”

“Okay. Be careful.”

The only hero to fight off the demon was nowhere to be found.

Once No Name confirmed that the homeroom teacher had walked far away on tiptoe, they picked up the keys that were lying on the floor.

Clang—

As No Name perfectly sealed off the gym entrance, a chilling silence filled the expansive space.

The brave Seoyuna rushed towards her and asked the reason.

“No Name, why are you locking the door…? Huh? We worked hard during class, so we can take a break now, right?”

“Seoyuna, can you do a handstand with one hand now?”

“Ah… no. You taught me today, so how could I do it right away!”

“Then you come with me.”

No Name shook her head and pushed Yuna, walking towards the center of the assembly hall.

From various corners came small groans.

Working with aura was inherently intertwined with using muscles.

As a result, the kids who had practiced cloaking themselves with aura were all sprawled out on the cold floor, each complaining about various pains.

Some said their arms and legs were numb, some said their back hurt, and others complained about sore bottoms.

Bang-!

“…!”

No Name stomped her foot hard on the ground, silencing all the noise.

The children glared at her with wide eyes.

At first, there was some subtle fun in learning aura from the teacher and No Name.

The feeling of getting light like when going to the moon must have been a novel experience for the kids.

‘What is she planning to do now?’

‘Please stop!’

However, excessive use instead brought undue strain to their bodies.

Moreover, No Name had brilliantly gauged each child’s limits, systematically tormenting them by switching exercises just when their arms began to grow numb.

“Has everyone finished their warm-up? Shall we start slowly?”

No Name swung her arms around, drawing up aura.

But that was all it was—warm-up.

“Seoyuna, position.”

“Position!”

“Handstand.”

“Ugh!”

Thanks to the special training during vacation, Yuna could perfectly assume a handstand on both arms.

“Balancing on one arm is originally difficult. That’s normal, so there’s no need to give up so soon. Let’s gradually increase the intensity. Hurry up and follow me; I’ll watch your posture.”

“…”

“If any one of you can’t do a handstand, you won’t have lunch today.”

Of all the times, it was the 4th period, right before lunch.

Seeing the kids repeatedly performing handstands and falling over, No Name broke into a sly smile.

“No Name, I did it with one hand…! Oh, ahh!”

“So close. Let’s try again, Yuna.”

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

No Name’s special training had only just begun.