“How is it here after three years, Lefiya?”
“It’s nostalgic…However, the situation being what it is, I’m more disoriented than anything.”
“Ha-ha, an honest answer, I see.”
After a night spent in a room set aside for visitors, Lefiya was starting her morning with a walk through the halls alongside an instructor.
He had hair the color of a lion’s mane and long enough to cover the back of his neck. This teacher was tall, probably 180 celches at least. At a glance, he seemed slender, but Lefiya knew that his body was like tempered steel. She had not noticed as a student, but now that she had been an adventurer for several years, she could tell how extraordinary his sense of balance was from a single step. Even though he wore no armor and carried no weapon, he still evoked the image of a knight.
His back was always perfectly straight as if his spine were a sword.
His eyes were the same color as his hair and were as imposing and dignified as a lion’s.
Many girls would blush bright red in misunderstanding if he looked into their eyes or smiled carelessly at them, just like her old friend Alisa.
He was the top professor in the School District and the captain of Balder Class, Leon Verdenberg.
“Of course, accepting whatever situation you find yourself in and responding accordingly is crucial for all people in every walk of life. Those who are fastest to adapt will broaden their horizons the most.”
“Society is a never-ending process of turning confusion into comprehension.”
“I am pleased you remember. If my lessons have enriched your life even a little, I can ask for nothing more.”
Leon glanced at her with a soft look in his eyes. Those were the eyes of a teacher pleased with their student’s growth.
True to his reputation as the top professor, he was fairer and more honest than anyone else aboard the School District. His lessons were easy to comprehend, and if he was ever unsure of something, he would discuss it with students. He hoped to grow with his students while explaining that he was anything but an infalliable teacher. Because he never forgot his roots, children who were not yet mature, either, could empathize with him and look up to him.
Righteous and without arrogance. Admonishing and guiding.
Lefiya did not know anyone worthier of the title of teacher than he. When she came to him with her worries as a student, he thoughtfully discussed them with her, thinking through things with her.
Lefiya’s story was far from uncommon. The students’ nickname for him was Ultra Page due to the way he responded to his students’ problems and stuck with them to the end. Even if it meant going five days without sleep, he wouldn’t bat an eye.
He was, without a doubt, the most popular teacher among all students, male and female.
Indeed, it would be more correct to say he was popular worldwide.
It feels like he’s gotten even cooler than before.
I know what you mean, Lefiya! He’s a paragon of style that just keeps improving!!!
Please don’t break into my thoughts telepathically, Alisa…
Lefiya was already feeling weary as she made eye contact with Alisa, who was walking behind them like an aide as Leon explained the plan for her going forward.
“I touched on it yesterday during guidance, but your seminar will be scheduled later. We would like you to focus on instruction first, Lefiya.”
“That isn’t a problem for me, but…is there a reason I haven’t been given the students’ files and grades? I think it would be easier if I learn a little about them first.”
“I would like you to see them without any preconceptions and ask you to share your impressions and general thoughts.”
✦ ✦ ✦
✦ ✦ ✦
They were on their way as they spoke. The elites who Balder had told her about yesterday were waiting.
Lefiya peered up at Leon as he spoke. Suddenly, her feet stopped.
“Teaching these students…is that something I’m really capable of?”
Leon and Alisa stopped and looked at her.
It was not humility but genuine doubt.
“Are you concerned?”
“No, it’s not that…I have always been a student here, even after joining Loki Familia. I can’t quite picture myself teaching… I find myself questioning whether this will really be of any use to the students I’m about to meet.”
She calmly expressed her doubts while meeting Leon’s gaze. Alisa watched quietly as if trying to gauge what her old friend had experienced these past three years and assess her mental state now.
Leon smiled.
“I see. Having experience is certainly an important thing. It helps build confidence, and likewise, confidence not founded in experience can lead only to arrogance. That you are aware of this means that you have an aptitude for teaching,” Leon reassured her and then continued as if giving her advice. “Therefore, you can simply remember the faces of those who guided you.”
“Hm?”
“What did they say, or what did they communicate through their presence and actions? Your teachers remain in your heart and can be both a guide to follow and the ultimate teaching resource.”
“!”
“‘Projection of others is the first step toward realization.’ Precisely because you have always been the student, you possess enormous potential as a teacher. Please don’t forget that.”
Lefiya’s eyes widened.
Alisa looked moved and proud.
Leon, wearing the black instructor’s uniform that naturally contrasted with the white student uniform, smiled kindly. He was the very model of a teacher.
I see.
It was as if the fog closing in around her had completely dispersed. At that moment, Lefiya thought of Leon, Riveria, Aiz…and the pure elf no longer in this world who had stood at her side like an older sister.
Pushing the loneliness and grief away in the back of her heart, Lefiya realized once more that she was still a student in Leon’s eyes and had much, much more to learn.
✦ ✦ ✦
Joining one of the top familias was difficult, even for students who were in such great demand among midsize and minor familias.
It was obvious that the higher the rank of a familia, the more difficult it was to enter, but individual familia members or the patron deities could also be extremely demanding.
Goibniu Familia, with its single-minded focus on smithing, was a prime example.
Unlike Hephaistos Familia, Goibniu Familia tended to not be as widely known, but many students were charmed by Goibniu’s pure devotion to plain old craftsmanship. The last time the School District returned to Orario, all the students in the Smithing Department wanted to join. But when they challenged the old god’s test, every single student failed. It was a well-known story of how all those hopeful boys and girl had been left in tears.
Loki Familia was also one of the factions that was exceedingly difficult to join.
But the reason for that was a little different. Loki despised Balder so much that she threw out all the School District’s recommendations.
As someone who had actually managed to join, Lefiya could not help thinking that any girl Loki happened to like could probably get in, but there was a strict examination involved, too. Finn and the other leaders were also present, so students needed to demonstrate some level of ability.
Lefiya had managed to meet their standards. That thought made her proud—indeed, she had been brimming with pride at the time—but ever since joining, she had experienced a long string of setbacks and disappointments. The other members of the familia were so incredible that she spent many nights muffling herself with her pillow while venting her regret and disappointment at how useless and pathetic she was.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Uwaaaah…! Loki Familia’s Thousand Elf! I-it’s an honor! I-I’ll be in your care, Lefiya!”