123. No Matter How Old You Get, Learning Is Important, Isn’t It?

Jabil-sensei started living at our house.

She began helping with the production guild, and I was finally freed from the nightly all-nighters.

Lately, I’ve even had time for breakfast, but today is particularly leisurely.

The reason is that today is the once-a-week Teacher’s Day.

At Kyle Academy, we use the knowledge of former adventurers to teach about monsters, basic combat methods, and more.

This includes basic magical theory and information about other towns.

In short, it’s a study session to impart the knowledge and skills needed to survive in dangerous borderlands.

It’s an important job, so even when the guild is busy, I continue to teach.

Since Jabil-sensei started living with us, breakfast has become lively.

Ryuuko, the maid, makes delicious meals. While poking at the bacon leisurely, Sensei brings up a topic.

“That’s right, Craft. I’ve decided to teach occasionally as well.”

“Huh? You, Sensei?”

“Yes. I’ll mainly handle the basics of magic that you’re teaching now. Kyle-sama is worried you’re too busy.”

“Kyle…”

What a good kid!

“But won’t that make you too busy, Sensei?”

“At the moment, my only job is being Kyle-sama’s personal physician. So, there’s no need to worry.”

“As long as it’s not a burden. The students would benefit more from being taught by you, Sensei.”

“Your magical knowledge is a bit self-taught after all.”

“I’m embarrassed.”

Back in my adventurer days, I had no money, so I had to bow to senior adventurers to teach me the basics.

Teaching the very basics at the academy hasn’t been much of an issue, but with Jabil-sensei teaching, it’ll be perfect.

“I’ll handle the lectures. I’ll leave the practical teaching of attack and defense magic to you.”

“Leave it to me, Sensei!”

“Good. Then let’s head to the academy.”

“Understood! Ryuuko, take care of the house.”

“Yes.”

Ryuuko sent us off with a flawless bow.

Sensei and I headed to the academy side by side.

Although Golden Dawn is relatively safe, crime isn’t nonexistent. I resolved to protect Sensei with all my might.

No one will lay a finger on Sensei!

“Craft, you’re making it hard to walk…”

For some reason, I got scolded.

◆

As I entered the massive academy, many students were walking happily toward the school building.

In Golden Dawn, children must attend the academy.

It seems Kyle had quite a struggle overturning the common belief that even children were a part of the workforce.

Even though parents lost the chance to have their children work for at least the morning, they weren’t too happy about it. However, with the distribution of free lunches and support for parents who sent their children to the academy, it has now become widely accepted.

Of course, this policy is only possible because of Golden Dawn’s economic prosperity.

As I headed toward the entrance hall, I saw Bepp, Bardock, and Moda standing there.

They have split from Raidock and formed a new party.

“So, you guys are on security duty today?”

“Craft? It’s been a while.”

It was Bardock, the mage, who answered.

Lately, I’ve been so busy with the production guild that I haven’t seen them much since they formed their new party.

“Yeah, I’m glad to see you all doing well. But isn’t it a bit of a waste for skilled guys like you to be on academy security?”

“We’re participating in the afternoon general class today. So, it was a fitting job.”

“I see.”

In the academy, children receiving mandatory education study in the morning. Then, after eating their lunch, they return home.

In the afternoon, classrooms are open for those who cannot read, write, or calculate, as well as for those who wish to receive higher education. Participation is voluntary.

Of course, subhumans and beastmen can also attend.

Knowing Bardock, he probably heard about Jabil-sensei’s advanced magic class through the adventurer’s guild.

“In any case, I feel secure with you guys on duty.”

“Yeah, leave it to us.”

I waved at the three of them and headed to the teachers’ room.

The morning session of mandatory education is for children aged six to sixteen, a span of ten years.

At sixteen, they become adults, so after that, they can attend higher education classes voluntarily.

The morning session spans ten years, so there should be ten grades, but since the academy is still new, there are currently only three grades.

The class is for ages six to eight.

The class is for ages nine to eleven.

And the class is for ages twelve to fifteen.

I am in charge of the class for ages twelve to fifteen.

When I entered the classroom, the students were chatting noisily.

“Alright, everyone, take your seats. From today, Jabil-sensei will be teaching the lecture part of my classes. She’s an amazing teacher, so listen carefully.”

“”“Yes!”””

As the students scrambled to their seats, one person remained completely still.

That person was Persia, a capable yet somewhat unfortunate knight.

She stood at attention at the back of the classroom.

She hadn’t come to attend Jabil-sensei’s class. Of course, she had a reason.

That reason is—

“…Hmph.”

As I walked toward the back of the classroom, a student turned her face toward me.

A girl with shimmering blonde hair and refined features. In other words, Kyle’s twin sister, Myrna.

Persia is Myrna’s bodyguard.

Not that it matters, but since Kyle was formally recognized as a noble lord, his name became Kyle Golden Dawn von Elixir, the Frontier Count.

However, Myrna remained simply Myrna Veil Road.

If Kyle doesn’t find a good wife soon, the Elixir family will always be just him.

The academy’s education is based on the principle of equality regardless of social status.

So, Myrna also attends, but it wouldn’t do to leave a noble’s daughter unprotected among commoners, hence this arrangement.

As I passed by Myrna, I patted her head, and she showed a determined expression.

At that moment, a lively voice rang out from nearby.

“Hey! Craft-niichan! That teacher’s just a kid!”

“What!?”

Who dared to say such a rude thing!?

When I looked for the source of the voice, I saw the mischievous orphan Ed Kendall, a wolf beastman.

More mischievous than mischievous, he’s just a playful kid.

He is a child from the orphanage run by Azur, a priest of the Ruinsent religion.

Azur is an amazing guy who became a priest despite being a beastman. He’s also my childhood friend, so I had him come to Golden Dawn to manage the church and orphanage.

Before I could scold Ed, the rabbit beastman sitting next to him scolded him.

“Hey! Don’t be rude to the teacher!”

“Eh? But she’s small!”

“You’re still saying that!?”

Saika, who is also an orphan, began pulling on Ed’s cheek as they squabbled.

Then, a lesser panda beastman boy timidly tried to intervene.

“Um, you two… you shouldn’t. It’s time for class now…”

“”“Kai, just stay quiet!”””

“Ah…”

The boy called Kai looked tearful and glanced sideways as if seeking help.

The cat beastman girl sitting next to Kai turned her head lazily.

“Mmm. I think we should just let them be.”

“Eh… stop them, Wamika…”

“I can’t.”

With mediation quickly abandoned, Kai was at a loss.

These four—Ed, Saika, Kai, and Wamika—are not related by blood, but Kyle gave them the same surname, making them siblings.

There are more children at the orphanage now, but these four were the original members and acted as leaders.

Ed reminds me so much of myself when I was a kid that I just can’t leave him alone.

The relationship between Ed and Saika also reminds me of how I used to be with Azur.

It was getting out of hand, so I thought I should intervene, but before I could, Myrna stood up and approached the bickering pair.

As I watched, Persia slightly unsheathed her sword.

No, no, no!

That’s way too much, Persia!

Unaware of what was going on with us, Myrna let out a small “hmph” as she tapped Ed and Saika on the shoulders.

The two of them gasped and stopped moving.

“Sorry, Myrna.”

“We’re sorry, Myrna-san.”

Myrna didn’t actually say anything, but the two of them seemed to regain their composure and quietly returned to their seats.

Then Myrna turned toward me and snorted in satisfaction.

(Wonderful, Myrna-sama!)

I felt like I heard a cry from the heart nearby.

Calm down, Persia.

I nodded lightly to Myrna, and she seemed content as she took her seat.

“Hmm. Then let’s begin the lesson.”

Having watched the situation unfold, Jabil-sensei started the class with satisfaction.

Myrna is growing up.

Both Kyle, who built this academy, and Myrna, who is working hard, make me proud for some reason.

I continued listening to Sensei’s lesson, but…

I began to feel more and more depressed.

(Craft, what’s wrong? You don’t look well. Are you feeling sick?)

(…No, Sensei’s lesson is just so incredibly easy to understand. I’m completely losing my confidence.)

(…I see.)

Someone, please punch the me who was smugly teaching the students before!

(Shall I cut you down?)

(Don’t cut me down!)

Damn it!

I’ve got to do better too!