Chapter 13 – Rousseau (2)

‘I know you feel sorry for me, but.’

That was all Henry knew about Rousseau.

Chief instructor Rousseau was a simple person who always said only what he had to say and did only what he had to did.

So much so that the person in this academy who was closer to chivalry than anyone else was Rousseau.

‘If you really want to teach me, I’d be happy… … No, no. That would be difficult.’

Realization flashed in my mind.

I reflected on the situation I was in now and remembered what was most important.

Right now, Henry himself was in a situation where he should not had been taught by Chief Instructor Rousseau.

‘Then the broadcast can’t proceed properly. It’s difficult.’

Who was it that brought Henry to this situation?

Rousseau, the only head instructor at the academy who watched over Henry?

Family members who desperately want to succeed even from afar?

It wasn’t like that.

Wizards whose faces I didn’t even know right now.

Weren’t the people who were watching Henry’s reaction and chatting happily the reason why Henry was able to control mana?

Now, Henry was in a position where he had to continue broadcasting and purchase beads of talent with the ‘money’ he had received.

Of course, the process of receiving instruction from Rousseau would not be an appropriate scene to attract support.

‘Of course, the foundation is the Archmage who started this broadcast.’

Henry could had guessed that too.

Not all wizards were the same.

It was clear that the wizard who controlled this broadcast itself was completely different from these ‘viewers’.

“Wizards.”

Henry concluded. This wasn’t a problem I could solve on my own.

“I shouldn’t be the instructor’s student, because then I wouldn’t be able to broadcast like I am now.”

[That’s right.]

[But does it really recognize everything you say? Do you think it’s strange?]

[The level of artificial intelligence is too high haha]

“I don’t dare evaluate the device the wizards placed on me, but I’m sure you will recognize it. Instructor Pike did the same.”

The Pike I met at the Mana training room was like that.

What if the wizards’ device, or the device installed by the individual archmage, was absolute?

It would had been possible to avoid showing interest in Henry in the first place.

But, Henry guessed, all these wizards could did was prevent the instructors from understanding the concept of ‘broadcasting.’

In the end, Henry found himself in a situation where he had to reject Rousseau’s offer.

“What should I say so that I can refuse without offending the instructor…”

A situation I had never even imagined in the first place.

He was more confident than anyone else in making up his own image, but in cases like this, it was difficult for even Henry to judge how to respond.

But unfortunately.

Henry didn’t had much time to think.

“Hey, you’re here.”

The sound of announcing a visitor filled the training hall.

Fortunately, the internal sound did not leak out, so Henry was able to broadcast to his heart’s content.

And Henry’s embarrassed expression was taken by Chief Instructor Rousseau in a slightly different sense.

‘It looks like it was uncomfortable as expected.’

It’s almost like an instructor’s personal training room.

It must had been burdensome for Henry, who was looked down on by everyone, to use it.

“I hope I didn’t interrupt an important moment.”

Russo sincerely apologized.

From the knight’s perspective, I knew better than anyone else how valuable the moment of ‘enlightenment’ was.

Even if Henry had not reached that stage, it was a cause for concern considering his recent rapid awakening of talent.

“Not at all.”

“That would be a relief. First of all, congratulations. You were right in not giving up on your choice. If you had followed my poor advice, you would not have been able to enjoy this moment.”

“I am always grateful.”

“I don’t want to waste your time, so let’s get straight to the point.”

Gulp. Henry swallowed.

“Starting today, you can use this training room at any time. I’m embarrassed to say this as an instructor, but I haven’t done any personal training in recent years. It’s essentially an empty space.”

It was truly an unconventional proposal.

Feel free to use the instructor’s training hall!

But before the shock subsided, Rousseau said something else.

“The Dean also said that every talented trainee must be given a chance, even if it is a little late.”

Henry was very nervous.

I thought I knew what was going to come next.

“Instructor, I am truly sorry, but I…”

“Don’t interrupt me, apprentice Henry Camilton. Unfortunately, you missed your last exam of the year. But you know, you still have a chance.”

“……yes.”

“Also, leaking the test contents would be unacceptable behavior for an instructor, right?”

“Yes.”

“But it’s difficult. As I said a moment ago, the dean told us to make sure to give talented students a chance.”

[No, wait a minute hahaha]

[I don’t think you want to make disciples? Hahaha]

[No, what haha]

I could see the viewers bursting into laughter. They seemed to understand what Rousseau wanted to say.

Actually, it was the same for Henry.

“When two major principles conflict, I decided that it was okay to exercise my discretion as a senior instructor.”

“…….”

“Of course, I’m not saying I’m going to tell you. That’s just the way it is. If I were in your shoes, Henry, I would train like this.”

Chief Instructor Russo.

He, who always looked like a true knight, was now, completely unexpectedly, trying to inform Henry of the main evaluation items for the next exam.

***

“Is this okay?”

Russo looked into space and muttered.

It was certainly a good thing that Henry discovered his talent.

It was rare for hard work to be rewarded, and with Henry as proof, Rousseau also felt like taking up the sword again.

“But I leaked the exam content, hmm.”

My feelings were complicated for no reason.

Regretting it would be of no use.

This was just verification.

It was a process of reflecting on whether what I had done was right.

“As a knight, it was the right thing to do. As an academy instructor, it would not be something to be proud of.”

But Russo’s mood right now wasn’t bad.

I thought of the faces of those who disparaged Henry Camilton’s efforts, and the face of the dean who grumbled that he wished he would go forward on his own feet.

The owner of this academy was a man who risked his life only on results.

‘I wonder what Henry will say when he sees him.’

It may build up one’s pride.

Achievements were important, but if the results were half-baked, I would rather choose to protect my pride.

But didn’t Rousseau check it himself a little while ago?

Henry’s ‘talent’ was by no means ordinary.

‘I can’t believe you left such a rough stone in the mud.’

Rousseau sneered. That thought was also something I said to myself.

I felt sorry for him, and I also felt angry at those who ridiculed him. But what Rousseau did was stop there.

‘I didn’t do anything either.’

I just watched.

Henry struggles to survive alone.

It was really embarrassing, but Henry seemed to be grateful for that fact.

‘There is no way I would dare to teach a subject like that.’

A little while ago, when I spoke to Henry.

Henry interrupted Rousseau and tried to ask for his understanding. Even Rousseau knew that. They were not allowed to speak out because they were afraid of hearing what was going on.

I could not be taught.

Such emotions were revealed in Henry’s gaze.

“This is all I can do.”

Giving a little help, even if it was belated.

And not showing any condescension to that fact.

That’s what Rousseau told Alex, ‘what an instructor must did.’

Just in case.

The story would be different if Henry asked for help first.

***

The academy was dark after sunset.

There were lights that came out here and there, but basically, most of the light in the academy consisted of magic.

If no one was using it, the light would not turn on.

However, Chief Instructor Rousseau’s training center was still emitting light as bright as day.

In it, Henry Camilton was explaining to viewers what had just happened.

“You didn’t tell me directly. If it were to be known to the outside world… honestly, it wouldn’t be a good reaction.”

Rousseau suggested ‘the direction of training’ to Henry.

Putting more effort into certain training, and thinking that it would be okay to postpone certain training a little later.

So, it was practically a tweezers lecture.

[That’s what I told you haha]

[Then I just have to prepare as I told you?]

[Isn’t that too petty? Hahaha]

Henry’s face turned red. Russo, who was giving me training directions earlier, also had this kind of face. Because they both talked and listened and only looked at the ceiling and floor.

But the reason was slightly different.

Rousseau was ashamed of his own actions.

Henry was worried that this fact might be revealed to the outside world.

‘It’s been a long time since I put aside my pride.’

There was only one motivation left for Henry.

Because there was only one fact: no matter what I went through, I had to become a knight and inherit the family.

“Other trainees would have been able to achieve results using the method you recommended. But for me, it’s a little different.”

Henry himself did not had the talent for mana, and the course suggested by Rousseau was not the type of course that could be performed even if one knew the method.

Fortunately, it was possible to accumulate mana through ‘subscription’, but wasn’t Henry’s current situation such that he had to use [Beads of Talent] for other parts?

[Then it doesn’t mean I know haha]

[Is it a situation where I can’t eat it even if I give it to you now??]

[It’s such a waste haha]

[You didn’t do that on purpose, right? Knowing the driver’s situation]

“Instructor Rousseau is not that kind of person. He is the only person I trusted and followed at this academy. Including the instructor, there were only two people who seriously advised me on a career path other than that of a driver.”

[Who is that one?]

“This is instructor Alex. Maybe I would have changed my mind if I hadn’t met the wizards.”

At Rousseau’s gymnasium, Henry Camilton was talking to viewers.

This was a really huge event for Henry.

Even more shocking than being able to feel mana, was the fact that he could use the head instructor’s personal training hall as he pleased, which was even more shocking to a trainee.

[I guess he was a real helper haha]

[Are you going to continue training here now?]

“Yes, because I can’t refuse the instructor’s favor. Also, if you train here, you can expect even better results.”

It was, in name and in name, the instructor’s space.

The facilities were different from the training hall for general trainees, especially those in Class C and below.

The mana here was comparable to that of the mana training room, and all the tools placed were of the highest quality.

In particular, several practical weapons, including real swords, were placed here.

[I guess knights only use swords haha]

[Honestly, knights are better suited with lances than swords]

[But why do they all learn with swords?]

[Isn’t the world view here a bit different?]

‘The wizards know more details than you think, too.’

The conversations between wizards in the chat window were something that Henry had learned early on.

A knight’s weapon was not just a sword.

Some of them used spears depending on their taste, and there were even weapons like axes in some cases.

Choosing a weapon that fits your hand could be said to be the first step in training in weapon skills.

“But the most commonly used weapon is the sword. If you look now….”

Swipe.

Henry picked up a long sword of appropriate length.

I concentrated my mind.

Mana circulated fiercely throughout my body. Soon it started to move up the arm and onto the sword.

A dangerously shaking energy extended from the tip of the sword.

“This is why most knights use swords.”

BJ Sword Master