Elite Instructor at a Third-Rate Academy

39 – Dinner with the Culprit☆

The anxiety of the craftsmen is growing.

Roman saw the current situation as fortunate. Finally, an opportunity had come for him to fulfill his ambitions. Looking back, he was a pitiful person. Being considered inferior to his brothers and constantly discriminated against by his family, he had been stamped as an inferior person from his hometown. Instead of being given land as he grew up, he was sold off as a collateral here, which was enough reason for his betrayal.

“Father, you will regret oppressing me.”

Roman murmured the name of his beloved. His father was a great soldier and a fair lord. However, as a head of the family, he was autocratic and oppressive. He treated children who did not measure up to his standards or opposed his will as weeds. Roman, who had shown no talent since childhood and went against his parents’ wishes by entering Lailand, was exactly like that.

“Even I’ve grown tired of the name Van Cliff.”

Anyone who had thoroughly investigated the history of the Engellard family would be surprised at how sinister and corrupt this family was. Until he became a member of the family, he did not know how many injustices they had committed.

Their blood flows with greed, not morality.

The Engellard family, with roots bordering the country, had always attached and detached themselves to places that would benefit them. Of course, all these betrayals were unofficial, and during the three generations when corruption was revealed, they converted to the current Empire.

The reason the imperial court had formed an alliance with Engellard and Van Cliff as in-laws was because they knew they could easily betray them. In the process, Roman had become the sacrificial lamb, so now it was his turn to avenge those who had sacrificed him.

“The artisan believes in the previous commanding officer.”

He had only heard of him as the son of the prestigious Rada family. He seemed to be a decent military officer, rising to the rank of lieutenant and enjoying some military achievements by hitching a ride on a war hero. For some reason, the artisan seemed to have a deep trust in him. Even though he had revealed all of his corrupt dealings, the newly appointed commanding officer had completely overturned them.

“Actually, the Northern Army doesn’t need cotton.”

In any army, once you have enough winter supplies, there is no additional demand. Cotton can be used for decades, and as long as it is properly plucked every year, it remains as good as new. Therefore, the existing cotton supply contract had to be seen as the deployment of the previous commanding officer to prevent Engellard’s betrayal.

“Roman, sir.”

Lost in thought, Roman’s aide called out to him.

“Has the council meeting started?”

“Yes, they are waiting for you.”

“I will go now.”

Roman entered the conference room where the key members of the Engellard clan were in attendance. He spoke words based not on facts, but on his own desires. The previous commanding officer had died, so there was no basis for predicting that all the alliances he had formed would be invalidated.

“Look, the cotton supply contract has been unilaterally revoked!”

As the newly appointed commanding officer from the noble faction, everyone was frightened by the expectation that he would uncover all the corruption that had taken place so far.

“Well, then, shouldn’t you write a letter to your father?”

The artisan, referring to himself as a half-son, pleaded earnestly. He was too small-minded to pursue a grand plan despite his ambition. Roman considered everyone in the Engellard clan to be insignificant people who couldn’t see beyond their greed for personal gain.

“It would be obvious that he won’t return a response.”

Van Cliff does not interfere in the affairs of the imperial court or his in-laws.

– He will surely say so.

It was because that was not a lie, but the truth, that Roman spoke with confidence in his words.

“If we just stay quiet like this, all the profits we have accumulated so far will be taken away.”

No, perhaps the territories might even be plundered, causing the old foxes to tremble with fear.

“Can you be sure that Kannis Rada is dead?”

One of the clan members asked.

“We killed even the war hero, so there is no reason to spare him.”

After saying that, Roman drove the wedge.

“Even if he is still alive, he no longer has any authority, so why bother worrying?”

All the elders nodded in response to his question. The momentum was building. Finally, the time had come to secure his own territory. Roman, who was more driven by ambition than ability, wanted to separate Engellard from the empire at all costs, even if it meant pushing the limits. Whether it succeeded or failed, he knew that his influence would be stronger.

“Well then, tell us your thoughts.”

Looking at the expectant gazes of the artisan, Roman spoke with a sinister smile.

“I think three generations of loyalty is enough to prove oneself.”

Now, if Engelar becomes independent according to Roman’s plan, the blow that Van Cliff, her husband, will receive is huge. It bothers her, especially because Zeinoa, her younger brother, is also involved. She was an outsider in the Fisher family because of her bloodline. However, being a woman, she can be sold anywhere. As long as she sends a substantial amount of money at that time and fulfills her loyalty to Oravi, it will be enough.

[#39 – School Refuser]

This was the first time Kennis had faced the Muyeon. It was said that he lacked social skills and patience, but it was hard to tell right away.

“Ah, this must be the new homeroom teacher?”

As soon as he saw her, Kennis spoke informally, which made Senite give him a puzzled look and explain.

“Temic, Muyeons don’t have concepts like respect or disrespect.”

“I see.”

Since they were a different species, there was no need to impose formalities.

“Nice to meet you!”

Petrona raised her hand and flashed a bright smile.

─I can’t tell at first glance.

With the hat and the skirt covering her lower body, her ears or tail were not visible. As I continued to observe, I noticed that her pupils were different. The irises were the same, but the pupils were elliptical. As a result, despite her serious expression, she gave off a mischievous feeling.

“Huh, why do you keep staring?”

“It’s because it’s my first time seeing a Muyeon.”

“Ah, speaking informally suits you much better!”

“Petrona, Temic speaks informally to me too.”

“Hm, really?”

“I want to know why you refuse to go to school.”

Depending on the answer, it would determine whether I would bring out the whip or not.

“I’m not doing it on purpose.”

“Then why?”

“I just don’t feel like it. It’s not something you can understand even if I explain it.”

“Temic, we have to respect Muyeons because their thoughts are different from ours.”

Senite took her side, so I remained silent for now.

“Well, we won’t go even if someone tells us to.”

“Isn’t there a limit to how long you can wait or something like that?”

“Senite, I’m really sorry, but Muyeons are all like this.”

If they don’t have the will, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll just leave them alone.

“By the way, did you say your name was Temic?”

“Yes.”

“Is it a different person than the last homeroom teacher?”

When Kennes remained silent, Senite felt even more embarrassed.

“I really didn’t mean to do this on purpose.”

When the blood of the undead flows, there are things you can’t avoid.

“Well, then, instead of going to class, how about counseling?”

“I’m already hungry, can’t we talk while eating together?”

Kennes was curious about what she usually ate, so he agreed.

“Senite, we receive support for meals and tuition, right?”

“Temurik-nim, the undead have a low admission rate to the academy, so everything is free for us.”

“I see.”

“But there is a designated place where we can eat for free.”

The place they headed towards was a somewhat shabby restaurant.

“Hey, mister, I’m here!”

“Oh, Petrona. Are you finally eating breakfast now that your friend and homeroom teacher are here?”

“Yeah, and it would be nice if you add a little more for my friend too.”

“hahahaha, are you trying to make me a criminal?”

Kennes greeted the restaurant owner and said that he and the saint would pay separately.

“Don’t worry about it.”

He started cooking with a relaxed smile. It didn’t take long for a hot meal to come out. It was simple. Grilled dried fish seasoned with salt and an unidentified soup. When I tried a sip, it was better than combat rations, with flour and cream mixed in.

“Oh, Senite. Can’t you eat with your hands?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Try this, it’s delicious!”

From Noble mtl dot com

Petrona cut her fish in half and gave it to Senite. After she took a bite, she immediately frowned. She had grown up under the care of the central congregation. It was obvious that she wouldn’t let a raw dish like this go unnoticed. Kennes discreetly intervened for the sake of the disciples’ friendship.

“It’s a bit strong, can I leave it?”

Senite’s words were an absolute no.

“Yeah, we like the strong taste, but I understand if you don’t like it.”

With a laugh, he looked at Senite.

“You don’t have to force yourself to eat it!”

─ She has a straightforward and honest personality.

Perhaps that’s why it seems impossible to send her to school. Their thought processes are clearly different. Why is that? Unfamiliar with the undead, Kennes felt as confused as when he first met a parishioner. Since silence was the answer when you didn’t know, Kennes quietly finished his meal. When Senite, who left the grilled fish, offered a prayer of apology, Petrona burst into laughter.

“I’m perfectly fine!”

“Sennith, it’s impolite to pray more here.”

“Oh, I won’t do it anymore.”

“Temulikia, I already feel like going back to sleep. What should I do?”

When asked if he would be disappointed if she left, there was no hint of malice.

“Where should we go?”

“Anywhere with good sunlight!”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“A mystic endures with just this much.”

Sennith glances at Temulikia, seeming to want a bite.

“I’m a bit short, can I treat this time?”

“You don’t have to, Temulik.”

“If I’m treating, then of course I want to go!”

Kennis took his disciples to a restaurant where he usually solves dinner. Seeing the owner’s hesitation, he ordered grilled mackerel and blueberry pie, finely chopped pork for himself.

“Would you like some tea?”

Normally, it would be green tea, but now with students present, he asked.

“Do you have warm milk?”

“Sure.”

“Oh, I can’t eat hot things!”

“If it cools in cold water, it won’t taste good, right?”

To the owner’s words, one of them requested to have it cooled.

“Wow!”

Petrona expressed joy at the long-awaited feast.

“I’ll go wash my hands!”

She ran straight to the well, pleased with the grilled mackerel. Looking at her back, her lower body was well developed, unlike her weak upper body. With a pelvic structure larger than an average woman’s, it looked both alluring and alien, depending on the perspective.

“I don’t eat this much usually.”

Sennith, facing the large blueberry pie, complained.

“Do you need honey too?”

“Yes, but I can’t eat all of this alone.”

“I wonder if they put sugar in the milk.”

“Yes, I can’t bring myself to eat all of that.”

“Senith.”

“I have a very small appetite.”

“If you have leftovers, you can pack them and take them with you.”

The churchgoers reassured her about their unique dining etiquette, saying it wasn’t a problem.

“I’ll gain weight.”

“If there are leftovers, you can give them to your friends.”

“Oh!”

When asked if it’s okay to share with Ochia, she hesitated and asked if they were close friends.

“No.”

“But?”

“I didn’t have any close friends besides Amy.”

“Ochia, you can gain weight.”

“If I had enough to eat, I wouldn’t worry about this.”

“Temulic, Senith!”

As Petrona rushed over, Senith lifted the knife and fork to cut the pie into small pieces.

“Petrona can have some too.”

“I have indigestion if I eat too much flour.”

“Yes, then Temulic can have some.”

“Temulic, can I try some too?”

Kenis grabbed a piece of meat with a fork. When Petrona remembered her saying she couldn’t eat hot things, she rinsed it with water, causing Petrona’s pupils to widen. Grr-grr- a strange sound followed, so she asked what that was.

“Oh, it’s a sound that spirits make when they’re in a good mood.”

“Temulic, don’t you really like girls?”

Without saying a word, she extended the fork, showing her fangs.

“Don’t you dislike eating with your hands?”

In an instant, Senith’s pupils trembled like a sailing ship in a storm.

“Do spirits have a culture of feeding each other?”

To avoid making a mistake, Petrona stretched her neck and took the piece of meat with her teeth.

“No!”

Kenis gave up on trying to persuade her once again when she heard the grr-grr sound. Petrona was not a student who could be convinced by persuasion alone.