Great Teacher in a Defense Game

#22 Enoch, That Arrogant b*stard

Within the Valderich Empire existed numerous Academies.

No formal ranking existed between schools, but most Imperials considered the Artemis Academy to be paramount.

And one man held the position of Chairman at that very Artemis Academy.

The Dominance-Class mage, Bartro Ulligan.

He received a series of peculiar calls today.

“Uhm… so… Teacher? What did you say just now? I’m sorry, but could you repeat that, please?”

Baltro stammered, the communicator pressed to his ear.

It was a stark contrast to his usual assertive and arrogant self.

But he couldn’t help it.

The person on the other end was the reason.

The person Baltro was currently speaking with was none other than Jane Allura, a Boundary-Class Mage of the Empire.

No matter that he was a Dominion-Class Mage and the Chairman of the Empire’s top Academy, before her, he was nothing.

Dare to defy her?

It would be like a firefly challenging the full moon.

No one in their right mind would dare speak impudently to a Boundary-Class Mage.

They were beings who, if they so desired, could devour an entire city like a brunch.

Thinking that, he instinctively lowered himself.

Baltro found himself bowing, listening intently to the voice on the other end.

-Uhm… so, a little kid and an adult man will be coming there soon, okay? Something about entering the Academy, so make sure you take good care of them.

“Ehm… so, in other words, they wish to enroll in the Academy. Is that what you’re saying?”

-Yeah. I guess so. I don’t know the details either, so meet them and talk. If they cause trouble, you know what happens, right?

“But, Master of the Magic Tower, even so, we can’t just accept anyone without proper procedures…”

-Beep. Beep. Beep.

The call was abruptly cut off.

Jane had simply said her piece and hung up.

“…”

Baltro trembled, turning off the communicator.

Even if I am the Chairman…

What utter humiliation.

Just as Baltro was about to unleash a word filled with rage, the communicator rang again.

-Blee-lee-leet

“…Chairman Baltro speaking. Who is this?”

-Ah, Baltro. Long time no see. It’s Nordilla.

“Ice Tower Master… ? Oh, it’s been a while! What brings you to call?”

-Ah, it’s nothing much, but a fellow named Enoch and a girl called Lacrina will be looking for you soon.

“Pardon? Ah… yes…”

-They’ll likely be trying to enroll in the academy, so please keep an eye out for them. Consider this my letter of recommendation, you understand?

“Just a moment, Nordilla-nim. Even so, there are procedures…”

-Beep. Beep. Beep.

“……”

The call cut off once more.

The reason being the same as before.

Baltro, head now aching, stared at the communicator with a dumbfounded expression.

“What in the blazes-“

-Blee-lee-lee

The communicator rang again.

Baltro seriously considered it for a moment.

‘Should I just not answer?’

But that was simply not an option.

Who knew what would happen later if he didn’t take the call.

In the end, the one who would bear the responsibility was none other than the Chairman himself.

Baltro had no choice but to answer the communicator.

He opened his mouth with a slightly hesitant air.

“…Chairman Baltro speaking. We do not accept favors or offers of donation admissions. Please understand-“

-Baltro. It’s the Guild Master.

“…G-Guild Master-nim. What brings you to call…”

Baltro, once again aghast, bowed deeply.

The one on the line was none other than Rosita Mantera, the Magic Guild Master.

She was an elder in the magic community, and Baltro’s senior by far.

To spout such nonsense as favors or donation admissions to such a person.

Baltro felt an impulse to strangle himself from one minute prior.

-Haha, what brings me, you ask? Must I always have a reason to call?

“N-no, of course not. Haha…”

“–That’s right, truth be told. Something has come up. I am sorry to you.”

“…”

Already, his mind felt a dizzying chaos blooming.

Baltro dabbed at the cold sweat prickling his brow. He cleared his throat, took a deep breath to ease the knot of tension, rinsed his tongue with saliva, then, carefully suppressing a breath, he spoke with measured politeness.

“Guild Master. Could it be, what you intend to say concerns a certain… Enoch, bringing a student for a visit, something of that nature?”

–”What’s this, you’ve already heard? Correct. It’s precisely because of that matter.”

“…Guild Master. Forgive me, but we too, have procedures. No matter the talent, to simply waltz into the academy without prior arrangement, it’s not quite proper, wouldn’t you agree?”

Baltro dredged up a well of courage, spitting the words out as if they were a bitter draught.

It was the result of the pride he held as the Headmaster, and the power he derived from his standing as a dominion-class mage.

Though, half of it was a gamble, truly.

He *was* the Headmaster, after all.

Surely, they wouldn’t… *’You little whelp, how dare you be so insolent!’* and kill him— that thought lingered, undeniably, at the back of his mind.

–”Hmm… a fair point, that is. Laws and procedures exist to be observed.”

“Precisely. Thus, regarding the matter of admittance—”

–”However, Baltro? I dare to offer some advice, as a fellow mage.”

“…I am listening. Please, enlighten me.”

–”Indeed. What I wish to say is this: Those laws and procedures? Don’t rely on them too heavily. A mage shouldn’t lean on such things. Just as there’s a specific knife for butchering an ox, a mage has their own ways. The easiest path can often be the correct one. Do you understand my meaning?”

Rosita spoke, as if imparting wisdom.

Baltro felt his mind teetering on the brink of oblivion.

*’You’re the Guild Master. More than anyone, you should be upholding the law. Anyone else, maybe, but not *you*! A person just can’t behave like that!’*

Baltro hurled every conceivable curse in his mind.

Of course, he didn’t voice them. Not aloud.

His life as a mage stretched on for a very long time, after all.

If he were to actually do that, what might transpire, none could know.

“…I understand. I will see to it that the admittance proceeds smoothly, and is prepared for you.”

–”Haha, that’s the spirit. I trust you will. Best of luck!”

–*Beep. Beep. Beep.*

Rosita chuckled as she severed the connection.

Even after the line went dead, Baltro remained frozen, staring blankly into the ether.

Only when the comms unit began to blare a warning tone did he belatedly switch it off, and exhale a leaden sigh.

-Hooo…

“…Enoch, was it? Just what sort of whelp is he, anyway?”

The question belatedly surfaced.

Until now, the name Enoch had never crossed Baltro’s mind.

But the situation was unfolding… strangely.

The Archmage and the Guildmaster, both contacting him about the same man.

How had he never heard of someone so significant?

“…Seems there’s something more to it than I thought-“

-Blee-lee-lee

The comms device rang once more.

“…”

Baltro closed his eyes.

Another heavy sigh escaped him.

Finally, with an air of complete resignation, he wearily activated the device.

“…This is Chairman Baltro.”

-Ah, Baltro. Vergo Tessa here. Not to keep you long, but-

It was Vergo, the Thunder Archmage.

Baltro ended up closing his eyes again.

Already, four Arch-level mages had contacted him.

Back when he’d so desperately sought their acquaintance, he couldn’t even manage a single conversation.

Well, it seemed he was finally settling that score today.

Baltro consoled himself with that thought.

For some reason, a single tear traced a path down his cheek.

‘Enoch, you son of a b*tch… If I ever get my hands on you, I’ll make you pay…’

Bearing a grudge against a stranger he’d never even met was a small bonus.

@

At the same time, Magnus, was it?

Enoch dialed another call on his device.

On the other end, Jane answered, grumbling openly.

-You’re insane. You’re truly, utterly insane.

“What is it now, Nu-nim? There’s nothing you can’t say to your darling younger brother, eh?”

-Am I not allowed to be like this right now? What? Darling younger brother’s been desperately looking for his Nu-na? Do you have any idea how much trouble you caused me, trying to explain away that appalling message you left? You wanna die?! Huh?!

A sudden burst of shouting erupts.

Enoch briefly takes the communicator away from his ear, then brings it back up when it quiets down.

“I’m always thankful. I won’t forget this kindness.”

-You little punk! Were you even listening to what I was say-

“The communicator’s acting up. I’ll hang up now. I’ll contact you again later.”

-YAH! !%!@!#!%!

-Click!

Enoch puts down the communicator and digs at his ear.

Perhaps it was because of Jane’s yelling.

His ear feels slightly muffled.

‘Shall I try calling the Guild Master next?’

Enoch picks up the communicator again.

Then, he scrolls through and enters the direct code he jotted down earlier.

-Turururu

-Hello? Is this Enoch?

“Speaking. Guild Master-nim.”

-Ah, good timing. I just received confirmation a little while ago.

Rosita chuckled heartily as she explained the details.

The Academy would be in contact within a few days.

Following that, Enoch’s letter of appointment would be issued around the same time.

And lastly, she had put in quite a bit of effort to make it all happen.

That was the gist of it.

“I am deeply in your debt. I won’t forget this kindness.”

-Enough of that. Don’t bother with such words. I also have expectations for you.

“Expectations, you say. Come to think of it, did you sample the whiskey I gave you last time?”

-Of course I did. Absolutely astounding. What exactly is that whiskey? The way it made my body heat up… it felt rather unusual, didn’t it?

Rosita spoke with an excited air.

Judging by the atmosphere, she wasn’t just being polite.

He seemed truly quite pleased.

‘I’ll have to use this often.’

-My words have grown a bit lengthy. Anyhow, I’m glad you used the gift well. I hope you like my gift, too.

“I have already received it with joy. Ah, and I’ll send you a few more of the same whiskey. Contact me separately if you run short.”

-…I’m starting to feel like you’re truly my brother. From now on, call me ‘hyung’ in private. That’s an order.

“Yes. Hyung-nim. Please go in safely. I will contact you again.”

-Click.

Enoch ended the call, leaving well-wishes.

Then he stretched his stiff neck.

Now, he had to extend his gratitude to Nordilla and Bergo Tessa.

Enoch picked up the communicator again.

At that moment, someone spoke from behind him.

“Hey. Cocky newbie.”

“…?”

Enoch was slightly taken aback.

Cocky newbie.

Only one person called him that.

Half in doubt, he turned his head.

Sure enough. His prediction was correct.

What appeared when he turned was none other than Great Earth Mage Tower Lord, Raceline Iscuta.

“…Great Earth Mage Tower Lord?”

“Why.”

“What brings you here without notice?”

“Notice? Is that what’s important right now?”

Raceline, who had suddenly appeared, looked deeply displeased.

Before Enoch could ask the reason, she revealed it herself.

“Enoch, you impudent junior. Why haven’t you contacted me? Are you ostracizing me?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why are you acting like you don’t know? Do you want to die? You dare contact only the others and leave me out? Don’t you know that if I put my mind to it, I can know almost everything that happens above ground?”

Raceline stomped her foot, quietly seething.

Her emerald tresses whipped wildly with the vibrations.

“I cannot forgive it. Turn around, quickly.”

“Pardon?”

“Quickly, I said.”

Raceline continued to badger, fussing with her hair.

A moment later, a sharp horn sprouted from her forehead.

Something reminiscent of a unicorn’s horn.

Enoch, without conscious thought, retreated several paces.

“What in the world are you intending to do?”

“Turn around, quickly. Now.”