Great Teacher in a Defense Game

#25 Memo, Enoch Observed

The airship roared as it made its descent.

There followed the grind of the side door opening, stairs unfolding with a *drrrrk*.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes…”

Enoch, wearing sunglasses, descended with confident strides.

Lacrina, seemingly seasick, clung to the railings, following behind.

“The airship *Skyhigh*. Not a bad impulse purchase, wouldn’t you say?”

Enoch asked, his eyes filled with smug satisfaction.

Lacrina, perhaps due to the tension of her first flight, felt unwell.

But sensing her teacher’s subtle expectations, she nodded her head.

-Nod, nod.

“You don’t seem well. I told you to rest in the lounge.”

Enoch clicked his tongue.

The airship’s interior was furnished with all manner of leisure facilities, including a small pub, a lounge, and even a billiards room.

He’d wished she had simply rested comfortably there, instead of insisting on being near him.

Anew, Enoch felt that Lacrina had an odd stubbornness.

-Thump, thump.

Meanwhile, someone approached.

Appearing before them were a golden-haired man and a man with a timid expression.

Headmaster Baltro Ullygan and Chancellor Antoni, respectively.

“Welcome. I am Headmaster Baltro Ullygan.”

“I am Chancellor Antony. I welcome your visit.”

Chancellor Antony gave a slight bow.

Valtoro approached a few steps, offering his hand.

Considering Enoch’s status had not yet been made public, these were remarkably gracious gestures.

Likely due to the influence of the Magic Tower Masters.

Enoch, mindful of this, accepted the handshake.

“A pleasure. I am Magician Enoch. I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused with this visit.”

“Trouble, trouble you say… Indeed. It was indeed a trouble. Truly…”

“?”

Enoch noticed the Chancellor’s subtle reaction.

He seemed oddly fixated on what was merely a greeting.

‘Ah, so he actually suffered a bit.’

The position of Chancellor carried responsibilities as weighty as its power.

And Enoch’s request was one that demanded responsibility.

‘I should flatter him a little.’

One couldn’t very well reprimand someone who had gone to great lengths.

Taking that into account, Enoch offered a few well-chosen, sweet words.

“Truly, you are quite the Chancellor.”

“…? What is this sudden talk?”

“You went through such trouble to grant a mere magician’s request. There could be no one more fitting to be Chancellor of the Academy, a place of learning. I envy the Academy’s students. If I had studied under someone like you, I would have risen to even greater heights.”

“…Ahem, ahem. Come now, sir. Enough with the flattery.”

Valtoro cleared his throat, averting his gaze.

Indeed, even for a Chancellor, flattery was pleasing to the ear, it seemed.

However, the reality was somewhat different.

Valtoro wasn’t someone who particularly enjoyed the flattery of others.

But, there were always exceptions to the rule.

The messenger was more important than the message.

And the man before him seemed to be favored by the Magic Tower Masters, for some reason.

To have such a man sing his praises.

It would take a heart of steel not to feel pleased.

“You have a talent for making a man uncomfortable. *Ahem, ahem*.”

The Chairman cleared his throat, masking his awkward expression.

This fellow Enoch was a more agreeable sort than he’d imagined.

He lightly dismissed the President’s persistent stare from the side.

“Let’s be off, then. Seeing as how things have transpired, I shall give you a tour of the Academy myself.”

“Personally, you say?”

“Now that such a distinguished guest has arrived, why shouldn’t I?”

“Very well. Let us proceed.”

And with that, the group departed.

The Chairman’s word about the tour was no mere pretense.

He displayed the school’s facilities to Enoch, emphasizing his own efforts.

However, there was one thing he hadn’t anticipated.

Enoch was far more eloquent than expected.

“This is the Academy’s promenade. Trees that bloom with different flowers each season, all personally transplanted by my hand.”

“Ahem, ahem… Next is the school’s dormitory. Designed with considerable care so that children of noble houses may reside in comfort. A gymnasium, a swimming pool, even a small commercial street within the grounds. Incidentally, students of common birth also reside here. There must be no divisions in the instruction of students, after all.”

“A rightly-guided educator’s disposition. Those who offer only empty words cannot accomplish such a simple thing. It seems you, Chairman, have long ago realized the profound truth that lies within the trivial.”

“Ahem, ahem… Not entirely incorrect.”

“I hear that Casio Academy has also recently constructed new dormitories.”

“……”

“Ah, I see. Upon closer inspection, it appears they simply imitated your actions, Chairman.”

“You noticed? Indeed. All they can do is copy. Pathetic fellows who cling to the ankles of others. A sorry lot.”

“Well, what can one do? Jealousy is often such a thing. Surely a man of such magnanimity will exercise patience.”

“Yes, yes, that I must! If I don’t bear it, who will!”

Baltro erupted in hearty laughter.

His initial demeanor had vanished without a trace.

Enoch, in actual encounter, was a fellow well-versed in etiquette.

Even his reactions were quite commendable.

No matter what was introduced, Enoch offered a response that exceeded all expectations.

In truth, this was inspired by modern K-Youtube reactions.

But Baltro, he knew nothing of such things.

If anything, he grew even more delighted, eager to introduce every facility.

The walking paths and the dormitories.

Beyond the classrooms, the Headmaster’s office and the faculty room.

Even the Academy’s hidden, secretive research wing.

Baltro dragged Enoch to each and every place.

“Huh?!”

Baltro belatedly snapped back to himself.

He was, without realizing it, brewing tea for Enoch and Lacrina in his private reception room.

‘Wh-what on earth just happened?’

Baltro, midway through preparing the tea, stood there blankly.

Enoch tilted his head, inquiring,

“Is something the matter?”

“…Oh? Ah, no. It’s nothing at all.”

Baltro offered an awkward smile and resumed brewing the tea.

He placed cups of rich, fragrant black tea before Enoch and Lacrina, respectively.

“Hoo… pardon me. Perhaps I’m just weary. I’m a bit… scattered.”

“Oh dear. It seems we’ve needlessly caused you concern.”

“Nonsense, not at all. I’m doing this because I enjoy it. Please, don’t fret.”

Baltro chuckled dryly.

The truth was, he *was* feeling fatigued because of Enoch.

But there was no need to bring that up now.

In the end, wouldn’t it be best to let sleeping dogs lie?

Of course, it wasn’t as though he hadn’t enjoyed receiving flattery that made his ears itch.

“Hmm, come to think of it, I haven’t yet properly introduced myself to the young lady.”

“Ah, hello. I am Lacrina.”

“Indeed, Lacrina. A pleasure to meet you. I am Baltro Ullygan, the Academy Chairman.”

Baltro retrieved a pen and a piece of paper.

To record Lacrina’s information, of course.

It was originally work that a regular staff member should have handled.

But calling for one now felt, frankly, bothersome.

Baltoro just decided to do it himself.

“First, I should ask this. How old are you? And your place of origin?”

“I will be sixteen soon. I hail from Magnusra, a city in the south.”

“You desire to enter the Academy, I hear. Are you perhaps able to use magic?”

“Ah, yes. I can use ice magic, for now. I’m also somewhat confident in swordsmanship.”

“I see. Did you perhaps learn it all on your own?”

“My magic is close to self-taught. But if it weren’t for Teacher Enoch, I wouldn’t have been able to awaken it at all.”

Lacrina spoke with confidence.

Baltoro quickly recorded the words he’d heard.

‘Name, Lacrina. Currently fifteen years of age. Originates from Magnusra. Confident in swordsmanship. Magic is self-taught. Refers to Enoch as “Teacher”. And…’

Baltoro stopped his writing mid-sentence.

Then, he gazed at Lacrina.

She kept glancing subtly at Enoch, who was calmly drinking his tea.

‘Note: Subtly concerned about Enoch. Presumed to be a teenage crush.’

Baltoro recorded that much, then opened his mouth again.

“Good, Lacrina. First, I’d like to test your magic.”

“Magic? How should I proceed?”

“Hmm. Just show me what you’re most confident with, for now.”

Baltoro smiled kindly.

Lacrina hesitated for a moment.

After a brief pause, what she used was none other than a side effect of ice magic.

-Shiiiiver-

“…For now, this is what I’m most confident in.”

“…Indeed. To be consumed by magic, yet control the degree and use it in reverse.”

Lacrina’s eyes had turned a faint blue.

Baltoro watched with apparent interest.

To awaken magic is in the realm of talent.

But to control the side effects of magic is in a realm beyond that.

It was a feat impossible from the outset, barring a sensitivity bordering on the absurd.

Before him, Lacrina had achieved it.

Beyond talent, a genius lay revealed.

‘Indeed, there was reason in Nordilla-nim’s emphasis.’

Come to think of it, Nordilla alone knew the student’s name.

Meaning he was already aware of Lacrina’s existence.

‘Could it be, I’m sitting before the future Archmage of the Frost Spire?’

Valtero mentally elevated his estimation of Lacrina.

And, by extension, raised his appraisal of Enoch, who had also glimpsed her talent.

“Good, Lacrina. A most satisfactory spell.”

“Thank you.”

“Your tone has grown a little stiff. It seems the spell has not left you entirely untouched.”

Valtero noted the new detail on his parchment.

Then, prompted by curiosity, he inquired.

“Right now, your consciousness is linked with the Frost magic. You’re using that in reverse to forcibly maintain a calm temperament, yes?.”

“Yes.”

“If so, what are the limits? What magnitude of shock or disturbance would be required to break the spell?”

“…That, I do not yet know.”

Lacrina shook her head.

Valtero, as if pleased by the admission, pressed on.

“Is that so? Then let us put it to the test. Enoch, I need your assistance.”

“Me, you say?”

“Yes. You will likely prove more effective than I.”

Valtero spoke thus, then moistened his throat with tea.

He continued.

“Now, Lacrina. From this moment onward, say something to Enoch that you would never normally utter.”

“…? What do you mean?”

“It is to gauge the resilience of your mental state. It’s a mere test, so do not feel burdened, and simply proceed.”

“…Yes.”

“Enoch, you are to tell Lacrina a tale that might cause her to waver. Understood?”

“Understood. Doesn’t seem a difficult task.”

The two nodded, then met each other’s gaze.

Lacrima and Enoch.

Lacrima was the first to speak.

“Teacher.”

“What is it?”

“I detest adults like you the most.”

“A coincidence, then. I detest students like you the most as well.”

“……”

-Teary

“Alright, enough of that now.”

Lacrima’s face crumpled in an instant.

Balthero, sensing danger, hurriedly concluded the experiment.

The magic was already dispelled.

Balthero and Enoch swiftly consoled Lacrima, who was pointlessly on the verge of tears.

-Sob sob

“Calm yourself, Lacrima. It was just a simple experiment.”

“Yes…”

Lacrima finally calmed down, hearing Enoch’s consolation.

Balthero, watching the two of them, thought to himself.

‘…Perhaps I should amend the note a little.’

The note.

Enoch is subtly concerned.

Balthero took his pen and crossed out the “subtly” with a *shhh*-like scratch.

‘Ah, well.’