The Mob Priest Will Raise the Heroine

Chapter 201

"Well then, everyone. See you tomorrow."

It seemed there had been a commotion among the students... but putting that aside, it was time to clock out.

After tidying up the documents, Clael greeted the other teachers and left the staff room.

"Oops... I need to lock up the sanctuary..."

Instead of heading straight back to the staff dormitory, Clael made his way to the sanctuary within the academy grounds.

At this academy, Clael had three main workplaces.

The first was the sanctuary. Theology classes were primarily held there.

The second was the music room. Though he was a substitute teacher, he also taught music there.

The third was the staff room. He exchanged information with other teachers and handled paperwork there.

Although he could do paperwork in the theology prep room located at the back of the sanctuary... lately, students—starting with Reina—had been frequenting the place.

While he was genuinely happy to be admired, there were documents he didn't want students to see, so he would move to the staff room when handling important tasks.

The sanctuary was generally kept open so that devout students could come and pray.

As the person in charge of managing it, Clael would lock it before heading home.

"Hmm?"

"Oh... isn't that Mr. Byrne?"

On the way to the sanctuary, he ran into a student he had seen earlier.

One of the main characters... Vincent Flame, the cocky pretty boy and son of the Knight Captain.

"Finished with your training, Flame?"

"Yeah, more or less."

Vincent's red hair was slightly damp, and he had a towel draped over his shoulders.

It seemed he was on his way home after taking a shower post-training.

"I see. Good work."

"If you're aiming to be a knight, physical training is just part of the routine... I'm just doing what I enjoy, so it's not really hard work."

Vincent spoke bluntly, then added, "More importantly..."

"Sorry about earlier. I caused a bit of trouble."

"I wasn't particularly bothered... Does that kind of thing happen often?"

"Not usually. But... Eric wasn't around today. Those mutts who usually behave in front of the crown prince got cocky and started acting up."

"Mutts, huh... That's harsh."

Clael gave a wry smile at Vincent's words.

"It's true, right? That guy from earlier... his name's Guardly, and he seems to see me as a one-sided rival."

Vincent gave a smug "Hmph!" through his nose.

"When we first enrolled, we were evenly matched... but the gap's widened over time, and now I'm clearly on a whole different level. He probably couldn't accept that and picked a fight with me."

"............"

That feeling... if it's just the feeling, he could somewhat understand it.

The person you always thought was your rival suddenly pulls far ahead.

Maybe it's a wall of talent, or a difference in effort, or some other factor.

Not wanting to admit you're losing, you start nitpicking about things unrelated to ability—like being the prince's aide or the Knight Captain's son.

(If someone you thought was your equal suddenly beats you and starts giving you advice from a higher position, you'd want to snap, even if it's irrational...)

Guardly, the male student, was in the wrong—but even so, there was room for sympathy.

If you hate losing, then you should just work harder... but there are walls that effort alone can't overcome.

Especially when the opponent is a main character, blessed by the author with overflowing talent as a warrior.

"Well, youth tends to be unstable. He probably has his own thoughts and struggles."

"I used to not give a damn about what weaklings felt... That's what I would've said in the past."

Vincent scratched his head irritably.

"After losing to him, I realized I wasn't all that great. That's why I tried to give him advice... but it backfired. I ended up taking the bait and fighting back. Pathetic, right?"

Vincent, in his own way, seemed ashamed of his immaturity.

To Clael, it looked like Vincent was troubled by the changing relationship with his former rival.

"How should I put it... That's youth for you."

The awkwardness, the passion, the rawness... it was truly youth in full bloom.

For the children, it was probably a big deal—but to Clael, it looked dazzling in a way.

"...Being a teacher is a painful job. You get youth shoved in your face, and it reminds you that you can't get it back."

"...What are you talking about?"

"Just an adult's idle rambling... As for your relationship with Guardly, why not just be honest and express your feelings? If you're struggling, he probably is too."

"Hmph..."

Vincent gave an annoyed snort at Clael's advice.

Whether the advice was right or not... Clael just hoped their relationship would improve, even a little.

That was the impression Clael had of these students in the prime of their youth.