Academy’s New Guard is Unusual - Chapter 42

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 42
In the game, Teaching Assistants occupied an ambiguous role.
They appeared fairly often as the professors’ aides, but their narrative weight was smaller than that of even minor student characters. This was because a Teaching Assistant’s work—lesson preparation, exam grading, assignment checking—all happened behind the scenes.
Yet one could not afford to underestimate them.
Depending on circumstances, Teaching Assistants wielded deeper influence over grades than professors did. Written exams especially: the Teaching Assistants assigned the scores.
For someone tasked with graduating Evangelion, these people were indispensable.
So the fact that they came crawling to me of their own accord—
‘Things are falling into place beautifully.’
Watching the Teaching Assistants kneel in a circle around me, I felt the corners of my mouth lift.
“So, the Teaching Assistant for Basic Swordsmanship?”
“Woof!”
“Basic Spellcraft?”
“Growl! Bark!”
“Basic Holy Studies?”
“Meow!”
“Basic Dark Magic?”
Silence. There appeared to be no Teaching Assistant for Basic Dark Magic.
Well, gloomy dark mages wouldn’t travel in a pack like this anyway.
It was a shame there was no Basic Dark Magic instructor, but at least the other three subjects were covered. For that much, I was grateful.
“Now, I have a task for you. There’s a student named Evangelion. I want you to accommodate her needs.”
The Teaching Assistants’ faces twitched. Immediately, they all turned their eyes toward Hans. He seemed to be playing the role of leader.
Hans, receiving the attention, began fidgeting like a dog desperate to urinate, then raised his hand.
“Woof!!”
“Yes, Hans. You may speak.”
“A-academic misconduct is absolutely forbidden. If caught, not only will we face consequences, but the student who committed it will be finished. They’ll be expelled on the spot.”
Hans spoke in a trembling voice. The other Teaching Assistants hurriedly nodded in agreement.
I had no intention of committing Academic Misconduct anyway.
Not for any moral reason, of course.
When continental annihilation hung in the balance, did a little Academic Misconduct really matter?
The problem was, I couldn’t commit Academic Misconduct even if I wanted to.
‘Academic Misconduct is a taboo.’
At the academy, Academic Misconduct was forbidden.
Not a moral prohibition—a Taboo of Fissure. A taboo that ranked even above the Central Library itself.
If Evangelion committed Academic Misconduct, she could vanish from the academy entirely.
And aside from the taboo, Academic Misconduct was simply impossible for her.
Evangelion had no talent to speak of, yet possessed an unreasonably upright character. If I ordered her to cheat, she’d march straight to a professor and confess.
For that reason, Academic Misconduct was absolutely out of the question.
So what I’m saying is—
“No, I’m not talking about Academic Misconduct. I’m talking about accommodation in the literal sense.”
“But providing accommodation could be considered Academic Misconduct—”
“If a student with one arm missing takes Basic Swordsmanship, and that student receives a One-Handed Sword—is that Academic Misconduct?”
“……Does the student named Evangelion have one arm missing?”
Hans asked with a hardened expression.
“A missing arm would be merciful. It’s worse than that.”
“Gasp……”
The Teaching Assistants murmured among themselves. Sympathy bloomed across every face.
“I have three commands in total. First: never have Evangelion give a presentation. Second: if there are group assignments, never assign Evangelion as the Squad Leader. Third: never praise Evangelion.”
I counted off each point on my fingers as I spoke with conviction.
Questions flickered across the Teaching Assistants’ faces as they listened tensely.
“……Is that truly all we need to do?”
“Yes. And if you fail to comply, we’ll continue with proper education. This time, I mean it.”
I grasped the Security Baton, emphasizing the word “proper.”
“Woof! Woof-woof!”
“Bark-bark!”
“Meow-meow-meow!”
“Growl! Bark-bark!”
The Teaching Assistants barked frantically. One of them even rolled onto his back.
‘Absurd.’
I clicked my tongue and pressed hard on my temples.
Though it looked ridiculous, this was quite important work.
In the game, it was all too common for Evangelion—burdened by the responsibility of being Squad Leader—to go into hiding, resulting in her expulsion.
“Ah, go help Nora, would you? Make sure it’s thorough.”
I waved my hand dismissively, and the Teaching Assistants bolted out barking. Some even scuffled and rolled on the floor in their hurry to leave.
“Quite the enthusiasm.”
I nodded in satisfaction, when Milo approached with a soured expression.
“But is this really okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I mean… they’re still Teaching Assistants. Can we really manhandle them like that?”
“There is no hierarchy in labor.”
“……That’s not really the right line to use here, is it?”
Milo tilted his head with a bewildered look.
There shouldn’t be any real problem. A Teaching Assistant reporting being hit by a Security Force member would damage his pride far too much.
Even if he did report it, it wouldn’t matter.
‘The Dean of Student Affairs—Logan will cover for me.’
Hadn’t Logan already promised to handle most things?
‘Already managed the Teaching Assistants.’
I’d stopped the demon knight, educated the Teaching Assistants, and opened new courses. The rest would fall to Nora and Leon.
‘With this, the foundation is complete.’
Until the course registration period ended, there were no further events planned.
“For now, let’s head back to the Security Barracks.”
“Hehe, today’s dinner is supposed to be breaded pork cutlet. I’ll tell you, Security Force cutlets are absolutely exceptional.”
Milo spoke with flaring nostrils.
But unfortunately, those exceptional cutlets wouldn’t reach my stomach.
The moment I returned to the Security Barracks, I was summoned to the Security Chief’s office.
All the Squad Leaders were gathered there.
The one with the goat beard—Bedrick—was there too. He looked like he was dying from abdominal pain.
Nora was there as well. When our eyes met, she gave a slight nod. Hanswell stood rigidly at the end of the line of Squad Leaders.
The atmosphere felt off.
Then the Security Chief, who carried the bearing of a senior military officer, looked at me and asked flatly.
“Grave, I heard you’ve been selected as a Teaching Assistant. Is that right?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
I gave a light nod.
At that, the Squad Leaders began muttering among themselves. The shock was palpable. Bedrick even ground his teeth openly.
“That’s curious. I’ve never seen a fresh recruit selected as a Teaching Assistant before. Did you already know Professor Leon?”
“No, I do not know him.”
“Then why did he select you?”
“I have no idea.”
“I see. Grave.”
“Yes.”
“Transfer to Unit 10.”
The Security Chief issued the order curtly. Faced with an unexpected command, I squinted and asked for clarification.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear that.”
“Transfer to Unit 10. If you’re handling Teaching Assistant duties, Unit 10—which covers the Academic Affairs Office—would be more convenient. We’ll find replacements for Unit 42’s roster elsewhere.”
The Security Chief’s logic was sound. Transferring to Unit 10, which handled the Academic Affairs Office, would make Teaching Assistant work far easier.
But my objective wasn’t Teaching Assistant work. Teaching Assistant duties were merely one facet of my larger plans. Unit 42, being a support unit, was the best position for what I intended.
Besides, Unit 42 was packed with villains.
I had no intention of transferring. So—
“I refuse.”
I declined flatly.
“……Refuse?”
The Security Chief looked as though he’d misheard. I nodded lightly in confirmation.
“Yes, I prefer Unit 42.”
“You prefer Unit 42?”
“Yes, very much.”
The Security Chief stared at me as if I were mad. The other Squad Leaders looked disgusted.
I addressed the Security Chief again.
“I have no intention of transferring units.”
“Mm, do I sound like I’m asking?”
The Security Chief asked dispassionately. His weathered eyes were cold.
Of course, the Security Chief had the authority to reassign me whether I consented or not.
But this time, it wouldn’t be so simple.
“Then I will resign.”
I’ve already been selected as a Teaching Assistant. If I resign now, the Security Chief might face an awkward situation with the professor in charge.
In Elisium Academy, professors held considerable rank. The Security Chief was hardly in a low position, but professors were special.
He wouldn’t want to court conflict with a professor over the placement of a mere recruit.
However—
“Fine, then resign.”
Contrary to my expectations, the Security Chief remained unyielding. His attitude suggested he didn’t mind falling out with the professor.
Then, unexpected reinforcements arrived.
It was Bedrick, seeming suddenly urgent.
“Is there really a need for him to transfer units? If Teaching Assistant work is required, couldn’t we simply send support requests from Unit 42? If we’re moving Unit 42 personnel to Unit 10, we’d have to reassign someone from Unit 10 elsewhere, which would create complications.”
Though Bedrick had been a constant nuisance before, having him as an ally proved surprisingly logical and helpful.
Then Hanswell stepped forward with a rigid expression.
“I will take responsibility for supplementing the unit.”
The Security Chief apparently hadn’t expected Hanswell to speak up, his brow furrowing.
“Supplement it? Unit 42 isn’t even functioning properly as it is.”
“That’s true, but things will change. In fact, since Grave arrived, we’ve been deployed more frequently. And Grave is the only recruit who’s lasted this long. Even if we brought in new personnel, they’d likely quit soon. As Bedrick mentioned, on days when Teaching Assistant duties are needed, we can cover them with reinforcements.”
“Teaching Assistant duties aren’t something to be done half-heartedly.”
Then Nora, who had been watching me, stepped forward.
“I’ll handle that aspect. I was planning to take on the main duties anyway. Why would we entrust it to a recruit?”
Though I hadn’t explicitly asked, Nora said exactly what I needed her to say.
She was indeed perceptive and capable. I was thoroughly satisfied.
With Bedrick, Hanswell, and now Nora stepping in, the momentum shifted entirely in my favor.
However, the Security Chief was no easy opponent.
“Why complicate matters? There’s a simple solution. Complications breed problems. Choose one: either transfer to Unit 10 or resign.”
The Security Chief spoke with finality. As Hanswell opened his mouth to respond, the Security Chief raised his hand, cutting him off.
“No other options.”
The Security Chief was resolute. An unexpectedly stubborn man.
Of course, this wasn’t truly a problem.
‘I’ll just call on my superior.’
Logan, the Dean of Student Affairs, could resolve this effortlessly.
But just then, the office door swung open with a bang.
“So you were all here?”
A drowsy voice accompanied the thick smell of alcohol that filled the office.
Turning my head, I saw a tall woman with a crimson short bob.
Evelyn, Squad Leader of Unit 42.
The moment Evelyn appeared, the Squad Leaders snapped to attention. Some even squeezed their eyes shut. Bedrick looked ready to flee entirely.
Hardly the reaction one would show to the lowest-ranking Squad Leader.
“Evelyn, where the hell have you been?”
The Security Chief’s face suddenly grew weary. He pressed hard on his temples as he spoke.
“Got drunk and passed out. Just woke up.”
“Don’t you realize you’re on duty?”
“I work better when I drink.”
“Better work rates? —”
The Security Chief clicked his tongue openly.
When Evelyn ignored the Security Chief and approached me, he stepped aside as if accustomed to it.
“So they were trying to send the recruit to Unit 10?”
“Well, it seems—”
Evelyn ignored the Security Chief’s attempt to explain and fixed her gaze on me.
“You.”
Her crimson eyes pierced into me.
“Can you drink?”
Evelyn whispered the question. The acrid smell of alcohol mixed with grape notes pricked my nostrils.
Evelyn’s question triggered a commotion among those present. The Squad Leaders trembled with fear, while the Security Chief’s eyes suddenly filled with pity for me.
“Squad Leader! Are you trying to kill another recruit—”
Hanswell cried out in alarm. Even Bedrick gave a slight shake of his head.
I didn’t know what this was about, but the air had turned deadly serious.
So, meeting Evelyn’s sharp crimson gaze—
“Quite well.”
I answered with confidence.
“Good.”
The corners of Evelyn’s crimson mouth twisted upward.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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