The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 22

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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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Episode 22
Rachel hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer, then met the imperial physician’s gaze as calmly as she could manage.
“It’s a folk remedy I read about in a very old book. The Finger Pricking Method for indigestion—it’s quite effective.”
“I’ve never encountered such a treatment in any classical medical text!”
“It’s passed down through my family’s heirloom books, so it probably isn’t widely known.”
It was an improvised excuse, but Rachel didn’t care whether they believed her or not. She quickly focused on gently blowing on Noah’s hand.
“Just wait ten minutes, Noah. If anything feels strange, tell me right away.”
“…All right.”
Rachel softly stroked the boy’s hair to reassure him as he gave his faint reply.
As the effect began to appear gradually, Noah’s breathing became noticeably calmer with each passing moment.
Color slowly returned to his parched lips, and his pallid face began to glow with life again.
About ten minutes had passed. Noah slowly raised his upper body and looked around.
“I’m thirsty.”
The words had barely left his mouth before a maid brought a cup of water, which he drank down eagerly.
“I feel so much better than before. Teacher, how did you do that?”
Noah looked up at Rachel with eyes full of wonder and gratitude.
“I’m glad. Sometimes these simple methods work surprisingly well.”
A flicker of relief and quiet satisfaction crossed Rachel’s face.
The physicians’ eyes met in subtle exchange. Men who had devoted their entire lives to medicine, yet their problem was solved by such a humble technique—it was bewildering.
“Teacher, you really do know everything.”
At Noah’s words, Rachel’s eyes widened for a moment. Hearing such unfamiliar praise from the boy’s lips sent a strange warmth through her chest.
“It’s thanks to the medicine you took earlier too. The credit isn’t mine alone.”
Rachel tried to share the credit with the physicians, but Noah’s eyes were already saying, “It’s all because of Teacher.”
“Next time I have indigestion, I’ll do it this way.”
Now that he had the energy to smile, Noah showed a grin befitting a boy his age.
‘I think it’s safe to relax now.’
Seeing how many times he’d drunk water, it was clear his indigestion had completely passed.
“I think you physicians can go now. If anything goes wrong, I’ll call for you.”
“All the same, it would be wise for one of us to remain, just in case.”
The eldest physician answered promptly. Well, it wasn’t a bad idea to be cautious. Rachel nodded in agreement.
* * *
Rachel Swan returned to the School. In her absence, Lucas found himself thinking of her. His mind was tangled with the countless questions she had raised.
‘She appears capable of channeling Mana.’
When the fire broke out at the School, the investigation had revealed that a Magic Stone affixed to the wall on the third floor had glowed.
And that wasn’t all. When Rachel, wearing a Magic Stone Ring, grasped a water cup, the water had heated all by itself.
‘She doesn’t seem to know about it at all.’
Or perhaps she was simply pretending not to know.
And what of her knowledge of folk remedies that even the imperial physicians didn’t recognize?
Perhaps she was hiding power far greater than he had imagined.
Lucas rested his chin in his hand. Personal affection for Rachel Swan was now being joined by curiosity.
Lucas thought of her again. Golden hair contrasted with crimson lips. And those beautiful eyes.
‘What is she hiding?’
The secrets concealed by that beautiful woman.
* * *
When Rachel returned to the School, everything had been restored to its original state. Even the room that Kolo had worried so much about had been completely repaired.
‘Now I just need the children to come back.’
Without the children, it couldn’t truly be called a school. Rachel sat at the headmaster’s desk and wrote letters to each family.
The contents were simple and courteous: a request for them to send their children back, now that the School had been safely restored, and an invitation for any parents to visit and verify the conditions themselves at any time.
‘It’s understandable that they’d be worried.’
Since there had been a fire once, she fully understood the parents’ concerns. That was why Rachel opened the School’s doors so that any parent could come directly to assess the situation.
Two days passed that way.
“Roka! Eckard! It’s been such a long time.”
“Mare and Chase are here too. Welcome back, Kana.”
The children who had received the letters began returning to the School one by one. All of them except two—Theo and Noah.
‘That’s strange.’
Theo and Noah, who had been so eager to come back to school, were the ones missing.
When the two children didn’t appear, Rachel furrowed her brow slightly and gazed out toward the Garden, wondering if a carriage might be approaching.
“Wow! An Imperial Carriage!”
While Rachel’s attention was briefly elsewhere, Eckard cried out.
At the words “Imperial Carriage,” Rachel quickly turned her gaze. Sure enough, an Imperial Carriage was entering the Garden.
“Wait? Really?! That’s a fine White Horse….”
Mare tilted his head, appraising the White Horse walking ahead of the carriage.
Though the rider was too distant to see clearly, the animal’s lustrous coat gleamed unmistakably—a fine steed indeed.
Yet the rider came alone, not pulling the carriage at all. Who was this person on horseback? A member of the Imperial Guard?
Rachel thought little of it and headed straight down to the first floor. It was time to greet Theo and Noah.
“Theo! Noah!”
Rachel called out toward the carriage. Theo and Noah, riding inside, opened the windows and waved their hands eagerly.
“Teacher!”
Though it was hardly a reunion of separated family, the children and Rachel embraced in a flurry of joy. Once classes began, they would surely complain about lessons, but for now, happiness reigned.
“Teacher! Did you know?!”
Theo beamed as he spoke.
“Know what?”
“My brother came with us today!”
“Br… brother…?”
Theo had but one brother—the Crown Prince Lucas.
When Theo pointed, Rachel’s gaze followed naturally.
“Lucas!”
Seated atop the White Horse that Mare had praised was none other than Lucas himself. He dismounted with composure and approached Rachel.
“What brings you here?”
“I read your letter, and I couldn’t simply sit idle.”
Lucas’s words were brief, yet laden with meaning. Rachel pondered for a moment before her eyes widened in recognition.
“You said I might inspect the School if I wished.”
“Of course. Please, look around as you like.”
Rachel smiled warmly in greeting, and Lucas tethered his horse directly to the stable before entering the School.
“What on earth is happening?”
Kolo’s eyes widened in surprise at Lucas’s arrival, and Rachel merely shrugged, indicating she knew little more than he did.
“He seems to want to ensure the School is safe.”
Given that she was entrusted with two royal princes, it was entirely understandable. She would have done the same in his position.
“Then which room shall I use?”
Yet Lucas’s response was somewhat unexpected.
“A room?”
Ordinarily, visitors used the reception room. If a guest asked for a room, it implied they meant to stay at least a night or more—but his intention remained unclear to her.
“I can hardly sleep on the reception room sofa every night, now can I?”
Against all expectation, Lucas declared his intention to lodge. Rachel’s eyes widened in shock.
“If I’ve understood correctly… are you saying you’ll be staying here for several days?”
“Precisely.”
Lucas drove the point home.
Why on earth?
As Crown Prince, burdened with countless responsibilities, the idea that he would carve out days to spend at his younger brother’s School seemed unbelievable.
‘Perhaps he’s simply very invested in his brother’s education?’
Having lost their mother in childhood, his younger brothers were a source of tender concern for him. Moreover, with the Emperor’s health failing, Lucas bore the mantle of their guardian.
Thinking of it that way, the situation became somewhat more comprehensible.
‘This is a chance to build trust firmly.’
With the School’s lifeblood—trust—now fractured, it seemed imperative that she establish faith with Lucas himself and demonstrate that she could guide the children safely.
“You’re welcome to use any room that suits you. We have plenty of chambers; take your time choosing.”
“Where is your bedroom?”
The moment Rachel began to answer, Lucas posed the question. What did he want with knowing her bedroom? Rachel tilted her head in confusion, yet answered his question nonetheless.
“It’s on the right side of the third-floor stairwell, but why would you….”
“The adjacent room?”
“It’s currently vacant.”
“Then I’ll take that one.”
“I… beg your pardon?”
Rachel had assumed he was asking to find the farthest possible room, but now her cheeks flushed with confusion and embarrassment. Yet Lucas offered a faint smile.

“I’ll be in your care.”

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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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