The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 33

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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 33
“Your Highness, it’s me.”
A low voice answered the moment the knock faded, as though she had been waiting for it.
When Rachel opened the door quietly and stepped inside, Lucas didn’t even close the book he was reading—he simply propped his chin on his hand and fixed her with an unwavering gaze.
“Sit down for now.”
At Lucas’s voice, pitched slightly lower than usual, Rachel swallowed hard and settled onto the sofa.
“I came because there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“That expression of yours tells me this is rather urgent.”
Lucas, who had been seated at his desk, propped his chin up. Rachel met his gaze directly and asked without preamble.
“Did you know from the beginning that I could use Mana?”
“Yes. I knew.”
His answer came like a punch to her chest. Rachel pressed her lips together before speaking again.
“How did you find out? I didn’t even know myself.”
“What you hide doesn’t remain hidden. And the decisive moment came yesterday.”
Lucas rose from his seat with casual ease. Rather than sitting across from her, he walked to the spot beside her and settled in at an angle, drawing closer.
Rachel’s shoulders trembled at the narrowed distance. The cool, sharp scent of him drifted toward her.
“Rachel. The Empire is desperately short on Mages right now. The Duchies are probing our borders with their mages at the fore, while our Royal Palace is staffed with nothing but old men shuffling papers.”
It was something Rachel already knew. The Empire controlled more than half the continent, yet the number of mages within it was remarkably small—comparable, perhaps, to some of the lesser Duchies.
“There’s a coalition of Duchies formed to strike at the Empire. They command many mages.”
Several Duchies, jealous of the Empire’s dominance, had banded together under the leadership of Analeo, the largest among them. An attack could come at any moment.
“To withstand their assault, we must cultivate mages. But it’s far easier said than done.”
Lucas was right. Training mages was never a simple task.
First, one had to identify people capable of Mana Manipulation, then filter among them for those with substantial reserves.
Even Rachel, considering her own capacity, possessed no small amount—she had beaten odds that were nothing short of cruel.
Lucas laid his hand over the back of hers. The calluses on his palm—rough and hardened from wielding a blade—touched her skin.
“So then, what do you say to coming with me to the Imperial Palace? I can settle every debt your house owes.”
His voice was far too low for a mere recruitment offer.
“…Was that the reason you took an interest in me? Because I have Mana?”
At Rachel’s question, the corner of Lucas’s mouth curved upward lazily.
“Half right, and half… well. Why don’t you discover the other half for yourself once you’re at the Imperial Palace.”
Something ambiguous flickered in his eyes, and Rachel caught her breath.
She wavered for a moment, but then carefully withdrew her hand and rose to her feet. If she stayed any longer, she’d be completely swept up in his magnetism.
“I’m grateful for your offer, Your Highness. But I’m the headmistress of this school. I can’t abandon the children for my own advancement.”
Rachel stood abruptly and bowed with dignity.
“In any case, it’s not possible now. I apologize.”
With that, she turned and left the room.
Lucas said nothing more to stop her. He simply watched her departing figure, committing it to memory.
* * *
Leaving Lucas’s chambers, Rachel headed straight for her office. Her mind was in turmoil.
‘To the Imperial Palace…’
Entry to the Imperial Palace wasn’t something anyone could achieve. Rachel knew this well. She exhaled slowly.
‘By any measure, it would be a good opportunity for my life…’
Given Lucas’s nature, if she agreed to follow him, he would settle her house’s debt and have means left over.
It would lower the difficulty of her entire existence. Yet Rachel felt no inclination toward it.
‘The children’s attitudes are improving steadily.’
It had begun as mercenary work, but now she carried a weighty sense of responsibility. How much fulfillment and joy she had found in rehabilitating these children.
‘What should I do about this.’
Of course, the vast Empire surely had teachers more capable than her. But she feared that leaving would topple the tower she had so painstakingly built in the process of regaining their trust.
Noah especially. That prickly child was only now beginning to open his heart, and she didn’t want to inflict such a drastic change upon him.
‘I don’t know. For now, I should at least get some sleep.’
Rachel threw herself onto the bed. She needed to clear her head.
* * *
“Oh!”
Startled from her daze, Rachel nearly dropped the water cup from her hand.
If Colo, standing right beside her, hadn’t swiftly reached out and caught it, the cup would have shattered and water spilled everywhere.
“Phew. Colo, thank you so much. I would’ve been in real trouble without you.”
“Miss, you seem unable to focus today. Is something troubling you?”
“……”
“If there’s anything I can help with, please feel free to tell me.”
Colo set the rescued cup down on the table, speaking with genuine concern. Faced with such sincerity, Rachel managed a forced smile.
“No, it’s fine. I just didn’t sleep well.”
“Are you certain?”
…….
Faced with Colo’s doubtful gaze, Rachel found herself with nothing left to excuse and pressed her lips firmly shut. By this point, she thought it might be better to simply confess everything to Colo.
“Colo, it’s something the children shouldn’t hear about….”
“Then let’s go to my room.”
Colo readily offered her space. As Rachel made her way to Colo’s room, she gathered her thoughts—what to say first, how best to lay bare her worries.
“The thing is….”
Rachel launched into an explanation. Her ability to manipulate Mana. The Crown Prince’s proposal. And what would become of the children at the School if she accepted. Everything felt hopelessly tangled.
“My, such a thing has occurred.”
Colo’s brow furrowed at Rachel’s dilemma.
“Yes. It’s all rather distressing.”
“First, Miss, I must say I’m delighted that you possess such an ability. My congratulations to you.”
Colo smiled warmly and offered Rachel her heartfelt congratulations.
“But that matter and the running of the School are separate concerns, are they not?”
“That’s true….”
“And you, Miss—where does your heart lean?”
“That is….”
Rachel could not produce a proper answer. She herself did not know her own heart.
“I would hope you choose where your heart truly wishes to go.”
“Where my heart wishes to go?”
“Yes, Miss.”
Colo felt pity for Rachel. Battered as she was by family storms, she was one who could not do as she pleased, driven only by the hunger to earn money.
When such an opportunity came her way, Colo did not wish to see her refuse it.
She hoped Rachel would set aside thoughts of the School and her debts alike, and do what she truly wanted.
Yet Colo also recognized that such words might burden Rachel further.
And so she supported her from the most neutral ground possible, her words carrying a quiet pledge: whatever you choose, I stand with you.
“Colo, thank you. I’ll think it through again, slowly.”
Perhaps Colo’s sentiment had reached her. Rachel rose from her seat with a faint smile.
‘Sleep is out of the question tonight.’
As she left Colo’s room, Rachel thought to herself. Tonight, one worry would only breed another, tangled beyond measure.
True to her prediction, sleep eluded her as the night deepened. She walked through the Garden, consumed by her thoughts, unaware that Henry kept vigil over her from the shadows.
Henry had learned everything from Colo. He wanted so desperately to hold Rachel to this place.
Yet he harbored no wish to obstruct her path forward, and so he could only clench his fists in frustration—from dusk until the morning sun rose.
‘I’ll go and speak with her.’
Before the breakfast hour arrived, she had made her decision. Now that her mind was set, the right thing was to go and speak as soon as possible.
Rachel climbed the stairs with long, determined strides. She wanted to convey her thoughts to Lucas as quickly as she could.

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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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