The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 43

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

Episode 43
“No, what kind of rain is this?!”
“Shouldn’t we get back to the School right away?!”
Eckard and Noah couldn’t hide their bewilderment. But Theo, the one who’d actually caused the problem, simply grinned and gazed up at the sky.
“You’re insane! Come on, we need to go!”
Noah shouted and grabbed his brother’s shoulder, trying to drag him along.
Only then did Theo seem to come to his senses, shaking his head and opening his eyes properly. But he still looked reluctant, as if something were left undone.
“I wish I could see a rainbow after the rain stops.”
“Are you seriously still out of it?”
Noah spoke to Theo with the practicality of an older brother. At that, Theo turned with a face full of regret and began walking back.
That was the moment.
The Stream water, which had gently overflowed the Stepping Stones, swelled rapidly in an instant.
“Huh…?”
Noah couldn’t hide his shock. Theo and Eckard were equally alarmed, their faces darkening as they stared at each other.
“Just a moment ago, the water only reached our ankles.”
“Right.”
“Why did it suddenly swell like this?”
A prince and a young nobleman couldn’t be expected to know that Stream water swells quickly when it rains. The children could only stand there bewildered, their eyes darting about.
“If we don’t cross now, we’ll be in trouble. The Lamp’s light is almost gone.”
“Let’s cross. Before the water swells any more.”
“Yeah, let’s do it.”
Theo, Noah, and Eckard resolved to cross the Stream.
But it required considerable courage. The water had already risen to their thighs.
“You okay?!”
“Yeah! I’m fine!”
Theo, who’d begun crossing the Stream first, called out loudly to Noah. Somewhat reassured, Noah also stepped into the water.
That was when.
A large Tree Branch came floating down the water.
“Ah!”
The Branch caught at Theo and Noah’s feet. Before they could do anything, both boys fell and began being swept downstream.
“Theo! Noah!!”
Eckard screamed like a madman. But he couldn’t muster the courage to wade into the water and rescue his friends.
“Help! Please, help!”
All Eckard could do was beg desperately for help.
“Please! Somebody!”
But no helping hand came to Eckard.
He might lose his friends like this.
He didn’t want to lose a friend this way. Eckard wept bitterly. Yet nothing changed.
…Perhaps.
Wiping his tears, Eckard suddenly thought of someone. Someone who could help them. Someone he could trust above all others.
“…Rachel.”
He reached out to Rachel instinctively.
“Rachel! Rachel!!”
His desperate voice echoed across the surroundings. Growing stronger with each cry, his small voice soon filled the entire Field.
“Rachel!!!”
It was around then that Rachel, wandering frantically across the Field, heard Eckard’s voice.
“Eckard!”
Rachel rushed to the far bank of the Stream.
“Where are Theo and Noah?!”
“They—they were swept away by the water!”
The moment his words were out, Rachel bolted downstream. She had to find the boys, no matter what.
“Theo! Noah!!”
She called out their names like someone who’d lost all reason.
One minute passed, then two. With each passing moment, Rachel understood what it meant for everything before her eyes to go dark.
‘Please…’
Breathless and barely able to run properly, she refused to give up. And that persistence brought forth a gift: reunion.
“Kids!”
“Tea—teacher…”
Theo, clinging desperately to a rock while submerged, cried out toward Rachel. Noah, holding onto Theo, had gone pale and couldn’t speak at all.
“Hold on! Just hold on!”
Rachel plunged into the water without hesitation.
She knew it was madness. Diving in after a drowning person without a tube was the same as drowning yourself.
But Rachel had no Plan B. In this situation, without a tube or rope, all she could do was go in herself.
“Do you trust me, teacher?”
When she’d taught third-year students, she’d observed a Survival Swimming class. That sparked her interest in swimming, so she’d taken Basic Swimming and Scuba Diving lessons—perhaps that knowledge would help now.
Miraculously, Rachel managed to reach the children.
“Come on, grab my hand!”
“Yes, yes…!”
Theo grasped Rachel’s hand.
“Miss!”
Perhaps miracles arrive together like this. As Rachel stood trapped between the children’s hands, salvation came in the form of a voice.
“Henry!”
Henry, spotting the three of them, threw a Rope. Rachel quickly caught it and secured it around her body.
“Stay calm. Trust me, will you?”
Rachel held Theo with one hand and Noah with the other. Henry began pulling the Rope with all his strength.
“Hngh… hngh…!”
Pulling free from the water was far from easy. Without the strength of the horse Henry rode, rescue would have been impossible.
Against all odds, Henry managed to drag Rachel and the children from the water.
“Are you all right, miss?”
Henry immediately checked Rachel’s condition.
“I’m fine. Theo, Noah—how are you two? Are you hurt?”
Theo and Noah said nothing. They only stared at their hands, breathing heavily.
“We can talk later. Right now, getting you checked over is the priority.”
Rachel didn’t press the children for answers. There was so much she wanted to say, but for now, she was simply grateful they’d all made it back alive.
* * *
She called for a physician to examine the children at once.
Fortunately, aside from the shock, there was nothing seriously wrong. It was a relief beyond measure. Rachel exhaled deeply.
“Theo, Noah.”
……
“You went out to conduct a cloud experiment, didn’t you? Given how large the cloud became, it looks like you used Mana.”
……
Rachel had read the children’s intentions perfectly. At her words, they bowed their heads even lower.
“Teacher…”
“Yes, Theo?”
“I’m sorry, and grateful.”
Theo spoke first.
“If you hadn’t saved us like this, something truly terrible would have happened.”
“I think so too.”
Noah added his voice. Rachel gazed quietly at both children. Neither Theo nor Noah seemed to be lying to escape blame.
“Theo, Noah—do you really feel what you’re saying?”
“Yes. You do dangerous things for us, but we just play and do whatever we want, and I’m so sorry for that.”
“I have nothing to say. And thank you for saving my life.”
Theo and Noah offered their thanks repeatedly. It was understandable. For them, those who would risk their lives to protect out of genuine affection were rare indeed.
They occupied the position of princes. Guardians would sacrifice their lives to protect them.
Yet among those guardians, not a single one possessed true affection for them. They simply did their duty, because they were guards, because it was their mission.
It wasn’t that this bothered them. Being protected at all was something for which they were truly grateful.
But for two children who had never known their mother’s love, affection was always something they craved. They had always hungered for attention and care.
And so they had strayed. When they caused trouble, they received attention. So they kept seeking it through mischief.
But Rachel was different. When they misbehaved, she corrected them firmly and gave them endless attention. At first, they’d thought it would fade, but her affection knew no limits.
And she had thrown herself into danger for them.
What more could they ask for? Whether it was a great change or a small one, Theo and Noah’s hearts shifted.
They would be sincere with Teacher Rachel and her alone.
And that change of heart would bring countless transformations to follow.

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