The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 48

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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 48
This was the most certain deal he’d ever proposed to her.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like an answer now.”
Unlike before, Lucas gave her no time to delay. Rachel bit her lip hard.
For the children’s sake, stepping forward now was the right thing to do. But she had no confidence in entering the Imperial Magic Tower and starting something new. Of course she had to hesitate.
“Can I… be of help to you?”
In the end, Rachel asked in a voice utterly devoid of confidence. Whether she could be of use to him.
“You seem to underestimate your own strength. I believe you’re capable of accomplishing great things.”
……
“If you can’t believe in yourself, then believe in me instead. Rachel.”
Lucas persuaded her. If she couldn’t trust herself, then trust him.
“…May I try believing in you instead? In Lucas?”
Rachel carefully drew out the words. At that, he clasped her hand firmly.
“As much as you wish.”
It might be a feeble beginning. But above all, a certain one. Rachel offered him a faint smile.
Thinking that she would entrust her future to him.
* * *
“I’m sorry? What do you mean by that?”
“Of course, we postponed it for a while because of what happened to Eckerd, Theo, and Noah, but we were planning to graduate them anyway.”
“That’s true.”
Colo nodded in agreement.
“I’m going to proceed with that as planned. Graduating the children. In exchange, we won’t be taking any new ones.”
“If you won’t be taking new children…?”
At Rachel’s words, Henry looked rather taken aback. There was only an even bigger shock left to come.
Rachel wore an expression of deep awkwardness.
“Well… to put it plainly, I’m going to the Imperial Palace.”
“I’m sorry?”
“What did you say?!”
The expected reactions burst forth. Rachel let out a small sigh and began to explain.
“The Crown Prince highly valued my ability to manipulate Mana.”
At the word “Crown Prince,” Henry’s expression hardened like stone. Rachel deliberately pretended not to notice and continued.
“He promised to pay off all of our family’s debts on the condition that I enter the Imperial Magic Tower and properly learn Mana Manipulation.”
“Is that truly the case?!”
“All of those debts?”
Henry and Colo blinked as if at a loss for words.
“Yes. It’s hard to believe, I know. And there’s more to what he promised.”
“More promises? What sort of thing are you referring to?”
“Not just the children at our school, but other children don’t know how to read. I’ve always regretted that. And His Highness promised to establish a school for commoners.”
“Good heavens.”
Colo smacked his forehead.
“Just what level of ability do you possess, young lady, that he would make such promises?”
“I wish I knew. It feels like he might be overestimating my abilities.”
Rachel laughed softly. Even so, she watched Henry’s expression. His face was far from pleasant.
It was clear he felt as though he were losing her.
“Henry. Could we talk for a moment?”
Rachel rose from her seat carefully. Then she looked at Henry. He remained rigid.
“Come.”
Rachel urged him on. Henry then rose slowly from his seat. Colo, sensing the tension, was quietly withdrawing.
After Colo left, Rachel opened her mouth carefully.
“Henry. I know you hold me dear.”
……
Rachel tried to soothe him, though she knew no words could truly console him.
“Because you hold me dear, I’m sure you’ve thought many times about wanting to be together.”
“Yes, and surely you understand that feeling as well.”
At last, Henry laid bare his heart honestly.
To that confession of sorts, Rachel paused briefly to catch her breath. She thought deeply about how to hurt him as little as possible.
“Henry. Whatever else, I treasure you greatly as well.”
“Then don’t go to the Imperial Palace.”
Henry tried to stop her from going to the Imperial Palace. But everything was already decided, and such matters couldn’t easily be changed.
“Henry, I’m sorry.”
“Am I falling short of you in some way?”
Henry asked. Rachel caught the unspoken word beneath his question—the one that said “as a man”—without difficulty.
“Not at all. You’re more than enough for me. More than enough.”
“Then why are you leaving my side?”
“Because I want to try building a better world.”
It wasn’t because of Lucas, or because she was interested in Mana Manipulation. Rachel’s reason for departing to the Imperial Palace was singular.
The thought of building a better world—that singular conviction moved her.
“There are so many children who can’t read, who’ve never had basic education. I can’t just abandon them and walk away.”
Rachel spoke her mind plainly. Henry seemed to sink into deep thought as he listened.
His face grew tense as he gazed at her. Their eyes met somewhere in the space between them.
“Henry. I’m not saying I’ll stay at the Imperial Palace forever. I’ll come back when the time is right.”
“Is that truly so?”
“Of course. Absolutely.”
Rachel reassured him. She wasn’t leaving forever—only stepping away for a time.
* * *
“Wow, we’re actually going home.”
“I know. I can hardly believe it.”
“I thought I’d never leave. I was sure I’d spend my whole life rooted to this school.”
The children each shared their thoughts on graduation. Rachel handed out Diplomas to them with a smile.
Nothing else mattered quite as much as seeing her students graduate. It was proof of their growth.
“Teacher! Thank you so much!”
“We’re truly grateful!”
Now the children, who had learned to mind their manners, bowed respectfully to Rachel.
Behind them stood their guardians. Their faces too were bright, for everything coming from the children’s lips was filled with courtesy.
“Thanks to you, our younger siblings have grown so well. I want to express my sincere gratitude.”
And in the midst of the guardians stood Crown Prince Lucas. He bowed his head slightly toward Rachel.
Rachel, surprised, returned his bow with equal depth.
“Then I’ll take my leave now, Teacher.”
“Take care of yourselves!”
The children said their farewells and began filing out of the Mansion. Rocka, Eckerd, Mare, Chase, and Kana—all five children grasped their guardians’ hands and eagerly disappeared from sight.
And then Theo and Noah turned their gaze toward Lucas.
“Brother, aren’t we going?”
“Why aren’t you leaving?”
“Rachel.”
Lucas called her name.
“You’re ready, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
Rachel answered at once.
“Ready for what? What are you two doing?”
“Well… I haven’t told you until now, but the Teacher is going to enter the Imperial Palace with you.”
“What?!”
“What did you say?!”
Theo and Noah gaped in surprise.
“Not to teach you, of course. She’ll be entering the Imperial Magic Tower.”
“Teacher, you know how to use Mana Manipulation?”
“I’m planning to learn.”
“Wow…”
Admiration flickered in the eyes of both children. Embarrassed, Rachel turned her head away and looked toward Lucas.
“Then… may we go now?”
“By all means.”
Lucas extended his hand to Rachel. She took it.
No one could know what lay ahead. Perhaps trials far harder than anything she had faced at the School were waiting for her.
She harbored no illusions that the Mages at the Imperial Magic Tower would welcome her. To them, she was certain to be an unwelcome presence.
But Rachel had steeled herself. By any means necessary, she would adapt to that place.
And she wanted to properly learn Mana Manipulation and become someone of value.
‘I can do this. I won’t let Lucas down.’
Rachel clenched her fists tightly. Meeting the new world that now unfurled before her.

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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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