The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 66

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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 66
Rachel was wound tight with tension.
It was no small matter to face an interview with none other than the Mage Tower Master himself—her shoulders had locked up completely. She’d never trembled this badly even during the university entrance exam. Her heart was hammering against her ribs.
‘You can do this. You can do this.’
Rachel drew a deep breath and steadied herself with whispered reassurance.
And then it happened.
Click.
The door swung open. She lifted her head, and in that moment the Mage Tower Master’s figure filled her vision.
“Good day to you.”
Rachel rose from her seat at once and bowed. The Mage Tower Master approached with a warm, affable smile.
“The Crown Prince has told me of you.”
“Ah… yes.”
Rachel’s reply came out somewhat stiffly. Lucas would never have said anything ill of her, she was certain—and yet her nerves remained on edge.
“According to the Crown Prince, you possess the ability to manipulate Mana.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Rachel answered at once without hesitation. There was no point in lying about it, and besides, if she was to enter the Mage Tower, some account of her abilities would be necessary.
“I’m not yet proficient, but I’m working hard to master it.”
“I see.”
There was nothing to gain by exaggerating her capabilities. Rachel spoke with careful honesty.
“Would you tell me how you came to manipulate Mana?”
The Mage Tower Master posed the question, and Rachel began to speak at once. She recounted her experiences without a trace of falsehood, while the Mage Tower Master listened with an intent, sharp gaze fixed upon her.
“Miss Swan, if all you’ve told me is the truth, then I see no cause for deliberation on my part.”
The Mage Tower Master smiled. Rachel sensed there was more to that smile than met the eye.
“Why don’t you place your hand upon this?”
Just as she’d suspected, the Mage Tower Master set a small Magic Stone before her. Her admission to the Mage Tower would turn entirely on how she handled it. Rachel took a deep breath and laid her palm upon the stone.
Crackle. Snap-snap.
Merely from the contact, the Magic Stone erupted with a tremendous sound. Rachel focused harder, pouring all her concentration into her fingertips.
Snap-snap-snap.
Smoke billowed from the Magic Stone—so much of it that the chamber filled completely. Yet Rachel did not relent. She was determined to draw out every scrap of Mana she possessed.
“More than I expected,” the Mage Tower Master murmured quietly.
Only then did Rachel withdraw her hand. The Magic Stone, now glowing red-hot, came into view for them both.
“Miss Swan, I’m satisfied that you can indeed manipulate Mana. However, your lack of proficiency in doing so could prove troublesome.”
“Then…?”
Rachel barely managed to squeeze out the words, her voice tight with anxiety.
“That’s precisely why you’ll learn here at the Mage Tower.”
The Mage Tower Master’s answer was unambiguous. He smiled warmly and opened the path for Rachel to enter the Tower.
“…Are you certain?”
“What purpose would I have in deceiving you?”
The Mage Tower Master replied without hesitation. Rachel clapped both hands over her mouth.
“I hereby officially grant you admission to the Mage Tower, Miss Swan.”
* * *
“Did I really go through all this preparation when I started elementary school…?”
Despite her long years as a teacher, the memory of her own schooldays had grown hazy. She had no sense at all of what children preparing for their first day of school actually gathered together.
‘If I’ve forgotten anything, I can always pick it up later.’
Back in her chambers at the Royal Residence, Rachel had been bustling about collecting various items. Now she threw herself onto the bed and stared up at the ornate ceiling.
‘It doesn’t feel real at all.’
Rachel pressed the back of her hand against her forehead. All her hurried rushing about had left her body flushed with warmth.
‘Strange, though, when you think about it.’
Of all the characters to possess, she’d reincarnated into a minor one in a provincial backwater, hounded by debt collectors. Her only skill was teaching children, so she’d used that to pay off her debts, and in the process had encountered the imperial princes. It was how she’d come to know Crown Prince Lucas.
The two princes had proven to be anything but easy students. They’d gotten into trouble both in groups with the other children and on their own, and she’d spent no small effort keeping the situation under control each time.
Yet one thing had become abundantly clear: both princes were fundamentally good-hearted children.
Because she’d believed firmly in their goodness and taught them with dedication, the boys had begun to walk the righteous path. A far cry from their disreputable conduct at first.
By any measure, it was a success. Not only the two of them, but all her other students had shown a transformation worthy of pride.
And in the course of all that, she’d discovered she could manipulate Mana.
Mana Manipulation—something she’d never anticipated. From that moment on, her relationship with Lucas had deepened rapidly.
Despite being Crown Prince, he often shared her perspective—she who had lived in the twenty-first century. Especially in his agreement that Universal Education must be implemented.
“There’s been so much to deal with….”
Since entering the Imperial Palace, there had been much: her clash of wills with Katie, her confrontation with the Empress.
‘Now there’ll be even more challenges ahead.’
Rachel let out a soft sigh. The mages of the Mage Tower were said to possess tremendous pride. They would never simply leave an outsider like her alone. They would surely attempt every trick in the book to drive her out.
‘Why on earth do grown adults act like that, when they’ve lived long enough to know better?’
Rachel found it exasperating. And yet, in a strange way, she could understand their position too.
‘They’ve lived their entire lives in a Class Society.’
Just as she couldn’t fathom a Class Society, they would never truly grasp the egalitarian world she’d come from.
“I just have to do my part. I can do this!”
Rachel sat up in bed, reciting the words like an incantation to herself. And strangely, it actually worked—she felt a spark of energy kindle inside her.
“Rachel, teacher.”
She was still finishing her packing when a maidservant’s bright voice rang out from beyond the door.
“Yes, what is it?”
Rachel opened the door and answered the summons.
“Oh…?”
She’d expected a mere reminder about mealtime. Instead, Lucas stood waiting in the hallway.
“Lucas.”
“If you’re not busy, would you spare me a moment?”
“Of course. Anytime.”
Rachel opened the door wide to let him in, and Lucas stepped through with a smile.
“Tomorrow we finally leave for the Mage Tower, and there are so many things I wanted to give you.”
A box hung from Lucas’s hand—clearly a gift meant for her.
She couldn’t deny that receiving gifts made her uncomfortable. But separate from that unease was a profound gratitude for his attention.
Where else could she find someone who looked after her so consistently, from beginning to end? Rachel smiled warmly.
“I thought you’d need plenty of pens, ink, and notebooks.”
Lucas set the box on the table. Rachel hesitated for a moment before opening it, and inside her gaze was caught by fine parchment paper, ink, and writing instruments.
“Lucas, I truly cannot thank you enough.”
Rachel bowed her head in gratitude. Then Lucas placed a small glass bottle on the table.
“What is this?”
“Whenever something troubles you, write it down and put it in here. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
So that was why he’d come—to offer his support. Rachel smiled again, flooded with gratitude and guilt in equal measure at his thoughtfulness.
“I really do need to work hard.”
“You already are.”
“It doesn’t feel like enough.”
Compared to everything Lucas had given her, she had shown him nothing yet. She resolved that at the Mage Tower, she would study diligently and produce real results to match his faith in her.
“It’s our last day of freedom—won’t you step outside the Imperial Palace with me?”
“Outside the Palace?”
“There are surely many things we could do out there.”
Lucas’s quiet voice held a note of temptation.
“But… will it be all right?”
“There’s nothing wrong with it.”
She must have been bottling up more stress than she realized. The way this proposal pulled at her was proof enough.
“Then shall we go?”
The simple suggestion to venture out seemed impossibly enticing. Rachel nodded at once, already wondering what awaited them.

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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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