The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 78

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

Episode 78
“So you’ve confirmed it—a Magic Stone belonging to the royal family.”
Lucas’s arrival reversed the atmosphere entirely. Even the mages who had been half-heartedly passing time now watched him with gleaming eyes.
Though they sat in different seats, their thoughts converged as one.
The man destined to be the next Emperor had come here. And for the Baron’s Daughter, no less.
“Rachel, that Magic Stone I gave you seems to have proven quite useful.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
She already had a reputation for receiving the Crown Prince’s favor. In such circumstances, she hadn’t wanted to flaunt her connection to him quite so openly, yet somehow matters had unfolded this way.
‘Being on good terms with Lucas isn’t a bad thing, after all.’
Rachel reconsidered her embarrassment and smiled brightly, gesturing for Lucas to take a seat.
“Lucas, would you like to sit?”
“I’d be happy to.”
Lucas settled into the chair beside Rachel with perfect ease, then joined the conversation as naturally as if he’d been there all along.
“It seems you were discussing Tirnes’s military forces.”
“Yes. We were talking about how Tirnes has a critical shortage of mages compared to its overall troop strength.”
“Given the unsettling situation across the continent, I share that concern.”
Lucas exhaled softly—not a jest, but something weighted with genuine worry. Rachel’s expression grew serious in turn.
“Tirnes’s mage corps is absolutely depleted compared to Anareo’s. If war breaks out, a single one of our mages would need to face ten of theirs.”
“Which is why I had a thought…”
Lucas had already laid the groundwork. Now it was her turn to speak. Rachel seized the moment.
“What if we brought this matter up at the banquet when His Majesty returns?”
“At the banquet?”
“Yes. If those gathered here lent their support, our voice would carry far greater weight.”
Rachel spoke with genuine conviction.
This was no idle speculation. If she raised the issue in the Emperor’s presence, all eyes would turn toward them. From there, it could become an official agenda item—precisely what Rachel hoped for.
“That’s rather…”
“I fear it may provoke considerable backlash to blur the line between Nobility and Commoner.”
The mages hesitated. Rachel understood their trepidation well enough. They too, like other nobles, likely held firm convictions about the distinction between Nobility and Commoner.
‘They’ve lived their whole lives with such beliefs. Changing them suddenly isn’t easy.’
Just as she found it difficult to grasp their perspective, so too would they struggle with hers. Rachel worked to understand them, reading the room carefully.
“This does seem a topic worth raising.”
One of the mages seated at the far end of the table spoke up, eyes bright as he regarded Rachel.
“Rachel, in your case, you possess considerable talent. Had we not given you a chance, we might never have known such a remarkable person existed among us.”
The unnamed mage praised her so effusively that Rachel felt sudden embarrassment wash over her. Her head drooped and her face flushed.
“In any case, one cannot deny Rachel’s abilities.”
“Quite right.”
More than one voice rose in her defense. Rachel felt heat creep across her cheeks, yet she lifted her head again shortly after. She had to seize this momentum.
“If you’re all in agreement, I’ll raise the matter at the banquet.”
To Rachel’s words, neither assent nor dissent came—only cautious glances exchanged between tables.
‘The fact that no one voiced opposition is already a victory.’
Silence, rather than open objection, was a triumph in itself. Rachel allowed her confidence to grow.
“Then I’ll be counting on your support.”
Rachel finished speaking with a radiant smile, earnestly hoping all would resolve well.
* * *
“Teacher, you’re going to the banquet too, aren’t you?”
“Theo, how did you know that?”
Rachel was taken aback. She’d never mentioned the banquet to Theo or Noah.
“If you don’t go, Teacher, I couldn’t imagine who Brother would take. It wouldn’t make sense without you.”
Theo grinned with shrewd perception. Rachel felt a twinge of embarrassment—it seemed Theo had seen right through her and Lucas’s relationship.
‘Come to think of it, it’s obvious enough.’
Everyone knew Lucas favored her in a way that set her apart. It was plain even to children’s eyes. Rachel managed her expression carefully as she conversed with Theo.
“Teacher, please wear a beautiful Dress. When others see you, they won’t be able to take their eyes off.”
Theo spoke again earnestly. Rachel nodded warmly.
‘When I was homeroom teacher for first-year students, they were always like this.’
Those young children used to light up on days when she wore a dress or dressed herself up a bit more carefully.
‘Children are still children, even if they’ve grown.’
Theo had grown to her height, and Noah was only about half a span shorter, yet they remained children nonetheless.
“Teacher, if anyone at the banquet is rude to you, I’ll handle them.”
Noah spoke with his eyes wide and serious. The sight was both endearing and amusing, and Rachel replied warmly.
“I’ll make sure to handle things so you don’t have to worry about that.”
“Yes, that would be best of all. Still, please don’t forget that I’m here behind you. I’m always on your side.”
“Teacher, it’s time to go choose your dress. Shall we get up now?”
The nursemaid made the suggestion to Rachel, who rose from her seat at once. As she’d said, Rachel needed to select a dress and find the ornaments to match it.
“If there’s anything you want, tell me freely. I’ll help you.”
“What I already have is more than enough, truly.”
Lucas was eager to provide Rachel with something more, yet from her perspective, what she’d already received was sufficient. She’d been showered with gifts to overflowing—what more could she possibly need?
“I can wear just the dresses you’ve given me for over a year, Lucas.”
Rachel, having once more declined Lucas’s offer, followed the nursemaid as they departed. The nursemaid walked ahead down the corridor with confident bearing. The woman following behind her was no longer a member of some humble noble house—she was now a proud member of the Mage Tower, and that filled the nursemaid with pride.
“I’m proud to serve someone of such accomplishment. I truly respect and admire you, teacher. You know that, don’t you?”
“Oh, I’m nothing special.”
“To have changed the Crown Prince himself, and then earn the recognition of the Mage Tower—it’s all so remarkable.”
The nursemaid was right. Even Rachel, thinking it over, found everything unfolding like magic.
‘As long as I don’t fall out of favor with His Imperial Majesty, that is.’
Rachel exhaled a faint sigh.
No matter how powerful the Mage Tower’s master was, it was the Emperor who determined the Tower’s fundamental direction. Suggesting to such an Emperor that the Mage Tower accept members regardless of station was certain to meet with fierce opposition.
Yet Rachel had no intention of giving up. Opposition and differing opinions—she regarded them as the natural state of things.
“Teacher, what do you think of this dress?”
The dress the nursemaid had brought was none other than a pink-hued one—or to put it another way, the dress Katie had claimed as her own color.
The Crown Prince’s gift.
‘Yes. I’ll confront her this time.’
If things continued this way, she’d clash with Katie constantly. Breaking her momentum decisively now was not a bad strategy at all. Having settled on this, Rachel took hold of the pink dress.
“Yes, I like it. I’ll go with this color. And let’s add some brilliant jewelry to match.”
It was the nursemaid who was surprised by Rachel’s uncharacteristic response. She smiled broadly and found ornaments to suit the pink dress.
Unaware of what that single dress would set in motion.

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